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Archive for December, 2008

The Incredible Gift…

Posted in Economy, Encouragement, Marriage on December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

It is amazing to me how much God loves us. How he opens our eyes, when we need it most.

As all reading this blog know, fundraising is both the blessing and the curse of all non-profit organizations. It was July 27 and we had called an unscheduled Board meeting to discuss the looming economic crisis in front of us. We determined that in the midst of this crisis, we needed to raise $100,000 by the end of the year. We needed a well thought out plan and lots of prayer.

Prior to the Board meeting, my wife Theresa and I were having one of those “talks” that husbands and wives have. I shared with her how my faith was beginning to wane. That after five years, I was growing weary of the fundraising aspect of our ministry. She told me that I was becoming cynical. That I was allowing the Enemy to own me on this issue. It was one of those talks.

After about 45 minutes, Theresa prayed hard for me and for WorkMatters and for all of you who would invest in this awesome mission to bridge the gap between faith and work. Still, I walked out of the room frustrated.

I will never forget what happened next…

As I opened the door to my home office and walked out, I saw a small cardboard box sitting on the edge of the coffee table. It immediately caught my eye. I picked it up and on it was a post-it note that said:

“It’s a gift to you for WorkMatters. Love, Ty Ty”

I fell into my prayer chair as I cradled this little box in my hands and began to cry like a baby. I called to Theresa to come and see what our 9 year old son had done. It was 10 minutes before I could even open it. Expecting to see $4 or $5, I was blown away.

In that little box was $104. He had cleaned out his bank and given it ALL to God, WorkMatters and his Dad.

Oh, you of little faith…

I sit here today, five months later, on the last day of our “fundraising year”. We have prayed hard and worked hard, and you have given. And, regardless of where our fundraising finishes, I will always remember…

“the Incredible Gift” that God gives us all…his love. I pray that you are filled with hope as you enter this fresh, new year. May our faith grow deeper than it has ever been in 2009.

“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
Matthew 8:26

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Wisdom and 2009 Goals

Posted in Calling, Encouragement, Integrity, Servant Leadership, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work on December 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

What kind of wisdom do you think you will have when you are 91 years old? As I spend time this week contemplating my 2009 goals, I have been thinking about the purpose God has for my life and how I can fulfill that purpose at home and at work.

Today, I offer you a special gift. In 1981, my Great Grandfather, who was 91 years old at the time, sat down and wrote an “Ethical Will”. I hope that this will give you and I both some inspiration as we consider how we are called to live our lives in 2009 and beyond.

Ethical Will by J.M. Spicer
February 9, 1981

I can’t quite see the idea of a will. It would seem, in my case, to be a bit late. My children’s ways of living are pretty well established. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t change any of them much even if I could.

I would, however, like to suggest some guidelines for a happy and successful life. These are based on my own experience and my observation of the lives of some wonderful people of my acquaintance over the years.

• As you are growing up, listen to and obey your parents. (As you get older you will find out that they were much wiser than you had thought.)

• Early on, take God into your life. Join and be active in a church.

• Learn all you can about everything you can.

• Be kind and considerate in your contact with others.

• Be a person of your word. (Let your word be your bond.)

• Be a good neighbor…and you will always have good neighbors.

• In your family and later, when you have your own family, let love be the key word (and don’t be ashamed to show it or express it.)

• Be involved in the things that make for a better community and a better world, beginning with the church.

• Be interested in and concerned about others: their needs, their welfare. Be willing to help in times of need.

• Try always to find time for recreation, to relax and have fun together as families, as friends (even alone).

• Be interested in and knowledgeable about your government and those who run it at all levels.

• As you mature, find or develop a hobby. It will add interest and spice to your life as long as you live.

• Last, but not least: Do good, honest work. But let it be something that you love to do. Then it won’t be a bore but a joy.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
Proverbs 1:5

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Pay It Forward

Posted in Calling, Economy, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith and Work, Influence, Integrity, Relationships, Servant Leadership, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work on December 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Do you need some inspiration? A reason for the season? I’ve got one for you. This month we had two killer Eight-to-Five Unplugged events. We wanted to go deep and God showed up.

“A Marketplace Christmas” was our focus. “Celebrating blessings…building hope” was our theme. We had a special friend, Brian Sotorske, Plant Supervisor at Superior Industries, share his incredible message. He spoke of his life and death experience two years ago and how his coworkers from his WorkMatters workplace group became his “brothers and sisters” at the hospital. If you have ever questioned the power of relationships at work, take 15 minutes and listen to this moving talk “Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates”. http://www.workmatters.org/events/eight_to_five_unplugged/listen_to_speakers/

As moving and impactful as that was, there’s more.

Prior to the event, we felt lead to find a family where the primary provider had been displaced from their job. We wanted to offer to this group of business leaders the opportunity to “pay it forward”. To take some of our blessings and help a family in need. Basically, we just wanted to tell their story and pass a hat.

It was amazing to watch God deliver my friend Kevin Davis to us just three days before the first event. We have history. He was in an early WorkMatters workplace group. Kevin is a humble, mighty man of God and a father of four young children. He worked for seven years as Supervisor for Martin Custom Homes. I wish you could have been there to hear his boss of seven years, Jeff Martin, who had just had to lay Kevin off two months ago, tearfully describe what this man meant to him.

Then we passed the hat. Sam Bates and I were hoping for $250. Are you ready? $800! We were blown away. Later that day, we got to surprise Kevin with this whole story and present him with the money. The following week, we did the exact same thing at our second event. And the result? $620! This group of business leaders, most of whom have never met Kevin, paid forward almost $1,500!
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But there is more. And THIS is why I want you to hear the story. When we delivered the $620 to Kevin last Friday, in his completely humble way, he mentions that he actually gave away about half of the money! I said, “What? These people gave their hard earned money to help you and your family Kevin!” He went on to quietly describe the single mother working a shift at McDonalds and how much more she needed the money than they did.

Pay It Forward…without a job, four children, a wife, Christmas coming, and Kevin’s servant heart is pounding away.

Pay It Forward…business leaders dig into their pockets and purses to encourage a brother in Christ. Not even knowing that they may be helping a young, single mother working at McDonalds.

Need some inspiration? A reason for the season?

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”
Matthew 20:28

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Courage to Do the Right Thing…

Posted in Integrity, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work on December 11, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Don’t you just hate it when you have to eat what you cook? When your own teaching comes right back in your face? Check out this story…

I have a friend who has been an incredibly faithful giver to WorkMatters over the last four years. Last week, we emailed each other regarding her interest in supporting us again this year. She said, “Five years ago I made a personal pledge that I would donate $10,000 to WorkMatters over a five year period. So, I intend to send you a check prior to year-end in the amount of $2,500 to fulfill that pledge.”

Well, of course that was fantastic news for us! We, like most non-profits, have great financial needs right now. But then, something didn’t feel quite right, so I did some research. And I learned that my friend had already completed her $10,000 pledge!

You know my dilemma, right? If I said nothing, the $2,500 check was coming. Just like many of you would in your businesses, I thought about how bad we needed that investment and how hard I would have to work to make up for it.

I stopped and prayed briefly. I thought about all of the verses on Integrity I had been reading in Proverbs this month. I thought about the prayer my boys and I pray on the way to school. “God, give me the wisdom to know what’s right, and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.”

So I wrote her back and said, “I need to tell you that you have already given the $10,000 that you pledged. I just want to make sure that you know where you stand. I respect whatever you feel you need to do. Your family has blessed me and WorkMatters in so many ways.” And I hit Send…

I knew I did the right thing, but I wasn’t looking forward to her response.

Her response?

“And I’m an accountant! Well in my own mind I’ve already donated it, so the check will arrive. And, you should know that one of the reasons I decided to go forward was your honesty. It’s rare in this world.”

Man it was special to share that story with my boys on the way to school the next day.

“God, give me the wisdom to know what’s right, and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.” Especially in this economy…

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Proverbs 10:9

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What Should I Say?

Posted in Encouragement, Faith and Work on December 8, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Today’s guest author, Steve Whitfield, is a faith and work champion and a friend of WorkMatters.

We have all experienced those moments when someone we are speaking to shares some bad news. This bad news can be the death of a loved one or a close friend, a job loss, or a number of other situations that can easily cause us to freeze up and lead to a long, and many times, uncomfortable silence.

I recently experienced this type of reaction at a WorkMatters Eight-to-Five Unplugged gathering. I was involved in a friendly conversation with some people that I knew and some that I did not know, when I was asked by someone, “So what do you do”? I shared that my position had recently been eliminated and that I was not currently employed. This person absolutely froze up in front of me. He was silent for awhile and finally just moved away from the group.

Let me offer some advice for you when you find yourselves in this kind of situation. Most people who are suffering loss of some kind don’t expect you to have any magic words or deeply profound thoughts to share with them. Many times a simple comment like, “I am really sorry – I will be praying for you” is sufficient. Sometimes a squeeze to the arm or a gentle hug says more than words ever will.

Be mindful in your daily walk that we are surrounded by those who are suffering pain of loss and we may be the only one who can offer God’s love through a few simple words. Don’t miss the opportunity to really make a difference to these – you can be sure that your own time of loss and pain is never far away!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. By this, all will know that you are my Disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35

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You need it WHEN??

Posted in Faith and Work on December 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

So I’m minding my own business, keeping my head down and working hard on the latest assignment that needs to be done “asap” if at all possible.  There is something though that is nagging at me that just won’t let me concentrate or focus.  Seems that the more I try to put it out of my head, the more I think about it.

Here’s the deal.  Yesterday afternoon around 4:45 the boss walked in and gave me this huge assignment with a ridiculous deadline.  I had plans tonight..important stuff that I had been planning to do for quite some time and now this.   Before leaving, I went over and talked to Kenny in the next cubicle and went on this rant about  the boss being such a putz, although I actually used a little more colorful language.  Kenny did not say anything but seemed somewhat surprised by the outburst especially since the morning session of prayer seemed to emphasize looking for the best in people and putting others first.

As I sat there trying to work, my spirit seemed to be poking me, not allowing me to focus until I did something. My quiet time this morning also spoke to seeing the innocence in people and, as usual, convicted me.  Finally the fog lifted and I realized that my behavior and the reaction I had made to this imposition on my own plans was so foolish.  The look on Kenny’s face should have been enough to get my attention, but my plans have taken precedence for so long that its hard for me to change old habits sometimes.  When my boss came in a few minutes later, I asked if we could talk for a minute.  I apologized.  He and I are having lunch for the first time tomorrow.

Lord, please help me in the heat of the moment to not forget who I am, especially at work.  My bad habits and human weaknesses are so ingrained and seem to come out at the office, but I sincerely am trying to live out my faith at work.  Thank you for the opportunity I now have with my boss to build a relationship and explain to him what made me actually apologize for something he did not even know I had done.

AMEN.

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December Wisdom

Posted in Calling, Economy, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith and Work, Influence, Integrity on December 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

The speed with which we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas is astounding. Yesterday we were recovering from a long, restful time of reflection and thanksgiving. This morning, we wake up to snow, Black Friday sales numbers and the December push!

 

God put it on my heart recently to read the 31 chapters of Proverbs during December. It’s a perfect daily reading…one chapter each day for the 31 days of December.

 

Solomon, the author of most of the Proverbs, was said to be the wisest man who ever lived. Proverbs are short sentences drawn from long experience. They are truth that is easy to remember. They address real life issues such as work, finances, friendships, family, tongue, anger and many, many others.

 

During this month that is so incredibly busy, where work, family and faith are on a collision course each day, can we encourage each other to read the Bible every day? If you aren’t currently reading and studying something specific in the Bible, will join me for 31 days of Proverbs?

 

It may be just the thing you need to give you the balance and perspective during this blessed, but hectic season.

 

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

 

for attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple,
       knowledge and discretion to the young-

let the wise listen and add to their learning,
       and let the discerning get guidance-

for understanding proverbs and parables,
       the sayings and riddles of the wise.

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
       but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:1-7

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