Common sense or Christ-led

Are you tired of being stuck inside and longing for some new surroundings?  Let’s take a little virtual trip today to Pennsylvania Amish Country.   The rolling green farm lands, the peaceful, soul-nourishing atmosphere and don’t forget the Whoopie pies.

Don Hoover, a managing partner of a Christian-led farm equipment company and leader of The Business Community Network in Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a favorite saying to challenge you today:

“Common sense has NO PLACE in the life of a spirit-led follower of Christ.” 

But aren’t Christians the most common-sense folks on the planet?

Here’s what I think he means. When we are attuned to the Holy Spirit, what He guides us to do in the moment is often contrary to what we’d think logic would tell us to do.  Business is based on logic, right? Sound judgement and solid decision making is based on common sense, right?

Christ’s actions often went beyond common sense into the extraordinary.  As followers of Christ we should look different, smell different, think different, act different, and work different.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ”

We HAVE the mind of Christ. But are we using it? Which mind are YOU using? The often extraordinary mind of the Holy Spirit, or the common sense mind of this world?

As we navigate the climate of change in our work amid Covid-19, will you seek the mind of Christ for your daily decision?  He may have revolutionary ideas for you today, just ask Him.

Listen to the iWork4Him interview with Don Hoover.

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 good ole days!

The good ole’ days.  I recall my parents using that term when I was young and now I find myself using it:  Remember the good old days when you could:

1. Hop in your car and drive anywhere you wanted

2. Shop at any store from early till late

3. Where you could gather with friends

4. Where the country was focused on self

5. Where going to work meant leaving your home

6. Where a virus was 24hours and it was a little inconvenient

7. Where unemployment was non-existent and jobs were everywhere

8. Where you could wait to buy toilet paper until you needed it.

Ah, the good old days.  Where life was crazy busy and you had little time for family. Where you had time to worry about which sporting events to attend and who was driving to practice…Yeah…Those days…may be gone forever but these new days bring a greater dependence on God, a greater importance on Family, less dependence on Self and a burgeoning community connected around the world by the internet. 

Life may never be the same, and that is good don’t you think?  Where there is pain, the Lord has a healing salve for your heart and soul, it is His word. Where there is hopelessness and despondency, there is Jesus.  Where there is uncertainty of direction and clarity, we have the Holy Spirit who is our God mentor/counselor. 

Life has changed but God has not and the ultimate plan is still in place…to rescue as many humans as possible before the end.  People are more ready now than ever, and every day, they are more open to Him because they see less hope in themselves. 

Remember the good old days but look ahead with anticipation, and cherish our remaining days.  Philippians 3: 12-15

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!

Do you dream while you sleep?

Do you dream while you sleep?  I do.  I believe God speaks to me in my dreams.  Why?  Maybe it’s because it’s the only time I seem to relax enough to hear a message from God.  I always ask God to reveal what the dreams mean. 

I had multiple dreams this week, with a common element - people wearing skeleton suits (like Halloween costumes).  After each dream, I kept asking God – “Why are all these people in Skeleton suits?”, and here is what He revealed.

It’s not a shock to hear someone say that the World is a mess right now.  The shocker is that we are now seeing people for who they really are.  Many people are realizing that they are dead on the inside and it is showing on the outside. Prior to March 2020, most lives were filled with being busy, material things, driving nice cars, having big jobs, and going out to fancy dinners – today those lives don’t exist.  There is no purpose in fancy cars, we can’t go out to eat, we can’t shop, we can’t visit with friends, heck most of us can’t even go to the office, unless you’re considered essential.

Most of us assumed the grocery stores would have everything we need, now we find empty isles and no toilet paper.  Life was once taken for granted and luxuries just expected, today everyone from the billionaire to the homeless have been reduced to the very essence of our selves.  If we follow Jesus, the realization is probably just the same but that reality shouldn’t inflict fear.  In Christ we can have peace, even in uncertain times. 

What about your neighbor, your co-worker, or maybe a family member?  Do they have peace or are they just FINE?  (In the movie, The Italian Job ,2003, FINE stands for “Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional”  In today’s world, is that what people mean when they say FINE?   And that is why we need to mobilize a Gospel sized triage ministry.

We are surrounded by people who are waking up to the dead inside. The sudden death of the life they have been living, left them FINE.  Jesus can bring healing and peace to this situation. He can bring redemption and reconciliation to this situation. Jesus died for such a time as this, to show that He can work together all things for good for them who love Him. 

Our country won’t be the same for a very long time…and for that I am grateful. This pandemic is an opportunity to introduce the dead to the Life and move them beyond FINE, so Jesus can say “They are Mine!”

You have been called for just a time like this.  Don’t miss it.  And remember to ask God about your dreams.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15

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!

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

The World's Greatest Consultant Is.....

There is a great deal we do not, and will not understand about our Triune God, until we go to heaven. Take the Holy Spirit, for instance. We don’t really understand Him, but He’s here with us. Dr. Jim Harris believes The Holy Spirit is the greatest partner in our work we could ever imagine. Even if we do not understand HOW He works. He is our counselor, He is our paraclete (the helper), the spirit of truth and wisdom.

Dr. Harris asked us:

“Why not let the world’s greatest consultant, the Holy Spirit that lives inside us, lead us and guide us in our business?”

What would happen if we invited him into our work every day? What if every time we walked in our office or truck cab, we asked “Holy Spirit, What do you want me to know as I begin work today?” 

What if today, we worked as if the living God and His wisdom were inside us? (which it is)

So, let’s all ask ourselves his question: Why not let the world’s greatest consultant, the Holy Spirit that lives inside us, lead us and guide us in our business?   

Would we be doing different work? In a different way? Would we think higher, grander thoughts? Would we expect and GET bigger results? Over-deliver for our clients?  Would we take off the limiting thoughts that hinder how our work will turn out?   Our God is SO BIG, He spoke our universe into existence.  So, let’s invite that God into our work every day, and expect God-size results.

“Holy Spirit, lead me and guide me today as I head to work.  Help me with my decisions and relationships.  Guide me to honor my Heavenly Father through my actions.  AMEN!”

To hear how Dr. Jim Harris is living this out, listen to his interview HERE.

Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Monday Morning Missions Trip

Have you ever muttered the words:

“Lord, I need a new job!” 

So has Mike Henry, founder of Follower of One. But, instead of praying for a new job, he asked the Lord where He wanted him to be. Here’s what Mike found out: 

God didn’t save me to “take me out of there” (my awful job situation), He saved me to leave me IN THERE!  

How many times have we thought a new job situation IS the ANSWER to our “problems”. When really it’s our heart and spirit that are mis-aligned?  

“There are 5 things we can all do in our work: pray for people, appreciate people, know what we believe, serve others and speak of our faith personally.” ~ Mike Henry

Now let’s take this to the next step, have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I had time to go on a mission trip.” Well guess what, you DO!  Your workplace IS your mission field. Your daily commute is your mission travel. And your workplace has been crafted perfectly by God, specifically tailored to you, and your giftings. We don’t need a passport or to learn another language.  We can all begin to view our workplace and every co-worker as “the mission”. We can prepare, pray, plan and then serve our colleagues in the same way we would as if we hopped on a plane and flew to another country. 

Charles Spurgeon, one of the most influential Reformed preachers said “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.”  So which are you? 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us: 

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

What would it take for you to start tomorrow, to shift your mindset and intentionally serve your workplace as YOUR mission field?  Hear more about this amazingly effective and powerful idea that you can implement this week and even consider joining the next Marketplace Missions trip training, and go on mission.   See you there!

Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Can You Do This??!?

There are a lot of things about Christianity that I love and enjoy, like reading my bible, going to church, and digging into the Word through bible study. But I really struggle to listen to the Voice of God. How do I know when I’m hearing from God? What does His voice sound like?

The other day Martha and I interviewed Mark Virkler from cwgministries.org and he has a lot of resources to help with this question. He wrote 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. I loved his approach. Here are the 4 steps in summary. I recommend you read further on this website.

1) Be Quiet – go to a quiet place – be at peace and not in a hurry. The First Key – actually be prepared to listen – with your mouth shut and your ears open. (I struggle with this)

2) Imagine that you are talking with God. Picture it in your mind. God is real – ask Him to give you an image that focus’ your thoughts on Him. (I picture talking with God on a mountain meadow)

3) Recognize God’s voice by listening to the spontaneous thoughts that pop in your head – that appear to come out of nowhere.

4) Write down whatever you hear – (Sometimes I prayer Journal – writing down my question and waiting for an answer to enter my mind)

Hearing God’s voice is a discipline that takes time. Recognizing His voice, and not the voice of the enemy or your own mind, is similar to controlling your breathing during a panic attack or when learning to drive. Both eventually become 2nd nature, and so will hearing the voice of God.

Start today – He is talking – are you listening?

Isaiah 30:21

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

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!

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!