In honor of that day 20 years ago, we spent the entire day together just having fun. We reflected on the past 20 years. We looked at old pictures, we told stories, we laughed, we questioned why on a few things that have happened in our lives. We shared two fabulous meals. We visited the site of the soon to open world renowned Crystal Bridges Museum.

And then we went to the movies. But this was not just any movie. This was a movie about life. About the very fabric of why we are here. About our marriages, our children, our work, and our faith. About being COURAGEOUS in living with great purpose in each of those arenas of life.

You may be familiar with the organization that also brought us the movies Fireproof and Facing the Giants. These are powerful examples of using media to impact our culture in positive ways.

For men and women, but especially Dad’s, take the time this weekend to see this movie. I find it impossible to believe that your life at home and at work will not be profoundly impacted.

Proverbs 22:6

This month we are focusing on the first and most important of the Seven Pillars of Faith at Work – RELATIONSHIP. Here are seven simple “how to” tips to help you be successful in abiding with God at work:

1. Morning bible reading and prayer - include your work!
2. Wear a wrist band as a reminder to “think God.”
3. Meet weekly with trusted co-workers to discuss/pray for your work.
4. Ask God for his peace in your work.  Start watching for it.
5. Crazy but…the privacy of the bathroom makes an awesome prayer room.
6. Over lunch one day, fast and serve in a food kitchen or homeless shelter.
7. Be intentional with the Seven Pillars of Faith at Work.

What suggestions do you have?

One of the great leaders of the Bible was exceptionally good at inquiring of God before he made big decisions. And God so often directed Joshua’s path. But in Joshua 9:14, we learn that in one instance they did not “inquire of the Lord”. And it cost them. They were tricked into signing a treaty with neighbors against God’s directions.

Some suggestions:

1. Read this story of Joshua 9:14.
2. Begin praying in the morning for the “major” decisions you face each day.
3. Write it in your journal.
4. See what God does.

It may feel like you are slowing down in making big decisions, but if you get it right do you care?

The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.   Joshua 9:14

Our work is demanding and full of pressures. We strive to be the best husbands and wives possible. Many of us have children who we deeply desire to spend time with. Some of us serve, but so often that gets back-burnered. Some make church a priority, others fit it in if possible (try having a child involved in competitive sports). And the list goes on.

Do you need help?

Last month we had a powerful message on Legacy at our Eight to Five marketplace ministry. Mark Saviers, partner in Sage Partners, took us back to the basics. It was so refreshing. (Listen to Mark’s message)

1 + 1 = 2 … it is a simple, predictable equation.

If we wake up, work out (or not), eat breakfast, and run out the door … we will have a fairly predictable outcome.

What if we added one element to that equation… a few minutes of time alone with our Father … again, I believe we will have a fairly predictable outcome.

One will yield a day spent grinding. The other a day spent grounded.

After Mark’s message, he handed me a simple booklet (50 pages) that is a powerful tool for helping us get back to the basics of a quiet time with God. It is appropriately titled, Quiet Time, by Bill Smith. You can call 501-224-3238 to order a copy (only $5).

I need 1 + 1 = 2 in my life. I need to be grounded so that I have a fighting chance to reflect Christ in my life, especially at work.

Do you?

Pick up the book…see if some quiet time spent each day reading the Bible and praying and listening will help you find 1 + 1 = 2.

Have you ever considered that almost every workplace has a prayer room?         I missed this one. Dan talked about the importance of prayer in bridging the gap between his faith and his work. Once, two hours before a deadly storm was to hit the region (he knew it was coming), he went into the bathroom to pray for his community!

Think about it…if you ever have an issue you are struggling with at work and need to have some focused time of prayer, what a perfect place the bathroom stall could be.

So the next time you need some focused prayer time…get stalled @ work!

Listen to Dan’s message…

We are so honored for all of you who prayed diligently for WorkMatters and our fundraising during our 60 Days of Prayer in November and December. We received such powerful feedback from our daily email/blog post. Thanks especially to Sam Bates for his heart and hard work to send these messages for most of the 60 days. Please message us with your feedback on the priority we should put on this ministry “From Sunday To Monday” daily email/blog writing. Also, we are contemplating the trade-off between sending these writings directly via email or from our Blog?

Many of you will remember that on October 1 we launched our EMPOWER Yearend Giving Campaign to help WorkMatters finish 2010 strong and healthy. As a  501(C)3 non-profit organization, we have learned to be open and transparent in sharing our ministry needs.

Our goal was to raise $140,000 in Q4. And for the seventh year in a row, through your generosity, we not only met that goal, but exceeded it! 2Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Praise God and thank you!

The momentum for this faith@work national movement continues to grow! Men and women are hungry for encouragement and equipping to live their faith at work. In the last two years, WorkMatters has launched FOUR NEW ministries to impact people’s lives through the marketplace.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

David Roth

President, WorkMatters

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!

Philip Yancey writes that this familiar verse in Psalms contains two commands of equal importance.  ”First, I must be still, something that modern life conspires against.  Ten years ago I responded to letter within a couple of weeks and kept my correspondents happy.  Five years ago I faxed a response in a couple of days and they seemed content.  Now they want email responses the same day and berate me for not using instant messaging or a mobile phone.  Mystery of another world, an emphasis on being rather than doing, even a few moments of quiet do not come naturally to me in this hectic, buzzing world.  I must carve out time to allow God to nourish my inner life.”

When a journalist asked Thomas Merton to diagnose the leading spiritual disease of our time, the monk gave a curious one word answer: efficiency.  Why? “From the monastery to the Pentagon, the plant has to run….and there is little time or energy left over after that to do anything else.”

I am guessing most of you can relate.  The amount of stuff we feel that we have to get done seems endless.  More often than not, it seems that we just keep taking on more and more.  We feel we must continually do more and do it faster.   The thought of doing less sounds good, but usually is quickly discarded with a “yeah, right” kind of attitude.  It seems that activity, busyness and constant action in both our work life and home life is what is applauded.  We all constantly complain about how busy we are, but I think we secretly want others to praise us for it.

What gets squeezed out in this kind lifestyle?  Time with your kids? Time with God? Time to rest? Time to think? All of the above?

As you plan and prepare for next year, pray over the verse above and ask God to show you what you can do to have more balance in your life and how you can say NO to something that will allow you to be more of a “human being” instead of a “human doing.

As this new week begins, I know many of you are will be going back to work after a busy holiday weekend.  I hope that everyone had a fantastic time and were able to spend time with family and celebrating the birth of our Savior.  It has been non-stop for our family and now that everyone is beginning to make their way home, I am looking forward to some serious quiet time this week.

David and I have often talked about the value of this week between Christmas and New Years.  As far back as I can remember, this week has usually been a vacation week for my family.  Our parents have always lived far away from us, so normally we were traveling.  I have always enjoyed the opportunity to get up early, make my hot cup of coffee and spend time alone with the Lord praying and thinking about the upcoming year.  This week has provided many moments of clarity and inspiration as I spent some long, uninterrupted time with the Lord very early in the morning.

I hope as this week begins, you will find extended periods of alone time to pray, plan, journal or spend time in the Word.  As this year draws to a close, it will be helpful to reflect on how God has moved in your life over this past year. Write down the blessings and challenges of this past year and as you write, you will find how God has impacted your life.  Pray those blessings back to God as praise and worship!

As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer. Luke 5:16 (The Message)

Blessings!

Sam

The family started arriving late yesterday afternoon. You could feel the excitement and anticipation growing all afternoon.  All of a sudden everyone arrived within five minutes of each other.  It seemed that we weren’t ever going to make it back in the house as we stood around outside talking.  Fifteen people in our home coming from all over to celebrate and spend time together.  What fun we all had last night sitting all over the house just visiting and catching up.  We have been so blessed to have a family that really enjoys being together and looks forward to gatherings such as this.

I find that as I get older, these times become more precious.  The two oldest “big kids” are now married and have brought two fantastic new people into our gatherings.  The rest of the kids are about to finish college or about to start, so getting the whole group together is becoming quite the challenge….but so worth it!  The first surprise (I’m sure of many over these next few days) was a surprise little “First Grandbaby Shower” our family gave Jodi and me.  Everyone is so excited about the arrival of the first grandchild arriving in February.  The little high chair sitting in dining room now covered with all sorts of fun gifts is such a sweet reminder of the joy of the coming new birth.

As I’m sure thoughts of most everyone are moving away from work and toward family, please hit the pause button all the craziness for a moment and thank God for the blessing of family. I hope you have an opportunity as well to attend a Christmas eve service tonight to focus and pray about the TRUE meaning of Christmas.   Now, I have to get going to enjoy the annual thrill of my last minute Christmas shopping frenzy.  Need to be done by five to make it to our traditional Chinese Christmas Eve dinner ala, The Christmas Story!