I recently heard something that really made me think:

Have you ever observed children playing games with one another? Have you ever heard one child jump up and down and scream, “It’s my turn to lose! I want to lose this time!! It’s my turn!”?

Of course not!

Why? Because God created us with a desire to win. You are born with the innate capacity and drive to win — not to lose. It is only after we allow life to beat us down for a while that we begin to accept — either tacitly or explicitly — failure as a “norm” or an acceptable way of life.

One of the things that I think we sometimes miss is the habit of looking inward into our hearts to see what God has put in there. A scripture that comes to mind that has always fascinated me is this:

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. - Psalm 37:4 (AMP)

You see, God put in you something for you to accomplish. He created you with purpose and by design. He wants to see you accomplish what He sent you here to do.

Perhaps, as my friend Michael Pink says, you are created to build something. I want to challenge you today to ponder what God has designed you to do. Allow yourself to dream. Give yourself permission to believe that winning is not only possible, but that it is truly within your grasp!

First of all, I want to welcome all of you to the new blog! Please participate using the “Comments” function — it’s available on every post!

This site was originally launched to help facilitate information and registration for our first-ever “Nourish The Dream” event, which was held in Sarasota, Florida in November, 2006. We are currently working on plans for the 2007 event, but we are also interested in staying in touch in a variety of other ways. Watch for articles, downloads, and other resources to become available on this site in the days ahead.

In the meantime, please take advantage of the opportunity to subscribe to updates via e-mail. If you are someone who is interested in making a difference with your faith, but don’t necessarily feel like the pulpit is the main place for you to do it, then this is especially for you! Here’s a quick form you can fill out to stay up to date on all the latest resources:

Tune in to CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 tonight!
Airing between 10:00 pm and midnight Friday 12/15

CNN spent some time with the Tampa C12 group and Bart Azzarelli of Dallas 1 Construction and Development. The story will be aired on the provocative show Anderson Cooper 360 sometime between 10:00 p.m. to midnight Friday, December 15. We encourage you to tune in!

A gigantic “Thank You” to everyone involved in the first ever “Nourish The Dream” event! The feedback from attendees and sponsors alike has all been very positive. We appreciate everyone who invested time, energy and money in making this event a success!

Keep your eye on this space!
There is more to come! Whether you’re an employee, manager, business owner or executive, you’ll find articles and information as well as first notification of upcoming events.

A few questions we’ve been getting:

Will there be another Nourish The Dream event?

• Yes. Plans are underway for 2007.

How can I get involved?

• The best thing to do is to “Subscribe” to updates to this website. (You can easily do so by choosing the “Subscribe” link at the left or clicking the “Email Updates” button at the top of most of the pages on this site. If you have an RSS reader, point it to our URL for RSS 2.0 or Atom feeds.)
• You may also post comments to the posts on this page. This is a great way to facilitate discussion!
• You may also contact us

I’d like to network with other Christian businesspeople. How can I do this?

• We’d like to hear from others that think this would be a good idea. Please post a comment if you’re interested.

I missed the first “Nourish The Dream” event. Is anything else coming up that I would be interested in?

• The Southwest Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce has an important event on November 30, 2006 in Fort Myers, FL. Visit http://power06.org for more details. Tell ‘em we sent you!

Nourish The Dream is this weekend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Just a quick note about registrations: you may register at the door, but we encourage you to save time by registering online. Visit the registration page for more details.

Also, we’ve added a brief Frequently Asked Questions section. See you this weekend!

November 17th & 18th • Sarasota-Bradenton International Convention Center

Are you a Christian business owner? Are you a believer that is dreaming of starting or owning a business? Do you feel like your gifts and talents are being underused for the Kingdom of God?

Reconnect with your vision! Rekindle your passion to pursue your highest calling! Network with other Christian businesspeople in Sarasota & Manatee counties!

YOU WILL LEARN:

• How Knowing What God is Doing in the Marketplace can Dramatically Shape Your Business & Your Future and Get Them on the Fast Track for His Purpose
• How Finding Your Part in His Plan can Significantly Reduce Your Stress and Give You Much More Fulfillment
• Powerful Godly Strategies & Principles for operating, managing, and GROWING your business for Increased Profits and Financial Security in Uncertain Times
• To Avoid Seven Fatal Mistakes Most Christian Business People Make
• Who the Crucial Contacts Within Your Community Are That Are Advancing the Kingdom and Taking Territory in the Marketplace.
• and MUCH MUCH MORE!

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• 7 Wealth Secrets of the Rainforest - How God Gets Abundance From Scarcity (Michael Pink)
• 7 Laws of Persuasion - How the Holy Spirit Persuades the Heart (Michael Pink)
• Your Destiny in the Marketplace - 3 Questions God Will Ask You Face to Face (David G. Johnson)
• Capturing the Future - How to Discern God’s Plan for You & Make it a Reality (Carlos Ramirez)

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. Please visit the registration page for more details.

If you are a Pastor or Church/Ministry Leader, please read this special information just for you!

Download the Nourish The Dream PowerPoint File to help us promote this event!

Nourish The Dream is coming November 17th and 18th to Sarasota, Florida. More details will be forthcoming shortly! Please click “Email Updates” at the top of this page to be notified when updates are available OR subscribe via RSS.

Quick Facts:

Who should attend?

• Christian business people
• Those dreaming of starting or owning a business
• Those who feel like their gifts and talents are being under-utilized for the Kingdom
• Pastors and other church leaders who are interested in learning about the power and value of encouraging believers to advance the Kingdom of God in the marketplace

Why should I attend?

• To be challenged, encouraged, equipped, refreshed, and re-energized to pursue your highest purposes for the Kingdom of God
• To meet and build relationships with other Kingdom-minded people and businesses in the community
• To learn how to operate and grow your business according to kingdom principles!

How do I register?

• Registration is available online:
  (The link takes you to the EventBrite website to handle the registration and payment process.)

We welcome your comments below!