Humility

(I always wanted to grow up and be a professional athlete...didn't work out so well!)

Humility

At a lunchtime gathering of local Christian business people last week we did one of the old standard ice breaking routines.  Around the table we talked about what we did for a living, how long we had lived in the Triangle and something interesting and unique about us.  One of the participants shared how excited he was to be going on his first overseas mission trip.   That’s pretty cool I admit.  But the funny thing was I know for a fact this guy played three seasons in the National Football League. And based on the looks of the rest of the table, I'm pretty certain that would have made for a unique statement!  

I can't say for certain why he didn't bring his professional sports career up...but I have been in other settings with him where it wasn't used as an intro either...and when I know him a little better I am sure going to ask.

"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you" - Romans 12:3

I think the truth of the matter may lie in a unique reality of the Christian faith; the simultaneous attitude of humility and confidence that comes from the Gospel.  Humility (the knowledge that I am less than I ought to be) without the Gospel leads to shame.  Confidence (the knowledge that I am more than I could be) without the Gospel leads to arrogance.  But resting in the completed work of Christ... being both a sinner and saved ... makes what we are more important than what we once were.

Be thankful for a Lord that loves us as we are!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 51

The Flu Shot

(most things we call "the flu" are actually something else entirely)

The flu shot

Earlier this year the entire family took advantage of a flu shot clinic at the office.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as Benjamin Franklin said.  The nurse staffing the clinic was more than a little surprised to see the kids there, especially Lilly our youngest.  It seems she didn't read the work order close enough and thought dependents meant only spouses. Nevertheless we all got our shots and rested in the hope that the flu would pass us by.

Not surprisingly one of us still wound up being diagnosed with influenza.  It seems that getting the inoculation is no guarantee that the illness won't show up.  It can, however, cause the symptoms to be less painful and give you a chance to get back on your feet sooner.

"My dear children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." 1 John 2:1

Putting faith in Christ is not an inoculation against sin.  It's no guarantee that it will pass us by.  Human nature continues to push against the boundaries of right behavior.  And no matter how deep our faith, temptation is sometimes going to win.  The great news is our life can be judged through the righteousness of Jesus Christ rather than on our own merits.

Believe and be saved...and safe!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 50

What will it benefit

(I don't wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul... Toby Mac)

What will it benefit…

It's not uncommon to read about a business executive who does something less than honest to increase a stock price or earn a personal bonus.  This can run the gamut from exaggerative to egregious or from blatant commission to subtle omission.  Each point on that spectrum is wrong...make no mistake.

It's not just for-profit businesses that fall prey to such antics though.  Those who have worked in the non-profit sector can tell stories as well.  Telling the board what you want them to hear, for example, or perhaps changing the rules of a campaign ever so slightly to help make a goal.  Or even worse...putting one’s own reputation and legacy ahead of the mission.

"What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his soul?"

Matthew 16:26

The point is, particular forms of business are not by default good or bad.  It's the people running them who make the decisions after all.  And it's the heart of those people that drives the decisions.  Pursuing the goal of profit for the sake of profit might gain you the world (or at least a big chunk of it) but at what cost?  Doing good with no sustainable profit at all won't make an impact on a very large portion of that world.    

Wherever you work and whatever you do, lead with integrity and with a pure heart. Keep your soul intact!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 49

The Power of a "woo hoo"

(it's not just for Homer Simpson any more)

The power of a “woo hoo”

Over the past 8-10 years I’ve had the occasion to add the phrase “woo hoo” to the office lexicon in places I’ve worked.  It’s short…it’s infectious…it rhymes and it conveys a joyful enthusiasm. If a coworker shares good news then we celebrate the success with a rousing “woo hoo!” email.  You can even add multiple exclamation marks or all capital letters to make it more emphatic! The interesting thing is how much people start to look forward to hearing it. How appreciated they feel when one is directed toward their good news…and how left out they feel if they don’t receive one when they think it’s their turn.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  Romans 12:15

The Apostle Paul encourages us to support each other on both ends of the emotional spectrum. The Christian community has the mourning part down pretty well. We pray over needs…we turn out in droves for funerals and make sure the families are fed and cared for.  But we don’t spend enough time sharing the good news in our lives and encouraging each other when things are going really well.   

So do something about it.  Be intentional about both sharing your good news and about reveling in the good news of others.  Rejoice frequently and genuinely with those you care about.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 48