The ABCs of Good Work

As I move out of a supervisory position at my current job, I decided to leave behind a small sampling of my ideas. I decided to write a short document that encourages the sorts of behaviors that contribute to success in the work world. Each day I post another letter of the alphabet (yes in order) with the accompanying explanation of the idea. My goal throughout my time as a supervisor was to leave things better than when I found them. This list addressing attitudes is my final attempt. I am only here including the short titles. If you wish for more explanation, you will have to ask me in some format. You are welcome.

• Accept your roles and responsibilities
• Be on time
• Consider the consequences
• Don't run from your mistakes
• Encourage and example positive action
• Face challenges confidently
• Grow attentive to the gaps
• Help others
• Instigate change
• Just do it (of "just get it done" if trademark issues come up)
• Know and knead your weaknesses
• Laugh and create laughter
• Maintain home and work boundaries
• Never pass blame
• Offer original solutions
• Pay attention to other's work
• Question most everything
• Read your work and about your work
• Stop all negative communication
• Talk less than you work (unless your work is talk)
• Unending effort
• View the big picture
• Write what you do
• Xenolithic resolve
• Yearn to learn
• Zeitgeist recognition

Hunger

How hungry are you right now?

Such a question causes many responses. Some people are hungry when they read that question and can answer it easily. Others may not be hungry and so they merely think of whatever outstanding food they have just eaten. In either case, the question of hunger is similar to that of pain. There is a first level question; "Are you in pain?" That can easily be either yes or no. But if someone is in pain or is hungry, there can then be the follow up question of the extent of hunger or pain.

Hunger, like pain, is a pervasive symptom. If a person is truly hungry, it can occupy the mind all the time. However, constant satisfaction and comfort drives the thought of hunger far away. Most people don't allow hunger to occupy their minds for long as they meet their need and forget. This phenomenon is that to which God refers in Deuteronomy chapter eight. (Deuteronomy 8:10-12 specifically)

When hunger was no longer prevalent, God's constant provision was no longer going to be noticeable. This idea of hunger also pervades the Bible in the discipline of fasting. Many Biblical characters fasted for the sake of a focus on prayer and trust upon God. By allowing such a base desire as hunger in order to focus on prayer, people demonstrated a conscious dependence on God. I will not here elaborate any lengthy discourse on fasting. But what I do is challenge you to consider hunger differently. Rather than considering it as a sign to satiate yourself, think rather how you can focus on God and recognize your own constant dependence.

Favorite Books

During the course of my studies over the past three years, my reading has been limited to classwork. I have had little to no opportunity to read those books which I desired. However, I was able to read a number of books which I enjoyed. Here are the favorite books that I read during my studies.

1. Grasping God's Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays
2. Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer
3. The Art of Personal Evangelism by Will McRaney
4. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist by Norman Geisler
5. Theology in the context of World Christianity by Timothy C. Tennent
6. The Great Commission edited by Martin I. Klauber and Scott M. Manetsch
7. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne
8. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg and Robert L Hubbard, Jr.
9. The Reformers and Their Stepchildren by Leonard Verduin

A Beam of Light

As I open the door, a thin beam of light races into the dark cold morning air. It cuts through the darkness with relentless precision and lingers confidently in the chill world. That beams marks a special reality which is taken for granted every single day. Only light creates beams of intense manifestations of itself. Darkness is limited to creeping along in the shadows. Darkness cannot cut through light like a finely honed sword. The reason is that light exists. Light is an emanating reality comprised of actual matter. Darkness on the other hand exists only due to the existence of light. Light requires an understanding of darkness but darkness does not exist on its own. Darkness is nothing and undefined. Darkness flees before light because it is of a different reality. This truth opens some amazing parallels and lessons which I will not further pursue here. But I challenge you to recognize the unique difference between darkness and light.

3 Things Naturalism Can't Provide

Link to article about naturalism.