rusty tugman

Here are 10 encouraging messages from Jon Gordon to get your week started in a positive way... 1) Mondays are a great day to focus on what we GET TO do instead of what we HAVE TO do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.2) Three things you control every day are your ATTITUDE, your … Continue reading Positive Monday

Yesterday, I was speaking to a group of employees about burnout and some strategies to prevent it or manage it. One person in the group shared that she and her husband spend their Saturdays taking day trips and "mini-adventures" to interesting places around their part of the state. They do this because it gives them … Continue reading Be Intentional about Your Weekend

To this point, I haven't said anything from the pulpit about the recent Supreme Court decision that ruled against a federal constitutional right to abortion. While I applaud the decision, I have not felt the need to join the "victory lap" that I see many taking for the following reasons: This decision does not outlaw … Continue reading Let Your Life Speak

From the Book of Common Prayer... Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for ourheritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always proveourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, andpure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;from … Continue reading A Prayer for Our Country

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In … Continue reading A Much-Needed Reminder

It was 21 years ago today that you entered the world. While your exit was way too soon, today I choose to focus on your entrance. And what an entrance it was! When I first saw you, I couldn't believe how big you were. Or how beautiful. And I was completely unprepared for how much … Continue reading 21

A former professor of mine who had a great influence on me, Dr. Don Hebbard, has released a new book that I am currently reading. The book is titled Healing Hurting Churches: The Economou Process, and in one chapter Dr. Hebbard shares the following story about one of his counseling patients who had an interesting … Continue reading “I’ll Keep My Swamp”

Last week, for the 24th year, I had the privilege of teaching Bible to high school juniors and seniors at Camp Blue Haven in New Mexico. Hopefully, I helped them grow in their understanding of God's Word but I know, for sure, that they strengthened my faith by their sincere love for Jesus and their … Continue reading How to Get Better with Age

In his book, The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg writes about "keystone habits," which are routines that lead to a cascade of other actions because of them. For example, physical exercise can lead to healthier eating, better sleep, and improved focus, to name just a few of the benefits. So, exercise is the keystone habit … Continue reading Keystone Decisions