Spiritual legitimacy

I love to read history, particularly about the formation of the U.S. during the Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary years. I’ve been Reading a book about Hamilton by Ron Chernow that reminded me that winning the war against Britain was just the first step towards creating a legitimately independent country. The second step, which was nearly as [...]

Work – life balance

This is an outta-whack week for me. My work schedule is packed, I’ve got two meetings at a nonprofit organization that I work with, and I’ve got three different church meetings/events that I need to be at. A few weeks of this is okay, but if I was this busy for an extended period, I’d [...]

Occupations and preoccupations

Note: we’re continuing this week’s look at the writings of noteworthy theologians and applying their ideas to our work lives.
I took a walk tonight by myself, which being an only child with a few kids of my own, is a rare indulgence. As I walked by a beautiful pond, the song Long December by Counting [...]

Half-finished lives

I love to read history. I’m not big into reading fiction or other non-fiction books, but I love to learn a little about the past and the people from it. As such, one of my favorite books is a collection of classic devotional works by Christians from throughout history. This week (and maybe next – [...]

Our role in the next revolution

Forgive me for getting to this a day late (I had a fundraiser last night), but I thought I’d share a thought or two on Earth Day. It certainly has changed, hasn’t it? In less than a decade, Earth Day has gone from being a day of hairy women and hemp-clad men protesting the industrial monster of [...]

Rainy reminders

 

 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt 5:3-4)
Monday was one of those dark and rainy days when it seemed like a lot better idea to stay in bed all day. There are, of course, lots of days that are literally or [...]

Legacies

 
Ever stop and wonder what is it that we’re really trying to accomplish as individuals in the workplace? Better jobs? More authority? Nicer titles? More money? Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and evaluate where we’re heading and why.
This week I’d like to use some great Christian songs from recent years as inspiration for my posts. [...]

Sacrificial smiles

We had some good news today – my mom got a great new job. We’d been praying for some time that God not only provide her with a job, but that it would be one that put her many talents to good use and that she would enjoy. He generously delivered on our requests – [...]

The gift of perspective

 
Today wraps up our week’s discussion of job insecurities, but for those of you who are struggling with job transitions or unhappy jobs, it need not be the end of this opportunity for spiritual growth. Today’s topic – the gift of perspective. There’s something about not having reliable income that jars us into taking stock of [...]

For profit & for people

 
A few days ago I referenced a classic piece of scripture – Micah 6:8.
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
It’s something special to see a person who truly embraces this and lives a life of love, mercy and humility, but what [...]