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Helping you to do MORE for God through your Work

great commission

4 Ways to Share Your Faith at Work

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The Great Commission says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” (Matt 28:19-20a)

BUT, look back at the command from Jesus. . . it begins with THEREFORE. That means there is something He said that was important before He got to this part.

It hints at the reason He gave the command to everyone present and for us today. As part of the Church, the bride of Christ, our role is to be an EZER, a helper, to Jesus.

How is this possible? How can we HELP Jesus? That’s where the THEREFORE comes into play. As we say in my Bible Study, “What is it THERE FOR?”

Back up to verse eighteen. Jesus says to his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Woah! All authority? What does that mean?

Since Jesus died for us and took His place next to God in heaven He can do and send whomever He pleases. AND it pleases Him to send you and me into the world to be part of HIStory. You live in this time, in this culture, to personally live out the Great Commission.

He wants you to figure out your BEST way to Serve Him through your work. To live out the Great Commission through your business.

Four ways to get started

  1. Do your work with excellence

Show up with a good attitude and being helpful to others. Work with integrity and do what you say you are going to do. Build a reputation as a person who works with purpose, creativity, kindness, and encouragement. Remember, people are always watching.

“. . . shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. . .” Philippians 2:15-16 

  1. Give God space in your workday

Let people know in natural, easygoing, confident ways that you’re a Christian. Express yourself in ways that identify you with Jesus and what He is doing in your life. Don’t mentally censor your Christianity out of your interactions and conversations. You’ll be amazed at how people are often more interested in spiritual things than you think.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23

  1. Build relationships that matter

Ask God to show you one or two people He wants you to be intentional with and begin to develop a deeper relationship. Start by praying for them. Then, begin to have more interaction by inviting them to coffee or lunch. Continue the friendship by seeing them socially outside of the workday. Share yourself with them, show them your care about them, and you will get the opportunity to share your faith.

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Romans 15:2

  1. Change your mindset

You are in your job or have your business for a reason. You may be the only person that your coworkers, boss, clients, and team ever meet who is a believer in Jesus. See your daily work as your place to serve God. Take away the guilt about not being at the last church sponsored activity and see your workweek activity as the way you are serving God.

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. . .” 2 Timothy 1:9

You can do this! Why? Because Jesus gave you a promise. . . “I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20.

 

Want to learn more about how you can show up in your daily work doing what God is asking you to do? Connect with me for a 30-minute Clarity Session. It is FREE and there is no obligation.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

Four Acts of ‘Hospitality’

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When you think of hospitality, what comes to mind?

Entertaining family and friends?

Martha Stewart?

A laborious chore?

Something done by only a few who have the ‘gift’?

Hospitality for me means: welcome, warmth, kindness, generosity, reception, friendliness, taking care of, anticipating needs. It is an action. Something you do for someone you know, or for a stranger.

Martha Stewart didn’t invent hospitality. More radical still, she hasn’t perfected it either.  Hospitality, as presented to us in the Bible, is not a practice for a few but is a way of life for us all.

It is a Kingdom function that offers us an opportunity to show God’s goodness.

Hospitality Actions

1. Get to know someone better.

Food is always a good place to start, right? Remember, food shows love. BUT, it doesn’t have to be at your home, with three other couples, at an appointed time.

It can be with one person on the spur of the moment, it can be a gift, it can be your time & attention, it can be anything that makes the person feel valued by you.

If we all stopped for a moment and thought about who we could encourage today through hospitality it would make a super difference in their life, in your own life, and I would dare to say, in society.

2. Make it a heart connection.

Today’s world is full of people who have lost their sense of real connection. We are wired into the world but separated from one other more than ever. So, the challenge to hospitality is our perception of how we fit into the world with others when we are face-to-face.

We all want to matter to someone else. We want to know that someone cares.

How can you show that care? First, choose to develop a friendship with a co-worker, a business partner, a person in your sphere of influence. It is amazing how far a smile will go to ease tension. An invitation for coffee or lunch is a natural step. Find a way to invest in the friendship through mutual interests and then do it.

3. Learn to use active listening

This type of listening is called ‘listening INTO’ another person. Imagine putting down your phone, turning off the television, not thinking about what you are going to say, and just listening.

The INTO also means using not only your ears and eyes to listen but using your heart and body. Physically positioning yourself for a ‘good listen’. This is when the person feels heard and you can discover what’s going on inside them. It is listening from their there instead of your here.

It also requires you to pause often from your own thoughts and reactions, eliminate distractions, and be mindful. Stay present in the moment. When you are with another person this can mean asking probing questions about how they feel or think about the situation or, ask for clarification on what it means to them.

You will forge the stronger connections you crave. AND, in the process, you will become the best listener your family, friends, clients and colleagues have ever known.

4. Let others know you are thinking about them

We are all busy, yet we all crave attention. God came to us to give us His love and now we are to share that love. How can we do that? What are some practical ways we can use hospitality as a tool to serve and love others?

  • Talking over the fence to the neighbor; asking how they are
  • Shooting off a text, email, fb message to say you are thinking about them
  • Meeting someone after work for an hour for a drink
  • Hosting a game night at home or somewhere else
  • Organizing a get-together at the park
  • Meeting at a restaurant with someone

We don’t know how much people think about us because we are too busy to tell them.

Like I said, this is not about a dinner party. It is not about impressing someone with your clean house, expensive dishes, or terrific recipes.

It IS about letting people know you care about them and in return they will show you that they care about you.

Jesus is our biggest example of displaying hospitality. Not all the people he welcomed were welcoming to him. Yet, he still extended hospitality to each as if the outcome didn’t matter. AND, since we don’t know the outcome, we need to extend hospitality to those in our lives.

Hospitality Challenge

Write down one goal for yourself about deepening relationships through hospitality. This could be a person at work, a person you see often, an acquaintance, even a family member. Write down the steps you will take to reach your goal. Make the steps small and attainable.

Keep this information where you will see it and remember to continue to work on it. When you have reached your goal, thank God for His provision and then set another goal for yourself.

Creating goals and actionable steps allows you to see progress. Need help in this area? Connect with me for a FREE (no obligation) Clarity Session. Together we can get you on the path God designed for you.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

Five CORE Levels for Your Business

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There are five things that make up the CORE of your God-centered business. Think of it as a triangle. Start at the bottom. The first two levels deal with Jesus and your doctrine. These make up the foundation. The third level is the strategy you use to run your business. The next level is about your values and doing what is important to you. And, at the top of the triangle you have your specific methods.

Anyone who desires to have a God-centered business will have similar foundations but God calls each of us to show up differently through our strategy, values, and methods.

Over the last few years I have grown a business that is more focused, doing exactly what I want to do serving women I really enjoy. It has not been easy. But God has been at the CORE of everything, so my good and difficult times have been beneficial to get me here.

Let’s look at how these five CORE items can help you focus on what God is Calling you to do.

Jesus

He is the reason we have meaning in anything we do. Our view of WORK comes from the Garden of Eden. God created us to take care of His creation and to multiply. We are to take His creation and be creative ourselves. It all begins with staying close to Him.

The only way for you to know what God wants from you is to spend time with Him each day. Put that appointment in your planner first. God’s wants to give you a Vision. When God calls you close to Himself and says, “Do you see what I see?” it is because you have the heart of the Father in you. Don’t neglect this important foundational level of growing your business.

Doctrine

This is your view of God. We need it to be very high. We need to know that God has given us His Word and that it contains everything we need to run our businesses His way. Only when you align yourself with God and cooperate with Him can you enjoy satisfaction in your work.

God is asking you to do something specific as you make disciples for Him. You have a personal mission to carry out the Great Commission by telling others about Him. He has chosen you to do it through your business. These two foundational levels give you a Strong Base so you can have a Great Reach.

Strategy

The way you design your business is unique. God has given you all your qualities to do it in your way. No one else can bring your brilliance into the world the way that you can. That THING He has for you must be done in a way that keeps you motivated and energized. God gives you the passion and you can live it out courageously because you are standing on a solid foundation.

Your business solves a problem that your ideal clients need solved. No matter if you decide to make a product, create a course, or coach, you have the freedom to deliver your business anyway that appeals to you. Be driven by radical compassion for those you are meant to serve and find ways to serve them best. Do not be afraid to offer your solutions and charge what you are worth. Be the leader God calls you to be and help others become leaders also.

Values

God asks us to work and play hard. We are to live to serve others. Your values help you decided what is important to you. You must do your business in a way that honors what you value. When you work in your values, that which is important to you, then you have more passion, energy and grit to keep going (even when setbacks and disappointments happen).

Values are not moral ways of acting, they are a decision-making filter. If an activity, program, or business opportunity presents itself, you have a way of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ because you can pull it through the filter and see if it aligns with where God is leading you. When something doesn’t align with your values you get that dread feeling and you know it is pulling you off the path where God wants you.

Methods

Your unique style is what makes your business appealing to your ideal clients. The way you lead in your business causes others to be attracted to you and your services. For this reason, you don’t have to look at how others are working their businesses (Galatians 6:4-5). God has given you a way to show up authentically to your people. All those talents, gifts and abilities create a mix that no one else will ever replicate.

You must also stay relevant and change with the times. This means to always be growing in Wisdom. God brings people and resources into your life to help you flourish continually in your business. Be open to opportunities for improvement in your skills and leadership. Remember, your business can transform lives for Him.

 

These five CORE elements will increase your relationship with God, allow you stand firm in God’s Truth, create a business that is appealing to others, take on projects that energize and inspire you, and allow you to show up in your business as YOU.

I have used these five CORE levels to help others get close to God, grow in His Wisdom, use their uniqueness to discover a business strategy that works for them, stay true to their values, and show up whole, holy and authentic in their business.

Schedule a Clarity Session and see what I can do for your business.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

The Great Commission & YOU

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Take the Great Commission Personally

If you have spent any time around me you know that I talk about how to live out the Great Commission. So, let’s review. ?

The Great Commission

In Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus says to, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The way I see it is that you need to ask God who are the five people in your life that need Jesus and just start praying for them. Then begin to have a deeper relationship with one or two of these people. When they know you care about them, you will have the opportunity to tell your story about being in relationship with Jesus.

I have said all this before and I wanted to make sure you remembered. ?

Before the Great Commission

BUT, I want you to look back at the command from Jesus. . . it begins with THEREFORE. That means there is something He said that was important before He got to this part.

There was a reason He gave them this command. AND, He gave the command to everyone present. He gives the same command to us today. We are not excluded from living out the Great Commission. In fact, we are part of the Church, the Church is the bride of Christ and as His bride our role is to be an EZER, a helper, to Jesus.

How is this possible? How can we HELP Jesus? That’s where the THEREFORE comes into play. As we say in my Bible Study, “What is it THERE FOR?”

So, let’s back up to verse eighteen. It says, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Woah! All authority? What does that mean?

Since Jesus died for us and took His place next to God in heaven He can do and send whomever He pleases. AND it pleases Him to send you and me into the world to be part of HIStory. You live in this time, in this culture, to live out the Great Commission personally.

Your Great Commission

God has made you a steward of your sphere of influence. He is expecting you to live up to your Calling. And don’t forget, at the end of the Great Commission, He states that He is with you (and me) always until the end.

Do you get how much power has been given to you by God? Do you know He wants you to live out your Calling in the marketplace by being exactly who He created you to be? He wants you to figure out your BEST way to Serve Him through your work. To live out the Great Commission through your business.

I offer tools to help you do just that! The Calling Clarity Course is opening again. Get info by clicking here. We will go through exactly HOW God has made YOU: your personality, values, strengths, spiritual gifts, experiences, expertise, and talents. Through the Course you will pull all your pieces together to show up Whole, Holy and Authentic in your work.

Hurry to get your spot. ONLY five places are in this 8-week Course. Make 2018 the year you start living your Calling and living out your Great Commission.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

 

What being a Christian in the Marketplace is NOT

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How many of these roles describe you? A ‘mom’, ‘sister’, ‘daughter’, ‘wife’, ‘housekeeper’, ‘chef’, ‘chauffeur’, ‘board member’, ‘non-profit organizer’, ‘Sunday School teacher’, volunteer, ‘network marketer’, . . . whew, that list is making me lose my breath. AND, are you truly yourself when you show up to each of these roles? Are you being authentically YOU?

Playing a Role

My friend Dana asked me to coffee one day. After we got our green tea lattes and sat for a few minutes catching up she turned, leaned in, and with a serious expression asked me, “How do I show Christ in my daily business and work life?” She went on to explain how she felt disconnected to God throughout her work week and that she never felt she was truly showing up as herself because of it.

I explained that she was not alone. Many women feel like they are fragmented and showing up in situations as if they are playing a role. “Life is not a stage. We are to be who God has created us to be whether in the board room, the PTA meeting, or in our home,” I told her.

The tears welled up in her eyes as she went on to say she felt phony and didn’t know what to do to pull all these things together, to feel whole. She began to give me a list of things she thought she SHOULD DO to show others her faith while at work. She thought that may be the answer. I stopped her.

If you are there thinking, “If only I do… I will be a good example for Jesus at work”, STOP. As I shared with Dana, it is NOT about doing a certain ‘thing’. It is about showing the real YOU in all situations. Integrating all your roles into the unique individual God has created you to be.

The Role is NOT

Starting with the ‘It is NOT’ list will help your mindset the same way it helped Dana. Here we go…

  1. It is NOT about wearing a Cross around your neck or having verses around your office.
  2. It is NOT about praying before meals so you can show you are religious.
  3. It is NOT about inviting someone to church or talking about your church activities.
  4. It is NOT about seeking and hanging out with other Christians in your business circles or work environment.
  5. It is NOT about trying to fit in so much that you end up a secret Christian.

The Role really is

Dana looked at me confused when I gave her this list. You may be confused too. “What do I do then?” she asked. The answer is simple, LOVE. “What does that look like?” she asked.  I smiled, “This…

  1. Carrying your Cross into work each day by looking for ways to show love to others.
  2. Praying without ceasing to have a right attitude toward your coworkers, boss, and business partners.
  3. Inviting those who don’t know Jesus into a deeper relationship with you.
  4. Seeking opportunities to show God’s goodness to others by being truthful and fair.
  5. Trying to set yourself apart so that you attract others who need to experience hope.”

Integrating Your Roles

I went on, “Don’t allow the world to tell you that you must keep Jesus out of certain parts of your life. Integrity, honesty, goodness, fairness, and love all come from God.  You need it in business and you need to let others know where it originates in you.”

A small light went on in Dana’s eyes. “It’s not as hard as I thought,” she exclaimed. Her shoulders relaxed and she sat back in the chair. “Why was I making all these ‘should dos’ for myself?”

We get it into our heads that God has a prescribed list for us to follow. BUT, what He really wants is a relationship. As I told Dana that day at the coffee shop, God wants you to connect with Him first and then everything else will follow. God will help you choose best business practices, He will give you stamina to complete the tasks He has for you, and He will bring opportunities into your marketplace to tell others about Him.

Knowing YOU better is key to doing it well. Understanding how He created you unique unlocks the HOW to live an integrated life. The Calling Clarity Course can give you the tools to see HOW God wants you to show up as the same person in the office, the Sunday School class, and in the car with your kids.

Find out more about the Course by clicking here. The next opening starts in March. God wants you to be whole, holy, and authentic. He wants YOU to be you. Let’s work on figuring this out, together.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

Your Commission

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Have you ever worked ‘on commission’? Sales people know and understand what it takes to ‘get the sale’ and what it takes to make a living through commissions. It is all in the numbers. Plus, it is pushing up not only the number of sales but also the percentage of your commission on each sale.

While I was in Direct Sales this was the ‘game’ I played. Meeting month end quotas so I could make the extra 5% bonus on top of my 25% commission as well as a 10% bonus for my team. In a good month, I was actually bringing home 40% of my sales. Pretty impressive, right? There weren’t as many good months as you might think. 🙂

The definition of commission is: an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people. The use of the word today to mean being paid a portion of the sales is actually an idiom (which is to say, the words do not mean what it is saying, think of the expression ‘raining cats and dogs’).

Are you working ‘on commission’ or are you working your Commission? You could be doing both but only your Commission has eternal value. Jesus’ last words were for his followers were to go and share His message and make disciples (Mark 16, Matthew 28).

This Commission was not given only to those who have vocationally chosen to be pastors, missionaries, church directors, etc. The Great Commission was given for all of us who call ourselves Christians. We each need to be living this out in our day to day. What does that mean for me as an entrepreneur? What does it mean for you as you do your work each day?

I think breaking down the words is always helpful. Go- that means wherever you are you can share Jesus’ message. Since you spend most of your time at your job, doing your work, this is your place to ‘Go’. Message- share your story. What your life was like before you were in relationship with Him, how did He convict your heart enough to begin that relationship and how has it been going since your relationship has grown. Your ‘Message’ is unique to you. Baptizing- once they accept Jesus they identify as believers by being ‘Baptized’. You are the example. Share your experience. Disciple- teaching what God requires of believers. You can do this. You have been given the Commission to make ‘Disciples’ AND you have been given the promise from Jesus that He is with you (Matthew 28:20).

Three Steps:

  • Pray- Ask God to show you the five people in your life who need to know Jesus. Begin to pray for these five people. They could be from your office, your business dealing, networking, etc. Who are the five in your sphere of influence that you see on a frequent basis?
  • Friend- Start a relationship with one or two of these people. It could be a simple lunch invitation, one-on-one meeting, or social event invite. Start to find out about that person’s life and become a true friend over time.
  • Share- Tell your story about being in relationship with Jesus. You may be the only ‘Jesus’ this person ever sees. By building the friendship you have gained the opportunity to share your story. Jesus IS the Good News. You want your friend to know.

Working ‘on commission’ is always about the numbers. Sales statistics tell us that nurtured behaviors lead to more sales: 451% increase in qualified leads and 50% more sales with 33% less cost.  (Scott Tousley, 107 Mind-Blowing Sales Statistics That Will Help You Sell Smarter [SlideShare])

If such a big increase can happen in your sales force with a little nurturing, imagine the impact you can make by building authentic relationships through your work. That is your Commission. Begin today to live it out.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Here are few more stats I want to share: You are 70% more likely to get a Sales Appointment if you are in a LinkedIn group AND Top Sales People spend 6.5 hours a week on LinkedIn. Need a better strategy for using LinkedIn? Click here to sign up for the September 6th LinkedIn Lunch & Learn.