Workplace Minute: Respect by Seeing
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find the “Respect Series” encouraging.
Are you seeing with Jesus Eyes?
A friend tells me about a recent trip to India and how frightful and repulsive the streets of Calcutta are. They are overflowing with distressed, desperately poor and needy people. It isn’t until he put on his Jesus Eyes that his fear is replaced with confidence and compassion.
It sounds like some work situations that I’m in, brimming with anxious, lonely, desperately needy people.
What’s your work environment like? Where do you need Jesus Eyes? Which work situations are daunting where you might ask God to help you see through Jesus Eyes? Who in your department is offensive and irritating to be around…..where you need Jesus Eyes? Who’s incredible needy emotionally, perhaps even clingy, where you need Jesus Eyes?
God, help us to look at those around us with Your eyes that we would authentically represent you in our work places.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: If you were to see with Jesus Eyes, what might you see that’s different than what you normally see?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Seeing with Jesus eyes means seeing others as people whom God loves and has compassion.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
Stay tuned for upcoming postings in the “Respect Series.” Also check out previous posting: Responding and Engaging.
© Copyright 2012, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Engaging
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find encouraging.
“Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?”
In sharing our faith gently and respectfully as instructed in I Peter 3:15, this question is helpful in engaging people in spiritual conversations.
Faith in the Workplace
Over coffee my co-worker, Janet, begins telling me about her difficult home life. Her two teenage children push every limit imaginable and her traveling husband was rarely home to help provide stability.
As she finishes telling her story, I gently ask, “I’m curious, where is God in all the struggles you’re experiencing?”
The tears well up as she confesses, “ I don’t know; it feels like God is abandoning me.”
I recognize that God is opening the door for me that share His truth about His incredible love.
“Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?” I find that a person’s answer to this question immediately reveals their conception (or misconception) about who God is and how He feels about them.
The next time you’re having coffee with someone who’s struggling, why not respectfully engage them by asking, “Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?”
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Who needs someone to be engaged in their story?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: We respect other’s when we actively engage them in their personal story.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Responding
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find encouraging.
Respect.
To share our faith walk as I Peter 3:15 instructs us to, we need to show respect and respond to people’s concerns.
Workplace Minutes
I meet Roger six months after he’s sold his sprawling multi-million dollar franchise business. When I ask how retirement life is going, he says, “Things are going well.” He pauses, then jokingly confesses, ” Although, I’m getting a bit tired of golfing. I’m looking for more productive things to do with my life.”
Responding to his story, I courageously ask, “I’m not certain how much you’ve thought about this–have you ever wondered why God put you here on earth? What’s your purpose for living?”
His face lights up, “As a matter of fact, that’s the very issue I’m wrestling with!”
Then, we begin to talk about God’s design for his life.
We show respect for other’s when we listening and active respond to their life stories. We learn where God is working in people’s lives. Respect open’s the door to share our faith.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Who needs someone to listen to their story?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: We respect others when we listen and respond to their story.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
The Rewarding Risk For Every Christian Business Person
You may have heard of the book God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew, where the author tells of his adventures as a Bible Smuggler behind the Iron Curtain. I spent a summer while in college with a sister organization, Slavic Gospel Association, which was founded by Peter Deyneka. I wrote this article about 8 years ago while reflecting on one of the adventures in Eastern Europe. I hope you find the question as challenging for you today as when I wrote the article. I’d love to hear your own reflections. 
The Rewarding Risk
At 1 o’clock A.M., we tap lightly on the door of their second-story apartment, hoping not to waken others in the building. As Yolonda and Yori cautiously crack open the door, we murmur, “We’re Americans…..with Bibles.” Delighted, they quietly and quickly open the door to their tiny apartment, whispering their incredible story.
Only five days earlier, the Politzi (Russian police) swept through their village located only seven miles from the Russian-Polish border. They confiscate all Bibles and Christian literature, pile them in the middle of the floor and then set the pile ablaze. All that remains is a charred hole in the middle to their church floor.
And, now, only five days later, they have a new supply. A Miracle!
In 1980, I delivered Bibles to Christ Followers in Communist Europe through Slavic Gospel Association. For Christ followers living in the Communist empire, it was illegal to share their faith with their children, family, friends, or neighbors without significant risk. To do so meant that they could be ostracized from their communities, lose their job, face imprisonment, or in some cases, sacrifice their lives. Even accepting Bibles and Christian literature from Americans was illegal. Yolanda and Yuri were risking their lives for this miracle delivery that came on the heels of such destruction.
The Easy Question
More than 23 years later, the courage of Yolanda and Yori still inspires me–and challenges me. When reading of those persecuted around the world for following Jesus Christ, I often ask myself, “Danita, are you willing to die for your beliefs in Jesus Christ?” Without hesitation, I have responded, “Yes, absolutely! If I had to choose between renouncing my relationship with God through Jesus or face death, I would choice death.”
The Difficult Problem
However, the follow-up question is more difficult for me to answer, “Am I willing to LIVE for my belief that God showed His love to the world through Jesus?” Am I willing to risk a friendship, when talking with a neighbor who’s having a personal crisis, to ask gently, “May I pray for you?” When I work with a client who’s lost all confidence because his business is failing, am I willing to risk the contract renewal to ask respectfully, “Where is God in all this?” When I sit across the restaurant table from a successful entrepreneur, am I willing to risk my reputation and ask encouragingly, “ What’s your purpose, your calling, in life?” Am I willing to not only die for my beliefs: am I willing to LIVE my beliefs in my interactions with my family, friends, colleagues and clients?
The Rewarding Risk
An ancient Jewish wisdom writer says that considering all that God has done for us, “Take your everyday, ordinary day—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life– and place it before God as an offering, a living sacrifice. ”
What’s an offering? What’s a sacrifice? Webster defines offering as “a gift or contribution” and sacrifice as “the act of giving up.” What’s the ancient writer saying to us? He’s encouraging us that as we talk with friends, meet with clients, lunch with colleagues and laugh with our families, that we “give up” our comfort zone and “offer” our lives as a gift by sharing God’s love, joy and peace.
For many of us, sharing our walk as a Christ Follower in an increasingly pluralistic, post-modern society is incredibly risky. It feels like we’re endangering our reputations, our sense of control, our self-adequacy, our friendships, our comfort, or our community. However, as we confront our fear, break through our comfort zone and embrace the risk, we will reap the rewards. The most satisfying reward is that every interaction is an opportunity to share God’s intense love.
Our lives are comfortable. In the midst of our comfort zones, are we willing to live a life of adventure and accept the challenge of Yolonda and Yori who risked everything for their walk with Christ? Are we willing to risk not only dying, but also living for our faith, every day? More pointedly, are we willing to risk our reputations, our fear of rejection, our comforts, or our prestige to walk with Jesus Christ as our leader every day in every interaction?
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Politically Incorrect?
It was politically incorrect.The PC experts, as reporting on the local radio station, instruct listeners NOT to send religious books as gifts to clients and colleagues. However, I do it anyway.
I give her a leather-bond copy of Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. As we sit down for lunch, she says, “Thanks for the book, Danita. I’ll give it to my business partner. I’m not into that Christian stuff….I have my own form of spirituality.”
Well, of course that comment peeked my curiosity! And, so I asked, “I’d love to hear about your life…you own form of spirituality.”
For the next half hour, she shares about her upbringing, her struggles, her recent suicide attempt and her visits with a psychic in at attempt to contact her mom whom had passed away a couple of years ago. When she’s finishes, I ask if I might share my story. Having earned the right to share, I tell about who Jesus Christ is my life leader, providing hope, comfort and victory throughout life.
I’m not certain where the conversation will go in the future. However, God used this “politically incorrect” action to open up the doors for future dialogue.
Where is God asking you to do something “politically incorrect”?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Marketplace Minister’s Bank of Questions: Buddha
“Did you get the statue of Buddha state-side? Or, in your many travels around the world?” I curiously inquired.
In sharing our faith with gentleness and respect as I Peter 3:15 instructs, we must observing what’s important to our colleagues and coworkers. Steve, a client of mine, responded that he’d received the statue of Buddha as a gift from a friend who’d traveled to the Far East. I asked if he was Buddhist. He replied, “No. But…we all worship the same God anyway, so….it doesn’t really matter.” Sensing that God was opening the door, I asked about his spiritual heritage, which gave me an opportunity to Listen. With trust built, he then asked me about my spiritual journey.
Listening….and Observing what’s important to others builds bridges that open doors.
“But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3: 15
What questions are you asking with gentleness and respect?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
“You can’t be serious, God?”
“You can’t be serious, God?” I asked shockingly.
But the quiet sense that I should speak to this man didn’t go away, “Speak to him. Ask him his story”.
Fearfully, I responded, “No way, God! He’s homeless. I’m alone. He could attack me!”
To my trepidation, I had this persistent sense, “Speak to him. Ask him his story.”
How many times do we hear the Holy Spirit quietly direct us speak to those around us…..and we back away in fear.
I’m reminded of God’s command to Joshua as he was about to move into unchartered territory, “Remember that I have command you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.”
Will you trust the prompting of the Holy Spirit, “be determined and confident,” and be willing to reach out to those in your world and share the love of Jesus Christ… even when you’re afraid?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Marketplace Minister’s Bank of Questions: What’s your story?
He was obviously homeless. But two things caught my eyes. First, his clothes were cleaned and pressed. Odd. Second, sitting crossed-legged on the
dirty sidewalk, his head hung down to his feet, he looked….broken.
For some odd reason. I knelt down, touched his knee and asked “What’s your story”? Shocked that anyone would touch him, let alone talk to him, he bolted upright. “What? What? What did you say?” Again I asked, “What’s your story?”
And, he began to tell his story of pain and heartache…
How often do we as workplace ministers encounter “homeless” people?
I submit that we do every day. Who is more homeless than someone who hasn’t found their creator, their true home?
Being surrounded by “homeless” people in our work, neighborhoods, churches every day, we have countless opportunities to ask, “What’s your story.”
Isn’t that what Jesus would do?
It’s a simple question…. with profound results.
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Marketplace Minister’s Bank of Questions: What’s Your Name?
I was one of the last people to exit the sanctuary after church one Sunday. I spotted her in the church narthex looking self-assured, poised—in a beautiful
flowing dress, matching shoes, manicured nails, and exquisite jewelry.
Self assured…poised…and yet panicked…as she stood ALONE in the midst of people greeting, hugging, and laughing.
I approached her with “Hi, my name’s Danita. What’s your name?”
“My name’s Juliann,” she responded. And, then surprising she reached over, hugged me and whispered, “Thank you. It’s so lonely standing here when no one sees me.”
How many times are people standing, working, walking around us, feeling invisible?
Jesus was a friend to the stranger; to those that other’s wouldn’t see or didn’t see. Whether the stranger was at work, in the neighborhood, or at church. He saw them. He reached out to them and engaged in conversation. Maybe it started with a simple question, like, “What’s your name?”
It’s a simple question…with profound results.
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Spiritual Questioning
As a marketplace minister, how often do you invite your co-workers and colleagues to ask questions about spiritual things….and then not answer them immediately like you know it all?
Since my oldest daughter, Brittany, got married recently, I’m talking to everyone who will listen about the wonderful time we had at the wedding. Consequently, people are telling me their wedding stories. These stories often lead to our discussing their faith roots.
Josh, a colleague, mentioned that he married into a Jewish family. Although he wasn’t actively involved in the local temple, he had a favorable view of the Jewish religion. He claims to be an outsider to Christianity, having been inside a church only seven times during his entire life. I asked Josh what caused the positive outlook on the Jewish religion. He said, “Because they ask questions. The very first time we looked at scripture in the Intro to Judiasm class, the rabbis asked questions about the text.”
Intrigued, I asked, “What’s do think would happen in an Intro to Christianity class?” “Oh, I think they’re talk more about the “do” and the “don’t” or the “should” and the “shouldn’t”.
His answer is challenging to Marketplace Ministers, isn’t it? Christianity has a “bad brand.” Yet, as Christ followers, we know that we have freedom to ask lots of questions. God is big enough to hear all of them and delights in hearing every question!
What’s the lesson? One of the ways we demonstrate God’s love to our colleagues and co-workers is by not only inviting their questions, but also being willing to talk about our own questions. In short, be authentic. As I was relating this story to a friend of mine, he suggested I read Love Jesus. Hate Church. Have you read this book yet?
“For updated insights, comment on Danita’s upcoming book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador. If you need an upcoming speaker for an event, check out her speaking topics.
© Copyright 2009, 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