In the World

Indiana ACFW Chapter Meeting

2010-02-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

Indiana ACFW Chapter Meeting

The first 2010 statewide meeting of ACFW-Indiana will take place on March 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Veterans Room of The Rathskeller restaurant in Indianapolis. Our special speakers for this luncheon event will be Cara Putmam and Crystal Miller. The topic for the luncheon will be Surviving the Journey: tips for the unpublished and published.

Cara has authored nine books, and next month A Promise Forged will be her tenth. Crystal has worked for editors, authors, literary agents, judged in writing and published book contests, had book review columns, and published over 800 nonfiction and fiction book reviews. Their joint presentation promises to be inspirational and informational. Come prepared to dine on linen-covered tables with linen napkins—no paper and plastic at this meal. The smoke-free Rathskeller is easily accessible just off I-65 and I-70, in downtown Indianapolis. Address: 401 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tel.: 317-636-0396www.rathseller.com

Please RSVP to Rick Barry by email at biemrick@gmail.com so we can be sure of having the right size room reserved. Cost of meeting is $5.00 for members, $10.00 for nonmembers. You can invite a friend, but remember that non-members may attend only two of our functions without becoming paying members.

History: The Rathskeller Bavarian restaurant is located inside Indy's Historic Anthenaeum Building. Built in 1894, the building was designed by Bernhard Vonnegut (grandfather of author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) and is home to Indy's oldest restaurant, our oldest existing gymnasium (the east end of the building houses the YMCA) and is home to the German Heritage Society. The menu features various Bavarian dishes but also a wide variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and dishes that should satisfy a wide variety of tastes and budgets. You can eat a little or a lot. You decide!
Lisa Faye Harman
2010 Indiana ACFW chapter publicity officer

IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting

2009-10-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to be inspired? Ready to be motivated? Ready to set realistic goals in order to take your writing to the next level? The IN Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers will hold a state meeting on Saturday November 14 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant in Fort Wayne, IN.

Indiana suspense author, Brandt Dodson will share his inspirational journey to publication. Brandt has worked for the FBI, served in the United States Naval Reserve, and is a board certified podiatrist. After twelve years pursuing publication, Brandt received a contract to publish the popular Colten Parker mystery series. His most recent release from Harvest House is Daniels’s Den. Brandt’s story is sure to inspire and motivate.

In addition, Indiana humor author, Rachael Phillips, will share her publication story including her recent experience at the National ACFW conference where she was awarded a surprise first contract for fiction by Barbour Publishing.

Tiffany Colter will then guide us as we set realistic goals for our writing in 2010. Tiffany is a writer, speaker, and writing career coach who works with both beginning and experienced writers. She is currently serving as coordinator for Master Seminars with Chip McGregor and Jim Rubert .

This meeting will be packed with both inspirational and practical information. Please arrive promptly at 11:00am to allow time to order lunch before the program begins. Cost is $5.00 for chapter members and $10.00 for non-members. Please RSVP directly to Lisa Harman by email at lisaharman100@yahoo.com.

American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference (ACFW)

2009-09-09T03:42:00.000-07:00

"The Premier Christian Fiction Conference"
STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
DENVER, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009

Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.
This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.
This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.
The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.

IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting

2009-07-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers will hold a statewide meeting on Saturday August 8th from 12noon-3:00pm. The meeting will take place in Fort Wayne, IN at Don Hall’s Factory on Coldwater road. We will meet for lunch and networking at 12:00 and Les Edgerton will speak from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Cost of the meeting is $5.00 for members and $10 for nonmembers plus the cost of your lunch. Please RSVP directly to me by Saturday August 1st so that I can give the restaurant a head count. We are looking forward to seeing you! This should be a great meeting!

Les Edgerton is the author of nine books, including two about writing fiction: Finding Your Voice (Writer's Digest Books) and Hooked (Writer's Digest Books). He also writes short stories, articles, essays, novels, and screenplays.

Edgerton's fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry Award, Edgar Allan Poe Award (short story category), Jesse Jones Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, and the Violet Crown Book Award. One of his screenplays was a semifinalist for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Program, a finalist in the Austin Film Festival Heart of Film Screenplay Competition, and a finalist in the Writer's Guild's "Best American Screenplays" Competition. His short fiction has appeared in Houghton Mifflin's Best American Mysteries of 2001, Kansas Quarterly, Arkansas Review, North Atlantic Review, Chiron Review, Murdaland, and many others.

Les will be appearing at the end of August with Donald Maass at the Writer's Retreat, a 10-day retreat in Erlanger, KY (it's the old Gary Provost retreat) If anyone's interested, you can get info on the website at www.writersretreatworkshop.com.

Lisa Harman
IN ACFW Chapter President, 2009

The Recession

2009-05-19T05:39:00.001-07:00

I know the economy has not been great. But can we really blame the recession for everything?

On Easter, I didn’t give my children stuffed animals in their Easter baskets. The reason: we have stuffed animals all over the house, crammed in drawers and closets, displayed on beds, and thrown on floors. I’m tired of them. Later that day, I overheard my 11 year old daughter explaining to her 8 year old brother that they didn’t get stuffed animals because of the recession. I didn’t say a word to the contrary.

Yesterday, my children explained to me that no one had gum at school or on the school bus because no one could afford gum in this recession. Really?

What about you? What funny or ridiculous thing have you heard blamed on the recession?

Creation Care

2009-05-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not interested in being in the middle of a political debate about global warming. I'm pretty conservative in my views. Most environmental issues are pretty complicated, and I don't pretend to have enough knowledge to be able to wade through the propaganda, hidden agendas, and misinformation.

I do believe that creation testifies to the glory of the one true God. I have experienced the worship that can occur when the beauty of the natural world honors God and points to his love and goodness.

I also believe that God calls us to be good stewards of the resources that he has given us. That includes our money, our time, our relationships, and the part of this planet that he has blessed us to have dominion over. That is why I reduce, reuse, recycle, and try to educate myself on the issues of creation care that I can influence in a positive way. All while continuing to fullfill the greatest commandment...to love God and love my neighbor.

Evangelical Envionmental Network

2009-05-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Reposted from the Evangelical Environmental Network:

Action Alert on Climate Change

Dear Friends of EEN,

ACTION:
If your U.S. House Representative is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee (see below), contact them with the following message: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."
WHEN:
By May 20, 2009.
POLICY BACKGROUND:
2009 is the most important year in the history of the problem of climate change. Comprehensive climate change legislation could become law, as President Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have all said it is a top priority. This December in Copenhagen the next international climate treaty could be finalized, the treaty includes the developing countries and sets the course for decades. However, if federal legislation is not passed this year, the chances for a climate treaty are slim to none. And time has nearly run out for the world to come together and solve this global problem. For the first time ever Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on comprehensive climate change legislation sometime this summer. But before it reaches the floor for the full House to vote on, this legislation must first be voted out of the Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA, 30th). Chairman Waxman and his colleague Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) have released a draft bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Chairman Waxman's goal is for this legislation to be voted out of his Committee before Memorial Day.
In evaluating any climate legislation we should make sure it gets us on a responsible glide path of emissions reductions that helps to solve the problem without harming the economy.
We must also work to ensure that any climate policies protect the poor both at home and in poor countries.
As things currently stand we have three concerns:
1. Funding for helping the poor in poor countries adapt to the consequences of climate change, referred to as "international adaptation," is inadequate and must be strengthened.
2. How the policies will help the poor in this country cope with the rise in energy prices has not yet been spelled out in the draft legislation.
3. While the current draft is strong in terms of how much pollution needs to be reduced and by when, forces are at work to weaken the emissions targets and timetables.
Our goal is for a bill that addresses these concerns to be reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee to the floor of the House of Representatives.
ISSUE BACKGROUND:
Unfortunately, climate change will hit the poor the hardest. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some of the major impacts the poor will face include the following.
·Hunger: Agricultural output in many poorer countries could be significantly reduced. 40-170 million additional poor people could be at risk of hunger and malnutrition in this century.
·Thirst: Worldwide, roughly 1-2 billion people already in a water stressed situation could see a further reduction in water availability.
· Flooding: Climate change could increase the number of people impacted by coastal flooding by 100 million. Millions more will face inland flooding.
· Disease: Hundreds of millions of people will be at increased risk of malaria, diarrheal diseases, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, and other infectious diseases because of global warming.
· Extinction: Approximately 20-30% of God's creatures could be committed to extinction by 2050, making climate change the largest single threat to biodiversity. The poor are much more dependent upon such natural resources.
· Urgent need: While climate change is a long-term problem, impacts on the poor are already starting to occur. Significant consequences will occur quite soon. For example, In Africa 75-250 million will face water scarcity by 2020, and crop yields could be reduced by 50% in some areas.
As these scientific findings attest, climate change will be an insidious reversal of our long-standing efforts to help the poor. Such impacts could create, roughly, 200 million refugees and internally displaced persons by 2050. Finally, climate change has been described by national security experts as a "threat multiplier" that could create instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world, increasing the chances for violent conflicts.
As Christians, part of loving our neighbors, caring for "the least of these," and being good stewards of God's creation involves working to overcome climate change, including asking our elected officials to support significant action.
MEMBERS, ENERGY and COMMERCE COMMITTEE:
Henry A. Waxman, CA Joe Barton, TX,
John D. Dingell, MI, Ralph M. Hall, TX
Edward J. Markey, MA Fred Upton, MI
Rick Boucher, VA Cliff Stearns, FL
Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ Nathan Deal, GA
Bart Gordon, TN Ed Whitfield, KY
Bobby L. Rush, IL John Shimkus, IL
Anna G. Eshoo, CA John B. Shadegg, AZ
Bart Stupak, MI Roy Blunt, MO
Eliot L. Engel, NY Steve Buyer, IN
Gene Green, TX George Radanovich, CA
Diana DeGette, CO Joseph R. Pitts, PA
Lois Capps, CA Mary Bono Mack, CA
Mike Doyle, PA Greg Walden, OR
Jane Harman, CA Lee Terry, NE
Jan Schakowsky, IL Mike Rogers, MI
Charles A. Gonzalez, TX Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
Jay Inslee, WA John Sullivan, OK
Tammy Baldwin, WI Tim Murphy, PA
Mike Ross, AR Michael C. Burgess, TX
Anthony D. Weiner, NY Marsha Blackburn, TN
Jim Matheson, UT Phil Gingrey, GA
G.K. Butterfield, NC Steve Scalise, LA
Charlie Melancon, LA
John Barrow, GA
Baron P. Hill, IN
Doris O. Matsui, CA
Donna M. Christensen, VI
Kathy Castor, FL
John P. Sarbanes, MD
Christopher S. Murphy, CT
Zachary T. Space, OH
Jerry McNerney, CA
Betty Sutton, OH
Bruce L. Braley, IA
Peter Welch, VT
HOW TO CONTACT:
Click here to contact your Member of Congress in the US House of Representatives if he or she sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. (Using this link will also help you if you are unsure who your Representative is.)
Again, the key message is as follows: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."

It Is Truly Wonderful

2009-04-24T03:25:00.000-07:00

B.E. Warren

He pardoned my transgressions, He sanctified my soul,

He honors my confessions, Since by his blood I'm whole.

He keeps me every moment By trusting in His grace;

'Tis through his blest atonement, That I may see His face.

He brings me thru affliction, He leaves me not alone;

He's with me in temptation, He keeps me for His own.

He prospers and protects me, His blessings ever flow;

He fills me with his glory, He makes me white as snow.

He keeps me firm and faithful, His love I do enjoy,

For this I shall be grateful, And live in His employ.

There's not a single blessing which we receive on earth

That does not come from heaven, The source of our new birth.

It is truly wonderful what the Lord has done!

A Child's Heart

2009-04-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

I fidgeted in the car waiting for my daughter to get out of school. I was lucky that my employer let me leave work long enough to pick my daughter up and give her a ride to her after school child care, but I needed to be back in the office in ten minutes.

Yet another car pulled around mine. The driver offered me an angry glance. She didn't need to remind me that there were "protocols" and I was holding up the line. My daughter was usually one of the first children out of the building. She knew that I needed to get back to work quickly. I felt my impatience began to mount as the minutes ticked by.

Finally, she appeared and I began my lecture. Satisfied that she understood the point I was trying to make, I eventually asked her why she was late. She explained that she would have been out earlier but had seen one of the other children in her class crying. He was upset because his mom had not been outside waiting to pick him up. She reminded me bluntly, as only a child can, that she knew exactly how he felt. I had once become so involved in a meeting at work that I had completely forgotten to pick her up. As she remembered the fear and hurt she had felt, she felt compassion for her friend and remained with him while he walked back to the office.

I realized that sometimes our children learn the lessons of love and compassion in spite of our failures.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Live Like a Rock Star

2009-04-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter is super excited about Brandilyn and Amberly Collins' new book. She is my guestblogger today to introduce the Live Like a Rock Star Sweepstakes:

Teens age 13-18: Enter the Rayne Tour Series' "Live Like a Rock Star" Sweepstakes today! Grand Prize: $850 night on the town, including dinner for 6 and limo service. First 200 entrants get a free copy of Always Watching.
Go here to enter.

ALWAYS WATCHING – Rayne Tour Series book #1

This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world.

During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O'Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens' death connected to her?

Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at times like this?

As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom's killer—before he strikes again...

Seatbelt Suspense® for young adults.

Watch the trailer
Read prologue and first chapter
Join The Rayne Tour Series fan club.

The Rainbow

2009-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: PRAISE BE TO THE LORD, TO GOD OUR SAVIOR, WHO DAILY BEARS OUR BURDENS. PSALM 68:19

Recently, I was on my way home from the grocery store when the sky began to darken. My children, who usually chat incessantly, sat quietly watching the sky. The dark menacing clouds marched across the horizon blotting out the sun and bright blue sky that had been present only minutes before. Suddenly, my oldest daughter interrupted the tense quietness with a shout of joy.

“Look, mom! A rainbow!

I glanced up at the sky in the direction that she was pointing but saw no rainbow. I quickly readjusted my eyes to the road. The wind had picked up and large drops of rain were beginning to pelt the windshield.

My youngest daughter suddenly began pointing as well.
“I see it! That’s God’s promise to never flood the earth again. Look, mom, look!”

After turning into my driveway and coming to a stop, I peered up into the sky. I certainly did not see a rainbow. After a moment of concentrated searching, I saw the tiniest part in the clouds. The rainbow was a tiny fragment of color mostly hidden behind the clouds. It was not what I had expected, but it was a rainbow.

We too often concentrate on the storms of our lives instead of concentrating on the promises that get us through those storms. We also tend to ignore or not recognize God’s promises when we see them because we have our own expectations of what those promises should look like. Sometimes God’s promises are hard to find, but we need to remember that they are there and we are the ones who need to adjust our focus in order to find them.

Prayer: Father, help me to remember to rest my eyes upon you and your promises in times of trouble. Amen.

Motivation

2009-04-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Many HR professionals make a career out of trying to figure out how to motivate employees. Motivating them to accept the job, motivating them to stay at the job, motivating them to do the job better. These HR professionals create benefits packages, succession planning, training programs, and appraisal processes. The list goes on and on. It seems that despite the number of programs created and the millions of dollars spent, motivation continues to be an elusive goal.

Solomon tells us:
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless-like chasing the wind.

Perhaps this truth tells us why these motivation goals never seem to be met? What's your motivation? Luckily, those in Christ can find their motivation in pleasing their Lord and Savior.

Time Management

2009-04-02T03:41:00.000-07:00

How many hours a week are you working?

I have found myself often working 60 or 70 hours a week. It's especially easy now in the information age. With a laptop and cell phone, I can easily find myself working from home at all hours of the day or night.

Unfortunately, my family members are ususally the ones who pay the cost. I have told myself that since I'm in the same physical location, it is fine. I'm here if they need me. The problem is that even if I am working from home and in the same room, I am distracted. While working, I am not mentally engaged with my family. My time with my family members becomes just that, empty time.

I also find that all that time I do spend working becomes less productive. I become less creative.
Solomon warns us:
Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. Proverbs 23:4 (NLT)

Lord, help me each day to be wise enough to put away my work and know when to quit.

Public Acknowledgement of Christ

2009-04-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

Each day in the workplace we make choices to live our lives by worldly standards or by eternal standards. Those choices can be as simple as deciding not to check our personal email or twitter page on company time or as complex as refusing to "cook the books". What we don't realize is that each decision that we make reflects our acknowledgement of Christ's rule on this Earth. Our actions are perhaps more of an indication of our decision to acknowledge Christ as the ruler of our lives as our words.

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33(NLT)

Lord, help me to acknowledge you in word and action today.

Christian Leadership

2009-03-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

As Christian leaders, we have a gift and a responsibility to those in our lives. I was blown away by this story in Matthew.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain."

Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."

But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel..."

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:5-13(NLT)

This Roman officer had servants and soldiers who reported to him. He must have held some importance. And he was a gentile. A gentile who approached the Jewish savior asking for a miraculous healing for his servant. What an unselfish act to think about the need of his servant instead of his own needs. Wow! What a testimony of servant leadership.

Do you realize that you have the opportunity today to approach this same Jesus and petition him for the needs of the people in your life. Wow! What an opportunity.

To Do List

2009-03-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

Today was going to be a super busy day. My to do list runneth over. I was up at 5:30am ready to tackle that list. First thing to check off the list: daily devotional. As I began to read in John, I admit that I was a little distracted by the other items on my to do list. As I tried to focus, I felt that still, small voice remind me that my time spent with the Lord was not just another item to mark as done on my to do list. My time spent in the Word and prayer is life sustaining. It is the only thing that really matters on my to do list today.

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Psalm 143:6 (NLT)

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10 (NLT)

What has the Lord put on your to do list today?

IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting

2009-03-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited about the upcoming IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting!

The Indiana chapter of ACFW invites you to join us at our next meeting on Saturday April 18th in Highland, IN (east of Chicago).

The speaker for this meeting will be Mavis Sanders from Tyndale House Publishing. Mavis is a corporate publicist for Tyndale. The topic for the meeting will center on publicity but will also include some marketing info courtesy of Tyndale’s marketing managers. Some of the components of the presentation will include:

1) How fiction publicity/marketing has changed since Mavis began her publishing career over 30 years ago, and why publicity is integral to the promotion of a book
2) Uniqueness of Tyndale House Publishers (not every publisher is set up the same way), and their philosophy for marketing and publicity (including some fiction that has done well for them)
3) How they acquire authors (Why it is important for an author to work with a literary agent that not only represents the author well, but also one who knows the industry, trends, and distinctions of publishers)
4) Why an author needs to assume “ownership” for marketing/publicizing her novel
5) How an author can be his “own best publicist” (networking, blogging, community activity, relationship with local bookstore/library, etc.)

The meeting will be held at The Purple Steer Restaurant located at 8601 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland IN (few blocks South, off I-94 and Indianapolis Blvd. exit) from 12-2pm EST. A Book signing will be held following the meeting from 3-5pm EST at Kolas Christian Bookstore at 2635 Highway Ave., Highland, IN (few blocks East of The Purple Steer Restaurant). The cost of the meeting is $5.00 for Indiana chapter members and $10.00 for non-members. Attendees can purchase lunch at the restaurant.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Lisa Harman
IN ACFW Chapter President, 2009

Mavis Sanders is corporate publicist for Tyndale House Publishers where she has served on the public relations team since 1997. She represents Tyndale to local and industry media and organizations such as EPA, NRB, and ECLA. She has been privileged to work with many Tyndale authors including Randy Alcorn, Charles Colson, Dr. James Dobson, Angela Hunt, and Francine Rivers and some yet to be “discovered.” A graduate of Judson University, Mavis’ publishing career began at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association where she managed the School of Christian Writing and served on the Decision Magazine editorial team, followed by editorial positions with Christian Booksellers Association and High Flight Foundation (ministry of Apollo 15 astronaut Colonel James Irwin.) Before joining Tyndale, she was Public Relations Manager at Scripture Press for seventeen years. Mavis was president of the Evangelical Press Association and the Chicago Chapter of the Religious Public Relations Council and served on the board of the West Suburban Choral Union for many years. She has participated in book fairs in Frankfurt, Germany and St. Petersburg, Russia, and in 2007 was chosen for Tyndale’s first international mission project to Casa Viva in Costa Rica.

Gifts and Blessings from Others

2009-03-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

I think we evaluate ourselves sometimes to the extent that it becomes an exercise in pride. So instead of thinking about ourselves as we read these verses, let's think about others. Not to judge them but to determine how we can encourage them with their gifts. Far too often, in the work world, we fail to accept the gifts of others. Maybe because of competition, envy?

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. (Romans 12:6-9 NLT)

What gift has God given the people in your life? Did you allow them to exercise it today?

Victory In Jesus

2009-03-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Victory in Jesus

Eugene M Bartlett

O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever

He sought me and bo't me

With His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him

And all my love is due Him,

He plunged me to victory,

Beneath the cleansing flood.

Peace in the Midst of Change

2009-03-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

Change. Most of us don’t like it. It seems that when change rears its head, we find ourselves struggling. Over the past couple of years there was quite a bit of change at the company where I was employed. One of the big changes in my department was the outsourcing of customer service for employees with medical insurance questions. I completely understood the reason for the directive. We were paying insurance companies big bucks to do this work for us. Also because of litigation concerns, it was felt that it was in the best interest of the company to know as little as possible about the medical issues of the employees. I didn’t like the change, however. I liked to help employees, especially when it involved concerns that I could clear up in just a few minutes. Instead, I had to refer them to an 800 number. It could take an hour or longer before the issue was resolved. Often, the employee would come back to me because the customer service representative could not resolve their problem. I would then get involved with the insurance company. It was hard for me to watch the employees struggling with these issues, especially when they were often in the midst of illness. I began to bring the frustration home with me, complaining to my husband. I know I wasn’t pleasant company as I ranted and raved against the change. Eventually, I made the decision to accept the directive and do my job to the best of my ability. It wasn’t easy, but I took to heart this instruction from scripture:

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

I still didn’t like the new direction of the department, but the decision to obey scripture gave me a peace and joy in the midst of a difficult change.

God's Word

2009-03-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

It’s really important to stay in the Word. Most of us would agree with this sentiment. The harsh reality is that we can get so busy trying to fulfill our obligations that we neglect the study of God’s Word. I’ve been in church all my life. I’ve participated in many programs aimed at encouraging Godly parenting, marriage, finances, outreach to the poor, and evangelism. All of these programs have helped change my thinking. They have replaced my incorrect thoughts and replaced them with the truth of God’s Word. We need to do the same thing concerning our work. Study what the Bible says about the role of work in our lives and apply it to our daily behavior.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Beware of The World's Standards

2009-03-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

People constantly measure our abilities and actions to a set of worldly standards. In the world of secular work, we are measured by the titles we are given, the income we receive, and the projects we are assigned. People who don’t even know us measure us by those standards. It can be easy to begin to measure ourselves by those standards as well.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have fallen into this trap. I’ve been prideful when receiving a larger bonus than the other workers in my department. After all, I must have deserved it. I must have worked harder and smarter. I’ve also believed the opposite. When I’ve been excluded on a project, I’ve measured myself and found myself lacking. When we begin to believe that the work itself and the worldly measure of that work is most important, we can begin to have a prideful or disappointed and angry spirit.

Paul warns us in scripture:
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning; Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 (NLT)

Today, I am going to measure myself by God’s standards. And the good news is that my friend, Jesus, is testifying on my behalf.

Monday Morning Work Blues

2009-03-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today is a beautiful Monday morning. The sun is bright and cheerful. The birds are singing.

And I don't want to spend the day at work in front of a computer.

On days like today it sure seems that the Lord might be calling me to another profession. Maybe one which requires me to spend at least eight hours a day out in the sunshine. My mind begins to race through the possibilities. I could be a lifeguard, an organic vegetable farmer, a landscape designer, or maybe even the captain of a leisure ship.

Isn’t it funny how we can easily romanticize and think of the positive aspects of so many other jobs and career paths but only think of the negative aspects of our own situation? Sometimes we even go so far as to try to excuse our negative attitude by claiming that God must have a different call for our work lives, one that we perceive to be much more glamorous.

Instead of giving in to the Monday morning blues, follow this instruction from scripture:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

The Lord must have known that we'd be weak on Monday mornings. It’s clear what he has commanded us to do. It’s kind of hard to complain when you are rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks.

Dark vs Light

2009-03-12T04:16:00.001-07:00

The world can be very cut throat. I have worked for two managers who were outright dishonest. Those managers would take credit for the actions of others and unfairly blame others for their own mistakes. Those managers made the people who worked for them miserable. I remember at one point thinking, “How can upper management continue to support this person? How can they allow these actions to persist?” The following scripture brings me some comfort and understanding.

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg-I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’”
“So, he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’”
“‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil, ‘he replied.”
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’”
“Then he asked the second, ‘and how much do you owe?’”
“’’A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied”
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’”
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.”

Now, you and I would expect the master to be outraged at his situation. Instead he commends the dishonest manager. This world, including the workworld is often controlled by darkness. So, rather than be frustrated by the darkness of this world, take comfort that you are a child of the light who does not call this dark world home.

An Example of Workplace Ministry

2009-03-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

How do you picture Paul and Timothy sharing the gospel? The bible records the following account of Paul and Timothy’s work as tentmakers:

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)

Paul and Timothy exemplified workplace ministry. They didn’t relegate the gospel to a religious meeting place. They shared the good news of Jesus Christ even while involved in backbreaking manual labor.

Eternal Compensation

2009-03-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of companies offer their employees some type of bonus. It might be based on the number of parts produced, a percentage of sales, or some other internal measurement of success. People begin to rely on those bonuses as a part of their annual compensation. When enthusiasm for the job wanes, thoughts of those bonuses can be a very effective incentive.

It should be an encouragement to Christians to know that we are also going to receive an additional bonus for our work.

I keep this verse on the wall in my office to remind me that the things I do in my office have eternal consequences. God cares about our attitude toward our work.

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 (NLT)

Management

2009-03-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Managing people is not an easy task. Managing people makes you vulnerable. As a follower of Christ, I try to manage people with the heart of a servant. I pray for the people I manage. I am honest with them about their strengths and their weaknesses. I try to extend grace and forgiveness. Inevitably, I fail to be a good manager at all times in all situations.

It is even more difficult to be the one being managed. It makes you vulnerable to your manager. As a follower of Christ, I try to be an employee with the heart of a servant. I pray for the people who manage me. I’ve even had a couple of managers with whom I could be honest with them about their strengths and their weaknesses. I try to extend grace and forgiveness. Inevitably, I fail to be a good employee at all times in all situations.

Do your best. I think that understanding, grace, and forgiveness are the most important attributes whether you are the boss or the one being bossed.

Also, do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others. Ecclesiastes 7:21(NIV)

God's Love

2009-03-06T04:37:00.000-08:00

Friday almost always has an air of jubilation at work because the weekend is at hand. So, on Fridays, we will celebrate with a bible passage or praise that speaks of God's love and grace.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

Have a great weekend!

Security

2009-03-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me today if I regretted the decision I made last September to leave my job, consult part time, and work towards this crazy dream of becoming a published novelist. I can see why they would question my decision. Economically, times are tough in Northern Indiana. The recession has hit this area of the state very hard. Unemployment and foreclosure rates are high. People have lost their feeling of security. Economists call it “low consumer confidence”.
The truth is that I believe that I am exactly where God wants me to be right now. I am serving him and growing in my relationship with him. I worked and saved for several years and also support myself through my part time consulting business to be able to do this. I am at peace. This sense of security and peace is what Paul talked about:

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12 (NLT)

This peace can exist for us no matter our circumstances. The peace of Jesus Christ.

Honesty in Little Things

2009-03-04T03:31:00.000-08:00

The human mind has a great capacity to deceive itself. This can be especially true in the workplace when a small group of people has the power to make decisions to benefit themselves at the expense of those less powerful. We’ve seen this over the past several months in the banking industry and on Wallstreet. Executives that accepted taxpayer money to bail out their failing businesses then awarded themselves billions of dollars worth of bonuses. They must have rationalized the facts until they convinced themselves that the bonuses were justified. I can’t help but wonder if any Christians in the industry raised their voices in protest.

An even more difficult question to answer: “Have there been times when I have failed to raise my voice?” I truly believe that the ability to rationalize those big decisions begins on a daily basis as we rationalize the small decisions. We may never be in the position to rationalize billions of dollars worth of bonuses but how about the extra 30 minutes that we take at lunch because we worked so hard this morning that we deserve it?

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (NLT)

Business is Business

2009-03-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

I worked for a really cool local business for almost ten years. The company started in a garage and grew into a billion dollar company. Despite the huge success, the company had the feel of a family business. The culture was unique in that hard work, creative thinking, and fiscal responsibility were rewarded.

Unfortunately, the executive group and the board of directors began to disagree concerning the management of the company. In just a couple of short years, the much beloved CEO was forced to resign. The company was investigated for the backdating of stock. The attorney general investigated business practices which resulted in fines, a deferred prosecution agreement, and a government watchdog. The company was purchased by a group of private equity investors. Today that business is shutting down factories, laying people off, and outsourcing to China, all in the name of profit.

And guess what…that’s ok. The truth of the matter is that for Christians it makes no difference how successful or cool our business is. The teaching in the book of Ecclesiastes is clear. The toil itself is meaningless and the success of the toil brings nothing in the end but vanity. There is nothing that WE can do to make our business or our work have meaning for eternity. But,

…when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19(NIV)

If we aren’t happy in our work today, maybe we’re running after the wrong thing.

A Higher Mission

2009-03-02T05:16:00.000-08:00

I flipped the light off in my office and pulled the door shut behind me. The day had been very satisfying. In the morning, my presentation to the executive committee had been flawless. There had been no bickering and my recommendations had been unanimously approved. My boss had complimented me on a job well done. In the afternoon, I had given good performance reviews to both of my employees and had been able to hand out nice bonuses. They had told me what a great boss I was. It was a rare day when both management and labor were happy with me. So, why did I feel a little off?

As I started my car and the sounds of the local Christian radio station filled the air, I realized the problem. I had not thought of Christ all day. I had even begun to feel a little smug. Like this was all about me and my worldly accomplishments here on earth. The truth of the matter is that Earth is not my home. I’m just passing through. And my real job here on Earth involves sharing the message of Christ’s love to others. My workplace is the one of the areas where I have been assigned to complete my ministry. Scripture commands me:

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7(NLT)

But always in the context of my higher mission.

Communication in the Information Age

2009-02-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

The red blinking light on my desk phone proclaims any number of voicemails that need to be heard; email declares 30 messages waiting for a reply; blog readers expect an update; and Twitter followers demand a tweet. Ah, communication in the information age!
I have a scripture hanging on the wall in my office. It’s right between my phone and computer.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 6:4 (NIV)

I also like this translation.

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 6:4 (The Message)

Sometimes I communicate with the goal of crossing one more thing off my “to do” list. This scripture reminds me that communication is about more than a to do list. It is all about relationships even in the information age.