When I first met Jason, he was part of a core group of people who were planting a new church.  He oversaw and led small groups, greeted people in the lobby, and worked in the insurance field (not his passion).  I could always count on Jason to provide me with a laugh whenever I visited the church.  He was outgoing, playful, passionate, loyal, truth-telling, and had a big heart for God’s adventurers.  I could tell he would be a leader worth … [Read more...]

   When God’s Plans Aren’t Our Plans: There has been a recent wave of young people I meet with who have been struggling with infertility issues or miscarriages in their marriages. It is heart-breaking for couples who deeply desire to raise a family (and who would be great parents, in my opinion) not to be able to have children.  It’s an extra sting when they see people all around them getting pregnant easily and having healthy babies … [Read more...]

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)   Erick’s Father Wounds: Erick grew up with a loyal, committed father who made his family a priority.  His dad camped, fished, and spent time with his children regularly.  It had the potential of being ideal – a … [Read more...]

  Casey In The Desert of Numb: “I was not in a good place in the fall of 2014.  I was tired, stressed, not motivated, careless, lacked enthusiasm, and my wife and I had both agreed that our marriage was not at its best. “The best way I could describe it was, ‘I feel numb.’ “To say those words, for me, was significant because that is not at all who I wanted to be or ever was. “Before this desert season, I enjoyed living a … [Read more...]

Melanie (in the middle) lives with an autoimmune disease that at times leaves her body racked with pain.  Even amidst her struggles and tears, she is one of the most positive, abundant, joyful women I’ve ever known. There is something about deep suffering that can bring out the extraordinary in people.  Maybe suffering forces people to make choices about what is really important, and in whom they will place their dependency and trust.  Maybe … [Read more...]

Randy's November, 2013 Update: Dan's Identity Shift: “Filled with misguided passion, angst, and an unshakable sense that my value was directly related to my productivity and how I portrayed myself, I wrestled with the frustration of feeling “stuck”.  Perhaps much of my frustration came from envisioning what I wanted, and then growing angry when God didn’t deliver.  Often I would become weary and frustrated waiting, too paralyzed by fear and … [Read more...]

A Heart For Discipleship: Tommy Bowman is the Directional Leader of Mission Church, a church plant in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago.  Tommy and I have been meeting for about a year now. Tommy has a growing heart for discipleship, and seeing discipleship woven into the culture of their missional church. It all starts with the man in the mirror.  My old leaders used to asks us, “Who’s your man?  Who’s your woman?  Who is one person you … [Read more...]

Randy's February, 2013 Update: Meet Andrea: Andrea is a very gifted woman.  Before we met, she was doing incredible work through a large relief organization trying to help alleviate world hunger.  She worked really hard, but was in a role that was not well suited to her giftedness.  Eventually, burn out set in, and she was left feeling like a failure. One of the hopes of this ministry is to help young people discover and live out their … [Read more...]

Randy's December, 2012 Update: Brian's Story: “I have an awesome family.  They raised me to work hard, serve people, love life and honor the Lord.  So when I started hearing people talk about a spiritual mentor, I wasn't sure it was necessary for me.  Luckily, I gave Legacy Shepherding a try and my worldview shifted. “Being a first-born, I try really hard.  Perfectionism is my joy and my downfall.  Through Legacy Shepherding Ministries, … [Read more...]

Randy's November, 2012 Update When I start meeting with young people, I never know how they will give away all the things that God will pour into them through this process, but I trust it will be exactly what He planned for them to do and that it will somehow bless and transform the world.  It’s always a fun surprise to watch their destinies unfold. Mentoring Scotty - 2008: In my October 2008 update, I wrote about Scotty In Africa.  At that … [Read more...]