Re-post: Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) The title of today’s post is a quotation attributed to American president Theodore Roosevelt.  The truth of this statement is so blinding, I am partly tempted to let it stand on its own.  If I did that, though, you might think I was […]

Rader’s Rules: Great Career Advice — UPDATED

Here's some time-tested wisdom. Now put it to work

“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. – Proverbs 22: 29 (ESV) When I was a graduate student, the Institute had a series of guest lectures intended to enhance and broaden our thinking.  Attendance was mandatory. I can’t recall all the […]

Classic Post: Follow Your Passion — or Develop Your Passion?

Learning to Love What Must Be Done

The following story appeared as a guest post by Mark Kinsley on Q’s Views — the blog of Mark Quinn.  I have obtained the permission of Los Dos Marcos to reproduce it in part here.  Click here to read the original post. I want to feature this story here because young men are complaining that […]

Classic Post: Wynton’s Ways to Practice

A jazz great breaks it down for us

“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” – Proverbs 22:29 (ESV) I’ve been a musician since my early teens — ever since I spent an entire summer harvesting tobacco –by hand! — to buy my first bass guitar and my first […]

Classic Post: The Fence That Me And Shorty Built

Cowboy wisdom that city-slickers can put to work

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23 – 24 (NIV) Here’s a trip back to the poetry […]

Re-post: The How and Why of Saying No to Your Boss

Daniel and the limits of obedience

“Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.” – John C. Maxwell In a previous post, I explained the debt a man owes to his employer. (If you weren’t paying attention then, you can read it here.) In that post I presented a general rule that employees should […]

Re-post: The Debt of Submission

How to render unto Caesar without selling your soul

“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s.” – Jesus Call me cynical, but I am hearing and seeing more instances of employers behaving in a high-handed and indifferent way toward their employees. This is not an indication that human nature has descended to a new level of […]

Re-post: What Your Boss Wants

Shine at work by mastering these old-school basics

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Congratulations! You got the job! Now what? If you’re just entering the work force, or changing to a new job, you wouldn’t be human if your excitement didn’t also contain a bit of […]

Cultivate a Winning Work Ethic – Updated

Be so good they can't ignore you

“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” – Proverbs 22:29 (ESV) Work is not a four-letter word.  Oh sure, on Sunday nights it’s often difficult to unplug from recreation and recapture — or manufacture — the appropriate enthusiasm for the day […]

Classic Post: How to Write a Great Thank You Note

Put those grateful thoughts on paper - and mail them

“Thank you, the phrase, ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread,’ for making me seriously wonder who’s in charge of deciding what the greatest thing is.” – Jimmy Fallon I’m sure you received a lot of nice gifts for Christmas this year.  If you want to stand out as a man — to be the best version of yourself possible — take the time […]