Image: Golden Gate Bridge by Joseph C. Filer and Jason W. Filer. Many of the biggest projects on earth are civil engineering projects. The Great Pyramid at Giza is the height of a fifty-story building and built out of “bricks” that weigh 5,000 pounds. How did they do that in 2560 B.C.? The Great WallContinue reading “Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.”
Category Archives: Hard Work/ Work Ethic
Don’t Jump the Gun. Genesis 23:16.
One Thanksgiving Day, a single man with nowhere to celebrate the holiday was invited to eat with Debbie’s family. During the meal, the Holy Spirit spoke to him: This is the woman you are going to marry. Mark barely knew Debbie—they had never dated. The voice he heard stunned him, like a lightning bolt outContinue reading “Don’t Jump the Gun. Genesis 23:16.”
The ‘Good Enough’ Work Ethic. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.
Image: the cockpit of an airbus. The World War Two generation understood how to fight to the death. They knew what it was to live through a world at war, and to fear how things would end up, should the Allies lose. Life for the WWII generation (often called “The Greatest Generation”) must have beenContinue reading “The ‘Good Enough’ Work Ethic. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.”
How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.
What do most immigrants to the United States want their children to do? Go to med school, of course! The idea has become such a stereotype, standup comics make millions telling jokes about it. But the stereotype is not untrue. Parents of every stripe, of every American ethnicity and culture have imagined their children asContinue reading “How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.”
WORK IS GOD’S PLAN, NOT GOD’S PUNISHMENT. Psalm 104:14,23.
I was obsessed. I woke up running and did not stop till dark. After school, I put on play clothes and was back outside. Life was adventures, tree climbing, pirates, hide & seek, baseball, bicycles, and more. I BELIEVED in play the way others believed in the Dallas Cowboys. PLAY was my team. I LOVEDContinue reading “WORK IS GOD’S PLAN, NOT GOD’S PUNISHMENT. Psalm 104:14,23.”
Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.
When I taught high school, I remember being chastised by my students. I was talking about being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses: “For example, I know that I write well. But I don’t always listen well—” “Wow, Mr. Wales. That’s pretty arrogant, don’t you think?” “What? Saying that I write well?” “Yes. That’s soContinue reading “Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.”
DO THE HEAVY LIFTING. 2 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15.
Do you agree with these principles? –Yet, most Christians prefer sermons that skim the surface and never get deep. We get nervous when we hear words like “doctrine,” or “eschatology.” We want preachers to tell good stories and make us feel inspired, but we don’t want to think too much. We want to sing songsContinue reading “DO THE HEAVY LIFTING. 2 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15.”
Hard Work Leads to Success. Hebrews 12:11
Self-discipline always pays off. It comes with its own rewards, whether dieting, sports, studying, or spiritual disciplines. Think about that as you begin a new year, a new semester in school, or simply a new week. If you are a student–or NOT a student–the discipline of reading and studying and turning off the TV andContinue reading “Hard Work Leads to Success. Hebrews 12:11”
THE SLAVERY WORK ETHIC. Colossians 3:22-23.
Slavery, as a rule, does not produce hard workers but people who LOOK LIKE hard workers. People will not work hard if they believe they have no control over their work. But slaves will say “yes sir,” and hustle and SMILE as though thrilled with their work. But once they’re out of sight, the smileContinue reading “THE SLAVERY WORK ETHIC. Colossians 3:22-23.”
Do You Get Tired of Working? Colossians 3:23.
The Bible encourages us to work hard and to shake off the weariness. You can do it! Unbelievers are sometimes quite lazy. Sometimes people are poor because they are unwilling to work in a regular or disciplined manner. Laziness is tempting. It’s hard to get out of bed, to hustle, to stay motivated. And thatContinue reading “Do You Get Tired of Working? Colossians 3:23.”
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