Divinepreneur Set Free

In part one of my interview with Choong Man Kim, Founder of Divine Kingdom (www.divin3kingdom.org), we chat candidly about his beginnings, upbringing, along with his struggles early in life. 

CMK like many had his share of battles during childhood but he quickly found a gift in rhyme and wit.  Quick on his feet, and light on his toes, CMK was natural at battle rapping.  CMK was fierce in competition and would earn the respect of his friends and fellow battle rappers; soon, though, he discovered that in the heat of battle words can hurt.  

God impressed upon CMK that he can use that same gift for good. How?  Through certain mentors in his high school and college days, he discovered that he can use his talent for the glory of God. After graduating from the prestigious Gateway Seminary earning his M. Div, CMK was led to rap for God. He launched Divine Kingdom, a creative Christian events ministry. 

CMK, and his team travel the Bay Area and afar to preach the Word of God to the needy through music, rhyme, and impressive production. 

Each of his team members are blessed in their own right as creatives.  But together, they form a core of artists, videographers, DJs, and Wordsmiths that touch people's hearts. 

Debbie Ann Kim- http://www.divin3kingdom.org/koaladeb

David Sundmand - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/liftid

DJ Elyon - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/elyon

Sean Choi - http://www.divin3kingdom.org/thejoonshk

It's about connecting with people, and connecting with them on their turf.  Words are truly in the power of the tongue, and brother CMK and his multi-faceted team take their gifts to the trenches and front lines to save souls! 

In today's show, we take the opportunity in the midst of the biggest US College Admissions Scandal to discuss what is really important when it comes to hiring qualified team members. 

In general, society puts a heavy premium on college, and especially name brand colleges and universities. Students and parents alike feel tremendous pressure in doing all that they can to gain an edge in the admissions process.  But as employers, and Divinepreneurs, what can we do to allay this overemphasis?  Are we occasionally biased towards someone who has the right pedigree even?  (line of engineers, having been groomed from the "big" companies, or having a certain legacy?)

What may we look for in a team member that is beyond the four-year degree?  Of course, the team member should have the requisite qualifications and skillset but rarely does a BA degree tell all. 

After all, college is not a barometer for grit, hunger, humility, or having the ability to deal with people. 

Having a college degree in hand is awesome but someone with a chip on her shoulder may be that powerhouse you can nurture and grow. 

As Divinepreneurs, we can learn much from Jesus who selected perhaps not necessarily the brightest - but ones who were willing to learn, and be trained. 

Money affects every part of our lives. Whether we like it or not, it's critical to have the right view of money.  There is only three things we can do with money: invest it, spend it, and give it away. But how we look at money will affect all three aspects. 

As Christ followers, and business minded people we are only managers of God's resources.  And that includes the financial gains that he gives us.  By contrast, if we view that we are owners of our money we ultimately may fall into the trap of anxiety, feelings of lack, and discontentment.  

Money is such an important topic that Jesus spoke of it a lot in the Bible. 

• Money mentioned in the Bible  800 times as a whole
• Money is such an important topic in the Bible that it is the main subject of nearly half of the parables that Jesus told.
• There are more than 2,000 verses on money.

Help the Poor and Needy

Jesus taught that we should use our financial resources to help the poor and needy through benevolence (Luke 10:29-37; 18:18-25; compare James 2:15-17) and missions/ministry support (Luke 8:1-3; 10:1-9).

Meet needs of family

Jesus taught that we should use our material possessions to meet essential family needs (Matthew 7:7-12; Mark 7:9-13; compare 1 Timothy 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10).

Calculate

Jesus taught that we should exercise careful money management and exercise wisdom prior to making any purchase (Luke 14:28-30).

Stewards

Jesus taught, particularly through his frequent illustrations of stewards (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1-13) and farming (Matthew 13:8, 23; John 4:34-38), that it is appropriate, and even expected by the Lord, to invest our resources for long-term gain and/or financial security.

By great contrast, the world tends to tell us that we don't enough. We need more. Upgrade. Get the latest Jordans! (Oh, I do like the Js). There's nothing wrong with having stuff, but we should not let the stuff have us.  

Getting our own financial engine tuned first will pay massive dividends in our personal lives and business dealings.  For example, being debt free, having an emergency fund, saving for those rainy days, and giving generously paves a healthy and Godly way to managing our business for the glory of God! 

In this week's episode, we discuss gratitude (gratefulness; appreciation). As leaders, faith based entrepreneurs, and Kingdom warriors, we should lead the charge in expressing gratitude.  

Gratitude is not just a feeling; it is a practice.  I have started journaling again and I have found that starting off my day with introspecting on blessings, and simple things in life sets the tone for the entire day.  Am I perfect at it?  Oh, no way!  Check out in our favorite App store the 5mG App for a quick and easy way to journal about what you are grateful for. Or, you can use artifacts like pencil and paper! 

As entrepreneurs and leaders, we need to realize that expressing gratitude can actually help the business's bottom line. When we appreciate team members it directly affects their mindset, and consequently work product.  Many employees feel under or unappreciated at the workplace.  See https://www.octanner.com/content/dam/oc-tanner/documents/global-research/White_Paper_Performance_Accelerated.pdf

In fact, in an article published by HR Dive (Sept 11, 2018) (https://www.hrdive.com/news/words-of-affirmation-top-remote-and-onsite-workers-reward-preference/531896/), many workers prefer words of affirmation over monetary reward as a driver. 

In a Harvard Health article published in November of 2011, "In Praise of Gratitude," researchers found that "In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."

Of course, we are not saying that gratitude is a means to profit.  No. Gratitude is an end in and of itself.  Expressing gratitude actually meets several of the six human needs (you'll have to listen to check these out).  The net effect is happier employees and a healthier business.  Gratitude truly is a powerful virtue. 

God has blessed us (and continues to bless) with life, and freedom.  When we realize that he is in control of all things we are truly set free! 

As faith based entrepreneurs we are far from being immune from fear.  While there is a healthy fear that protects us, we all experience more so the other type of fear. The type that can paralyze us.  Entrepreneurs are known to be action-oriented and maybe even "fearless?"  

Well, the enemy is more subtle than we are and has been at this game for a long time.  From fear of failure, to fear of missing out (FOMO) the unhealthy types of fear often leads to anxiety - a natural byproduct.  Fear can stop us when we are "that" close to the finish line.  And when we are working for the glory of God you can be sure that the enemy will do anything to "steal, kill, and destroy" our efforts. 

However, we can employ a playbook in how to deal with fear.  A type of advanced decision making process or ADM.  Equipped with God's Word as the first line of defense, there are steps and a "practice" that we can try out to kick fear in the face.  

Join me for some practical real talk on this most important topic. 

As I get older I hear more voices! LOL! All joking aside isn't that true though? In such a noisy web 2.0 world, there are so many voices and outlets vying for our attention.  But God, if we listen closely, has always been the original voice in us. Yes, the enemy competes against this voice. As Christian entrepreneurs, influencers, and leaders we have a duty to listen and follow God's leading in business and life.  And when it comes to hearing what God wants us to do for our work/vocation there are ways to "know" what direction we should go. I believe that as free people we can integrate ministry, and business together. Whether God has called you to be an individual contributor or a founder of a company we can use the platform ultimately for the glory of God! 

In this episode, I share a little about myself and what I am about.  I think God uses many of us with humble beginnings to be his hands and feet.  It's important to reflect so we can move forward.  But it's equally important to not get stuck in the past.  The past should inform us, not constrain us. God has abundance for you my friends! 

Welcome to the Divinepreneur Set Free Podcast!  I am your host Johnny Shiu, aka #shiuyaright!  I am so thankful you found us and more thankful that you decided to give this a try.  In this podcast, we will focus on your dreams, needs, and challenges as faith based business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, and influencers.  It has to start somewhere.  And I have to start somewhere!  So, in this origin episode I lay out the basics.  Come on in!  Let's do business God's way! 

Welcome to the Divinepreneur Set Free Podcast!  I am your host Johnny Shiu, aka #shiuyaright!  I am so thankful you found us and more thankful that you decided to give this a try.  In this podcast, we will focus on your dreams, needs, and challenges as faith based business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, and influencers.  It has to start somewhere.  And I have to start somewhere!  So, in this origin episode I lay out the basics.  Come on in!  Let's do business God's way!