Philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo on being wise: “One who looks around him is intelligent; one who looks within him is wise.”
Looking Within
July 16, 2026Keep It Brief
July 15, 2026Marketing legend David Ogilvy on keeping things short. “The longer your memos, the less likely they are to be read by men who have the power to act on them.”
Jesus must have learned that in rabbi school. His stories seldom wandered. And when he preached all day…all the stories were short.
Forgiving Isn’t Excusing
July 14, 2026I forgive myself for missing a workout or eating a danish (this morning) or not calling a friend.
I do not excuse myself. I own it. And I move on.
I forgive someone an offense. I do not excuse it. Maybe not forget. But it is forgiven.
I ask forgiveness for a offensive or omission. Maybe I don’t receive it. Maybe eventually. Maybe never. But I turn my heart. Hopefully someday the other can. It is the best I can do.
You can also check out my book list and my 10-part video series on Romans as a Guide to Spiritual Formation.
When Our Vision Deceives Us
July 13, 2026My writing desk faces out two windows and across the yard. Sometimes the sun glares off the glass.
Three loud explosive sounds startled me this morning. Three dark objects appeared about 36-inches from my eyes. Two dropped. One flew away.
Three adolescent robins mistook my office window for clear sky.
One rebounded flying away.
One landed upright with mouth open, panting.
The third lay on its side trying to recover.
We sometimes are so certain that we see clearly only to be knocked seriously aside. Sometimes we need that shock to return us to awareness.
(Eventually the two robins recovered and flew away.)
You can also check out my book list and my 10-part video series on Romans as a Guide to Spiritual Formation.
Thirteen Qualities To Consider Daily
July 10, 2026Thirteen qualities Benjamin Franklin identified as the wisest parts of personhood — temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.
Maybe something worth taping to your desk as a daily reminder?
You can also check out my book list and my 10-part video series on Romans as a Guide to Spiritual Formation.
A Straight Shot of Gratification
July 9, 2026Psychiatrist Phil Stutz notes, “The impulses for all of our bad habits travel along the same path – a straight shot to immediate gratification through what I call the lower channel… Lower channel functioning is a disaster. When the pleasure is over, we’re left with nothing.”
Perhaps you, like I, have experienced this straight shot of dopamine gratification through the instant reward system. Just like a sugar/caffeine high, the reward from other bad habits is fleeting.
Must be why Jesus tells us to live a more disciplined life. In the long run, the rewards are sweeter.
Motivation v Routine
July 8, 2026Preachers and teachers thrive on motivation. Some speakers forge lucrative careers holding huge motivational rallies. Those of us who have attended such events wonder how long the fire lasts.
Motivation is short-term fuel. Routine is the only fuel that lasts.
Be intentional developing your routines.
Managing Change
July 7, 2026You may think you are in charge. Maybe you have read many business management and personal development books. Maybe you even believed them. And tried to implement ideas.
On the business side of my studies, I read about transforming your business or managing AI. I’ve been busy undoing changes I made in my nutrition and fitness. A few poor choices, and I have loss of energy and systems issues.
We think we manage change. Actually change happens. Then we manage us.
David Allen, of Getting Things Done fame, recently discussed managing change. Managing change is really about managing life, which is a dynamically flowing and shifting river. Swimming and navigating are great to know all the time, because you may need them at any moment.
Are You Lying To Yourself?
July 6, 2026I picked this bit of research off the Arnold Schwarzenegger Pump Club newsletter:
A few years ago, researchers took a big, nationally representative group of American adults and asked: Are you active enough? Sixty-two percent said yes. Then they strapped motion trackers to those same people and let the devices ride along for a full week. The verdict? Only 9% were hitting the guidelines. And the raw minutes would be funny if they weren’t so familiar. People reported around 324 minutes of moderate activity a week. The devices caught about 45. The participants didn’t miss by a hair. They overshot their own lives by nearly seven to one. The trackers aren’t perfect. But nothing shrinks a gap that size down to a comfortable size. We believe we’re doing more, and we mean it. Same as the kid with the pegs. Same as me while sleep-deprived. There’s a reason we’re wired this way, and it isn’t stupidity. Psychologists describe something like an immune system for the ego. When a fact threatens the picture we hold of ourselves, the mind mounts a defense as automatic as your body fighting off a bug. It blames the timing. It argues with whoever delivered the news. It hunts for the one flattering number and clamps down on it instead. In the moment, it protects you. Over the years, it walls you off from the exact truth you needed most.
How much physical movement do you really get in a day?
How much Bible study, spiritual reading, other reading do you really do in a day? Wait. Are you reading or just have the book open?
Are you really focused on God and others as you “pray?” Or does your mind drift as a leaf in a stream?
How much service work to you actually do versus what you tell yourself you do?
We are half through this year. Is it time to take a true evaluation of this year? No, really. Where can I pick up even just one new activity to move forward?
Freedom
July 4, 2026I traditionally write about freedom and suggest reading (hopefully rereading) the actual Declaration of Independence on July 4. I also suggest reading The Federalist Papers. It helps to stay grounded.
This year, I saw this from Seth Godin. Given one of my annoyances is provoked by comments that imply freedom means lack of responsibility, I love his thought.
Freedom is responsibility with a sexier name.
250 years in, democracy still matters. Click to upvote the ones that resonate and please share.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 