by Chris Maxwell | May 2, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
The family never spent Christmas that way before. They would never spend it that way again. Opening presents and eating meals couldn’t turn their minds toward holiday gusto. Not that year. Tears replaced laughter. Fears flavored moods. Carolyn, whose humor normally...
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 22, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
Pausing doesn’t end correctly by concluding with a time of respite and reflection. Those are appetizers preparing us to be the people we truly crave to be. It isn’t all internal. It moves us forward, upward, outward. What do we become? World changers. Lovers. Friends....
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 17, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
By taking a little time to reflect and pause, we might not rush past the now. By appreciating the messy yards as we gently guide our kids toward better habits, we might find wonder and grace in times of correction and teaching. By looking back at their younger days...
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 11, 2018 | Blog
Decades passed. Wounds grew deep. Relationships were negatively influenced by worries. His mental dialogue replayed: Does what happened to my parents happen to everyone? Are all relationships like this? Can’t love be better? Initial reluctance to talk was obvious....
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 6, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
Through an amazing miracle Jesus revealed His power. He opted for showing Himself to them rather than shoving Himself on them. Not volume. Not marketing. Harsh words might have added to their despair. The miracle, reminiscent of the similar episode so long before,...
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 4, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
The disciples—or, for now, the fishermen—had worked through the night but caught nothing. Jesus waited ashore and spoke, possibly making the apparent disaster of the disciples worse. He advised them on a better fishing technique. Remember, they’d been there a while....
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 2, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
Breakfast is my friend. Breakfast moments remind me of life, of new beginnings, of community, of pausing to eat and talk and think and begin a day. I cherish the morning meals. That honest conversation I enjoyed last week with Charles when we met for breakfast at the...
by Chris Maxwell | Mar 30, 2018 | Blog
The week ended. The week merging celebration and accusation ended. Weeks do that. They begin their sprint then rush toward a conclusion. Like stories, our weeks contain components of drama and tension and conflict and romance and resolution. To pause during our weeks...
by Chris Maxwell | Mar 28, 2018 | Blog
Today comes once. Just once. Results from today’s decisions last a long time. A very long time. What can we do today to make a positive difference? What can we say? What stands in the way of us making that positive difference? Do we doubt ourselves? Are we controlled...
by Chris Maxwell | Mar 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
This chapter highlights a week in His life that moved so many components of the story toward a revelation of that mission. This chapter reminds us to glance back in time as the Strong One became weak, as the God-Man intentionally gives up His superman cape, as...
