Leaders often have a misguided view of work. Some think work is a result of the Fall in Genesis 3. They think that if Adam had just stayed away from that apple, we would all be sipping drinks with tiny umbrellas in them as we admire the garden. Others have a two-storied view of work that distinguishes between secular and sacred work. They believe that sacred work matters to God and has eternal value, while secular work doesn’t really matter…
In his book, Talent, Tyler Cowen writes, “What is it you do to practice that is analogous to how a pianist practices scales?” Stephen Vafier considers this question in his recent article, Carolina Stories. He uses two fascinating sports examples from Steph Curry and Erin Matson. You will be amazed at their practice routines. I realize most of us aren’t going to develop the skill level of either of these two elite athletes no matter how much we practice. However,…
(Audio Transcription Below) I listened to a podcast about courage and I had been thinking of Moses and the courage required of him. One of my favorite Bible verses is Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” As you know, Joshua followed Moses in leadership – courage must be picked up by each new generation. I wondered about my own courage & the level of courage that…
Shoe Dog is a memoir written by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. Not all of Knight’s entrepreneurial wisdom is worth following, but one thing I appreciate is his tenacity to develop the lightest running shoes ever made. He said, “Let everyone else call your idea crazy…but just keep going! Whatever comes, just don’t stop.” Knight and his business partner Bill Bowerman were obsessed with making light running shoes because they realized that shaving off just a few ounces from…
I am sure many of you have thought about New Year’s resolutions. I will be praying for your discipline as you fight against sin. If you need help, please consider reading the book I mentioned in a previous post, Disciplines of a Godly Man. The Spurgeon quote is a sobering reminder of how easily we are entangled by sin. I am praying that Iron Leadership will strengthen your soul this coming year. Here is another helpful resource as you think…
“The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices” – from the Christmas Hymn O Holy Night. There is a “thrill of hope” because someone entered our dark world from the outside. As C.S. Lewis said, “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” Christians have hope because we know that the present is not all there is, and humans are not the only ones involved in this world. I want you…
Watch the following video: Hunger Games – When you challenge or threaten the status quo, when you threaten power (which includes: self-sovereignty) your disturbance and your effort to cut things down will be like cutting down a hornet’s nest. Everybody was peaceful – until Katniss disturbed the nest, then all Hell broke loose. This is essentially what happens when Moses confronts Pharaoh in Exodus 5 -14. My Question: As a Leader – when you are called to take a stand,…
(Audio transcription below) Fear is a very complex human emotion: – It can be Practical….See a copperhead snake & decide to back up – It can be Paralyzing: Overpowered by stress or anxiety and we can’t get out of bed. What I want us to consider this morning are the common fears which cause us to get stuck from moving forward in a healthy manner, in a way which we know we should go. Indiana Jones – Leap of…
Are you a good employee or co-worker? When you show up at work or at home, are people glad you have arrived and are part of their team? Are you a good team player? Do you know how to play well with others? Do you know how to hire people who are solid team players? So much of our satisfaction at work is derived from who we work with as well as what we do. Working in a healthy team…
How to Raise Sons of Courage & Character Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know Raising Sons of Courage: We need all the wisdom we can get in this area. I also included a link to an excellent book about the importance of the relationship between fathers and daughters. Naturalist Traces The “Astounding Flyaways of Migratory Birds The Extraordinary Lives of Migratory Birds: I found this episode fascinating. I would understand if you listen and then conclude…