Group relationships are not the same as one-on-one relationships. If you lead a group—a class, a team, a division of a business—you know certain people require leaders of groups to take measures leaders would NOT take if the relationships were one-on-one. That bad kid whose mocking behavior influences everyone else? For the sake of theContinue reading “Group Dynamics.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Sowing and Reaping Across Generations.
Jonathan Edwards was one of early America’s greatest preachers. His devotion to prayer and Bible study remains unparalleled, his biographer recording that he usually spent 13 hours a day studying the word, an hour talking with his wife and 11 kids, and prayed a prayer of blessing over each child, every day. When Edwards hadContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping Across Generations.”
“Lord, I’m Willing to be Made Willing.”
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1. What a powerful promise! God can literally change ANY heart! He can turn the lost back to himself. He can help us find the right paths. He can make us desire in ourContinue reading ““Lord, I’m Willing to be Made Willing.””
Public-Order Crimes.
All societies prosecute violent crimes: murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault. We even prosecute “white collar crimes,” wrongs committed by people sitting at computers in shirts and ties: embezzlement, securities fraud, insider trading. But Public Order crimes are controversial. Should gambling be a crime? Drugs? Prostitution? People call these “victimless crimes,” arguing that ifContinue reading “Public-Order Crimes.”
How to Make A’s.
Steven Wales got a bad education. His school years were marked by failing grades, paddlings, and phone calls to mom and dad. Then one day everything changed. He has spent the thirty years since working as a high school teacher, lawyer, and professor of business law and petroleum land management. An adjunct professor, Wales teachesContinue reading “How to Make A’s.”
Your Mouth is Number One!
The reason we should eat healthy is because food is the number one way you interact with the environment. Forget air pollution or germs or sunburns or floods or poison. The biggest impact you will have on your health is what you SWALLOW. In the same way, we must control our words, because our wordsContinue reading “Your Mouth is Number One!”
Homosociality.
Homo what? There’s an odd term. Homosociality means “same-sex relationships that are not of a romantic or sexual nature, such as friendship, mentorship, or others.” Think about your best friends, teachers, and coaches—some of these are powerful, intense relationships with members of the same sex. But they are not sexual, merely “social.” Thus, “homosocial.” TheContinue reading “Homosociality.”
Solitude v. Isolation.
I’m good at solitude. I’ve never been unhappy alone. But I remember times when being alone felt unhealthy and I had to go be with people. When solitude turns into isolation, it’s time to find some fellowship. We need solitude. We need quiet and “white space” in our lives. But more as a retreat—you getContinue reading “Solitude v. Isolation.”
The Mouth of a Fool.
I said one thing this summer that people have repeated back to me more than anything else: “Steven, you’re a good kid. But your mouth’s gonna get you into a lot of trouble.” My father was right, of course. I would say anything, no matter how rude or hostile or mean or inappropriate. I hadContinue reading “The Mouth of a Fool.”
Private School.
I often asked myself why I had children in private school. It was an extravagant luxury—something others could afford, but not me. I had spent years teaching in public schools—were they so bad? Everyone I know attended public schools. Yet each time I questioned the decision, God gave me peace. On what basis? The challengingContinue reading “Private School.”
Household Words: 