Every Square Inch

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:19:00 +0000

"At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of the morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in."

C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Getting It Done But Doing It Right

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:02:00 +0000

My friend Alex, a software executive recently shared his approach to evaluating his team. Alex assesses each person in his organization along two axis - "getting it done" and "doing it right".

"Getting it done" pertains to performance. Is the individual achieving the objectives of his job? It is a reality of our working lives that performance does matter. In most jobs, there is an explicit expectation of results to be achieved, tasks to be completed and objectives to be met. We cannot escape this fact - God has placed us in the "garden" of our lives to tend, cultivate and bear fruit.

But "getting it done" isn't the whole story - it's also about "doing it right". We're called to work to the glory of God. This means both working in the right way and doing the right things. It is insufficient for us to simply complete the project on time and within budget. We're also called to do it in a way that cultivates teamwork and joyful labor. Doing the right thing means redefining what it means to succeed. Succeeding in business isn't simply about increasing revenues or profits - it's also about ethical business.

I think this framework can be doubly beneficial - not only for managers in evaluating team members but also for each of us to conduct a little self assessment as well. Are we succeeding in meeting the objectives of our job? Are we "getting it done"? How about "doing it right?" Are we working in way that brings joy and peace to our workplace? Is the way we work not only effective but life giving? I also like it because it ties in with an assertion I made recently that a culture of performance and a culture of encouragement are not contradictory but rather complementary.

What do you think? Does this approach make sense? How are you doing along each of the two axis?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:39:00 +0000

"God works strangely. He brings order out of confusion, harmony out of discord... God often helps when there is least hope, and saves His people in the way that they think will destroy.... God's ways are past finding out (Rom 11:33). They are rather to be admired than to be fathomed"

Thomas Watson, All Things for Good, p. 60

How to Fail Like a Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:19:00 +0000

Failure - we've all had to deal with it. Even if you consider yourself to be successful, you've probably had to deal with some failure at every stage of life. The big issue for us isn't whether we fail but how we respond when we fail.

I've found that how I actually deal with failure says a lot about what I really believe about God and His work in my life. While I neither seek failure nor prefer it, it's helpful to view failure with a Biblical perspective when I confront it. Here are three "good" things that can be accomplished through failure.

First, we learn of our limitations. We're limited in our talents, limited in our effort and even limited in our character. We are reminded that we're finite and God is not. God is unlimited in His ability to affect His universe:

"Our God is in the heavens and he does all that he pleases" (Psalm 115:3).

God never tires or sleeps:

"He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold He who keeps Israel who neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121: 3-4)

Second, through failure, we are disciplined and refined. God often works in our lives more prominently through hardship and failures than through prosperity and success. Through failure, God works to free us from the siren songs of this world - particularly the love of the "praise of men". I've discovered that much of my "fear of failure" actually stems from a craving for recognition and praise. Understanding this brings forth the seed of repentance and I'm comforted that God is at work even in the midst of failure.

Finally, failure draws the Christian to God because we are one step nearer to the end of ourselves. We better understand our limitations and our weaknesses. We are not crushed by failure but humbled by it. When we experience the pain of failure, we are drawn to trust in our Savior who died a failure in the sight of men but accomplished more than anyone perceived at the time.

By responding to failure in this way, we testify to the reality of the invisible God we love and serve.

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:24:00 +0000

The experience of our modernized world leads us to think of it not only as the absence of God but, as it turns out, the absence of human nature. This is no coincidence. The death of God is always followed by the death of the human being.

David Wells, Above All Earthly Pow'rs, p.48

Don't Waste Your Recession

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Perhaps we're not quite out of that recession after all - now that unemployment has hit a 26 year high. Let's face it - economic downturns are not fun - companies fail, real estate prices plummet and hardworking men and women lose jobs. Yet, even in the midst of financial trials, God is faithfully at work to accomplish His purpose.

Where do you see God at work even in the midst of rising unemployment and financial uncertainty? What is He teaching you?

Here are a few ways that God uses financial trials to instruct our hearts -

1. We learn that wealth is fleeting - nothing like a loss of carefully cultivated nest egg to remind us of how fleeting wealth is ... how temporary its satisfaction. We are provoked to treasure Christ - the promise of the One who never fails, never loses value or beauty. We are reminded to find our joy in Him.

2. We learn to trust God - ever notice how we don't really exercise faith in the midst of prosperity? On the other hand, we are often compelled to turn to Christ when things are not going well..when we lose our jobs or when we're under stress.

3. We learn to testify to the Hope that is within us. We can proclaim the gospel by virtue of our response to the prevailing financial crisis. Instead of fretting over the loss of earthly treasure, we can testify to Christ, the eternal, incomparable Treasure - we can be otherworldly.

Here are a couple of resources on not "wasting" the recession.

Don't Waste Your Recession. by Mark Mullery

What is the Recession For? by John Piper

What have you learned? How has God met you in the midst of this recession?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:16:00 +0000

"Work in the Bible begins with God's work of creation. This creative work is obviously not toil. It is more like the exuberance of an artist. It is joyous, self-expressive and energetic, unencumbered by the need to overcome obstacles or wrestle the physical elements into a finished product."

Leland Ryken, Redeeming the Time: A Christian Approach to Work & Leisure, p. 160

Why God May Will An Unsatisfying Job

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Conventional thinking assumes that God wants us to have jobs that are fulfilling. We are naturally convinced that God would have us satisfied in our work. But is that always true or even generally true? Might God actually place us in jobs that are unsatisfying? Would we find ourselves led to a place where our work is unrewarding?

As I've explored this in my own life, I've come to consider the possibility that God will sometimes, strategically place us in such situations, in order that His greater purpose might be fulfilled in us. Here are three reasons why God may will an unsatisfying job for us -

1. Unsatisfying work can lead us to center our joy in Christ and not in our work. From my own experience, it's easy to be happy when everything is going right. It's not so easy when work is hard, projects are failing, companies are struggling. But these situations offer us an opportunity to center our joy in Jesus Christ. We learn that knowing Christ is more valuable to our souls than the best paying, most satisfying job.

2. Unsatisfying work can be a means to sanctify us. God may be seeking to teach us something through a less than satisfying job. We may discover our need for God...we may learn perseverance....we may grow in patience. All this to better fashion us in the image of His Son.

3. Unsatisfying work reminds us that we're not home yet. When we find ourselves in the midst of unrewarding work, we are reminded that in this life, our work is tinged with sin and difficulty. But it won't be like that forever. God will redeem us and bring us to a place of rich, fulfilling labor. We can cast our eyes heavenward and trust that His work in the past and currently will bring this to pass. We can be truly optimistic and hopeful when we consider the future.

I've found it helpful to think through these points but perhaps I'm wrong on this. Please let me know. Please share if you occasionally struggle with work that is not satisfying. How do you respond and why?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:59:00 +0000

"Jesus did not come into the world mainly to bring a new religion or a new law. He came to offer himself for our eternal enjoyment and to do whatever he had to do - including death - to remove every obstacle to this everlasting joy in him."

John Piper, In Our Joy

Leadership Tip: Build a Culture of Encouragement

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:10:00 +0000

I spent some time this weekend thinking about how to build a culture of encouragement in my workplace and family. When your tendencies are to manage toward a performance based culture, encouragement can often take a backseat.

However, I'm also convinced that a culture of encouragement and a culture of performance is neither mutually exclusive nor incompatible. In fact, mature Christian leadership involves the cultivation of both performance and encouragement. Building a culture of performance without encouragement dehumanizes the work experience - it denies our identities as image bearers of the Creator God. After all, we're not just machines measured simply by virtue of productivity. In fact, every worker uniquely bears the image of the Creator with special character, gifts and abilities.

So how do we build a culture of encouragement? A friend was helpful in formulating thoughts around this. He offered that a culture of encouragement is one where encouragement is:

- Personal
- Specific
- Genuine
- Regular

But I also believe that biblical encouragement has an additional component - it brings to bear the reality of God at work in our world. It affirms the fact that each person is uniquely gifted and bears the image of God. It reminds us that God is at work in our lives - in our circumstances, plans, hopes and dreams. For the Christian, it brings the comfort of knowing that Jesus Christ has addressed our greatest need and promises that He will neither leave us, nor forsake us. This is the kind of encouragement I hope to bring to my family and workplace.

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:45:00 +0000

"How you make plans tell a lot about yourself. Specifically, and of greatest importance, it tells you much about your relationship to God - how important He is to you in everyday life."

Jay E. Adams, A Thirst for Wholeness, p.120

Criticism and the Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Let's face it, no one likes to be critiqued or criticized. It can be especially challenging to handle if we perceive the criticism to be unwarranted or unjustified. In those situations, we can often respond with a defensive posture, a myriad of excuses or even with counter-attacks.

But is there a different way that we can respond to criticism? I think so.

I was reminded of the value of criticism as I read the article entitled "The Cross and Criticism" from Peacemaker Ministries. The author, Alfred Poirier makes the point that the Bible commends the ability to heed criticism as a mark of wisdom.

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning"

(Proverbs 9:9)

In fact, wise men and women, not only heed criticism but consider it to be a blessing when it comes from a righteous source.

Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness;

let him rebuke me - it is oil for my head

(Psalm 141:5)

The point Poirier makes is that the Bible teaches us that correction and criticism can often be a means of God's blessing for our lives and he's right. In the article, he argues for how Christ's death on the cross enables us to view ourselves critically, yet secured by God's justifying love for us.

Certainly, there is a place for clarifying misconceptions and appropriately defending oneself against false accusations. Sometimes criticisms are actually unjustified or incorrect. In those situations, we should feel at liberty to "set the record straight" but not at the expense humbly listening and receiving the corrective input.

However, even when criticisms are unjustified, I've found them helpful in humbling my soul as it leads me to put my trust in Christ. Just think - if we are not open to receiving criticism, we might be overlooking the blessing of God hidden in a corrective word.

How do you respond to criticism? Do you make it easy for others to provide constructive criticism or feedback?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:40:00 +0000

"The natural qualities in his creation often show how they can be rightly enjoyed. Has the Lord given flowers great beauty and perfume, and then made it wrong for us to enjoy it? Hasn't he given us colors to enjoy and qualities in material things like gold and silver, ivory and marble which make them precious? "

John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion

Humility is Essential to Effective Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:38:00 +0000

Author and leadership guru John Baldoni, believes in the importance of humility in leadership. Here's what he said on his blog recently -

Leaders who want to inspire followership... need to demonstrate not simply their accomplishments but their character... A sense of humility is essential to leadership because it authenticates a person's humanity. We humans are frail creatures, we have our faults. Recognizing what we do well, as well as what we do not do so well, is vital to self awareness and paramount to humility.

Baldoni raises some interesting points and anyone who leads in any capacity should take heed. He reminds us that it's one thing to be in a position of leadership, it's another thing altogether to "inspire followership". The former requires that authority be established but the latter happens only when the leader demonstrates character.

Yet, it wasn't the emphasis on character that drew my attention to Baldoni's blog post - other experts have said similar things. Rather it's his insistence on humility as a necessary character trait for effective leadership that sets Baldoni apart. This is rare. Many leadership experts will gladly mention the importance of character but they tend to focus on integrity or trustworthiness as primary traits. Very few highlight the importance of humility.

Baldoni goes on to list different ways we can demonstrate humility in our role as leaders -

1. Temper authority - don't make "pulling rank" a regular practice but through delegation, allow your subordinates to set priorities and make decisions along the way.

2. Look to promote others - seek to advance and promote others...sometimes at cost to ourselves. When we do this, we are serving our neighbor and seeking his/her good.

3. Acknowledge what others do - this can mean several things like simply saying "thank you" for a job well done or publicly drawing attention to the contribution of others.

Another way that we demonstrate humility everyday is the way we respond when we're wrong. Do we give ourselves a pass or hold ourselves accountable? Interestingly, I was faced with such a temptation this past week, when I harshly corrected a subordinate. I thought he had neglected to respond to an important request I made of him. However, when I retraced my original request, I became aware that I actually addressed the request to someone else. I was completely unjustified in my response!

At that point, I had a choice - either to 'fess up and apologize or simply sweep the whole incident under the rug. Thankfully, I was compelled by the grace of God to humble myself and apologize to him.... and not only to him but to everyone who was aware of my misplaced blame.

The kind of humility God calls us to is otherworldly ... and unattainable apart from His grace at work in our lives. May God work such humility in us, not simply because it'll make us better leaders but more importantly, because it pleases our Savior and King.

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant"

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:43:00 +0000

"A Christian's main vocation is to become a prime citizen of the kingdom of God - and this is true of every Christian, of artists and engineers as well as ministers and evangelists. All are called to mesh their kingdoms with those of other citizens in order to work together inside the kingdom of God."

Cornelius Plantinga Jr. Engaging God's World, p. 108

Salt and Light in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:59:00 +0000

I’ve been working my way slowly through Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian. The thesis of the book is simply this – Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world; they don’t make a difference by being the same.

It’s a notable point simply because as Christians engaging the world around us, we can easily forget that we’re called to be different and distinct. That's understandable - after all, we want to be relatable as Christians. And truth be told, most of us prefer to comfortably “fit in” rather than “stand out”. Who wants to branded as the “religious” guy, especially at our place of work? If it's there's one place where the gospel is not welcomed today, it's in the corporate boardroom.

I was reminded of this challenge when I read Matthew 5:13-16 this week –

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

The challenge: to authentically love and relate to our co-workers and neighbors while being uncompromisingly distinctive as Christians. We’re called to be distinctive in our ethics, our conduct, our motivations and our passions.

What does this look like for you everyday?

What does being “salt and light” in this world mean to you?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:48:00 +0000

"Job learned about the vanity of this world by losing it all; the Teacher {Qoheleth} saw it by having it all."

Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, p. 536

Pleasing God in Our Work and Life

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:09:00 +0000

I've been thinking about Hebrews 11:6 today -

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

If we're to please God in any way, we must approach Him in faith - it is a necessary condition. According to this verse, faith starts with a belief that God exists. At first glance, this would appear to be obvious and inconsequential. But it's not. That's because the existence of God is of great consequence. Believing in God isn't just mental assent - it has ultimate impact on all matters pertaining to our lives - on how we work, play, live and die.

So I'm just wondering -

How does the existence of God impact the way I do my work or engage those around me?
What does it look like for me to work with faith toward God?
Why am I so self reliant and forgetful of my need for God?

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:26:00 +0000

"The most dangerous idols are the ones that fit most comfortably in your everyday Christian life."

Paul Tripp

The Gospel and Your Identity

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:20:00 +0000

This weekend, my church hosted a conference featuring Paul Tripp, author of Lost in the Middle. Based on the book, this conference addressed the issues of mid-life through the lens of the gospel. There was much said that was both helpful and thought provoking. Far more than can be touched upon in a single blog post.

But one of the points that Dr.Tripp made is particularly important to many of us engaged in the workplace. It involves the issue of personal identity. Due to remaining indwelling sin in our lives, many of us derive our identity from the position we hold or the kind of work we do. Rather than revel in our position as rescued sinners and children of the Most High, we invest our identities in our roles at work or even at home.

Like all false gods, this misplaced identity ultimately fails to satisfy. God ordained trials can expose the limitations of these idols - through failed projects, stalled career aspirations or even lost jobs. These are occasions for repentance, they are reminders of God's sovereign love. We are meant to anchor our hope in Christ alone and our identity as God's children.

What identity is more glorious than that? What hope is more enduring? If we are found in Christ, we are blessed indeed.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—¹⁰that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

Phillipians 3:8-10

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:01:00 +0000

"It seems natural to us all to wish to make a name and gain some note, in the circle we move in at any rate, and we wish to make that circle wider if we can... Men, in seeking after notoriety or honor, have a degree of pleasure in the search that they do not possess when they have gained their object... If you have honor or fame, accept it, but let this prayer go up, 'My God bless me indeed, for what profit were it, if my name were in thousand mouths, if You should spew it out of your mouth? What matter though my name were written in marble, if it were not written in the Lamb's Book of Life?..."

If you happen to live in obscurity, and have not entered the lists of honors among your fellowmen, be content to run well your own course and fulfill truly your own vocation."

C.H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons on Great Prayers of the Bible, p.30

Twenty Years Together

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Kathy and I were married twenty years ago on August 19, 1989. Like many couples, we've had wonderfully good times and terribly tough times but the one constant is God's grace over our marriage.

Every since Kathy's encounter with cancer in 2001, our motto has been - "every day together is a gift from God". Sadly, I didn't always see that earlier in our marriage. But God has a wonderful way of bringing forth the sweet fruit of sanctification from a bitter seed. As two sinners living, loving and parenting together, we still have many issues but we're more aware than ever that God has been kind to give us twenty years worth of daily gifts. We're grateful.

Here's what I read recently -

"The ultimate thing we can say about marriage is that it exist for God's glory. That is, it exists to display God" - John Piper, This Momentary Marriage, p.25

We pray that in some mysterious, inexplicable way, our marriage may fulfill its ultimate purpose.

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:21:00 +0000

"God's children are strengthened by their falls. They learn to stand by their falls. Like tall cedars, the more they are blown, the deeper they are rooted.''

Richard Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes. Vol 7, p. 222

God@Work - Your Calling as a Witness

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:01:00 +0000

God@Work Part 4 probably doesn't translate as well to a blog post since a good part of the session involved a general back & forth discussion about how we can be witnesses at work - ethical issues related to a work environment that may be hostile to the sharing of the gospel. But since I covered past 3 sessions, I'll finish up with a brief post on session 4 which is entitled God@Work - Your Calling as a Witness.

Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶and said to them,"Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Luke 24:44-49

The commission to the disciples involved being a witness of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The essence of the commission -

that "the Christ will suffer" (v. 46)
that he will "rise from the dead on the third day" (v.46)
that "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name" (v.47)

We are likewise called to proclaim this message to the world around us. Check out the Two Ways to Live presentation - it's is an effective tool in communicating the gospel.

Application Questions:

When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone from your community or workplace?

What prevents you from sharing the gospel on a more regular basis?

How does meditating on the gospel help you do so?

Check out God@Work from the first session onward

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Every Square Inch) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:36:00 +0000

"The world strongly influences us in a thousand ways to take a short view of life - eat, drink and be merry now because tomorrow may never come. Christians, on the other hand, are to take a longer, more clearheaded view of life, living intentionally and responsibly in order to make contributions to society that will last long after our individual lives in this world are over."

Tullian Tchividjian, Unfashionable p.129