As a Specials Ops Army pilot, pride, arrogance, adultery and alcohol became the call signs of his life spiraling out of control. Jeff knew he had to change, but he was admittedly as far away from God as he could possibly be.  Yes, he knew the Lord since childhood, but he had put God in a box long ago and forgot him. Living in the world, desiring things that were deadly and submitting to distractions were slowly killing Jeff Niklaus.

“You know what the devil does?” Niklaus asked. “He uses weapons of mass distraction, and he does it extremely well.  If he can keep us all distracted, out of God’s word and focused on things that are not of the Lord, he wins!”

Niklaus held up his de-classified Army Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual and told of a day when that book was his Bible.  He quickly set it down on the podium and hoisted the SOP that he lives by today: The Bible. “Men, how can we claim to know God; to know His will for our lives and how can we claim the high ground if we don’t know anything about these things?”

He bared his sole about the extravagant life he once subscribed to, about losing 16 townhouses he once owned and a marriage of 20 years, all because of a compass heading he had set for his life.

The story Jeff Niklaus told was impactful because it was the story of every man: bad choices, shortcuts, and sinning everywhere he could. “If you don’t think sin is fun, you’re practicing the wrong sin,” he chortled. Nervous laughter filled the room but only for a moment as Niklaus quietly said, “Men, sin is sin, and we cannot experience all that God has for us if THAT is our focus.”

Jeff Niklaus’ message was a homerun.  But then the entire conference was one circuit clout after another.  Wes Cantrell on Thursday evening opened this regional gathering with a tremendous exhortation on how and why we must "build our businesses on The Rock.” His message was simple: “The Ten Commandments must be our foundation and character is the essential ingredient.”

CBMC President Lee Truax delivered a wonderful address on the need to re-insert the “B” into CBMC. “We have a unique calling, and we have had it for more than 80 years: to reach out and embrace men in the marketplace.”  That essential understanding is what differentiates CBMC from other men’s ministries, Lee said.

The showing of Courageous was a real hit.  Misty eyes, tear-stained napkins and a meaningful Q&A followed the movie as men told countless stories of how this motion picture had affected them. Read some of them in this article.

Dr. Henry Blackaby was the main event this year, and he did not disappoint. His recitation on the importance of “Jesus in the Workplace” was captivating as he took us on a walk through the Bible.  “God loved the workplace and the men who spent their time there. The disciples were all businessmen,” exclaimed Blackaby.  And then with a wry grin he said, “I believe Peter was probably the head of the Fisherman’s Union, if you want to know the truth.”

After a round of several workshops and discussion panels, the men came together Sunday morning for one final time when Lee delivered a wonderful charge for each man to take what he heard here over the past few days and put just “one thing” to work in their lives.

After a group picture around the gazebo, long good-byes, warm handshakes and wonderful embraces, the 2012 CBMC Regional Men’s Conference came to an end.

After a relaxing dinner and time to re-charge, this mature group of believers was shepherded back to the ballroom where Dr. Henry Blackaby delivered a smooth and well crafted recitation on the importance of “Jesus in the Workplace.”

“I have five children and all lf them attended seminary and are now in full-time ministry. God’s calling on each of their lives is profound”, stated Blackaby. “God deserved their best and they are giving our Lord that and more”, said this proud father.

Blackaby contends that when God gives you a child He expects parents not to rest until He sees his hand imprinted on their lives. He went a step further saying that being just an ordinary believer is not what God wants of us. Christ desires us to feel the same calling from Him that the chosen 12 felt 2,000 years ago. He claimed if that is how we feel we should turn around right here, right now and search for the kingdom of heaven that Blackaby said is right next to each man in the room.

Jesus called his disciples to a relationship.  The disciples were asked to do very little other than to observe and to learn and to experience the amazing power of God himself. He gave each man an assignment and then filled them with the power to fulfill that assignment.  “It’s the same thing he’s doing today in your life and in mine,” exalted Blackaby.

Dr. Blackaby encouraged every man present to let the living Christ, who is still present and active; seize your life then ask Him for the power to accomplish all that He has in mind for you.”

Blackaby’s riveting address drew to a close with the admission that “I have seen the miracles of God played out in 120 countries and I still believe I may well be in the generation that sees and experiences the return of our Lord.

He reminded us that our lives should not be normal, our lives should be abnormal; high and lifted up by a Creator that made each of us in his image. This 14-hour day came to a close when Blackaby prayed, “Lord my prayer is that each man hear heard much more than anything I might have said.” He left the stage to a boisterous standing ovation, not so much for Dr. Blackaby but for the message God himself delivered through this wonderful servant.

President Lee Truax opened the day with his passionate contention that here in 2012 we must put the “B” back in CBMC.  More than 170 men listened as he discussed the unique mission of this 80 year-old ministry. “What differentiates CBMC from other men’s ministries is that we have been called to fill a void in the marketplace and our Lord Jesus Christ continues to bless this our ministry,” Lee said.

Taking the gathering through Jeremiah 29, Truax claimed, “The welfare of our cities is dependent on a vibrant CBMC.” He then challenged each man to life honorable and excellent lives in the marketplace. “We, the men of CBMC have been called to life out our lives in the marketplace, where God has placed each one of you.  We are caretakers of His marketplace to bring true peace to the lives of those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ.” Lee added, “We must live an ethical, Biblical, Christian worldview if we are to find favor with a God that has placed each of us in this ministry.  It’s not hard but there will be challenges to live a fully integrated life in the marketplace.  He concluded his address with a charge to “be salt and light in a marketplace that is sorely in need of what you possess.”

The movie Courageous can stir up a man’s emotions by calling him to honor his God with his family primarily and also his work. How can you help him move into a small group to discuss the biblical principles that can make him the man God wants him to be?

This afternoon, we discussed how to lead such a small group after watching the movie.

About a dozen attendees saw the movie for the first time today. Phil Stone asked for a little feedback from those men, and they said it was very good. One man said he made several commitments as the film closed.

“There’s a man on your radar screen who needs to see this movie,” Phil stated as he introduced the Courageous Living study guide. “Our guide is similar to the one you’ll find at Lifeway, but ours has a backend. It doesn’t leave a guy where he is.”

What have CBMC leaders done with this movie and study guide? “We formed a action team to get the movie showing in our area, because it wasn’t,” Ken Barackman of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said. “The movie was supposed to play for five days, but it continued for eight weeks.  We’ll be showing the movie on a Saturday morning 

at a men’s breakfast and give men the opportunity to sign the resolution on Sunday with the congregation.”  He also said police officers in Pittsburgh have made a book of testimonies in response to Courageous.

John Ford of White Plains, Maryland, said, “Last week, we showed the movie. We’re starting a study next Tuesday.” He has been telling his family and everyone in his community who will listen to him. “We trying to capture the men’s attention and keep them going. I say this movie will provoke you to be better. Be a better what? Be a better everything.”

In Oklahoma City, several people worked together to purchase theaters for dedicated showings, giving tickets away to the police department and other interested people. CBMC of Oklahoma City did follow-up to encourage men to look into the Bible more deeply.

“Next week is the Super Bowl,” Paul Gustavson pointed out. “We inviting people over to watch, and I was thinking we could watch four hours of pre-game or show a good movie like this.”

What a great way to inspire or provoke our friends to consider the claims God has made on their lives.

Don’t miss this special offer from CBMC!

There is a rising crescendo of enthusiasm sweeping CBMC.  We want our lives to count… to make a difference... and we want to pass our baton of knowledge to the next generation so that they, in turn, can continue to reach the marketplace with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Last October, Sean McDowell delivered three riveting messages at the President’s Council in Puerto Rico. Turn up your speakers, take a deep breath and watch just a few of the amazing highlights from his three keynote addresses to the men and women of CBMC. When you’re finished we have a tremendous year-end offer for you!

1. Watch the video and then return to this e-mail
2. Use the link at the bottom to take advantage of this special offer

1.

Click here to see the video

Living is giving.  We live life best when we give our strengths, gifts and competencies in the service of God’s mission.  Does that make sense to you?  We are called to serve, not simply survive.  Don’t we want to make certain that we are living for a cause that counts?

As 2012 begins to stretch out before us, your partnership with this ministry is a blessing and essential as we reach and disciple business and professional men from sea to shining sea.

If you will prayerfully consider a gift of any size to the national ministry of CBMC before year-end, we will send you the complete 3 DVD series of Sean McDowell’s messages on:

• My Atheist Jacket
• A Stone In Your Shoe
• CBMC:  The Language of Love

God’s mission is eternal.  Will you please accept our invitation to join us in His mission by sending your gift of support so that we can close out 2011 on solid financial footing?  Remember, the story of the widow’s mite, (Mk 12:41 and Lk 21:1) every gift is vital.

Acting before 12/31/11 ensures you will receive your limited edition DVD set,
AND for many of you, your gift may be matched!!

2.

To make your yearend gift, click here

You must use this link in order to take advantage of this special year end offer.

1. Pray, “Lord, how may I best love and serve You and others today with wisdom, courage, boldness, humility, and without setting my own conditions or trying to take control, while living healthfully and preparing well for tomorrow?”
2. Write in my schedule the non-negotiables, the vitally important daily practices of Bible reading, prayer, connection with wife and family,  exercise, work and sleep hours. 
3. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit as you prayerfully block in time for the day’s priorities. Personally I am sharper in the morning and more able to clearly think things through.  However, a plan made the night before makes for a good head start to the new day.  Objectives, goals and deadlines have been determined by previous planning (which has also been scheduled as a priority activity).  Do not minimize the effectiveness and necessity of good planning.  Include in today’s schedule blocks of time to work on seemingly distant events or goals.  Plan for the completion of projects several days to a week or more before due in order to allow for adjustments, review and the unexpected.
4. Focus on one thing at a time.  If a large project, break it down to reasonable parts, complete one, and move on to next priority.
5. Give first attention to highest-priority activity. Make adjustments for new priorities that may take precedence for the day, but do not lose traction on the “main thing.”  Eliminate procrastination and eliminate a lot of unnecessary striving and stress. Trust in God’s sovereign will and good heart for you in Christ Jesus.  If changes or interruptions beyond your control occur, handle with grace and patience and refocus as soon as possible.   Schedule should flex but not break.

“I don’t pray to get God to love me.  I pray to hear Him say He loves me.”
~ Robert Benson

I heard these words from Robert Benson while on a retreat he led almost ten years ago.  God has used them to totally turn my motivation for practicing the spiritual disciplines upside down and inside out.

Prayer (or any other spiritual discipline such as Bible reading, fasting, silence, or solitude) is not something we do to make God happy with us.  No, the spiritual disciplines are meant to make space for us to hear how happy God is with us because of Jesus.  When I pray to get God to love me I am a legalist who works for God to earn the favor of God.  Gospel-praying means listening to God say that I already have His favor through Christ and that I can now work with God in the resurrection power His Spirit supplies.

Prayer is not about earning the power and presence of God in my life by saying the right things.  It is about entering the presence and engaging the power of God by embracing the right things God has said in the gospel about the life, death, and resurrected life offered by Jesus to the Father on my behalf.  Practicing prayer this way is a safeguard against the legalism so many of us fear that we’ll fall into if we seriously subject ourselves to the spiritual disciplines.

Of course, we aren’t seeking a spiritual buzz by praying or reading in order to hear God’s love.  We are seeking to set the old self aside and take up the new self in Christ Jesus, because we can do nothing of lasting value on our own.  Through him who gives us strength, we can do anything.

When we are in the thick of struggle, when the consequences of our sin or someone else’s sin stiffen the air like an unending fog, do we fret until we can see a sign of relief?  Do we worry until we finally see the sun burning the fog away?  The Lord will sustain us no matter the struggle. Salvation belongs to him.

Spurgeon observes: “The legions of our sins, the armies of fiends, the crowd of bodily pains, the host of spiritual sorrows, and all the allies of death and hell, set themselves in battle against the Son of Man. O how precious to know and believe that he has routed their hosts, and trodden them down in his anger! They who would have troubled us he has removed into captivity, and those who would have risen up against us he has laid low. The dragon lost his sting when he dashed it into the soul of Jesus.”

We must also remember that Christ Jesus has felt every sting deeply.  He is our shield and comfort, because he is capable of repelling all attacks and he has absorbed them all himself.  He lifts our heads (v.3) as someone who has been wounded with us.  And as one who has conquered those wounds, the Lord hears our cries “from his holy hill” and “breaks the teeth of the wicked” (vv. 4, 7).  On the last clause, Spurgeon says, “Rejoice, O believer, thou hast to do with a dragon whose head is broken, and with enemies whose teeth are dashed from their jaws!”

Steven Reyes of Mission Viejo, California, states, “One of the most common pressures in business comes from doubt on company direction and a lack of focus. The Forum meetings cause me to articulate my company’s position and gain clarity of purpose.”

The men in Steven’s Forum encourage him to commit to specific actions so that his stated goals will actually see the light of day. “The requirement for accountability accelerates the development and execution of my strategies and plans,” Steven says. “The result is a reduction in pressure and an excitement about the future of my business.”

Jerry Kamashian has seen the opposite of that outside of Forums. “I've been out of forums for about four years and dearly miss it.  I shared with [another weekly small group] that we tend to focus on the abstract rather than the personal daily issues of the local guys.  It is much safer.”

Each member of a CBMC Business Forum commits to strict confidentiality, so that honest problems can be shared in detail without the fear of criticism or gossip outside the meeting. When everyone on your team has your back, then you can achieve real goals unhindered to the glory of the One who ultimately owns your business.

Tim Newton of Cambridge, Minnesota, says, “My brothers in my team have encouraged me. They have also provided me an outlet for speaking God’s truth in a tough economic time. Just sharing with each other gives you courage to keep fighting the fight.”

“This economic cycle has provided a great platform to help my clients, family and friends get serious about listening to God and challenging their incorrect ideas about true prosperity, real faith, and the kingdom of God,” Tim states. “I am seeing tremendous opportunities in my community, church and family to get into the Word and deal with the real issues of life, as people face the future with fear and anxiety. Doors are opening that before were closed, and lives are being changed! It’s exciting and overwhelming, all at once.”

As Solomon says, two men working together will produce far more than each man working alone (Ecclesiastes 4:7-12). That is one of the benefits of CBMC Business Forums and a value of CBMC. God calls us to work together in teams in order to multiply what He wants to accomplish through us, especially in difficult times. Our team can hold us accountable to the goals we set for ourselves, which will make all the difference in our success.