http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=53661&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
God never gives up on His children. Whether we're only now discovering our work matters to Him or we've known it for years, here are five principles that help us keep our service in line with His priorities; with His thinking.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=53429&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
We're often asked for ways to sand-blast ourselves out of spiritual ruts. For Christians who work, here are some ideas to consider if you want to see change that pleases God.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=53367&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Unity is a word most often used by good people who are overtly naïve, or by evil people who are deceptively seductive. Unity, when achieved, is seldom what it appears on the surface and is therefore almost always a precursor to trial and trouble.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=52460&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
It's the world-weary, street-savvy, been-there-done-that hard-times Christian whom God picked to star as shepherds in this year's Christmas story. You have news and experience people of privilege often lack, and suddenly they need you more than they know.
Why?
Because you've lived through life's storms and come out the other side. Living paycheck to paycheck, you've been in the storm so many middle class and upper middle class co-workers now face, and you know there's life after the storm. The wisest of you even know there's life in the storm.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=52246&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
It's Christmas Eve 1945, and the tiny church is filled to capacity. Candles cast a soft glow in the dimly lit sanctuary. An elderly man steps to the pulpit and clears his throat slightly, gathering the attention of all in the room. "Our pastor asked me to read you this letter, written by his son last Christmas Eve."
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=52216&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Here's a Christmas moment to cheer your Christmas season.
Billy Watts, a 75 year-old mother and wife, headed into her local Cracker Barrel Restaurant and gift shop to buy a gift for a ladies' retreat coming up. Walking into the restroom, she noticed a woman's bag hanging on a hook. No one else was around, so she knew it had been left behind. Opening it to look for some identification, she noticed a manila envelope that contained---you guessed it---oodles of dollars, 97,000 dollars to be precise!
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=52056&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Moonlight ricocheted across the valley. Every sound echoed through the canyons of white. Frigid air crusted the top layer of snow, making each new step crackle and pop as the white fluff gave way to human feet.
It was late December in Vermont, and I was trudging up a hill from the road, headed to a construction site deep in the rural countryside for a late-night safety inspection. Our workers were pushing to get this project done before Christmas...
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=46744&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Many Christians learn over time how to incorporate prayer into every part of their lives. This means they also discover effective ways to pray for their employers, customers and coworkers. But what if we've never considered praying for our workplace? Here are some ways to think about prayer for the people God places around us on the job.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=51798&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Ummm, that would be me, as I was about to learn.
Every fall for as long as the old-timers could remember, the construction industry in our tiny New England state practiced the ritual of the mass layoff. As cold weather moved in, and work outside became more difficult, the ranks of the employed dwindled and the ranks of unemployed swelled. Winter is a hard time to be without income: Winds howl and swirl, working their way into the cracks of homes, forcing heating bills up and squeezing grocery budgets out.
http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=51549&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Can you believe People magazine passed over me again!?!
