Happy Valentine's Day!

I am often asked how I can possibly work with my spouse every day.  Well, in my world, I can’t imagine it any other way and I’m not alone.  Here’s a story of our friends from the West Coast that are running a business together as a married couple. 

I get up every morning and pray to the Lord to be the best of what He wants me to be for the day. 

~ Dre Truitt, Office Pride Franchise Owner

Is it possible to have a business with your spouse without blowing up the marriage?  Is it possible to have a shared vision, where you both hear from the Lord and get the same message about starting a business?  Is it possible to actually build and improve your family and marriage with starting and running a franchise?  It ALL sounds impossible to me, but some are actually living it.

Dre and Karie Truitt, one of a hundred and thirty-four franchisees in 24 states for Office Pride knew that God needed them to “be still”, so they could hear His call on their lives.  And now they are doing their business “God’s way”.  To listen to their interview on the iWork4Him PowerPod click HERE.

“The beauty of being a business owner is the ability to live by our priorities. God first, then marriage, then kids, then work.” 

~ Karie Truitt

Priorities.  I love how clear Karie Truitt’s priorities are. I bet her life (personal and professional) is a lot easier than most people’s, even other people of faith. Being clear on our priorities makes decision-making clear, quick and easy.

Have you ever thought about if you’re REALLY living your priorities?  Are they God-aligned?

When’s the last time you stopped and did an inventory of WHERE you’re spending your time? 

Where we spend our time is the surest barometer of where our heart and priorities lie. Webster’s defines priorities as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives.  As Christ followers, we’re given our priorities by our Lord, not the world. But are we living like it?

Are YOU disciplining and prioritizing yourself, and your work, in God’s direction today? 

Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

The "iWork4Him Nation" Convenant - Tenet THREE

Befriending those you work alongside outside of the work environment.

Relationships spur opportunity to share your life in Jesus. Friendships developed during the workday are good, but when you take that relationship outside of the office, into your home, those relationships can really grow. There is nothing like sharing a meal at your dinner table to really find out who someone is.

This does not apply to everyone you work with. If you're single you shouldn't use this idea as a dating service. Men should engage in friendships with men and women with women.

Try hosting people in your home or over dinner somewhere where you can really get to know them. When you get to know them, you will eventually get an opportunity to share who you are, including who Jesus is in you.

Relationships give us a platform for sharing what Christ has done in our lives. We have to earn that right, sometimes.

If you're married, invite your coworker and their spouse or significant other into your home. Let your marriage be a light as well.

If you're single, invite a group of coworkers and their significant other into your home. Let your lifestyle be a light as well.

I've got lots more ideas for you. All you have to do is email me: Jim@iWork4Him.com.

We can all do dinner with a purpose.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

The "iWork4Him Nation" Convenant - Tenet TWO

Looking for ways to serve those you work alongside above and beyond your job requirement.

Part of the iWork4Him Nation covenant is to look for ways to serve those that you work alongside, over and above your job requirement, not just what your job description tells you to do.

Why is this added to the iWork4Him nation covenant? Here's why.

If you are the kind of worker that only does what you're required to do, then how do you stand out among the pack? When you start to serve those you work alongside over and above what's required, your light starts to shine bright to those around you.

What are some of things you can do?

• Help out with extra projects, before or after work, maybe even work through lunch. Often we are surrounded by fellow coworkers who are overwhelmed by projects. There may be something you can do to lighten their load.

• Offer to straighten up a mess in the office, break room, or warehouse that has been ignored. Ask permission first. A clean work environment is a safe work environment and a more pleasant place to work.

• Are there things that need to be done but never get done because nobody takes the time? That can be your new extra task.

• Start serving and watch what God does with this.

For more help to live out your faith at work - join the iWork4Him Nation.

Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Gathering at Home with Coworkers

One of the things Martha and I have learned is the power of the kitchen table. When people are surrounded by good food and friends, conversation happens. Good solid transparent conversations can happen when our feet are under the table.   We learned this years ago and the power of the kitchen table never subsides.

Let me encourage you first to put that power into play with your own family.  

Have dinner together every night. Watch it change the atmosphere in your household.  Invite your neighbors over for dinner, just like they used to in the old days and watch it change the atmosphere in your neighborhood.

Now for the THROW DOWN.  

Invite your coworkers and their families over for dinner. Develop genuine relationships over dinner with them and watch it transform your workplace.   Workplaces are so easy to remain at a comfortable distance with people. When you break down that distance with good food over the kitchen table you will see the power of God transform those that you love on in your home.

Take a look at your kitchen table tonight when you get home. Is it cluttered and piled high with junk or is it a welcoming place for conversation and the eating of good food. Clean it off and start inviting people to your table. Watch the Lord do amazing work in your life and the lives you share your table with. This is an iWork4Him plan of action.

1 Corinthians 10:31 English Standard Version (ESV)

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

iWork4Him Nation - Care - Part II

We continue our series on the iWork4Him Nation covenant and the living out of a Prayer/Care/Share/Work/Disciple lifestyle in our workplaces each and every day.

This week Part 2 of Care

CARE

1.  Find a way to serve my co-workers and employees.

Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2.  Find a way to befriend my co-workers and employees outside of the office so they will trust me when I share the truth.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Jesus loved people openly, even those who would appear to be enemies.  Nicodemus was one of those people. He was a religious ruler, yet Jesus befriended him, ate with him, and late one night, in the cover of darkness, Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking the truth.  This story plays out in John Chapter 3.  Understand this, unless Jesus was approachable and a friend, Nicodemus would never have asked those questions.  Jesus earned the right to the conversation through relationship.  Each of us can develop that kind of relationships in our workplace, and earn the right to have Jesus centered conversations with them because of our friendships.

Do you feel compelled to Join the Nation? – www.iWork4Him.com – Click on the iWork4Him Nation Flag. Commit to being an agent of change in your workplace.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: To transform Christian-run businesses through mentoring Christian Business Owners (CBOs) by incorporating the servant leadership of Jesus Christ in their businesses, their home life and their walk with Christ.

iWork4Him Nation - Care - Part I

We continue our series on the iWork4Him Nation covenant and the living out of a Prayer/Care/Share/Work/Disciple lifestyle in our workplaces each and every day.

This week - Part 1 of Care.

CARE

1.  Find a way to serve my co-workers and employees.

Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT) 

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

One of the greatest ways Jesus touched the hearts of those he came in contact with…He showed them that he cared. The Gospels repeated demonstrate that Jesus would first minister to the physical needs of the oppressed, the sick, the possessed, and then tell them about the kingdom.  We can demonstrate the impact that Jesus has made on our lives by going out of our way at work, going above and beyond in our jobs to serve those around us.  Lightening the load of a co-worker can soften a heart to one day be open to the message of the Gospel.

Jesus touched people’s hearts through service, you can do it too.

Do you feel compelled to Join the Nation? – www.iWork4Him.com – Click on the iWork4Him Nation Flag. Commit to being an agent of change in your workplace.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: To transform Christian-run businesses through mentoring Christian Business Owners (CBOs) by incorporating the servant leadership of Jesus Christ in their businesses, their home life and their walk with Christ.