Three Images for Gratitude: Soil, Lubricant, and Glue

In her book The Gift of Thanks, Margaret Visser uses three concrete images to convey the power of gratitude—gratitude as soil, lubricant, and glue. ...

Brazilian Leader Provides a Lesson on Friendship

Pastor Michael Woodruff recalls:

Americans are good at many things, but being friends and sharing life is not one of them. Our iconic figures—the ...

Honest Feedback Helps Us Grow Spiritually

Trying to grow spiritually without hearing the truth about yourself from somebody else is like trying to do brain surgery on yourself without a mirror. ...

We Want Our Mechanic and Our Doctor to Speak the Truth

Imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up, and the technician says, "This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive ...

Jewish 'Shiva' Practice Helps Loved Ones Grieve

After witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of civil war, oppressive regimes, and natural disasters, Palmer Chichen has observed that the Hebrew ...

Stott Displays Servanthood by Washing Muddy Shoes

Latin American theologian Rene Padilla remembers vividly one of his early encounters with John Stott.

On the previous night we had arrived in Bariloche, ...

The Positive or Negative Influence of Friendships and Small Groups

An article from Wired Magazine explored why AA has been able to help millions of people recover from an alcohol addiction. The article begins by stating, ...

Basketball Player Shares His Shoe with a Teammate

In Malawi, practically any shoe is a luxury. Lilongwe, the capital, is maybe the only African city where I have seen grown men walking down the streets ...

Research Highlights the "Missing Ingredient"—Appreciation

Business researchers call it "the missing ingredient" or "the hidden accelerator." Most managers could transform their workplaces ...

Author Wendell Berry on the Perils of Individualism

Novelist, essayist, and farmer Wendell Berry has a unique image for the perils of individualism. As he was walking with his friend Wes Jackson, they observed ...