It's that time again! The new February/March issue of Brotha Online Magazine is ready and available for your exploration. My contribution to this edition is entitled, Developing the Entrepreneurial Mind of Christ. I also have a special accompanying video to go with this month's article (click here). Here is a short excerpt:

Albert Einstein was an intellectual phenomenon. Steve Jobs was a creative mastermind. Thomas Edison was a genius as bright as they come (pun intended). However none of these entrepreneurial inventors measures up to the brilliance, inventiveness, resourcefulness, prowess, and many other words I could use to describe our indescribable God.

God is the original and ultimate entrepreneur. In the beginning of Genesis 1, through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2), He created something incredible out of chaos. At the end of Genesis 1, they created man and woman in their divine image and told them to take dominion over the earth, be fruitful, and multiply. In order for us to accomplish these three mandates we have to use divine characteristics of entrepreneurship, including but not limited to faith, intelligence, creative ability, and resourcefulness, all of which God displayed as He manifested the universe.

When most people hear the word entrepreneur they automatically think about business and selling stuff. However, you don’t have to be in business to be entrepreneurial. My simple definition for entrepreneurial is the ability to create value for people using attributes given to us by God. So using this definition, everyone should be entrepreneurial, which also describes how we should be operating in the world with the mind of Christ.

Click this link for the full article: http://brothaonline.com/Editions/FebMar12/Kingdom-Business-Paul-Wilson-Jr.html

I wrote this post a few years ago on my Passion in Action blog. So in honor of Valentine's Day I decided to dust it off and repost it here. Enjoy!

One of my favorite sports in high school was flirting. Yes, you read correctly - flirting. I say this, because it was all a big game that everybody played. Fortunately, it was fun, mostly harmless, puppy love child's play.

While that kind of behavior was ok back then, once I got older I realized it was time to put away childish things. What was innocent flirting in high school took on a whole different tone and meaning once I became an adult. Flirting now had greater expectations and consequences attached to it. I had to be much more careful and flirt "at my own risk."

How does this relate to your dreams? Some people are content to only flirt with their dreams because they are unwilling to make the  physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual investments that are necessary to pursue and accomplish big dreams.

What does flirting with a dream look like?

• Talk about dreams and aspirations randomly but not all the time
  
• All talk but no action or follow through
  
• Action is inconsistent or half-hearted
  
• Start down a path, but when things become harder than expected they turn their attention to something else
  
• Always looking for the easy way out
  
• Easily distracted and always chasing the next big thing
  
• Not willing to take risks
  
• Only do the easy stuff related to accomplishing their dreams (which is very little)
  
• Not willing to sacrifice anything significant to see their dreams come true
  
• Actions don't always line up with words, i.e. they make false promises to self and others
  
• Don't take dreams seriously; life's just a big game
  
• Little sense of commitment or accountability
  
• Always making excuses or blaming others when things don't work out
  

Does any of this sound familiar to you as it relates to flirt-only, surface-level relationships? How about as it relates to pursuing and accomplishing one's dreams? This type of behavior is similar to relationships when people flirt with one another for long periods of time without eventually making a commitment, because they are unwilling to devote themselves to a meaningful, significant, and accountable partnership.

Some of the reasons why people do this in relationships are the same as why they do it with their dreams:

• Significant relationships require transparency, vulnerability, and interdependency.
• Some think it's safer not to take any risks.
• Some flirt with several options because they just want to test things out.
• Serious relationships require all of your body, mind, will, and emotions.

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

This well-known quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson applies to relationships and dreams. "Perpetual Flirters" don't realize they will never be able to experience the joy and depth of love if they never take a risk of being with someone that could cause them a depth of pain. Likewise, you will never be able to experience the depth of joy and fulfillment from accomplishing your dreams if you never embrace the risk of experiencing deep disappointment and discouragement that may happen if you don't accomplish your dreams.

Stop flirting with your dreams! Take the plunge. Jump in head over heels. Pursue it with all your heart and don't hold anything back. Commit to staying the course, especially when it gets hard - because it inevitably will. It will be well worth the risk no matter what happens!

Most of the world knows by now that Whitney Houston passed away on Saturday. The outpouring of sympathy and sentiments has been what is expected for who may have been the greatest singer of all time. She was given a wonderful tribute last night at the Grammys. And in countless news stories, interviews, and  programs people are expressing shock, dismay, sadness, and a multitude if other feelings.

This is an extremely sad story of a wonderful talent who met with a tragic end to her life. However, the question has to be asked: Why do people seem to respond differently when a superstar dies unexpectedly than when a "regular" person dies unexpectedly?

One reason I believe this mindset exists is because secretly in the hearts of "regular" people lives the same distorted perspective that lives in the heart of many superstars. It's the human tendency - and for many a conscious choice - to chase the dream vs. The Dream Giver (God).

I can't say this is what happened to Whitney Houston, but this is what happens to a lot of people in our society. Actually this mindset is nothing new. It was actually addressed by God in Deuteronomy 8 when He admonished the nation of Israel before they entered their promise land. He told them that life was about to get really good. And when it did, they had better not forget the One who made it happen, or else it would cause them to lose everything.

Why is it so important that you don't pursue your dream at the exclusion of the Dream Giver? When seasons of attention, fame, and stardom pass, and it seems like your dream is now fading from memory instead of flowing into your future, what will you have to hold on to? Whether you are in front of big crowds or not, when the Dream Giver is your focus, you will have the foundation, inspiration, and direction for the next adventure of your life. Transitions don't have to be tragic, they can be triumphant.

In today's cult of celebrity, as exhibited by the Grammys and other award shows, people are worshipped for their talent and exploits as much as if not more than God. When that happens, celebrities are ascribed glory that should only be given to God. In Hebrew the word "glory" originally means "weight" or "heaviness." Humans were not created to carry the weight of God's glory, only to reflect it. When the weight and pressure of carrying the glory of man-made fame, i.e. having to keep pleasing people or shocking them so you stay relevant in their minds and wallets year after year, people eventually crack under the pressure. They end up doing things they felt was necessary to temporarily or permanently escape the pressure of their lives.

No matter how we have idolized them, superstars - like all of us - are frail human beings who eventually will break down if enough pressure is applied. The list is staggering of those who "died too soon" over the last couple of years (or even the last 40 years) under tragic circumstances that involved drugs and/or alcohol:

• Michael Jackson
• Heath Ledger
• Amy Winehouse
• Jimi Hendrix
• Elvis Presley
• Marilyn Monroe
• Chris Farley
• Janis Joplin
• Judy Garland
• Many more...

And sadly we must now add Whitney Houston to that list. We may never fully know the circumstances of her death, but we have heard by her own admission some of the struggles of the last few years of her life. I pray that we all learn from these individuals and ask God to give us a new mindset for the proper way to appreciate our own and others' talents, achievements, and accomplishments.

James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. He loves to bless His children with amazing talent that blesses the world. What He doesn't love is when His children worship the talent - their own or someone else's - more than they worship Him.

So let me ask you, are you chasing the dream or the Dream Giver?

I am very excited to make 2 very "B.I.G." announcements today. The first is that  for a limited time I am selling my book Dream B.I.G. in 3D available for the price you choose to pay. Proceeds from your donations will go towards faith based, purpose centered entrepreneurship training programs for  unemployed, underemployed, and misemployed, such as S.E.E.D.S. Builders. I am so passionate and committed to seeing people's lives changed that I'm willing to take this risk. So whether you have $1, $10, or $100, we will gladly accept what you choose to invest in 1 million of those who need help the most right now.

My other B.I.G. announcement is that Dream B.I.G. in 3D is now available as an ebook. So whether you have a Kindle, iPad, Nook, Sony, Kobo, or just about anything else, you can get this ebook for only $4.99. Just go to www.dreambigebook.com to order it today and you will be helping to rebuild people, families, and communities through faith based entrepreneurship empowerment.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 speaks clearly about the incredible benefits of investing your resources into somebody's life:

"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

Even if you don't want it for yourself, purchase this book for someone that you know needs insight into their purpose, encouragement for their journey, or ignition for their passion. Make a B.I.G. difference in somebody's life today.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Good news came out today from the U.S. Department of Labor about the job market that unemployment hit a 3-year low in January. And the expectation is that it will continue to improve over the coming months. Also in a related story earlier this week the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report with its predictions of what will be the greatest and least job growth areas over the next 20 years. It's easy to see how this information is relevant to those who are looking for traditional work, but what do these numbers represent for entrepreneurs?

Just as this information helps people know which growth areas to pursue for jobs, it also lets entrepreneurs know which industries and companies have money available to spend for goods and services. Whether it be in healthcare, energy, professional services, or retail, companies will be not only looking for employees to produce, but also other sources of ideas and productivity from outside contractors, freelancing, and temp work. 

Entrepreneurs sometimes need to search for strategic opportunities in places that aren't always obvious. With the job market improving, ask God to show you where the open doors are for you to bring dynamic solutions and value that will generate significant revenues for your business.

How might the changing job market impact or benefit your business?

I wrote a blog back in June entitled, "The Unemployed Need New (Entrepreneurial) Alternatives". The focus of that article was my passionate belief that we need more national and local leaders investing more time focusing on creating entrepreneurial opportunities and options as a necessary means to recover from this unemployment crisis. One thing I wrote was, "More money, time, and energy needs to be invested into helping people build small and micro-businesses through entrepreneurship training." Unfortunately I haven't heard a lot of national or local leaders talking about entrepreneurship as a solution to unemployment. Well, maybe that is finally changing.

Recently in Businessweek an article entitled "Wanted: More Black Entrepreneurs", focused on the necessity of entrepreneurship as a key strategy to stop the erosion of the black middle class. Several black business leaders are finally coming forth and saying that we need to address the problems of economic disparity differently now than we may have in the past. The article highlighted the significance of the unemployment problem:

"Job cuts in the debt-strapped public sector, where one in five black workers is employed, have had an outsize impact on the African American community. Labor Dept. data show some 280,000 public employee positions were cut last year, even as the overall economy added 1.64 million jobs. Black unemployment increased to 15.8 percent in December, more than twice the level for whites. So black business leaders are shifting focus to addressing issues in the small business sector, where most new jobs are created and African Americans haven’t fared well."

I believe the faith community has to be more invested into generating energy and ideas that will resolve this problem for families and communities. One reason is because entrepreneurism is a trait endowed to us by our Creator. He is an entrepreneur. We should be entrepreneurial in all we do. Our acceptance of this knowledge has major spiritual, practical, and financial ramifications.

Business leaders like are coming out an saying more entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever. Now we need more pastors speaking on it, so that we can add some entrepreneurial works to our faith.

Read the full Businessweek article here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/wanted-more-black-entrepreneurs-01192012.html

"Every good and perfect gift [including ideas] is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17 (emphasis added)

Every year in early January one of the most creative, ingenious, and inspirational men to ever walk the face of the planet is celebrated for his life's work. And most importantly, he was a man of God. Did you know that January 5th of every year is George Washington Carver Day? Check out the article below to read about this incredible, divinely inspired, entrepreneurial thinker.

Editor's Note: This following piece was originally published on The League of Everyday Doxologists, a blog that highlights encouraging examples of integration of faith and vocation. 

George Washington Carver is one of the most significant inventors and scientists in the history of the United States. As an agricultural chemist and agronomist, he helped transform the agricultural industry in the South. Excelling also in music and art, Dr. Carver has been called a modern day Leonardo da Vinci. God’s grace and redemptive power shone through Dr. Carver’s life as he conquered adversities one by one, from being kidnapped as a slave baby to breaking racial barriers in academia. He was truly aware of his role under his Creator and even called his laboratory at the Tuskegee Institute, “God’s Little Workshop.” He would uncover mysteries of the design behind peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and pecans and is credited for discovering hundreds of uses for different plants. However, when lauded for his work, he gave full credit to Another.

Dr. Carver grew up as a slave and early on was considered delayed in speech and learning. Because of work and his slave status, he did not finish high school until his late twenties. However, when he did return to his studies, he excelled and eventually earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Iowa State Agricultural College, all the while quickly gaining national recognition for his work in botany. Despite being offered a lucrative job at Iowa State, he turned down the position and worked instead at the Tuskegee Institute for the opportunity to teach others and to give hope to a people torn by poverty.

Southern agriculture industry relied heavily upon cotton; however, this single crop depleted the soil. Dr. Carver discovered that alternative crops such as peanuts and soybeans could restore the fertility in the soil. In addition, to create demand for these crops, he developed over 300 products from peanuts, 118 products from sweet potatoes and over 500 dyes. By the 1940s, peanut had become the second largest crop in the South. In this way, Dr. Carver used his scientific expertise to transform an entire economy to help those in need.

Dr. Carver was a scientist, but it was quite clear to him that science and faith were not opposing forces. In fact, the two are very much intertwined. Science seeks truth, and as per John 8:32, goes hand in hand with Scripture: “And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  The belief that God created this world to work a specific way formed the foundation for so many of Dr. Carver’s scientific discoveries, and he looked to and was inspired by the Creator of the nature around him.

For Dr. Carver, there was no division between faith and science, and he approached his work as unto the Lord. He believed that the Lord made all that is in the world, and that He commanded man to have dominion over it. He considered Genesis greater than the words and methods of human scientists: “I know of no one who has ever worked with these roots in this way. I know of no book from which I can get this information, yet I will have no trouble in doing it. If this is not inspiration and information from a source greater than myself, or greater than any one has wrought up to the present time, kindly tell me what it is.”

George Washington Carver also heeded well the Lord’s command to serve others. He impacted generations of farmers by uncovering agricultural pearls that God enabled him to uncover. Doing scientific research for the glory of the Lord resulted in serving others with practical and inventive ways for using creation as it was designed to be used. In addition, he was active in his local church and, despite his prolific scientific career, continued to teach Sunday school for his students in Tuskegee.

Dr. Carver claimed he could not have done what he did without God’s inspiration: “God is going to reveal to us things He never revealed before if we put our hands in His…The method is revealed to me the moment I am inspired to create something new. Without God to draw aside the curtain I would be helpless.” And in doing His work, Carver grew closer to the Lord while working for a living: “We get closer to God as we get more intimately and understandingly acquainted with the things he has created.” Carver didn’t need to be in full time ministry to do the Lord’s work. That is because the Lord’s work for Carver was to be in full time scientific research. “I am simply trying as best I can and as fast as God gives me light to do the job I believe He has given me in trust to do.” As such, Dr. Carver was able to praise God using his calling as a scientist, and in this way, is a model example of a scientific doxologist – as part of the League of Ordinary Doxologists.

Having the entrepreneurial mind of Christ means that we are creating value and providing solutions that bring glory to God in every area of our lives, including our relationships. As we hear statistics that the Christian divorce rate is at the same level or above non-Christians, one has to wonder what's going wrong.

One thing we can infer that's probably happening is that Christians are approaching their singlehood and dating relationships with the wrong perspective, which then causes them to get into marriage with the wrong perspective. Last month on Passion in Action I had the opportunity to interview a good friend, Kenny Pugh, who has dedicated his life and ministry to helping Christian singles develop better decision-making in their dating relationships. His book, Can You Do It Standing Up?: A Different Position on Relationships, is already a big hit.

Click this link to check out my Passion in Action interview with Kenny...      http://apps.attainresponse.com/MediaF5/liveRecording.htm?id=312989

We are now about 3 weeks into the new year. How many of you are still going strong with your 2012 business resolutions? *smile* That's what I thought...

It is a fallacy for people to think that a few resolutions right at the beginning of a new year is going to help their business magically get better. It doesn't quite work like that. It takes discipline. And it takes work, hard work, and then some more hard work. I know that may not sound very motivational, but it's the truth. 

If you are struggling to maintain your new goals for the year all is not lost. Just get up from where you are and start over or keep going. We still have a long ways to go for you to have a super successful year.

I wrote an article for Rod Kirby's Success Center that he published last month. Here's a short excerpt that will help to spark you no matter how well (or not) you're doing so far...

"Here are 12 B.I.G. ideas to propel you to have a significant championship season personally and professionally in 2012:

1. Write a life championship speech – your eulogy – as if you were going to die 50 years from now. Then write what would you need to start doing in 2012 to eventually live up to your future legacy.
2. Choose a daily reading plan to read through the entire Bible. This is your spiritual playbook. If you have already done this previously, choose a different version of the Bible than you normally read.
   
3. Pray constantly for your customers, competitors, strategic partners, and employees. The Holy Spirit is your competitive advantage, so ask God for the specific wisdom for how to most effectively deal with each of these groups. Also ask Him for divine alliances.
   

Click here to get all 12 B.I.G. ideas...

Business is where people spend the majority of their time, so it the concept of people leaving their problems at the front door of their jobs doesn't really make sense. Often times people need a direct connection with someone who cares about their spiritual and personal well-being, which impacts their ability to function effectively at work. Chaplains in the workplace are an excellent way to see Christ's light shining through men and women who bring spiritual principles to real world business environments and situations. Check out the videos below...

To learn more about the organization Marketplace Chaplains, go to www.mchapusa.com