Today, as I reflect on the life and death of S. Truett Cathey, founder of Chick-Fil-A, I am reminded why I have chosen to do business in an entirely unique, almost un-American, way. I am also encouraged by the countless number of people who are choosing to follow in Mr. Cathey's footsteps.

I am thankful for the life of Mr. Cathey, for his unyielding pursuit of being in business without becoming like the business world. His commitment to do business with the highest biblical standards was, and is, rare in the American economy. So many forget that God wants us to be Christian in our business endeavors too. Not, Mr. Cathey. 

Most American food chains would tell you that they couldn't survive without Sunday business, yet Chick-Fil-A does. I am told that virtually every mall lease requires all mall stores/vendors to be open on Sundays. Malls across America have consistently made an exception for Chick-Fil-A. Why? Because Chick-Fil-A has consistently demonstrated that they could produce more business in six days than the mall's other stores could in seven. God blesses obedience to His word. God has obviously blessed Chick-Fil-A.

So, what does a Godly business look like? First, it is courageous - daring to be different. It treats it's employees fairly and maintains high standards for their conduct and appearance. It is kind, serving each and every customer and vendor, with respect, courtesy and joy. It maintains the highest standards of quality for both it's product and it's service. It gives back to the community around it, in purposeful and meaningful ways. And, most importantly, it reflects Godly character to a lost world, pointing people to Him.

I am told by those who knew Mr. Cathey, that he consistently modeled Christian character in both his personal and business life. Can a business be Christian? We will leave that up to you to decide, but nobody can argue that Mr. Cathey's business didn't reflect his belief in God.

In the early hours of this morning, S. Truett Cathey heard his Master say, "Well done My good and faithful servant." I can just imagine Mr. Cathey's response... "It was my pleasure." 

Dr. Ben Carson is being courted as a potential GOP candidate for President in 2016. This is not intended as an endorsement of him as a candidate because there simply is not enough information to form such an opinion at this time. This is, however, a close look at a statement Dr. Carson recently made regarding the source of his strength.

Dr. Carson was asked, "From where do you expect to draw the most support." His answer was candid and priceless, "Honestly, I don't care." Of course, his answer drew a round of laughter from The National Press Club, to whom he was speaking, but he followed that statement by saying, "I'm serious. As long as I have the support of God, that's what matters to me." It would appear Dr. Carson is more concerned about what God thinks of him than he is the image he creates with the media, which is in and of itself a value.

Tying in to yesterday's blog post, Dr. Carson went on to say that the reason America rose to such a prominent place in the world as quickly as it did was because we live by Godly principles such as, "loving your fellow man, caring about your neighbor, developing your God-given talents to your utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you, and of having values and principles that govern your life." Carson went on to say that if we can regain those attributes, we will truly be One Nation.

Over the last 20-30 years, we've been told that we can't exercise our beliefs and values in the public square. Furthermore, it would appear, based on results, that the current system isn't working. My question for you as readers is, would a return to these values return America to the right track? If so, how do we begin to change the culture of business, government, education, and more to accept values and beliefs that are right and good? That isn't intended as a rhetorical question, how do we do it? What steps need to occur in order to get us back on track?