goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Queen of the Virtues

By Linda Tancs

In the Middle Ages, prudence was called “the queen of the virtues” because it was the virtue that enabled one to do the right thing in a particular situation. It’s foundational because, without it, other virtues like courage and justice can’t be deployed effectively. Luke’s account of the parable on the dishonest steward focuses on prudence (Luke 16:1-13). In that teaching, a steward being fired for mismanagement seeks the favor of his master’s debtors by reducing what they owed him. And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. After all, the jobless manager transformed circumstances into something which would benefit himself and others. He subjugated his self interest for the greater good. Be prudent in decision making, personally or professionally.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Coloring Outside the Lines

By Linda Tancs

When you were a child, did you color outside the lines in your coloring book? Did you feel like a rebel? Or maybe you just didn’t feel artistically inclined. Whatever the case, the concept of coloring outside the lines has come to symbolize rule breaking. Of course, some rules are necessary for an ordered society; if we break them, there are consequences. In other cases, breaking rules or norms can lead to innovation and breakthroughs. That’s a good thing.

The Bible is full of examples of innovation. Indeed, the very act of creation is the ultimate example of innovation. In the New Testament, Jesus often used parables to challenge the status quo and introduce new perspectives on faith and life. So, go ahead; think outside the box. Color outside the lines.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

The Search is On

By Linda Tancs

No doubt you’ve seen an advertisement or two for a high-level leader. Maybe a new CEO or university president. When the search is on, the required qualifications can be dizzying. It isn’t often enough to have the right skills or education. The successful candidate must usually also be creative, a problem solver, a mediator, creative, adaptable, and so on. It reminds me of God’s detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary intended to house His presence among the Israelites (See Exodus 25-31 and 35-40). Imagine a search committee seeking out just the right person for that job! Thankfully, God handled the search, choosing Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-5). He’s just as capable of handling a modern-day search as well. Keep God first place in the selection process.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Iron Sharpens Iron

By Linda Tancs

A popular Bible verse is “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). It’s generally taken to mean that no one is alone; we act upon each other. Just as two pieces of iron can sharpen each other when rubbed together, individuals can improve each other through interaction and mutual support. Think about your relationships: family, friends, colleagues, competitors. How can you challenge and learn from each other?

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Green Means Go

By Linda Tancs

Traffic lights are universal. Red means stop. Green means go. When the light turns green, how quickly do you move? When God “green-lights” a plan for you, don’t delay. Get moving. God won’t drive a parked car (Hebrews 10:36).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

The Multitasking Minister

By Linda Tancs

Multitasking is the performance of more than one task at the same time, involving the interruption of one thing to begin another. Once heralded as a prized skill, recent studies suggest that multitasking causes us to make more mistakes and retain less information, resulting in less workplace efficiency. However, consider the benefits of multitasking in ministry, specifically when an interruption in your coveted to-do list can benefit others. Jesus had no problem pivoting to meet the needs of others. In Mark’s gospel the story is relayed about a man named Jairus interrupting Jesus’s planned journey to a crowd to ask for his daughter’s healing (Mark 5:21-23). On the way to Jairus’s house, a woman with a blood disorder interrupted that unplanned journey to ask for her own healing (Mark 5:25-34). Don’t be so married to your agenda that you fail to see an opportunity to bless others. Sometimes, a little multitasking is a big deal.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Crisis Management

By Linda Tancs

Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a disruptive and unexpected event that threatens to harm the organization or its stakeholders. Of course, individuals experience crises, too. Whether on behalf of a business or ourselves, we attempt to manage them but often fall into fear, worry or despair over them. In those instances, it’s helpful to recognize that God is the ultimate crisis manager. We’re supposed to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Position yourself as best you can, and let God do His job (2 Chronicles 20:17). Rest assured He’ll manage the situation better than you can (Psalm 46:10).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Theology

Potatoes, Eggs and Coffee

By Linda Tancs

There’s a story you might have heard about the effect that hot water has on potatoes, eggs and coffee beans. Potatoes go into the pot firm and strong and come out softened. Eggs go in fragile and come out hardened. Coffee beans change the water into something new. Think of the hot, or boiling, water as life circumstances. What effect do those circumstances have on you? Are you softened like a potato or hardened like an egg? You may be merely reacting to what’s around you, being broken or hardened by your circumstances. You don’t change; you’re still a potato or an egg. Or do you let your circumstances teach you something and renew you? Then you’re more like a coffee bean. God calls all of us out of the old and into the new (Isaiah 43:19). Embrace change.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Love All, Serve All

By Linda Tancs

The longtime motto of the restaurant franchise Hard Rock Café is “love all, serve all.” It reflects the values of the eatery’s founders, who desired to unify the world around a plate of American grub and some rock ‘n’ roll.

No doubt the message would’ve been “Jesus approved” in His day. After all, it pretty much sums up His rules of engagement. Love everyone (Luke 10:25-37). Serve others (Matthew 20:25-28).

Now there’s a restaurant with a powerful recipe for living.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Theology

It’s Just Business

Some variation of “It’s just business” (like, “It’s not personal; it’s only business”) is a common refrain in the business world. For many believers, thoughts like this are a crutch to separate one’s “spiritual” life from professional life. The problem with this approach is that it’s not biblical. As far as God is concerned, there’s no wall of separation between the religious and secular realms. Indeed, God declares that He’s the God of all (Jeremiah 32:27). When you attempt to isolate any part of your life from the reach of God, then you deprive Him of the power to transform it (Romans 12:2). Tear down that wall.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.