rusty tugman

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and he once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" And, on this day, I can't help but add to that quote and ask, "What are you doing for others who are different than you?" But the responding question you might … Continue reading What Are You Doing For Others?

A lot of you are feeling like you are under pressure. Maybe you're facing financial pressures, work pressures, or family pressures. Maybe you're feeling pressure in your relationships or the pressure to remain healthy in the midst of a pandemic that just won't go away. Maybe the weight of all that is happening in our … Continue reading Perspective Under Pressure

"And so, dear friends, since we call God our Father, let us remember to act like children of God, so that he may find pleasure in having us as his children, just as we do in having him as our Father." - Cyprian of Carthage

I'm starting the year by slowly reading through Proverbs, taking time to soak in and meditate upon the wisdom that is found there. I appreciate Rich Villodas' description of the Bible's collected proverbs: "Proverbs are not universal promises, but life lessons tested over time and tightly summarized to help people navigate wisely through life." Proverbs … Continue reading Are You Pursuing Wisdom?

"You're becoming someone you're not." Those were the words my wife spoke to me during a particularly tense time at the first church I served. Very poor leadership had created a toxic environment, and I was becoming increasingly negative, cynical, and bitter. That's not my natural or desired personality, and my wife was pointing that … Continue reading What Do You Want to Change in 2022?

Christmas is over. The presents have been opened. The food has been eaten. The festivities have concluded. So, what's next? When we look in the Gospels at what came immediately after the brith narrative of Jesus, we find some guidance for answering that question. For example, in Luke, what comes next is two stories about … Continue reading What’s Next?

Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right out of our Christmas stockings. Crazy weather disasters strike at unsuspecting areas, ravaging peaceful homes and interrupting the lives of unsuspecting residents. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, … Continue reading A Christmas Prayer for Peace

I love reading through the birth narrative of Jesus each year during the Christmas season, and what stood out to me most this year were two verses in Luke 2... Luke 2:17 - "When they [the shepherds] had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child..." Luke 2:20 … Continue reading Be Incarnational

Yesterday, three people walked into our church building asking for a ride. I walked up to them, introduced myself, and told them that I would be happy to drive them where they needed to go. The problem is they didn't where they were going. They said that they wanted to go to a friend's apartment … Continue reading Where Are You Going?

This week my wife and I are taking our first trip together as empty nesters. And, it's a little weird. But it's a lot wonderful. Whenever I go on vacation, I am reminded of the following quote... We all need breaks from time to time, even if it's just for a day or a few … Continue reading On Vacation