Jim Buchan's Blogsite - Page 31 of 77 - Changing the World Through the Written and Spoken Word

Detours, Diversions & Distractions

March 30, 2025

The Lost Art of Friendship

March 24, 2025

How Do You Handle Your Blind Spots?

March 17, 2025

My Relentless Search for ‘Good Soil’

March 6, 2025

The Furniture & the Fire

March 4, 2025

Man driving a horse-drawn cart.

The Cart Before the Horse

February 7, 2025

A man singing while holding a guitar in front of another person.

Happy ‘Spiritual’ Birthday to Me!

January 25, 2025

A football player is running on the field.

Don’t Spike the Ball Before You’re in the End Zone!

January 21, 2025

A close up of the word humilite in metal letters

HUMILITY: Our Missing Ingredient?

January 10, 2025

A group of people sitting on the ground.

Speaking Before Kings and Queens

January 8, 2025

A woman sitting on the floor in front of a christmas tree.

Don’t Waste Your Lonely Places

December 23, 2024

A group of children holding up signs with different languages.

Learned Languages?!

December 20, 2024

Group gathering in a red-themed indoor space.

Morning Preaching in Pakistan… Afternoon with the Grandkids

December 13, 2024

A person using a pair of scissors to trim the branches off a tree.

Hope Amid Pruning

September 17, 2024

A goat with horns standing on top of a dirt road.

When People Get Your Goat!

September 6, 2024

A group of men running on a track

Another Botched Handoff!

September 4, 2024

A woman sitting at a table with her hands over her eyes.

When Leaders Let You Down

September 2, 2024

A flag is shown in front of fire.

Will America Turn the Page?

August 19, 2024

A group of people sitting in front of an audience.

Let’s End ‘Unemployment’ in the Church!

December 30, 2023

A camel with a saddle on it's back.

Are You Feeling EXHAUSTED?!

December 27, 2023

A man in military gear giving the peace sign.

The Problem with Mercenary Pastors

June 25, 2023

A painting of a man in jeans and boots laying on the ground.

Rip Van Winkle’s 20-Year Nap — 2023

May 13, 2023

A man in gold and white outfit wearing a crown.

Thank God, There’s ‘Another King’!

May 6, 2023

A group of people sitting on the floor in front of stained glass windows.

Will You Recognize Revival When It Comes?

February 15, 2023

A man and woman with crutches standing next to each other.

Sometimes I Wish I Was Still a Cessationist!

December 30, 2022

A herd of sheep on top of a hill.

TAKING CARE OF THE SHEEP!

December 26, 2022

A painting of people at the table with turkey

Will You Have a ‘Norman Rockwell’ Christmas This Year?

December 24, 2022

Cracked wall with a heart shape overlay.

What in the World Happened to Demas?

June 11, 2022

Person using a sander on a surface.

The Rocky Road to Restoration

April 20, 2022

Crown of thorns, nails, and wooden cross.

The Kingdom Will Get You in Trouble!

April 14, 2022

Words related to deception and lies background.

Truth Detectors in a World of Lies

March 31, 2022

Decoratively dressed donkey standing on pavement.

Untie That Colt!

March 11, 2022

Jesus carrying the cross with onlookers.

Our ‘Simon of Cyrene’ Moment

February 17, 2022

Smiling elderly woman with curly hair.

Betty White and Me

December 31, 2021

A group of people standing around some type numbers

God’s Word to YOU for 2022!

December 30, 2021

Angry man wearing a Santa hat.

How Ron Shook His Holiday Humbugs

December 24, 2021

Man looking frustrated at his smartphone.

My Dystopian Dream

October 1, 2021

Baseball player holding a ball and glove.

Is It Time to Learn the Knuckleball?

September 16, 2021

Bearded man with rifle in autumn setting.

Can the Taliban Be Saved?

September 11, 2021

NASCAR pit stop with crew changing tires.

‘Pay Attention to the Flags!’

September 5, 2021

Man in suit standing by stone wall.

My Dad’s Life-Altering Steps of Faith

June 21, 2021

Funeral scene with few attendees and humor.

The Lost Art of Friendship

June 12, 2021

Man holding blue shirt with playful text.

7 Ways God Revitalized Me After I Battled Cancer & Chemo

May 19, 2021

Clark Kent transforms into Superman in phone booth.

What Happened to All the Phone Booths?

May 3, 2021

Child holding a jar of glowing fireflies.

Why I Love Fireflies

March 31, 2021

Man resting head on book, contemplative mood.

Are You SURE You Want Revival?

March 29, 2021

Super Bowl matchup: Brady vs. Mahomes.

Can You Spot the Greatness?

February 4, 2021

Person sitting on a bench, deep in thought.

Good Grief & the Trials of Rebuilding

November 25, 2020

Chariot of fire and horses ascending.

2020: Will the Rude Awakening Lead to a Great Awakening?

November 22, 2020

Hands using pruning shears on green leaves.

The Megachurch That Got Pruned

November 19, 2020

Man with tattoos praying in a serene setting.

Turning Your PETITIONS into PRAISE

November 16, 2020

Woman in contemplation, hands clasped together.

Can YOU Smile at the Future?

November 9, 2020

Man in traditional attire holding a drum.

Haman Will Hang on His Own Gallows

July 29, 2020

American flag waving near flames.

Those with Us Are More Than Those with Them

July 25, 2020

Man in a black outfit yawning.

Lukewarm Christians vs. Zealous Radicals

July 9, 2020

Angry man shouting while holding a book.

Do You Know What Spirit You’re Of?

June 27, 2020

A man in a suit is climbing over two rocks.

Father’s Day & America’s Dangerous Precipice

June 20, 2020

Injured knee with visible wound and blood.

Don’t Let Your Wounds Get Infected

June 9, 2020

Person writing in notebook, two people nearby.

Thank God I’m Not a Counselor!

June 5, 2020

Clown holding "Justice for George" sign.

Will There Be Justice for George?

June 1, 2020

Person holding an open book indoors.

Regaining an Understanding of True Ministry

May 31, 2020

Curly-haired sheep with a focused expression.

How COVID-19 Revealed ‘Sheep Without a Shepherd’

May 24, 2020

Man in a straitjacket making a funny expression.

The Unexpected Joys of Confinement

May 16, 2020

Basketball mural on a concrete wall.

Michael Jordan’s Secret to Overcoming Failure & Defeat

May 11, 2020

Group of people using smartphones indoors.

Did SOCIAL MEDIA Pave the Way for SOCIAL DISTANCING?

May 1, 2020

Mourners gathered around a sickbed scene.

Cures Worse Than the Disease

April 23, 2020

A woman holding up a sign that says " save our future ".

Faith, Presumption & Civil Disobedience

April 19, 2020

Grunge-style American flag with animal silhouettes.

Red Armbands, Tyrannical Leaders & Me

April 16, 2020

Viking helmet, sword, and leather straps.

Here’s How — 2,000 Years Ago — Fake News Sought to Undermine the Resurrection

April 14, 2020

Ancient stone tomb entrance with round door.

More Than a Once-a-Year Easter

April 11, 2020

Wooden doors with brass handles and locks.

A Funny Thing Happened During the Disciples’ Self-Quarantine

April 10, 2020

Golden Gate Bridge with ocean waves.

PASSOVER: A Bridge Between Life’s Plagues & God’s Promises

April 8, 2020

Woman eating with chopsticks at restaurant.

The Trouble with Eating Bats

April 7, 2020

Whitewater rafting team navigating rough waters.

Navigating Uncharted Waters

April 3, 2020

Wooden heart-shaped decoration on white background.

Love in a Time of Pandemic

March 31, 2020

Person sitting on a rock by a lake.

4 Great Things You Learn in a Storm

March 24, 2020

Stormy sea with a pirate ship sailing.

Is It Time to Throw Some Things Overboard?

March 20, 2020

Football player in Eagles uniform throwing ball.

The Nick Foles Principle

January 26, 2020

Decoratively dressed donkey standing on pavement.

The Face of Victory

January 16, 2020

Hand reaching out from water surface.

Everyone’s Dealing with Something

January 10, 2020

Person examining documents on a wall.

Clues for Your Escape Room Exit

January 2, 2020

Silhouette of person embracing sunrise.

The Unexpected Joys of Re-mission

December 29, 2019

Red alarm clock with Christmas ornaments.

The Powerful Message of 12.12.12.12

December 12, 2019

Colorful turkey decoration among autumn gourds.

My Thanksgiving Gratitude — in Retrospect

November 27, 2019

Person standing in a cave with sunlight.

Tired of Living on the Fringe?

October 3, 2019

Person in prayer pose against dark background.

Prayin’ for Daylight

September 9, 2019

Couple walking on mountain trail together.

The Myth of Indispensability

September 2, 2019

Patient positioned for a CT scan.

The Sentence of Death?

August 24, 2019

Child holding a glowing jar in nature.

And You Think YOU Have a Crazy Family Tree?

June 16, 2019

Person standing in grass under starry sky.

Have You Found Your Purpose Yet?

May 31, 2019

Smiling couple enjoying a joyful moment together.

Beautiful in Old Age

May 11, 2019

A park bench sitting on the side of a road.

This Is Not the End!

May 4, 2019

Pink rose with water droplets.

The Trouble with Roses

February 10, 2019

Discipleship in the Age of Twitter

November 26, 2018

Person shoveling compost in a garden.

The Benefits of Manure

November 17, 2018

Hand writing a checklist in notebook.

Ron’s New Dating Checklist

November 4, 2018

Man holding book titled "The Split Cure."

A Miracle — 25 Years in the Making

October 31, 2018

Young person with glasses sitting by skateboards.

What I Learned from John Rankin

October 24, 2018

Speaker discussing personal growth and legacy.

A Brief Ministry Report

October 19, 2018

A tree with white flowers in the middle of it.

Navigating the SUDDENLIES & the SLOWLIES

June 17, 2018

Inspiration Leadership

Detours, Diversions & Distractions

Has God ever told you a joke? It unexpectedly happened to me in a recent prayer meeting at our church. As we prayed, we felt challenged to lay aside our…

Jim Buchan March 30, 2025

Church Health & Growth Inspiration

The Lost Art of Friendship

The most intense period of my 2019 cancer and chemo journey lasted just six months. Although it was rough, I met many people at the cancer clinic who had it…

Jim Buchan March 24, 2025

Church Health & Growth Inspiration Leadership

How Do You Handle Your Blind Spots?

I upgraded my car a few months ago. An added benefit of the new vehicle is that I have blind spot detectors for the first time. Now when I’m about…

Jim Buchan March 17, 2025

Church Health & Growth Inspiration Leadership

My Relentless Search for ‘Good Soil’

I’m frustrated about something, and I wonder if you can help me work through it. It all goes back to two fundamental questions I have about Jesus’ Parable of the…

Jim Buchan March 6, 2025

Church Health & Growth Inspiration Leadership

The Furniture & the Fire

I was convicted as I read the final chapter of the book of Exodus recently. It's the culmination of several chapters that provide a detailed description of the furniture and…

Jim Buchan March 4, 2025

Man driving a horse-drawn cart.

Inspiration Leadership

The Cart Before the Horse

The Lord rebuked me recently. Although loving, His message to me came as a stern word of caution. The Holy Spirit basically said, "Jim, you have a terrible tendency to…

Jim Buchan February 7, 2025

A man singing while holding a guitar in front of another person.

Inspiration

Happy ‘Spiritual’ Birthday to Me!

Today is a very special day for me. On January 25, 1969, I gave my life to Christ and was "born again" at age 18. This is the 56th anniversary of…

Jim Buchan January 25, 2025

A football player is running on the field.

Inspiration Leadership Politics & Culture

Don’t Spike the Ball Before You’re in the End Zone!

A Word of Caution to My MAGA Friends It was an early morning prayer meeting, just one day after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as America's 47 President. Most…

Jim Buchan January 21, 2025

Smiling man holding "YES" sign.

The Ironic Thing About People-Pleasing

I've never met anyone who isn't a people-pleaser on some level. Even my boldest, brashest, "tell it like it is" friends are secretly hoping to find some supportive audience for…

Jim Buchan July 12, 2016

Gray sedan parked in a scenic area.

It’s What’s Under the Hood That Counts

My 2011 Hyundai Sonata looks exactly the same as it did a month ago. On the surface it's the same 100,000-mile car as it was then. Yet here's the strange…

Jim Buchan June 26, 2016

Bible scene of healing a beggar.

The Cure for an Uneventful Life

Recently a friend texted me and asked how my week was going. "Uneventful!" was my reply. My friend texted back and said that sometimes "uneventful" isn't such a bad thing.…

Jim Buchan June 23, 2016

LeBron James celebrating NBA championship victory.

Victory to Those Who Finish Well

Congratulations to the Cleveland Cavaliers, winners of the NBA championship this week. It was quite a success story, especially since the team was down 3-1 before winning three straight games…

Jim Buchan June 20, 2016

Glowing tree against a blurred background.

Are You Worshiping the Present-Tense God?

I'm convinced that very few people know the present-tense God. Instead, we worship the God of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Azusa Street, or some other movement. Or perhaps…

Jim Buchan June 14, 2016

Ponies tied up at an event location.

Are You Walking in Circles? Here’s How to Get Unleashed!

Perhaps you've heard the story of a pony named Pearl who worked with the carnival. Shackled to a pole from a young age, she gave rides to children along a…

Jim Buchan June 12, 2016

Detours, Diversions & Distractions

Jim Buchan March 30, 2025

The Lost Art of Friendship

Jim Buchan March 24, 2025

How Do You Handle Your Blind Spots?

Jim Buchan March 17, 2025

My Relentless Search for ‘Good Soil’

Jim Buchan March 6, 2025