In this episode of the iWork4Him podcast, hosts Jim and Martha Brangenberg dive into the world of internet safety and cybersecurity with guest Brad Hawkins, CEO of SaferNet. The conversation explores the impact of the internet on our lives and the need for protection against its potential dangers. Brad shares his personal journey, from facing business setbacks to finding inspiration to start SaferNet, a company dedicated to providing a safer and more secure internet experience.

You’ll get a look into SaferNet's features, such as encrypted tunnels, virus protection, and internet controls, making it a valuable tool for both businesses and homes. Brad highlights the importance of protecting children from harmful digital content and emphasizes the role SaferNet plays in creating a safe and controlled online world.

Additionally, this episode introduces the Digital Desperados Podcast, a new show focused on cybercriminal stories and how SaferNet can safeguard against online threats. Brad concludes with words of advice, emphasizing the significance of staying connected with God through Scripture for guidance in navigating life's challenges.

Listeners are encouraged to explore SaferNet.com for internet security solutions and to check out the Digital Desperados Podcast for fascinating stories about the world of cybercrime.

Businesses we believe in (and you should too!):

A great way to protect your home or business is to install a VPN like SaferNet which uses 84 internet filters to make sure your family and business isn’t exposed to inappropriate content or damaging viruses. Plus, SaferNet is a Kingdom business. Protect yourself, your family, and your business by signing up for SaferNet!

Patriot Mobile is another business that strives to offer Americans an alternative to its more progressive competitors – while still providing excellent service! Get the same great cell phone service as always while “passively” helping ministries and causes you believe in. Jim and Martha have made the switch. Will you?

Featuring: Brad Hawkins

Ministry/ Workplace: SaferNet

There’s HOPE for the public schools of America! Kori Pennypacker started out teaching the 2-year-old class at her church, progressed to directing the Children’s Ministry there, and has ended up going into schools with Bible2School instead of waiting for the children to come to church. Recent polls show that most kids aren’t being taught the Bible at home or being taken to church. They are falling for counterfeit ideas taught in public schools because they haven’t been introduced to the Truth.

Bible2School wants to help you step in and bring the Truth to children across the country! This ministry can equip you with the curriculum and coaching needed to teach the Bible to elementary public school kids. Schools are ripe for the harvest, but brave parents, concerned community members, and generous business leaders are essential to make this work happen. Bible2School is currently operating in three states, but we hope that this episode encourages listeners in all 50 states to see how you can get involved with Bible2School, bringing Bible classes to your local public elementary schools.

In this show, Kori talks to us about Release Time programs, which allow students an hour to learn off-site each week. This is great to know about for the elementary education mission field, but we want to let you know that we also have several past iWork4Him Podcast episodes that give more information on Employee Resource groups and other legal ways to bring God into your workplace. You can use keywords to search for those episodes on the podcast page.

Businesses we believe in (and you should too!):

Bible2Schoos is an amazing resource to protect precious children from any lies being taught at their schools. A great way to protect your kids at home is to install a VPN like SaferNet. This tool uses 84 internet filters to make sure your family isn’t exposed to inappropriate content or damaging viruses. Plus, SaferNet is a Kingdom business. Protect yourself, your family, and your business by signing up for SaferNet!

Patriot Mobile is another business that strives to offer Americans an alternative to its more progressive competitors – while still providing excellent service! Get the same great cell phone service as always while “passively” helping ministries and causes you believe in. Jim and Martha have made the switch. Will you?

Featuring: Kori Pennypacker

Ministry/ Workplace: Bible2School

Not all businesses are created equal. Patriot Mobile is a beacon of Kingdom culture in a world full of companies that support anti-biblical agendas. Patriot’s CMO Scott Coburn provides a behind-the-scenes look at how this organization operates to honor God.

After taking a life-changing quest to encounter God twelve years ago, Scott began walking more closely with Him, which finally led him to Patriot Mobile about two and a half years ago. He points to his Sword of the Fellowship accountability group and weekly Bible studies at work as two resources that keep his faith strong.

Patriot Mobile actually wasn’t really started to be a cellular provider. Its founder saw progressive companies supporting progressive ideologies and wanted to give people an alternative. Thus, America’s only Christian conservative cellular provider was born! A percentage of every dollar Patriot Mobile earns goes toward supporting their four pro-God, pro-family, and pro-USA pillars: the 1st Amendment, the 2nd Amendment, Sanctity of Life, and First Responders. In fact, last year alone they were able to give nearly 2.4 million dollars to organizations that defend and support these pillars.  

iWork4Him is very proudly a new affiliate of Patriot Mobile. What does that mean for you? You can make the switch on Patriot Mobile’s website and use code IWORK4HIM for free activation. AND iWork4Him will also receive 5% from every customer bill that comes through the iWork4Him sign up page. This helps fund the iWork4Him mission at no extra cost to you! You’ll also be getting top-notch cell phone service and putting your money to good use by doing business with a company that actually supports what you believe in.

If you make the switch, tell a friend and let us know, too!

And don’t miss out on any upcoming events that iWork4Him is involved with. Head on over to the Events page to keep up with us.

iWork4HIm is THANKFUL to partner with two pro-country, pro-family Kingdom businesses:

SaferNet VPN is definitely pro-family as it helps you protect your family members from cybercrime and unwanted content. Patriot Mobile is proudly America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider. Supporting both of these businesses supports iWork4Him and ensures that your hard-earned money isn’t going toward causes you don’t believe in. Consider making the switch to more Kingdom businesses like these!

Featuring: Scott Coburn

Ministry/ Workplace: Patriot Mobile

This timely message was laid on Jim & Martha’s hearts so that you might open your heart to your neighbors. When they first moved to Florida, the Brangenbergs gained a whole new perspective of their neighbors and consequently had their lives changed. Neighboring is something they have learned and practice for many years now and have seen first-hand just how powerful it can be. Jim even preached a whole sermon on the Power of Neighboring recently.

So how can we love our neighbors right now? Jim and Martha are challenging YOU to invite a lonely neighbor to Thanksgiving next week. For most of us, there is going to be someone in our lives who will be alone on Thanksgiving. Make it your mission to stop that from happening. It’s the perfect scenario. You’re not gift-giving. It’s not typically a divisive day. It’s a low-pressure holiday about gratitude. Just look for who you can invite and then “put a little more water in the soup!”

In the context of iWork4Him, you’re especially encouraged to look for those at work you can invite. This truly lives out steps 3 and 4 in the iWork4Him Covenant to be a workplace missionary. Start those “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” conversations today!

Speaking of thankfulness, don’t forget how thankful iWork4Him is for YOU! We’re gearing up for Giving Tuesday and invite you to partner with us. As Jim puts it: “Help us to impact more in twenty, twenty-four!”

iWork4HIm is THANKFUL to partner with two pro-country, pro-family Kingdom businesses:

SaferNet VPN is definitely pro-family as it helps you protect your family members from cybercrime and unwanted content. Patriot Mobile is proudly America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider. Supporting both of these businesses supports iWork4Him and ensures that your hard-earned money isn’t going toward causes you don’t believe in. Consider making the switch to more Kingdom businesses like these!

Featuring: Jim & Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

What if we told you there’s a simple yet powerful way to make your organization so much better? This method improves productivity, decreases employee turnover, fosters cooperation, reduces the number of on-the-job accidents, enhances customer service, and just helps your employees and co-workers to have all-around better attitudes. The secret to all these benefits is appreciation, and it’s the topic Dr. Paul White discusses in this episode.

Dr. White discovered that when you start treating workers as real people, you value them more. But not everyone speaks the same “language” when it comes to appreciation. That’s where The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace comes in, a book detailing the five different ways to truly appreciate others at work. This resource has been used in 60 countries, is published in 25 languages, and can be used by organizations of any size and in any industry. As guest Becky learned, we’re more likely to show appreciation the way each of us feels it, but we’re able to show our appreciation more powerfully knowing someone else’s preferred way of receiving it.

Jim and Martha have used this book and assessment in the past with their employees and love knowing that they’re able to appreciate them in the most effective way. You can listen to the iWork4Him PowerThoughts this week to review each of the five languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Tangible Gifts, and Appropriate Physical Touch.

This episode demonstrates the importance and impact of appreciating those we work with. Each copy of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace comes with a code for the individual assessment that determines what your languages of appreciation are. It works wonderfully as a training course for HR leaders and direct supervisors. You can also get assessments for your group if you don’t want to use the whole book.

And iWork4Him wants to show appreciation for YOU! With a donation of any amount, we will send you a copy of any one of our books – iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, or iRetire4Him. Give online, then reach out to Martha (Martha@iWork4Him.com) to request the book you’d like.

Featuring: Dr. Paul White; Becky Staal

Ministry/ Workplace: Appreciation at Work

We LOVE work and think it’s a gift from God. However, it’s one of the main distractions that can often take us away from our marriages and families. A common mistake made is working more to make more money to get more stuff. What does the Bible say about that? “Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15).

In this episode Jim and Martha address some different ways that couples frequently chip away at the foundation of their marriages by getting caught up in less important activities, pastimes, and projects. Your marriage and family have to be a priority if they’re going to last, and that requires intentionality and determination to spend quality time together.

Listen for advice about examining the time you’re spending with your family versus the time you’re dedicating to less important areas, because if your marriage isn’t strong, it’s going to negatively impact other parts of life. You’re invited to take stock of your marriage and brainstorm ways to strengthen it today. For resources and further advice, reach out to Jim and Martha.

We believe in supporting businesses that stand for Kingdom principles! This show is sponsored by two of our favorites:

Protect your marriage and protect your devices! Keep stuff you don’t want off your phone, computer, and tablet devices with Safernet – a VPN as well as virus protection and Internet filtering software. Jim’s even noticed his devices working better since installing the Safernet app!

iWork4Him has also made the switch to Patriot Mobile, the only Christian, conservative wireless provider. They offer 4G and 5G service across the country AND give towards causes that uphold the sanctity of life, our first and second amendments, and help for veterans. Make the switch so that your money is supporting your principles: Sign up with the iWork4Him link for free activation (promo code iWork4Him).

Featuring: Jim & Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

Retirement needs an overhaul, but before we change our idea of retirement, we have to change our idea of work. Both are about more than money. Just like Martin Luther changed the thinking surrounding the Bible, we need a similar reformation regarding how believers view retirement.

There are three stages of retirement to take note of. Between 65 and 78, you are in the active stage, where you typically have more energy and physical stamina. Next comes the stage of mentoring, from around 78 to 87. Then finally around 88 and older we are in a reflective stage. It’s important to know these stages and plan how to make the greatest impact in each one.

Guest Bruce Bruinsma just retired at 82. Even as a lifelong entrepreneur who loves to work, he admits that retirement has been the greatest time of his life – a time of epic flourishing. Why is that? Because he has found and pursues meaning and purpose, not just leisure!

Bruce mentions some wonderful resources to bring the meaning and purpose we all need:

·       The iRetire4Him book: download the first chapter for free and get a copy with a donation of any amount to iWork4Him (just email Martha@iWork4Him.com after giving). Bruce loves reading the stories found in iRetire4Him from our original iRetire4Him Ambassador, Ted Hains.

·       Listen to the iRetire4Him Podcast to continue learning from this conversation.

·       Check out highlighted resources from Retirement Reformation:

-        The Retirement Reformation Manifesto that outlines the 10 principles Christian retirees should aim to live by.

-        Oxygen for Life, a weekend event for ages 55+ you can host in your church or community

-        Recreating Retirement – 10-session workshop for small groups

-        Wrap-Around Grandparenting supports single moms, foster families, adoptive families.

Commit to changing your thinking about retirement and use these resources to start bringing meaning and purpose to what can be your most flourishing years.

This show is sponsored by Safernet:

Just like you’ll want to protect yourself against the lies the world feeds us concerning retirement, you should also want to protect you, your family, and even your business against cyber threats. Safernet can do just that with 84 internet filters, virus protection, and a powerful VPN (virtual private network). Stay secure while supporting a Kingdom business. Sign up with Safernet!

Featuring: Bruce Bruinsma

Ministry/ Workplace: Retirement Reformation; iRetire4Him Podcast

The word “liminal” refers to a transition period. You know where you’ve been, but you’re not sure where you’re going. The unknown is often scary, but it’s less scary when you’re prepared for it. Retirement is full of these liminal periods, and Retirement Reformation and iRetire4Him Podcast co-host, Bruce Bruinsma, encourages listeners that you can prepare for a purposeful retirement.

Traditional American retirement focuses on leisure and tells us “it’s all downhill from here.” Leisure can have value, but it doesn’t give us the purpose we need to live intentional, godly lives. Likewise, financial planning is a big aspect of retirement, but Bruce attests that it shouldn’t be the main focus. God has more for us if we’ll follow Him into our retirement years.

So, what do we need to start changing our perspective on retirement? Our churches need to encourage intergenerational relationships instead of siloing individuals according to their age groups. And just like moving to a new country, you might need to learn a new language and culture. As long as you’re willing to learn, you’ll be able to flourish.

Change your thinking about retirement! Head on over to Retirement Reformation to start taking advantage of their many resources. Subscribe to the iRetire4Him Podcast. Sign up for the iRetire4Him newsletter and have episodes and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Leave a review after listening to this show and let us know what you think.

This show is sponsored by Safernet:

Just like you’ll want to protect yourself against the lies the world feeds us concerning retirement, you should also want to protect you, your family, and even your business against cyber threats. Safernet can do just that with 84 internet filters, virus protection, and a powerful VPN (virtual private network). Stay secure while supporting a Kingdom business. Sign up with Safernet!

Featuring: Bruce Bruinsma

Ministry/ Workplace: Retirement Reformation; iRetire4Him Podcast

Mentoring doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s as simple as sharing your life with someone. And that’s exactly how John and Liz Jacobs – a couple with a heart for pouring into others – view mentoring relationships. In this episode they share their experiences as Pauls, Barnabases, Timothys (and if you don’t get that reference, check it out in this week’s blog).

Grant Skeldon, author of chapter 16 in the iRetire4Him book, wrote The Passion Generation This book shows that young people do want relationships with "chronologically superior” generations. So, don’t think that your listening ear and guidance isn’t valuable!

John and Liz give some great ideas of how you can start pouring your life into others. For Liz, she feels the song My Story is a great reminder that every part of your life should be constantly pointing to Jesus. It doesn’t necessarily take a Bible study to create a good mentoring session. For John, he meets with a couple of guys for an accountability breakfast each week, then asks four questions:

1.     How is your relationship with God?

2.     How is your relationship with your spouse?

3.     How is your relationship with your kids or loved ones?

4.     What are you being tempted with this week?

Commitment and intentionality are the main keys to making these relationships work. Another quick, daily way to be poured into? Listen to the iWork4Him PowerThoughts each week. This is something you can even listen to and discuss with a friend (or mentor/mentee).

There is so much fantastic advice packed into this show that you won’t want to miss! For more information and guidance on mentoring – whether you want to mentor or be mentored – reach out to Jim at jim@iWork4Him.com

This show is sponsored by Safernet:

Just like you’ll want to protect yourself against the lies the world feeds us concerning retirement, you should also want to protect you, your family, and even your business against cyber threats. Safernet can do just that with 84 internet filters, virus protection, and a powerful VPN (virtual private network). Stay secure while supporting a Kingdom business. Sign up with Safernet!

Featuring: John & Liz Jacobs

Ministry/ Workplace: Mentors

Catherine Gates has held several different roles and been able to connect with so many people throughout her career. In fact, this show refers to her as a “human bridge,” as she has brought together so many different businesses and individuals.

Amy Cedrone is grateful for the opportunity to celebrate and pour into women but would like to see Christian working women further equipped and encouraged. They testify that no role, connection, or experience is ever wasted by God.

Due to a mutual calling to embolden women in their faith, this duo collaborates together at Polished Network, an organization that helps women develop both their personal and professional lives – and all from a biblical perspective! Their most notable resource is the Boldly Conference – taking place in Carrollton, TX, this year on Friday, October 20th.

So, what are some ways we can celebrate Chrisitan working women?

·       Just as Polished Network and iWork4Him embody a spirit of collaboration, we can seek out ways to include women’s voices and participation.

·       Recognize the “blessed alliance” that is women co-laboring with men. Women bring a unique sensitivity to hearing God’s voice, “juggability,” and a fuller perspective to any table.

·       Encourage the women in your life to get involved in communities like those that Polished offers, where women can connect, celebrate each other, and grow.

·       Read and gift the sheWorks4Him book – a field guide chocked full of practical advice to help Christian working women embrace their calling each day.

·       Specifically for our female listeners: attend the 2023 Boldly Conference! If you’re not able to make it to Texas, have your church host a watch party. This is a great next step for any women in any career.

Martha is a 2023 Boldly Conference Ambassador! Use code MARTHA20 to get 20% off your tickets. And if you’re headed to Boldly this year, shoot Martha an email at Martha@iWork4Him.com so that she can connect with you there.

This year’s Boldly Conference motto is “Be renewed. Be emboldened. Be transformed.”, and we pray that this episode will catapult women into truly chasing God’s purpose as the incredible Christian women He’s created them to be.

We’d also like to introduce a new iWork4Him Partner: SaferNet! This Kingdom business offers a VPN that you can use on your digital devices to protect you from any number of cyber threats out there. It also helps you set up controls to keep your family safe from any unwelcome content. Check out all that SaferNet provides at SaferNet.com

Featuring: Amy Cedrone; Catherine Gates

Ministry/ Workplace: Polished Network; Boldly Conference