Author Archives: Jeff Dillard

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is one of the hottest and most helpful trends among leaders seeking personal and organizational development.  EI addresses four key components:  1) self-awareness for 2) self-management and 3) empathy for 4) management of others (i.e., leadership).  But, … Continue reading →

Failure.  There’s not usually any positive connotations from the word, much less the experience.  Yet, throughout Scripture and in the personal experience of His people, we see that the Lord often uses what we consider significant losses to lead us into … Continue reading →

Shocking losses can cripple us in many ways.  In the moment of the tragedy, for example, it can be almost impossible to think clearly.  So, in those moments, we often say things that don’t quite come out in the best … Continue reading →

One of my privileges as an American is the freedom of speech…relatively speaking.  As I note in the article below, I am properly not free to say whatever I want to whomever I want in any context that I want.  That … Continue reading →

Because the Lord created us in His image, part of which means being rational, relational, and planning ahead toward good goals, He calls us to do the same.  Everyday, we choose to plan (or choose not to plan) for our … Continue reading →

When you meet someone for the first time, what do you say about yourself, other than your name?  If we just moved into the area, we might say where we live or where we’re working.  If we’re in school, we … Continue reading →

Every day, we consider options and choose plans.  Even if we lay in bed later on a Saturday, we’re looking at possibilities for the day.  Not acting toward one direction is still choosing a separate plan in another direction.  Of … Continue reading →

Not every battle should be fought, because not all of them can be won.  But some must be fought.  And in Christ, when He calls us to wage war against the temptations of our own flesh, the world, or the … Continue reading →

There is no gem more precious than Truth.  And, although I realize it’s been said of most ages in the past, today that gem seems even more rare.  For, without Truth, life is guesswork.  And that might not be so … Continue reading →

Although the subject of this week’s article is different, there is at least one parallel.  So let’s use the same the following discussion prompts as last week’s. In Matthew 5:38-48, the Lord says that personal retaliation is counter to living God’s love with … Continue reading →

In last week’s article, we looked at the value of negotiating for a win-win in the midst of personal conflicts.  Through today’s article and related Scriptures I hope to show that our personal loss may be the first step toward … Continue reading →

Few people enjoy being in the middle of a struggle, whether it’s our or others’ issues.  And just as few may be inclined to compromise.  Even the sound of the word is offensive to many.  Negotiation, however, can be a … Continue reading →

Throughout this blog, I often refer to four basic emotions:  feeling bad (fearful or guilty), mad, sad, and glad.  But, of course, there are many nuances of each and even combinations of emotions.  Shame is both sadness directed toward ourselves … Continue reading →

Since the beginning of recorded time, we can see records of people marking a significant place and event with a pile of stones, lest they or others forget.  They also marked the direction and distance to significant places with stones.  That’s … Continue reading →

“I don’t know what I should do.  I only know what I can do.”  And with that one comment much of my childlike zeal over a Sci-Fi hero died.  Of course, when belief in any objective Truth and Goodness is … Continue reading →

Can you imagine trying over and over for 19 years and never experiencing a victory?  You probably can.  Most of us have had our fair share of disappointments.  But the definition of success or reward really depends on what we’re … Continue reading →

Envy and jealousy are as old as Eden and just as destructive today. Even  a few minutes of watching the news will show this is true. So how are those who follow Jesus to respond? This week’s article prompts us … Continue reading →