Our Mission

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission. 

“His people have acted corruptly toward him; this is their defect  — they are not his children but a devious and crooked generation. Is this how you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father and Creator? Didn’t he make you and sustain you? Remember the days of old; consider the years of past generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.” Deuteronomy 32:5-7 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/deu.32.5-7.CSB 

America remains the greatest nation in the world, perhaps in the history of the world, if measured by economic prosperity among the majority of its people, freedom to live as they choose, peace in the land, and power in the world. Yet all of these things are waning. Waning because the church is becoming less influential in the culture because those who claim to be Christians are identifying less with Jesus and working less to teach obedience to everything He commands to everyone. 

The church has listened to the academics who have taught us we are born blank slates, essentially good, and that God did not create the world in six days but, perhaps, gradually through evolution. The result is a lack of trust in God’s word, the elevation of science and academia as a god, and disobedience to parents. Our society today is more hostile toward one another, more violent against each other, and more depressed with self than in any previous generations. Since the 1960s, the church has been playing defense, compromising more and more with the culture, shrinking in influence, failing to influence the culture, and insisting on obedience to everything Jesus commanded. 

The church today needs courageous Christians who walk by faith, understanding their need to identify increasingly with Jesus publicly so that they encourage other believers to also go public, make themselves known to the seekers for salvation, and position themselves for greater eternal reward when they suffer for His Name sake by those who hate the Lord and are destined for condemnation. 

Our Opportunities 

1. CBMC National Men's Conference October 3-5 in St. Louis, MO. Plan to join and meet new brothers who love the Lord and serve Him in the marketplace across America. Mark your calendar busy for those dates, and then register here. Also, plan to join the bus from Michigan to attend this event. For an additional $200, we will ride in comfort with the men from Michigan to St. Louis. A great adventure awaits. I hope you will join us.
2. Join CBMC men for prayer and Bible study every Friday morning 8-9am at Panera Frandor 

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

July 8, 2024

Bringing The Awe Of Creation Into The Workplace 

By Erenia Mendoza 

Mental and emotional health increasingly are reasons for great concern for every aspect of life. Especially for the demanding, high-pressure, fast-paced global marketplace. The causes are complex. Sometimes, however, solutions can be surprisingly simple. 

In his studies on emotion and social interaction, Dr. Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California-Berkeley, highlights the value of using a stress reliever many of us would not consider: Nature. Keltner’s research reveals the direct effects of immersion in nature on people’s cardiovascular and cerebral systems. This experience, he says, not only has a profound impact on our bodies but also influences how we think about ourselves and understand the purpose of our lives. 

Keltner’s suggested immersion in nature is not just a secular idea. It is a topic that echoes throughout the Bible. From their opening chapters, the Scriptures reveal to us the grandeur of God’s creation, inviting us to contemplate the immensity of the universe He has prepared for us. 

Consider some passages we find in the Scriptures that reinforce the importance of recognizing God’s perfect and divine work, and how they align with Keltner’s observations: 

Reflecting on God’s greatness. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). In light of this scientific inquiry, we find an intriguing parallel with the biblical call to acknowledge the greatness of divine creation. The practice of getting a regular dose of this, as Keltner suggests, aligns with the Bible’s suggested practice of contemplating the greatness of God:  

Imagining God’s love for detail. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). What detail He has put into His creation! 

Reveling in the wonder of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?” (Job 12:7-9). These moments of contemplation not only promote worship and awe, but also have positive, calming effects on our mental and emotional health. 

Studies like Keltner’s point to the awe we can experience when we slow down to pay attention to nature, laugh with loved ones, and spend time with our families. This awe comes from the recognition that we are part of God’s vast, mysterious, and beautiful universe, and His divine plan and eternal purpose. Every tree, stream and sunset are living reminders of His greatness, care, and creativity. 

As Christian business and professional people we should take time to admire His creation, contemplating details that often go unnoticed. This is not just a needed break from the hustle and bustle of life but an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and wisdom as revealed in His Word.  

© 2024. Erenia Mendoza is National Director for CBMC in Brazil and a member of CBMC International’s Global Leadership Team. 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

July 8, 2024

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. If you find yourself experiencing high levels of stress at work, how do you respond? What kinds of “stress relievers” do you typically utilize when this happens?
2. When you find yourself in the midst of nature – at a local park, going for a hike, walking through a forest, or just gazing across a beautiful lake or at some snow-capped mountains – how does that make you feel? Do you experience any of the calming effects that are suggested in this “Monday Manna”?
3. When was the last time you felt a sense of awe and wonder? When and where was this? Did this serve to draw you closer to God, sensing His greatness and creativity in a deeper, more profound way? We typically think worship occurs within the walls of a building we refer to as the “church.” Do you think spending time in nature can enhance your worship of God? Why or why not?
4. Granted, there are some who take this focus on nature to an extreme, worshiping “Mother Nature.” But this does not mean we should not take time to appreciate and enjoy God’s creation, rejoicing in it and our relationship with its Creator. What are some ways we can do this while maintaining the proper perspective? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Genesis 1:1-28; Psalm 8:1-9, 139:7-16, 145:8-12; Romans 1:20 

Challenge for This Week 

When was the last time you determined to spend time enjoying God’s creation? Take some time this week to pause from your responsibilities, deadlines, goals, and objectives not only to look at and recapture the wonder of nature, but also to pray and praise the Lord for all He has made. As you pray, ask God to allow you to experience His peace, rest, and joy. 

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com