Mentor Helps Skydiver Break World Record

On October 14, 2012, the Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner broke two world records that had stood for over fifty years. He smashed the previous world ...

Business Leader Elicits Brutally Honest Feedback

After interviewing business leaders at over 100 companies, the authors of a 2012 Harvard Business Review article concluded: "Smart leaders today … ...

Pastors Try to "Help" Their Peer Show Less Compassion

Once, in the pastor's group I treasure, one of the brothers told us how heavyhearted he was over a mother-daughter duo who was constantly coming to him ...

Abraham Lincoln Confronts His Step-brother about Debt

In 1850, Abraham Lincoln's step-brother, John D. Johnston, wrote to him and asked, yet again, for a loan so he could settle some debts. On previous occasions ...

The Tone of Our Truth-Telling Makes All the Difference

"The tone of our truth-telling can build a wall or a bridge," said Ed Waltz.

Ed and his wife, Barb, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, should know. They witnessed ...

An Act of Tough Love Changes an Employee’s Life

Christian businessman and author John D. Beckett shares the following personal story about the redemptive power of speaking the truth in love:

I was in ...

Luxury Cruise Turns Sour

Recently I spoke with a friend named Carol (name changed) who had just returned from a difficult ocean cruise. She works for an organization that was ...

Importance of Spiritual Mentors

Gordon McDonald, at the passing of a lifelong mentor, recalled his loyalty and the crucial counsel he gave in a crisis:

He was there when, many years later, ...

Max Lucado Prefers Encouragement to Complaining

I discovered the importance of healthy counsel in a half-Ironman triathlon. After the 1.2 mile swim and the 56 mile bike ride, I didn't have much ...

Courageous Student Prevents School Shooting

In September of 2006, a high school senior named Matt Atkinson learned of a dark secret from three of his friends. In confidence, they told him of their ...