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...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 247 – Inner heat Last week I wrote about Jesus’ light reflected off you all. This week I want to talk about the warmth you exude as you adventure with Christ. Perhaps because it was -30C earlier this week, we need this devotion to warm us up! “There is an inner heat to the word Christian that we can’t be warmed by unless we risk the adventure”.  Martin Shaw Being an...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 246 – Friends This morning Terri and I finished Romans in our devotions. Afterwards, we drove back through the beautiful, austere white-snowed aspen-greyed countryside from Withrow Gospel Mission where we were part of a team presenting on marriage (Thank you Withrow for a great night!). As we arrived back in Edmonton, we were greeted by that most wondrous phenomenon of Alberta’s...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 245 – Which trees to cut? It is really tempting in business to go for short-term extractive gains even at the expense of sustainable (evergreen) revenue. “Only the trees that you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, that you may build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.” Deuteronomy 20:20 If you are in the business for the long haul,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 244 – A light touch J, our 6-year-old grandson came over today. After learning about hospitality in Sunday school, he was eager to practice by making tea for his Nana, Terri. “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’ ” Isaiah 41:13 J has not made tea before, but he has seen it done. He needed a gentle, guiding touch. I...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 243 – Beauty One of the great joys of being a pilgrim businessperson is that you can have an eternal perspective. Even as a diligent steward who monitors every quarter, as a God-fearer, you have the assurance that you are building something beautiful for eternity. “In every experience of beauty, we are being prepared for eternity.” Martin Shaw It is a double reward; you and your...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 242 – Good fences I have had great experiences in business and not so great experiences. One of the distinctions between these two trajectories is that when I had good experiences, expectations were clearly articulated and written down. Where I have had poor experiences, things were not transcribed.  “Fences make good neighbours, and good paperwork means good partners,” Marty Writing things...