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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
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Yapping Yard Dog >
They call him Roddy.
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Courage and Excellence, Gifts From God >
This story of excellence in our daily work and the courage to battle life's obstacles is appropriate to the season.
Christmas >
What's Christmas all about?
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Christmas in the Park >
Christmas in the Park, it's just part of the high calling of our daily work.
Flattening Silos Opens Communication >
With two campuses, one a six-building office complex and the other a nineteen-hundred-acre camp, we have some communication challenges. So we launched our first ever Matrix Meetings.
When Christmas Went Blank >
Like Most kids Christmas was my favorite Holiday.
The Importance of Place >
TheHighCalling.org is not merely a website concerned with the theoretical ideal of "the high calling of our daily work."
Our Walk Influences Theirs >
Tina Howard, a High Calling Blogger, shares a wonderful interview about the high calling of parenting.
You're as Dumb as Kenny >
There's the theoretical and the practical. There's book smarts and street smarts.
Chesterton >
"The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us. G. K. Chesterton
Thanks and Giving >
As a teacher, I dreaded the approach of Christmas because I knew the gifts were coming. This was very awkward for me, because I had nothing to give in return.
Ironic Shift >
Is there an ironic shift over the last month of the year?
Give Thanks >
Give Thanks to the Lord always.
Word From Yale >
The November issue of Christianity Today features an interview with David W. Miller, the executive director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.
The Loss of Miracles >
Beware of being overly skeptical. You may lose the wonder along the way.
Christlikeness >
Attitude is the single most popular content area. Why? It's because our attitude shapes our work.
The New Director >
Read this post from Mark D. Roberts
Venom Sells >
Yesterday a colleague said, "If you want people to comment on a blog it has to be controversial." That stuck with me.
The Dirty "S" Word >
Somebody said something bad. It was almost unthinkable.
IAR at Work >
We are talking about renewing every part of life.
Incorporating Social Media >
Here are some ways we're incorporating social media at TheHighCalling.org.
Energy and Passion >
The High Calling takes the strength, power and vitality that we have for our daily work and combines it with our deepest need or driving force.
Creative Director >
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, . . ."
Leadership Lessons from Jarrell McCracken of WORD >
A great leader surrounds himself with talented people, listens to these people, and gives them freedom to shape things. I learned this from Jarrell McCracken of WORD.
Subtle Evil >
I've been preoccupied by the concept of evil. Not just the obvious evil like terrorism, murder or other crimes against humanity. Rather, it's the subtle evil that invades our everyday lives.
A View From the Other Side >
A post by Mark Roberts shows us a pastor's perspective on job pressures.
Attention all Authors and Potential Authors! >
The real live preacher shares his experience dealing with a publisher, after his book has been on the shelves for awhile.
Daily Recogonition >
Daily prayer helps us in our interactions with others.
We Are The Ants >
Do we really have a clue? Things happen to us, and we don't know why.
What's Grace Got to Do With It? >
Looking back on grace and life, with a little help from Mark Roberts.
Attitude Is Not Just Rah-Rah >
The way we see things, and how we react to what we see, matters. Just ask Kevin Everitt.
Following the Muse >
Sometimes our inspirations are useful in other ways.
The Text of Your Life >
"Actions speak louder than words." It is a trite cliché, but have you ever thought about it this way?
Your Daily Life >
". . . so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders . . ."
The Workplace, Despair or Hope >
I've worked in places where despair just hung in the air.
Consider Every Place As Holy >
"Look upon every part of . . . life as a matter of holiness, because it is to be offered unto God."
A Devout and Holy Life >
How do we live in full devotion to Christ? Here's a helpful guide and inspiration.
Responding to a Felt Need >
We started TheHighCalling.org out of a felt need. What's missing for thoughtful Christians is a place for intentional theological reflection.
Sins and Virtues >
Seven deadly sins. Four moral virtues. Three theological virtues.
High Maintenance >
All professions attract some "high maintenance" types. The question is what do we do with them?
Everyday Walking Around Shoes >
What do the shoes tell you?
Build a New Company >
Glenn Kelman CEO of Redfin shares some thoughts.
Labor Day Sunday >
Here's what we're doing with churches to promote the high calling of our daily work.
Watch Out for That Flood! >
The flood waters of South Texas are reason for pause.
A Perfect String >
A singer/songwriter who makes a difference.
What People Don't Know >
It's just startling to me the strong opinions people have with very little knowledge to substantiate their claims.
Can We Trust the Gospels? >
Mark Roberts takes an enormous amount of scholarship and makes it interesting and readable.
When Christ Intersects with Culture >
How can followers of Christ be a counterculture for the common good?
Work as a High Calling, Really >
How we choose makes a difference in the high calling of our daily work.
Life, Liberty, and... >
Is the pursuit of happiness a worthy goal? Is it truly an inalienable right?
LLYC Video >
A high summer creative twist.
Still Calling >
Film trailer for a film about art, beauty, and faith.
Me, We, and God >
What we do is important. Why? Because we are participants in God's story and God's intention.
Laity Lodge >
A nice virtual tour of Laity Lodge.
Let's Get a >
Great men of faith and integrity have lead the football programs at Texas universities.
How Work Saved My Life >
When call and grace come together.
Contrasting Views of the World >
The Christian versus atheist debate.
Integrate Your Faith into Your Whole Life >
In college I gave a class presentation on interdisciplinary education. I was a Sports Science major.
Bedroom Politics >
"We can't have peace in the boardroom if there is chaos in the bedroom."
It's About the People >
In the beginning the Church was a fellowship.
What Day of the Week Will Win the Battle of the Search Engines? >
From where I sit, the most powerful cultural icons of our day are Amazon and Google.
Extraordinary Places >
Homes are important places. Churches are important places. Parks and public spaces are too. Even office buildings.
What's the Difference? >
We're all different. It matters.
When You Want To Whack Your Coworkers >
I watched a season of The Sopranos a couple of years ago, and I was struck by one thing that ran through each episode—the allure of despair is powerful.
How We Treat People >
Love renews our lives.
A Strange World >
We are not alone. Jesus promised the Spirit of Truth, but first . . .
Relationships Matter >
An incredible retreat at Laity Lodge.
Dynamite! >
In Texas, it's standard practice to use dynamite to make a hole for your septic tank.
Article Link >
Here's a link to an article in Christianity Today entitled, "The Joy of Policy Manuals" by David P. Gushee.
See What's Cooking in Our Wok >
Another feature on the redesigned site is what I refer to as a "wok"—because we always have something cookin'.
We're Excited! The New Site Is Live! >
As you have surely noticed by now, our newly designed website is up and running. It's attractive, functional, and easy to navigate.
Slaves in the Workplace 2 >
As follow-up to the post about Tim Duncan and Joey Crawford, I have some more thoughts about what it looks like to be slaves in the workplace.
Slaves in the Workplace >
My full-fledged fanaticism came to a head Sunday afternoon. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs was ejected by basketball referee Joey Crawford.
Imus and Duke, Where's the Mercy? >
In this world, we're quick to condemn and slow to mercy.
Work in God's Story >
In Numbers 4, God outlines some very specific work responsibilities. They aren't glamorous, but they are apparently important to God.
Leaders, Listen to This >
Leaders absorb the pain and spread the glory.
He is Lord >
He has risen.
Microsoft Renewed >
Wired magazine posted an article "Gimme a B! Gimme an L! Gimme an . . ." It's part of a series of posts on transparency in business.
Work Like a Champ >
When I was a boy, Floyd Patterson was my favorite boxer. He wasn't very big as heavyweights go, so he was humble.
Is God a Concept for You, or a Living Reality? >
This Monday, I heard a piece on NPR by Bill Nunan entitled "My Personal Leap of Faith." It bothered me.
The Joy of Accomplishing a Goal with Others >
When I was in high school running track, my performances were always better in relays than in an individual event.
The Hope of Jesus >
I just returned from a family vacation in New York City. It was quite a trip.
Jesus as Leader >
People are eager to ask "What would Jesus do… in the workplace?"
Discernment in the Workplace >
The ability to make the right decision is certainly of great value in the workplace.
Don’t Let Perception Spoil Reality >
In many workplaces, there is an ebb and flow to the work. During the periods of flow, the rising tide of work can get overwhelming.
"Re" Theology >
When Christians work in the world, we are the church. All of us understand this on an intellectual level.
God's Work >
This is an exciting set of posts this week on TheHighCalling.org.
Where Is God in This? >
Have you ever wondered whether God really cares about your job? Well, he does.
Relationships Will Change the World >
This week's set gives us a taste of the different connections we can experience in our daily lives. And it's a good reminder how much we need each other.
Renew Your Workplace >
Count me among the millions of people impressed by Super Bowl coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith.
Looking for Concrete? >
Little children live in a concrete world. Abstractions don't mean anything to them.
How to Win >
Each Super Bowl coach explains his work ethic, his faith, and the way his work and faith are entwined.
Why People Don’t Matter >
But each individual person does.
A Context for Meaning >
All work can renew the structures of the world for God's purpose. Those structures include our families, churches, social organizations and places of employment.
From Pain to Excellence >
This week's content all reaches for the same theme, enduring through pain to achieve amazing success.
God Doesn't Ask Us to Live a Balanced Life >
We need to realize and internalize that the building with the people gathered is not the goal of the church.
Keep Your Routine from Becoming Mundane >
You've probably heard the idiom "there's more than one way to skin a cat."
God Cares About Work >
If you really want to read what the Bible says about work, look at the book of Nehemiah.
Build a Special Team >
Teams are most effective when they have a common purpose that drives their passion—like the Blue Angels in this week's audio message.
Discernment Like Playing Catch >
My friend Gordon says, "There is a secret to throwing a baseball. This deep knowledge comes after years of playing catch." Work can be like that.
Is There Joy in Your Work and Play? >
This week, we're exploring gifts and talents. Our newest audio message and articles give us a glimpse of audacious creativity.
Hearing the Truth >
A friend called me this morning and told me I wasn't doing enough to help my daughter in volleyball.
Effective Communications: A White Christmas Tree >
One January, when my daughter Madeline was four years old, she started to ask for "a white Christmas tree." At first, we thought that was a strange request.
Remove the Logs >
While sitting on my porch recently, a friend said, "Nice view of the logs." It wasn't a compliment.
