Intersections

My Humble Thanks!

Welcome to Intersections! I hope what is written here will be beneficial to you and will bring glory to God. As I wrote in my “About Me” page, this blog is dedicated to the exploration, discussion and expansion of faith in the ordinary life settings such as workplace, community, family and church. I am a church leader, a corporate leader, a family man and involved in my community and so perhaps I have something to share with others who are interested in this topic. I do not know what paths this journey may take, but if it is a journey that is guided by God’s Holy Spirit as I intend, it will be an experience that challenges and benefits many people along the way. If it is an effort that is in accordance with God’s will, it will clearly reflect His glory and the glory of His Son, my personal Savior.

I don’t think I could take this journey with you without first acknowledging my own limitations and failures. I don’t hold myself up as a perfect example of faith in these settings. I am a follower of Jesus Christ seeking His will in my life and learning from my mistakes as I rest in His grace. Much of what I will share here comes from lessons learned the hard way in my life. I hope you accept each post with the humility in which I offer them.

After giving thanks and glory to God, I must next thank my family for their support and encouragement.  I have the best wife in the world (Thank you, Kristal) and my three sons are first class arrows their father’s quiver.  Thanks also to Mom and Dad for the gift of a firm foundation.

I must also acknowledge some who have significantly influenced my thinking and deserve my gratitude. First, thanks to Abilene Christian University for providing a sound foundation for me to grow as a Christian business leader. I did not fully appreciate my Christian business education when I graduated in 1986, but I have learned to treasure it since! Thanks also to Dr. Rick Lytle, Dean of the College of Business at ACU and his faculty for their leadership in equipping so many students with a distinctively Christian business education that will prepare them for service in the Kingdom. The COBA program is an inspiration to me and I have seen first-hand the benefits an organization receives from employing ACU graduates. Thank you for everything you do to serve us, my friend and my brother!

Thanks also to Dan Sanders, CEO of United Supermarkets and author of Built to Serve as well as Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Batteries and author of Beyond the Norm. Their words have inspired and challenged me and both men have blazed a trail for me to follow since they are both very successful executives not in spite of their faith but because of their faith. Many thanks to Dr. Ken Jones, President of Lubbock Christian University who brought the concept of “Followership” to me which forever changed my life. Finally, thanks to Mark Layton, Chairman and CEO of PFSweb and my friend and fellow believer. Mark not only allows me to bring my faith to work, he encourages me to do so. Thanks for everything, brother.  There are so many others including Richard, Tim, my fellow shepherds, Steve, Dave, Jon, Jeff, etc.  I could go on and on but I won’t.

Colossians chapter three is a fantastic concise guide to Christian living. Husbands, wives, employees, church leaders and community leaders will all find something to challenge and encourage them in these verses. I will draw on many more scriptures in the coming posts, but the conclusion to Colossians 3 sums up my purpose for this blog best.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24

Meet me at the intersection!

Mike