Harvard Crimson Upholds Value of Religious Diversity at Harvard

March 1, 2016 By Mark D. Roberts

Harvard Divinity School began a new, online edX course today called: “World Religious Through Their Scriptures.” This course seeks to help students develop more awareness of and sensitivity to religious traditions throughout the world. That HDS would do this is not particularly surprising. I was startled, however, to read the editorial piece in the Harvard Crimson (undergraduate newspaper) written in response to this course. The Crimson’s positive editorial included a paragraph on the importance of religious diversity at Harvard College,... Read more

Finding Jesus at Work in The Atlantic

February 18, 2016 By Mark D. Roberts

There’s a fascinating piece that has just been published in The Atlantic. It has the intriguing title, “Finding Jesus at Work.” The focus of this article is on workplace chaplaincies. [In] recent years, a number of companies have . . . hired spiritual leaders to serve on their staffs. Though slightly less trendy than nap rooms and yoga classes, workplace chaplaincies are another attempt to make workers more productive by catering to their “whole” selves. Sometimes, these chaplains serve as spiritual social... Read more

What is Success, Really?

January 20, 2016 By Mark D. Roberts

This week, in my Life for Leaders devotions, I am thinking about success. My inspiration is a passage from Genesis, a description of Joseph’s work in the house of Potiphar. In this passage we read, “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Gen 39:2). What does this mean and what can we learn from Joseph’s example? On Monday, I talked about “God as the Source of Success.” Yesterday, my theme was “Challenging Our Idea of Success.” Today,... Read more

Nick Saban Canoes the Mountains and His Team Wins the National Championship

January 18, 2016 By Mark D. Roberts

Okay, I admit that’s an odd title. Please let me explain. A week ago, the University of Alabama football team won the national championship, beating Clemson 45-40. The turning point in the game was a surprise play, in which Alabama used an unexpected onside kick to grab hold of the momentum, not to mention the lead. If you’ve been following college football for a while, you know that this play was doubly unexpected because Alabama is coached by Nick Saban,... Read more

Why Do We Love a Good Fire in the Fireplace?

January 16, 2016 By Mark D. Roberts

Need to relax? Sit by a crackling fire! Read more

Leaders Need a Great Heart

December 4, 2015 By Mark D. Roberts

Check out this excellent interview of Bill George, a prof at Harvard Business School. Faith & Leadership asked George, “What does it take to be a great leader?” He responded: To be a great leader today, you have to have a great head and a great heart. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “The longest journey that you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart.” You might have a high IQ, but if you do... Read more

Advent Devotion: Waiting for the Shepherd

November 29, 2015 By Mark D. Roberts

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!” Psalm 80:1-2 Introduction to Advent Devotions This is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the season in which Christians throughout the world prepare for a fuller, richer celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of expectation, waiting, and... Read more

God of Peaches

April 22, 2015 By Mark D. Roberts

Note: The following devotion is from Life for Leaders, a daily digital devotional. You can subscribe to Life for Leaders at no cost here. When I read Genesis 1:11-12, I can’t help but think of my life in the Texas Hill Country. For seven years, my family and I lived in this beautiful region to the west of Austin and San Antonio. It features rolling hills, rocky outcroppings, winding rivers, and millions of oak trees. If you’ve never been to... Read more

The Curious Meaning of “God”

April 8, 2015 By Mark D. Roberts

This post is from Life for Leaders, a new daily devotional I am writing as part of my work at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. You can learn more about Life for Leaders or sign up to receive a daily email devotional here. “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” Genesis... Read more

First Impressions of God

April 6, 2015 By Mark D. Roberts

This post is part of Life for Leaders, a new daily devotional I am writing as part of my work at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. You can learn more about Life for Leaders or sign up to receive a daily email devotional here. “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the... Read more