Recently, the newly appointed President and CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport, John Roberts, had a personal profile in their company magazine. Here is an excerpt:

“I have relied on my faith to guide my way for many years now in my work and in my personal life. I get direction and inspiration from reading the Bible and from my church and friends about how to live out life to the fullest according to God’s plan for me.”

How are you living your “life to the fullest“, especially at work? It’s difficult. It’s complicated. But it’s 50% of your life. Can I encourage you today to find your direction and inspiration to live your faith at work? It’s a daily investment of time, but it’s so powerful to live your life to the fullest.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  1Corinthians 10:31

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.

Often times I have felt at a loss for words.  A situation presents itself and it feels like I should say something, but I don’t  because I am scared that I will not say the right thing.   Good intentions and all, but the word of encouragement or the word of thankfulness does not ever make it to the intended recipient.

We constantly find ourselves in situations where we don’t exactly know what to say, so we say nothing.  I have learned however that it’s not what I say that really matters most of the time, but it’s the effort I made to say it that really counts.  I know that today, most likely before lunch, I will be have an opportunity to speak to someone who needs the encouraging word or some aspect of my thoughts or feedback on some issue going on in their work or life.  I hope I can find the right words in the moment, but if not, I hope that I will still not miss the opportunity to a let the Holy Spirit speak through me, whatever that may be and not allow the enemy to once again steal the blessing meant for this person.

Pray that the Lord will give you the courage and desire to speak a blessing to those you encounter at work today.  Don’t become so self absorbed that you don’t express the loving kindness to someone who needs it because you don’t know exactly how to express it.  Again, remember, it’s the effort you make to speak up that really counts the most.

Blessings!

Sam

E.M Bounds wrote what many consider the “greatest book on prayer ever written.”  The book is called, “Power Through Prayer.” I remember reading it for the first time when I was a freshman at Harding University many years ago. It was one of those books that had a profound impact on my spiritual growth and development.  I have since read many other excellent books on prayer, but none have ever surpassed this classic.  Over the next couple of days, allow me to share a few passages from this book that have both blessed and convicted me.

“The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.  He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunities and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day.  If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in last place the remainder of the day.”  E.M. Bounds

As another year draws to a close, please consider this as you are making plans for 2011.

Blessings!

Sam

These are challenging words for most of us.  We are constantly making plans of all sorts.  Nothing wrong with planning of course, but this verse speaks to an attitude of control and self sufficiency.  The idea of making our plans without much if any regard for the Lord’s will.  How can we go about our lives in such an arrogant and self serving way?  We truly know nothing about what will happen tomorrow.   How often have you been shown how NOT in control you truly are.  Praise God however, that He is in control.  If we seek to direct our plans in accordance with His will, we can be assured that He has everything under control and that no matter what happens, we can move ahead with the comforting thought that our Lord knows what is best for us.  A yielded life is one of great peace and assurance.

Today as you think about all that you have to do in your life and work, pray as Jesus did when he said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.”

Blessings!

I know that most of you will not be at work today or tomorrow.  Instead,  you will be enjoying a well deserved, extra long weekend hopefully filled with family focused activities, lots of wonderful food, football, shopping and maybe a movie or two.  Time will fly by and as the leftovers dwindle, Sunday will arrive and all of a sudden your back at work.  Don’t let this time slip away however without planning some alone time with the Father.  This is such a great opportunity to get up a little earlier and enjoy one of those extra long quiet times you normally don’t have time for.  Going for a long prayer walk is another great idea.  Whatever works for you, make this a priority!

I would like to make one additional prayer request. Please pray for The Joseph Project and all the people who are still between jobs. One of the most difficult parts of that journey is the feeling of isolation.  Please let these people know that you care and are thinking and praying for them.  It will encourage them far beyond what you can imagine.

We are so grateful for the blessing you are to WorkMatters.  It is so humbling to know that you are praying with us.  On behalf of the WorkMatters team please know that we are so thankful for all of you.  Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we feel for your willingness to go to the Father on our behalf during these 60 Days of Prayer.

For Him at Work!

Sam

1 Peter 3:15

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

The team leader for ENGAGE! opened his remarks last night by sharing his “life verse” with the group.  This young man passionately shared  how important it was to him that he always be ready when someone asks him about his faith. He explain how ENGAGE! would be a major part of learning how to do that in the marketplace.  I knew we were off to a great start.

Praise God!!  What a gathering we had last night for the first official meeting of ENGAGE!  Close to fifty young people showed up to hear all about this new ministry for young professionals.  It was incredible to see how interested they were and how eager to provide feedback.  The first half of the meeting was spent vision casting by the leadership team. The second half was interactive with them all in small groups responding to questions designed to gain their thoughts and ideas about how ENGAGE could serve their generation most effectively.  David and I floated from group to group listening in and were thrilled at the input we were hearing.  Amazing thoughts and ideas were being discussed and shared.  ENGAGE! is going to be an incredibly influential ministry if last night was any indication.

One of the main thoughts that kept coming out over and over again was the desire for mentoring opportunities with those of us from the more “experienced” generation. Now that they are out in the real world, they want to hear and learn about how we live out our faith in the marketplace.

Please pray for these young professionals and ask God to continue to walk with them as they build this exciting new ministry!

Blessings!

Sam

What I realized was that the last time we met, he had shared a very personal story relating to his job situation.  Now, a month or so later, he wanted to update me and seek my counsel regarding the situation.  As I reflected on this meeting, I realized that I was acting selfishly, putting my needs first and had probably left the impression with this person that I had not really listened or, even worse, cared enough about our last conversation to inquire as to how he was doing before trying to close the deal.

We are all so busy pounding through our day, running from one meeting to the next pursuing our agenda and putting what we want to accomplish above all else.  Wonder what would happen if our first thoughts were about how can I serve this person and address their needs before my own?   Wonder what could be accomplished if we all adopted this approach?

PRAY on this today as you think about the many encounters you will have today with your customers and co-workers.

Blessings!

Sam

My father is one of my heroes, and I can see his influence in several aspects of my life.  He was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas for over 40 years, and during that time, he impacted thousands of students at crucial times in their lives.

With his background and ability, my father could have pursued some very lucrative career paths, but his calling was to teach.  What set him apart as a teacher (and this is according to former students, not just my biased opinion!) was his focus on the individual student.  He took the time to pour into their lives whenever he had the chance and on multiple levels.  Of course he helped students with the subject matter, but more importantly, he helped many of them navigate the challenges life brings when you are young, out on your own for the first time, not sure of the way forward, questioning what you believe, etc.

The reason I bring up my dad is because he always used to ask me the question at hand (and he still does today).  He always phrased the question a little differently, though – Are you living up to your potential?

The visual that usually came along with that question was his left hand-held steady about chest-high, and his right hand moving up and down between chest-high and belly button level.  When I was a kid, this visual literally drove me insane!  Whether it was from across the room, from up in the stands during a ball game, or any other setting, he never had to say a word – he just used the visual.

I laugh about it now, but that visual is etched on my mind, and it keeps me asking myself the question – Am I doing my best with what I’ve been given?

God has blessed each of us abundantly, and he expects us to use those blessings to glorify Him and help build His kingdom – even in a down season of life.  In Matthew 25: 14-30, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Talents, which clearly communicates God’s expectations for us regarding what we are given.

So, are we doing our best with what we’ve been given?  If not, don’t be surprised if a 73-year-old retired engineering professor suddenly appears making some funny hand motions and asking if you are living up to your potential!

See you tomorrow when we’ll discuss the next question – Does my attitude reflect what I say I believe?

Click here to listen to the Terry Turpin podcast.

Terry Turpin, partner and COO of Acumen Holdings, LLC

Tommy Van Zandt is a Partner in Sage Partners, a highly respected commercial real estate company in northwest Arkansas. Following a devastating ice storm in 2009, Tommy fell from a ladder while cutting tree limbs and suffered a severe neck injury leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Following the event, we received this email. It says it all…

To listen to Tommy’s story in its entirety,  click here.

I was one of the many 150+ business people at this meeting this morning. I was also one of the many that in the period of one hour, shed enough tears to fill a small bucket while hearing this amazing man talk about his life before the accident and, of course, after. I was also one of the many that heard testimonies from people of all of sorts of backgrounds stand in the audience to tell Tommy to his face just what an influence that he has been in their lives and will continue to be. I was one of the many that clapped, and stood before and after the meeting to a man of such influence over all of us. I was one of the many that this was my first time hearing Tommy story about his life, and it will not be my last.

Tommy had wits, humor, and a great sense of knowing how to pick others up that had come to see him and speak with him. Tommy’s mobility comes from a device that is attached to his wheel chair and he is able to get around for himself by directing the control with his lips. Again, an amazing man with talents to be admired and to give us hope. And that is what I saw in my own eyes, but also in everyone else’s eyes that I met after the meeting. It was also amazing that well over half of the group did not rush out to go,but they hung back and stood in line to get a few minutes to talk with Tommy. With each one that spoke with him, his eyes were just on you as you stood before him, and yet he seem to see the whole crowd. I thought of what Jesus had said to all of us by His word and by His spirit that see just one of us and yet see all of us at the same time.

Seeing Tommy has most definitely changed my life for being all that I can be for the Lord. I sat there in that time period and caught myself whispering “Lord take my arms, my legs and my body parts and give them to Tommy.” Many had the same voice too as it was confirmed by listening to all of us who heard this man’s life story.

Maybe today you are living with an accident of one kind or another that has taken all or part of your own mobiles away, and you are very limited in what you can do for a normal life style.  I pray in the name of Jesus that you too can see and hear these words and be inspired by the Holy Spirit not to see yourself as handicapped, but see yourself as Tommy sees himself in the Lord…more normal than anyone in the room where you are at in any giving time. Would Tommy or you like your whole body to be healed and made whole? Sure you and Tommy would. But in the same respect as he has done, don’t give up on yourself or the Lord. Allow whatever parts that you have to be an influence in your life, too. See yourself as Tommy sees himself …as a mighty servant to the Lord to do, and speak all about His goodness and faithfulness. God Bless each and every one of you!

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