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Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

The Simple Sounds of Silence

Posted in Balance, Faith and Work, Family, God, Mind, Peace, Thoughts on March 21, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Lately I have been trying to do without things in my life that I have become accustomed to having and which have been part of my busy life for decades.  As I get older however something seems to be happening that I was not expecting….imagine that!

I have always been a person that enjoys having stuff on….my radio, TV, stereo, laptop, iPhone.  Often all at the same time if possible.  Not sure why, but a couple of months ago, I started turning stuff off…not everything all at once, but here and there and from time to time.  Somehow I have found that I don’t miss it all as much as I thought I would.  As it turns out, turning off the noise has been a blessing and has allowed me to simplify my life.

I wondered about what was happening to me.  I still enjoyed my music, my sports talk radio, my Food Network shows, etc, but found that all that noise  kind of deadened me to other things going on around me calling for my attention and thoughts.

I have found that turning stuff off has been a blessing in many ways that I was not expecting.  Most of all, I have felt that I have been able to hear and discern that still small voice of my Creator which most often is heard in stillness and silence.

Most of you probably are way ahead of me on this.  But I also know many who like me, the noise has become so much apart of our lives, that we don’t even realize how much it has drowned out many other important sounds that can only be heard when we turn it all off.

Take a few days and just try it…what you may hear instead might amaze you!

Our 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast is about learning how to simplify your life in order to strengthen your leadership. Hope to see all of you there!

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2013…Living Life on Purpose

Posted in Faith and Work, Faith at work, Family, Goals, Marriage, Parenting, Purpose, tagged , , , , on January 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Did you look back at 2012 yesterday?

As I wrote down some thoughts and graded myself (yes, I am that analytical) on my faith, marriage, children, work, etc., it beautifully prepared me for 2013. Just as a business forecast comes from historical data, so can the forecast for our lives in 2013!

2013 year beginning blog post

Let’s keep this simple today. I have shared in the past these basic ideas to help you shape your 2013 to live with more purpose. Let me encourage you to block some time, find a quiet place, buy yourself a cup of coffee (or other stimulus), and just think and listen. Write down what comes to you.

If you are a person that needs some structure, try this on for 2013:

  • Purpose – a simple statement that describes your focus for the year.
  • Word – one word that  summarizes your purpose.
  • Verse – a single Bible verse that supports your purpose.
  • Goals – this can be as short (4-5 goals) or as long (family, work, financial, serving) as you wish.
  • Book – this is a freebee…go to Amazon and buy a book that you really need to read. Here’s mine.

I pray that your 2013 focus will intentionally include closing the gap between your work and your faith. That’s WorkMatters purpose and passion for your life!

Let’s do this,

David

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2012…Are You Looking Back?

Posted in Faith, Faith and Work, Faith at work, Family, Goals, Gratitude, Marriage, Parenting, Planning, tagged , , , , , , , on December 31, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Wherever you are around the world, today is a unique day. Every one of us are living the final day of 2012. Will you treat it like any other day?

I have always believed strongly in using the end of the calendar year as an opportunity to both reflect and project. The Bible tells us that “God will call the past to account“ (Ecclesiastes 3:15 NIV). Knowing that God will be “reflecting”, don’t you think  we should, as well?

2012 yearend blog post

Think about your faith, your family, yourself.

What were the highlights, the memories, the markers that altered your life? Did you check an item off of your bucket list?

What were the lowlights, the things you are still struggling with, the things that were so bad but you are now seeing some good?

How did you grow in your faith? What did you intentionally do to make that happen? Did you get more or less involved in a church? Did you read the Bible? Pray? Did you spend time with other men or women sitting in a circle growing?

How about your work? Did you catch a new vision for why your work matters? Did you begin to close the gap that exists between your faith and your work? Did you take a step towards God …attend an event, read a book or a blog, participate in a biblical leadership study?

Let’s stop right there. This is not a guilt trip session. This is a time for honest reflection on both the incredible blessings of 2012, as well as the struggles and missed opportunities of 2012. We can see our God in both of them as we learn from the past to prepare us for the future!

2013 can be a fresh start. It’s a new opportunity. We’ll talk more about that tomorrow. For today, make sure that you invest some time learning from 2012. It will bless you in ways you never imagined.

Closing the gap,

David

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Changing Your Work/Life Balance

Posted in Balance, Faith and Work, Family, Work, tagged , , , , , , , on August 9, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Ready for change? Ready for some help, for some inspiration in this ongoing, frustrating battle that leaders have with work/life balance?

Before posting this blog, I sent this same content as an email to a large number of workplace leaders that I know and love. After writing it, I knew that you should have it as well.

I’ve struggled with work/life balance issues most of my life. Since moving back to Arkansas 12 years ago, I’ve been blessed to manage my “problem” better – although leading a grueling, fast-paced non-profit with minimal resources has tested me. Without asking, I know that each of you have had seasons of fighting to balance your work and your life.

 This updated story of Urban Meyer’s work/life balance is powerful, exposing the real ongoing battle that leaders face. Wanting to do your work with excellence and win! But also wanting to love your spouse and your children.

Read this story in your quiet time early in the morning when you have time to absorb and reflect. Ask yourself some hard questions. Am I really being honest with myself? How many hours am I really working everyday? When I am home, am I really home? Am I scheduling specific events with my spouse (like date night) and kids every week? Ask your spouse and kids how you’re doing. Be willing to listen to what they have to say. Then listen to what God tells you to do.

And act.

There is a book mentioned in the article Lead… For God’s Sake. It is a powerful, provocative sports fiction book about the real purpose of your work and life. Urban Meyer ended up writing the forward after reading it.

God has given you incredible influence at home and at work. I hope you will use these resources to help you live your life at work with greater purpose and meaning.

We are passionate about helping you live out your life and your work in God-pleasing ways. I hope this is one of them.

David

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Vacation – 7 Ways to Live, Love and Learn

Posted in Balance, Faith and Work, Family, Friendship, Marriage, Parenting, Prayer, Purpose, Travel, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 16, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

This morning is day one following an incredible beach vacation with my my wife, Theresa and our two sons Dylan (18) and Tyler (13). Beach vacations are just different, aren’t they? So much more relaxing and introspective than other trips you may go on that are full of activity. I’m wired more for the later, but I realized this past week, that regardless of where you go, we must use this time purposefully. The busyness of life, the pressures of work demand this time to regenerate!

There is no secret formula for a purpose driven vacation (sounds like work already, doesn’t it!). But here are a few suggestions for you to consider:

  1. Marriage – if you are married, find ways to spend time together. A walk on the beach. A bike ride. Help with the grocery store haul.
  2. Children – regardless of age, what a special time to laugh, to play, to explore, to challenge, to talk.
  3. Read – pick two good books to read. I read two fantastic books that I highly recommend. The first, Lead…For God’s Sake, I listened to on the long drive to Florida when my family was sleeping or otherwise “plugged in”. The second, Love Works, I read early in the morning or on the beach.
  4. God – what an incredible time to get up early and pray and read the Bible. It is an especially good time to just listen. What are you hearing about your marriage, your children, your friends, your work?
  5. Body – this may be counterintuitive for some, but I love exercising on vacation. Maybe it’s a long run, or a hike, or a bike ride. It’s a time that your mind is more open and free to listen and think and smile.
  6. Ideas – I find that when I am mixing in all of the above, God seems to open my mind to fresh ideas and perspectives.
  7. Rest – doing all of these things can’t create busyness and stress. Just the opposite is true. Relax. Take a deep breath. Feel the joy of creation and the blessings of your life!
We lead active, fast paced lives. May God bless you richly with some time to rest and connect with family, friends, and the one that created us.

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Are You Courageous at Home and Work?

Posted in Culture, Faith, Family, Friendship, Influence, Integrity, Jesus, Job Search, Marriage, Money, Parenting, Prayer, Trust, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of one of the most important days of my life. On October 5, 1991, Theresa and I said “I do and I will”!

In honor of that day 20 years ago, we spent the entire day together just having fun. We reflected on the past 20 years. We looked at old pictures, we told stories, we laughed, we questioned why on a few things that have happened in our lives. We shared two fabulous meals. We visited the site of the soon to open world renowned Crystal Bridges Museum.

And then we went to the movies. But this was not just any movie. This was a movie about life. About the very fabric of why we are here. About our marriages, our children, our work, and our faith. About being COURAGEOUS in living with great purpose in each of those arenas of life.

You may be familiar with the organization that also brought us the movies Fireproof and Facing the Giants. These are powerful examples of using media to impact our culture in positive ways.

For men and women, but especially Dad’s, take the time this weekend to see this movie. I find it impossible to believe that your life at home and at work will not be profoundly impacted.

Proverbs 22:6

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Inspiration for Relationship with God at Work

Posted in Adversity, Faith, Faith and Work, Family, God, Influence, Jesus, Relationships, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work, tagged , , , , , , , on September 20, 2011 | 1 Comment »

We are blogging this month on the first of  Seven Pillars…Relationship. Specifically, how we can walk with God all day, every day, but especially in our work. But it’s hard, isn’t it? The menial tasks. The grind. Deadlines. Worry. Money…and the list goes on.

But God calls us to see it differently, doesn’t he?  He calls us to see our work as a blessing, not a curse. To understand that our work is a mission, or at least it can be if we let it. To treat our work as worship to Him.

Do you need some inspiration to see a higher purpose in walking with God at work? Watch this video. Watch it to the end because it’s the last five minutes that really matter.

Now…what do you do with what you just witnessed?

How can your life and your work have deeper meaning?

What does your relationship with God look like now?

It’s up to you…

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  Matthew 25:23

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Work and Marriage

Posted in Family, Marriage on May 24, 2011 | 1 Comment »

We are constantly teaching and equipping on why and how we can and should live our faith in our work. Most of the time, it is very work centric. However, we must constantly remind ourselves that all elements of our lives are integrated and connected.

That is especially true of our work and our marriage. If you stop and think about it, work has almost every element you can think of to damage your marriage:

  1. Long hours
  2. Pressure to deliver
  3. Pride from success
  4. Close working relationships with the opposite sex
  5. Heavy travel  (freedom to…)

We can talk work related affairs, work as our God (really?), work to gain respect and admiration … you can fill in the blanks.

We have to be intentional about this subject. If we just let gravity happen, the world will pull us down. We have to take our marriage to work with us. And then we have to take our marriage home with us.

Let me share a great resource with you today that can help you. Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, writes a killer blog. Read what he says about WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE?

Lord, today, give us a fresh perspective on how our work and our marriage dramatically affect each other. Challenge us to make some changes to strengthen both. Amen…

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1 + 1 = 2

Posted in Balance, Bible, Faith and Work, Family, Marriage, Prayer on March 16, 2011 | 4 Comments »

We get so strung out with the incredible pace of our lives. I am living through that right now. I just got off the phone with a business leader expressing the same anxieties and frustrations.

Our work is demanding and full of pressures. We strive to be the best husbands and wives possible. Many of us have children who we deeply desire to spend time with. Some of us serve, but so often that gets back-burnered. Some make church a priority, others fit it in if possible (try having a child involved in competitive sports). And the list goes on.

Do you need help?

Last month we had a powerful message on Legacy at our Eight to Five marketplace ministry. Mark Saviers, partner in Sage Partners, took us back to the basics. It was so refreshing. (Listen to Mark’s message)

1 + 1 = 2 … it is a simple, predictable equation.

If we wake up, work out (or not), eat breakfast, and run out the door … we will have a fairly predictable outcome.

What if we added one element to that equation… a few minutes of time alone with our Father … again, I believe we will have a fairly predictable outcome.

One will yield a day spent grinding. The other a day spent grounded.

After Mark’s message, he handed me a simple booklet (50 pages) that is a powerful tool for helping us get back to the basics of a quiet time with God. It is appropriately titled, Quiet Time, by Bill Smith. You can call 501-224-3238 to order a copy (only $5).

I need 1 + 1 = 2 in my life. I need to be grounded so that I have a fighting chance to reflect Christ in my life, especially at work.

Do you?

Pick up the book…see if some quiet time spent each day reading the Bible and praying and listening will help you find 1 + 1 = 2.

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Leadership Lessons

Posted in Balance, Excellence, Family, Integrity, Leadership, Servant Leadership, Trust, Vision on February 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Mike Duke, CEO Wal-Mart Stores, is a leader many of us know and respect here in northwest Arkansas. It’s hard to fathom the challenge of leading the largest company in the world. He is humble, faithful and requires business excellence from himself and his associates.

Read these excerpts from a recent interview Mike Duke did with The Associated Press in New York:

Q. How do you balance the nitty-gritty of the business with looking at the big picture?

A. If I spend all of my day in the details as a CEO of a company like Wal-Mart, I think it would be trouble, because I wouldn’t really be prepared to speak to the big issues that the country or the world should face. But at the same time, if you spend all of the time at 50,000 feet, (you) really are not out talking to customers and know real people. … I think it’s often the interaction directly with customers in the details of their family and their issues is what inspires me to want to help solve the big issues.

Q. What ideals from Sam Walton do you embrace?

A. (Leadership is) about showing respect to every individual, about humility over arrogance, about listening and getting feedback from a broad array of constituents. It’s about a passion for customers and knowing customers firsthand, not theoretical, not through some data only, but by having personal, passionate communication with customers. And leadership is about striving for excellence. It’s about setting aggressive goals and not being afraid to go after very aggressive goals and targets. I think it’s even better for a leader to set an aggressive goal and come up a little short than it would be to set a soft goal and to exceed it.

Q. What should a leader value most?

A. Integrity and trust. If a leader doesn’t have the trust of associates, of customers, of shareholders, then all the other things, the ability to speak eloquently and to sing and dance and entertain, (don’t) mean a thing if a leader’s not trusted.

Q. Does work ever stop for you?

A. I do spend really focused time with my wife, my kids, grandkids, and so when I’m doing something or on a golf course, work has stopped. I’m not always thinking and working. … I think a leader has to really be a balanced, whole and healthy person personally in order to be the best leader on the job.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

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