As a Senior Vice President for a large organization, I was once appointed to lead a task force to report on and resolve a challenging issue. Unfortunately, our research report concluded that the real problem revolved around my boss and his decisions! The same boss who had appointed me to lead this task force, was not pleased. Soon thereafter I ...
In the movie, “Legends of Bagger Vance,” Matt Damon stars as a washed-out golfer named Junuh, who gets a chance at greatness. On the final hole of an exhibition tournament against the two greatest golfers of the day, Junuh is positioned to win the tournament. But when he tries to remove something from in front of his ball, his ball ...
The television program “60 Minutes” convened a group of 12 people in Grand Rapids Michigan during the last presidential campaign, with an even mix of people for and against Donald Trump. This group had very heated debates and disagreements. “60 Minutes” was surprised to learn that despite their differences the group not only maintained contact after the focus group, they ...
Early in our nation, our Congressmen and Senator’s tenure averaged approximately 4 years. According to a Congressional Research Service report, tenure more recently, however, has increased to 10 years with multiple members of Congress serving more than 40 years! Power can become harmful to the nation and to the individual. Today’s a good day to reflect on leaders like President ...
This week we’re discussing Unconventional Business Leaders. Unconventional Business Leaders are people with integrity. While the world often focuses on doing only what’s legal, God’s standard is much higher. He desires our ethical decisions to be moral and beyond reproach. A friend of mine had a minority stockholder in his business that had accused him of shortchanging her financially on ...
Have you ever forced yourself to the front only to be pushed to the back? I wonder how many people in the front were invited and how many pushed their way up? We’re wired to want to be seen. After all, if we spend a lifetime struggling, shouldn’t we expect a position, a trophy, or our story in the news? ...
Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, had a dream that died when Veggie Tales was forced into bankruptcy. As Phil’s dreams disintegrated, the story of the Shunamite woman in 2 Kings provided Phil some answers. The prophet Elisha repaid a Shunamite woman’s kindness by asking God to give her a son. Later the son died, as did the woman’s dream ...
Bruce was meeting with Terry, whom he had not seen since Terry had launched a new business. When Bruce asked Terry how the new business was going, Terry quietly said, “It didn’t make it.” Bruce was crushed! “What are you going to do?” he asked. Terry said, “I’m going to pray and trust God for what’s next.” In that moment, ...
The praise of men can be a dangerous trap. When others are singing your praises, it’s easy to soak up the praise and start believing your own press. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to give God the glory, because our talents and resources came from Him. In Acts 12, King Herod was addressing a crowd when they ...
Thanksgiving was originally designed to celebrate the fall harvest. Months after the farmer’s seeds are sown, there are no guarantees as to how big the harvest will be, or what price the crops will bring. So, when harvest time finally comes, the result is a reminder of God’s sovereignty and provision. For any farmer who has ever lost an entire ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
