Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 257 – The awefull partnership with Jesus Bear with me on this, dear pilgrims, when I mean awe-full, I do not mean the current meaning of the word awful, as pertaining to bad or incompetent, but to the original Middle English meaning of aueful, commanding great respect or deference, worthy of reverence, awe-inspiring.   “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 256 – The end in mind Did I ever tell you how much I hate swimming? “…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”” Hebrews 12:1b,2a It might surprise you, considering I was once a nationally ranked swimmer. But standing at the edge of the pool fills me with dread. I hate the shock of cold and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 255 – Loving your enemies Loving your enemies is one of the best business tactics there is. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Luke 6:27 Once more Jesus turns the world’s paradigms upside down. We have lots of ‘enemies’ in business – staff that betray our trust, clients that do not pay, unethical competition. These people can cause real harm. The key...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 254 – An embarrassment of hope Right now, The (Re)Generation Initiative we run is flourishing. We believe that just as the land can be scarred and depleted, so too can the human heart. Our calling is to see both restored—through the power of God’s love, through wise stewardship, and through community that reflects His kingdom on earth. And now, people are giving of their time and resources,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 253 – Compost I heard a conversation between Kate Bowler and Jeff Chu about how compost reflects the death, decay and resurrection of life in Jesus. A very Lenten thought. I spent time with my friends Darryl and Hazel making compost in Zimbabwe, and I agree with Jeff. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 252 – The edge effect View this in your browser I am an ecologist and one of the principles in ecology is that the most diverse species assemblage is where two ecotypes meet, at the edge of prairie and parkland, parkland and forest, forest and tundra. It’s called the edge effect. “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 251 – At standard I am back in Canada after two weeks in Zimbabwe. I was working with Foundations for Farming. (FfF). I learned lots from our African colleagues, and I would like to share one of those lessons with you.  “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”  Proverbs 16:3 In helping farmers become self sufficient, FfF emphasizes four marks of...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 250 – The bible and the hoe Greetings from Zimbabwe on my last day here. I am well. The work here is a perfect blend of theology, science, practical teaching and hands-on farming. It feels great to be covered in dirt and washed in the Word. “We are sending our students with a bible in one hand and a hoe in the other” Taty, DRC Taty is a fellow student here and runs a seminary in the...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 249 – Use what you have Greetings from away. My friend and reader of this devotional Kevin recounted the story of an Indian colleague who said he likes the gospel writer’s Mark’s version of the story of the feeding of the 5000 the best, because Jesus asks his disciples what they have and to use what’s there before He miraculously steps in. “But (Jesus) answered them, “You give them something...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 248 – Fidelity One of the best, though anonymous, definitions I have heard about Fidelity is to ‘keep showing up’. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” Revelation 19:11 If there is any attribute as you run your enterprise where you reflect God, it is through...