Monthly Archives: September 2013

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Jiminy Cricket And The Holy Spirit

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One of my favorite Disney characters, Jiminy Cricket, said, “Let your conscience be your guide.” While basis for this may be true to an extent, when we become believers in Jesus Christ, we learn that this “conscience” is actually another way to describe the Holy Spirit working in our heart.

Holy Spirit

We Want Help!

As Christian business leaders, we certainly want the Holy Spirit guiding us in the way we run our businesses. I don’t think anyone would argue with that. At the same time, there may be differences of opinion as to exactly what that looks like. There will also be differences according to our maturity in Christ.

The simplest and most common evidence we will see of the Holy Spirit working in us is in convicting us when we step out of line. The problem with this is that we will all experience differing levels of conviction in our business operations. Add the fact that our industries are often very different and you can see why it is hard to quantify the role of the Holy Spirit in our businesses for the purpose of discussion among believers.

Holy Spirit Seldom Discussed

I think this difficulty is one of the reasons we do not discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in our businesses as often as we probably should. In an effort to counter that trend, I would like to offer a very simple way of assessing your own position.

What I am going to describe is NOT easily measurable. It is an imperfect model, but at least it will serve to help you determine (to a degree) your level of maturity in your Christian walk. Hopefully, as you read this you will understand what I mean and not over-analyze it!

First Level

The first level of maturity, as reflected by conviction of the Holy Spirit, is revealed when we do something really bad. I am not going to specify any particular action or behavior here. I will leave that up to you. Just think of something you have done in your past that you consider to be “really bad.”

In this situation, a less mature Christian will certainly feel terrible about committing this act. We will have feelings of guilt and remorse. In this case, it is the Holy Spirit bringing this sin to our attention and helping us to recognize it for what it is.

Second Level

As we mature over time, this feeling of conviction begins to happen even when the act is not as “bad” as the one considered above. The degree of the sin decreases as our maturity grows. However, the conviction from the Holy Spirit will likely still be as strong.

We will likely even notice the difference. “I used to feel this way when I did something much worse than I did this time. Now, I cannot even get away with ____ without recognizing it as sin!”

As we mature, we are becoming more aware of our actions and behaviors. We are more sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as well. This is a good sign of growth!

Third Level

Over time, if we continue to grow in our maturity, there is a reversal of sorts. Instead of only feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we do something bad, we begin to feel His conviction when we fail to do something good!

Think about it. The more mature in Christ we get, the more we begin to notice opportunities for good deeds and the more we feel guilty when we fail to act. It is very likely you have noticed this to one degree or another.

Sign Of Drifting?

This trend may even be a good indication of where we are in our current walk with Jesus. As we notice our instances of conviction by the Holy Spirit weakening over a period of time, maybe we need to take this as a sign that we are drifting from God.

Like I said, this is not a perfect model of assessment, but I do believe there is some merit to it. A great way to measure this may be through a personal journal. Again, there is no easy way to quantify this. Just let your conscience lead you!

How would you apply this to a past business situation?

Do you see the work of the Holy Spirit progressing as you mature?

What evidence have you seen of the Holy Spirit’s work in you?

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Significant Work – Book Giveaway!

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[title color=”orange-vibrant” align=”scmgccenter” font=”georgia” style=”normal” size=”scmgc-7em”]Free Book Give Away!!![/title]

significant work

Another Free Book Give Away?

You read that right! I am offering FIVE (5) free copies of Paul Rude’s book, Significant Work: Discover the Extraordinary Worth of What You Do Every Day!

How Do You Win?

If you scroll down just a bit you will see the Rafflecopter entry form which outlines a bunch of ways to enter the Significant Work: Discover the Extraordinary Worth of What You Do Every Day giveaway. Just complete as many as you would like to be entered to win!

Why Am I Doing This?

I started this blog in an effort to spread the message of integrating the Christian faith into our businesses. I want to see more Christian business owners and leaders begin looking at their businesses from an eternal perspective and running them as platforms for Christian ministry.

While I know my posts are written toward this effort, I thought I would try to step it up a notch for 2013. My plan is to give away one book a month for the entire year! All I am asking from you is to follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. As you enter, you will be helping me to spread the word about this blog at the same time. We both win!

This Month’s Book: Paul Rude’s Significant Work

Have you ever wondered if your work is less significant to God than the work of pastors, missionaries, and humanitarian relief workers? Is your life less significant? The answer is a resounding no! Your work is not less significant to God—and neither is your life.

But maybe you’re questioning your calling, wondering if you missed it somewhere along the way.

With engaging stories and sound theology, Paul Rude invites you to discover the extraordinary significance of your everyday work. Never again will you doubt the eternal value of your work or of your life. You’ll find peace with your calling. And you’ll know that through your unique, God-given vocation today, God is preparing you for your eternal vocation—your own unique capacity to reflect His glory forever.

Discover why your work matters, understand the purpose behind it, and fully grasp the biblical motivation for everything you do.

Because this topic is so important to him, the author has agreed to give away FIVE (5) copies of this book! Make sure to enter so you can be one of the five lucky winners!

Enter The Give Away

Follow the instructions below to enter the Significant Work contest and then spread the word to others! The contest ends at midnight on Monday, September 30th and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 1st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Benefits Of Trials In Business, Part 2

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The fact that we face trials on a regular basis is not in question. Everyone agrees with this, but not everyone recognizes the benefits of these trials. In fact, most consider them unfair, destructive, or even get angry at God as a result of the more difficult ones. Fortunately, we can go to the Bible to see a different picture.

trials

Trials Are Pure Joy!

In my last post, we went to James 1:2-12 and discussed the fact that we are to consider these trials as “pure joy!” We are not to view them in any other way, but to thank God for them. In order to do this, it is critical we see the benefits.

It is just like exercising. Many people enjoy exercising and therefore do it for enjoyment. Most others that exercise see it as a necessary part of their life. They don’t really enjoy it, but they see the benefits and accept the exercise as a means to get those benefits.

Trials Bring Benefits

We need to look at trials in the same way. No, they will not be fun or exciting. They are most likely going to be tough, tiring, draining, and sometimes devastating. Just the same, we need to look hard at the benefits, considering the trials as joy as a result.

We have already looked at the first two benefits that come as a result of trials – Perseverance and Maturity. Now lets continue with the other three benefits we find in this passage (and beyond).

Wisdom
It may at first seem odd that James talks about wisdom right in the middle of describing the benefits of trials. Actually, he is not necessarily changing subjects. James is explaining that we need wisdom in the suffering of these trials.

Wisdom can show us how to best survive the trial when in it and how to best use it later when through it. All we have to do to get this wisdom is ask! So rather than praying for the removal of a trial, our mindset needs to be that we pray for the wisdom to use it for our benefit.

This same wisdom is invaluable when applied to business situations. Whether we like to admit it or not, some of the trials we face in business come as a result of poor decisions or behaviors. Applying wisdom in future situations will help us to avoid repeating some of these trials.

Wisdom will also provide opportunities we would not otherwise have. Wisdom allows us to be great mentors to those Christian leaders coming behind us. Wisdom gives us the ability to cut through the chaos in a crisis situation and avoid unnecessary damage. It moves into leadership positions we never anticipated. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Crown Of Life
Skipping down to verse 12 in James 1, we find what may be the ultimate benefit of trials! Let’s look at this verse:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

I will be honest and tell you that I do not know exactly what the crown of life is! I simply believe that it is a good thing and that it lasts beyond the trials, beyond this life altogether (Revelation 2:10). It is definitely something we want to receive!

Experience To Teach
The final benefit we gain from trials, and all we learn as a result of these trials, is a depth of experience that we can draw upon as we seek to teach others. This is a big deal!

We are told in the Great Commission that we are to teach all that Jesus commanded. We are told in 2 Timothy 2:2 that we are to teach others that are also qualified to teach. There are other instances where teaching is emphasized. If you are a Christian, you are to be a teacher.

I am NOT saying that all Christians are to grab a class and begin teaching in a group setting. I am not saying that all Christians have a gift for teaching. I AM saying that all Christians are in a position to teach SOMEONE what they know.

Andy Stanley worded it this way – “I am not responsible for filling someone else’s cup, just emptying mine.” When we recognize this responsibility, we will suddenly become thankful for those trials we have faced.

Praise For Trials

It is from these trials and the resulting perseverance, maturity, and wisdom that we can best be qualified to teach those who are looking to us for guidance. When you begin to see potential students around you, you will praise God for the trials you have seen!

Have you noticed wisdom as a result of trials?

What do you think the crown of life means?

Have you had the opportunity to teach someone because of a trial you experienced?

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5 Benefits Of Trials In Business

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You have heard it said that you are either in the middle of a trial, coming out of one, or heading into one soon. Certainly for those of us in business, this rings true – especially when trying to do business as a Christian. So if trials are so plentiful, are there any benefits to going through them? Why are we told to consider them “pure joy”?

trials

We Will Have Trials!

To start off, there is no question we are going to have trials in this world. In fact, Jesus told us this himself. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” Of course, He went on to smooth it over by letting us know not to worry because He has overcome the world.

Well, that is good and I am thankful for it! He is telling us that the end of the story is good and I have a peace because of that knowledge that no one else can understand. However, that really doesn’t address the trials themselves, does it? How am I supposed to get through the trials themselves?

The Answer

Fortunately, there is an answer to this very question later in the Bible. Looking at the book of James (James 1:2-12), we are clearly instructed that we are to consider the trials we go through as “pure joy.” There you have it! That is all we have to do!

Seriously? That is the answer? I am supposed to just look at the trials I am going through and start considering them to be good? How can they be good?

Benefits To Trials

Well, if we read on, we will see how trials can be good. Go back and read through verses 3-8 and verse 12. Here is a virtual list of the benefits we should see in our trials. James paints a pretty clear picture of how trials can benefit us in these verses, but lets dig into each benefit and try to apply it to our lives today.

Perseverance

The first benefit James gives us is perseverance. I am sure you know what this means and can even see some of the more obvious benefits. These would include being stronger over time and better able to hand future trials. Along with this might come a more relaxed or calm demeanor when presented with new trials in the future.

Why is this a benefit? Aside from the obvious increased strength, this perseverance also serves as an amazing witness to those around you. Not only for non-believers, but for new believers as well. As you go through a downturn in the economy, a failed business, or even just a bad month, people are watching.

They want to know how you are going to react. They want to know if this faith you talk about is real in the foxhole. Is there substance to it during a storm? When they see your perseverance through a trial (because of the strength you gained from previous trials!), they are more likely to have a desire for the faith you have!

Maturity

My father used to tell me that trials build character (when I thought I had all the character I needed!). Maturity shows that this is not true – I did not have all the character I needed. Maturity is something that is gained over a period of many trials. It allows us to see how trials fit into the bigger picture of life. Maturity includes the ability to see how these trials benefit us!

As we progress through multiple trials over time, we begin to see a pattern. This pattern is that God takes care of us. He is there for us – before, during, and after the trials. He will carry us through them and heal us when they are over. Because of this process, we begin to find that we can trust God.

If we have seen how He is always faithful, we will apply that same trust to decisions that may have nothing to do with a trial. We will trust God in a crucial hiring decision or with the decision on whether or not to acquire a new business for expansion. Having the trust in God for these types of decisions adds confidence to our leadership and this clearly benefits us and those we lead!

Stay tuned to my next post for the remaining benefits!

What other applications can you see in gaining perseverance?

Can you see the evidence of perseverance in your life due to trials?

Can you think of any indications of your growing maturity?

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What Does A Participant Look Like?

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Football is a great sport and I love being a spectator in the stands of a close game. There is excitement and energy in the air if all the conditions are right. However, you can multiply that feeling times ten if you can actually get out on the field as a participant!

participant

Exciting To Be A Participant

Before you let your mind wander, I am not referring to running out on the field in your birthday suit! While it might be electric, that is a long way from the picture I am trying to paint!

What I mean is that it is much more fun and fulfilling to actually get out on the field and play IN the sport than it is to watch it. If you have ever played a sport, then you know what I mean. There simply is no comparison between being a spectator and a participant.

Participant Or Spectator?

The same is true of our faith. I mentioned in my last post that too many Christians feel they have fulfilled their obligations when they financially support the ministry of the church. However, they are no different than the person who paid for tickets, parking pass, and refreshments at the game. They have both financially supported the team, but they are still just spectators.

So what does it look like to be a participant rather than a spectator when it comes to our faith? What are the various roles we can play?

Various Participant Roles

Obviously, not everyone can be a quarterback or star linebacker. Fortunately, there are many more opportunities to be a participant than this. Let’s look at a few potential positions for a participant – and their counterpart in the business world.

Star Player – This one is fairly obvious. This player is actually in the game running plays and scoring or defending. Star players get most of the publicity and recognition. They have the skills and talent necessary to perform physically at levels many of us cannot perform.

In the business world, this person may be someone with a leadership position that appears to have more opportunity for influence than the rest of us. They know all the right people and they are exercising their faith at levels most of us believe are above our potential. We all probably aspire to get to this level, but many of us will not get there – at least not on our own!

Background Players – These players make up the majority of those on the field. They are not stars, but without them the stars would not succeed. With solid basics of “blocking and tackling,” these players advance the progress of their team. They are also “making plays” of their own, but these don’t often get the attention of anyone but the opposing coaches!

Anyone actively trying to exercise their faith in the business world falls into this category. Maybe they are not in the spotlight, but they are participants all the same. The seemingly small contributions they make on a daily basis are certainly effective at advancing the cause of the team!

Support Personnel – These individuals include the 2nd string and scout team players who are usually sitting on the bench or standing on the sidelines during the game. They may be working just as hard at practice as the rest of the players, but for whatever reasons do not have the skills or experience necessary to get out on the field for a game.

Maybe they are support personnel that manage the equipment or wrap twisted ankles between plays. They could even be the ones who serve the pre-game or post-game meals or drive the team bus. Again, they are not the stars, but they perform crucial roles as a part of the overall team!

The parallel positions in the workplace might be those who are not yet comfortable sharing their faith with a colleague. They are working hard to learn how, but they still need training.

Maybe they are members of a small group that help to ask crucial accountability questions of those in categories above. They could be serving in the church nursery or providing childcare for small groups during the week. They could even be the ones providing janitorial services for a business that is on the front lines of Christian ministry.

Coaches – It is not hard to spot coaches on the sideline of a football game. They are holding the clipboards and wearing headphones. They are calling out the plays and giving constant instruction to the players. What may not be obvious is the countless hours they put in around the clock in order to provide the necessary strategy and instruction that leads to more hours of leading practices!

While there can certainly be glory in this position, more often than not these participants give more than anyone notices. If you don’t believe me, just ask their spouses!

In the business setting, these people are the leaders of leaders. These are the people that probably “played” on the field at one time and now spend much of their time teaching others how to do it. They are the disciple-makers that can truly see the big picture.

Parallels For You

While I recognize this analogy is not perfect, I hope you can see the parallels. I also hope you can see where you fit into the picture as a participant. The cool thing is that in many cases, you can advance through these various positions. At the same time, that is not necessarily the goal.

If it were the goal, then Paul would not have explained that all parts of the body are necessary and deserving of praise. Sure, some positions get more recognition than others, but that is not the end goal.

The End Goal

The end goal is to fill the position to which God has called you. It may be that He designed you to be on the support staff for the duration of your time on earth. If so, embrace it! You are doing His will.

It also may be true that He wants you to progress through the positions. This is not better or worse than anyone else. You are not more or less valuable than anyone else that remains in one position. All are worthy of hearing, “Well done!”

What you cannot do is to decide to remain in support staff if God has called you to be a star player. Just as in the parable of the talents, you are going to be held accountable according to what He has given you.

Get Out Of The Stands!

The worst you can do is to remain in the stands as a spectator. You are called to be a participant. Accept this call and climb down out of the stands. There is a uniform waiting for you!

Do you feel you know your role as a participant?

What steps do you need to take to be a participant?

When are you going to start?

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Are You A Spectator Or Participant?

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Football season is here again and I am excited! I love watching my favorite college and pro teams play each weekend. Even more exciting for me is that this year my son is playing for the local high school. I am not sure if there is anything more fun than being a spectator when your own kid is on the field.

spectator

Spectator Costs

If you will bear with me, I want to describe how it looks on a normal Friday night. First, we have already paid for the season tickets and the parking pass. Next, we will walk into the stadium carrying the stadium seat that bears the logo of the team. We purchased this from the school, along with various articles. Finally, we will likely spend a little on the various refreshments they sell at the concession stand.

All of this money spent is part of the experience and is acceptable because we know it goes to support the team, right? As spectators, it gives us a sense of pride that we can do our part to financially support the efforts of the local team. After all, we cannot very well go out on the field and contribute by playing, can we?!?

Football vs. Christian Faith

Before you think this post is about how expensive it can be to be a spectator at a football game, let me make the connection. The problem that I want to highlight here is that many Christians operate in this same way with their faith.

Go back to my description of a typical Friday night – change it to a typical Sunday morning. We go to church. We have paid our tithes and feel good about that. We watch the show and pay a little for the coffee in the cafe if our church has one. We may even add a little to the offering plate for the upcoming youth mission trip.

All in all, we feel good about our contribution because we know our money is put to good use. We know that we are supporting the ministry of the church when we do this, right?

Still A Spectator!

The problem with this is that we are still only spectators in this case. While we might get arrested if we attempted to suit up and run out onto the field of a high school football game, this is not the case with our faith!

Called To Participate!

Instead, we are actually CALLED out onto the field! With the Great Commission, we are COMMANDED to go out and be participants, not spectators! There is no limitation here, no security guards keeping us in the stands!

There is actually a Coach out on the field calling out our names and beckoning us to join Him. So, what is our response?

Don’t Stop There!

Before you get upset, I am not saying that financial support of the church is not critical. It is absolutely necessary. The only problem is that too many Christians stop here and think they have done something. In fact, many think they have fully met their responsibilities.

This is simply not right. Jesus is sending us ALL out to be participants. We are to step out of the stands and onto the field. We are to join the battle that is going on and we are to do so with a very clear objective.

For some, what you do as a participant will look different from the next person. Not everyone will have the same role. There will not be hundreds of quarterbacks out on the field. Each person’s talents and gifts are different and therefore their contribution will look different.

Spectator No More!

The bottom line is that there must be an active contribution. Simply sitting in the stands holding up the foam #1 sign is not enough. It may be all we can do in high school football, but more is expected of us when it comes to our faith.

So, what does this look like? How do we apply this idea to business?

I am glad you asked! I will try to take this analogy further in my next post by describing what some of the various levels of participation may look like and where we might fit in. I hope you will stay tuned!

Would you consider yourself a participant or a spectator?

What should you change to be more of a participant?

What are the risks of being more of a participant?

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Do You Already Pray?

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This is the fifth and final post in a series on recommendations I would make to someone at the beginning stages of deciding to use their business as a platform for Christian ministry. While this list of recommendations is not exhaustive, it should be a great start on which to build. Today’s recommendation is (again) to pray!

pray

Sunscreen Battle

If you have kids, you have probably experienced the sunscreen battle. You go to the beach, pool, or lake and plan to spend the day. One of the first actions you take is to slather them up with sunscreen – the highest SPF you can find, right?

After you have been there for several hours, you ask them to come to you so you can apply more sunscreen. They whine and attempt to refuse, saying they have sunscreen. “Remember? You put it on when we first got here!”

One Application Not Enough!

Of course, with a calm and measured voice you ask again, explaining that the initial application you gave them has now washed off and they need more. Back and forth you likely go until they are close enough for you to physically reach them.

Then, like a frog’s tongue, your arm streaks out and grabs them. You pull them in and apply the cream as they wriggle and squirm. If you have missed this experience, then you at least have witnessed this scene unfold with others around you, right? You know exactly what I am talking about!

How Is This Related?

Of course, you may be familiar with the scene, but you are likely still wondering what this has to do with using a business as a platform for Christian ministry. You think I may have gone a little off track.

Actually, I think this picture has a lot in common with our discussion on Christian business. Before I get into the details, let’s look back at the first four recommendations in this series.

New Christian Business Advice

In each of these posts, I have attempted to describe what I believe are the most critical actions you can take if you are interested in running a Christian business. While each of the first four posts were distinct, I am going to risk repeating myself a little in this fifth and final post.

Going all the way back to Recommendation #1, I suggested you pray for clarity of purpose, strength, and commitment. I also suggested you give thanks for the position into which God has placed you. Of course, I believe these prayers are critical to your ministry.

At the same time, I believe that prayer has a lot in common with sunscreen. One application is NOT enough! Prayer is something that we need to reapply every day! Paul tells us to pray constantly…does that sound like one application?

Recommendation #5 – Pray Again!

Let me repeat that again: One application of prayer is not enough! Instead, you need to accept the concept that you will need an ongoing commitment to pray. For those who are serious about seeking eternal impact from the operation of their business, the commitment to pray is an absolute must!

When we pray, we commune with the Creator. He created us and He created business itself. Given that, does it not make sense that He can best direct us in a way that will produce the greatest impact?

Pray For Specifics

While I could just leave off there and have made my point, I will go on to give you specific topics that I believe are critical for you to cover when you pray. Again, my list is not exhaustive. Hopefully you will add to it over time. At the same time, you will be ahead of the game if you start with these.

Clarity of Purpose – Yes, this was already covered in Recommendation #1. The difference this time is that you are praying for God to keep this clarity in the forefront of your mind. You should pray for reminders in your spirit of the “Why” that drives you and gives you the energy to continue.

Strength and Commitment – Again, this was already covered before. Again, it will become more and more necessary as you progress into the territory of the enemy! Your quest is one of conquest and the opposition will intensify! Be prepared for this and make sure you pray for the necessary endurance.

Humility – At some point, you will likely see success in your efforts. It may happen instantly or it may take more time than you ever expected. Either way, pride is an easy trap to fall into. It will be tempting to take credit or accept praise when your ministry begins to bear fruit.

This is when you have to go back and read John 15. This is a reminder that you are only the conduit that Jesus is using. You are not the source of the fruit – He is. Keep that in mind and you will maintain a healthy perspective. You will also remain teachable.

Wisdom – You are simply crazy if you do not pray for wisdom. In both James and Proverbs, we are clearly told we will receive wisdom if we ask for it. If Solomon asked first for wisdom when faced with leading God’s people, then we should follow his example in our business.

Romans 8:29 – While most people like to quote Romans 8:28, verse 29 is one that I think is more important to remember. God wants to conform us to the likeness of His Son. We should pray that He is doing this on a daily basis. We should pray that we are allowing ourselves to be molded in that way. The more He is able to do this, the greater our impact will be in all we do.

Matthew 25:21 – Keeping the end goal in mind is a tremendous motivator. That is part of the reason to pray for clarity of purpose. But another way to do this is to pray this verse from the Parable of the Talents – when Jesus is talking to the servant that multiplied his talents.

Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” If we will pray regularly for the opportunity to hear the same thing, then I believe our decisions, motives, and actions will fall more into line with His will.

What would you add to this prayer list?

Are you consistent in praying like you think you should be?

What should you change about your prayer life?