North American Conference on City and Nation Transformation
I’m planning on attending the 
North American Conference on City and Nation Transformation. What about you? Will you be in Elk River also on July 7-10?
Here’s an excerpt from an eMail from Ed Silvoso, author of Anointed for Business, one of my all-time favorite books which I’ve blogged about.
“You will hear first-hand from the Elk River leadership team about the joys and challenges of leading a “city transformation movement” for more than a dozen years. Elk River continues to be on the cutting edge of modeling a strategic partnership between “pulpit and marketplace ministers” for the sake of impacting a whole city for Christ.
“You will hear from partners like:
· Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, who is committed to ending “systemic poverty” in the City of Elk River.
· David Monroy, an attorney who has developed a strategy called “The Business Roundtable” to bless and disciple Kingdom Companies.
· Pastor Greg Pagh who has developed resources to help pastors disciple Transformation Churches.
· Scott Powell, from Elk River Ford.
· Mike Matter, from Zylstra Harley Davidson.
…and many others who are part of the transformation team in Elk River, Minnesota.
“You will hear from Ray Pinson and Kevin Mitchell and their team at OPIN Systems in Bloomington, MN. This software company has pioneered an Apprentice Program that is training and equipping the next generation of marketplace leaders.
“International guests will include Brian Burton from Phuket, Thailand and Pastor Poncho Murguia from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Brian is a “Brit” serving in Buddhist Thailand. The devastation of the Tsunami in 2004 called his congregation out of the building and into the streets. As they began to “pastor their city,” miracles began to happen as God began to transform lives from the poorest of sea gypsies to the Provincial Mayor.
“Poncho serves in the city known as the murder capital of the world. God has raised him up as chief advisor to the Mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. From the prison to the city streets the grip of the drug cartels is being broken. His life is literally on the line everyday in pursuit of this vision of city transformation.
“I will be sharing insights from my new book, Anointed for Politics: How To Swim in Dirty Water Without Drinking It, as well as “kingdom” developments from my recent trips to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Spain. God is touching high ranking officials from business, education and government with the love of God and a vision for transformation as never before.”
I’ll be there on Thursday and Friday. Hope to see you!
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Disciplines of Workplace Ministers
On January 3rd, 2009, I visit a elderly friend, Priscilla, whom I served in spiritual leadership with at Hope Covenant Church in St. 
Cloud and whom currently lives in Covenant Village. As I entered her apartment with a “Happy New Year!” she immediately says, “Oh, I have a word from the Lord for you,” and hands me a white, 3X 5 postcard.
Her words are a bit unusual, however, I consider her one of the wisest, more godly women I know. If she was a character in Star Wars, she’d be cast as Yoda!
Curiosity mounting, I read the carefully, hand written words: “My dearest, I have often longed from you to tell me your needs. You bear the load yourself. Don’t! I am with you in every situation. I am upholding you, strengthening you and blessing you. You have a heavy load to bear, a huge job to do for me. Let me bear the load. Rest totally in my ability to accomplish the work laid out for you. You will be used but my strength will accomplish it. Peace.”
Tears well up in my eyes. It was as if the Lord had spoken directly to the core of my being knowing exactly what I need to hear and exactly what spiritual discipline I need to practice in order to be more effective for His Kingdom.
So, for the first quarter of 2009, I work on developing a habit of writing in my journal every morning all those things that are heavy on my mind. The lesson I learned is that God desperately wants us to bring ALL of it to Him…to hold nothing back, no matter how little or insignificant it seems to us.
So, do you hold your needs bottled up inside of you? God is inviting you to let Him bear the load and to rest in His ability to accomplish the work laid out for you. The result? Peace.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Sisu… and the Perseverance of the Workplace Minister
For my readers, you know that I rediscovered one of my favorite words, SISU, at Hostfest in Minot, ND last fall. Consequently, I’ve written a number of articles on SISU, including Filling Your Sails-and Making More Sales-With Sisu, and numerous blog postings:
- Sisu: From Conforming to Courage
- Sisu: From Contenting to Community
- Sisu: From Confusion to Clarity
- Sisu: from Couragelessness to Confidence
- Sisu: From Complacency to Calling
Today, I found a definition for SISU through Urban Dictionary that I found interesting: “A uniquely Finnish quality; the word used to typify the Finnish spirit; a concept that is at the heart of how all Finns view themselves; a certain feature or value considered by Finns to be typically Finnish – endurance, resilience, tenacity, determination, perseverance – an inner reserve of diligence, capacity, the ability to face head-on and always overcome – craziness: the recklessness that inspires a person to take on something in the face of incredible odds – bravery, empowerment, inner strength.
“Gritting your teeth, continuing to fight against an overwhelming enemy, clearing a forest with your bare hands, continuing on to win a race even after falling.
“Sisu means that you finish what you start, you don’t quit in the middle of a job, and you don’t whine.
“Quote: It doesn’t take sisu to go to the North Pole; it takes sisu to stand at the door when the bear is on the other side.”
Again, as I reflect on SISU, I’m reminded of the encouragement from scripture to persevere in always doing good. James 1:2-4 says, “My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Ma your faith in the Almighty God help you in facing the onslaught of trials in your life.
P.S. SISU is included in Chapter 7 in my new eBook: Leadership Shift. Download your complimentary copy.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
I’m so driven…HELP!
I’m so driven, so hard of hearing,
I don’t really hear
the cry of the world around me,
the voices of despair,
the plea for help in those I meet and work with on a daily basis.
I confess that I’ve lost my sense of hearing.
Lord, help me to hear, really hear,
that your love can flow through me and people will know that you love
them and really hear them.
I’m so driven, so out-of-touch & cold hearted,
I don’t really feel,
the pain and frustration of others,
the helplessness of those locally and globally who are desperate for live-giving food and water,
the dance of celebration, when others are finally right with you.
I confess that I’ve lost my sense of feeling.
Lord, help me to feel, really feel,
that others may know that You really feel and are with
them in their pain.
I’m so driven, so tunnel visioned,
I don’t really see,
the pain and anguish in people’s eyes,
the loneliness and cry for love,
the life that’s searching for purpose and meaning.
I confess that I’ve lost my ability to see.
Lord, help me to see, really feel,
that I may see where You are working in people’s lives
that I might join you in accomplishing Your task.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Things God Won’t Ask the Christian Entrepreneur
I found this poem today while sorting through some old journals. It’s a good reminder for us as Christian entrepreneurs and business people to keep a check on our priorities.
God won’t ask you what kind of car you drive,
but He’ll ask you how many people you helped get where they needed to go.
God won’t ask you the square footage of your house,
but He’ll ask you how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won’t ask you about the clothes that you had in your closet,
but He’ll ask you how many you helped clothe.
God won’t ask you how many friends you had,
but He’ll ask you how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won’t ask you in what neighborhood you lived,
but He’ll ask you how you treated your neighbors.
God won’t ask about the color of your skin,
but, He’ll ask about the content of your character.
Author Unknown
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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About Danita
Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
Connects in Conversation
"Danita delivered a powerful, insightful and thought-provoking talk that dramatically kicked off the new semester with great success. She is a polished, professional and prepared speaker, yet connects with her audience as if she were having a conversation with a good friend. Thank you, Danita!"- Heather Lam
Communications & Marketing Director
Moms In Step, Woodridge Church
Medina, Minnesota