God's Movement in the Music City - and Around the Nation

The week on iWork4Him we have been highlighting several shows we recorded in Nashville TN in coordination with Lipscomb University's Center for Business as Mission. I would encourage you to go out to the podcasts in order to hear the hearts of: a commercial builder, a physical trainer, an IT guy and a member of the collective.

What Martha and I saw and experienced in Nashville was not unusual but it was amazing. We saw a University striving to equip their students with the knowledge that their work matters to God. We saw the Local C12 Chairs Dewey Greene and Duane Murray reach out within their community and allow us to capture and share stories.

We experienced the Kingdom at work in the marketplace of Nashville Tennessee and it was awe inspiring.

As we travel the US - 27 states this year so far and 50,000 combined miles - we have been first hand witnesses of the amazing power of God, being unleashed in the marketplace in EVERY community we enter. God is working coast to coast to mobilize His followers to recognize their workplace as their mission field and equip them to bring the Gospel to work.

Lives are being transformed and industries are being reformed.

It is an honor to watch God at work. He loves to work. I love working alongside Him each day.

Do you?

2 Timothy 2:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

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!

Debt - But Everybody is Doing It

I've been thinking back to 1999 when Martha and I were up to our eyeballs in debt.

In 1994 we built a house beyond our means and started a business solely on credit. I was addicted to having a new car all the time and we ate out more often than we ate in. In all, our spending was out of control. It was all fueled by the wrong idea that we were the owners, we thought we knew everything and never considered that the bible had answers to our money problems.

We had lived without a budget and spent beyond our means and we were headed for disaster.

After completing our Crown Financial course in the spring of 1999, Martha and I committed to getting out of debt. We prayed:

"Lord we need your help getting us out of debt. We know that out of control spending got us here. We also believe that if you ever call us to do something out of the box for the Kingdom, we don't want our debt to keep us from obedience. Please help".

We decided to sell our dream house, and make some major changes, but in a period of 15 years the Lord helped us get completely out of debt. No debt! No credit card balances, no debt on cars or our home, and we had college money set aside for our 2 kids remaining at home. Tell me that wasn't miraculous.

What's the point?

In 2016, just 17 years after our extensive biblical financial training, 2 years after becoming debt free, and 3 years after going on the air for iWork4Him, God asked us to go all in and quit our jobs and start expanding the message of iWork4Him across the Nation. The kicker? We did it! But it was only possible because God had changed our hearts toward money and we were willing to be obedient and get out of debt.

For the past 5 ½ years we have encouraged and equipped Christ Followers all over Florida and around the country (and around the world!) with the message of iWork4Him. However, millions more need to hear the message that their work matters to God and that their workplace is a place of ministry. Would you partner with our ministry for 3 years?

Be 1 of 367.

We are asking 367 iWork4Him listeners/followers to become partners in this ministry by making a commitment of $100 a month for 3 years. It's a big deal, I know. Please pray about it.

Jim

www.iWork4Him/donate

Proverbs 22:7 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Just as the rich rule the poor,

so the borrower is servant to the lender.

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!

Know It All

"I know everything the Bible has to say about giving!"  

In 1998 I actually said that, and meant it. My friend Greg was hounding Martha and I to join a Crown Financial Ministries group at our local church in Lakeville, MN.  I didn't see any reason to get involved because I read my Bible all the time and had consistently tithed for over 20 years...but he wouldn't give up.  I finally relented and Martha and I joined a Crown Financial Ministries study at our church. It involved a ton of bible memorization and bible study, hard work and perseverance.  We learned so much and our lives were never the same again, and if I haven't said it lately....thanks Greg for insisting that we attend.

We saw money like we were owners not stewards, and we learned that debt was a curse from God to the Israelites.  We learned to budget and to stop trying to keep up with the "Jones's" because their finances were a mess too. More than anything we learned the gift of tithing, not the requirement of tithing.

Tithing reminds us who the owner is and it is the only math equation that does not make sense in the universe. 100-10=100.

Over the years we have had the privilege of supporting many missionary endeavors through our tithes and offerings.  This has blessed us, given us a connection to the work being done and helping that work to continue.  For the first time, we are asking others to help support us through our "Be one of 367" campaign to help iWork4Him not just continue but thrive and grow.  Will you consider becoming an iWork4Him Partner for the next 3 years?  To learn more CLICK HERE.

Next week I will tell you about getting debt free - really.

Would you consider being 1 of 367? We need 367 iWork4Him Partners to step up and commit to giving $100 monthly to iWork4Him so we can bring iWork4Him to the Nation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

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!

Don’t be a Monday Morning Atheist

Make the Monday Switch!!

On 08/27/18 the iWork4Him radio show featured, once again, the ministry of WorkLife with Doug Spada. WorkLife was born out of Doug’s pain with connecting what he was hearing on Sunday with how he was living out his 9 to 5.  Doug wrote a book titled Monday Morning Atheist. This was a paradigm shifting book for me.  I was one of those guys who disconnected my faith during my 9 to 5 and acted like God didn’t exist while I was at work. Monday Morning Atheist is my story too.

Is it yours?

Doug developed a 6 week transition program called the Monday Switch.  Instead of turning God off on Monday, we are encouraged to keep our connection with Him turned on all day long. Instead of celebrating Friday (TGIF) how about celebrating Monday (TGIM) – the day God gave us to work. Work is a gift from God and He wants to be involved in our work. Our Heavenly Father is a Worker, when we walk through our days side by side with Him, we start to experience “Our Unfair Advantage” in our workplace.

Check out the podcast from Monday’s show HERE

and Doug’s website www.worklife.org<http://www.worklife.org>. 

Don’t be a Monday Morning Atheist. Make the Monday Switch!

Jim

PS – Next week we role out our celebration of Labor Day and our “Be 1” of 367 campaign.

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!

Going to the Dentist - Ugh

I have very few unpleasant memories from my childhood in Minnesota, but here’s one for the books.  When my family first moved to MN I needed to go to the dentist. We were new to the area so my parents just picked a dentist out of the phonebook (remember those?).  I apparently needed a filling, as I did have a taste for sweet things like pop, candy, and donuts.  Come to think of it, I still have a thing for Mountain Dew and powdered donuts.

Anyway, back to my story.

I remember the dentist saying that it was a shallow cavity so I didn’t need Novocain. Needless to say, but I will say it anyway, it hurt like crazy and we never went back to that dentist again!  

Since then, a trip to the dentist often brings back that unpleasant memory.

Earlier this week, Martha and I got to talk to Oscar and Denise Menendez from Comprehensive Dental Care in Palm Harbor, Florida about their dentist practice.   IF you missed the show, you can find the link HERE to listen to the podcast.  Oscar and Denise have an incredible love story and an incredible Jesus story that combines to create a welcoming and peaceful dental environment. I love the fact that Oscar prays over his patients for wisdom in helping them with their dental needs.

Our week was filled with inspiring stories by amazing people.  

This one stuck out in my mind as special because I might not shake in my boots the next time I head into the dentist office.

iWork4Him,

Jim

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Never stop praying.

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!

Mountain Dew and "On-Location" Shows

I think I am addicted. (And I’m not talking about Mountain Dew. I am definitely addicted to Mountain Dew. It is cool and refreshing and it has real fruit flavoring so it has to be healthy…but I digress). I have realized, now that we have been off the road for 9 days, that I am addicted to doing live on location radio shows.

Martha and I have had the privilege of interviewing people in 26 states this year. 26! This week we got to focus on our home state of Florida. I am actually comfortable saying that…Florida has become home.  Wednesday's show featured live, on location interviews with Lew Frye and many of his members of Integrity Business Referrals in Lakeland, Florida. It was so refreshing to see and hear the stories of how God is working in the lives of local folks living out their faith in their work.  

If you missed the show here is the link to check out it. 

Remember you can always listen  to the podcast of the shows on www.iWork4Him.com and we stream off of our website 6 times a day so you can hear the show when it is convenient. 

Next week…look for the show where we talk with Jay DePalmo with Mardel about an online resource for Christian Retail.

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 Last Dash Before School

Preparing for the new school year Mission field.

Back to school is just around the corner. Don’t hate me – I’m just acknowledging it.  How have you spent your summer?  Have you invested into your kids? Prepared them for the sometime vicious and hostile atmosphere of school?  Your kids don’t go to public school to learn about Jesus or the Bible. 

We have to prepare them for battle, at home. 

The world is battling for their minds, and they need to learn how to defend it.  Can this school year start differently?   Let’s consider kicking off the school year by challenging your kids to be the ones to influence their peers instead of Darwin and Freud?

Challenge your kids to the iWork4Him Nation pledge https://www.iwork4him.com/jointhenation just as you have been challenged. For kids, their workplace is the school and this mission field can be more hostile than most places in this country. Every day students are bombarded with messages that challenge the very foundations of their faith.  Are your kids prepared?  Are you prepared to do battle against science class, sex ed class, social studies class, etc.? 

That is more of a defensive move.

What about being on the offense and putting the nation pledge into action. Work with your kids to identify those they should be praying for by name each and every day. Maybe it’s their 7 teachers, their bus driver, the kids they eat lunch with.  Then encourage them to serve those same people.  You, Mom or Dad could invite their teachers over to dinner and host their families.  Teach your kids what it looks like to find opportunities to pray with people when they are hurting but all along be that person of excellence in their school work and their behavior, so that people will ask them why.

Prepare your kids to answer the “why”. 

The world is looking for answers and the only answer that works for all their questions is Jesus. He is the Truth that we all seek.   Start preparing your students for battle and armor up yourself along the way. iWork4Him isn’t just for the workplace any more.

Ephesians 6:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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!