For the last 20 years I have worked in the retail e-commerce field, managing fulfillment operations. While I have thoroughly enjoyed the fast pace and growth of e-commerce, I decided to create something of my own. I wanted to pour my heart and soul into something that would make a difference in my life and the lives of others. I began to think about what I liked best about working in this industry and I discovered that my greatest joy came from developing others. The days that I can remember most are the days when individuals and/or teams produced record results - while I watched. I learned that I could make a difference in the lives of others, simply by inspiring and supporting them. Most importantly, I wanted to encourage others to share the beliefs about Jesus Christ and give them the opportunity to witness their faith. That's when I decided to launch an online business selling dress shirts and tee shirts.
At a very young age my mother was killed by a drunk driver. After being frustrated with the Lord for many years, I finally learned that He has a plan for my life and His ways were wiser than my own. I stopped worrying about the past and looked at the present. I was not following His commandments and I fell into the trap of trying to translate His teachings into present day society. I believe that things were different now and that I was allowed to interpret the Bible based upon my own needs and desires. Then one day I heard a sermon that washed all of those false beliefs away. The word of God is non-negotiable and must be fostered with your heart, not with your mind. I thought I was doing well in my life, until I realized that my life was not about me, it was supposed to be about glorifying God in everything I do.
One day I was reading the Bible and stumbled across Luke 5. In this chapter the Bible talks about how Jesus convinces Peter, James, and John to follow Him. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He rewards them with a large catch of fish. The disciples are ecstatic and then Jesus teaches them that while catching fish and selling them at the market is fun, capturing the hearts and souls of others for eternity is even more fun. Jesus uses the excitement of the moment to convince the disciples that their life purpose should be leading others to follow Christ. He never denigrated their jobs as fishermen, but he advised them that while they are doing their work, spend some time doing the Lord's work. They should share the Good News with others, such that they too can receive eternal life and live with Him forever.
I really enjoy my work. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my hands and my heart to support my family. I thrive on success and recognition. We all do. But is there any greater gift than sharing your faith with others? Don't you want them to live eternally and have the comfort of knowing that life is not just an earthly venture but everlasting? Is there anything you can accomplish greater than savings someone's life for eternity?
How often do you share your faith with others? Do you seek others out in order to tell them about Jesus and His teachings? I certainly do not. But when those around me want to have a Christ based conversation, I'm certainly the first one to jump in. I know it's our mission to share the Good News with others but for some reason most of us only talk about Jesus when someone asks them first. Is there a simple way that we could increase those faith based conversations? I believe there is.
I started researching Christian symbols and learned that hundreds of years ago, when Christ followers would meet strangers, they would draw a curve in the sand. If the other was also a follower of Christ, he/she would draw a second curve, creating a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith with other followers, without the fear of discrimination. I decided that the symbolism of the fish was a good candidate for our apparel, but noticed that a lot of other people were using this symbol. I wanted something different and again I asked God for support.
One morning while I was working on designs and colors, Jesus spoke to me. He told me to write the letter J and then C without picking up my pen. I was amazed at the results. The symbol was a fish at a different angle. And the two letters of His name make up the drawing. Wow!
I knew that Jesus had spoken to my heart and answered my prayers. I also knew that this was His idea and I couldn't let Him down. There were so many reasons why I could not launch a new business. First, I'm not a webmaster and haven't used HTML coding since college. Second, my marketing experience was limited, especially my e-commerce experience. Finally, I'm not a clothing or shirt designer so how do I know which fashions to use? Then I remembered Luke 5:5, where the disciples told Jesus, "because you say so I will." Jesus gave me the design so I must carry out the rest of the plan.
In early July Fish Witness was born. After months of working on the website and apparel, we were ready to launch. The logo design is a simple fish, embroidered with two different colors. These colors are to differential the letters J and C. In addition we launched a blog to allow others to share their experiences while wearing the clothing. Our goal is to get non-Christians to ask Christians about the logo, which could lead to questions about their faith, and eventually a conversation about Jesus Christ. Our motto is 'Wear and Share.' We hope to inspire others to share the Good News.
At a young age I wanted to become a doctor. I believed that if I could save one life, then my purpose on this earth would be fulfilled. Several years later I realized that eternal life was so much more important than earthly life. I also learned that I could share this opportunity with others and save their lives forever. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us on the cross. He sacrificed His life so that others could live eternally. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Your family and friends deserve to be there with you.
Our business is finally up and running and my wife and I are wearing the new products. While our customer base is small, it is certainly growing daily. We've had some customers tell us they like the design but they feel they are not 'good enough' to wear the clothing. We have to remind them that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. He was the only perfect person and while we must ask for forgiveness for our behaviors, He loves us more than we know. Wearing and witnessing is not about you. It is about sharing your beliefs with others such that they can find Christ in their lives.
There is not greater accomplishment in your life than helping someone else come to know and love Jesus Christ. I encourage you to create your own 'Wear and Share' story. Don't do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbor. Do it for your friends. Most importantly, do it for Jesus. Remember Luke 5:5 "Because You Say So I Will."
At a very young age my mother was killed by a drunk driver. After being frustrated with the Lord for many years, I finally learned that He has a plan for my life and His ways were wiser than my own. I stopped worrying about the past and looked at the present. I was not following His commandments and I fell into the trap of trying to translate His teachings into present day society. I believe that things were different now and that I was allowed to interpret the Bible based upon my own needs and desires. Then one day I heard a sermon that washed all of those false beliefs away. The word of God is non-negotiable and must be fostered with your heart, not with your mind. I thought I was doing well in my life, until I realized that my life was not about me, it was supposed to be about glorifying God in everything I do.
One day I was reading the Bible and stumbled across Luke 5. In this chapter the Bible talks about how Jesus convinces Peter, James, and John to follow Him. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He rewards them with a large catch of fish. The disciples are ecstatic and then Jesus teaches them that while catching fish and selling them at the market is fun, capturing the hearts and souls of others for eternity is even more fun. Jesus uses the excitement of the moment to convince the disciples that their life purpose should be leading others to follow Christ. He never denigrated their jobs as fishermen, but he advised them that while they are doing their work, spend some time doing the Lord's work. They should share the Good News with others, such that they too can receive eternal life and live with Him forever.
I really enjoy my work. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my hands and my heart to support my family. I thrive on success and recognition. We all do. But is there any greater gift than sharing your faith with others? Don't you want them to live eternally and have the comfort of knowing that life is not just an earthly venture but everlasting? Is there anything you can accomplish greater than savings someone's life for eternity?
How often do you share your faith with others? Do you seek others out in order to tell them about Jesus and His teachings? I certainly do not. But when those around me want to have a Christ based conversation, I'm certainly the first one to jump in. I know it's our mission to share the Good News with others but for some reason most of us only talk about Jesus when someone asks them first. Is there a simple way that we could increase those faith based conversations? I believe there is.
I started researching Christian symbols and learned that hundreds of years ago, when Christ followers would meet strangers, they would draw a curve in the sand. If the other was also a follower of Christ, he/she would draw a second curve, creating a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith with other followers, without the fear of discrimination. I decided that the symbolism of the fish was a good candidate for our apparel, but noticed that a lot of other people were using this symbol. I wanted something different and again I asked God for support.
One morning while I was working on designs and colors, Jesus spoke to me. He told me to write the letter J and then C without picking up my pen. I was amazed at the results. The symbol was a fish at a different angle. And the two letters of His name make up the drawing. Wow!
I knew that Jesus had spoken to my heart and answered my prayers. I also knew that this was His idea and I couldn't let Him down. There were so many reasons why I could not launch a new business. First, I'm not a webmaster and haven't used HTML coding since college. Second, my marketing experience was limited, especially my e-commerce experience. Finally, I'm not a clothing or shirt designer so how do I know which fashions to use? Then I remembered Luke 5:5, where the disciples told Jesus, "because you say so I will." Jesus gave me the design so I must carry out the rest of the plan.
In early July Fish Witness was born. After months of working on the website and apparel, we were ready to launch. The logo design is a simple fish, embroidered with two different colors. These colors are to differential the letters J and C. In addition we launched a blog to allow others to share their experiences while wearing the clothing. Our goal is to get non-Christians to ask Christians about the logo, which could lead to questions about their faith, and eventually a conversation about Jesus Christ. Our motto is 'Wear and Share.' We hope to inspire others to share the Good News.
At a young age I wanted to become a doctor. I believed that if I could save one life, then my purpose on this earth would be fulfilled. Several years later I realized that eternal life was so much more important than earthly life. I also learned that I could share this opportunity with others and save their lives forever. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us on the cross. He sacrificed His life so that others could live eternally. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Your family and friends deserve to be there with you.
Our business is finally up and running and my wife and I are wearing the new products. While our customer base is small, it is certainly growing daily. We've had some customers tell us they like the design but they feel they are not 'good enough' to wear the clothing. We have to remind them that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. He was the only perfect person and while we must ask for forgiveness for our behaviors, He loves us more than we know. Wearing and witnessing is not about you. It is about sharing your beliefs with others such that they can find Christ in their lives.
There is not greater accomplishment in your life than helping someone else come to know and love Jesus Christ. I encourage you to create your own 'Wear and Share' story. Don't do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbor. Do it for your friends. Most importantly, do it for Jesus. Remember Luke 5:5 "Because You Say So I Will."
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