Years ago, when I experienced dry spells in business, I found myself anxious about the lack of cash flow. When you’re wondering how you’re going to cover payroll, life can be very stressful. In the story of Job, we see an amazing response to the most terrible of circumstances. After Job lost all his children and all his possessions, his ...
Kathy had been negotiating with a contractor named Luther on a project for our home. We were supposed to sign a contract the following morning, but I needed to change the time. Although it was 11:30 at night, Kathy texted Luther to modify our appointment. Luther and I had not met, so the next morning Luther astutely realized he needed ...
After leaving public accounting, I read an article about used car rentals. Thus began an adventure that led me to start my first business which taught me many valuable lessons, including why not to start a business. One morning, during below zero temperatures, it became clear to me that I had no passion for renting cars. There are many reasons ...
In my career, I’ve started businesses without God and some with God. The difference is like running a race with heavy winds and storms in your face versus running with the wind at your back. When contemplating starting a business, it is critical that you remember one important principle. God owns it all. God has charge over all the universe, ...
Many in the business world have a scarcity mindset. These leaders believe that business is a zero-sum game; if you win, I lose. Therefore, every competitor is a threat that should be squashed. If a competitor is harming customers and the industry’s reputation, helping to eliminate the competition may be appropriate. But usually, we ought to encourage competitors rather than ...
Kathy and I recently moved to a new home. Due to a basement remodel, the chaos of moving was made even worse. My anxiety rose as I desperately wanted to unbox things and put everything in its proper place. From the looks of my desk, it may be hard to tell that I appreciate order, but my need for ...
In the story of Esther, Haman is an evil character who hated Mordecai and the Jews. He had risen to power, becoming the king’s right-hand man, filling Haman with pride and arrogance. In Esther 5:11, we read, “Haman boasted to them about his wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated ...
With so many new laws running counter to the Christian faith, it’s becoming harder for many to set personal and corporate boundaries. Honoring God while honoring government officials can sometimes conflict. In the story of Esther, Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, set boundaries and took some hard stands. Yet, he also knew when to honor the king. As a Jew, Mordecai feared ...
In the story of Esther, Esther’s goal was to convince the king to save the Jews from annihilation. She wisely decided to first invite the king and Haman to a feast. She could have made her request then, but she didn’t. In Esther 5:6, the king says, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is ...
In the story of Esther, Esther was forced into a beauty pageant, resulting in her becoming Queen. She likely thought she was only there for her beauty. As the story unfolds, however, we realize that God had planned an inside job. The Jews were about to be slaughtered and God needed someone to influence the king. In Esther 4:14, Esther’s ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
