Integrity Moments is a 60 second workday devotional from Unconventional Business Network Founder & CEO, Rick Boxx, that provides business leaders with helpful insight into what the Bible says about our work and how we can fully integrate our faith into our vocational calling.
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The book of 2 Kings offers Biblical wisdom for our work today. The king of Syria seeks to capture the prophet Elisha. One morning, Elisha’s servant sees that an army has surrounded the city. The servant fearfully asks Elisha what they are to do. “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” (2 Kings 6:16) Elisha prayed that the servant’s…
The Old Testament book of 2 Kings tells of the Biblical prophet Elisha, whose leadership lessons have relevant wisdom for today’s workplace. Suffering from leprosy, the army commander Naaman asks Elisha for healing. Although Naaman is expecting some dramatic invocation of God’s presence, Elisha’s prescription is simpler: Naaman is to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman is incensed…
Florence Chadwick’s 1952 effort to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast is a favorite motivational story. The day was so foggy she could barely see the boats that accompanied her. Exhausted after swimming for more than 15 hours, unable to see her destination, she gave up. She learned later that she was less than half a mile from the coast. She told reporters, “All I could ... The post…
If you’re part of Unconventional Business Network, it’s possible you’ve received a prayer card signed by our staff. My wife, Kathy, has led this effort for years. Someone recently asked Kathy why prayer is so important to her. When Kathy had breast cancer three decades ago, dozens of people showed up at our house during a blizzard to pray. The next morning, the hospital filled with people praying…
Employers could wind up in court if they outright dismiss workers who request a faith-based exemption from using AI. In a businessinsider.com article, Ashley Herd, a former McKinsey counsel and head of North American HR, emphasized this newer risk for businesses. According to the article, one Unitarian Universalist has already received a religious exemption from her employer because of her ... The…
Ray had a busy day scheduled at work. But soon after he arrived, he encountered an employee who entered the building after being physically assaulted. As you might imagine, the employee was very shaken and upset. Ray needed to decide where to spend his time. He could have decided that this was a personal problem that should be dealt with personally. Instead, Ray cleared his schedule. He spent the…
Keith was doing a great job of growing sales in a retail chain of stores and was highly trusted by the CEO. When the company lost their controller, the CEO appointed Keith as the new controller. When I entered as a consultant, Keith had two offices full of unopened bills and accounting records. Unfortunately, the IRS forced them into bankruptcy shortly thereafter. Stewardship is often equated to…
According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 16% of the workforce have a substance use disorder. Furthermore, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, this is costing over $93 billion in lost productivity a year. Proverbs 23 addresses all kinds of snares like alcohol, gluttony, and adultery. Proverbs 23:29 says, “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who…
In his book “Second Wind for the Second Half,” Patrick Morley describes questioning the team he hired to paint basketball markings on the driveway around his garage basketball hoop. When the team seemed to take a long time to get started, Morley asked if there was a problem. The team foreman said they were checking and rechecking measurements before they started work. “We’ve learned from…
For too much of my career, I was worried about where I ranked in the organization. How was my career advancing in comparison with others? Who was moving ahead faster? Who had the boss’s favor? It’s a human tendency, but it takes our eyes off the one on whom we should be focused. Peter falls prey to that tendency in the final verses of the Book of John. Jesus has ... The post Shepherd Focus…
As Kathy and I toured Richard Nixon’s Presidential Library, we learned a more complete picture on this complicated man and time in history. Many believe Watergate wasn’t President Nixon’s biggest problem; it was the cover up. Some doubt President Nixon even knew about Watergate before it happened. But his lies and deception made the cover up far more harmful than the Watergate break-in itself,…
While visiting Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Library in Simi Valley, one of the interesting discoveries Kathy and I came across was his note cards. Sometime after President Reagan had passed, a folder of 4 by 6 note cards was found among the President’s possessions. President Reagan maintained a folder filled with quotes, stories, and jokes. He then categorized these handwritten notes into…
Kathy and I took our son to see the movie, Toy Story 5, recently. When the camera focused on an individual character, the focus was clear. But when the camera scanned out to a bigger picture everything was blurry. We assumed they would eventually fix the projector, but they never did. Afterwards, we learned we’d been in a 3D movie but were never offered 3D glasses. ... The post A Blurry Movie…
When Jeremy lost his job, he was so angry that he spent more time complaining about his situation than trying to resolve it. His bitterness came through in his job search and interviews. The Biblical story of Joseph offers a different response to setbacks. When he was falsely accused and sent to prison, Joseph chose ... The post Serve Anyway appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
In his book, “Smarter, Faster, Better,” author Charles Duhigg describes an automotive factory launched as a joint venture of two Japanese and American auto manufacturers. The new factory incorporated new operating processes, training long-time auto workers to take responsibility for stopping the production line when they saw a defect on a vehicle. In one anecdote, ... The post Servant Leader…
In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman persistently called out for Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Surprisingly, Jesus ignored her. When the disciples urged Jesus to send her away, Jesus responded by sharing His personal purpose. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus said to this ... The post Exceptions to Being Mission Focused appeared first on…
While studying Matthew 9 recently, I pondered Jesus’ concern for the souls of the vast crowds that were following Him. He told His disciples to pray for workers because the harvest was plentiful, but the workers were few. Then my Bible had a new chapter, making it appear that the story was finished. I wanted ... The post Scaling Your Business appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
Several years into my early career, I felt limited as an entry level individual contributor. But I was adamant that I wasn’t ready to supervise people. I felt that I needed more training, more experience, and more time. I didn’t ask God for his guidance; I just decided I wasn’t ready. The first time Jesus ... The post Over Prepared appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
During the 17 years in my first corporate job, I advanced from an entry-level coordinator to the company’s top communications professional. During those formative years, I based my identity on my job. So, it was unsettling when I moved to a new, less visible role at a new employer. But the change was a valuable ... The post New Thing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
Lifeway, a Christian publishing organization, performs a research study called Living Unashamed. In their recent study, they asked Protestant churchgoers whether they agreed with the statement, “Many people who know me are not aware I am a Christian.” In 2013, 14% of polled churchgoers strongly agreed that others wouldn’t know them as Christians. Unfortunately, that number has now dramatically…
When I was a kid, my uncle bought a go-cart that had what was called a governor on it. The governor purposely limited how fast the go-cart could go. That is, until my uncle overrode the governor. Suddenly this go-cart flew across the parking lot. Many of us in the workplace have placed mental governors on ourselves, limiting our God given abilities. These limits may ... The post Eliminate the…
Larry, a college acquaintance, partied hard at college and was kicked out of business school. Amazingly, the Dean gave Larry another chance, provided that he had a 3.5 grade point average at midterms. Larry amazingly started his final exams with a 3.8 grade point average, exceeding his 3.5 goal. The night before Larry’s last final, Larry packed his belongings and shouted to his fraternity…
The break-neck pace of work today tells us that we can’t stand still or we will fall behind. The accelerating pace of new technology creates an exhausting sense that we need to urgently get to the next big thing. But when we focus too much on what’s next, we miss being present in the moment. ... The post Don’t Miss Today appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
According to Publishers Weekly, traditional publishers released more than 18,000 business and economic books over the past year. Self-published authors released thousands more. Add to that the business podcasts, seminars, and articles produced each year, and it could be easy to be overwhelmed with the volume of business insight that’s available to us. But the ... The post Business Wisdom appeared…
One of my wife’s many gifts is encouraging others, especially caregivers who have served our son, Jeremy, over the years. Seth is the most recent example. Seth had dropped out of college and seemed to be floundering. Kathy began sharing with Seth how much she believed in him and his God-given gifts. One week later ... The post The Gift of Encouragement appeared first on Unconventional Business…
One of my favorite movies is Rocky. There’s something about seeing a resilient underdog who keeps getting up and fighting even when it doesn’t make sense. In business, there are times when you may feel like you’ve been beaten like Rocky Balboa. Then, just as you struggle to get back up, you get punched again. ... The post Rocky’s Resilience appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
As Kathy and I were returning our Alamo rental car and trying to catch a flight home, we were pleased with the two friendly young men who served us. One of these young men asked a very brave question. He asked, “Was there anything at all that we could have done better?” It seems like ... The post Brave Questions appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I’m highlighting some foundational pillars for business that our Founding Fathers established. The final pillar for our discussion is religious freedom. Centralized control over ideas was not uncommon to our Founders. From the beginning, freedom was a driving force behind many of our forefathers coming to America. The ... The post PIllars of…
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I’m highlighting some foundational pillars for business that our Founding Fathers established. The fifth pillar is intellectual property rights. Our Founders were creative and forward thinking when it came to protecting inventors, authors, and artists. The Constitution proclaims, “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by ... The post…
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I’m highlighting the foundational pillars for business that our Founding Fathers established. The fourth pillar is enforceable contracts. Before the Constitution was written, individual states could undermine contracts that crossed state lines. The Constitution was written, in part, to unify a nation and provide that no state law ... The post Pillars…
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I’m highlighting the foundational pillars that our Founding Fathers established, allowing businesses to flourish. The second pillar is the rule of law. Our Founders had experienced injustice from rulers and leaders who were able to change the rules anytime it benefitted them personally. Because of their experiences, our ... The post Pillars of…
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I’d like to highlight some foundational pillars that our Founding Fathers established, allowing businesses to flourish. Because of their wisdom, the U.S. became a place where risk-taking was rewarded, innovation was protected, and power was constrained. One of the first pillars is protection of private property. Our Founders ... The post Pillars of…
According to JD Power surveys, 49% of small businesses are financially unhealthy. That fact, coupled with their discovery that 89% of small businesses use credit cards for business purchases, can lead to danger. Especially, when we learn that the average interest rate on credit cards rose to 21% in February from 14% in 2022. Borrowing money ... The post Credit Cards and Small Business appeared…
Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, was recently sued by some employees because of the content of an Easter message she sent to her staff. Her email discussed Jesus’ resurrection as being the foundation of our faith. The offended employees claim that this was government-sponsored religious coercion. This case will likely be a significant ... The post Religious Speech From The…
After waiting fifteen minutes to get my food, I finally saw the problem. The layout of the drive-through window was inefficient. The Order Taker walked to the other end of the building to run my debit card for payment. Also, the food preparation was far from the drive-up window, requiring many extra steps. The employees ... The post Providing the Resources Needed appeared first on Unconventional…
Nehemiah dreamed of rebuilding Jerusalem after it had been mostly rubble for over 140 years. This week we will examine 5 key steps Nehemiah took that paved the way for his team’s amazing success. The first step is “Prayerfully Assessing the Situation.” When Nehemiah learned that Jerusalem was in ruins his heart broke. He prayed ... The post Nehemiah’s 5 Steps to Success: Part I appeared first on…
This week we’re examining 5 steps Nehemiah took to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in an amazing 52 days! After he prayerfully assessed the situation his next step was to “Cast a Compelling Vision.” For 140 years, no one had revived the city of Jerusalem, and few likely believed it was possible, or necessary. Nehemiah, however, ... The post Nehemiah’s 5 Steps to Success: Part II appeared first on…
As I began reviewing job applications recently, it seemed that the resumes and cover letters were often flawless. Then, I realized that it was likely that more job applicants are using AI to craft their letters and resumes. If I need a certain attribute, like someone who is detail-oriented, AI could easily cover up information ... The post Testing Job Applications appeared first on Unconventional…
The financial returns and income generated by our work give us an opportunity to demonstrate gratitude for God’s blessings and partner in God’s work. Scripture offers wisdom for allocating our income through giving, spending, and saving. We can spend to exalt ourselves buying products and services that make us feel worthy. But a scriptural approach ... The post Wise Finances – Spend appeared first…
Our work produces financial returns and income that are among God’s blessings for us. We serve God when we apply the wisdom of scripture to how we allocate those returns through our giving, spending, and saving. Saving a portion of our income prepares us for the future and the unexpected expenses that inevitably arise. Having ... The post Wise Finances – Save appeared first on Unconventional…
Our work produces value in many forms, from serving customers to employing workers. In the same way, the financial returns and income produced from our work are among God’s blessings. How we allocate our income – through giving, spending, and saving –creates an opportunity to serve God when we follow biblical financial practices. As Christians, ... The post Wise Finances – Give appeared first on…
Brad, an Ohio entrepreneur, wanted to help a young church planter get started. So, when Brad learned this pastor had budgeted $5,000 per month for a church facility, Brad bought an old church building that was on the market for $600,000. He leased it to this new church for $5,000 a month. Two years later, ... The post Creative Generosity appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
As a ministry focused on business leaders, I may at times send the wrong message. To be clear, God values all work, paid and unpaid. Americamagazine.org posted an insightful article by Kate Ward titled, “Catholic Social Teaching Says All Work is Good for Us – Paid and Unpaid.” The author contends that Catholic Social Teaching ... The post A More Inclusive View of Work appeared first on…
As the oldest of five children there were seasons when our family was growing and money was scarce. It was during those times that I remember my father’s determination to do whatever was necessary to provide for us. He would come home from his assembly line job, change clothes, and leave again to be a ... The post Honor Your Father appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
For decades, Unconventional Business Network has battled the flawed view that only pastors and missionaries have a calling. Martin Luther first attacked this flawed theology with his doctrine on vocation. Martin Luther wrote, “Every occupation has its own honor before God. Ordinary work is a divine vocation or calling. In our daily work no matter ... The post Martin Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation…
When I was a young banker, our bank’s business development leader announced a citywide blitz. All commercial lenders and business development professionals were commanded to go from business-to-business to promote the services of our bank. Calling on perfect strangers unannounced was very unsettling for me. Fortunately, our leader wisely decided to send us out in ... The post Courage in Pairs…
When Hobby Lobby sued the U.S. government over the healthcare mandate in 2012, a significant legal issue arose for the court to decide. The issue was whether companies had religious freedoms. Individuals have long had religious freedom, but the Courts hadn’t yet decided whether businesses had similar rights. One factor that swayed the court was ... The post Does Your Business Have a Statement of…
As a young businessman, I decided to buy houses and rehab them. The job was more than I could handle by myself, so, I convinced four friends join me in a partnership. One partner wisely recommended, “Rick, we need clarity and written commitments before we start.” This written agreement saved us many headaches. Joshua knew ... The post The Importance of a Covenant appeared first on Unconventional…
A recent Gallup report continued to show how stress at work is impacting U.S workers. More workers (49 percent) said they are struggling in their lives than those who say they are thriving (46 percent). The results reflect a new low over the past three years. Modern work can be stressful and anxiety-producing. We amplify ... The post Grounded appeared first on Unconventional Business Network .
Harvard Business Review highlighted two studies that point to the importance of humble leaders. One study related to leaders helping their employees return to work after Covid. This study discovered that employees were less likely to consider leaving their employer if their leader was humble – someone who acknowledged personal limitations, was open to learning ... The post The Impact of Humble…
