Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 237 – Progress not Perfection I finish my three-year term this month as a corporate secretary of our Central Asian firm. I like leaving things better than I found them. And so as I transfer files, protocols, and procedures, I want them to perfect.  “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 Working toward the perfect can degrade to perfectionism, an...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 236 – Sight Unseen Last week we received a lovely bouquet of flowers from our friend Louise in the memory of Terri’s mom, Jill, who recently passed away. “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”Matthew 6:3-4 The flowers sit...

In my work around the world, I have noticed that the people I love and serve that are not flourishing spiritually are also not flourishing physically. They often suffer from poor air quality, water stress (both quantity and quality) and the impact of degraded soils. I cannot stand idly by watching them suffer. So my colleagues and I have introduced two initiatives, one of them being the Environmental Technology Initiative (ETI). ETI...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 235 – The Terrifying Walk with Jesus This is a devotion you have probably already preached to yourself experientially. This devotion is a polemic of rage against all those who think Walking with Jesus is all sweetness and light. Ha! “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Firstly, we do not know where we are going. We also will not know who we are going to meet, and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 234 – Just Move My brother-in-law Jim and I had a long talk the other night about faith and family. He asked me of my journey with Christ, especially how Terri and I landed up in challenging countries spreading the Good News. As I reflected on our journey, I realised God works best with a stone (me) that is already moving. “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 233 – Remembrance Day I am in England, and here like Canada we celebrate Remembrance Day, paying tribute to the fallen and those who served in war.   “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes...

Title – Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 232 – Legacy Terri’s mother, Jill, passed away this week. As the matriarch of the family, she leaves an enduring legacy that extends generations. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 My hope is that you, too, will leave a legacy through running your ethical...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 231 – Open & Apostolic Terri and I just finished leading a Marriage Encounter weekend, a time where we help couples with good marriages develop great marriages. Through these devotions, I have a similar passion, helping you develop your good business into a great one. “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” John 20:21 One of the...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 230 – Immediately Recently, the experience of quickly delivering a project reminded me of the power of acting immediately—of seizing the moment to get things done as soon as the opportunity arises. Going on from there, (Jesus) saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,  and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 229 – You are not alone There are times, sitting in your office, when you might feel very alone. You may feel you are the only one in your area trying to run an ethical business to the glory of God and for social and environmental good.  “I have seven thousand people left in Israel who have never bowed down before Baal and whose mouths have never kissed his idol.” 1 Kings 19:18 I just got...