christ-follower

Twenty Minutes, Twenty Days, Twenty Years

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , ,

“What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14 ESV

 

 vapor 1

One of our small group member’s Mom passed away this week. This past year along, his father and sister likewise died.  The loss of three of your family members in one year is more grief than most of us sustain in any year. Yet, for us still alive and dealing with the challenges of life, death is sobering and allows us to pause for the moment to reflect on what is most important in our world.

This is when I most often think of the 20/20/20 concept. If you knew you only had twenty more minutes to live, what would you do?  If you knew you only had twenty more days to live, what would you do? And what if you knew you only had twenty more years left to live, what would you do? At least once a year I ask myself these questions to be sure we are intentionally redeeming the time in our life.

By asking the twenty minute question, I focus on those people who are most important in my life and let them know I love them, appreciate them, and am rooting for them. I don’t like to say good-byes. Instead, I let them know good tidings until we meet again.

The twenty day question helps me focus on those important items that need to be completed. If I knew I had only twenty more days left, would I be doing this? If it is important for someone in my world that I truly care about, I would probably do it. Otherwise, if we only had twenty more days left, what are those items that I always wanted to do, but always postponed them with the lazy excuse. If it is not important, admit it. If it is important, do it.

Then there is the twenty year question. If you knew you had twenty more years to accomplish something in this life, what would you do? This question helps you focus on your career or mission in life.  Instead of trying to accomplish everything overnight, you could easily start today and slowly work towards your personal worthwhile goal. As long as you are realizing your goal, you are being successful in your pursuit. It adds flavor to life, allows you to fully express your talents, and you can take on other temporary assignments knowing this is only a temporary obstacle and you will eventually accomplish your goal over time. It helps you to keep focused on the important aspects of life. You may occasionally deviate from you plan, but always return to it knowing that in twenty years you can look back and appreciate the people and events that God has allowed you to experience and share in preparing you for eternity.

So why not take the time today and ask yourself: twenty minutes? twenty days? twenty years? You may be pleasantly surprised by your answers.

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

 

 

Let Love Lead in the Marketplace

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , ,

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

 

love lead

For many years, I thought sin was my problem. Then one day a revelation occurred. Sin is not the problem; a lack of love is.  Yes, I realized that sin needs to be eliminated, but when our focus is on dealing with our weaknesses, our strengths become buried. In Christ, my sins are totally covered in grace. What I lack is the consistent hunger to allow love entrance into my heart and have its way with me toward others. When I am weak (the result of my sins or the sins of others impacting me) is when Christ becomes more alive in me.

When I look around the world and note the conflicts that are happening, where is the love? I see the sin, but where is the love? When I look at businesses and notice the conflict between employee and employer, where is the love from both sides? When marriages of thirty and forty years fall apart, what happen to the love?

It is easier to cover up the sins in one life than always express one’s attitude and action in love.  I think if we as a people invested more time praying and seeking ways to better love our neighbors, family, and associates each day, we would probably spend less time sinning and more time strengthening the important relationships in our life.

Yes that includes the marketplace which cries out each day for love and compassion.  Even though today’s regulations don’t allow hugs and other physical responses that shows others we care and appreciate them, there are many other ways to lead with love.  I’m sure if you set your heart in making it happen, the Holy Spirit will open the doors to make it possible. Also, if you are hungry to share God’s love with others in a business context, you are going to need his help. Strange that no matter how successful we become, we realize how poor of spirit we truly are and how much of God’s love we need simply to survive.

Yes, it may be radical to lead with love, but it is also the Kingdom way. It works.

 

We are rooting for you!

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

Who Are You?

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , ,

“…you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV)

who 1

Whenever we meet someone new, the conversation eventually reaches the question, “what do you do?” Typically the reply is the job we have or the number #1 responsibility currently in our life like being a full time mom or a volunteer for a nonprofit. From this reply we quickly summarize a person’s identity and whether or not we have something in common to discuss. Yet what we do and who we are may not fit into the standard cultural box of the time. That sometimes leads to an awkward conversation with the new person in our world.

One of the challenges that many people face travelling through time and space is separating the roles in their life from their identity. We typically see this with people who identify themselves though their roles. If they have a great day at work, they feel good about themselves. If they have a bad day at work, they feel less worthy. If the current fad is to be a celebrity or entrepreneur , they will pursue it as the answer for their life. The struggle is realizing that the roles we choose will only temporarily fill our identity cup but will never sustain it.

One of life’s big questions is to answer “who am I?” What are my strengths, weaknesses? What is my purpose in life? Where do I fit in this world? The answer, as you may already be aware, is Jesus Christ. He is life’s reason. He is the central character of the Bible. All of life is built around Him. When we come to that realization, than and only then, will we discover our identity.

We will realize that He is the beginning of a new creation; a creation that includes you. You have an identity that is permanently engraved in heaven and in your heart through the Holy Spirit. No role can match it. Nothing in this world will complete you and fulfill you like He will.

Whatever role you may pursue is simply something you do, not who you are. In your role you can learn new skills and improve your performance. Who you are is not measured by performance, but by the grace of God. Who you be is expressed by who you follow and serve.

Performances may measure outcome, but grace identifies the heart. Both are needed to survive in today’s world. Yet, who you be will always survive your roles. Your role as a husband, wife, father, mother, executive, teacher, scientist, musician, athlete, actor, or whatever, will come to an end. However, who you are and be, will continue into eternity. God is more concern of who you are than the role you perform. His purpose is to prepare you for eternity, not necessarily for you to climb the corporate ladder, win the super bowl, or marry your childhood sweetheart.

Let’s not confuse our roles in life with our identity. It only leads to more frustration and heartache. However, when you accept and live life in Christ nothing will take away your identity. You are already included in the work Christ has accomplished. Therefore, enjoy your life in Christ and be thankful for the various roles you are able to perform for the glory of God.

 

Remember, we are always rooting for you!

 

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.