Author
Julie Tofilon
Pick them up! Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes we make them go wrong by “blowing it”—either through neglect, making a mistake, or through lack of good character (aka sin). What do we do when that happens? Some natural responses include:… Continue Reading →
With openness. We see this principle everywhere. For example, you can’t fix a car with the hood closed. We also need to open the hood to apply jumper cables, add oil, clean the parts, and do maintenance. We can’t do… Continue Reading →
A few months ago, while walking our dog, my husband and I noticed a tree branch hanging on to a telephone wire about twenty feet in the air. The branch, though small, had managed to straddle its two spindly legs… Continue Reading →
We don’t (or shouldn’t) stop learning when we get old, we get “old” when we stop learning. That’s why wise people keep learning: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” Prov. 1:5… Continue Reading →
Some people are natural hand-raisers. When they raise their hands to volunteer to help, everyone loves that. But the enthusiasm that drives their volunteering also drives their interest in sharing their opinions, suggestions, and innovative ideas. They want to contribute…. Continue Reading →
Procrastinating is harder than just getting it done. Whether it’s a project, a deliverable, a response to a message, cleaning up, getting organized, taking care of your health, or restoring broken relationships—there will always be added burdens that get increasingly… Continue Reading →
Matters matter, but our responses matter more and longer. Yes, what happens to us matters. Getting hired vs. getting fired. Passing vs. failing an exam. Birth vs. death (of anyone or anything). Winning vs. losing. Starting a relationship vs. ending… Continue Reading →
We once had an assistant youth director at the church where my husband pastors, who had a lot of what we Yiddish speakers call “chutzpah” – basically guts and nerve on steroids. At his first leadership-team meeting (online due to… Continue Reading →
Last week, on our evening walk, my husband, dog, and I passed our neighbors’ houses and noticed one lawn freshly mowed, with the one next to it definitely needing mowing. Each one made us notice the other one more. The… Continue Reading →
Have you ever gotten really down or upset over someone that doesn’t care about you? Here’s a principle I’ve found that works: Care less about those who couldn’t care less! This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about people’s needs or… Continue Reading →
As leaders, whether in the corporate world, an organization, or our family, we will encounter followers who’d rather not follow! These people think they know better, don’t find our directions or assignments suitable, and/or don’t want to submit to our… Continue Reading →
Several weeks ago we got what seemed to be a great deal on a used car. It had passed state inspection, had a reasonable amount of miles with a reasonable price, good gas mileage, and its make was deemed #1… Continue Reading →
As we in the U.S. celebrate the 4th of July, aka Independence Day, I’m thinking it’s also time to acknowledge and openly declare our inter-dependence! Really, there’s no shame in that, and actually it makes good sense. Interdependence happens and… Continue Reading →
In Mat. 3:16-17 (and other Gospel accounts) we read how just after Jesus was baptized, the Lord’s voice came “thundering” from heaven, saying “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased!” “Sure”, we think, “I have no… Continue Reading →
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Col. 4:5 Have you ever felt like you had so much more to do than time to do it? In other words, overwhelmed? Or perhaps I should ask… Continue Reading →
