REFLECTIONS

MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUR FAITH AND OUR BUSINESS

  • Is it possible to simultaneously be culturally “hip” and a faithful Christian, or does “fitting in” with the culture compromise essential beliefs? In different Christian circles this can be a controversial question. I still remember an issue of Christianity Today several years ago that asked, “Can Christianity Be Cool?” While vocational ministers may debate the answer, you and I are living with the tension. Like it or not, Christians must learn to function effectively in a culturally saturated w...

  • Have you considered the power of words? Not just the power of words in general, but the impact that words bring to bear on your world? The marketplace is full of words. Bosses pass on the workload, employees converse with one another, sales-people make their pitches, the media informs and advertises, etc. Words are some of the most powerful tools we bring to work. They can energize, inspire, convince, teach, and rally us to accomplish great things . . . or they can destroy, deflate, discourage, ...

  • Our faith changes our motives, but not necessarily our methods. Imagine two business leaders walking into a meeting. One is a follower of Christ, and the other is not. If these individuals are effective at their craft, they will probably present themselves in a similar manner. They will both be prepared and well informed about the market and their product or service. They will both pitch for the business with a compelling value proposition and will convey passion and conviction about their desir...

  • In January we cast a vision for renewing our concept of God. I hope you have been encouraged by unpacking some of God’s marvelous qualities in four great Bible chapters: Isaiah 40, Psalm 139, Romans 8 and finally Revelation 21. One of my favorite quotes when planning a new business venture or project is “Begin with the end in mind.” (Steven Covey) That idea has always centered my outlook. Revelation 21 introduces us to the Beginning and End, “the Alpha and the Omega” (21:6), our great God. John ...

  • In case this is the first Reflection you’ve read this year, each week in January we are praying for a renewed vision and understanding of God. We have been meditating on the nature and character of God using four of the greatest chapters in the Bible. The first week we read Isaiah 40, considering the incomparable greatness of God. The second week we read Psalm 139, reflecting on the all-knowing, always present God, who knows all our days and His purposes for them (I hope you haven’t gotten over ...

  • We have started 2022, spending the month reading four great Bible chapters that reveal God’s true nature and character. The first week we meditated on Isaiah 40, considering God’s greatness and magnificence as He rules and reigns over the universe. This week our focus has been on Psalm 139. Everyone wants to be known. Whether naturally introverted or laid back or outgoing, we all want to be acknowledged, understood and valued. Contemplating God in a rational way, it seems unlikely that He would ...

  • Isaiah 40 was written to the nation of Israel during a time of intense turmoil and spoke of their coming exile to Babylon, where their lives would be turned upside down for a whole generation. By ignoring and rejecting God, their dreams had been crushed and their sense of hope was hanging by a thread. I’m sure they believed that being rescued and returned to their homeland was the most important thing, but what they needed most was a new vision of God–the God who is, not the God they had c...

  • Welcome to another brand-new year! I am convinced that something in our DNA loves a fresh start. A lot has been said about the last two years, but let’s look forward with a fresh vision for our lives and businesses There are several familiar paths to launching a new year with purpose. A new spiritual discipline may lead you to a deeper relationship with God. An inspiring person may challenge you to overcome some difficult obstacle. A new strategy may help you pursue something you’ve always hoped...

  • Imagine that you just sat down for dinner, ready to enjoy good food and conversation, only to feel that infernal buzz in your pocket. A second or two passes while you try to remain in the dialogue around the table, but it’s too late. Your mind has been activated and your curiosity forces you to take a peek. Sure enough, it’s an associate who has just received some new information about the deal you are working on. You have a split-second to make one of two choices: 1) politely apolog...

  • Some of my most magnificent moments have been while witnessing the amazing beauty of God’s creation: hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona, taking in the vista from Angel’s Landing in Utah’s Zion National Park and gazing over the waterfalls of En-gedi in Israel. What made those views so breath-taking was a keen awareness that I was tasting the fruit of God’s glory and creative labor. If all I ever did was travel the world to view all of Earth’s glorious beauty it...