By Randy Pausch (1960-2008), The Last Lecture, © 2008, pp. 169,170 ————————————————— It’s been well-documented that there is a growing sense of entitlement among young people today. I have certainly seen that in my classrooms. So many graduating seniors have this notion that they should be hired because of their creative brilliance. Too […]
2711) Not Entitled Read More »
Earliest known photograph of Abraham Lincoln, taken in about 1846-7 ————— Tough Love from Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln wrote this letter on December 24, 1848 to his step-brother, John Johnston. Johnston had written Lincoln that he was ‘broke’ and ‘hard-pressed’ on the family farm in Illinois. Lincoln denies the loan, but offers what we would call
2625) Don’t Be an Idler Read More »
If it falls to your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: “Here lived a great street sweeper who did his
2624) “Whatever You Do…” Read More »
The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet (1859) ———————- (…continued) This isn’t all the Bible says about work. The Bible is a practical book, and when it comes to work, it commands us to simply work hard and do it right. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,”
I frequently visit people in care centers who are near the end of their lives. Many of the residents just sit all day with nothing to do and nothing more to look forward to than their next meal. But if they have enough health and strength, some folks find things to do and a
When I was in college I worked for a year hauling garbage. I had been driving a school bus and I liked that, but I made only $3.25 an hour. Hauling garbage I would make $4.00 an hour, plus “all I could eat off the back” the boss told me. It was hard work, but
2260) In Praise of Garbagemen Read More »
By Rick Warren, in his January 10, 2020 Daily Hope blog, posted at: http://www.pastorrick.com ————————– “Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do” (Ephesians 6:6 The Message) If you’re a believer, no matter who your boss is at
2204) God is Watching You Work Read More »
Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) was a Dutch Christian who, with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazis in the early 1940’s. She worked in her father (1859-1944) Casper’s watch-making business in Holland, and they hid Jews in their upstairs apartment until they could get out of the country. They were betrayed by a neighbor,
1953) Not a Moneymaker Read More »
By Randy Alcorn, posted August 6, 2018, at: http://www.epm.org ————————— Mountain climbers could save time and energy if they reached the summit in a helicopter, but their ultimate purpose is conquest, not efficiency. Sure, they want to reach a goal, but they desire to do it by testing and deepening their character, discipline, and
1945) Why Not Just Take a Helicopter? Read More »
A few quotes by Martin Luther (1483-1546) for Labor Day (paraphrased). ——————— If God did not bless this earth, not one seed would grow, and there would be an end of everything. Everything, therefore, depends on God; and yet, God wants me to work. God will provide the sun, the rain, and the miracle of
1607) Luther on Labor Read More »
