Life-on-life

I was a prodigal.

Sure, I masked my inner rebellion with excellent grades, modest athletic achievement, student leadership positions and a high degree of socialization. But the truth was still there.

I was a prodigal.

I ran from God. I ran from reality. Chasing wine, women and song helped me gain over 15 kg my first year of college and cut my grade point average nearly in half.

Some of my friends reached out to me. They helped me see that I was leaving a wake of strained and broken relationships behind me. They didn’t judge me (well, some did). A few close friends demonstrated that they cared more for me than for my approval. They spoke hard truth with radical grace into my situation.

I was a prodigal. These friends were the arms of a loving father, reaching out and waiting for me to return. To forgive. To invite me to more.

Thanks, friends. It is in your honor that I pray for prodigals on this annual Prayer for Prodigals day, June 2. You can pray for them too. If you want more information, or have interest in journeying with others who are wrestling with a prodigal, visit here.

After all, we’re all prodigals in need of radical grace, aren’t we?

Read Jesus’ version of the story here.

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Resolved: No Resolutions for 2011

by Ken Leadership

It’s the first Monday morning workday of 2011 and I have just wrapped up my weekly prayer time with a couple of other men in downtown Orlando. Our conversation surprised me: no one has made any new year’s resolutions. Since the three of us tend to be future-oriented overachievers, I found it interesting not only [...]

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Celebrating Martin Luther

by Ken Life-on-life

Today is Halloween, also known as Reformation Day. On this day in 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany, forever cementing his reputation as a rebel/prophet/professor with a cause. Here’s a great post that captures the history of Reformation Day. Today also happens to be my spiritual birthday. [...]

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A Fresh Dose of Humility

by Ken Life-on-life

Ann and I recently celebrated two major milestones – 25 years of marriage and a newly emptied nest – by taking a week on the Greek island of Kos. It was so awesome that I think we’re going to start taking silver anniversary trips every year. You can view a few pix here. It costs [...]

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What to Write About

by Ken Bonus

Sometimes I’m not sure what I want to write about, or if what I write will really make a difference. During these periods I’m learning a simple lesson: Write anyway.

Anyone who has mastered a skill, a sport, an instrument, painting, speaking or writing will probably offer you the same advice: Stay at it.

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Four Secrets For Extreme Endurance

by Ken Leadership

The farthest I’ve ever cycled in one day was 92 miles. Tomorrow is nearly twice that distance. During my last few training rides I’ve been asking myself: Will my body even be able to endure this distance and time in the saddle? What will be necessary to finish well? Here are four crucial secrets to extreme endurance that I’ve gleaned from veterans. It seems these same principles apply to many other challenging endeavors in life:

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Four On-Ramps to Personal Leadership Development

by Ken Leadership

Below are four proven pathways to personal leadership development that fellow leaders have passed along to me and have now become lifetime habits.

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