Are you having the Time of your life?

Ask a Christian businessman, a Christian worker.

And, you’ll be met with a look of horror.

As if you had suddenly grown three heads!

The thought!

The thought of having the Time of your life!

It’s alien.

An alien concept. 

In a Christian businessman’s, a Christian worker’s life.

And, that’s a shame!

Because, in the Christian life – the Times they should be Joyful, always.

Yes.  There may be moments of disappointment – a promotion denied.

Or, sadness – a colleague sacked.

Even, despond – a good piece of work unjustly trashed.

But, Joy should spring back into the Christian heart, quickly.

Even Jesus had His difficult moments.

When John the Baptist was beheaded [Matthew 14:10, Mark 6:27 KJV – King James Version].

Exhaustion after healing the sick all night [Mark 1:30-34, Luke 4:40 KJV].

What brought Joy back into Jesus’ life?

Solitude.

After He heard of his cousin John the Baptist’s beheading the Gospels tell us that He went to a desert / solitary place [Matthew 14:13, Mark 6:31-32 KJV].

Exhausted after healing the sick all night the Gospels tell us, again, that He went to a desert / solitary place [Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42 KJV].

Why did Jesus seek Solitude?

Because, only in Solitude does the worn out, depleted, soul find sustenance.

Through the Holy Spirit.

Luke records this.  “…..Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit…..[Luke 10:21 NIV – New International Version]

It is the Holy Spirit Who fills us with Joy.  If we will let Him.

The great tragedy of American business life is the lack of Solitude.

Busy.  Busy.  Busy.

Everyone is so busy that they cannot make Time for Solitude. 

For the Holy Spirit to enter our lives and infuse our Time with Joy.

And, so, we go through Life as a Joyless, almost Mindless, existence.

Without having had the Time of one’s life!

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

America does not have an Unemployment problem.

America has an Unemployment crisis on its hands.

The average unemployment rate over the last two decades has been 5.7%. See http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm

In February 2010 it was 9.7%

Here’s the bad news.  Unemployment is unlikely to go down to the average of 5.7%.

Not, at least, for a generation [25 years].  Maybe, never.

For, over the last 20 years Manufacturing was a major force in the American economy.

No longer.

Most Manufacturing has already fled abroad.  And Service-industry jobs are fleeing, too.

So – where are the jobs over the next decade going to come from?

From Green initiatives.

Like, Renewable Energy.  Carbon Capture.  Energy Efficiency.  Green Buildings.  Green Transportation.  Waste Management.

But, these are all industries that are aborning.

None of them will really come to maturity – that is, begin to churn out well-paid jobs and secure employment – for another 5-10 years.

What is to become today of the 25 million people who are part of the real unemployment rate of 16%-17%?   

Patricia Overy’s example can help resolve this unemployment crisis.

She gave up her job [see http://www.washingtonhotwire.com/?p=873] so that a colleague would not be fired.

Now, the Overy household lives on one income.  Her husband’s.

So, also, should every Christian household in America.  Live only on one income. 

The jobs that they give up will go to those currently unemployed.

According to the Census Bureau data for 2004 [cited at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States] there were some 50 million households in America with 2 incomes .  Today, undoubtedly, a few more. 

In 2008 some 76% identified themselves as Christians.

That makes for some 38-40 million Christian households with 2 incomes.

If all Christian households did what Patricia Overy did – give up one of the two jobs in the household – and live on one income only – America’s unemployment crisis would be over.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

A week ago, last Monday, Patricia Overy, 40, wife, and mother of 4, in Lathrop, California, decided to give up her job so that a colleague would not be fired.

Among her reasons [see http://www.washingtonhotwire.com/?p=873 ] – the time it gives her to be with her young children.

A teenager, a 7-year-old, and 4-year-old twins. 

The children’s reaction is poignant.

“The twins were like, ‘Mommy are we staying home with you tomorrow?’

My son says, ‘Mom are you going to start taking me to school?’” 

Reacting, Patricia Overy says — “I want to be more of a participant in my kids’ lives and what they’re doing.”

And, that, really is Patricia Overy’s Example to Christian working parents.

To be there in her children’s lives. 

But, beyond that Joyful prospect, is a 2nd Example.

To learn to live on one salary.  That of her husband, alone. 

Things will get a little tight. 

However, Patricia Overy has the answer.  “Maybe a little tighter budget.” 

“But,” in the end, “we’ll be fine.”

We will be fine.  But, on what basis?

Says Patricia Overy – their needs are simple. 

And, that is the 3rd Example to Christian working parents.

Being an active participant in her children’s lives, and living a simpler life, doesn’t faze Patricia Overy.

Remember — that’s how our grandparents lived.

And, remember the result?  Well-adjusted children.

The product of a stable environment.

Because, Mom was always there.

When children went to school.  When they came back.

That’s all that children want.

Mom there all the time.  Dad home in the evening.

As for the sacrifices? – the tighter budget?

It will be of no consequence to the Overy family, the Overy children.

The Lord provides for those who care for others. [Matthew 6:30-33] 

And, it is this Lord we thank.

For this Christian wife.  This Christian life.  This shining example to us all.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Last Monday morning there were some 21 million people unemployed in the US.

By Monday evening it was 21 million + 1.

Patricia Overy.

For, Patricia Overy, 40, wife, and mother of 4, in Lathrop, California, gave up her job so that a colleague would not be fired.

Of such people Jesus has said – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. [John 15:13 KJV – King James Version]  

Patricia’s kind of Love is akin to the Lord’s.  Who lay down His life for us.

And, it is rare.

But, even in its rarity it is a Joyful event.  For it peals out that most Christian of virtues, Hope.

The Hope, the belief, that this is still a world worth living in!

A world still worth living in — because of people like Patricia Overy, who help make it so.

Patricia’s reasons for doing what she did –

A husband who supports her Christian act.

He works.  They have Health-Care from his job. 

At 40 she is younger than her colleagues, and feels that can cope with a job loss better than they can.  And, has a better chance at getting a new job than them.  

And, besides, it gives her time with her young children – a teenager, a 7-year-old, and 4-year-old twins. 

“The twins were like, ‘Mommy are we staying home with you tomorrow?’

“My son says, ‘Mom are you going to start taking me to school?’” 

Patricia Overy — “I want to be more of a participant in my kids’ lives and what they’re doing. I’m going to re-evaluate that a little bit.”

And, finally, says Overy – their needs are simple. 

Things will get a little tight.  However, Patricia Overy has the answer.  “Maybe a little tighter budget.”  “But,” in the end, “we’ll be fine.”

Amen.  And, amen.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Recruitment is the single most critical activity in a Christian Business.

It behooves the Christian Businessman, therefore, to Pray before taking a person into the Business.

The person being taken into the Business must be Hand-picked from the Community.  Not a hire off the street.  Or, out of a bunch of Résumés. 

It must be a person whom the Christian Businessman knows well.  A person whom he has observed in personal and professional settings over several years. 

Just as Jesus knew His Apostles.

He, working as a Carpenter, knew the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew, and Zebedee’s sons James and John [Matthew 4:18-22 KJV], intimately.

And, they – Him.  Equally intimately.

They not only knew the Man, Jesus.  They, also, were aware of His emerging Mission.

Teaching people to Love.

Not – love your Neighbor as yourself.  But – Love one another as I have Loved you [John 13:34 KJV paraphrase].

No wonder they — the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew, and Zebedee’s sons James and John – joined Him Immediately when He called!  Without any hesitation!

And, not just without hesitation.  Without reservations.

They were Unequivocally joined with Him in His Mission.

Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom [Matthew 4:23 KJV].

Here, then, is the Recruitment model for the Christian Businessman.

The Christian Businessman Prays to Our Lord for guidance in his Recruitment endeavor.

He calls – he Chooses — a person from his Community.

And, note – it has to be from the Community.

Just as the Apostles were all members of Jesus’ local Community.

The Christian Businessman’s Honor, his Integrity, his Righteousness, are so not in dispute that the person called / Chosen comes — Immediately.

And, not just Immediately, but, is joined so unshakably with the Christian Businessman – Stands with him — in the implementing of the Mission of the Christian Business.

Which is — the advancement of the Kingdom of God. 

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Would you like to have people in your Company who are –

Thoroughly Reliable? 

Completely Dedicated?

Given to Perfection?

Not Slackers?

Not prone to Absenteeism?

Satisfied with their Wages?

Happy with the Work?

Then, Recruit the way Jesus did!

His Apostles were model Workers.  All except Judas Iscariot, of course. 

And, serve as a model for Christian workers today.

But, so does Jesus’ Recruitment model.

The Recruitment of the Apostles is the seminal event in Christianity.

Without them, Christianity would have gone nowhere.

And, as if to underline its critical nature, the Recruitment of the Apostles is detailed by each one of the three Synoptic Gospels writers – Matthew, Mark, and Luke.   

In Mark 3:13-19.  Thrice in Matthew – Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9, and Matthew 10:1-4.  And, in Luke 6:12-16. 

Luke highlights the 4 Unique aspects of Jesus’ Recruitment system.

12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples…..[Luke 6:12-16 KJV – King James Version]. 

The 4 Unique aspects of Jesus’ Recruitment system are these –

First, Jesus Prayed before He made his decision. 

Second, Jesus Chose His Apostles.

Third, Jesus evoked an Immediate response from them.  The Apostles joined Him without hesitation.

Fourth, Jesus secured their complete loyalty.  They Stood with Him in the furtherance of His mission.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

Jesus did not hire Workers to send forth His Message. 

Or, Employees.

He chose Co-Owners.  The Apostles.

To take His work forward.

What’s the difference?

And, what difference does it make?

The difference is this.

A Worker, a Co-Worker, an Employee — is a Hired Hand.  In Jesus’ words – an Hireling.

A Co-Owner is, well – a Co-Owner.

Jesus talked about the Hireling in John 10:11-16.

“But he that is an hireling…..whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth…..”  [John 10:12 KJV – King James Version]

Why fleeth?

“The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”  [John 10:13 KJV]

Because an Hireling – Workers or Employees — careth not for the sheep, Jesus did not hire Workers or Employees to take His Message to the world.

He knew that at the first sign of Affliction, the Hirelings, any Workers and Employees he would have recruited, would flee. 

Leaving His flock to be scattered and slaughtered. 

A Co-Owner, on the other hand, cares.

And, that is why He handpicked the Apostles.

And, made them Co-Owners of His Mission.

Jesus talked about Co-Owners, also, in John 10:11-16. 

Likening them to the Good Shepherd.

“…..the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  [John 10:11 KJV]

As the Apostles did.

The willingness to sacrifice their all is the essential characteristic of Co-Owners.

Being co-equal with the Owner, Co-Owners, like the Apostles, give everything.

Their Imagination.  Their Innovation.  Their Physical strength.  Their Spiritual energy.

Which led to the Surge of Christianity in its early days.

Christian Businesses, and Christian Businessmen, fail to Surge because they do not adopt Jesus’ Employment model.

They take in Hirelings.  Whose sole interest is their own welfare.

And, not Co-Workers.

Who, like Christian Business Owners, and Christian Businessmen, and the Apostles, work to the Glory and Honor of Our Lord.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

So, what’s a Christian Businessman to do?

Simple.

Set up a One-Man Business.

That’s all a Christian Businessman can do.  If he follows the Example of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…..” [Matthew 28:19 KJV – King James Version]

And, each one of the Apostles went away on their Mission.  Individually.

Jesus could have trained teams of Disciples to go with them.  But, He did not.

Why this One-Man Business model?

Because, the One-Man Business model establishes a direct relationship between the Businessman and Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, causes him to put his entire Trust, his entire Life, his entire Future, his entire Fortune, in Our Lord’s hands.

If a One-Man Business indulges in Unethical, or Immoral, or Sinful, behavior – the effects of these Unholy Actions are felt by the Business almost immediately. 

And, the Businessman, then, promptly reorders his steps along the paths of Righteousness.   

This is why Our Lord instituted the One-Man Business model.

To save Sinful Man from himself.  From his own, Natural, Sinful, self. 

So, if the model-Example that Jesus left us is that of the One-Man Business – can a Christian Businessman employ another as a Worker?

Clearly – no!

But, the Christian Businessman can employ another as a co-Owner.

A man, who, like himself, as co-Owner, would be utterly dependent upon Our Lord Jesus Christ for livelihood.

Quite unlike a Worker who would be dependent upon the Businessman.  And, not upon the Lord.

A situation quite unacceptable within the Christian ethos.

So, to answer the question – can a Christian Businessman employ a Worker?

A Worker – no.

A co-Owner – yes.

With a Worker the Christian Businessman’s devotion to the Lord is halved.

With a co-Owner, it is redoubled.

And, redoubled again – when the co-Owner leaves to establish his own Business.

All the while Praising both the Lord, and the man.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

The RiverHills Bank began foreclosure proceedings against Terry Hoskins.

Two weeks ago Hoskins razed his $350,000 Clermont County, Ohio, home to the ground.

Would Jesus have approved of Terry Hoskins’ action?

No.

But, Jesus would not have approved of RiverHills Bank’s action, either.  [Vide Infra -- see below.]

In fact, Jesus would not have approved of RiverHills Bank.  Period. 

Or – and I’d better get this in before I get angry missives for singling out RiverHills Bank — any Big company, for that matter.

In fact, Jesus will not approve of any Company bigger than a one-man show.

Jesus could have trained teams to accompany the Apostles as they went forth to preach the Gospel [Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10 NIV – New International Version].

But, He did not.

Instead He sent the Apostles, one by one.

Each Apostles was a one-man show.  A One-Man Business.

This is the Example of Business Organization that Jesus left us.  The One-Man Business.

Why would Jesus only approve of a One-Man Business model?

Because, only in a One-Man Business is a direct relationship established between Man and Jesus.

Between the Businessman and the Blessings that flow from a relationship with Our Lord.

If a One-Man Business indulges in Unethical, or Immoral, or Sinful, behavior – the effects of these Unholy Actions will be felt by the Business almost immediately. 

And, the Businessman will promptly reorder his steps along the paths of Righteousness.   

Not so in Big Business, where behavior and ethics are far removed from each other.

Terry Hoskins found the $160,000 that is owed on his home.

But, RiverHills Bank refused. 

Saying, according to Cincinnati Channel 5 at http://www.wlwt.com/news/22600154/detail.html , “they could get more from selling it in foreclosure.”

Such rancor!  Such malice!  Such animosity!

This is what happens to human nature in Big Business. 

This is what happens when Businessmen do not have a direct relationship with Our Lord.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]

In the end, it was not Artistry, or Technical Skills, or, even understanding the new Scoring System.

What won Gold for Evan Lysacek of Naperville, Illinois, in men’s Figure Skating, at the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Thursday [02/18/2010], was his deep-seated, almost indwelt, understanding of the Christian Concept of Competition.

That — a Christian never competes against another.

A Christian only competes against himself.

To be better than before.

As Lysacek told nbcolympics.com  — “Each step [in the men’s Figure Skating event] wasn’t planned to win this gold medal. It was to have a personal victory…..”

A personal victory. 

That is — besting oneself. 

Not – beating another. 

The consequences of Christian Competition, as one might expect – are Godly.

No bitterness at the Result, no animosity towards the Winner, no protest of the Marking system, no questioning the decision of the Judges.

Or, as Lysacek put it – “My goal and my plan was to skate the way I skated and leave the rest to the judges and not argue their choices, their scores — just accept them whatever they may have been.”

But, a Christian Concept of Competition would be a very poor Concept, indeed, if all it involved was Self.

Getting better and better, personally.

Christianity is nothing – if it is not about The Other.

About, helping The Other. 

And, not just helping The Other.  But, helping The Other get better.

Just ask the young skaters at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.

After Lysacek finishes his punishing workouts at the Center, say skaters, he takes time to help them improve their skating skills.

In the end, though, the Christian Concept of Competition is not about Self – and Others. 

It is about Honoring Our Lord for the Gifts, the Talents, He has bestowed upon us.

That these may be to His Honor and His Glory.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]