Dealing With Systemic Racism In The Workplace

 Among all of the new catchphrases we have to try to understand and deal with, systemic racism is at the top of the list. What I have been able to understand is that it is the underlying racism that is in all American systems that favor whites above all other races. They are quick to say that whites may truly believe they are not racist, but they are part of the system that is racist. The word in the media, liberal and conservative, is that if you are white you are racist.

This atmosphere makes whites and blacks uneasy with each other. I, being white, have no argument, according to this philosophy, that says, “I am not racist”. So how do we react towards someone in our workplace that believes you are racist because you are white? Or how should the black person react to the white person who feels that they are under attack and they can’t change their skin so they are condemned as racist?

What is a racist? I believe it is someone who looks at a group of people of one skin color and judges them all in general. Condoning their prejudice.

How do we deal with this issue where we work? First off we must only speak in love. If you can not speak in love, keep your mouth shut! Of course, I am speaking to the Christian employee. If you are a Christian, you should be able to do this with the help of the Holy Spirit in you. If your goal is to prove you are not a racist or that your co-worker is, you will be arguing until the end of time.

The only answer I can give when accused of being a racist is a question. What have I done or said that has led you to believe that I, as an individual, am a racist? If they can not answer, then move on. If they have an answer, repent.

Either way, the only way to beat racism is “forgiveness”. Jesus taught, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NASB) If we don’t forgive each other’s ancestors for what they did to the other’s ancestors, we will not be forgiven. We must forgive those who have discriminated against us. You may be thinking that I am white so therefore what do I know about being the victim of racism?

During the early 80s, I took my mother to the food stamp office to try and get help. She was in a wheelchair from being hit by a drunk driver and had both knees crushed. When her time came up she was told that she had to be permanently disabled to receive help. Meanwhile, black ladies with many children walked out with multiple books of stamps. “Walked out”. It did not look good since most of the caseworkers were black females. What did we do, forgive them?

In school, I was harassed by black students quite a few times. I do not know what I did to deserve such attention but what did I do, I forgave them.

In many jobs that I have had where the supervisors were black, I was discriminated against in many ways. More work assigned, little training on the job caused me to look bad and sometimes let go. What did I do, I forgave them and went on with life.

My wife worked with an all-black labor force on a job. They treated her badly, punched two tires on her car, and ran her off. We forgave them.

I may understand a little about being judged by my color and treated accordingly.

So the answer to the problem, until we learn to forgive:

Blacks forgive the nation for slavery.

Southerners forgive Northerners.
Native Americans forgive the nation for its sin toward them.

Japanese forgive the government for putting their families in internment camps during WW2.

The Irish forgive the Italians and versa-versa. You get the picture.

Managers, if you have this problem in your workplace, pray, seek God on how to relate this to your underlings. Employees, you can set the stage of reconciliation for generations to come.

Tipping the Balance: The Ethics Course You Did Not Get In Business School.

Tipping the Balance
The Course on Ethics You Did Not Get In Business School.

Years ago when I started getting involved in Marketplace Ministry, most of the information I found was on ethics. I remember thinking how this all sounded elementary and thought it was a shame us Christian had to be told that we needed to be ethical in our workplaces. And of course I was not the perfect worker back then and I now am older and hopefully wiser. Yes, we need a refresher course or even a new approach.
This is what I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me. It had to be him because I could not have come up with this myself and I did not read it in a book. And I have read many.
I want you to picture in your mind a balance, one of those with a center pole and hanging dishes on the left and right. Now picture the person on the right with no ethics or very little ethics. It tips to the left and his way. Now picture the ethical person on the right side bringing the balance level. This is how it is when you follow the rules. But there is a problem. You follow the rules to the minimum. You do just enough to be called a good employee or business owner. I once posted a meme on Facebook picturing one of these with the caption,” The Bible says a crooked balance is an abomination to God so a good one pleases God. Give your employee an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage.”
I have seen how this will not do. To be balanced is to just get by in God’s eyes. The balance tipped to the right is showing that we not only obey the rules but we are to do more than asked. On the sermon on the mound in the Bible, taught by Jesus Christ, He teaches us this.
In Luke 6:20-36 and Matthew 5:1-48 He teaches that:

“You have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. “.

Not only are we supposed to obey the commandment to not commit adultery but Kingdom Ethics says we are to go farther. Don’t even look on a woman with lust.

“You have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. “

He taught that we should not payback in revenge. If we are sued over something we’ve did and judged to pay damages, we are to pay more that the law calls for.
And we know that in those days the Romans could command a Jew to carry his pack for a mile. But Jesus says to do more, which is where the well-known phase comes from,” go the extra mile”. This means to go beyond what the law demands or what the employee handbook calls for.

This is how we tip the balance. We are to go further than is called for. Can you see that the left is the non-ethical person, the center is the worldly ethical person and the right is the Kingdom Ethical person?

I encourage you to be the one that changes the copier ink. Be the one to clean the bathroom or Heaven forbid the refrigerator. While walking through the parking lot on the way into work, pick up that piece of trash. Help that fellow co-worker when you have the time. And don’t be concerned if no one notices. Even if it does not lead to a promotion or raise. When you come under the employ of God Himself and He is behind your motivation, you will not lose. People may laugh or take advantage of you. But you cannot think on it. You must determine which ethical person you wish to be. Lean to the left, stay center of tip the balance to the Kingdom.

Wayne Brooks
02/25/2020

It's Off to Work I Go by Bobbi Richardson

Every morning hundreds of men and women go off to work in offices, stores and other places of employment. Does being a Christian make a difference? As a Christian should you act, look or speak differently? Has God placed you in the position you hold for a reason?

Employees

The definition of an employee is one hired by another usually for wages or salary and in a position below the executive level.

Most of us would fit into that category as office workers, clerks, salespersons, and the many other jobs we do to earn a living and that put us under the authority of an employer without the perks and benefits of executive status.

While the word employee is not specifically used in most versions of the Bible, there are many principles that can be applied to employees.

As children of God, it is our responsibility to obey His commands and live by His principles. This is true in the workplace as well as anywhere.

What does it mean to succeed?

We all want to be a success in our jobs, the question is what does that success look like and what are we doing to succeed?

In our current culture success means to get ahead (usually at the expense of others). It means to continually strive to do what someone else expects of you (even if deep down inside it is not what you think you should be doing). It means to always be concerned with how you look, how you sound, how you act. It means concentrating on you.

This type of success is not lasting and does not accomplish much.

God's way is to concentrate on others and let Him take care of you.

As Christians, our goal should be to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Our ambition should always be to accomplish God's plan.

Slaves and Servants

Throughout the Old Testament God's people were instructed on how to treat those who were less fortunate; the oppressed, the poor, widows, orphans, slaves and servants.

In the Bible, a slave could be one who is actually in bondage or enslaved by another as when people were taken by a conquering army and put into service to the conquering people; or one who was in bondage as punishment for a crime.

Jews who were unable to pay debts were often "enslaved" by their fellow Jews. However, they were to be considered hired workers until their debts were paid.

The Old Testament also refers to slaves as bondservants and there were laws governing the fair and humane treatment of slaves with punishment for those who treated their slaves harshly.

God's care and rescue of Hagar is an example of His compassion and love of those enslaved by another. (Genesis 21:14-19)

Servants were usually free men who were hired to work for someone as an administrator of their household or as a scribe to write letters or other communications (a secretary).

As employees we can look at portions of scripture that focus on slaves in that we are working for someone who determines what our work is and we must follow their rules and procedures. We can look at portions referring to servants in that we are hired to work for an employer and are under their authority and direction.

Jesus as Servant

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28-NLT)

If Jesus' mission was to serve and give His life for others, as His disciples it is our mission also.

Jesus ministered to all who came to Him.

As Christians, we are in the workplace to serve. We serve God by serving others; our co-workers, our customers, anyone we come in contact within our daily work.

We give our lives by putting aside our desires, our plans, our feelings in order to minister to and serve others.

Instead of looking for what we can get from our employers, we can try to find ways to serve them. In learning how to do this and in redirecting our focus in this way we develop humility, compassion, patience, faithfulness (loyalty) and forgiveness. We see all of these qualities in Jesus.

As Christians it should be our goal to live as Jesus lived; to follow Him; to obey His commands.

God is constantly building the character of His children. He has placed us in whatever position we now hold. He tells us to serve others as a general command. If we view our employees as an opportunity for service and look to God to show us how, we will be following Jesus' example and teachings.

What Should We Do?

There is much in God's word that speaks to how we should conduct our daily lives whether as employees or in any other capacity.

Some principles that apply to employees are:

Always do your best work and keep on doing what is good. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Don't be discouraged or easily give up because of lack of results. (Galatians 6:9)

Persevere and let nothing distract from the purpose; the mission; doing God's will; accomplishing His plan. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Some characteristics of Godly employees are:

Respect for authority-All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. (1 Timothy 6:1-NAS)


Loyalty-Slaves must obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. (Titus 2:9 & 10-NLT)

Obedience-Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5-NLT)

These are not popular principles in the workplace. You will not find seminars on how to develop these characteristics. There are no motivational speakers encouraging you to act this way in order to further your career. What you hear and read will totally contradict these principles; these characteristics will be scoffed at and rejected by most.

Our choice as Christian employees is whether to listen to those around us and strive continually to be a success on our own or to "lay down your life" and obey and follow Jesus' example, which leads to blessings now and stores up treasures in heaven for the future.

Good Employees

God's word makes it clear that He does not look on His children as slave or free, but all are equal in His sight. This is our promise and comfort that God loves and cares for each of us individually no matter what our position in life or in the workplace.

It is our responsibility to reflect His presence in our lives no matter what our individual circumstances.

It all starts with a good attitude (a good way of thinking).

We should, like Jesus, joyfully serve the Father's purposes.

Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterward. Now He is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you don't become weary and give up." (NLT)

Here are a few practical suggestions that you can try the next time you enter your workplace:

Arrive on time, dress well, speak politely and smile readily.

Don't indulge in gossip or complaining.

Develop the art of listening.

Be kind, compassionate, forgiving, loving, patient (demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit who lives in you).

Pray - for your co-workers, your boss, your company, your customers.

Ask the Father to show you how to be the employee He wants you to be.

Does being a Christian in the workplace make a difference?

Try some of the suggestions above and see the reactions for yourself.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Standing in the Marketplace

"And about the eleventh hour He went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing idle all day?' They said to Him, ' Because no one hired us.' He said to them, ' You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive." Matthew 20:6-7

We know that these verses are talking about the world as God's vineyard the mission field and laborers being sent out to reap. I would like to look at the men mentioned in the verses above. The day was half-gone and they had not heard the call for workers. Why were they late? Did they sleep late? Did they have other jobs? Either way, they were unavailable. This is a picture of the present state of the church. We are standing idle in the marketplace, waiting to be hired. This article is for those still waiting on their call.
The days of D.L. Moody, Brother Bryan and others have passed. No longer is it easy for the clergy to enter the workplaces and minister to the laborers. With the fear of religious harassment and insurance liability the doors to the marketplace have almost closed. Who then will reach these souls that labor their days away? Will they seek out our churches on Sunday, for some the only day off they have for their families? Do they have the time or energy to make a mid-week service? The numbers say "No". Who will reach them? The Christian that is full of motivational teachings urging them to reach out and work their way to the top of their potential, where they will have influence. Then they can be a light on a hill. Or should I say Ladder? I am not saying they cannot be used. They have and they will. But I speak from experience when I say that the one with his sites on that top run had better be sure that's where the Lord wants him. I gave an employee new to the management world a hard-learned lesson. To be management he must realize that everything he does and says becomes a reflection of the company you have chosen to take responsibility for. Even the way he reacts to co-workers after hours is not his own. So for the Christian seeking a place in management, he had better make sure that his faith and job could co-exist. Can you fire an employee that you have been witnessing to, and still maintain the witness? You must choose your priority, your position or souls. Or can they be one in the same?

How about the Christian that is trying to solve all of his ethical problems and believes he cannot be a witness until he is the best worker in his field? God can and will use the perfect employee. Each of us strives for Holiness in Christ. But just being the best worker is not enough. When the Lord started dealing with me about witnessing in the workplace, I searched everywhere for resources. Most of what I found was advice to be the best worker your boss could have. Be on time every day, stay busy and productive, do your work without complaining, be honest ...etc. I have had many workers with these qualities and they were not Christians. These things should be fruit of our lives and not something we must work hard at obtaining. We should not have to be told to "Work as unto the Lord". People may not notice our witness if we do these things, but they will definitely receive a witness if we don't. There is a place for this, but don't rely on them for your complete witness.

Or how about the one that believes he must develop a relationship with his co-workers and his life will be his witness and there isn't a need to speak? Relationships are needed for an effective witness but not to be relied on completely. God can and will use these, but He commanded us to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel". Yes I have heard it all my life. "Our lives preach". But we must add words to our lives, and relationships, in order to be complete.

Back to the question, who can reach the workers in the marketplace? I am persuaded that the Lord is calling for those late comers standing idle in the marketplace to go on into the fields, it's not too late. I believe He is looking for men and women that hear His call to become missionaries. Maybe they owe too many bills to be free. Maybe they are paying child support from bad marriages before they got saved and have this responsibility until the children are 18 years old. Maybe they have health problems that keep them from traveling to other countries. God is calling them to reap in His fields right here in the United States, The workplace, where the clergy cannot go.

He is calling for people who will take up the workplace as their mission field. They will work at the task just like we expect our overseas missionaries to work at theirs. Not to seek jobs or positions where they get the best pay or recognition, but for the ability to reach more people of the greatest need. For years the laity movement has tried to motivate the people to join in the work, but still maintain that the clergy are the ones that are "Full Time" in the ministry. God is calling people to enter the ministry full time through the workplace. Your pastor or denomination may not see you as called, but the Caller knows better. And He is the one who sets the wages.

He's calling for the person who will take a thankless job at a processing plant, which is noted, for the hardest work and the lowest pay. Just so they can reach the low-income families of their town. That is our mission field of today. This is being called the Fourth Frontier by people in the Faith@Work Movement. Who will take a job at a cigar plant just to be exposed to the lost? Who will take a job that requires Sunday work in order to reach the unchurched? And who is so bold as to get a job as a bartender, just so they could reach their town's outcast. These may be extreme moves to make, but most people are in the jobs that the Lord wants them in. They just need to hear their call to it. If you cannot be satisfied in your position, even after deciding to do it for the Lord, then it is time for a move. I hired a brother one time that was called to the mission field overseas. He worked with me until he could hear where the Lord wanted him. It did not take a large degree of discernment to know when it was time for him to go. He was stressed and unfit for any more work. He could do nothing else but "GO". So no one needs to fear that if they take a "regular job", that they may lose their "sense of mission". The Lord will not allow someone he intends to use on the foreign mission field to stay in the marketplace forever. Many have stayed when they were supposed to "GO", and the Lord has sent their jobs overseas instead.

If you are called out, then you will go in God's time. Until then the Vineyard owner is looking for those idle in the marketplace. He has a job for you. I would not belittle the great need of foreign missions. Their need is so much greater than ours in the United States, but we are missing a great training ground for our troops heading to the fields of the world. I have a vision of persons unable to "Go" now because of restrictions on their lives. But God is calling them to the workplace and not to be idle waiting on a call. In the workplace they will train for their service to foreign lands. Where in America can you get cross-cultural exposure like that in the marketplace? Try factory vending machine food, roasted grubs may not be that bad. I'm not against training schools; they are very much needed. But they need to incorporate the workplace as part of their training. A person needs just as much faith to support them in a job as the one that depends on others for support. Many people are missing a perfect training ground in the marketplace. With this, I end by saying, "The Owner of the vineyard is asking, 'Why do you stand idle, there is plenty of work for all. There is no unemployment in the Kingdom of God.'"
Original posted 12/03/2004

Do You Have A Broken Tail?

Driving through Dothan, I got behind a little blue Toyota pickup with one of those Jesus fish on the rear window. The fish had part of its tail broken off and I had to chuckle. I wondered what happen. Did one of those Darwin fish bite part of the tail off or did the constant pressure of swimming upstream brake it off? Then my little chuckle turned to deep thought. Do you feel that the battle to live a pleasing life to the Lord Jesus has left you a little broken? It has become harder to swim in any waters, missing a part of your tail.
The Bible shows us from front to back that we as Christians should not depend on our own strength and abilities but totally trust in the Lord to use and work through us. That is where His glory comes from.  When we become broken and humbled we cry out for the Lord to heal us, when in fact, it is our brokenness that He rejoices in because He knows the end result. Our good!

Saved to Change

Driving to work this morning, I got behind a pickup truck with a back-window decal of the suffering Christ. It was applied right behind the driver’s head so that it looked like Jesus was driving and looking backwards. I don’t know if the guy meant to make it look like that.

This scene reminded me of cartoons that pictured a guy hiding behind a big cut-out of Jesus while God looked down on him. Meaning: That if we have received Christ and His sacrifice, then God will see Jesus and His work instead of us.

If you think about it you could really use this as an excuse to get away with things that do not please God. I wonder if the gentleman in the truck thinks about how his driving reflects on Christ. Not judging him, but I have a very large decal on my truck that points to me as a Christian and I stay aware of how people view my driving and reflect it back to me being a Christian. The same goes for bumper stickers and fish emblems. They identify us with Christ.

So the big question is: Do we reflect Christ with our lives? Do people see Jesus in our attitudes? Do people see Jesus in the way we work? If we are not concerned with this, let’s get a razor blade and scrape off those decals and bumper-stickers. Let’s pry off that fish and throw it away. We are saved to change.  To change us into the likeness of Christ and to change our culture to glorify God.

Rick Warren on "Can a Business be Christian?"

In the March 2013 issue of "Decision" Magazine, Pastor Rick Warren made a very good point on on the matter of , "Can a business be Christian?" In the article, "Rick Warren on the Hobby Lobby Lawsuit.", page 14.  In the article Pastor warren answers the question asked above.  To quote the article, "Some flippantly say 'A business cannot be a Christian,' but the truth is, every business is either business is either moral or immoral, ethical or unethical, depending on the values they base their business on. "
I interrupt this as saying that a business, just as art, music and literature,  reflects the morals and ethics of its creators  We creations should reflect the morals and ethics of our creator  God. This article can be read at:  http://www.becketfund.org/pastor-rick-warrens-on-hobby-lobby-lawsuit/

The Little Penny

Walking across the parking lot tonight I saw a spot on the dark asphalt. It looked like a coin so I bent down and picked it up. My first thought was that it might be rare and important. But it turned out to just be a common copper penny, tarnished and damaged from being run-over too much. You could barely see Lincolns face imprinted on the one side. It was useless.  I quickly saw how it reflected my life in such a way. I felt tarnish, ran-over and useless. Cast away onto the dark asphalt of life.  
I will keep this coin that is useless to the world and keep it in my pocket to remind me how the Lord had picked me up from my uselessness and saved me and making me precious to Himself.  As I carried the little coin and stuck my hand in my pocket and felt its rough edges, I would rub it and thank the Lord for what He had done in my life. Then I noticed something strange. The little coin’s rough edges were becoming smooth from my rubbing.
I saw quickly how the hard times I was going through was the Lord rubbing me to a copper shine. The way the coin was made. The way I was made. All this time I thought the Lord’s hand was rubbing me too hard and hurting me, but He was rubbing me lovingly to make me valuable to Himself. He is making me new again.

No Nudist In The Kingdom Part Five

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking (gossip), as newborn babes desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1
Peter 2:1-3 NKJV

Therefore putting off all evil speaking. Here is another No-brainer
in the Christian life. What a sad-sad testimony for a Child of God to speak evil of another or tell an obscene joke. In this verse some translations just say gossip, but the truth is, all evil speaking is sin to the Lord. The Bible tells us that this is hard to control in our natural state. James writes," Forwe all stumble in many things. If any one does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man able also to bridle the whole body.......Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell........But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." James 3:2-10
Here we see that for a Christian this should not be. As a Christian living by
his or her old nature, they cannot control their tongues. It is humanly
imposable. A lot of this evil speaking can come from the former sins mentioned in this verse Malice, guile, hypocrisy, and envy. If we put off these things we should be able to cease the gossip and evil speaking of others. But I'm afraid to say that many of us have these problems. I confess I also struggle with these. In the workplace I find it easy to speak against a
supervisor that does not do things the way I think they should be done. Or a co-worker that has done me wrong and I open my mouth against him to others. Only by walking in the Holy Spirit can we overcome this curse of the tongue. And as the old saying goes," If you can not say anything good, don't say anything at all." How tiring it is to hear someone who does nothing but complain about others. Confess up, you hate to see them (us) coming. "Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh" James 5:16 This includes all evil speaking.

I shared at the beginning that when the Lord tells us to put off or take off
something, Him gives us something to put back on. He will not leave us naked. So I will continue with the Armor of God in Ephesians.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us of our evil speaking and gossip. We pray that we will walk in your Spirit and you will guide us in how we are to speak. May our speech only glorify you. Amen

No Nudist In The Kingdom: Part Four

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all
evil speaking (gossip), as newborn babes desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1
Peter 2:1-3 NKJV

Therefore putting off envy. What person does not know that envy
(also translated as jealously) is bad.

This green-eyed monster (or demon if you wish) has done terrible things through those whom he affects. In verses Matt. 27:18, Mark 15:10 shows that envy in religious leaders had Jesus Christ crucified. It may sound small compared to other sins, but it leads to much larger things, things with eternal consciences.

Paul gives Titus some very good advice for the other leaders. He tells them to remind everyone that before they were in Christ they had envy (among other things) and now that they are heirs according to the hope of eternal life, or saved and made ready for heaven. Titus 3:1-7
Romans 1:29 teaches that the practice of being envious is worthy of death. That sounds pretty rough, but again look what it leads to Christ being crucified. We need to take off envy. It is easy to see others rise in position
at work or Church and envy rise up in us. But we are to put our trust in the
Lord for everything we need. "But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you". Luke 12:31 If we trust Him, then we would not be troubled when others are put ahead of us or get recognition. If we do this we may not get much here on earth but we are promised that we will be heirs of the Kingdom. Just trust Him and put envy far from us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us of our envy. Forgive us for not trusting in you to lift us up. May we only seek to please you and not man? May our trust and lack of envy bring Glory to your name? Amen

Become Untangled

"Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:3 & 4 Geneva Bible 1599

My wife and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. My daughter gave me a copy of Richard Wheeler's Lee's Terrible Swift Sword. I devoured it immensely and greatly enjoyed it. The book chronicles the first victories of the Confederacy and the factors behind them. The blunt of it was that Lee's army was able to out maneuver the Union army because they did not have as many supply wagons to keep up with like the Union did. Johnson and Burnside were very concerned that their troops were comfortable and content. Lee knew that victories made troops comfortable, not food, clothes, shoes, etc… Lee would have supplied his troops better if he could have, but he wasn't going to let the lack of it slow his army down. It wasn't until northern leaders who knew what it took to win came into control, that the South's victories became few and far apart.
When I read this, I thought of the verses above that show that we are a Spiritual Army. And these things we must know:

1. Flesh beings are not our enemies but the fouls in the spirit world.
2. We are chosen and our only pleasure will be in our calling.
3. You will know a good soldier because he will only want to please his Commander.
4. The only way to victory is to focus on our mission and do not become entangled with worldly pursuits.

These are the characteristics of a good soldier of Christ and you may feel that you have no calling in this area of Spiritual life.
Rest assured that a soldier knows when he has been chosen. Most Christian don't see that most of their lives is "Basic Training" and the more we buck the training and fail to enter into our calling, the more dissatisfied we become.
So you can just go abut your life and adjust or join in the Battle for the minds (soul) and spirit of those under attack.

Spiritual Warfare Ref: Eph. 6:14 -17; 1 Thess. 5:8; 1 John 5:4 -5; Romans 16:20;
Gal. 5:24

Being Salt in the Workplace

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Matthew 5:13 Geneva Bible 1599

I have read and heard this verse for years and saw it as a verse to compel us to share our faith. On further looking it also speaks to me of striving to make our surroundings better because of Christ in us. Like our workplace. Many of us go to work, get by with doing an O'Right job, and go home:
Think about what our calling in life is.
Wonder when will God use us?
Collapse on the couch and fall asleep to TV reruns.
When in fact we are "salt", not "we are to be salt" If we are born again and therefor a new creation in Christ, we are salt by New Creation Nature. We can not stop from being salt no more than salt can lose its flavor. Because if indeed it could lose its flavor it would be "not salt" and good for nothing but to be cast out in the street.
I had an atheist who was trying to show Jesus as a liar and not perfect use the fact that salt does not lose it's flavor ability. When in fact he did not understand how the eastern train of thought worked and how they said things in a way that gave a mental picture of facts by saying the opposite. Salt does not lose it's salty-ness like no one who lights a candle and covers it, if they wish to see. And a city on a hill cannot help but being seen. A Christian will change his environment just because that's the way Christ made him or her after the New Birth.
So, back to work. In many settings when persons have been at their job for a long time they become bored and uncaring. The company suffers and quality goes down hill. A Christian should have a trunk load of new ideas and improvement options.
In Japanese work culture there is a phase used called "Kaizen" (Ky'zen). 1 Meaning "gradual, unending improvement, doing little things better; setting and achieving ever higher standards". And this goes deeper than just the workplace in Japan. It flows over into daily life. The push to do better in every area of our lives. This is being salt. Making improvements to our work and daily life. A good pinch of salt does wonders for some dishes. It can totally change the meal for the good.
At this point I could produce a formula for achieving this seasoning but as stated it should become natural. We only have to look around and think, "What if I had the power to change the things at work or put policies in place to make it better", and then do something about it. Don't get bogged down with those who have lost there way and live only for the weekends of short relief from work pressures.
Find out the procedure in making suggestions and do it. Stuff the box or email them in.
And work in a way that sets up the person after you in the production line that will make their job easier and more productive. As long as it doesn't slow down your production.
And one word of advice (well, one more), when you don't get the results or recognition that you wanted, remember who you really work for and expect the currency of the Kingdom of God. Which are Righteousness, Peace and Joy. Romans 14:17 And if you do get a at-a-boy, pass the glory to the Lord, therefore is your witness.

If you are not a Christian and wish for something better in life. Give it a try and Receive power from Christ to make a difference in your life and others.
Mark 9:50
Luke 14:34-35
1- Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success by Masaaki Imai

Have You Killed An Atheist Today?

“Posted For Christians Only, Not Intended For Others”

A while back I stumbled on an atheist blog on mySpace. He put out a challenge for Christians to go seven days letting everyone they knew think they had turned to atheism. This was to prove that atheists were being persecuted more than any other people like theists. On starting the challenge he took great pains to paint a picture of the suffering atheist that was being persecuted for his belief or lack of. When I read this I could not believe that he actually thought that more atheists have been killed than Christians through the years. So I smugly commented back for him to give me at least one account of an atheist being killed by a Christian.
Well his reply dropped my jaw. He gave me two, one on the comment page and one by email.
“Ashley John Appoo, 40, pleaded guilty in a court in Brisbane, Australia, to the manslaughter death of John Leslie McDonald, and to cause grievous bodily harm to McDonald’s wife, Alois, during an ax attack in November 2001. Appoo, a hitchhiker whom McDonald picked up and befriended, went berserk when Ms. McDonald mentioned they were atheists. Described as a “proud Christian whose bible was one of his most precious possessions,” Appoo grabbed an ax and began attacking the couple. Source: Daily Telegraph, Dec. 23, 2004″
And “On October 18, 2004, Arthur Shelton, a self-described Christian and Eagle Scout, murdered his friend and roommate, Larry Hooper, because Hooper didn’t believe in God.”

This really chapped me. At first glance my response was typical,” These were not real “Christians”. But on giving it more thought. This argument is all used up. The person reporting on the Larry Hooper story, who was an atheist, and reported on how the “Christians” treated him during the trial, calling them devils and shoving their crosses in their faces like they were vampires and just plain hateful.
And although these are atheist sources, I say it is a shame that I have no problem believing they are true.
So I want to address this post to Christians. Have you all ever read the Ten Commandments, “Thou (that means you) shalt (you will not) Kill (stop the life of an innocent being). What part don’t you understand? God has told no one to kill anyone in His name. You say you read and follow the Bible, well let’s take a look at that:
Matthew 5:43, you have heard that it was said, “love your neighbor and hate your enemies”. But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.
1 John 2:9, anyone who says,” I am in the light,” but hates a brother or sister (even under Adam), is still in darkness.
1 John 4:20, if people say, “I love God”, but hate their brothers or sisters they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. Get the picture? We are to love others, not kill them.
To kill a person whom God created is a serious sin against God. You will never have a good reason to do this. Although atheists have gathered us in mass and killed us like animals, so what?
They constantly insult us by telling us we are stupid and do not use our brains, so what?
You can’t even get on a Christian forum for encouragement without one butting in and insulting you, so what? You can’t watch a sit-com with your family without seeing a Christian depicted as a lunatic murderer, so what?
These would make a natural person want to attack back, but we are not to be natural.
We are not our own, we are bought with a price.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it loves its own. But I have chosen you out of the world, so you don’t belong to it. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his Master, If people did wrong to Me, they will do all this to you on account of Me, because they do not know the one who sent Me.” John 15:18-21
People, it would be better for us to die than an unbeliever.
The Bible says, “Say to them, as I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 King James
and “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Years ago I used to travel a little for a small company and I decided I would take a gun just in case I needed it. The Lord impressed on me the question,” Would I really kill someone and send them to hell instead of yielding and risk him sending me to Heaven?” I held on to the gun for a while joking with the idea that I would never kill, but it was surprising what someone could live through. I later got rid of the gun. My point is we are not to kill, if anyone was to be killed we should have the attitude that it would be better if it was us. This would give the Lord full time to reveal Himself to the unbeliever.
Now let us return to the murdered atheists. Who the hell are we to kill someone just because they do not believe? This makes me mad and we have seen above how God feels. He has no pleasure. God does not smile. You have given Him no pleasure. These impostors will have to stand before the Lord and give account of them. And the worst of it all is that some of you are more offended over me saying “hell” than over these two men killed. Repent. Change your way of thinking. Turn to Jesus and love your neighbor as yourself. For believe me, if you hate your neighbor you are not saved no matter how many times you walk that aisle and shed a few tears.
An Atheist is not our enemy. Not gays. Not any unbelievers!
“Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.” Ephesians 6:12
Have we forgotten these things? Or did we ever know? If you’re one of those who pickets graves of dead soldiers, bash gays or anything else you believe is God’s will, you’d better read all the Bible. Without the love of Christ operating in you are no different than the ones you hate. You just know how to speak religious and you hinder the Holy Spirit moving on the unbelievers.
It is real simple: Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Even atheists, gays and unbelievers can do this. And then all the hate crimes will cease. And I leave you with this: “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ’you must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders anyone will be judged.’ But I (Jesus) tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged.” Matthew 5:21-22
Note: This post is intended for Christians, please all else hold your negative comments. Verses are from the New Century Version
Originally Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008

Resource Review: Business As Mission Network

From The Site:
"With a passion to connect more people to the growing movement of Business as Mission this Network was started in early 2006. By providing news and information on various resources and companies we hope to inspire and connect others to opportunities to get involved."
I would say they fulfill there purpose very good. They offer news of Christian companies and ministries that come together to offer help for those in marketplace ministry. You can check here for conference dates and profiles of who is putting them on.
And if you are wanting to know what opportunities there is out there to be a tentmaker, working missionary, bi-vocational, lay missions or whatever you want to call yourself. This is a good place to go.
As far as site presence, they do a good job with their page. It is more like a blog, but does what they intend to do.

Check them out soon.