Author Os Hillman wrote that our own strengths and talents often can be a barrier to our faith. When we are skilled in an area, it is easy to depend on that strength instead of depending on God. In Luke 5, Jesus challenged Simon (soon to be “Peter”) to trust God for his work outcomes. Jesus tells Simon to drop ...
When I launched a faith-based consulting practice, a partner helped me start the business. Six months later he returned to banking, while I carried on alone. Very alone. We had rented some space in a dreary basement of a bank building. Suddenly, I was isolated, lonely, and making decisions in a vacuum. As an introvert, I get recharged by quiet, ...
In an article on forbes.com website titled, Empathy as a Workplace Superpower, the author, Jason Richmond, notes the value and importance of leaders showing empathy to their team members. Jason provides several practical strategies for leaders to embrace. First let’s talk about honoring the work-life balance of your team members. Looking for ways to support and encourage your employees’ ...
As the time approached for the day long prayer retreat, I started having second thoughts. There were so many important things that needed done. Also, as an introvert, I relish my quiet time with God, while corporate prayer is more of a struggle. Despite my reluctance, I went, and left grateful. The time of prayer was sweet, but the added ...
Over 1200 people were packed into the Iowa Governor’s Prayer Breakfast this year. One of the things I appreciate most about this event each year is that there are no denominational turf battles. Instead, it is an event for the capital C church. In John 17:20-21, Jesus said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their ...
Throughout my career, I believed that education was important for my advancement. I pursued advanced degrees to do my job and to better demonstrate to executives my commitment to my work. I pursued my faith in the same way, continually reading and studying to build my faith knowledge. But simply trying to get smarter has its limits. My pastor once ...
As a young banker, I had lunch with a friend whom I hadn’t seen since college. He was an aggressive new entrepreneur building a prosperous business. As we finished lunch he asked for my lunch receipt. When I asked why, he said, “I gather receipts to write off my taxes.” He laughed and said, “They never check whose receipt it ...
One of the benefits, Vermeer, an equipment manufacturer, discovered from integrating their faith into their culture came when they opened operations in a country hostile to Christians. Although Vermeer was limited in proclaiming their faith corporately, they marveled at how effective their employees were in modeling company values and their faith to their foreign employees. According to Vermeer’s President, Doug ...
Nehemiah had an amazing 52 days. He had cast vision for people who didn’t know him, yet he convinced them to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. This impossible task was made even more difficult due to his enemies constantly attempting to distract and destroy him. Additionally, there was considerable infighting. But the work continued with God’s constant and miraculous help. ...
A fourth-century church manual, the Apostolic Constitutions, called Good Friday a "day of mourning, not a day of festive Joy." Historically, many have called Good Friday to be a day of sorrow and fasting. In our busy work activities, we rarely take time for reflection or sorrow for our brokenness and the brokenness of the world. We rarely mourn and ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
