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.          

Isaiah 33.6 promises, He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. 

We need the foundation of the Lord in these times. His ways are the good ways that make it so that men can live with one another in joy, peace and prosperity. His commands are the means by which men can thrive together for they care nothing for color or gender but require all men to love one another as they love themselves. 

If we only placed loving God and loving one another as the highest priority in our lives these senseless murders and destructive responses would not exist. Instead, a different foundation has been laid over these past 70 years. While the church has focused internally the Marxists, the atheists and the new age believers have taken over our public schools, our universities, our media and our government. Their foundation is anarchy, division, selfishness and self-aggrandizement for the pursuit of personal pleasures - but there are none. 

Murder is up, crime is up, suicide is up, drug use is up, chaos is up. Men lack peace and joy because they lack love. The church has the only answer to the current problem. Under Covid stay at home orders, the church has been removed from its four walls, perhaps so that it will move freely in this time that so desperately needs it. But will the church move? 

Will the church, black and white, demonstrate love for God and love for humanity by serving, giving and leading its people, and finally, all people, into obedience of all that God has commanded us? These times demonstrate the poverty of obedience the church has made among its people while its God ordained mission has always been to make disciples by teaching obedience to all of Jesus’ commands. 

The church has but one purpose, to bring God’s kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Those who claim to be in Christ must walk as Jesus did. Doing this is reflected by His words and deeds summed up as, not My will but Your will be done. And what is His will? To seek and save the lost teaching them to obey everything He has commanded us.

Our Opportunities

1. Don’t let the Coronavirus keep you from giving. Help us win and disciple business men through your donations at: https://give.idonate.com/cbmc-inc/lansing

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

June 1, 2020 

The Power – And Impact – Of Persistence

by Ray Kerwood 

Ray Kerwood  [Editor’s Note: The following is an adapted excerpt from Cross Currents: A World War II Survivor’s Voyage through Life’s Storms to God’s Safe Port, an autobiography by Ray Kerwood]. A longtime member of CBMC, Ray served with distinction as an officer with the Merchant Marines during World War II. He served 28 years in various management roles with Gulf Oil, before launching his own company, Alpine Petroleum. His book in its entirety is available FREE on CBMC International’s website] 

Business is risky, and if you are unwilling to take controlled risks, you should not go into business for yourself. I have certainly made plenty of mistakes. But the good choices have outnumbered the bad. I think of one time a risk paid off, but only because I was aggressive, refusing to give up too soon. In other words, I would not take “no” for an answer. 

I had learned through my younger brother, Jim, who lived in Charleston, West Virginia, that a number of companies in his area were selling a particular product used by coal companies in their sludge ponds that my company, Alpine Petroleum, could make available for sale there. Seeing these sale opportunities in my own home state gave me the idea to call up one of West Virginia’s most prominent multi-millionaires, John Heater. He owned 38 Go-Marts – combination service station, restaurant and grocery store – across the state. 

To supply these locations, Mr. Heater had established a large barge terminal in St. Albans, West Virginia. He also was a majority owner and president of the Bank of Gassaway. So, I called him with a request. Would he be willing to enter into a contract with my company for storage and transport of gasoline and diesel fuel? 

Mr. Heater abruptly replied, “Mr. Kerwood, while I have met you once and know of your good reputation, why on earth would you think I would have any interest in your offer when I have already turned down that same request from Exxon, Pure Oil, Ashland Oil and Elk Refining Company?” 

Instead of taking the hint, I chose to act like he was my good friend. “John, your office is on my way to Charleston. I only need five minutes of your time.” “No,” he said. I refused to give up. “John, I have an approach that I promise you will find beneficial.” “I told you no.” In a courteous tone, I persisted. “John, five minutes is all I ask.” “Okay,” he finally agreed with reluctance. “Bur remember one thing, Ray. Five minutes, and you better be gone.” 

Five minutes was all it took to sign a deal that led to a four-year, lucrative partnership. Without being persistent, maybe even a little pushy, in asking John Heater to consider my offer, none of that would have happened. 

(In my book) I mention this and various other events to emphasize that during my life there have been a number of decisions that have worked out favorably, not through any particular business acumen of my own, nor happenstance, nor pure luck, but by divine intervention and God’s blessing. 

There is a well-known TV financial expert, Dave Thomas, who whenever he is asked, “How are you doing?” always responds, “Better than I deserve!” I would say the same. My life and my business career have both been better than I deserve, and I give praise to my Father, to whom belongs all the credit and glory.

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

 MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

June 1, 2020 

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. How good of a salesperson are you? What do you find the most difficult part of selling something, whether it is a product, a service, or yourself? 

1. Have you ever been confronted by a persistent, refuse-to-give-up salesperson? What was your response? Did you find it bothersome, or did you admire the person’s determination? 

1. Do you find persistence to be one of your personal strengths, or do you find yourself easily discouraged to the point of giving up? Explain your answer. 

1. Rather than crediting his own abilities, or good fortune, Ray attributes his business success to “divine intervention and God’s blessing.” How do you relate to such a conclusion? Can you give an example of how and why you feel that way? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:  Romans 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; James 1:2-7 

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