No Matter What, I’d Do It Again

Hard Place, Middle East, Values

“Where is he?” David muttered, pacing and jittery. “He’s two hours overdue.” Our visionary friend was traversing conflict zones, but he’d never been this late. Then the phone rang. David lunged for it. His face projected relief,...

I’ve Lived with War All My Life – So Why Bother?

Hard Place, Middle East, Values

I couldn’t help it. I burst into tears. Exactly a year ago in Iraq, our dreamer had shared the cruel facts filtering out. But now was the final blow. Their homes had been ransacked. And occupied by fighters. Their belongings dumped into the street. Two months before...

Quiet Victories in No Man’s Land

Hard Place, Values

“The thrill of victory; the agony of defeat.” The recent Olympics put that truth on display!  After a lifetime of rigor and pain, a moment in the spotlight.  Ecstatic winners jump in victory.  Defeated challengers hang their heads.   The dreamers strengthened by...

Where is that boy?

Hard Place, Values

“Where is that boy?” our dreamer muttered, tension rising, as he searched the city after nightfall. In distant suburbs, mortar shells thudded. Machine guns rattled. The streets of his usually bustling city were deserted. Huddled in public parks, refugees snatched...

Shared Values: Gyroscope Stability at the Edge of Chaos

Local Visionary, Values

“If I don’t like her, I’m sending her back to your mom the next minute!” Yikes! I’d never seen my usually mild-mannered grandma so vehement! Yet who could blame her? Her strength was ebbing. She needed extra care. But that’s what made her so vulnerable. As vigilant as...

Recognizing Servant-Leaders – Not Drum Majors

Hard Place, Values

It was only after the rice ran out that the British soldier noticed her again. Her tiny face crumpled as it dawned on her that she would get no food that day. Even in the emaciated crowd, she was smaller and thinner than the rest, easily pushed aside as stronger ones...