Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. PROVERBS 15:17 There’s nothing wrong with good food—and the wealth that allows us to indulge in our favorite culinary luxury once in a while, whether it’s prime rib or Haagen-Dazs. The Book of Proverbs makes […]

In recent years, I’ve asked several very successful friends this question: “How important are your relationships with people to the flourishing of your personal life and the success of your business.” They always respond with one word: vital. Not surprisingly, then, the folks I know who are the most successful […]

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. JAMES 1:19 The Jewish rabbinic literature says it this way: “Silence is a fence for wisdom.” The green “go” light is for listening. The yellow “caution” light is for speaking. Green light—listen. Yellow light—speak. Proverbs 13:3 says it this way: “He […]

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.” JOB 18:1-2 It’s amazing how quickly the fixer-uppers of the world show up when we find ourselves overcome with trauma, misery, and trouble. They love to play the role of the white […]

Biblical Negotiating “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. PROVERBS 20:14 Anyone who has ever haggled over the price of something—perhaps at a car lot or antique shop—can relate to the humorous exchange recorded in this verse. A buyer […]

Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. ECCLESIASTES 1:4 We like to think we are in charge, but we actually exercise absolutely no control over many aspects of our existence. We may expend an enormous amount of energy in doing our work, all the while thinking that […]

Stepping Stone Two walks us toward the realization that we need to appropriately use our built-in, internally engineered skills that just come naturally. In all this talk of versatility, however, don’t forget that you do have certain strengths. Each person is wired with skills that simply come naturally—logical thinking, relational […]

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. PSALM 117:1 Out of the shortest psalm in the Psalter—the shortest chapter in the Bible—comes a foreshadowing of hope for the Gentiles and for all nations. Paul recognizes this in his letter to the Romans and quotes this tiny […]

In the summer of 2004, America sent its “Dream Team” of the world’s best basketball talent to the Olympics in Athens, Greece, for the much-heralded return of the Olympiad to its motherland. The Dream Team, however, proved a poor advertisement for the pure virtue of sporting excellence that the Olympic […]

There is a point, of course, where a man must take the isolated peak and break with all his associates for clear principle; but until that time comes he must work, if he would be of use, with men as they are.—Theodore Roosevelt