Jonathan Malm helps people uncover creative options for their life and their church. He’s the author of
Created for More, a 30-day devotional to help you develop a more creative mind. You’ll find him in San Antonio, Texas, roasting his own coffee beans and enjoying life with his Argentine wife, Carolina.
Everybody wants to be the next Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Seth Godin, etc. The problem with wanting to be the next __________, is that everyone wants to be the next __________. So you join the echo chamber of people wanting to be the next ___________. Sure, one or two of you in that group might become…
I have ugly handwriting. There, I said it. That’s a huge weight off my shoulder. My dad tried to correct it early on. He’d sit me down at the kitchen table and force me (gently) to write through the alphabet a few times each night. It improved marginally. But I never fully developed that motor…
I had just given major attitude to a new pastor who had come on staff. He wanted me to do something that I didn’t agree with. I didn’t think it matched the vision of the church, and it wasn’t the best use of my time. So I told him. Maybe I was rude; maybe I…
I’m a fan of the Meyers Briggs personality tests. I’m an ENTP if you’re curious. I love how the descriptions of the sixteen different personality types actually describe me. It’s like they know me. However, I know that’s not all there is to me. There are things that I have that make me unique from anyone…
Everyone has an opinion. And for some, those opinions can feel like threats. For others, those opinions can feel like a lifeline. Still for others, opinions are simply helpful thoughts. What’s your response? There’s a good chance, if you feel opinions are threats or if you feel they’re lifelines, you care too much about what people…
I’m convinced there is only one type of person who truly understands who they are. Those people are the ones moments from death. These people are the only ones who can look back upon moments of their life and see the thread of identity weaving itself through each second of their lives. For the rest…
I remember one day as a kid, I’d had enough with my mediocre life. I decided I wanted to be Superman. He was everything I wanted to be. So I woke up one morning and made myself just like Superman. I put on my jeans, and then I put on my underwear. I figured that…
I love Christians. I love the Church. But believers can be some of the most manipulative and controlling people you will meet. Not all. Not even the majority. But there are enough of them and their actions so heinous that they seem to be everywhere. I’ve had worship leader friends see this. One in particular…
Do you have a scarcity mentality toward ideas? I used to. When I first began blogging, I was also working full-time at my church. I had to come up with great ideas at home and at work. I was frankly worried I’d run out of good ideas. So I hoarded them. I had an idea…
The harsh reality is this: many people won’t be missed when they die. Sure, their friends and family will miss them. It’ll be weird that they’re no longer part of their life. But will society miss them? Probably not. And I think the reason for this is that many people are trying to be somebody…