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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion

An Encounter With the Ark

By Linda Tancs

Noah’s ark is the storied vessel discussed in the Bible’s Book of Genesis, built by Noah to save his family and a menagerie from a world-engulfing flood. While scientists debate the existence of the real McCoy at Mount Ararat in Turkey, you can witness your own real-life model of the life-saving ship at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The museum features a full-size ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible, spanning 510 feet in length, 85 feet in width and 51 feet in height. Built from standing dead timber by skilled Amish craftsmen, the ark contains three decks of exhibits, including life-like animal sculptures. The site also includes exotic live animals from around the world in Ararat Ridge Zoo.

goforwardinfaith Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Back to the Future

By Linda Tancs

Are you surrounded by other people who specialize in prophesying your future (Ecclesiastes 8:7)? That idea will never take off. It’s all been done before. That book will never sell. You can’t go back to school now. You’re too old to adopt. The list goes on and on, and it’s often less than life affirming. Do you let the opinions of others control your goals and dreams?

It’s easy to get discouraged over someone else’s opinion of you, however uninformed if might be. And it’s especially difficult to deal with in this season because a new year often brings new reflections on the future. The power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Don’t let someone else’s tongue bring death to your dreams. Keep calm and carry on is a popular expression these days. The Bible expresses the same sentiment (Ecclesiastes 9:10; 10:4). Give yourself to what you’re dreaming to accomplish, staying calm and composed in the face of opposition. Let God be the one to guide you toward what is appropriate and to discern what needs letting go.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Never Say Never

By Linda Tancs

Whenever I hear someone express a negative belief about being able to accomplish something, I’m often reminded of one of my favorite quotes attributed to the philosopher Goethe:  “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.” Negative beliefs often surround the subject of going back to school at a later age. Consider a 50-year-old who says: “I can’t go back to school now. I’ll be 54 when I graduate.” Well, you will be 54 (or whatever age it is) in any event. Growing older doesn’t take any talent or ability but it’s all the sweeter if you find opportunity in change. This point was aptly illustrated in a newspaper story about an older woman who elected to rise above some very challenging circumstances and attend a community college. She became homeless after losing her job, lost all her possessions when she couldn’t pay the storage facility, surrendered her children to relatives for their daily care and lost three loved ones to health issues within a single year. She remarked that if she could persevere through school as a homeless person, then anyone with a home could do it, too.

So what causes a person to visit Neverland and take up residence there? Oftentimes, something in the past holds the future captive—a negative life event that leaves one hopeless or depressed and unable to move forward. Conversely, prior success many install fear in a person that the best of times are already behind. In either event, Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that as we think, so we are. So forget the past (Isaiah 43:18), and look to God to lead you in the present (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Never say never; it’s as simple as that.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Just for Today

By Linda Tancs

For tomorrow I cannot pray. Cover me with thy shadow just for today.—St. Therese of Lisieux

There is a Dear Abby column that has often inaugurated each new year called Just For Today. It’s a list of things you can try to do, even if it’s just for today: things like being optimistic, living in the moment, taking care of your health, taking action, being agreeable, being happy and improving your mind. Try it. Start your own list of affirmations, beginning each one with “just for today.”

That column is the perfect reminder that it’s the moment that counts, just as the Bible instructs. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:34). Who knows what tomorrow will bring (James 4:14)? Jesus taught His followers to ask for their “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). It’s a matter of trusting Him, one day at a time.

If you focus on today, then before you know it, you’ll have many todays behind you and be well on your way to developing better habits, but you need to look at what is—and move from there. As one of my favorite sayings goes, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift—that’s why we call it ‘the present’.”

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Living the Life You’ve Imagined

By Linda Tancs

Are you living the life you’ve imagined? If not, why? Is it lack of courage—or encouragement? First Thessalonians 5:11 exhorts us to encourage each other and build each other up. Let’s face it, though; it’s easy to play it safe. But as the expression goes: no guts, no glory. Take a look at the excuses you use to keep from realizing your dreams. I’m too old (or young). I don’t like risk. My family would never approve. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have enough influence. It’s all been done before. I’m not that talented. What excuses do you make? We all have hopes and aspirations. The next time you contemplate yours, be very conscious of the excuses that creep into your thoughts. Chances are, you haven’t given them much thought or even accepted them as excuses because they’ve become so much a part of your daily thought process. Or you may have “inherited” one or more of your favorite excuses from a potentially well-intentioned friend or family member. However, excuses derive their power from you—and only you. God’s Word gives you the power to banish them. As Ephesians 4:23 says, renew your attitude.

Renewal requires you to challenge your excuses. Sure, many folks will say, “It’s not an excuse; it’s actually a fact.” Take, for example, I’m too old. How can you be sure of the truth of this statement? Like a detective, seek the evidence that bears it out. In other words, be sure to separate facts from feelings. Do your homework. How many others with aspirations like yours accomplished their goals at the same age—or even older? In New Jersey, a 96-year-old woman obtained her high school diploma. Look for stories on your topic on the internet, in business journals, blogs, social networks and so on. Only after you’ve exhausted your fact-finding mission and found no evidence to refute your excuse should you even think about accepting it as a cold, hard fact. If that’s the case, then consider whether your statement is really more a reflection of your own lack of desire to accomplish something. Are you striving towards your own dream or trying to achieve something for someone else?

There’s no need to waste time with excuses based on someone else’s agenda or your own actual (rather than conjured) limitations. In all other cases, continue to think big and look for inspiration. Remove the word can’t from your vocabulary (Philippians 4:13). As the writer Frank Scully once remarked, “Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?”

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

A Sporting Approach Toward Career Management

By Linda Tancs

Tennis icon Billie Jean King once remarked, “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.” This got me thinking about the parallels in sports and the Bible concerning winning traits: perseverance in the face of obstacles, honesty, integrity, sportsmanship. First Corinthians, in particular, provides a sporting analogy on life. In chapter nine, Paul outlines the criteria for running an effective race: determination, self-control, goal-setting and discipline (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Aren’t these some of the same qualities that our business leaders should possess? No doubt many of these qualities are picked up in the gym or out on the schoolyard, which is why it’s distressing when sports and academics are pitted against each other as mutually exclusive endeavors. Sports are an important part of education, teaching the value of teamwork and other career enhancing skills like strategy, goal setting, feedback and review.

Regardless whether you’re a sports fanatic and armed with biblical precepts on running your race, watch a game and ask yourself what lessons can be learned and applied in your working life based on the conduct of the players towards themselves and the opposing team, the strategies employed, the reactions of the fans, the interplay between the coach and the team, and the commentary. You’ll likely never watch a game the same way again.