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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

  • Having Clear Values Simplifies Decision-Making

    Having Clear Values Simplifies Decision-Making

    What influences your decision-making? Is it determining how to maximize gains and minimize losses? Is it expedience, choosing what seems most advantageous for yourself, or for your company or organization? Is it based on appearances – what will present you in the best light to those important to you? 

    In my years of working with executives and corporate leaders, I found many had at least one document that served as a rudder for guiding their companies. Most had a “mission statement” which articulated what they did – their purpose for existing. Some also had a “vision statement” that expressed where they saw themselves going. Perhaps most revealing of all was a “values statement” that stated underlying principles and values to undergird not only what they did but also how they would do it – and why.

    Roy Disney was the brother of the late Walt Disney, the creative genius whose vision ultimately led to the multi-billion-dollar entertainment conglomerate of films, cartoons, TV shows and dazzling theme parks. As co-founder of the Walt Disney Company, Roy Disney stated, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” To put it another way, in making decisions, pre-determined values should not only direct present and future operations but also serve to eliminate options and enticements that do not align with those values.

    This sounds good, but how does articulating the values an individual or company embraces affect actions and decision-making in a practical sense? Values may differ from one person to another, or from one business to the next, but for people who seek to integrate their faith with the work they do every day, one trusted guide should be the Bible – the Word of God. For example:

    For establishing priorities. Jesus Christ was asked, “‘What is the greatest commandment…?’” He replied, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

    Considering what Jesus declared, how should our business practices reflect these two all-encompassing commands? How should an organization be operated to demonstrate love of God is first and foremost? And how should customers – employees, suppliers, buying customers and clients – be treated to show that we love them as we love ourselves?

    For governing behavior. The Ten Commandments, stated twice in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21), itemize specific ways for loving and honoring God as well as interacting with other people in a godly manner. They speak of worship, avoiding idolatry, proper speech, avoiding overwork, reverence for parents, and prohibitions against such things as murder, sexual immorality, theft, dishonesty, and jealously desiring what other people have.

    For valuing what God values. What does a godly business or professional person look like? One answer is to value what the Lord values, as stated in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Doing this may be harder than it sounds, but these summarize what He values.

    © 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. As you understand it, what is the difference between a mission statement, a vision statement, and a values statement? Does your company or organization have one or more of these? If so, how are they used – if at all? 
    2. Have you ever sat down to articulate your personal values, those principles that guide and govern your own actions and decisions? What do you consider to be the values that are honored where you work?
    3. Is it reasonable to think the greatest and second greatest commandments can be consistently observed and obeyed in the marketplace of the 21st century? Why or why not?
    4. How do you think today’s workplace would look different if everyone strived to align with the 10 commandments in their daily decisions and operations? What if the command to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” were widely applied in work settings?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Hosea 6:6; Zechariah 7:9-10; Proverbs 21:3; Matthew 6:19-21,33-34, 23:23

    Challenge for This Week
    Try to take some time this week and think about values – your own and those of the company or organization you lead or work for. Can you clearly state what those values are? If not, try writing them down. Then evaluate how well you and your company are living out those values.

    You might find it beneficial to discuss this with key leaders or employees. A mentor or trusted advisor might also prove helpful in clarifying important values and how they can and should be demonstrated through your life and work.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Establishing A God-Honoring Business

    Establishing A God-Honoring Business

    Every individual entering the marketplace possesses certain skills and abilities bestowed by God, enabling them to establish a foothold in a competitive environment. However, when everything is going well, it is easy to become self-assured, even prideful, and gradually drift away from God. This is akin to Lot in the Bible’s Old Testament, gradually moving his tent toward the sinful city of Sodom, ultimately leading to his downfall.

    When facing difficulties in business, we have two choices: to rely solely on people, or to depend on the Almighty God. Jeremiah 17:5-8 describes the different outcomes of these choices: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord… But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream…and never fails to bear fruit.”

    In 1972, shortly after my company was established, Everlight Chemical was confronted with the global oil crisis, putting the business in a difficult position. At that time, some people suggested that we appoint a legislator as our company’s chairman to secure support from banks for financing. I had to choose between relying on people and trusting in God, and chose to rely on God’s guidance and provision.

    When I was young, a missionary from Canada had encouraged us to rely on God, using those verses from Jeremiah 17. She emphasized that doing so would enable us to flourish and bear fruit abundantly in our lives. This passage of Scripture had a profound impact on me, leading me to choose to depend on God rather than on people.

    In 1988, Everlight Chemical successfully went public on the Taiwan stock market. While preparing the script for the stock-listing presentation, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude toward God and decided to include a statement: “Conducting business according to the truths revealed in the Bible will surely lead to God’s blessings and success.” Since then, in Everlight Chemical’s profile and press releases we have consistently highlighted that we are a company that strives to bear witness to God.

    At the CBMC World Convention in 1997, I learned that the purpose of Christian business differs from non-Christian enterprises in that it aims to “glorify God.” This understanding clarified for me that the mission of a Christian business is not only to bear witness to God but also to bring glory to Him.

    Everlight Chemical has faced many challenges in the high-tech industry; however, we have chosen to rely on God and entrust the success of our business to Him. Thanks to God’s grace, direction and faithful provision, we have been blessed with talent, wisdom, and great customers, allowing many new ventures to gradually turn from losses to profits.

    I believe the success of our company is undoubtedly a manifestation of God’s grace. As stated in Micah 6:8, we are “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Walking with the Lord and establishing an intimate relationship with Him enable us to remain steadfast in the ever-changing marketplace and to bear witness to Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

    Ding-Chuan Chen – D. C. Chen – is the founder of Everlight Chemical, a publicly listed advanced dye and high-tech chemical company in Taiwan. The company currently operates subsidiaries in six countries worldwide and has more than 1,800 employees. He is the author of “Ever Admire the Light” and “Higher Ground”; has been a member of CBMC for more than 50 years; serves as the Honorary Chairman of CBMC Taiwan and has previously held the positions of Chairman for both CBMC Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as an International Director of CBMC. He actively participates in various Christian ministries and charitable organizations.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. What different outcomes can arise from choosing to rely on people rather than relying on God when a business faces challenges?
    2. Have you ever felt prideful due to the smooth operation of your business, leading you to become self-reliant and to drift away from God? If so, what impact has this had on your business or your life?
    3. In what ways can the success of a business serve as a testament to or glorify God? How do you practice this in your daily operations?
    4. In your life, what individuals or events have encouraged you to rely more on God – through their example or their counsel? Describe the influence they have had on you?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 145:9-16, 97:7-11, 113:1-4; Matthew 6:25-34

    Challenge for This Week
    In the coming week, take some time to reflect on how you rely on God in your work and daily life. Record some of the decisions you make each day and assess whether those decisions have been based on reliance on God or on others.If you discover that you are leaning too much on people while neglecting God in certain areas, consider sharing this with a mentor or a trusted friend for mutual encouragement and growth. If you have not yet found the right person to support your spiritual growth, pray for guidance in seeking a spiritual partner who can help you pursue a life goal that glorifies God together. If you are a member of a CBMC team, perhaps you can find that person there.

    Matt Trayler

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  • What Are Your Ultimate Goals?

    What Are Your Ultimate Goals?

    As business and professional people, what we do is governed at least in part by goals: Sales or productivity goals; daily goals; project goals; financial goals; career goals. You could probably add to the list. But have you ever thought in terms of life goals, the ultimate goal for your life?

    Recently I viewed a brief video in which a pastor described a meeting with a businessman in his congregation. The businessman planned to leave the church because the pastor had offended him by something said in his sermon. The pastor asked about what had seemed so offensive.

    The businessman recalled the pastor had commented it was unwise for someone to strive to make as much money as possible, then move to a popular retirement area and spend the rest of his life playing golf. The businessman was offended because that was what he intended to do – as soon as possible.

    In response, the pastor suggested the businessman was trivializing his life, devoting the rest of his life to chasing a ball around a golf course instead of using his God-given gifts and experience to be an influence on people. He said, “When you give your life to Jesus Christ, He calls you to be an influencer – to use your power, abilities and talents to influence the world around you for good, making it a better place.”

    Too often we spend our work hours eagerly awaiting the weekend. We spend our careers anxiously anticipating retirement so we can ‘finally do what I want to do.’ Have you ever considered that what you do at work, where you are currently doing it, is precisely what God wants you to do?

    The entire Bible mentions retirement only once. In the Old Testament book of Numbers it says of the Levites, the ceremonial priests of Israel, “at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work” (Numbers 8:25-26). God had a succession plan for the priests who performed the ritual sacrifices, but even then, the “retired” priests were to continue assisting those who had taken their place.

    We all are unique, having different interests, skills, life experiences, and for followers of Jesus Christ, spiritual gifts that God intends for us to use for His divine purposes. As Colossians 3:23-24 states so clearly, “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. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

    There are times for rest and relaxation, as we have discussed in past editions of Monday Manna. But having a life goal of working only long enough to amass enough resources to be able to withdraw from the world and engage all our waking hours in activities of no eternal impact makes little sense.

    In His so-called “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus spoke of focusing on things that will last for eternity: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Golf, or whatever pastime we choose, may be enjoyable, but we are unlikely to find much treasure there that will last for eternity.

    © 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. Can you identify with the businessman who is striving to earn as much money as possible so he can retreat to a nice retirement area and spend the rest of his life pursuing his favorite hobby? Explain your answer.
    2. Do you believe the talents, skills, and abilities you have ultimately were given to you by God, meaning you are responsible for faithfully stewarding them for God’s glory? Why or why not?
    3. Assuming you do believe that what you bring to the workplace – including spiritual gifts and experience accumulated over years in the marketplace – ultimately have been entrusted to you by God, how should that affect your approach to your job every day?
    4. Jesus spoke about “laying up treasures in heaven” rather than “treasures on earth.” What do you think He meant? What do you think this looks like, practically speaking?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12;11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:17

    Challenge for This Week
    When you wake up each day and prepare to go to work, does the idea that “whatever you do, do your work as for the Lord” ever come to your mind? If so, how does this affect your attitude and approach to what you will be doing?

    Try to find some time this week to discuss this with a close friend, trusted advisor, mentor, or accountability group to get their input into what this means in a practical sense. If you admit you have been like the businessman who intends to devote his retirement years to what might be considered ‘trivial pursuits,’ share with them your thoughts based on what you have read in this week’s Monday Manna.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Finding Strength in Faith: How CBMC Helps Men Integrate Faith and Work for Better Well-being

    Finding Strength in Faith: How CBMC Helps Men Integrate Faith and Work for Better Well-being

    In today’s demanding world, men face unique pressures that can impact their mental and spiritual well-being. Acknowledging that mental health issues can affect anyone, including believers, Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) is highlighting its “10 Attributes” course of faith formation as a powerful resource to combat these challenges.

    June is Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to shed light on critical issues and foster support. Interestingly, a study published in Psychological Medicine underscores the profound benefits of religious and spiritual interventions in mental health care, particularly in reducing clinical symptoms like anxiety. CBMC, a Gospel-centered fellowship dedicated to Christian men in business, firmly believes its “10 Attributes” program can equip men for both spiritual and mental health battles.

    “Fighting depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can be a significant challenge,” says Joe Beckler, CBMC Vice President, Development, Marketing, and Communications. “Alongside competent counseling and medication where indicated, a solid spiritual foundation can make all the difference.”

    The “10 Attributes” course provides this crucial spiritual grounding. It’s designed to equip men with practical tools for greater happiness and well-being, enhanced coping mechanisms for stress, and robust social support from their CBMC peers. This program is specifically tailored for men who are committed to integrating their faith seamlessly into their work lives and home lives.

    The comprehensive topics covered in the “10 Attributes” program include:

    • Walking daily in intimacy with Jesus Christ.
    • Living in accountable relationships with believers.
    • Sharing faith in Christ in your sphere of influence.
    • Helping others grow spiritually through life-on-life discipleship.
    • Living an integrated life with proper life priorities.
    • Living a life of generosity.
    • Applying biblical principles in all areas of your life.
    • Maintaining a standard of excellence with integrity.
    • Genuinely caring for people.
    • Living out God’s call on your life.

    Each session is thoughtfully structured, featuring short video presentations, relevant scripture references, engaging group discussion questions, and prompts for personal application. Participants also benefit from prayer connections with their peers, fostering a supportive community.

    The “10 Attributes” program is conveniently accessible through the CBMC Advance mobile application, allowing men to engage with the material at work, at home, or on the go.

    “It is a privilege to share ’10 Attributes’ with our members,” Beckler adds. “Having a solid spiritual foundation can help in many areas of life, including emotional and mental health.”

    Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) is dedicated to presenting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men, and to developing Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission. CBMC exists to point marketplace men to Christ, allowing the Gospel to transform them into marketplace ambassadors. Reaching men in the marketplace with the Gospel and equipping them for Kingdom impact in their life and work is now more relevant than ever. As men strive for meaningful lives, CBMC is prepared to share the hope of the Gospel and offer essential tools for spiritual growth. Through Gospel-centered peer advisory groups and mentoring relationships, CBMC helps professionals achieve their business objectives and personal development goals.

    To access and go through the 10 Attributes study, log in at https://advance.cbmc.com/eng/at/introduction

    Questions to think on:

    1. In what ways do you currently integrate your faith into your professional life? What are some challenges you’ve faced in doing so?
    2. Which of the “10 Attributes” do you feel is most crucial for your personal and professional growth right now, and why?
    3. How do you believe a strong spiritual foundation can impact a man’s mental health and ability to cope with stress?
    4. Beyond formal programs, what are some practical steps men can take daily to strengthen their spiritual grounding amidst the demands of work and life?

    Matt Trayler

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  • Visionary Leader’s Secret: Showing Up In The Moment

    Visionary Leader’s Secret: Showing Up In The Moment

    Visionary leadership is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. In a fast-moving, globalized world, leaders are expected to anticipate the future, set bold directions, and shape organizations that thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace. Richard Stearns, former CEO of World Vision, once said, “A leader must define the current reality, articulate a desired future, identify a way forward, and personally ‘own’ the vision.” And he is right – without vision, leadership becomes reactive rather than proactive. The best leaders see not only what is but also what could be.

    And yet, this presents a hidden danger: Leaders so consumed by the future can easily lose sight of the people right in front of them. There is a paradox at the heart of leadership: to truly shape the future, one must be fully present in the now.

    The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” That is not a command to those with flexible schedules or abundant free time – it is an essential trait of Christian leadership. If leaders are too absorbed in strategy, too fixated on long-term outcomes, they will fail to notice the joys and sorrows of those they are called to serve. And when people feel unseen, they disengage. They will not follow a leader who appears distant, even if that leader has a compelling vision for the future.

    This is where many leaders stumble. They believe their primary calling is to cast vision – to inspire, to strategize, to set bold goals. But the Bible suggests leadership is not merely about direction – it is about presence. Colossians 3:14 reminds us to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love is not just a virtue to cultivate in personal life; it is the glue that holds together an organization, a team, a community.

    And love, at its core, requires presence. Showing up in the moment. Leaders who truly lead well do more than articulate the mission; they walk alongside their people. They listen before they speak. They notice the exhaustion in an employee’s voice. They recognize the quiet victories worth celebrating. They see people, not just productivity.

    Jesus Christ embodied this. As the ultimate visionary leader, He did not simply arrive with a grand vision of redemption – He walked among the people. He touched lepers. He dined with sinners. He wept at Lazarus’ tomb. He did not merely announce salvation; He lived among those He came to save.

    Here is the irony: a leader too obsessed with the future may never actually get there. People do not follow vision alone. They follow those who know them, who love them, who walk with them. The best leaders are not only visionaries; they are shepherds.

    To lead well is to love well. And to love well is to be fully present. Leadership is not just about taking people somewhere; it is about being with them on the way. And in doing so, we reflect Christ, the ultimate servant-leader, who did not remain distant but entered our world, walked our streets, and called us to something greater. If we want to lead like Him, we must learn to do the same.

    © 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. With his wife Ana, a native of Nicaragua, and their three children, Chris resides in Boca Raton, Florida. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How can a leader balance the tension between casting a vision for the future and being fully present with the people he or she leads?
    2. Paul instructs us in Romans 12:15 to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” What practical steps can leaders take to cultivate and demonstrate genuine empathy and engagement in their daily leadership?
    3. Jesus modeled leadership by walking among His people rather than leading from a distance. What are some modern leadership habits or mindsets that can unintentionally create distance between leaders and their teams?
    4. The article states, “A leader who is too obsessed with the future may never actually get there.” How have you seen this play out in leadership, either in your own experience or in others? What are ways to ensure that vision does not come at the expense of presence – not being readily available to people when needed?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 27:23-27; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:26-27; Ephesians 6:7-9; Philippians 2:3-4

    Challenge for This Week
    If God has placed you in a leadership role, whether it is as CEO of a company, a vice president, manager of a department, or leader of a small team, how would you evaluate yourself in terms of “showing up in the moment”?

                Are you too preoccupied with goals and objectives, striving toward the future, that you ignore or neglect the people who work around you every day? It might be helpful to ask a friend, a trusted advisor, or an accountability group to help in assessing how effective you are as a leader in demonstrating your concern and care for their needs. If you find yourself deficient in this respect, what steps might you take to be “fully present in the now”?

    Matt Trayler

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  • Remember Who You’re Praying To

    Remember Who You’re Praying To

    “Too often, we keep God in a small box on the shelf. We forget how big He is.”

    As we were prepping for a recent mission trip, one of the guys I was traveling with shared this reminder with our group. We would undoubtedly encounter challenges as we traveled, from delayed flights to illness and injuries to the mental wear and tear of moving across the globe. Being on mission for God was going to test each of us in different ways, and prayer was going to be essential.

    With that in mind, his words were a reminder that on those mountain paths where this trip would take us, we would be praying to a big God. We were going to have to take Him out of the comfortable little box where we’d kept Him and open ourselves up to believing in something bigger. How big?

    Jesus spoke it clearly in Matthew 19:26:

    “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

    That’s what it looks like to take God out of the box. Jeremiah echoes the same truth in the Old Testament:

    “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” – Jeremiah 32:17

    That’s how big. So big, in fact, that He can take five loaves and two fish, feed five thousand people… and still have leftovers.

    “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” – Matthew 14:20-21

    These are all reminders that we need to remember who it is we’re praying to, specifically, how powerful He is. If that’s true, why do we keep Him in such a small box? What’s driving that?

    We like a God we can manage – one who stays quiet until we need Him, who fits neatly into our routines and doesn’t disrupt our plans. It’s easier to keep Him tame, like a safety net or backup plan we turn to when things fall apart. At the same time, it keeps us from being disappointed if He doesn’t answer our prayers exactly the way we want. The small box feels safe, but it actually keeps us stuck longer.

    By putting God in a small box, we shrink Him down. We forget that He’s the same God who spoke the universe into existence, who commands storms and shatters chains. When we only reach for Him in crisis, we miss the daily power and presence He offers. He’s not a last resort. He’s the Source, and He was never meant to fit in a box.

    So, how do we open the box?

    We take God out of the small box by shifting how we trust Him daily, not just in emergencies. It starts with praying bold prayers, not just safe ones. Asking Him to move in big ways, even when the outcome feels impossible. It means surrendering control, laying down our plans, and letting Him lead, even when it feels risky. Practically, this looks like carving out real time to listen to Him in scripture and prayer, acting in faith when we feel called, and talking about Him openly in our lives, not just behind church walls. When we live like He’s big, powerful, and present, we release Him from the box we’ve built and invite Him to move freely in every part of our lives.

    Let’s be clear. Taking God out of the box doesn’t mean treating Him like a vending machine, expecting Him to deliver exactly what we want, when we want it. When Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7), it wasn’t a promise of instant results or perfect alignment with our plans. It was a reminder that God hears us, loves us deeply, and has the power to respond in the way He knows is best.

    Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s wait. Sometimes it’s something completely unexpected. Whatever the answer, it’s always rooted in His wisdom and goodness. Trusting a big God means trusting how He answers, not just that He will.

    Take the lid off the box.

    Let God be as big in your life as He truly is and trust that whatever He does. It will be more than enough.

    …

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

    Matt Trayler

  • Recognizing and Overcoming Perils of Pride

    Recognizing and Overcoming Perils of Pride

    Recently as I was watching an interview with comedian and legendary talk show host Jay Leno, he commented about being a big believer in low self-esteem. He explained his perspective that if he begins to think he knows more than the next person, he is in trouble. Leno also observed that if we start to believe we know everything, that means we have decided to stop learning.

    When Leno was hosting “The Tonight Show,” for example, he would never try to tell the lighting people or sound people how to do their job, something he had seen some TV hosts attempt to do. He reasoned that if a person was a lighting director for a major network TV show, they were the best at their job. It would be foolish to try telling them how to position the lights.

    As business leaders, community leaders or political leaders, our job is to find the best people for each role and then listen to them. As soon as we start thinking that we are the smartest person in the room, we are inviting disaster. In the Bible, Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” In other words, pride always foretells destruction. 

    Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” It does not get much clearer than that. Pride – or boasting about ourselves or our accomplishments – never ends well. This is a consistent theme throughout the Bible, as well as in secular wisdom throughout the ages.

    When we hear somebody bragging about how smart they are, boasting about how much they know, it should always be a signal to take caution. In reality, they might be just talking to themselves trying to overcome their fear and insecurities about their own shortcomings.

    But some people counter with, “Shouldn’t we be proud of our work, our kids, or our favorite team?” Bestowing praise and showing pride about the accomplishments of others is not the same as taking credit that others deserve, or assuming we were the only ones responsible for any success that is achieved.

    To be successful at whatever we do, we must be continual learners. The faster the world changes, the better students we need to be. Pride, however, often prevents us from learning. Because learning requires that we put ourselves in a place where someone else is the master teacher or mentor. 

    We must admit there are things we do not know or are not skilled at doing. As Proverbs 13:10 tells us, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” We can always find people who are smarter, more skilled, or simply better at doing certain things than we are.

    Having been an entrepreneur, self-employed person and sometimes freelance worker, I have discovered we need to spend half of our time learning and improving our skills. If we have only six hours to chop down a tree, three of those hours are best used sharpening the ax – learning to improve ourselves. 

    As Ecclesiastes 10;10 in the Bible’s Old Testament states, “If the ax is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.” Spending time bragging about how skilled we are with that ax is just not going to cut it – both literally and figuratively.

    © 2025. Jim Mathis is a writer, photographer, musician and small business owner in Overland Park, Kansas. His latest book is The Camel and the Needle, A Christian Looks at Wealth and Money. He formerly was a coffee shop manager, as well as executive director of CBMC in Kansas City, U.S.A.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Have you ever worked with – or for – someone who seemed to know better than anyone else about practically everything? If so, what is it like to work with an individual like that?
    2. What do you think about Jay Leno’s suggestion that having “low self-esteem” is a good thing, meaning being able to realize that others might be better at doing some things than we are? 
    3. Do you consider yourself to be a continual learner, a person who is eager to discover new insights and understanding about many things – recognizing you do not ‘know it all’? 
    4. How do you respond to people who demonstrate genuine humility, who seem to put others ahead of themselves and recognize the value and contributions of people they work with?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 15;33, 16:5, 18:12, 21:4, 21:24, 22:4; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12;10; James 4:6

    Challenge for This Week
    The Bible declares that “money is a root of many kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), but some theologians have suggested that pride ultimately is the basis for every sin, including the love of money. Because pride causes people to desire more and more.

    Is pride an issue for you? It can manifest itself in many forms, including insisting that we know best about virtually everything. It also can involve selfishness, self-promotion, self-centeredness, and many other ways of exalting self. If you find yourself wrestling with pride – and most of us do, to some extent – find someone to talk with about this, even being willing to accept their advice and their prayers.

    Matt Trayler

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