Things worth reading this weekend - Sept 1

I've had a bit slow getting this blog rolling, but here's the first collection of a few things I think are worth considering. 

Genesis 1:26-27 - for perspective on racial tensions

“Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (NASB)

Our true worth comes from the fact that we are imago Dei - created in the image of God. This is true of all people regardless of their skin color or national origin. That is why we must respect every individual, because by doing so we show respect to God (cf. Matt 25:34-40). Wisdom is still needed when making policy decisions about refugee immigration, for example, but we must at least start with this understanding.

Steelcase and Microsoft: Making offices more functional and dynamic
Steelcase 360

There’s quite a bit of disagreement on whether or not employees ought to be at their desk in the office five days a week. Some large companies are mandating it, some smaller ones work with a “fully distributed” model where employees are scattered across the globe. Perhaps, instead of requiring employees to be at a certain place regardless of the task at hand, firms should incentivize them to come into the office through more intentional and creative design of the workspace. Steelcase and Microsoft offer a few ideas on how to accomplish this.

Priceline: the surprising and little-known success story
The Economist

A company based in Connecticut (!) has grown faster than Alphabet and Apple over the last ten years.

Arguing with your inner cynic
Harvard Business Review

Sometimes the hardest conversations you will have about your work performance will be with yourself. This article will give you some ideas on how to talk back. 

Passage I’ve been meditating on

Isaiah 7:9b - “If you are not firm in faith you will not be firm at all.”