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  • THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

    THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

    In the Bible, we find an unlikely friendship that changed the course of history: Barnabas and Saul. When no one wanted to get near the former persecutor of the Church, it was Barnabas who had the courage to believe in the transformation God was working in him. He brought Saul to the apostles, walked alongside him, and planted the seeds of a ministry that would later impact the world (Acts 9:26-28). A simple act of trust. A meeting with purpose – and a destiny was unlocked.

    In the business and professional world, we also see how friendship can be transformative. The story of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger is a rare example of a partnership spanning nearly six decades, built on integrity, respect, and mutual trust. Buffett described Munger as a primary instrument in his journey. “Charlie must forever be recognized as the architect,” he said after his friend’s passing. More than a business partner, Munger was a loyal friend – someone who challenged, wisely corrected, and expanded horizons. “Even when I made mistakes, he never, never once, reminded me of my errors.”

    This quiet fidelity is rare – and deeply powerful. Munger didn’t just walk with Buffett; he transformed him. This is the power of a trustworthy friendship: shaping the other with love, truth, and constant presence.

    And I am blessed to have relationships like these, ones that help me become transformed.

    I met Jesus Christ in 1998 and had the privilege of walking from the beginning with two incomparable mentors: my mother and my father. From them, I learned about faithfulness, prayer, service, and commitment – lessons I carry with great care and gratitude. It was through my father that I first came across the Monday Manna devotional; he loved it and faithfully forwarded me the email every Sunday.

    In 2018, three years after his passing, I stopped receiving the devotionals. Wanting to continue feeding on this content, I sought to learn more about CBMC. And through one of those “God-incidences” (there are no coincidences with God) Edgar Medina, National Director of CBMC Mexico, replied to my message saying that there would soon be a meeting in the city where I lived.

    At that event I met Dr. Enrique Cepeda, then Director for Latin America of CBMC. After the program, we had a conversation that became a turning point. He invited me to get more actively involved with CBMC and shared his passion for the Great Commission with me. He also introduced me to his family; his wife, Lydia Cepeda, became my discipler. To this day, her wisdom, firmness, friendship, and love have been fundamental in my journey with Christ.

    All of this started with an unexpected encounter. A relationship that transformed my walk — not only ministerially, but spiritually and personally. Relationships like these are gifts from God. People who challenge, shape, disciple, and propel us with faith and courage toward places we could never reach alone. They are modern-day Barnabases, sent by God to awaken what we have yet to see in ourselves.

    Pray for divine connections. Ask the Lord to place in your life people who will draw you closer to your eternal purpose. And be ready to be that answer in someone else’s life. You may be the bridge between now and God’s plan for someone who just needs a meeting – with you. As the Bible teaches, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

    © 2025. Erenia Mendoza is the National Director of CBMC Brazil and a member of CBMC International’s Global Leadership Team. She also serves on CBMC’s Executive Committee for Latin America. Born in Nicaragua and raised in Brazil, Erenia built her career in the entertainment industry, specializing in distribution and marketing for films and series. She has worked with and for major studios, including Sony and Walt Disney, across Latin America.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Are you familiar with the story of Barnabas and Paul, how the man first known as Saul – a zealous persecutor of followers of Christ – had a divine encounter with Jesus, and later Barnabas had the courage to come alongside him and help him to grow into a dynamic spiritual leader? If not, take a few moments to read Acts 9:26-28, along with Acts 13:1-3, 42-43.
    • Has anyone served as a ‘Barnabas’ for you, a supporter, encourager and motivator, urging you to become much more than you ever imagined? If so, describe the impact of that individual in your life.
    • Why, as Ms. Mendoza writes, are such close relationships comparatively rare? What do you think are obstacles to one person being willing to invest time and energy in the development of someone else?
    • How would your life be different if a ‘Barnabas’ came into your life as a caring mentor, as well as a trusted, constant friend? What do you think it would it be like for you to serve in that role for another person?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more consider the following passages: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 14:1-3; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25

    Challenge for This Week

    Do you have someone who serves as a ‘Barnabas’ in your life, someone with a genuine interest in you, especially in seeing you become everything God wants you to be? If so, you should express appreciation to that person for what he or she means to you.

    If you don’t have a person like this, would you be willing to pray for the Lord to direct such a person your way? And perhaps you can also pray about how you could become a ‘Barnabas’ in the life of someone else.

    Matt Trayler

  • Advice Is Only Good When It Is Heeded

    Advice Is Only Good When It Is Heeded

    Advice is like medicine. It usually only works when taken as directed. In today’s very complex business and professional world, it is impossible to understand all the many factors that affect key decisions. There is wisdom, therefore, in seeking counsel from individuals who can provide valuable insight.

    Many people, however, are inclined to seek advice only from people who will agree with and support what they already intend to do. This can be problematic, even disastrous. Proverbs 12:15 concisely describes people who are receptive to sound advice, along with those who are not: “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Another verse from Proverbs cites the wisdom of receiving and acting upon good advice when it is offered. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20).

    In the Bible’s Old Testament, we see Moses striving to provide proper leadership to the many thousands of Israelites freed from captivity in Egypt. As with any society, these people were becoming entangled in disagreements and disputes. Moses felt responsible for resolving these conflicts. Every day he “took his seat to serve as judge for the people and they stood around him from morning till evening” (Exodus 18:13). Can you imagine the pressure Moses was under trying to pass judgment over hundreds of matters from the early morning hours until the late evening?

    His wise father-in-law, Jethro, recognized the problem. “When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, ‘What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?… What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone’” (Exodus 18:14-18).

    Jethro suggested delegating most of those responsibilities to “men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain…. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves” (Exodus 18:21-22). Moses listened to his father-in-law’s insightful advice and saved everyone a lot of headaches.

    Contrast this with Rehoboam, who had succeeded his father Solomon as king of Israel. Proverbs 11:14 says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” However, the young king apparently could not discern between wise and foolish counsel. Rehoboam first consulted with the elders of Israel who had served Solomon. The people had asked him to “lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke [your father] put on us,” and the elders urged him to comply. “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them…they will always be your servants” (1 Kings 12:4-7). 

    Pride, however, caused Rehoboam to reject this advice and consult with young men who had grown up with him. They advised, “Tell these people…’My father laid on you a heavy yoke. I will make it even heavier…” (1 Kings 12:8-11). He followed their advice instead, and a great division resulted. All but the small Israelite tribe of Judah rejected him and chose a different king. As a result, Rehoboam’s reign was doomed from the start.

    When we are ill, taking medicine as prescribed can help to restore health. To build and maintain healthy leadership, listening to wise counsel can also serve as ‘good medicine.’

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How receptive are you to receiving advice when it is offered? Do you actively seek advice and wise counsel when faced with a difficult decision? Explain your answer.
    2. Why do you think some people are reluctant to solicit or accept advice? What factors are involved that cause some to reject wise counsel?
    3. What are some ways of identifying whether advice is wise and well-conceived, as was the case with Moses and Jethro, or foolish, as was the situation when Rehoboam chose to listen to the advice of his young friends over the elders of Israel? 
    4. Can you think of any examples – that you have experienced yourself or observed with others – when advice was ignored or rejected resulting in very negative consequences? What factors were involved?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more consider the following passages: Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 2:1-8, 12:5, 15:22; 19:27; 20:18, 24:5-6, 27:9

    Challenge for This Week
    What challenge or decision are you dealing with right now that might benefit from your being willing to seek advice and wise counsel from trusted friends, a mentor, a colleague, or someone with greater expertise than you presently possess?

    Examine your openness to receiving well-intended advice. If you find that you are hesitant or reluctant to ask for or receive sound counsel, especially that which is based on teachings in the Bible, pray about this. It might help to confide with someone else.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Creating ‘Holy Disruption’ In The Workplace

    Creating ‘Holy Disruption’ In The Workplace

    “Best practices” have long been prized in leadership. They offer efficiency, eliminate unnecessary reinvention, and leverage the accumulated wisdom of those who have gone before. Likewise, industry standards provide structured frameworks – enabling professionals and organizations to operate with greater clarity and consistency.

    Early in my career with the United States Secret Service, I quickly learned the value of such structures. There was a straightforward ethos – “the way we do it.” These standards created stability in moments of uncertainty, offering a series of ‘street-lamps’ to guide me when times became hectic, if not chaotic.

    Yet a crucial question remains: What happens when “the way we do it” is profitable and efficient – but profoundly misaligned with God’s purposes? Scripture speaks directly to this tension. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land – to engage a people whose practices and systems seemed to “work” by the world’s standards – God warned Moses on Mount Sinai: “Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst” (Exodus 34:12).

    For all its innovation and achievement, the marketplace is not immune to snares. Global economic systems – remarkable in many respects – are often built without reference to the dignity of the human person or the righteousness of God. They are driven primarily by the cold metrics of profit, efficiency, and growth. And where God’s character is not the foundation, corruption, exploitation, and idolatry are never far behind, even when operating under the banner of “best practice.”

    For Christian leaders, discernment is not optional; it is essential. As a people set apart by God, we cannot uncritically adopt the standards around us. Every practice, policy, and partnership must be measured against the character of Christ and the truth of His Word.

    But discernment alone is not enough. The calling from Sinai goes further. God’s instruction to His people was not merely to avoid compromise, but also to actively reshape the environment: “You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars…” (Exodus 34:13). In the professional realm, this is a summons not only to personal integrity but also to institutional transformation. Christian executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals are called to be agents of renewal – advancing practices and building organizations that reflect God’s justice, beauty, and truth.

    We are not tasked with rejecting excellence; we are called to redefine it. We are not called to abandon the marketplace; we are sent to redeem it. We are not called to build private empires; we are invited to steward influence for the sake of God’s Kingdom. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, we seek “the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). This is the work of holy disruption, and I pray you are ready for it:

    • To operate with excellence shaped by righteousness.
    • To lead with wisdom governed by humility.
    • To build with power directed by love.

    © 2025. Christopher C. Simpson is dedicated to fostering a bold and triumphant Christian faith within the global marketplace, driven by a deep conviction in the Gospel’s transformative power. Before becoming President of CBMC International, Chris dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in the public sector – as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps; and serving in the U. S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting seven American presidents and leading elite teams in complex, high-stakes international missions. Chris and his wife Ana reside in Boca Raton, Florida. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. What areas of your professional life have you accepted as “normal” without considering whether they align with God’s character?
    2. How can you discern whether a “best practice” is merely effective or truly godly? What criteria can guide that discernment?
    3. Why might it be easier to conform to existing standards rather than engage in the work of holy disruption? What holds us back?
    4. Where do you see opportunities in your sphere of influence to lead cultural renewal or transformation, rather than simply operating within the status quo?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more consider the following passages: Micah 6:8; Proverbs 11:1; Matthew 5:14-16; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:23-24

    Challenge for This Week
    Audit your leadership. Identify one area of your business or professional life – perhaps a hiring process, a client engagement, or a standard of success – and ask: Is this aligned with the character of Christ? If not, prayerfully consider how you might begin to reshape it, even in small but meaningful ways, to reflect God’s justice, wisdom, and grace.

    Then, invite others into the process. Engage a colleague, a mentor, or members of your CBMC team – not just to encourage you, but to help you discern. Ask them to speak into your audit, offering biblical insight, wise counsel, and shared accountability as you seek to lead more faithfully.

    Holy disruption does not begin with institutions. It begins with men and women willing to be examined, refined, and set apart for the glory of Christ.

    May we, by God’s grace, be leaders who not only succeed in the marketplace, but who point – through every decision, every standard, and every practice under our influence – to the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ. Earnings will pass. Christ’s glory will not.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Do You Trust Me?

    Do You Trust Me?

    I remember doing a teambuilding activity as a kid in Scouts, one of those dreaded trust falls. Standing on the edge of a picnic table, arms crossed over my chest, I closed my eyes and fell backward. Behind me stood five other 13-year-old boys with their arms outstretched, ready to catch me.

    That fall only lasted a second, but in that moment, it felt like ten. Ten seconds of wondering:
     Can they catch me? Will they?

    That question, Will they?, is the reason most people now roll their eyes at trust falls. They’ve become the punchline of teambuilding jokes. But why?

    Because deep down, we struggle with trust. We fear what might happen if we truly let go. And that’s not just true on the edge of a picnic table.

    “Do you trust Me?”

    That’s the question God whispered to me this morning during my quiet time, literally 20 minutes ago.

    And life is happening right now. I’m about to leave for a funeral. It’s the middle of a packed work week, loaded with projects and deadlines. At the end of the week, I’m driving one of my kids to Arizona for his sophomore year of college… 1,600 miles away, 25 hours by car. Two weeks later, we drop off his sister at her school. Then, just like that, the house will be empty again for the next nine months. In the middle of all this, God leans in and asks…

    “Do you trust Me?”

    With my kids?
     With my marriage?
     With my finances?
     With my to-do list?
     With my aging mom?

    If I’m being honest, I have a habit of trusting myself more than anyone else, including God. I believe He can do all things. I’ve got full faith in His power. But will He?

    That’s where I get stuck.

    My default has been to take over. To carry the load myself. It’s a pattern that’s been with me for decades and God is calling it out.

    “Do you trust Me?”

    When I opened my Bible this morning, like I often do, to a “random” page, I landed in Psalm 146. I’ve learned these moments are never random, and today, the words leapt off the page:

    Praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord, my soul.

    I will praise the Lord all my life;

    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

    Do not put your trust in princes,

    in human beings, who cannot save.

    When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

    on that very day their plans come to nothing.

    Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

    He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
    He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
    The Lord sets prisoners free,
    the Lord gives sight to the blind,
    the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
    The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

    The Lord reigns forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

    Praise the Lord.

    It describes the character of the God we’re called to trust:

    • He upholds the oppressed
    • He feeds the hungry
    • He sets prisoners free
    • He gives sight to the blind
    • He lifts up the broken
    • He watches over the outsider, the fatherless, and the widow
    • He reigns forever

    This is who God is. And He’s asking me to trust Him.

    So, here’s the prayer I wrote this morning, and maybe it’s a prayer for you too:

    God, today, help me to trust You. Help me release this fake trust I’ve placed in myself and turn my heart fully toward You. I trust You with my kids, my marriage, my finances, my business, my mom, and my health. In every area, shift my gaze toward You and away from the idol I’ve created in myself. I want to fall into Your arms with confidence, because I know You will catch me.

    …

    Written by John Gamades, author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men and Conquer: Daily Devotions for the Christian Man

    Matt Trayler

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  • It Does Not Have To Be Lonely At The Top

    It Does Not Have To Be Lonely At The Top

    A common refrain I hear from many CEOs and business and professional leaders is, “It’s lonely at the top.” Business owners and top executives often find themselves having to make difficult decisions they are not comfortable sharing with their team members. This is why in 1945, U.S. President Harry S. Truman had a sign made for his desk that read, “The Buck Stops Here.” He knew that for key decisions the ultimate responsibility was his alone.

    Unless they can find a group of peers they trust and in whom they can confide, or pay for a business coach or consultant, many CEOs often end up making decisions in isolation. Sometimes this can be successful, but it also can lead to poor decision-making due to a lack of wise counsel and accountability.  

    In terms of striving to effectively represent Jesus Christ in the marketplace, being “ambassadors for Christ” as 2 Corinthians 5:20 states it, seeking and being willing to listen to wise counsel is essential. Christianity was not designed for lone rangers, people who isolate themselves during times of crisis. 

    As we might expect, the Bible has much to say about this. Here are some examples:

    Two or more, better than one. Just as lifting or carrying a heavy load is easier with someone to help rather than trying to carry it alone, decision-making and managing heavy responsibilities can be easier when we can share them. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

    Being with others can dispel loneliness. Feelings of loneliness in the executive suite sometimes are inevitable. However, having someone to meet with in confidence, perhaps a small group of peers who understand the pressures of leading a business or organization, can be invaluable and a source of much-needed support. The Bible admonishes us to, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24).

    Seek out like-minded individuals. For many years CBMC has been intentional to establish peer affinity groups to assist people in overcoming the “lonely at the top” dilemma that many in the workplace face every day. Connect3 teams, Young Professionals and Trusted Advisor Forums are among the groups available for building beneficial peer relationships. 

    We find this practice often implemented in the Scriptures. When the early Church was growing rapidly, mature spiritual leaders were needed to ensure this growth was consistent with what Jesus had taught. Some leaders like the apostle Paul and his mentor, Barnabas, were appointed to work together in this important ministry. “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’…. [They] went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus…[where] they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper” (Acts 13:2-5).

    Whether you’re a CEO or a business leader, being involved in a group of like-minded leaders can help overcome loneliness and making poor decisions.

    © 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Have you ever had the “it’s lonely at the top” experience? Perhaps you are experiencing it right now. Describe what that is like for you.
    2. What are some of the pitfalls of refusing to align with one or more people with whom you can share the burdens of leadership, including making difficult decisions?
    3. Think of a time when you were able to share a burden with someone else, whether carrying a physical load or being able to openly share about challenges you were facing. What was that like for you? 
    4. How can you find like-minded individuals in whom you can confide, without selecting people you know will simply agree with whatever you want to do? 

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 27:7; Matthew 18:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 6:2

    Challenge for This Week

    Regardless of your level of responsibility, whether you are a CEO or business owner, a lower-level executive or manager, or member of a team, you must make important decisions. Having someone – or a small group – in whom you can talk in confidence can help to ensure those decisions are the best ones.

    If you are not already in a peer group at present, pray about how you might form one or become part of one that has already been established. If you are involved with CBMC, ask about resources it has available for meeting this need.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Experiencing God’s Pleasure As His Managers

    Experiencing God’s Pleasure As His Managers

    Whether at the start of a new year or the middle of one – as we are now – it is good not to dwell on the past but to enjoy the present and anticipate a promising future. Our failures, financial and otherwise, are behind us. Of course, our successes are behind us as well. We cannot rest on our laurels. We can approach each day with a clean slate. New opportunities await and there is much yet to be done.

    Our God-given stewardship responsibilities are lifelong. He is the owner, as 1 Chronicles 29:11 tells us: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.” But He has made us managers of what He owns. As Jesus expressed in one of His parables, “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them” (Matthew 25:14). 

    Each of us has been given a small plot where we serve in His vineyard, and we are to labor according to the gifts He has bestowed on us. With respect to financial matters, we are to be diligent in our work (Colossians 3:23-24); wise in our spending (Proverbs 21:20); purposeful in our saving (Proverbs 6:6-8); strategic in our investing (Ecclesiastes 11:2); and generous in our giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

    As Christ’s followers we learn how to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17); that is, on His behalf or in His place. That also means learning “to conform to everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). In the Lord’s presence our inner life will be transformed, and we will become the kind of people exhibiting His natural (and supernatural) course of action. In Jesus’ eyes, there is no good reason for not doing what He said to do, because He only tells us to do what is best.

    So, we are to be obedient because that is what disciples do. But that last phrase, “He only tells us to do what is best,” should comfort and encourage us. God has all the best information on what makes for a happy and fulfilling life, and He has given us these prescriptions for our good. 

    And when we use our gifts in obedience, we are doing what we were made to do – glorifying God and helping to advance His kingdom. There is nothing so personally satisfying. We see this in the award-winning film, Chariots of Fire, which tells in part the story of Eric Liddell, a Scot who became a gold medalist at the 1924 Olympics and later a missionary to China. 

    My favorite part of the film is the subplot between Eric and his sister, Jennie, who is concerned his running will take him away from his missionary efforts. In one scene, Eric tells Jennie the good news he has been accepted by the mission society to go to China. Then he adds, “But I’ve got a lot of running to do first. Jennie, Jennie, you’ve got to understand. I believe that God made me for a purpose — for China. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure…. To win is to honor Him.”

    In an emotional moment later, we see Eric in the final moments of his race. With head thrown back, legs pumping, arms flailing, he is exhilarated, having given his best to what he believed God called him to do. God was honored and Eric’s running called attention to, and gathered support for, his mission work.

    There are many ways each of us is called to serve the Lord. Exercising Spirit-led stewardship, properly managing the resources God entrusts to us, is one of them. It is your race. Run it with passion.  

    © 2025. Austin Pryor has 40 years of experience advising investors and is the founder of the Sound Mind Investing newsletter and website. He’s the author of The Sound Mind Investing Handbook which enjoys the endorsements of respected Christian teachers with more than 100,000 copies sold. Austin lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife Susie. They have three grown sons and many grandchildren.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How does it make you feel to read that God owns “everything in heaven and earth,” which includes your financial resources and all your material possessions? Do you believe that is true? Why or why not?
    2. What do you think it means in a practical, everyday sense to be a steward or manager of what God owns and has entrusted to your care? 
    3. Do you believe it is true that “He only tells us to do what is best”? What about when your  well-considered plans, even things you have prayed about, do not turn out as you expected or had hoped they would?
    4. Have you ever “felt God’s pleasure” while you were doing or pursuing something, as Eric Liddell did, or believed that He had truly called and gifted you to something specific? Explain your answer.           

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 6:6-8, 21:20; Ecclesiastes 11:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 12:1

    Challenge
    This might be a good week to pause and re-evaluate your attitude toward the things you “own,” considering the biblical teaching that God owns all things and that we are to serve as His stewards or managers of what we have been given.

    It might be helpful to meet with a small group, perhaps your CBMC team if you are in one, or a trusted friend or mentor to discuss your perspectives and have them share their own with you. What changes – if any – do you conclude might be necessary?

    Matt Trayler

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  • Getting Back To The Fundamentals Of Work

    Getting Back To The Fundamentals Of Work

    Vince Lombardi was a legendary coach in American professional football, leading the Green Bay Packers to five championships. He possessed great expertise as a coach, but one principle he always followed was to never forget the basics. Prior to the first practice of every new season, Lombardi would always raise an object in his hand and say, “Men, this is a football.”

    His players knew what a football was. They had already spent many years participating in the sport. But Lombardi understood the importance of never losing sight of the fundamentals, much as a virtuoso pianist continues to practice scales on the keyboard after many years of concert performances.

    In a similar way, for those of us who are called to serve Jesus Christ in the business and professional world, we too should pause from time to time to review and remind ourselves of “the basics” – the ‘why’ of what we do every day in the marketplace. As we enter the second half of the calendar year, here are some of the biblical principles that apply to all of us engaged in the marketplace:

    Whom we ultimately work for. We typically go to work hoping to please and impress our supervisor, manager, CEO, or owner of the company. But we’re told to work as if the nameplate in the boss’s office reads, ‘Jesus Christ.’ “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24).

    Quality of our work. Consider the exquisite detail in which God has designed our world. The wonder and beauty of His work are beyond description. If the Lord demonstrates such excellence in His work, should we not strive to pursue the same excellence as His image-bearers? “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Our purpose in work. In God’s eternal plan for this world, He has designed each of us with unique gifts, talents and abilities. All are intended to bring Him honor and reflect His character. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:).

    Fully equipped for our work. Education and training may prepare us to carry out specific job responsibilities, but our ‘guidebook’ for how we are to go about our work is God’s Word, the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    Who we truly represent. When hired by a company or an organization, we are expected to properly represent our employer. Ultimately, however, as followers of Christ we are to represent the Lord, communicating the saving, life-transforming message of the Gospel to anyone and everyone we encounter. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. When you got up this morning to get ready for work, why were you doing it? To earn money to pay the bills; work toward a promotion; engage in something you enjoy doing? Have you ever awakened with the idea, ‘I am going to work for God’? Explain your answer.
    2. How often – if ever – do you review the basics, the fundamentals of what you are doing, whether it involves your working skills, your organization’s mission, or what it requires to excel at a favorite pastime? What might be some benefits of doing that periodically?
    3. Can you think of other principles from the Bible that you have found useful in your everyday work responsibilities? If so, discuss one or two of them. 
    4. What difference does it make whether we consciously approach our work each day from a perspective of being God’s servants and representatives?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 22:29; Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 3:20, 4:12 

    Challenge for This Week
    Perceiving our lives and work from the teachings of the Bible is what many people term a “biblical worldview.” Do you think your current worldview and approach to work reflect the principles from the Scriptures? If not, how might you try to change that? Or what areas do you think might need some improvement? 

    This week, consider setting aside time to discuss this with a trusted friend, mentor, or small group of people, seeing in action the principle from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

    Matt Trayler

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  • ‘Purgamentum Init, Exit Purgamentum’

    ‘Purgamentum Init, Exit Purgamentum’

    The inscription on my new tee shirt, a birthday gift from my daughter, read in big bold letters the Latin phrase, “PURGAMENTUM INIT, EXIT PURGAMENTUM,” an old Latin phrase I came across many years ago. On the shirt, beneath that inscription, it read in smaller red letters, “GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT.” My children heard me state those same words many times as I attempted to influence what they watched on television or at the movies, the kinds of the music they listened to, and the books they read.

    ‘Garbage in, garbage out’ was a phrase popularized during the early days of computers, meaning that if faulty programming were put into them, faulty results would come out. This applies to us as humans, too.

    The human mind is a wonderful and extremely complex computer. In fact, during the earliest days of space exploration, a dedicated group of African American women received the nickname of “computers,” since they were using their minds to compute very complicated mathematical formulas that would make launching men into space possible. Their story is told through the theatrical film, “Hidden Figures.”

    Receiving daily input. However, as with any of today’s electronic computers, what comes out of the human mind is no better than the value or validity of what is programmed into it. We begin receiving data while still in our mother’s womb, and we continue receiving input – information of all kinds – throughout our lives. This vast collection of data shapes our development of the ways we think and respond to the world around us, ultimately our personal worldviews. One’s worldview determines values, and these values in turn influence one’s behavior. In spite of this reality, many of us go through life without ever considering the validity or truth of those things that have shaped our thinking.

    Until I began to read what God, the Creator of all things, had to say in the Bible, I too had never taken time to examine what was influencing my thinking. Whether as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War or a commercial airline pilot, I never paused to wonder, ‘Why do I think the way I do? What factors have served to influence and form my values, opinions, and the things I hold dear?’

    Conformed to this world? However, after becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, I began to read the Word of God and discover statements like this from the apostle Paul, who wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Was the information I was taking in from the media in all its forms conforming me into the “pattern of this world”?

    With the myriads of written publications, television, films, radio, and the Internet, we live in an era of information overload. We are constantly being bombarded with all kinds of data, some of it good, some of it not good at all. After reading Romans 12:2 and other passages from the Scriptures, I realized if I am to maintain clear thinking, my challenge is to sift through all of this information and determine which is valid and based on truth, and which is based solely on the shifting sands of culture and godless values.  

    Finding the way to truth. To effectively make these assessments, I concluded that it is necessary for me – and I believe for all of us – to ensure that we are programming our minds, our ‘computers,’ with what we know to be true. As Jesus said, recorded in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Knowing Him and seeking to follow His teachings in the Bible is the best way to avoid the trap of “purgamentum init, exit purgamentum” – garbage in, garbage out.

    William “Fritz” Klumpp served as a pilot with the U.S. Navy, including numerous combat missions during the Vietnam War. He is a former commercial airline pilot, real estate executive, and Executive Director of CBMC. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. When you hear the phrase, “Garbage in, garbage out,” what comes to your mind?
    2. With all the information that’s available to you each day, whether through the print or broadcast media, the Internet or other sources, how do you decide the way you process that data and how it influences you?
    3. What do you think it means to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind”? How does this differ from being “conformed to the pattern of this world”?
    4. Jesus Christ claimed that He is “the way, the truth and the life.” How can or should this declaration affect how we approach each workday – the job assignments we handle, the people we meet and interact with, our overall goals and objectives, the way we assess truth?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: 
    2 Corinthians 10:2-5; Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:2-10; 1 Peter 1:13-14

    Challenge for This Week
    This week, find someone you can talk with candidly – a trusted friend or advisor, mentor, or accountability group – and together evaluate how you are doing in terms of “purgamentum init, exit purgamentum”: garbage in, garbage out.

    Consider what steps you are taking to ensure that your natural computer – your mind – is being filled with the right kinds of programming, the right data to enable you to be and to become the person that God wants you to be.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Starting with God: A 30-Day Challenge for Men

    Starting with God: A 30-Day Challenge for Men

    There was a season in my life, back in college, when the first thing I’d reach for in the morning was a cigarette. Still under the covers, before my feet hit the floor, I’d light up. That was the height of addiction. I couldn’t even get out of bed before I needed that first smoke.

    Fast forward a few years, and the forty-year-old version of me had broken free from that. I was no longer reaching for a hard pack of Camels on the nightstand. I’d found freedom, setting old habits aside. But here’s the challenge… I traded it for something else.

    The “cleaned-up,” more professional version of me wasn’t lighting cigarettes anymore. But the addiction had just shifted. Now, when the alarm went off, I was still reaching for the nightstand. This time, thought, I was reaching to light up my phone. Emails. Text messages. News. Social media. Still under the covers. Still lighting up.

    For some of you, this sounds familiar. So, where am I going with this?

    When we reach for our phones first, we’re often stepping into a mindset of control. We’re trying to manage everything ourselves, staying ahead, staying informed, staying in charge. But when we start with God, we’re surrendering that illusion of control. We’re acknowledging that He’s already gone before us and is working in ways we can’t yet see. Giving God the first part of our day is a declaration of trust. We’re saying, “You’ve got this, Lord. I don’t have to carry it all.”

    Here’s the challenge: What if, instead of grabbing our phones first thing, we grabbed our Bibles? What if, before diving into the texts, emails, and headlines, we slowed down enough to hear what God had for us that day? What if we connected with the One who holds the day in His hands, before handing control of it over to the world?

    I get it. This is hard. As I’ve shared, I’ve spent the majority of my life grabbing the wrong things from the nightstand to start my day. But I can also tell you that when I shifted things, leaving the phone behind and reaching for the Word, everything started to change.

    What have I learned? The emails and text messages are a lot easier to navigate when I start from the right foundation. And it’s much easier to keep the news and social media noise in its proper place when I begin my day grounded. That’s really, at the end of the day, what this is all about… starting our days connected to the One who is in complete control, anchored to God’s promises for our lives. It’s about keeping our idols at bay and focusing our attention where it belongs.

    Starting with God re-centers everything. It resets our priorities and aligns our hearts with His. The chaos of the day doesn’t disappear, but it comes into focus through a different lens, one shaped by faith, not fear. When we give God control over our days, we stop reacting and start responding. We step into the day led by peace instead of pressure, and with purpose instead of distraction.

    Men, join me in this challenge. For the next 30 days, pick up your Bible instead of your phone. Start your day in the Word and in prayer. Watch what happens when you give God the first fruits of your day and how He shows up when you do.

    by John Gamades

    Matt Trayler

  • Five Steps To Fruitful Networking

    Five Steps To Fruitful Networking

    Recently, a young banker told me that he had been hired to get involved in the community by networking – making connections with prospective customers. But he was not sure how to do this. So, I thought it might be helpful to consider successful strategies for networking, along with relevant biblical principles.  

    The first step to remember in networking is Being Targeted. Many networking groups and opportunities can be a waste of time because they are not focused properly. I found my best customers in banking were chief financial officers and controllers. As a former certified public accountant, joining an association for accounting professionals helped me target the best prospects and resulted in many new accounts. 

    Proverbs 12:26 teaches, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” To be fruitful with your networking time, choose your groups and friends wisely. 

    When it comes to networking, there are many groups we could join, but the best results typically come from the second step to fruitful networking: Getting Involved. Networking groups, service clubs, and other community-minded groups need leadership. People willing to become actively involved typically get noticed. When you become involved, the attention you receive can lead to new business opportunities. By serving in a leadership role, you will become better known, and if you serve well, better trusted. 

    In 1 Timothy 3:13 we are told, “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” To maximize time spent networking, take a leadership role. 

    The third step to fruitful networking is Being Relational. If you have engaged in many networking opportunities, you have likely met people who are more transactional in nature. They are always giving business cards to anyone who will take one and seeking ways to promote their services. However, you will not typically see them talking with someone in depth to build a genuine relationship. 

    We all typically prefer doing business with people we know and trust. The best way to build that trust is by building personal relationships. Proverbs 22:11 says, “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

    The fourth step is Being Curious. My very sociable wife, Kathy, has helped me in this area. She is naturally curious about people, always asking questions to learn more about them. Kathy has taught me to find out about other people’s families, hobbies and work, but not to stop there. She also taught me to be curious about what motivates them, seeking to discover their passions. Hebrews 13:2 teaches, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” 

    The final step for successful networking is Meeting the Needs of Others. Everyone has needs but identifying those requires seeking to understand people and listening carefully for their biggest concerns. Ephesians 4:29 teaches, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” After listening and learning about the needs of others, then do what you can to serve their needs.

    © 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How important is networking for the work you do? Is it something you enjoy – or is it something you would rather avoid? Explain your answer.
    2. When you are trying to make connections with people for business or career purposes, how effective are you in targeting the types of people you want to meet?
    3. How easy is it for you to get involved with groups or organizations, ones in which you have particular interest? What are some obstacles that keep you from becoming more involved as an active participant? 
    4. Two of the networking steps cited are being curious and meeting the needs of others. How might these two be tied together in fruitful, rewarding ways? 

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:  Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:3-4

    Challenge for This Week
    Networking – actively seeking to build productive relationships with others – can prove to be beneficial in many ways. Even if you are not as sociable as some other people, we all have been designed by God for relationships.

    This week try to think of ways you can expand your sphere of influence and expand the network of people with whom you interact regularly. If you know of someone who is better at this than you are, ask that person for some helpful advice and suggestions.

    Matt Trayler

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