But I’m reminded of another way to approach this.  One of Steven Covey’s 7 habits (from his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) is to begin with the end in mind.  This can apply to an immediate task, a career, or even your life.  In fact, he suggests a mental exercise to help with this by imagining you are a witness to your own funeral.  What would you hope people say about you?  Specifically, your children, your spouse, your friends, your co-workers, your boss?

            John Piper, in a blog last month called “Desiring God” was talking about funerals, and how the idea that we have a limited time on earth tends to give us focus on what’s important.  He writes about Steve Jobs, and how Jobs’ cancer focused him.  He cites this excerpt from an interview with Walter Isaacson: He talked a lot to me about what happened when he got sick and how it focused him. He said he no longer wanted to go out, no longer wanted to travel the world. He would focus on the products. He knew the couple of things he wanted to do, which was the iPhone and then the iPad.

Piper goes on to say: The wisdom Steve Jobs learned, he said, was this: Do a couple things, and do them well. You don’t have time for much. And most of things are not lasting. So do two or three things, and do them amazingly.

            But Piper goes one step further and reminds us that as Christians, those things we do should also be under the authority of the Lord and pleasing to him.  He reminds us of a verse from Paul’s writings:  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.  (1Corinthians 15:58 NLT). 

            Therefore, if we focus on excellence, and do so under the authority of God, we will not only excel, but the work we do will be useful for the Kingdom of God — whatever we do.  We can have excellence, and work that matters.

It has been an indescribable eight years at WorkMatters. Everything about it has been new. Everything about it has stretched me. Everything about it has tested and pushed my faith.

It is such a joy to reread some of my journal notes early this morning from September and October of 2003. To reflect, just for a moment, on this day eight years ago.

What about you? What are the markers in your life? Do you write them down? Put them on your calendar as recurring every year? This is more than birthday’s and anniversary’s. These are life changing moments.

If the answer is yes, take the time to meditate on those days when they arrive. Some are incredibly exciting, some are heartbreaking. All are a major part of your life, who you are, how God is moving you closer to Him.

If the answer is no, maybe now is the time to get started. Think back about your life markers. Put them on your calendar. Maybe it’s time to buy a journal. Keep it with you. Jot down the moments worth remembering. Use it to see what God is doing in your life.

Last…thank you, thank you, thank you for being a part (large or small) of this WorkMatters marker in my life. It has been an extraordinary blessing to be used by God in the marketplace!

For Him@Work,

David

Some of us are really good at what we do. Our impact is real. Maybe even visible. And it’s human nature to be proud of our accomplishments. We may even be tempted to make sure our accomplishments are known. To make sure…we get the credit. Why? We have ego’s. We have house payments. We have goals and aspirations.

But our friend Paul, gives us a great visual image of how that needs to look if we are focused on our Relationship with God at work. He encourages us to plant. He encourages us to water. But he is very clear about who makes things grow!

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.    1 Corinthians 3:6-8

In our self-centered world, it’s hard to do our jobs with excellence, then give God all the glory. If we are to “succeed”, we need some of that glory. And indeed, this story tells us that we will be rewarded! That reward may not be what we expect it to be, but we will be rewarded nonetheless!

Let’s PLANT. Let’s WATER. And let’s let God GROW.

Welcome to 2011! Unless you are a Razorback fan in New Orleans for tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl, you are likely at work today with a new year and new priorities staring you in the face.

It has always been important to me to reflect on the year past and to pray about the year ahead. We need to slow down long enough to count our blessings and learn from our mistakes…and to look ahead to see how we can live our life with more purpose. If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to block some time (maybe this weekend?), find a quiet place, buy yourself a cup of coffee (or other stimulus), and just think and listen. Write down what comes to you.

If you are a person that needs some structure, try this on for 2011:

• Verse – a single Bible verse or quote that frames up your theme for the year.
• Word – a simple word that you can easily remember that provides focus.
• Purpose – a statement that describes your focus for the year.
• Goals – this can be as short (4-5 goals) or as long (family, work, financial, social, serving goals) as you wish.
• Book – this is a freebee…go to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and buy a book that you really need to read.

I pray that your 2011 focus will very intentionally include your faith and how you can choose to be the same person at work that your are in your personal life!

To a defining year,

David

P.S. Thank you for praying for us and with us over the past 60 days! As soon as we close the financial book on 2010 we will share with you what God did! 2010 was an extraordinary year at WorkMatters. And our Board and Staff are more excited about 2011 than any year of our seven years of serving you in the  marketplace (more on that tomorrow).

Consider these words of the apostle Paul from his first letter to Timothy:

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.  For their is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Jesus Christ.  He gave his life  to purchase freedom for everyone.  This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.  And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth.  I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

And in every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”  (I Tim 2: 1-8)

The NKJV translation of verse 8 reads ” I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

As you read this over, think about it in the context of your workplace. Think about how our work life would be transformed if all believers began to intentionally pray for our work using the message from Paul above as a guide.

As you think about your plans for  2011, consider the teaching of Paul when he instructs Timothy that the first thing he wants him to do is pray.

Have a blessed day!

This morning, Henry Ho, NorthStar co-founder, shared a powerful poem that he had heard at a recent WorkMatters Eight-to-Five event from Ms. Susan Barrett, Retired President/CEO of Mercy Health Systems NWA . Read this when you have time to really process it. There are some powerful challenges here. Print it and stick in your Bible to reflect on from time to time.

I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks Henry and Susan for being marketplace believers and leaders… 

Easy Doesn’t Do It!

(Derric Johnson) 

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed

The dye has been cast; I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made. 

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed; My present makes sense; My future is secure.

I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,

colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, plaudits, or popularity.

I no longer have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk in patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice; hesitate in the presence of adversity; negotiate at the table of the enemy; ponder at the pool of popularity; or meander in the maze of  mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ.

I must go until He comes, give until I drop, witness until all I know, and work until he stops me.

And when he comes for His own; He will have no problem recognizing me…  because my banner will be clear, my scars will be evident, my hope will be realized, and my joy will be full.

It will be worth it all. I am a committed believer, a dedicated disciple, and a satisfied servant of  the Lord Jesus Christ!

I am so excited to share with you today! The time between Christmas and New Years is always such a blessing. It represents the end of something tangible and real, and the beginning of a fresh new door to the unknown.

Since my crazy 20′s, I have carved out some me-time during this season to reflect on the year past, and write down some specific goals for the following year. My wife laughs at me every year as I come home from Common Grounds or the Library or some other thematic haunt like a conquering hero!  So, for the next few days I will share a few thoughts about this year that I pray will be valuable to you.

I can think of no better place to start than this simple word…ENCOURAGEMENT.

Some people, a very few, are just wired for encouragement. It’s just how God made them. But for the rest of us, it takes great effort, doesn’t it?

A few days ago, I received a hand-written letter in the mail. How long has it been since you received one? Do you remember how you felt? In our twitter/fb/text/blog/email world, a letter is indeed something special.

Here is an excerpt from the letter:

“I wanted to thank you for your word of encouragement recently regarding seeking God in times of transition. I have found continued perspective from working through past WorkMatters Eight-to-Five podcasts, specifically providing insights into aligning my life’s activities with His plan.”

As you consider your 2010 goals, consider this powerful word, and what it could mean in the lives of the people you work with and live with.

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.  Proverbs 12:25   (NLT)

Father, we have so much to be encouraged about. Give us the motivation to share it with others in 2010. To be intentional about finding opportunities to encourage those we work with and for, as well as our family members.  Amen