Electrifying Faith

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:01:12 +0000

Adults were critical of young Al. His energy was—well—boundless. His questions were endless. These days, people would call him A-D-D. In his day, teachers called him “addled.”

But not his mother. In his energy, she saw potential; in his questions, intelligence. Al credited her for all he would do. And he would do plenty. As he grew, “Al” was known as Thomas Alva Edison. Holder of a thousand patents. Inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. Father of the electric age.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. May I encourage you to look around for undervalued coworkers? Who knows what your belief can electrify...in the high calling of our daily work.

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
1 Samuel 17:32

Image by Tim Miller.

The Splinter Hunter

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:54:18 +0000

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Jason finally had enough. His officemate and frequent work partner would have to be confronted. “Your delays make us miss deadline after deadline,” Jason said. “And I’m sorry to have to tell you.”

The coworker pushed back from his keyboard and took a deep breath. “Jason,” he said, “I’m late because you rush through assignments. Your reports are so riddled with errors I have to do your work and mine. I’ve been reluctant to tell you.”

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Jesus talked about the splinter in others’ eyes and the log in our own. If you feel the need to point out flaws on the job, the wise place to start is with yourself...in the high calling of our daily work.

“How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
Luke 6:42

Image by Claire Burge (www.claireburgephotography.com). Used with permission.

When the Truth Hurts

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:09:11 +0000

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From his work in sales, Paul could look ahead and see serious problems in the company’s path—problems obvious to him but ignored by those around him. So Paul raised the issue with top management...and for his trouble, his colleagues ignored him.

After a while, they ridiculed him. Eventually, they marginalized him. Paul never backed off from what he saw. And down the road, when his predictions proved out and the company hit hard times—he got fired.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. The life of Jesus shows us that the truth can hurt...and it can hurt the teller. But truth-telling, resting on right judgment, is no choice. It’s our obligation...in the high calling of our daily work.

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32

Image by TMAB2003. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

Listen and Share

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:50:46 +0000

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High Calling radio spots air daily across the U.S., but Mike does more than listen. Each week in an employee meeting, he replays a spot. And each week, Mike and his employees discuss how that topic, that message, relates to their workdays.

“Howard Butt mentions the power of tone of voice,” one employee offers. “That’s not just about work. Let me tell you: tone of voice begins at home.” Everyone laughs. Several folks nod. An idea gains strength.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. More than 400 radio spots are yours for the downloading at TheHighCalling.org. Food for thought, fuel for conversation, sharing ideas...we all do better to consider the high calling of our daily work.

I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 (ASV)

Image by Daniël Silveira. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

Making Time and Taking Time

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:36:35 +0000

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Jim’s employees loved his availability. A project running late? Jim made time to help. Personal problem? Jim made time to listen. Middle manager in a quandary? Count on Jim to sit down and advise.

The only person Jim ever shortchanged was Jim. And when burnout and health problems finally tripped him up, no one was surprised. To a person, Jim’s employees made one thing clear: they valued his attention...but not at the expense of his health and peace of mind.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Good management turns on good judgment. A healthy leader makes time for the workplace—and takes time for a well-ordered life...in the high calling of our daily work.

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Proverbs 4:5

Image by The South London Lop. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

The Rumor and the Vow

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:30:01 +0000

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In the parking lot, walking into work, Becky heard a juicy rumor. By lunchtime, her department was humming. By close of business, the entire company was talking about it. Just one thing: the rumor was untrue.

It’s not easy to rein in runaway gossip, to return workers to work, to calm the victims’ hurt and indignation. Becky saw firsthand the harm in time lost, morale bruised, and relationships at the breaking point. She made a brief vow: “I refuse to listen to rumors,” she said. “Or to repeat the ones I hear.”

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge, and this much is true: the quickest way to end the gossip is to not gossip...in the high calling of our daily work.

As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 25:23

Image by Jula JP. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

The Stain’s the Thing

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:05:45 +0000

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As a young Raytheon engineer in 1945, Percy Spencer should have been hard at work on military radar. Instead, he was distracted and a bit angry at the spreading stain on his trousers. A candy bar had melted in his pocket.

After a moment’s thought, Percy connected two unlikely elements: the device he tinkered with—a microwave-emitting magnetron—and that gooey chocolate. As you might suspect, Percy Spencer had stumbled onto the technology behind the microwave oven.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Messes happen, and stains are a pain. But be mindful. Give in to life’s little problems, and you miss your chance to really clean up...in the high calling of our daily work.

Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!
Proverbs 8:1

Image by Terry Bain. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

Also Dances

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:11:58 +0000

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He was an immigrant’s kid from Omaha. And from the start, his life was show biz. Vaudeville...then the New York stage. But it took decades to land a Hollywood studio screen test. And the result? The director reviewing him wrote: “Can't sing. Slightly bald. Also dances."

No one remembers the director. Everyone remembers the performer: Fred Astaire—tap-dancing past criticism right into film history. Mr. “Can’t sing. Slightly bald” made seventy-one films, picking up Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. History is full of “experts” who get it wrong. Remember that. No single opinion determines your value; no one performance defines you...in the high calling of our daily work.

So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Job 34:4

Image by Aaron Goselin. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

The Work and the Worker

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:47:30 +0000

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When Isaac took on the family business, it was his shot at redemption. He’d failed in school, and this was his second chance. So what happened? He failed. Again.

But Isaac’s story doesn’t stop there. His uncle helped him get a college education, where he did well. How well? Fast-forward to his full name: Isaac Newton – perhaps the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived. You probably know him for his theory of gravity.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge with another respected theory. This one is about failure. You don’t have to get thunked by a falling object to know that failure can say more about the work than the worker...in the high calling of our daily work.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

Image by Eric Martin. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

What You Can Do

Howard E. Butt Jr. — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:39:04 +0000

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At work, Matt grew more anxious by the day—his dread was fueled by the fear around him. Matt’s own work was on solid ground. But from every quarter he felt the panic. Deadlines slipping. Quality dropping. Morale in a nosedive. Focused on others losing their grip, Matt was losing his own.

One night at home, his wife spoke up. “Don’t build your perspective on others’ panic,” she said. “You can care, but the only job you can do is your own.”

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Of course we must stay alert to the big picture. But don’t let fears around you destroy your own footing. What you can do is all you can do...in the high calling of our daily work.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3

Image by Anroir. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.