This is the one day of the year, Thanksgiving Day, where most Americans stop and take a deep, calm breath to sincerely reflect and give credit to someone else for all their “blessings”.  The list of benefactors is varied and interesting to say the least and usually starts with God, then family, health etc.  Any list is fine and the priority order too I suppose.  What’s important is exercising the very process of giving thanks while acknowledging others and getting our minds off ourselves for a change.

There is in interesting calm that comes about within one’s mind when that pause is purposed for the reason of the season, giving thanks.  The very word “Thanksgiving”, incorporates two of the most needed and important principles in any language, “Thanks” and “Giving”.  Regardless of the order that we use the two words, they are both equally important on their own or together.

 I have not tried to impress you with any new revelation about Thanksgiving nor was that my intent in this writing.  I only want to challenge each of our readers with this thought on this very special Holiday.   It would seem to me that by my admitted lifestyle and my observation of others that this may very well be the only day of the year we purposely reflect on giving thanks and/or giving in general.  What if we each privately committed to ourselves to try and celebrate a Thanksgiving day once a month?  Some of us may even try to make that choice once a week.   And for anyone who has the courage to try, perhaps once a day!!!!

As Christians we are indeed blessed to have inspiration and permission to enjoy life, compliments of King Solomon’s  writing Ecclesiastes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   He writes in chapter 4:18-20 NKJ, “Hear is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.  As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor, this is a gift of God.  For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart”.  That by the way is why we Christians should put God at the top of our priority list for thanksgiving and consider taking the challege I just presented you.

Now members and readers, let me say to you,. Thankyou for your interest and patronage in the Kingdom Business Journal.  We are honored and grateful to share these Kingdom principles and encouragement with you and believe your commitment to God’s plan for your life will be fulfilled in His Name.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Rich Forster    KBJ Publisher

A good friend, business student and spiritual son called me today to discuss a number of issues and for prayer.  I am always honored to be asked for advice and prayer.  But we discussed a principle for business I taught him years ago that he realized played a major role in the way he was handling life situations as well as business opportunities.  It’s an old cliche you have all probalby heard but it is so refreshing to hear that it still works today in various situation of life.  As a very talented salesman searching to be the best at what he did, he operated more from enthusiasm and challenge than he did with purpose and efficiency.  He had a tendency to ready, fire, aim and consequently wasted his energy and talent finding his way through the maze of selling.  So I taught him to “plan his work and work his plan”.

It is a known fact that if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail.  The need for a plan in your life was first substantiated by God when He did the same for you.  In Eph. 1:4-5 Paul verified for us that God chose us, each and every one, before the beginning of time and pre-destined (appointed plan or guananteed destiny) us as His son’s according to the good pleasure of His will.

All throughtout the Word of God from creation in Genesis to the details in revelation, God demonstrated that He had a plan for everything and everybody.  That in itself is a comforting thought, right?  But it also infers we do the same with our life.  Afterall, He was the living example for us all to follow in life.  I would also add that He is a God of detail.  He numbered the hairs on your head and when David was drawing up the blue prints for the Temple that his son Solomon was to build, God gave him very explicit intsructions and details on how it was to be built.  There are  many examples I could mention today but suffice to say, I think you get the point.

My young protege went on to explain how this procedure he learned in the sales training 101 class has assisted him in his business now and with his family affairs as well.  So I want to encourage you today to do the same.  Plan your work(assignment) and work your plan.  With focus and persistence, you will not only be successful, but you will be an inspiration to all those who work and live around you.  At the same time,  you will demonstrate what it means to have pride in your work and to strive for perfection in all that you do.  That is the kind of influence that makes you a successful businessman, family man and marketplace minister.  Positive influence on those around you is the best form of evangelism you can do as it shows your commitment to practice what you believe and sometimes even preach. 

Preparing for the worst and expecting the best is a winning formula for success in every area of life and gives glory and honor to the One who made you.  So, plan your work and work your plan and be the success you were destined to be. 

Blessings…….Rich Forster    KBJ Publisher

I think we would all agree that in the “good times”, we are  likely to be less dependent upon God to bail us out of various and asundry messes we manage to get ourselves into.  All it takes today is a fairly major catastrophe , like our economic system collapse, to upset our equilibrium and balance and “help me Jesus and I promise I will never make that same mistake again as long as I live…..I think” . 

Thanks to a forgiving, merciful and loving God, we get plenty of chances to do things over and get it right.  If your like me though, it seems like sometimes I lack the discipline to follow through with my well intentioned resolve.  So why is it that we forget so soon after our newly promised agreement is made and fall back into those same traps once again?  Maybe we have lossed our focus on a very important principle of life and business?

No matter what is is your seeking to resolve, a new job, starting a business or stewarding your financial budget plan better,  we often loose sight of what should be our top priority, “seeking first the Kingdom and His Righteousness, then all these things will be added to you,” Matt 6:33.  What is the Kingdom?  The Kingdom is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost”, Rom. 14:17.  And where is the Kingdom of God?  It is within you, Luke17:21.

So check your motive and  focus first thing  if your in this pinch and retrace your steps back to your first love and top priority.  With righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Ghost, life just seems to be a lot easier to handle.  It’s a supernatural thing!  Getting on the same page with the Author and Finisher of our faith is a great place to be and He is an excellent Partner to have also, don’t you think? 

Rich Forster  KBJ Publisher

We have a number of friends, brothers and sister in Christ, that have been negatively effected with this current economic debacle.  Some have lost six figured jobs and for others, they have yet to find gameful employment for over a year in some cases.  There are so many lessons for us to learn through the challenges of this fearful time that they are too numerous to list but surprisingly exciting for us at KBJ.  The reason they are exciting times is that our heart is to help the many who struggle in these times with a lack of business and/or job as we  possibly can with advice and practical business instruction while illuminating the spiritual parallel of that same principal as Jesus taught.   We believe too that it is especially important to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters with support to weather this battle with God like resolve and determination.

Today I just want to suggest one thing to those of you that are in this seemingly futile delimma, fearful and anxious, and so overwhelmed that you can’t see the forest through the trees.  There is no obstacle too large that it cannot be overcome with the ingenuity,  creativity and persistent resolve of a blood bought, mustard seed believing, child of the Living God.  It all begins practically with a plan of action.  In order to have or make a plan of action you must first understand and face your circumstances.   No matter how serious they sound, how bad they feel or how grim they appear, you need to thoroughly understand where you are in order to get where you want to go.  Once you face the truth of the situation, you can formulate a step by step plan that is attainable and celebrate every little victory you accomplish along the way.   Put your dreams back at the top of that list of goals, bathe the plan in prayer along with your fellow believers and present your plans to the Lord and they will succeed.  Now it’s time to take action.

It is a really helpful and a good idea to engage the help of a good friend, pastor or mentor to help you sort the truth from fiction from the start and along the way.  You don’t need to stress yourself anymore than you already may be but to measure your success you need goals or expectations along the way to measure progress and maintain your enthusiasm for positive action. 

So in summary, gather all the facts, good and bad and understand them.  Then formulate a plan to solve the more serious circumstance first and the others as you progress.  Present this plan to the Lord and trust He will honor your commitment because it will be glory to Him.  Include your dreams and destiny back into your daily life.  Build in some little success benchmarks to measure your progress.  And always know, God loves you and will never let His righteous fail.  It just may take a little more time than is comfortable for you for Him to develope His Divine plan perfectly for you.  We at KBJ are believeing for you and prayfully look forward to your testimony of God’s deliverence of your situation and your new assignment.

Rich Forster KBJ Publisher

I am not going to tell you that eveything in my life and at Kingdom Business Journal is wonderful. It is not!  With my recent move I no longer have internet, therefore I had to come up with another option and now we are behind about 2 months. Personally I am still looking for full time employment. I have friends who are having life issues also and it all seems to keep mounting up.

I AM THANKFUL!

A good friend sent me an e-mail about being frustrated and how to deal with it. She posed the question:

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL RIGHT NOW!

I have to admit I have so much to be thankful for.

My relationship with Jesus
My family
Church family
Friends
A place to live
Food on the table for my family

Work

A new laptop to work from

The list went on and on.

I would like to challenge you today to sit down and make your THANKFUL list.

God bless and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Lowell Lane

Hello everyone.  I am sitting at a local Quiznos using the FREE wi-fi on my new laptop.  PRAISE THE LORD! 

I am now connected. 

Just a quick update.

I have not been writing because we moved and I have not had access to internet except at the library.  They limit me to 1 hour and I was barely able to respond to just e-mails let alone blog or maintain our website. 

It has been very frustrating, but I am glad it is over.

Have a blessed day and I look forward to writing again.

Good Morning,

It is a cold, rainy, and beautiful fall morning here in the Ozarks.   The Maple trees are starting to turn colors and shed their leaves, and this weekend is the Maple leaf Celebration.  It is a busy time for us, remodeling, moving, finding a job, and working a booth this weekend for my Master Gardeners group.

The season is chaning, and so is the season of our life.  We have gone through many changes over the years, but I believe that this is the most significant change, spiritually.  I can’t really tell you why, I just know it in my spirit.

Have a wonderful day, and if you can come to Carthage this weekend for the parade and celebration, it is well worth it.

Blessings!

Good Morning,

We have been in the process of a remodel and moving.  Internet and computer are still not hooked up, but will be soon.

I look forward to getting back to doing regular post.

Have a blessed day and you will hear from me soon!

I am so excited.  I took the plunge and have subscribed to FeedBurner.  I know some of you probably wonder where I have been, but it is new to me.

On my blog I now have a e-mail subscription that allows readers to subscribe to the blog and they will be notified by e-mail with any new post.

On my website I now have this cool animated box that roles different blog post titles and dates and allows the reader to subscribe.

I am excited to learn even more.

If you are not familiar with Feed Burner I suggest you check them out.

CLICK HERE

Blessings!

Selling Ham and Beans and Tators and Onion cooked over a wood fire

Last year another family in our church decided to do a craft festival and asked If I could help, I said sure.  I was in charge of publicity on the web and to local media and Dutch Oven cooking.

We are doing it again this year and today we had a great turnout. I wrote about this on my other blog and so here is a link.

CLICK HERE