A survey on “summer absenteeism” shows 39 percent of full-time employees have called in sick just to enjoy a day off. They call it a “mental health day.” They use the day to go shopping, go to the lake, or lounge around the house. Mondays and Fridays seem to be the day most popular. As managers who have 1,000’s work for us, we can attest to the truths found here. It’s happening and in many workplaces, its rampant. At wikihow.com,... Read more
“What’s the difference between an unbeliever who will not go to church and the Christian who is never there? Between a heathen who does not believe the Bible and a Christian who never studies it? Between an atheist who never gives a cent to God and a Christian who gives nothing? Between a man of the world and those Christians who live only for this world? “ – – as by Pastor Marvin Ahlborn, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Names play... Read more
A British study says that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff. According to the researchers, studied the use of profanity in the workplace allows workers to better express themselves and develop better social relationships. The study suggests that swearing in front of customers should be seriously discouraged or banned, but in other circumstances it can “help foster solidarity” with peers. I say “bull.” There are far too many people who use their mouths instead of... Read more
“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”— Aristotle We all have had jobs that are simply no fun. I was hired once to disassemble and clean a dozen urinals at a summer camp. I’ve dumped out hot tar on flat roofs in 100 degree weather. I’ve shoveled out chicken coops. I’ve had to sort, staple, fold and stuff thousands of letters. I’ve had to cold call sales. I’ve gone door to door. For some, they will never have... Read more
The blogsphere’s most quoted pastor, Gordon Atkinson, aka, “Real Live Preacher” , said this: “These things are clear to me. You can’t know everything you’d like to know. You can’t do everything you’d like to do. You can’t read everything you’d like to read. You must hold onto some things and let go of others. Learning to make that choice is one of the big lessons of this life.” Who does he think he is? Doesn’t Gordon know that I... Read more
Waldo McBurney, who at one time was named “America’s oldest worker,” died last week. He was 106. Just two years ago he was still “spry and agile,” walking the few blocks from his home to his downtown office in High Plains, KS. He finally retired at 104 and spent the last couple years of his life “unemployed.” He gained notoriety for running a 100-yard dash at the age of 100. The thought of going to work at 100, or 90,... Read more
Admittedly, going to work isn’t always easy. Who wouldn’t rather play or spend time at home. But going to a job that really doesn’t seem to make a difference — to anyone — can be numbing. In high school, I had a job as a beach security guard. Um. We had a lot of problems. I was basically paid to ogle the girls and work on my tan. I didn’t think at the time that the job had one shred... Read more
(Thanks to The High Calling for publishing the following article, “Living a Kairos Life in a Chronos World.” Here is a snippet, but please read the rest of this article about work and God at TheHighCalling.org.) Everything we do is marked by the steady march of time. Seconds lead to minutes to hours to days to weeks to years to decades to centuries. The problem for all of us is that the clock is always running the wrong way, and... Read more
By the work one knows the workmen. — Jean De La Fontaine I fully admit it. I don’t always give it my all at work, at home, at church, in my committments. I back off. I slack off. I take a step and let someone else run with it. Oh, and the excuses are amazingly boring and overused: I’m tired. I’m overcommitted. The boss (wife, friend, organization) doesn’t appreciate me. There is a universal urge to give a B effort... Read more
Image via Wikipedia Jesus kept it simple – real simple. He steered clear of religious talk and jargon. He spoke simply and plainly. He found the sinners where they lived and then communicated with them in language they could understand. He told the woman at the well that the gospel was like water. He told the fisherman to go make converts, just like fishing. He spoke to farmers about figs and wheat and tares. He spoke to merchants about lost... Read more
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