Author: Dr. Mike

Gracefully Failing

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Romans 15:1-2

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

There are two life-skills I wished someone taught me earlier in life. The first is how best to handle conflict. The second, how to best handle failure. These two separate the men from the boys and the women from the girls.

If you want relationships and tasks to become more rewarding, than ingrain these two components into your character. Otherwise, by not properly handling the same situation will lead you down a path of more frustration and bitterness.

Those of us who have learned the hard way can now better equip to teach others. We are now in the position to mentor our children and grandchildren more effectively. To give them a greater advantage throughout life. We can train our employees how to better themselves in the marketplace. We can coach our fellow believers how to live a more abundant life within the faith community. We who have struggled and learned God’s way of dealing with conflict and failure now have a ministry to share with others.

The same is true in our walk with the Triune God and His earthly family.

The apostle Paul writes in Romans that those of us who are strong in the faith are obliged to care for those who are weak. We are not to self-grandiose the situation, but help build them up in the Lord.

Our role model is Jesus. From a position of royalty and strength, HE served others. HE help others to see their faults in a diplomatic fashion. At times HE encouraged them. Other times HE inspired them. And depending on who HE was relating too, HE would chastise them for their good. Everything HE did was from a position of love. Sometimes tough love, but always concern for the other.

HE is my role model. HE has gracefully walked with me over the years. Whether life’s situations were at the top of the mountain or at the very low crevice’s of life, HE patiently allowed me to learn from my errors of judgement. HE didn’t shoot me down with a bolt of lighting in my rebellious state. HE didn’t have to spank me. The circumstances I produced from my decisions were pain enough. But HE was and is always available to listen. His purpose wasn’t to make me fail. But to learn from the ordeal. To keep trucking until the finish line was behind us. When I slowly learned life is a process preparing us for eternity for a role in HIS Kingdom, failure became easier to put behind me.

Failure doesn’t define us. But only reassured us we are HIS. We are HIS workmanship (Eph 2:10). As we walk with HIM. As we talk with HIM. As we serve HIM. We slowly become more like HIM.

And when you realize HIS mission is to replicate HIS character and values in you, every failure is the graceful means of becoming more and more like HIM.  Now if only we can remember this when we experience our next failure.     

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Is Jesus the Core of Your Business?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Colossians 1:15-17

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

At the end of teaching each course, I leave students with one thought to carry with them throughout their business career. That paradigm is to always remember Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

In our culture today, people are taught that the primary purpose of business is to make money. Yet when profit becomes the main thing, greed explodes.  Then carnal desire rises to prominence. Afterward the fall from pride leads to pain and suffering for all stakeholders holding the last card. How many people have lost their retirement investments by someone who built a business upon smoke and mirrors? Business without moral discipline causes greater problems than if the business never began.

Even when businesses are economically successful, they may struggle with internal division. Labor and management battle between themselves. The end result is low morale and an unengaged culture.

Business, like lives, need to be built on a strong foundation to survive the storms of life. Otherwise, the economic community may collapse into ruin from the sheer weight of poor decisions.

Yet as Christ-followers we are privileged to know the reality of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians to emphasize the important position Jesus holds over all creation. And as HIS servant, we now enjoy the honor of participating with HIM as stewards of HIS domain.

So if you are given the opportunity to operate a business, Christ’s teachings will give you greater insight into how best to serve your customer.

No, following Christ does not guarantee a successful venture. The weak link will always be you, me or outside uncontrollable events. But allowing HIM to lead you, coach you, and discipline you, will prepare you for eternity. Isn’t this HIS primary macro purpose for us? The business is simply a vehicle to provide for your family, other families, and the community while glorifying HIM through good work.

Yes, when Jesus Christ is the core of your business, you allow your faith to support HIM and serve your customers as HIS witness. The byproduct is freedom to live your faith. The opportunity is to flourish within HIS creation. And real fulfillment is found serving others with HIM.      

So always remember: Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Coward or Conquer

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Revelations 21:7-8

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

One day, we who are thirsty for righteousness will receive Godly satisfaction. HE has promised us eternal life with full honors of membership in HIS family. But until then, we are being trained for leadership as servants of the living God.

The apostle John writes certain behavior is going to be eliminated from the surrounding culture when God reestablishes HIS throne room on earth. I listed these characteristics below compared with their favorable opposite.

                Unacceptable                             Recommended

                Cowardly                                   Courageous

                Faithless                                     Loyal

                Detestable                                  Honorable

                Murderers                                  Life-Givers

                Sexually Immoral                     Sexually Virtuous

                Sorcerers                                  God Supporters

                Idolaters                                  Triune God Worshiper

                Liars                                         Truth Bearers    

The Holy Spirit is now working with Christ-followers preparing them for eternity. In God’s house, HIS family emulates characteristics of their Father. These recommended traits are the outer expression of an inner heart. As God lives in you, HE is working in you and through you as you move through your daily routines.

The more you learn who God IS and allow HIM entrance into your heart and mind, the more you will display HIS characteristics in your life. Question: Who doesn’t want to be more like the most successful, enjoyable, loving Being in the universe? Answer: Only those who haven’t been properly introduced to HIM.

The more you capture HIS vision for humanity, the more enthralled you become with HIS work.

The more you discover HIS vision for you, the more engaged you become with matching your work within HIS mission.

The more you participate with HIS work, the more intrigued you become with serving others for HIS glory.

Your surrounding world becomes a mini Kingdom of God. You rejoice living under HIS favor. You gladly enhance the lives of those around you. You begin to better understand HIS way to govern people. You understand the importance of marriage, family, and community. You learn to balance the value of the individual and society. You slowly take on more responsibility to improve the world around you.

Yes, courage is required to fully live out HIS ways. Society may cancel you. Your unengaged friends will leave you. Your tiny world may even shrink tinier. But God is with you. HE will carry you and support you as you support HIM. HE will direct your steps and bring people into your world to help you march with HIM in HIS work. HE will show you and lead you to become a conqueror.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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