Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown in to a blazing furnace. - Daniel 3:10-11 (TNIV)
You know the rest of the story. Because of their faith in God, three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to fall down and worship. Accepting their promised punishment, they chose not to defend themselves. So the King's henchmen threw them into a fiery furnace. And God delivered them, unharmed.
Now, put yourself in the story. As a lawyer, or as a law student...
At the sound of what music are you expected to fall down and worship?
What is the image of gold to which you are expected to bow?
Who is the king issuing the decree? Who are the king's henchmen (or henchwomen)?
And what is the blazing furnace you are expected to fear?
February 12, 2010
February 6, 2010
Faith at the Firm: Are You in the Zone, or in the Catacombs?
These are two of the worthy questions posed by Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew in their new book, Living Life in the Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men.
While the book targets the Christian male general reader, it's full of relevant faith challenges for those of us practicing law, especially lawyers who find themselves fearfully keeping their Christianity hidden from colleagues and clients (a phenomenon one stealth-Christian lawyer described to me as "hiding in the catacombs").Rote and Pettigrew offer some solid answers:
Don't be a chameleon - James 1:8: "He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
You must renounce and confess your internal inconsistencies - 2 Corinthians 4:2: "But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
God created it all - including your workplace - and He claims authority over it - Psalm 89:11: "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them."
You must proclaim Christ to others so that they can be in fellowship with Him and experience complete joy - 1 John 1:3-4: "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."
As a Christian lawyer, are you living in the zone, or hiding in the catacombs?
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Additionally, I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blawg. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
February 3, 2010
Ten Easy Ways to be a Christian Lawyer
1) Stick a Bible on your desk
2) Put a fish in your ad
3) Keep some tracts in your conference room
4) Sponsor your church bulletin
5) Post a Scripture verse on your wall
6) Join the Christian Legal Society
7) Promise clients you'll pray for them
8) Buy a listing in the Shepherd's Guide
9) Make special visits to accident victims
10) Close your office on Good Friday
I could go on, but hopefully you get the idea. I'm not knocking these things, I've done most of them myself. But alone they are empty gestures or, worse, self-serving deceptive posturing.
Being a Christian lawyer is never that easy, never that simple. And it's probably going to cost you a lot more than the price of sponsoring the church bulletin.
What are some marks of a genuinely Christian lawyer?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
