After my father’s passing, I made many phone calls to secure my mother’s survivor benefits. During one call, I talked to a woman with a thick foreign accent who seemed uncertain what information to gather.  For almost an hour she asked me the same questions multiple times.   Just when I thought we were wrapping up, she blurted out, “I have […]

August is a special month for many children. First graders graduate to second grade, fifth graders become middle schoolers, and eighth graders become high schoolers.  There is a clear progression in school that provides a sense of accomplishment as students move from one grade to another. Through this time-tested system, young students develop and mature intellectually and emotionally.   Many small […]

When my friend, Ray, was young he had many uncomfortable meetings with his boss. He usually felt intimidated, was belittled, and often felt his boss hated him.  Years later, when Ray’s boss departed the organization, he said to Ray, “Don’t forget who trained you!” Until that moment, Ray never realized that this man was working to train him to become […]

King Solomon was charged to build God a vast temple but was wise enough to know that this task was beyond his experiences and skills. So, he reached out to Hiram the King of Tyre.   Hiram had proven himself previously by providing the skill and materials for building King David’s palace.   Even though Solomon had 180,000 craftsmen, in 2 Chronicles […]

King Rehoboam had his first big test after becoming king. Towards the end of King Solomon’s reign, the people of Israel had been heavily oppressed by Rehoboam’s father, Solomon.   The Israelites requested that King Rehoboam have mercy on them and lighten their load.   Rehoboam needed wise counsel. But instead of relying on Solomon’s older and wiser counselors, Rehoboam chose to […]

Bezalel was a craftsman who modeled enduring work. In this series we’re discussing the different attributes that made Bezalel’s work so lasting.   The final attribute is knowledge.   My mother’s nursing home called about my mother’s medications. I asked Kathy to speak to her, because I didn’t understand what she was talking about.  Had the nursing home called about mom’s finances, […]

Bezalel was a craftsman who modeled enduring work. In this series we’re discussing the different attributes that made Bezalel’s work long-lasting.   Bezalel’s second attribute is skill. God gave Bezalel unique skills in his area of expertise, craftsmanship.   God has blessed each of us with certain skills. Some are gifted at sales, others with finance, and some as craftsmen.   Enduring work […]

Most of us would love for our work to endure beyond our lifetimes. Bezalel was a craftsman who modeled that level of enduring work.  Bezalel built the ark of the covenant which still existed thousands of years later. The Bible tells us of Bezalel’s attributes that made his work so enduring.    Exodus 35:30 says, “The Lord has called by name Bezalel … and […]

King Solomon had just given his inauguration speech when he decided to publicly worship God. But the tabernacle and altar weren’t in Jerusalem.  Approximately 440 years before Solomon became king, a craftsman named Bezalel had been charged by God to build the altar, the ark, and most elements inside the tabernacle.   2 Chronicles 1:5 says, “But the bronze altar that Bezalel son […]

Recently a podcast host asked me this question, “What are some obstacles that hinder business leaders from integrating their faith and work?” My first answer was, “fear.”  The fear of being sued or being disliked by others, causes many leaders to hide their faith so well that they would never be convicted in a courtroom of being a Christian.  The […]