WORK AS WORSHIP
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
EMERGING TREND!
Is God at work in American business? You decide.
Are you interested in the latest trends and behaviors in American business? If so, you might find this particular subject of interest. It involves the spiritual "revival" taking place across the nation right now. Hundreds of large US corporations now have Workplace Chaplains on their payrolls, an emerging trend as caring employers strive to meet the needs of personnel desiring to have access to spiritual direction whenever it's needed.
A Wall Street Journal survey revealed a 50% dissatisfaction rate among executives and 80% dissatisfaction rate among general workplace population. A University of Michigan research study revealed that more people turn to the clergy than to any other profession whenever they need help. According to another study, released by the Harvard Business School, for every dollar spent incorporating some type of Spiritual Enrichment Program into an organization's Employee Assistance Program yields a $4 return in increased loyalty, productivity and happier employees.
Business-oriented publications have taken notice as well:
"... a mostly unorganized mass of believers--a counterculture bubbling up all over corporate America--who want to bridge the traditional divide between spirituality and work. Historically, such folk operated below the radar, on their own or in small workplace groups where they prayed or studied the Bible. But now they are getting organized and going public to agitate for change." - Fortune Magazine, July 16, 2001
"People who want to mix God and business are rebels on several fronts. They reject the centuries-old American conviction that spirituality is a private matter. They challenge religious thinkers who disdain business as an inherently impure pursuit. They disagree with business people who say that religion is unavoidably divisive. - Fortune Magazine, July 16, 2001
"Today, a spiritual revival is sweeping across Corporate America as people of all stripes are mixing mysticism into their management, importing into office corridors the lessons usually dolled out in churches, temples, and mosques. Gone is the old taboo against talking about God at work. - BusinessWeek Magazine, November 1999
BIBLICAL PRECEDENTS
From Heaven's vantage point, ministry in the workplace just makes sense. Why? It's where we spend a major portion of our lives. As spirit-beings enduring this earthly experience, we cannot separate the two and expect to employ happy, productive employees.
Jesus knew this, of course. In the New Testament, of His 132 public appearances, 122 were in the marketplace. Of His parables, 45 had a workplace context. Of the 40 divine interventions recorded in the Book of Acts, 39 took place in the marketplace. Jesus spent his adult life as a carpenter, taking orders, producing and delivering a product. He did so until age 30 before he went into His preaching ministry in the workplace. To assist Him, Jesus called 12 workplace individuals - not clergymen - to build His Church.
Work IS Worship. In fact, the Hebrew word "Avodah" is root for word from which we get BOTH the words work and worship. Work in its different forms is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible, more than all the words used to express worship, music, praise, and singing combined.
QUOTES OF NOTE BY CHRISTIAN LEADERS
"The spiritual manifests itself in a life which knows no division into sacred and secular." -Oswald Chambers
"Spirituality in the workplace is exploding." - Laura Nash, Business Ethicist, Harvard University
"I believe one of the next great moves of God is going to be through the believers in the workplace". -Dr. Billy Graham.
"God has begun an evangelism movement in the workplace that has the potential to transform our society as we know it". -Franklin Graham
"God is marshalling his people in the workplace as never before in history. God is up to something. The next spiritual awakening could take place in the marketplace." -Henry Blackaby
"Workplace ministry will be one of the core future innovations in church ministry." -George Barna, Boiling Point, Regal Publishing
"Our surveys reveal that 90-97% of Christians have never heard a sermon relating biblical principles to their work life." -Doug Sherman, author, Your Work Matters to God.
"The church in the workplace is the purest form of the body of Christ today due to its diversity. Workplace believers are less prone to denominational differences because they have a common goal of representing Christ in their workplaces. The movement will break down denominational barriers that have been held in the past." -Os Hillman, International Coalition of Workplace Ministries
"Indeed, as with first-century Christianity, it all begins in the marketplace, where the disciples of Jesus daily rub shoulders with the lost." - Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers, Anointed for Business, Reqal Publishing
"In today's global community, the greatest channel of distribution for 'salt and light' is the business community... the marketplace." - Bill Pollard, Chairman, ServiceMaster
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FAITH AT WORK MOVEMENT
Many are referring to this workplace phenomenon as the "Faith at Work Movement." The secular media was among the first to recognize its impact.
In November 1999, Business Week reported:
"Historically, such folk operated below the radar, on their own or in small workplace groups where they prayed or studied the Bible. But now they are getting organized and going public to agitate for change. People who want to mix God and business are rebels on several fronts. They reject the centuries-old American conviction that spirituality is a private matter. They challenge religious thinkers who disdain business as an inherently impure pursuit. They disagree with business people who say that religion is unavoidably divisive."
In 2004 and 2005, major secular media also did stories on the trend. On October 31, 2004, the New York Times Magazine featured a cover story on Christianity in the workplace entitled "With God at Our Desks." The article stated:
"The idea is that Christians have for too long practiced their faith on Sundays and left it behind during the workweek, and that there is a moral vacuum in the modern workplace, which leads to backstabbing careerism, empty routines for employees and CEO's who push for profits at the expense of society, the environment and their fellow human beings." -Russell Shorto, "With God at Our Desks," New York Times Magazine, October 31, 2004, p. 42.
Subsequent features have appeared in the London Times, Boston Globe, CBS Morning News, the BBC, Atlanta Journal, CNN, National Public Radio, CBN's 700 Club, Los Angeles Times, and the Charlotte Observer, to name a few. On March 31, 2005, CNBC aired a one-hour story on faith at work. The international media has also taken note with stories or features appearing in major media in Hong Kong, Germany, England and France.
HOW DOES A BUSINESS GET STARTED?
OK, so you've heard the reports and you agree there is a definite "need" within your own organization.
Now what?
As many can attest - and as the armed forces have known for generations - a Chaplain could be exactly what your staff is needing. Contrary to many presumptions, having a spiritual resource available to your team is NOT a threat to your workplace environment. A Workplace Chaplain won't be praying at the water cooler or preaching in the break room. In fact, whenever needed, a Workplace Chaplain will try and find Buddhists, Rabbis, and other spiritual leaders for those employees who would feel more comfortable with them, or stand by them as they seek more specialized help such a drug or alcohol treatment. Workplace Chaplains serve in every situation and serve employees with or without a religious background. They are available to deliver death or injury messages to family members after accidents, provide pastoral counseling, perform funerals and weddings, talk to employees about workplace issues, and make hospital and jail visits.
When a Workplace Chaplain contracts with a secular company, the employer informs Employees they can call on him/her whenever needed, but they are under no obligation to do so. The presence of a minister is not meant to set a religious tone to the workplace. Chaplains make ministerial visits to their designated workplaces, getting acquainted, checking in and chatting with willing employees. One Workplace Chaplain said, "As a Workplace Chaplain, one day you'll be talking to a guy about last night's game, but the next day they might seek me out to talk about his wife leaving or his cousin in the hospital." He says that the trust built makes workers feel comfortable in confiding problems, and that unexpected life events often drive workers to seek out his services. "They do it by email and Instant Message all the time. I think they're most comfortable that way AND they can remain anoymous."
Secular companies hire Chaplains because they believe it increases productivity to provide support to employees who need it, and cuts down on workplace discord. Rather than being a part of management or perceived as a co-worker who might gossip with other employees, the Chaplain is someone neutral who can listen to employees' concerns, with the assurance of confidentiality. Layoffs, downsizing and the recent publicized instances of workplace violence have contributed to increased stress in the workplace in recent years and business owners are keen to the need for this kind of spititual assistance in the workplace.
WHAT WILL A WORKPLACE CHAPLAIN COST?
The cost of this resource varies with the size of a company but the truth is, there's probably nobody on your payroll whose presence will make such an impact on your bottom line. One key to the success of this type of ministry is that an employer must allow time for relationships to be established. A Chaplain's fee is generally tax-deductible as a Consulting fee and will vary from business to business. In today's workplace environment, one thing is certain: it appears it's more expensive to an organization NOT to have a Chaplain on board.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work
ANOTHER STORY FROM THE WORKPLACE MISSION FIELD
Stacey (not her real name) was a pretty young lady, early 20's. She called me from the front door of her workplace as I walked toward my car, preparing to make the 3 1/2 hour drive home.
"Pastor Mike...!"
I wheeled around and saw her slowly walking toward me, looking a bit apprehensive, tears already welling up in her eyes.
"Can I talk to you?" she sighed. "I've been wanting to talk to you for three months," she said, with a desperation in her voice - one I've become all too familiar with. Seems most people are feeling quite desperate when they finally come to me for prayer or counsel.
We went back into the building and her Supervisor, a Christian man I knew well, based solely on the looks upon our faces, said, "Why don't y'all use my office?" as he stepped out into the hall. I nodded in gratitude.
Stacey began sharing her story. Three years earlier, while driving with her brother in the passenger's seat, they were hit by another car. He was killed.
"I feel like I murdered him," she cried as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
He'd been a star athlete at the high school and the whole town turned out for the funeral. The burden she'd been carrying since that day was unbearable. Everywhere she went, she felt people were talking about her. Blaming her. She even stopped attending church and, when no one from church reached out to her, that inactivity only confirmed her suspicions.
As I spoke with her, comforting her, she sobbed deeply. She acknowledged she'd probably been listening too much to the devil's voice and not enough to the Holy Spirit. We prayed and she cried some more. It was a 3-tissue session, for sure.
As time went on, she left that workplace. She moved on to attend college and her Supervisor let me know how she'd been progressing.
I've thought about that meeting quite often over the years. I wonder how many people have experienced trauma they haven't dealt with. How many had giants they hadn't yet slain. How many will carry their burdens to their graves as they ignored the elephant in the living room and re-played the video they wish they could forget?
Help is available. If nothing else - if you can't open up to anyone you know where you live - send me an eMail at miketummillo@me.com. I'm here to help.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Workplace Stress: top cause of workplace sickness dubbed Black Death of 21st century!
According to an article in the UK DailyMail, stress has become the most common reason for a worker taking a leave of absence, a report reveals today.
Experts said the psychological condition had become so widespread that it was the "21st century equivalent of the Black Death."
Stress has even eclipsed stroke, heart attack, cancer and back problems, according to the report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Jill Miller, an adviser to the institute, says the report "highlights the heightened pressure many people feel under in the workplace as a result of the prolonged economic downturn."
Cary Cooper, the co-author of a recent book about stress, "The Science of Occupational Health," drew a distinction between pressure and stress. He says the former is "stimulating and motivating" but becomes stressful when "it exceeds your ability to cope with it." The example I often use is this: "Stress is the term applied to the point at which a bending pencil or twig snaps."
Professor Cooper, who is based at the Lancaster University management school, said stress was signalled by changes in behavior. Typically, these include finding it difficult to focus, losing your sense of humour or losing your temper more quickly than normal. In later stages, stress can manifest itself in over-eating or under-eating as well as smoking or drinking to excess."
Cooper said, "Short periods of it are manageable, but it can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease or stomach and bowel problems, if it persists. Given the fact we are in a downturn, workers have an intrinsic job insecurity. There are fewer workers doing more work,’ added the professor. People are suffering from presenteeism [working long hours simply to impress the boss], which affects their home life. Stress is the 21st century equivalent of the Black Death."
SICK, SICK OF WORKING, OR SICK FROM WORKING?
The most common causes of stress for workers are an excessive workload, the management style of a boss, restructuring in the workplace, and problems at home.
The CIPD report shows that a typical worker has 7.7 days off each year due to sickness, typically from minor illnesses such as colds, flu, stomach upsets, headaches and migraines. State workers, who make up one in five of the workforce, take two more sick days on average than private sector workers – 9.1 days compared with 7.1 days.
A separate report, from accountants KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, warns that the jobs market is set to nosedive. Bernard Brown, a partner at KPMG, said: "It is only a matter of time now before we move from a growth position to one of a contracting jobs market."
According to the American Institute of Stress, job stress costs U.S. businesses “more than $300 billion annually due to increased absenteeism, employee turnover, diminished productivity, medical, legal and insurance expenses and Workers’ Compensation payments.” That’s ten times the cost of all strikes combined, the organization says.
Though there are no cookie-cutter methods for reducing workplace stress, a University of Michigan study revealed that employees would rather talk with a clergyman than a therapist or psychologist. I still marvel that, although many companies are reluctant to allow a Workplace Chaplain onto their campuses to serve the needs of their Employees - an act that is proven to reduce stress, increase loyalty, and reduce absenteeism - they don't hesitate to request Chaplaincy services during a disaster such as a stressed Employee who "goes postal" and murders a handful of coworkers before killing himself.
Could YOUR organization utilize the resource of a Workplace Chaplain? Whether it's a monthly visitation, or a quarterly in-service presentation, let me know if I can be of service to your personnel.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
THREE QUESTIONS...
1) Do you know anyone ELSE who has, or anyone who WANTS, a job? What if YOU were the conduit God wanted to use to get His message from Heaven's throne to mailboxes across the globe?
2) Do you know anyone who could use some encouragement regarding their spiritual purpose for clocking-in every day?
The odds are, yes, you do!
3) Do you know any Christians who are wondering what their role in the Kingdom really is? Sadly, many actually believe they were blessed with a job merely so they can out more in the Offering Plate!
God is looking for willing vessels. He's looking for Kingdom-Builders, individuals who really "get it" and want to be part of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the place we spend SO much of our time. He can do great things simply through one person willing to click their mouse for the Kingdom's sake.
So, Click for the Kingdom! Join the Kingdom Clickers RIGHT NOW!
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS...
STEP ONE: Send a eMail with the word "CLICK" in Your Subject Bar to miketummillo@me.com
STEP TWO: When you receive a message from THE CHURCH @ WORK, send it FORWARD to others! TAH DAH! Mission accomplished!
With over 13 years with an Internet Ministry, I can assure you, there is ALWAYS someone in Cyberspace who desperately needs a particular message. This give ALL OF US an opportunity to change lives with the click of a mouse.
No special training!
No special skills required!
No age requirements!
JOIN US NOW!
Every blessing!
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work
Friday, May 25, 2012
She was a high-powered executive, with a corporate office located in a ritzy north Dallas location. She'd built a vast business empire in the property industry.
One of her properties was a185-unit mobile home park south of Dallas in no-man's land. I was that Park's Manager.
Once monthly, I would travel to the corporate office for a meeting with this woman to go over my property's records, etc. The last time I was ever there, her pretty, 20-something daughter came in and handed her some papers. As the young lady turned to leave the room, two men entered, introducing themselves as Detective So-n-so and Detective What's-His-Name. The placed her daughter in handcuffs, read her rights and dragged her off. Stunned, when my boss asked the detectives why this was happening, she was told, "Check forgery."
In an instant, this tough business woman was transformed into a weak, pitiful, dazed and confused mother.
She plopped down in her big leather chair and, with a blank stare, looked at me through tears and said, "What would you do, Mike?"
I encouraged her.
I prayed for her and her daughter.
Not only was I never called to the corporate office again, but I was favored by my boss when an employee from another property called her to complain about the "revival" that was happening among her staff members at the various properties throughout the city. This was before eMail and texting so all my communications with coworkers were by phone and Fax, mostly questions they had when they needed some answers after a staff Bible study on their property they'd taken part in that day, or something they heard from their church's pulpit that didn't sit right with them. By phone, I was warned about this employee's complaint by a friendly coworker who said our boss would be calling me about the complaint.
Her call came while we were still speaking.
She greeted me, asked how things were going and said "good-bye."
That was it.
We weren't on the phone 30 seconds.
I know what it's like to allow the Holy Spirit to move within the workplace.
I understand the challenges and the resistance that can arise as a result of lifting up the standard on the job.
I can attest to the good and the bad - and the THRILLING results -
of allowing Jesus Christ to be Lord of the place we spend the majority of our day.
I have experienced the vitally important ministry of blending secular and sacred in the workforce
and seeing lives changed as a result.
Does the Lord desire to work with and through YOU, too?
I guarantee it!
Are you available?
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)
miketummillo@me.com
PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH OTHERS.
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AND TYPING "WORK" IN YOUR SUBJECT BAR.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Your job: Smack dab in the middle of God's will!
As a Workplace Chaplain, if I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: “Please pray God will give me a new job!”
I've even spoken with Church Secretaries who were thrilled when they were hired to work in the office but who quit in complete disillusionment after getting to know the “Pulpit People” on a more intimate level. Apparently, it wasn’t the monastery they’d anticipated.
Christians in the workforce forget that our steps are ordered by God. It's HIM who opens one door and closes another, never giving us more to handle than we can bear. HE put you where you are now... what difference have you made there?
We forget the fact that, if the Light is removed, the Darkness remains dark. THAT is why we were placed there – to let the Light of God shine through us into a dark and evil situation. We're not supposed to be merely another thermometer, reading the temperature, dubbing it as a “nasty” environment and desiring placement elsewhere while we participate in gossip, stealing time and “getting ours” from “da man.”
No, we are thermostats, setting the temperature wherever we wind up, lifting a standard and exalting Jesus as Lord everywhere we go – even if its serving as a church secretary.
We possess the same Spirit within us Who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). While obeying the Lord's command to go to Rome, the Apostle Paul was nearly drowned at sea, was bitten by a poisonous snake, and was imprisoned, all in the service of King Jesus. So, what's been happened to YOU since you decided to serve Him as King?
Has it been one “Bless Me” moment after another?
Has it been smooth sailing with absolutely zero demonic interference?
Has every job along the way been one moment of sweet fellowship after another?
Of course not.
Here's a NEWSFLASH: Every moment – good, bad and ugly - was allowed by God as a test to see what you were made of, just as Jesus Himself was tested during His 40 days in the desert. Don't worry, if we fail God's tests, we get to take them again. When we pass, showing ourselves faithful with the little things, that's when the Father is likely to promote or re-assign us.
So, grow where you're planted. Do your best from the time you arrive till the time you clock-out, being sensitive to the Spirit every second you're on the clock. Remember, if you have a job - ANY job - you're in the ministry. You may be assembling widgets, but your actions and attitudes toward others are the principle ingredients for Kingdom-building.
As a wise bumper-sticker once read, “Your REAL boss is a Jewish carpenter.” Whatever you do, do it all as unto Him!
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)
Do you believe in Prayer
Cloths?
Cloths?
Is any sick among you?
On several occasions in the past, our team of Intercessors has felt led by the Holy Spirit to release the healing virtues of Christ resident within us (Romans 8:11) into various cloth items - a baby blanket, shawl, or handkerchief - and to send these anointed cloth items forward to the one for whom they were intended. Reports of Divine Healings have resulted as a result of these steps of faith.
Is there a Biblical precedent for this activity? Yes, there is!
The reference can be found in Acts 11:11-12:
"God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them."
Some might say, "Yes, but that was the great Apostle Paul!"
Sorry, but God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
James 5:16 encourages us with these words, "Elijah was a man just like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain..."
Didn't Jesus say, "Greater things than I do will you do also, because I go to the Father" and "Be it unto you according to your faith"? Also, He never told us to merely "Pray for the sick." He told us to HEAL them.
Now, I don't know why Paul didn’t go himself, or how word got out that sick people desiring God's healing touch through him need only send him a towel, but it does seem a more efficient for the mountain to come to Mohammed, so to speak. After all, he was just one man and they had no public transit system in those days. Paul must have been prevented either by his more pressing obligations, serving jail time, or because the number who needed healing was so great, and in a situation so precarious, he could not get to all the infirmed and dying people in time.
Was there a plague perhaps, with sick and dying people everywhere? No one can say for sure.
This type of healing required great faith from Paul AND from those desperate enough to send him their aprons, towels and kerchiefs. His sole Scriptural precedent of anything remotely resembling this type of healing ministry was the woman with the issue of blood who was healed when she touched the hem of Jesus' garment.
That's it.
Paul had faith God would honor this mode of healing as if he were physically present to minister to every one of those who sent him those cloth tokens.
Obviously, cloth items in and of themselves have no power to heal. When sent on a divine mission, however, invested with power from God, sent by one who understands his authority in Christ, well... God can and does use these things. In the same way, those who understand righteousness, the authority we have in Christ, and our position in the priesthood as Believers, don’t posses any healing power EXCEPT what the Holy Spirit grants them. When sent on a divine mission, we can manifest the power of God according to His will as if we were Jesus Himself.
Personally, when I was very sick with an "incurable" spinal disease, I desperately sent for a healing cloth from a ministry in a magazine. As I recall, I did pay for the postage, but that was not unreasonable. Well, I was progressively healed and I'm fine today. Did that little prayer cloth have anything to do with it after I safety-pinned it to my pillow? It didn't hurt! On the other had, I've also heard of ministries who sold "anointed prayer cloths" for a gift of so many dollars. I understand the need to cover increasing shipping costs, but asking for money for something like this doesn't sit well with me.
I would like to invite anyone reading this now to send a cloth item to me. Trust me, I am being led by the Spirit to even ASK you to do this as the very thought of this kind of ministry causes many Christians to look at me funny. I'm convinced if only one person responds to this message, that individual was the sole reason for my feeling led to write this. I believe God will gladly honor your desperate act of faith, in concert with my own, to minister healing to the sender in this way. Thank you in advance for allowing me to release my faith in this way. I believe you will be greatly blessed for your obedience!
If you are in need of healing and would appreciate having a piece of cloth, a wash cloth, a scarf, a t-shirt, or handkerchief prayed over, anointed and returned to you by those who have had experience with Divine Healings, please write me at miketummillo@me.com to initiate the connection with the word "HEAL" in your Subject Bar and a brief message about your condition. Your e-Mail address and home address will be safe and secure, not shared with anyone.
I look forward to hearing from anyone desperate enough for Christ's healing touch to reach out in this way.
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)
miketummillo@me.com
Monday, May 21, 2012
From start to finish, this Bible translation took 16 years.
They call themselves the Christian Bible Society and their mission was to create the most accurate and readable translation of the Bible ever created. Over the past few weeks, along with several friends, we have been scanning and comparing key and miscellaneous verses from this translation with others and, we have concluded, this one is awfully good!
They call themselves the Christian Bible Society and their mission was to create the most accurate and readable translation of the Bible ever created. Over the past few weeks, along with several friends, we have been scanning and comparing key and miscellaneous verses from this translation with others and, we have concluded, this one is awfully good!
As the fascinating story from within its own cover goes, in 1975, before their work began, each translator had a good job, owned a nice home, drove a nice car, and the youngest was in his twenties. When this “labor of love” was completed, none of them had a paying job, none had made any money in the past 7 years, none owned any stocks or property, none owned a vehicle newer than thirteen years old, none even had $1,000 in a bank account, and the oldest was now well into his forties.
As you can see, the translators wanted no outside human influence on this translation work of the Bible. So, they supported themselves with savings, temporary jobs, and sales of possessions.
This translation of the Bible was done in cities, in a small town, but mostly in the country. It was done while team members lived in apartments, in a small old house, and in single-wide mobile homes. There were different times that lasted for days and there were weeks when their living and working facilities had no electricity, hot water, running water, or working indoor plumbing. During most of the translation work of the Christian Bible and at its completion, none of them had a microwave oven, a dish washing machine, an automatic clothes washing machine, or even a clothes drying machine, but they never missed a meal for lack of money. They used the best equipment available for the translation of the Christian Bible, and they never had to consider carelessly rushing the translation through to completion.
They meticulously took one step at a time, while trying hard not to be overwhelmed by the enormity and complexity of the task, trusting that God would take care of them and everything else. He did just that. The Lord guided their lives, so as to develop their minds with advanced training and education in analytical, scientific, teaching, journalistic, linguistic, and biblical areas.
Who were these dedicated translators? With hearts set upon exalting only the King and His inspired Word, they preferred their names to be left unknown. As a matter of fact, to anyone who decides to Google this translation, don't waste your time. You will find only a P.O. Box along with testimonies from those who reported having mailed a check and actually having received their hard-cover Bible and accompanying Reference Guide for $39, no tax, no shipping. My own copy was given to me as a gift about 5 years ago and quickly became my favorite translation. It appears it is the hope of the no-profile translators that you will study the Christian Bible with the help of its Companion Reference Guide without prejudice, with only God getting the glory, and then judge it fairly, based on your perception of what they have accomplished.
As you can see, the translators wanted no outside human influence on this translation work of the Bible. So, they supported themselves with savings, temporary jobs, and sales of possessions.
This translation of the Bible was done in cities, in a small town, but mostly in the country. It was done while team members lived in apartments, in a small old house, and in single-wide mobile homes. There were different times that lasted for days and there were weeks when their living and working facilities had no electricity, hot water, running water, or working indoor plumbing. During most of the translation work of the Christian Bible and at its completion, none of them had a microwave oven, a dish washing machine, an automatic clothes washing machine, or even a clothes drying machine, but they never missed a meal for lack of money. They used the best equipment available for the translation of the Christian Bible, and they never had to consider carelessly rushing the translation through to completion.
They meticulously took one step at a time, while trying hard not to be overwhelmed by the enormity and complexity of the task, trusting that God would take care of them and everything else. He did just that. The Lord guided their lives, so as to develop their minds with advanced training and education in analytical, scientific, teaching, journalistic, linguistic, and biblical areas.
Who were these dedicated translators? With hearts set upon exalting only the King and His inspired Word, they preferred their names to be left unknown. As a matter of fact, to anyone who decides to Google this translation, don't waste your time. You will find only a P.O. Box along with testimonies from those who reported having mailed a check and actually having received their hard-cover Bible and accompanying Reference Guide for $39, no tax, no shipping. My own copy was given to me as a gift about 5 years ago and quickly became my favorite translation. It appears it is the hope of the no-profile translators that you will study the Christian Bible with the help of its Companion Reference Guide without prejudice, with only God getting the glory, and then judge it fairly, based on your perception of what they have accomplished.
Intro page of the Christian Bible.
If you're interested, send a $39 check to:
Christian Bible Society
P.O. Box 530
Mammoth Spring, AR 72554
I'd LOVE to hear your feedback!
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Get ready, world!
Are YOU ready for what's coming?
This is NOT a doom 'n gloom message. In fact, if this message is heeded, you can rest peacefully and weather anything the world tries to throw at you with dignity and confidence while having a calming effect on those within your own realm of influence. As a Christian, I can easily see how God could mightily use those who are prepared to shine their light in the darkest hours.
While it's been reported 93% of Americans are unprepared for any level of emergency in which they might find themselves, lately, I have been very encouraged to hear from friends and relatives who proudly report on the gold, the grain, the silver, the water purification systems and the dried foods they've been storing. Good for them!
Following are LINKS confirming the most important reasons every American should be prepared for much harder days to come, especially before the end of 2012:
The European Union Is Officially History
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/07/us-greece-idUSBRE8440DG20120507The European Union Is Officially History
In France, voters have elected socialist Francois Hollande (a known Bilderberg attendee), whose latest promise is to SPEND France into recovery through his “pro-growth agenda." That's like starving yourself to health, if you ask me...
How will this affect these United States?
If you thought the Greek situation was a pain, just wait until the rest of the EU goes belly-up.
Spain is next in line...
Another major concern for Americans is Europe's forthcoming abandonment of the dollar. Along with the BRICS nations, Francois Hollande has openly called for an end to the dollar’s world reserve status, and with a majority backing of the French people, he could easily make this happen, at least in France. All it will take is for a few key countries to publicly, completely drop the dollar and its reputation as a safe haven investment will be a thing of the past. This could very well happen before year's end.
QE3: Is this the End?
What is QE3? Before I answer that, we need to understand what QE1 and 2 were.
The short answer is QE3 stands for Quantitative Easing, Part 3. The Federal Reserve can stimulate the economy using any number of tools. Quantitative easing is just one of them.
The Federal Reserve can lower the interest rate. If the rate is lower, banks will be more eager to lend money to other banks. If the rate is zero or .25% above zero, it's time to dig a little deeper into the tool box.
What is QE1? That was the Wall Street Bailout. In that case, the Central Bank rushed in to help floundering too-big-too-fail businesses.
What is QE2? In 2010, the Federal Reserve decided the US economy was NOT growing fast enough. Unemployment was just over 9%, a few hundred banks had failed since '08, the price of gold was way up, homes were underwater. So, the Fed decided to give the recovery a little boost. They bought lots of Treasury Bonds and, unlike QE1, QE2 didn’t have any specific goals in mind.
What is QE3? Nobody knows for sure. Maybe the Federal Reserve will buy more T-bills. Maybe they will bail out banks again. Nobody REALLY expects the US will ever pay back all those trillions. Maybe QE3 is code for "start that printing press!"
Here's the bottom line: In this and many other nations, there has been no progress, no recovery, only the misrepresentation of statistics. For example, millions of Americans have fallen off unemployment rolls - making the numbers look better - because they have been jobless for too long. That lowers the unemployment rate, but does NOT change the fact they are still unemployed. Get it? Durable goods orders are dropping, too. U.S. credit has been lowered yet again. With China making bilateral trade deals in numerous countries on the condition the dollar be dropped as the primary purchasing mechanism, and with the EU turning to economic mulch, their currency’s days are numbered.
The Federal Reserve has already stated that any signs of “relapse” into recession (as if we were NOT already involved in one) will be met with all options on the table, including QE3:
QE3 will likely be the last straw, triggering a mass movement to drop the dollar as the world reserve. How exactly this will play out socially and politically, we can only guess. The Fed will respond to the lack of treasury purchases by printing more worthless dollars in order to cover their own uncontrolled spending. The dollar will immediately lose a large portion of its value and here comes inflation. Oil and energy prices will skyrocket. Doing any traditional business will become nearly impossible, and price inflation will dominate the lives and the minds of America's unprepared masses.
The amount of time it will take for these difficulties to unfold is also not clear. What we are talking about here is a collapse scenario on a truly planetary scale. Best advice? Assume the avalanche will move quickly.
Doomsday or just a Bad Day?
Personally, I am grateful for the huge, financial slap-in-the-face my wife and I received in 2008 when we were given a glimpse of the coming collapse. It was an awakening, causing us to re-think the physical storage of that we work so hard to obtain and, frankly, smarter things we should be doing with what God has blessed us with, rather than doing what comes naturally, following like lemmings that which has been engrained in the average citizen's DNA. Trading time for money, sticking it in a 401k, some local bank, or give it to some "expert" who is bound by the Fed's rules or is subject to the Stock Market. What were we thinking?
It's time for a vast and subversive societal realignment that will force us to take a more aggressive stance in our fight for an economically and socially free America.
Financial disasters have always proven to be a convenient catalyst for a host of even more frightening obstacles, including civil unrest, and blatant totalitarianism. Many experts believe we are at the cusp of that. It is one of those moments that people of later generations read about in awe, and sometimes horror.
Doom and gloom? I don't believe so. Once you embrace the concept of the Law of Inevitability, you will se the “doom” is not in any event, but in our RESPONSE to that event. How we act during the days that are coming will determine the darkness they will cast upon the future. This is a test! What's coming is not something to be dreaded; it's something to be seized upon, and dealt with, as great men and women before us have done. Many have become quite wealthy as a result of the way they positioned themselves after reading the writing on the wall.
There you have it; now you know what's coming. That, in itself, will help prepare many for their own success.
Are YOU prepared?
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Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
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