Work-based EMails Google Group

Nothing lasts

2009-11-16T08:10:24Z

Nothing lasts

I’m currently reading Ann Rice’s novel Out of Egypt, an imaginary account of Jesus’ childhood. It is fascinating to think how he might have viewed the Temple in Jerusalem when he saw it as a young child. It would probably have appeared as huge and unchanging yet several years later, as a young man speaking to his disciples, he knows that nothing human beings build is unchanging and permanent.

Heeding correction

2009-11-11T09:05:52Z

Heeding correction

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding." Proverbs 15.32

Complacency is punctured by pointing out whom the unteacheable person is despising: himself.

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

The gift of an ear

2009-11-03T08:31:47Z

The Gift of an Ear

Listening - truly listening - to the people we work with means more than cocking an ear for the sounds and syllables of speech. It means listening in a deeper way for what a person is feeling and experiencing. This kind of listening with the 'third ear', as someone has called it, can allow us to be sensitive to currents that run under the words that people speak aloud. Cultivating such sensitivity can go a long way in creating a good atmosphere in our places of work.

Zeal without knowledge

2009-10-20T13:04:08Z

God's values in daily life

"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Proverbs 19.2

The chief danger for a hard-working executive is that his/her life and energies point in no clear direction. Is s/he going fast, nowhere?

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

Christophe R Burgess/EUZ/ChubbMail is out of the office.

2009-10-12T08:04:18Z

I will be out of the office starting 12/10/2009 and will not return until
14/10/2009.
In my absence please call Simon Davis on 3146
Christopher Burgess | Credit Management UK & Ireland | Chubb Insurance
Company of Europe SE
Cottons Centre, Hays Lane, London, SE1 2QP UK | Direct Line: +44 (0)20 7895

Mistakes

2009-10-12T07:24:47Z

Mistakes

"We cannot be happy if we expect to live all the time at the highest peak of intensity. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.

Music is pleasing not only because of the sound but because of the silence that is in it: without the alternation of sound and silence there would be no rhythm. If we strive to be happy by filling all the silences of life with sound, productive by turning all life's leisure into work, and real by turning all our being into doing, we will only succeed in producing a hell on earth.

Testing the heart

2009-10-05T07:26:32Z

Testing the heart

"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart." Proverbs 19.2

God's trials are constructive: not for finding a person out but for sorting him out.

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

Gospel Reflection: Mark 9. 38-end

2009-09-28T07:00:14Z

Gospel Reflection: Mark 9. 38-end

What does it mean to be a Christian at work or in society? For many of us this is the question with which we struggle most within our faith. Often we have been taught in our churches (where there has been teaching on this theme) that what we have to do is be a public witness to our faith. Yet that is not all or even primarily what is being taught here.

The Glory of Little Things

2009-09-21T08:16:13Z

The Glory of Little Things

'Do small things with great love.' Mother Teresa

Pray

Lord, I feel tempted to assign significance to the famous person and the public figure. Greatness seems reserved for the missionary or the priest or the political leader. But then you remind me that everything done for you carries weight. No one's life lacks importance, not when we can do deeds, offer gestures, and say words that bring kindness to others. Keep me from staying unimpressed by the small thing, but rather assist me to seize each opportunity, large or small, to do good and show love.

The state of your relationship

2009-09-15T07:10:55Z

The state of your relationship

"He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgement." Proverbs 18.1

Look out for the reasons behind a friend's harsh words not in the force of his argument but in the state of your relationship.

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

God in the details

2009-09-07T07:54:48Z

God in the Details

So much of life happens in our daily arenas - factory, office, shopping centre, school, home. God is present in these little moments, too: when we kiss the loved one goodbye in the morning, browse through magazines while we wait for a doctor's appointment, stand at a sink doing dishes. God works in moments, says a French proverb.

An appetite to learn

2009-09-03T07:57:25Z

An appetite to learn

"An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 18.15

Those who know much know best how little they know. We can always discover more if we have an appetite to learn.

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

Pride & humility

2009-08-23T16:06:19Z

Pride & humility

'When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.' (Proverbs 11.2)

'Pride' refers to the arrogance of those who must have everything their own way. A humble spirit before God is the opposite of such an attitude, and brings its own reward.

(Taken from Solomon's Thought for the Day: A daily reminder of God's values in public and private life, The Jubilee Centre - [link])

The Glory of Little Things

2009-08-18T09:06:10Z

Gospel Reflection - John 6. 24-35

2009-08-04T07:40:56Z

Gospel Reflection - John 6. 24-35

In the ‘Christians in the Workplace’ resource materials published by the Diocese of Chelmsford, we pose the question ‘What is your work for?’ as an icebreaker to sessions reflecting on work as mission. You might like to think about that question now. It is a question that can be answered in many different ways and you might like to think how your boss, your CEO, your family, your subcontractors, and your customers might answer the question of what your work is for differently.