Executive Ramblings: Warriors in the Workplace
By Jerry King

One passage of Scripture that I try to pray through daily describes the whole armor of God. Let’s read just a few snippets from Eph. 6:10–18, where Paul identifies our battle dress and its uses.

13- Therefore put on the full armor of God… with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15- and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16- …take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17- Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18- And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

As Christians, we know that we each have a specific role to play every day in standing for and working to expand the Kingdom. Many of us we have a specific place in the battle formation that is strewn across our North American business marketplace. We also know that Satan is our sworn enemy on that battlefield, that he does not fight fairly, and that God provides what we need each day for that day’s battle. Thus we need to don the armor of God daily; it’s a vital part of His provision.

People observe the behavior of others around them. When it is known that you are a Christian, you will be watched more carefully. Your actions take on a spiritual significance for the non-Christians around you. Some will look for your failure and may possibly try to cause it! Others will look for leadership, prayer, guidance on workplace concerns, or insight into personal problems.

Whatever occurs, each interaction and all of your words and actions are part of the battle. Your role is to honor God as the battle unfolds, even if that means undesired or painful behavior on your part. As you succeed, you may bring a major blessing to someone, revolutionize the atmosphere in your workplace or just keep the Lord’s light shining and one group of cubicles “salty.” You may be persecuted (for His sake!), blacklisted, or just generally shunned. Again be armed, covered with prayer and have a focus on God’s willingness to accomplish his purposes in you through the trials of the battle.

When you succeed (that is your words and actions honor God regardless of other secular results), you also become a larger target for the enemy. God won’t protect you from being a target, but He does provide the tools (the armor) and the provisions (grace) to triumph.

Remember, it’s on this marketplace battlefield where non-Christians are most readily encountered. The secular world is their turf, not yours! So go into the world with the heart of a peaceful ambassador for Christ but suitably prepared as of one of His warriors. He came as a Lamb but will return as a Lion. We are to be likewise, peacefully able to live out the Gospel in the world but ready to fight to defend and spread the Gospel in all of our business efforts!

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Don’t forget, we now offer banner advertising on our website for only $25 per month. Just click on “Advertise With Us” at the bottom of any website page and complete the form. Once you are done, click on “Proceed to Payment Screen” to make your payment. It’s that easy!

For questions, or for more information, contact Mark Snow, CBN-USA Director of Marketing, at 614-596-1445 or mark.snow@cbn-usa.org.

Networking Tip: – A Paradigm Shift
By John Kocher

Networking, Networking, Networking. There are many aspects of networking that we’ve already discussed and many more for us to explore together. However, there’s one aspect that is truly the Holy Grail, the sweet spot, the dynamic catalyst, and the Mother of all Networking aspects. That aspect of aspects, the pinnacle of pinnacles (Ok! Enough with the metaphors!) is relationships. It’s really quite simple. It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to explain. It’s really all about relationships, relationships, and more relationships. If two competitors’ services or products are nearly equivalent, then most people (most of the time) will prefer to do business with someone they know, like, and trust. However, if two competitors’ services or products are not nearly equivalent, most people (most of the time) will still prefer to do business with someone that they know, like, and trust. Now don’t get me wrong. Relationships aren’t literally everything that matters when making a sale. However, when you have a relationship with people they’ll have a desire to do business with you. So as you network, remember that it isn’t a contest to see how many people you can meet or how many business cards you can collect. On the contrary! It’s an opportunity to meet and get to know people who likely need your services or know those who do.

The Grocery Advantage: – One of Your Many Member Benefits

The Grocery Advantage continues to find great deals each week at Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens (Columbus/Central Ohio, Dayton, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cleveland/Akron) and Giant Eagle (Columbus/Central Ohio, Cleveland/Akron), Remke (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky), and Tops (Cleveland/Akron). Here are some sample deals this past week a person could find shopping with The Grocery Advantage. There are 500–1,000 grocery deals listed each week for each city.

Columbus/Central Ohio

• Colgate Toothbrush $2.59 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Quaker Cereal $2.50 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Mennen Deodorant $2.49 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Ortega Seasoning Mix $.99 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Wizard Scented Oil Warmer $.99 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Old El Paso Seasoned Meat or Lloyds Barbecue Tub $5.98 for only $0.99 (83% Savings)

Cincinnati/Dayton

• Relish $1.89 for only $0.00 (100% FREE)
• Pepperidge Farm Frozen Bread $1.99 for only $0.19 (90% Savings)
• Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $2.29 for only $0.30 (87% Savings)
• Arrid Deodorant $3.19 for only $0.50 (84% Savings)
• Swanson Frozen Dinners $2.89 for only $0.50 (83% Savings)
• Frank's Red Hot Sauce $2.59 for only $0.50 (81% Savings)

The Grocery Advantage was recently listed by The Columbus Monthly as one of the best deals in Central Ohio.

We recently had someone try The Grocery Advantage for the first time who saved $50 her first shopping trip and a little over $100 her second shopping trip (all during her free trial). Most people shopping with The Grocery Advantage are surprised how easy it is to save 50% or more on their groceries. The Grocery Advantage also lists many fresh meat and fresh produce deals each week ranging from 40%–60% savings.

It is easy to get started. Visit WWW.CBN-USA.ORG, scroll down to the Partners list, and click The Grocery Advantage. All CBN-USA Members get a 3-month free trial ($45 value) and all employees/members of these CBN-USA businesses/organizations get a 30-day free trial ($15 value). Many people are saving $100–$200 per month shopping with The Grocery Advantage. Some people are saving up to $400 or more per month. No credit card or purchase required to try The Grocery Advantage.

Featured Member: – Dave Cooper

Dave was introduced to CBN-USA when he received a flyer for the very first meeting at Grandma’s Pizza back in 2000 from Polly Benson, the wife of our founder and Chairperson, when she and Brian owned a sign shop. Since then, God has blessed Dave’s journey not only personally, but his business, The Ink Well.

Dave has served on the Executive Committee and as Co-Leader for the Central Ohio Region. Dave is also on the CBN-USA Marketing Committee and heads the Marketing Committee for the Northland Area Business Association (NABA) in Columbus. This year, Dave was elected Vice President of NABA as well. He also serves on the board of the Entrepreneurship Institute, which holds the President’s Forum each February. During the forum this year, he will be part of a panel during one of the breakout sessions called "How To Grow Your Sales".

Dave has been involved in the formation of a networking group called AIM whose purpose is to network specifically with CPA's. He also serves on the Sales and Marketing Committee for The Ink Well franchise headquarters in Houston, TX.

Dave is Commander of the Ellis E. Woodrow Memorial Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Westerville. He has served in that capacity since 1991. He became eligible for the VFW by serving in Vietnam from 1967–1968.

Dave attends Central College Presbyterian Church where he currently serves as an elder. He is also on the Pulpit Committee, as his Pastor is retiring after 47 years of service. In addition, he serves his church on the Communications Committee, the Evangelism Committee, the Missions Committee, and he and his wife Chris are shepherds for the first grade, a role they have enjoyed for 12 years. Dave is also involved in his church’s men’s ministry and has been a volunteer with Promise Keepers for the past 12 years.

This May 16th, Dave and Chris will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Dave, thanks for all you do for your family, your church, your business, for CBN-USA, and most importantly, for the Kingdom of God!