Networking

I found very quickly that networking is the key to job hunting. I encourage anyone looking for a job to contact all friends, colleagues, family members to let them know your situation. You will be amazed at how effective open communication is in gaining employment that you want to pursue.

Evaluate your gifts, talents and experience God has blessed you with then prepare your story not just for future interviews but also to communicate to your network. Identify what you would be happy doing so that God can direct your path.

Tell your story. You will get results.

3Whatever you do, do it as service to Him,
and He will guarantee your success.

EXCERPT FROM

The Voice Bible
Thomas Nelson

What’s right with blogging

Is blogging helpful? I’d like to here back from you.

Proverbs 16:11The Eternal requires that business be conducted honestly;
He wants fairness in all your dealings.

EXCERPT FROM
The Voice Bible
Thomas Nelson

Let us all take this Word from The Lord seriously. I’m in.

Better late than never?

I have really been struggling with my first post. I really desire to write something that inspires. Here goes

My time after Thomas Nelson has been a true blessing. God is amazing! I had a wonderful fifteen years at Nelson and was very fortunate to be a part of so many incredible projects that glorify our Lord and Savior. The honor of representing Gods Word in indescribable. Representing authors such as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, John Eldredge, Sarah Young, John MacArthur, Charles Stanley, John Maxwell, Ted Dekker, and Don Miller just to name a few. What an incredible list of communicators. What a priveledge to work with incredibly talented individuals at Nelson as well as the great individuals in the Christian products industry. I can only look back with thankfulness and joy. God truly blessed.

God gave me such a peace when I found out that I would no longer be working at Thomas Nelson. As much as I grieved for the loss of relationships built over this time or the loss of being a part of something very special, I was a peace. I, of course, missed the daily interaction with a great group of individuals that I came to love and respect as well as workmg daily on life changing messages. I knew it was the appointed time for me to leave.

God has been so good to me throughout my life but especially during the past 2-1/2 months. I have unplugged from the matrix. It has been good for my soul to have this time. Thank you, God. He knew what I needed and I needed a break.

I have been able to pray more, read God’s Word more and spend time with my family more than an other time in my life. My first grandchild was born just a few weeks after my depature so I’ve been able to spend lots of time with our new family member. I started working when I was 13 years old and have not had any work breaks, like this, in the past 39 years. This break is definelty a blessing.

There are new disciplines I pray I retain after I start back spreading God’s message through my new association with Hachette’s Faith Words Book Group in January. Here are just a few:

Pray EVERY day
Read God’s Word EVERY day,
Talk, really talk to my family EVERY day,
Help the needy in every way God leads
Always trust God in everything
Helping others be successful.

Whatever you do, do it to Him, and He will guarantee your success (excerpt from The Voice Bible)

Next time: some things I learned during my career that I hope you find helpful

Living Life

It’s been a while since I blogged last.  I got very busy as Bible Group Publisher at Thomas Nelson.  On September 4th, 2012 I was laid off at Thomas Nelson after 15 years.  What a shock!  The sad news is I wasn’t the only one.

After 6 weeks of networking and searching for what God has for me next I was able to accept a position that begins January 7th, 2013.  This gives me another 7 weeks to live life outside the career.

My plan is to blog about the highs and lows of being laid off in the prime of your life and how God works through all situations for His Glory and some of the lessons I’ve learned over my 30+ years in the sales, marketing and publishing world.   I am so thankful that God has given me a mini sabaticcal to reflect and refocus.

I hope you join me.  Please sign up for my feed.

Honoring Patriots

A couple weeks ago Dr. Richard G. Lee, the General Editor for The American Patriot’s Bible, was asked to be a guest on “The Glenn Beck Program” as well as attend Beck’s Restoring Honor Rally event at Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. What an honor it was to have our author included in discussing religion in America and paying tribute to America’s service personnel and other citizens who represent our country’s founding principles of integrity, truth, and honor.

With Patriot’s Day having been this past weekend I can’t help but think about all the men and women who have gone before us living godly lives and paving the path for myself and others to follow.

I am continually humbled and grateful when I hear about all our modern-day patriots both of military nature and faith who are on the frontlines fighting for our freedoms. People who are taking a stand to say “In God We Still Trust.”

I’m honored to have Thomas Nelson Bibles play a small part in bringing patriots of the faith to light. Both in the pages of The American Patriot’s Bible as well as through that Bible’s website which features a special “Honor and Pray for an American Patriot” online gallery page.

We’re at a time in our cultural life where it’s incredibly important for our communities to recognize and encourage people what they believe represents a true American Patriot. Now keep in mind a patriot isn’t only military personnel. A patriot can be a former teacher, family member, military officer, civil servant, pastor, or friend (living or deceased) who has prominently displayed and set an example of the godly qualities that helped shape the legacy of our great nation.

This week I’m going to take time to reflect on the patriots who have impacted my life and honor them with a dedication.

I’d encourage you to reflect and pray for the patriots of the faith in your life. I also invite you to join me in making a dedication at americanpatriotsbible.com.

This is a chance to share their name, story, and photo to allow individuals and churches to pray for them. Your patriot, or one of their loved ones, will even receive a special certificate of recognition letting them know that they have been honored for their faith, patriotism, and loyalty.

I’d also encourage you to take a look at your life to see if you’re personally setting a godly example for others. I know I’ll be taking a long look at myself and working to ensure that my life is advancing the living legacy of the Bible honoring Him above all.

I’d love to hear about how God speaks to you in your reflection time.

Also, please be sure to let me know who you dedicate as I’d like to make a point to read their story and pray for them.

1 Thessalonians 1 (New King James Version)

Greeting

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their Good Example

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Guaranteed

A couple of months ago, Thomas Nelson Bibles officially announced that beginning this month, we would begin offering a Lifetime Guarantee on all of our Bibles. Regardless of its binding, if a Bible fails due to manufacturing defects, customers may return it for a free replacement. If the same Bible is no longer available, it will be replaced with a Bible of the same or greater value. This guarantee applies to both English and Spanish versions as well as adult and children’s titles. You can check out the full details here: http://www.nelsonbibles.com/guarantee.

Shortly after sending out the announcement, our publicist received an email from a pastor in Georgia who found the information to be “thought provoking.” Although he realized that we were addressing the binding of our bibles, he couldn’t resist having a literal first impression.

In his email he mentioned that he got to thinking . . .

“Does the Lifetime Guarantee, guarantee the Bible promises?  If, after passing, can the guarantee be passed on to one’s survivors if it has not been all used up in the wear and tear of using it to live one’s life by?”

He even mentioned that he would be sharing his thoughts and reactions in his next sermon.

Now the subject of promises is brought up numerous times in the Bible.

“They are, after all, Israelites who have been placed into God’s family; the glory, the covenants, the gift of the law, the temple-service, and God’s promises are their rightful heritage.”
– Romans 9:4 (The Voice)

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

– 2 Peter 1:2-6 (New King James Version)

“I tell you that Christ became a servant of the Jews to show that God’s promises to the Jewish ancestors are true.” – Romans 15:8 (New Century Version)

So when asked if the promises of the Bible are guaranteed, if you believe what the Bible says the answer is a resounding “Yes!” I’m not a betting man, but if I were I’d go “all in” on this one.

And if we’re constantly striving to “walk the walk” and follow Christ, I’d hope that our spiritual legacy will pass onto our survivors. That the promises we’ve found in Christ will be evident and that our loved ones will go to the Lord who is awaiting them with loving arms.

It’s amazing to me to hear how God inspires each and every one of us. Never would we have anticipated that our press release would lead to a Sunday sermon, but it did.

In today’s busy society we often don’t take the time to be still. Every day Christ is speaking to us, and if we’re truly listening, His voice comes from everywhere and everything. So today I’m taking time to listen, and I’m excited to see how He will choose to speak to me.

So, are you listening for Him? What is Christ saying to you?

Guest Blog – Trip to Haiti: Redefining Scripture

Karen Barnes is a Marketing Specialist in Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. She recently went on a mission trip to Haiti to help build houses. I am glad to have her share a little bit about how the experienced shaped her and her view of a familiar Scripture passage. To read more about her experience in Haiti, check out her blog here. Follow her on twitter here.

I traveled with a group of 8 to Haiti over the 4^th of July week. It was hard and it was awesome at the same time. Without a doubt, it was the most consistently physically challenging week I’ve ever had. The heat & humidity were rather unbearable to be out in for hours on end, doing hard physical labor. I think the heat index put it at about 115 degrees. The sun baked us and the dirt, dust, & grime were caked on us. I’ve been dirty before, but this was a whole new level of how dirty we could be, for 7 days straight. We just got used to the fact that we were gross. Drenched in sweat with dirt under our nails. We’d shower in the late afternoons and be sweating again within minutes.

But we did it! We made it through and basically built 2 houses for families that did not have homes. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in crazy conditions that you’d never picture yourself in. How far outside of your comfort zone you can go. I’m a firm believer that you can do anything for a week. Especially if it’s something the Lord has called you to and with prayer support behind you.

I want to share one specific experience that forever changed a familiar passage of Scripture for me. On that Sunday morning, we had the opportunity to attend worship at the church that we were there serving. Philadelphia Baptist Church, led by Pastor Joseph. I was so excited as I love attending church services in other cultures/languages. I love that we are all able to worship the same God regardless of language, culture, or style.

The service was all in Creole, but I could pick out some words here and there, due to some similarities to Spanish. We would figure out which Scripture passage they were reading so that we could at least follow along in our own Bibles. In a roundabout way we learned that since the earthquake the entire church has been memorizing Psalm 46. I don’t think this Psalm will ever be the same for me again. It has been completely redefined.

Psalm 46

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah

(New King James Version)

There is no question that the Haitian earthquake was severe. Over 230,000 people died and over 1.5 million people are now homeless. The 7.0 earthquake caused the ground to shake violently for upwards of a full minute. I can’t imagine something so terrifying lasting for so long. Just seven minutes later there was a 6.0 aftershock. There were upwards of 50 or more aftershocks that then lasted for days, where the earth would tremble sporadically. The 2nd largest aftershock (5.9) then occurred on January 20th (8 days later) centered right under Petite Goave (the town we were serving).

This church is now memorizing Psalm 46 – that God is their refuge and strength…though the earth give way & the mountains fall into the sea. And in the midst of everything going on in this Psalm – earthquakes and wars and desolation – God is saying, “be still and know that I am God.” In some of the most frightening circumstances, this is a command. The Lord Almighty is with us.

Psalm 46:10 is one of our most used Scripture passages, particularly in household decorations. Even Cason & I have it on a sign hanging above the door to our bedroom. But I have come to the conclusion that we take it far too lightly, as just another inspiring, fluffy verse. Something to remind ourselves of in the midst of a busy day when we haven’t had a chance to get everything done. I don’t think I have ever fully looked at this verse in context before, to see in what circumstances the Lord is really talking about. God is talking about in the midst of the most dire, terrifying conditions. He can overcome any circumstance. His power is much greater than just my trivial “busy days”. My stress on those busy days pales so much in comparison to what our Haitian brothers and sisters have gone through. To what other people all over this world are dealing with on a daily basis. But we serve an amazing, mighty God. He truly is our refuge and strength. In all things.

This passage is forever changed for me and I am so thankful.

Be still and know that I am God.

We went to Haiti hoping to help a few people and we’re the ones that come back changed and immensely blessed by the experience…

To read more about Karen’s experience in Haiti, head over to her blog

Who are you working for?

I remember 25 years ago when I accepted Jesus as my savior like it was yesterday.  A very vivid memory.  I was not ingrained by Bible teachers… I was simply lost and then found.  In my infancy as a Christian I used to pray everyday driving to work that God would bless my efforts as I worked for Him.  It was a very simple prayer and one that I felt very strong about.  I had great bosses (teachers) in my early days in sales and I respected them as my boss but I just knew I was really working for God.  I would tell folks around me that I knew God was training me, in the various jobs I had in my early days, to do something for Him at some point in my life.  It was a very innocent and unquestioning faith that I pray that I continue to have today.  After 25 years God has blessed beyond my greatest imagination and I now have the honor of serving Him as the Bible Group Publisher for Thomas Nelson, Inc.  He is amazing, faithful full of mercy and grace.  I trust that all that He has taught me through my peers over the years has prepared me for this moment in my life.  Believe me there were struggles along the way and fear that almost kept me from pushing forward but as Don Miller says… there is always a protagonist in every great story.  So I look back and embrace those tough moments and the lessons I learned from them.  I encourage you that whatever path you are on to push forward and ask God to bless your efforts as you work for Him.  He has more than answered that prayer for me and I know he will for you.

I would love to hear your story, your journey… we all have them and they all have an impact on the world around us.