The Tax Man

Tax Day is May 17th this year… weird. Another Covid Anomaly. When most of us hear the words “Tax Man” or “Tax Return Filing Day,” we get heart palpitations. Why? Because we’re afraid to owe the government money. Now, imagine that your business files its tax return and finds out it owes an enormous amount of money, the kind of amount that would keep you up at night trying to figure out how you could ever pay it. You lay in bed filled with fear and dread because the taxman always gets what’s his - no matter what... kind of like a horror story.

That feeling, its nothing compared to judgment day.

You see, we all actually DO have a debt we can’t pay. When we have to account for the way we spent our lives, it will become clear that we all have a load of sin… and the cost of it is death. Many of us have lived our lives imagining a cosmic scale at the end of it all, hoping that our good deeds outweigh our bad and thus give us a ticket to heaven... but that turns out was a lie because God’s standard is PERFECTION. Our sin is a debt with a guaranteed death sentence, and there is nothing we can do to pay the bill, good deeds and all. Now that is a horror story.

You can’t pay God back with your good deeds, you can’t scam the heavenly ledger, and you sure can’t escape the death sentence delivered. It’s hopeless.

But then Jesus rescued us! He said, “I will pay the sin debt for you; you just need to give your old life to me in exchange for a new one that comes without a death sentence.”

That is good news! I owed God an unpayable debt, and then Jesus paid for it all!

It’s like a millionaire came into your business and said, “I want to pay for that ridiculously enormous tax bill.” Can you imagine the relief? The Gospel is that but a trillion times more! Yet all around you are other people who don’t know the truth about their death sentence yet. They think they don’t own anything or that their good deeds will outweigh their bad when giving an account. They have been lied to and misled by the enemy of their souls, who wants them to live in ignorance until cosmic Tax Day is upon us and it’s too late.

But guess what? God put you right where you are – your job, your neighborhood, your friends – so that you could go and give the good news to those who need to be delivered from death to life. Everyone is searching for hope these days. With so many dead from COVID-19, millions of people have realized that life is fragile and can be lost at a moment’s notice. There has never been a better time to share the Gospel.

Look around you. Do all your co-workers know your story? Do you love them enough to be vulnerable in order to deliver them from a death sentence? Be a warrior and rob Hell of another resident!

But make sure you pay your taxes.

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!

What's hiding underneath?

A couple of years ago, Martha and I bought a house that didn’t have a traditional cement sidewalk. Instead, it had a paver sidewalk. Now, where we grew up in Minnesota, you could never have a paver sidewalk because of the frost and ice, but here in Florida, we don’t really have a frost problem.

So, here’s the deal, this existing home has B-E-A-U-tiful oak trees in the front yard. I have never lived in a house with large mature trees, and I love the shade and beauty they provide. However, with all this beauty came an unexpected consequence: tree roots. Here in Florida, we get a lot of rain, and I mean A LOT of rain. In the summer, it’s not unusual for us to get 60 inches of rain. So oak trees, which traditionally dig down deep with their roots to access enough water, in Florida have shallow roots because the rain keeps the soil moist.

About six months ago, I noticed one of my pavers popping up higher than those around it. I thought it might be an anomaly, but it kept getting worse and eventually became a tripping hazard. I didn’t know exactly what was under the paver causing it to pop up, but I suspected it was an evil root plotting to destroy my cool sidewalk. Yesterday, I decided to find out.

To dismantle a paver sidewalk, you have to be careful to remove the paver without chipping it, breaking it, or disturbing the other pavers. In order to get to the “root” of my problem, I had to deconstruct my sidewalk piece by piece. 

Guess what? I found gold nuggets. Tons of gold nuggets. I am rich, and this is my last blog…NO! What I found was not one root or two roots, but three roots all under one 6-inch paver, and one of the roots was two inches thick. Two inches. I actually had to remove several other pavers to get a decent amount of the big root out from under the sidewalk. This operation required the right tools to remove the pavers and cut out the evil root. Then I had to bring in fresh soil to replenish what the root had displaced and carefully put the paver back in place. After I did all of that, I again have a beautiful sidewalk.

This is so much like life as a Christian!

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts. 

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…?”

And as the new resident, the Holy Spirit has the ultimate goal of perfecting us – of getting rid of the tripping hazards in our hearts. However, to do so, he has to cut out all the evil that has rooted itself inside and which plots to destroy our lives.

Getting out the rooted evil in us can feel like surgery, like cutting off a limb. The tools the Holy Spirit uses to remove it often come in the form of adversity, or discipline, or instruction, or accountability, or trials – all of which can hurt terribly! But once the root is out, God can bring in fresh soil to replenish you and rebuild your life better than it was before!

Take some time today for self-evaluation: is there a root in your life causing a tripping hazard for you or those around you? Allow the Holy Spirit to dismantle the pavers around your heart, cut out anything that is not of Him, and replenish the soil. God’s purpose is for you to be perfected! For fresh “soil,” go to www.AwakenPodcastNetwork.com and find a podcast to supply you with encouragement, challenge, wisdom, and guidance for today and every workday.

-  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!

Cup Half-Full

It always amazes me how two people can experience the same situation and see things so differently.  Take, for instance, the recent weather we had in Florida.  I was grateful for the rain to fill our pond, but I know others were upset because the storm interfered with their outdoor plans.  That same storm can improve business for the screen repair company and grocery stores while hurting business for the landscaper or outdoor sporting event.

In our house, Jim and I often talk about the cup being half-full or half-empty.  I am naturally wired to look at life through the cup half-full lens, but even that has been a struggle this year. 

Amid the adversity, I’ve recently noticed that more people are talking about the good that has come from this season.  Many people have lost their jobs and have been forced to find a new way to earn a living.  They may have never chosen to leave their career, but it allowed them to try something new, start the business they’ve always wanted to start, or maybe quit working so much and spend more time with family. 

Many of you have started working and schooling from home.  While this has been disruptive and challenging, it has also eliminated commuting hours.  This new free time is being used for morning devotions, table games, hobbies, home improvement, family time, and rest.

We have a choice to make about our perspective for 2020.  We can wish it away so we can start 2021, OR we can use the opportunity for change to take us from who we are to who God can use more effectively. 

Proverbs 10:5 “Know the importance of the season you’re in and a wise son you will be.  But what a waste when an incompetent son sleeps through his day of opportunity!”

What opportunities has God placed in front of you that you can pursue?  I encourage you to pray about your perspective.  Ask God to give you a cup half-full outlook on 2020, and maybe you’ll even get to the point where you can say, “My cup runneth over!”.

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

What's the Point?

When you left your home for work today, if you left at all, did you do so with excitement and exhilaration or with dread and depression?  Do you ever ask - what's the point of work?  Many see work as a necessary evil used to get what we want.  Is it the same in God's eyes?

God gave work to Adam in the Garden before sin entered the world. He and Eve were to take care of the Garden. After Adam and Eve sinned, they were kicked out of Eden but still had to cultivate the Earth. Why? What's the point?  God created the Earth with all the resources necessary to solve the problems faced here on Earth. He gave us work because it satisfies our souls. He gave us work to bring flourishing to us and those around us.

So what's the point of your job?  Does your job put you in proximity to people who have a problem you can solve? Does your work give you a unique perspective on some issues in this world to bring a solution?  Your job is unique to you. It was given to you by God for God's purposes. Is that the point? Every person in your workplace needs something you have to offer. Some require your spiritual insight; some need your mental acuity, some need your friendship, but you are there on purpose for a purpose.  Is that the point?

• Ask God why He has you in your job today.

• Ask Him to reveal His purpose for you right where you are.

• Ask Him to show you what the person next to you needs today.

There is a point to your placement at work. It's not my point that matters. It's God's point for you that matters. Don't know the point? Ask Him.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Our new 1 minute PowerThought video has more on this subject.

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!

Keeping it Simple

Are you stressed?  Are financial pressures causing you to eat too much?  After watching the evening news do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders?  When you look at your calendar of video meetings, are you burdened by the unending tasks?  Maybe it’s the uncertainty of the future that keeps you up at night.

Jesus Said in Matthew 11:28-30

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

The yoke is a farm tool used to join animals together to pull an implement. If paired well, the animals can work well together.  The yoke is a workplace tool in scripture and it still is today.  Jesus is giving us a picture of walking side by side in a yoke with him.  He is willing to bear the burden with us. His ultimate goal is rest for our weary souls.

Jesus did not intend for us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. He intended to bear the entire weight of sin on his shoulders and then walk through life with us, aiding us in dealing with our burdens. We never have to carry about burdens alone, his yoke is easy to bear and the burden He gives us is light. 

So keep it simple. Rest. Breathe Deep the breathe of God and realize that when we approach work from an earthly perspective, we run out of steam and are harried and stressed. When we work from a heavenly perspective, we work from a platform of victory and with the realization that our Savior wants to walk with us in our work.  Listen to His voice and remember His words

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

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!

When you just want to quit!

Have you ever had such a bad day at work, that you just want to quit your job and walk out? You know, just pack up your stuff and leave? What is the root of that kind of frustration? I really think it’s a misunderstanding of our true role at work. So many of us grew up in households, churches or communities where we were told that true ministry work is done within the four walls of the church or overseas in some foreign country. It wasn’t until I was 40 years old that I finally understood that my workplace was my place of ministry. Well if that’s the case, then quitting my job, means quitting my ministry. 

I think it boils down to realizing that you are called to your work. The people that you work with and the job that you do – none of that is by chance. The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance.  You have been placed at your workplace by God. It is your primary place of ministry outside of your home.  You spend more time there than any other place than home.

Step back and think about it. Why is it you want to quit? Is it deep frustration or a problem with a co-worker or boss?  Is it an unsafe or harassing workplace?  If it is, then it may be time to find another job if you aren’t able to impact the culture.  But what if it is a relationship issue or  boredom with a job?  When we look at our workplace as ” just a job”, then we fail to see the significance of our work. We fail to see the significance of God placing us among a bunch of His image bearers that don’t know Him yet. He chose you to impact those people with your relationship, your excellence of work and your faith story.  If you quit, who is going to pick up that job when you leave.

There is no question that we will change jobs and sometimes we need to quit an unhealthy place but how we change jobs and how we quit, that can make a big difference, too. Burning and blowing up the bridges could cause someone to have toxic feelings towards Christianity. We can’t take that chance.

So, if you feel like quitting your job, remember, you were placed there just like Paul the apostle was placed on that prisoner ship to Rome. On purpose, on time. God wants to partner with you in your work. Why? Because it is your place of ministry.

Check out the iWork4Him Nation Covenant. It outlines the steps to turning your workplace mindset into one that is a ministry mindset. You are needed. You are important. You are loved. You are there on purpose, for a purpose. 

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!

Ready for a change?

One of my favorite memories as a young mom occurred on May Day. My best intentions actually materialized when the kids and I created little May baskets full of flowers and successfully delivered them to our neighbors. I always loved May Day because it was like playing “legal” ding-dong-ditch. We would put the basket of flowers on the porch of a neighbor, ring the doorbell, and then run away. The kids would giggle as we hid, trying to watch as the door opened to find a fresh surprise on the doorstep.

Sounding the same but with a very different meaning is the phrase mayday: an internationally recognized radio word to signal distress.  Often we hear this phrase repeated 3 times in an old war movie where the airplane has lost an engine and is going down.  Some disaster in happening and this is the signal.  Many people have been crying mayday in recent months, maybe even you.  The stress of the unknown, job loss, or the loss of a loved one can be reasons to signal distress.  What are we doing to respond to the mayday call?

Think about the people you work with.  How can you respond to them when they are struggling?

1. Listen to them

2. Offer to Pray with them

3. Don’t try to fix it

4. Check on them

Listen for the mayday calls around you and then decide to spread a little May Day.  Bring the much needed love of Jesus to someone today.

John 13:34  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

For more ideas on loving others in the workplace:  listen to this recent episode of iWork4Him

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

Am I listening?

Have you ever noticed how certain words or themes show up over and over again during particular seasons of life?  You hear them in a song, on a podcast, or a meme on social media.  Well, a couple of different words keep surfacing for me lately, would you like to hear more about them?  You’ve probably been hearing these words too – I just feel like they’ve been in bold font so I would notice them. 

One is faith and trust.  You may think these are both nice words and probably interchangeable, but let’s look a little deeper and see why God might be pointing me to these words right now. 

“God, I have faith in you for this situation in my life.” Or

“God, I trust you for this situation in my life.”

Trust is a more active word than faith and I need to pay attention to it, to decide to act.  I have faith that the chair will hold me, but I don’t show that I trust the chair until I sit in it.  In this season of uncertainty I have faith in God my Savior, but daily I need to trust Him for the many unknowns, will you join me?  Here’s a past iWork4Him episode that really helped me to put this into perspective and I hope it will help you, too. 

Another theme that keeps popping up is the idea of being self-reliant.  I spend much of my time working in my strength, forgetting that God has something so much better for me if I would rely on Him instead of myself.  When we’ve been hurt or disappointed by other people, it’s easy to decide to rely on ourselves to get things done.  May my daily prayer include relying on the God of the Universe for strength and daily direction.  My church has a playlist on Spotify and many of the songs that minister to me circle around the idea of surrendering things to God and letting Him take control.  You might find some songs there that will help you today.  Here’s a recent episode of iWork4Him PowerPod that really deals with doing things in our own strength or turning them over to God. 

What words has God been planting around you recently?  Are you listening?  Are you asking WHY you keep hearing stories about a certain character trait or theme?  Ask God to show you what He’s trying to teach you and then listen, really listen and learn. 

Check out Isaiah 30:21 today

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

What will you be remembered for?

2 Chron. 7:14

In the midst of the current “crazy” – be ENCOURAGED!  What? you ask.  Encouraged?  How can I be encouraged?

Well, it seems like every time I hop on social media this week I see two things.  Those that are allowing fear to get the best of them and turning ugly and those that are leaning into their faith in Jesus and trusting God.  We don’t have it all figured out, and the cheese keeps moving – but I do know this…the body of Christ is digging deep, helping others, and asking the God of all Creation to give them peace in the storm (and the world is watching). 

How does this translate to our work and living out our faith?  Great question.  Start by asking yourself this question, “What can God refine in me and what will my co-workers remember from this crisis?” 

Will you be remembered for your panic or your peace.  Your wise cracks or your wisdom.  Your hoarding or your helping.  Your isolation or your love.  Your rebellion or your flexibility.  Your pride or your kindness. Your greed or your generosity.   Your false strength or your GOD.

As humans we will experience fear and frustration but what will define us?  Please pray with me that God will show us where we need to be refined and allow Him to work.

God, I don’t understand all that’s happening right now in our world, but I trust you.  This situation is not in my control, but I trust you.  Allow me to be your hands and feet to a broken world.  Give me your eyes to see the needs around me.  Give me your feet to carry your LOVE to the lost and lonely (through technology).  Thank you for technology that keeps us connected and gives us the ability to share your HOPE and also access what we need.  Lord, I pray for our leaders.  Give them wisdom as they make decisions.   From the White House to the boardrooms to the homes across our Country and around the world, may you be the one we lean on.  Bring the world closer to you.  Today I ask that you show me what you want to teach me.  Make me teachable.  I’m sorry for my moments of doubt and discouragement.  Thank you for never changing, always the same – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Help me to trust you for my tomorrow.  In Jesus’ name – AMEN.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 (NLT)

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

Share Each Other's Burdens

Who came up with the notion that we can turn on and off our problems when we arrive at work? 

Our problems are not connected to a switch that can just be turned off and on at will.  In fact, quite the opposite.  Sometimes our issues surface when we least expect them to. 

“For every problem a small company leader knows about, that is only 20% of what is happening in their workforce. There are some employees that will simply not share a sensitive personal issue.” 

So said Jason Brown, CMO @ Marketplace Chaplains, during an interview with Jim and Martha.

It used to be that absenteeism was a problem in the workplace. But today, it’s the opposite: It’s called “Presenteeism”.  Employees are showing up, but not actually fully mentally present and focused on their work. Their worries, concerns about children, aging parents, marriage, or finances, are taking over their ability to concentrate. Per a Forbes study in 2018, it’s costing U.S. companies $150 billion dollars a year. A company’s leadership cannot spend all day ministering to their employees, nor can the HR department. So, what’s the answer? One answer is to look at adding a corporate chaplaincy to your workplace. Their only focus is to confidentially listen, support and walk alongside the staff. 

When our burdens are shared and heard, our load is lightened. We are then able to think and focus on the task at hand. Just as Galatians 6:2 encourages us:

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Will you start sharing today?

Jim and Martha Brangenberg