Summer Vacation Atheist

SUMMER IS HERE! THREE CHEERS FOR SUMMER! 

Why is it that we love summer so much? Well, we get to go outside all the time. We get to see neighbors that we don't get to see very often. We get to go places and do things and take our kids with us - like summer vacation trips to Disney World and trips to the beach. Summer just seems like a time where everybody lets loose and enjoys life. It's those three months of freedom that we long for all year long. Time to shut off real life and go into vacation mode!

But let me ask you a question: When you go into vacation mode, is your spiritual life still switched on?

If I'm honest, in many of my past summers, I went on vacation and switched off my faith life. All I wanted to do was get out, enjoy, and forget about work and all the stressors of the day. I didn't think about going to church on vacation. I didn't think about sharing my faith on vacation. I certainly didn't think about the gospel on vacation. I was basically a summer vacation Atheist.

But here's the deal, just because it's summertime doesn't mean that God's inspired incidents don't still happen. Just because its summertime doesn't mean that intentional moments of living out our faith shouldn't still be happening. When we bring our kids along with us, it doesn't mean that there aren't still teaching moments. In fact, I'd argue that summer, with our relaxed psychological state, is the PERFECT time to teach our kids that God is still present in times of rest. That is super important!

When God created Adam, what was the next full day for him? Was it a day of work in the garden? No! Adam's first full day on earth was a day of rest. Rest is important, but rest was designed for us to reconnect with God.

So, this summer, as you head out on vacation, or out for a barbecue, or a picnic, keep your life of intentionality on. Watch and see who God places in your path. Look for times that God brings people in front of you who are hurting and hopeless and lost. Let your faith shine even in those vacation moments! And when you are relaxing at home or on a trip, ask God to come and saturate your heart and mind with His peace. If you struggle to balance your work and rest or if you want to make this summer one of unprecedented connection with Christ – I encourage you to pick up a copy of our new book iWork4Him and bring it with you on vacation or share it with a friend. Inside, I wrote about the vital subject of faith and rest – one that is arguably as important as the subject of faith and work.

Jim

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!

Eating an Elephant

Have you ever heard the old adage, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”? Well, I just finished eating my elephant.

When Martha and I went on air eight years ago, people said, “well, if you’re going to be a radio personality, then you guys should write a book.” I said to people, “I’ll write a book when God tells me to write a book.” Martha said, “I don’t wanna write a book.”

Well, if you’ve been following us, you know that we finally heard God’s voice telling us to write a book. Actually, He told us to write three books.

A year and a half ago, we set off on a journey to write a trilogy that would encourage everyday believers in their work and retirement: iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, and iRetire4Him. When we started this project, we had no idea the enormous undertaking it would be to write and release three books simultaneously. Everybody said it was impossible. I said it was like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

Over the last 18 months, we have put together three books with contributions from 54 different authors. We have gone through almost 40 editorial rotations, back-and-forth from the publisher. We have recorded 100 hours of audio for the audiobooks. We have edited and corrected nearly 1000 pages. And having finished my final plate of elephant this past Monday, with the completion of the audiobook production, I realize that eating an elephant was an enormous undertaking.

Martha and I have worked countless hours on these books, but every one of those hours was worked with you in mind. Because God’s will is that you would live out your faith in your work – something that may sound impossible. But how do we do impossible things? One step at a time, and those steps are broken down for you in all three books.

Psalm 119:105 says, 

“your word is a lamp and to my feet and a light to my path.” 

When we began this project, we didn’t know it would take 18 months, and we didn’t know all the hours of work it would be. We just knew that we were hearing God’s voice. So, we put one foot in front of the other. And today, the books arrived; now it’s time to get them into your hands. I hope you enjoy the results of our elephant project; we enjoyed eating it on your behalf. And I hope that they help you on your own elephant project – sharing Christ with those around you!

 Jim

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!

It Was HIS Idea in the First Place

You see, this whole radio thing wasn't my idea. It wasn't Martha's idea. It was God's idea. It was His vision. I believe when God laid a vision on my heart, then He has a plan for it. But, God's timing is His timing and OFTEN it doesn't match up with ours.

That is where adversity and faith come in.

Adversity takes us from who we are to who He can use more effectively. During a time of adversity, my faith is grown - usually while I groan. We don't get to see the complete path He will lead us on in life. He doesn't promise a picture of the end, He just promises a lamp for our feet and a light for the path.

Is our Heavenly Father asking you to do something out of the ordinary? Something that just doesn't make sense on your resume or Linked In profile? 6 years ago, you would never have seen Radio on my Linked In or resume. You would have seen IT Sales, Insurance Sales, Marriage Mentor and Ordained Minister. God has amazingly connected all of those various skills and experiences into one that is fit for radio.

Where is our Father leading you today?

If it is out of the Box then get out the box cutter and let HIM loose you to do things far abundantly more than you can ask or imagine. Then hang on tight for the ride of your life!

Ephesians 3:20 New Living Translation (NLT):

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

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 Power of Holding Loosely

Over the last few weeks, I have been telling you a little of the back story of how the Lord prepped our hearts to be Christian Radio Talk Show Hosts. Here's a little more of that story:

Before Martha and I took the Crown Financial Ministry's course in 1999, we were already avid tithers. We tithed out of obligation but we never missed a check. I was almost militaristic or legalistic about it.

However, we were not generous.

Over the last 20 years, Martha and I have learned to be generous, learning that nothing we have is really ours but God trusts us to steward it. The Lord may ask us to give something away or He may allow us to keep it but either way we needed to hold on lightly. Many times over the last 20 years the Lord has asked us to give more than we were comfortable with.

Why were we obedient?

The more we generously gave, the less the money and possessions had a hold on us. Being generous literally changed our perspective on earthly things. We realized that all we accumulate here on earth would eventually end up in a landfill or someone else's garage. Why not give away what we don't need so that our stuff doesn't own us. It has been a great lesson.

Martha and I are asking you to be a partner with iWork4Him. We are asking you to consider giving generously for the next 3 years towards iWork4Him, so that we can share the message of iWork4Him with the Millions of Christ Followers around this country.

We need your help.

Trust the Lord to provide in order for you to partner with us. We have seen Him do it time and time again. We need 367 partners giving an average of $100 a month for the next 36 months to expand across the country and touch the lives of millions.

Please pray about it and consider what God wants to do.

www.iWork4Him.com/donate

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!