The High Price of Free – Part I

“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.” -Proverbs 20:14 (NIV) I remember a business book published some years ago whose title was “Free, Perfect, and Now.”  The author’s thesis was that customers’ demands had never been higher, and that those who wished to attract and keep […]

Deliver Results in Every Circumstance

“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.” – Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) Your reputation is critically important. You earn it — a task at a time, a job at a time, a decision at a time —  over a period of years.  The tough part is your reputation is largely if […]

Who Dares Wins

“Do not dare not to dare.” ~ C. S. Lewis We live in the age of the Internet Tough Guy.  You know the one; he launches his attacks from the safety of his man cave, boasts of his prowess and his willingness to fight anytime, anywhere, but strangely cannot be found when it’s time to […]

Stand for Something

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12:18 (ESV) In Rock Hill, South Carolina, a judge recently vacated the sentences of nine civil rights activists who were arrested and convicted in the 1960’s.   Their crime was sitting at the same lunch counter as whites in a local five and […]

Devote Yourself to the Process – Part II

“Not all who wander are lost” – J. R. R. Tolkien In Part I, we discussed the importance of committing to the process of becoming the man you were created to be.  We noted that this is a long-term campaign, not a quick trip to the corner store.  Now, I want to expand on the […]

Fifty Shades of Grey – 180 Degrees Off

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” – Psalm 119:37 (ESV) I’ll say it: Fifty Shades of Grey is pornography.  The fact that you can buy FSOG books at airports and grocery stores doesn’t change its essence.  The popularity of the book series and likely success of the […]

Devote Yourself to the Process – Part I

“When all else fails, read the directions.” – Bob Smith If you’ve ever built anything, cooked anything or learned anything, no doubt you followed a series of steps to bring the desired outcome to fruition.  If you’ve decided to live a life of consequence, and you’ve begun to discover your purpose, and you’re developing a […]

The Fence That Me and Shorty Built

Here’s a trip back to the poetry corner.  If you’re discouraged about the kind of work that’s available to you currently, you might find this helpful.  Here’s cowboy poet Red Steagall: The Fence That Me and Shorty Built We’d picked up all the fencing tools And staples off the road An extra roll of “bob” […]