THE BUTLER WAY
For those who like basketball, Butler University is again playing for the NCAA national championship. Their legendary coach, Tony Hinkle, coached there from 1926 to 1970, winning National Championships in 1926 and 1929, while compiling a winning record of 560-392.
He formulated The Butler Way as the five guiding principles of Butler Basketball, which are posted in the men’s basketball locker-room (thanks to Steve Wolfgang for sharing this):
1. Humility – know who we are, strengths and weaknesses
2. Passion – do not be lukewarm, commit to excellence
3. Unity – do not divide our house, team first
4. Servanthood – make teammates better, lead by giving
5. Thankfulness – learn from every circumstance
Bible students can see these practical principles work because they echo divine principles of successful living that God revealed in the Bible.
1. Humility: “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor” (Prov. 18:12).
2. Passion: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”(Ecc. 9:10).
3. Unity: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion….And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecc. 4:9-12).
4. Servanthood: “Whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:43-45).
5. Thankfulness: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col 3:17; cf. Rom. 1:20).
All truth is God’s truth. True success in all areas of life comes from acknowledging and following God’s principles of truth. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).
W. Frank Walton