Integrity

“Outside of Steve Jobs at Apple, it’s hard to imagine a CEO that is more important to his company than Mark Hurd to Hewlett-Packard. He did a massive turnaround job.”

That’s how Rick Munarriz, a Motley Fool analyst, described the leadership of the now-fallen Hurd, who resigned Friday following a probe into a sexual-harassment claim against him made by a former HP contractor. Those allegations included a charge that Hurd had approved false reimbursement submissions by the woman.

While he evidently didn’t violate the company’s sexual-harassment policy, Hurd “demonstrated a profound lack of judgment that seriously undermined his credibility and damaged his effectiveness in leading HP,” according to General Counsel Michael Holston.

I’m not going to sit in judgment of Mr. Hurd, who is guilty of, at the least, making some poor choices.  As a result of the revelations, he has made some sort of settlement with the former contractor. He has lost his job. And stockholders are losing money as HP shares are dropping in value.

I’m sure Hurd regrets what has happened.  He’ll remember this indiscretion for the rest of his life. He doesn’t need me to heap any guilt on him. Instead, I’m letting this news story be a reminder that today I’m capable of poor choices. I need to live with wisdom, avoiding impropriety. I have to keep my life in line with my values and words. I need to demonstrate integrity in all things. I can’t have any holes in my life.

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” That’s a quote attributed to C.S. Lewis, and I think that’s a pretty good thing to keep in mind as I go about my activities. Especially when no one is looking.

Related to this subject: Authenticity. More on that at a later date, but for now, consider this radio interview for a relevant, biblical perspective on living life consistently, in all ways.

Post-Vacation Re-Entry

I’ve been traveling most of the past three weeks, a combination of business and travel trips. Last week was time away in the mountains with my wife and our four youngest kids. Today, as I re-enter the “normal world” of active children and engaging work, I’m reflecting…

John and Zane enjoyed fishing for trout.

Zane and I enjoyed fishing for trout in Western Colorado last week. No bites, but still fun time together!

If you have a minute, read Focus President Jim Daly blog post about his family’s time last week at K-Kauai Family Kamp.  And listen in here to a conversation I had with two gentlemen who are deeply committed to helping families through Christian camping (its one of the last segments of the show).

Also, if you’ve been on a family vacation this summer, I’d like to hear about your experiences.

Thanks – and Prayers

Here’s a comment that encouraged all of us here at Focus. It also inspired me personally to persevere in prayer for those in our armed forces.

“I’m an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps and spent eight months in Iraq.  I want to express my sincere appreciation to Focus on the Family.  The daily prayers and support of millions of Americans kept my Marines and me alive and delivered us home to our loved ones.  Having been an avid supporter of your ministry for many years, I continue to applaud your efforts to defend the family and promote the Christian principles that have made this country the greatest nation on earth.  May God bless you all – Semper Fidelis.”
Also, listen in to this honest conversation about the stresses that military families have to deal with. If you haven’t done so today, take a moment to ask God’s protection and favor on those serving our country. And pray again for them.

More Peru Photos

More photos from our family’s service trip, during which we spent several days at an orphanage in Ayacucho, Peru.

It was a wonderful time and God was very gracious to us as we traveled and during the outreach.

We experienced great joy as we tried to live out the admonition in James 1:27, but I can’t help but feel we can – and must – do so much more for these “fatherless” children.

Our daughter Saige with some new friends at the orphanage.

A rural village in the midst of farming country

A rural village in the midst of farming country

We were drawn to children – everywhere we went, we found kids to smile at, play with and shower with love
Work team helped plant fruit trees - future food and revenue source

Work team helped plant fruit trees - future food and revenue source. I'm on the left, and the two tall guys in the back row are my boys.

Family Trip To Peru

For many years we’ve wanted to take our family on a missions trip, learning and serving together. And finally, it happened! We celebrated Christmas in a memorable way, as we visited Ayacucho, Peru and volunteered at an orphanage.

The orphanage is operated by a local church, and we served with their U.S. partner, Vision Trust, an agency whose mission is to develop orphaned and neglected children into mature Christians equipped to live in their own culture. They do this by enabling Christian nationals to meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of these children.

Together with two other families, we showed kindness and Christ’s love to the 38 orphans at Casa Luz. We also worked a bit on some land the orphanage is developing.

We are so thankful God worked through us to touch the lives of the children we met! Also, that He gave us safe and relatively smooth journeys.

Did You Spend Too Much?

Our approach to Christmas presents is rather modest, as we try to emphasize the spiritual nature of the holiday. So my wife and I avoid big-ticket items and try to watch the number of gifts our children will be opening on December 25th. So when I saw this piece about being frugal this time of year (and really, ALL year ’round), I read it with great interest.

Can you really be “too cheap?”

After reading the article, do you think you spent too much this season?

Parenting Webcast Follow-up

For the folks joining us for the live webcast with well-known marriage and parenting expert, Dr. Kevin Leman, a couple of things.

First, thanks so much for joining us for this interactive and engaging time with Dr. Leman! We had some great questions from parents across the land.

Second, the picture here was taken prior to going “live,” and responding to our studio crew’s advice, I changed to more…conservative attire. I was a bit disappointed, because I wore the shirt and tie in honor of Dr. Leman, who has a history of showing up at Focus on the Family in floral shirts and checkered socks. I just wanted to be like him!

Here’s a link to Dr. Leman’s site, where you’ll find information about his “Couples of Promise” cruise in January (sounds great!) and some superb resources for parents and couples.

UPDATE: The entire webcast is now available for online viewing here. Send the link to a parent you know. When you’ve watched, leave a comment. Do you enjoy these webcasts?

Another Successful Hunt

On Monday we loaded up the family and headed to the mountains for our annual Christmas Tree Hunt. Once again, a fine time and a very nice tree…with hot chocolate and some spontaneous body-sledding in the snow along the way. As always, a wonderful family memory for all.

Nice Reunion

Had the opportunity to visit my oldest at college this past weekend. He is doing well, and we’re grateful that God has put some wonderful people in his life.

During my brief time there, I met several friends, a prof, a clergyman, someone from the dorm’s housekeeping staff, and of course, his roommate (who willingly gave up his bed for my use – what a gentleman!). Staying in the dorm was really a great experience – can’t say I miss those days too much, though!

Seeing Dakota become his own man, and especially knowing he continues to follow Christ, is an answer to years of prayer. We are blessed!

Teen Driver Alert!

I came into the office a bit late today, after taking our 17 year-old son to take his driver’s license road test. He has had his permit for over a year now, and was ready to take on the privilege – and responsibility – of driving without a parent in the front seat next to him.

To his credit, Seth passed the road test quickly and with a nearly-perfect score. So, another milestone has been achieved, another step taken toward independence!

I’ve called the insurance agent, and tonight will be discussing a few things with our son. There’s a little contract we’ll cover, a document to formalize our understanding of expectations and consequences with regard to his driving. Nothing draconian, but some additional detail and a chance to put his signature to paper – so we all are on the same page, literally!

Here’s a sample contract you can use with your teen driver.

Parents: Let me solicit your advice.  Although this is our second child to successfully achieve a driver’s license, do you have any words of wisdom for us? Anything we should know? Stories to share?

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