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Life can be messy. The first step to successfully navigating faith, family and business is an authentic conversation. Andy and Janine Mason get real and raw sharing personal stories, insights, mistakes and lessons learned on his journey with God. Andy tackles the tough topics, including: - Purpose - Hearing from God - Relationships - Decisions - Leadership - Risk - Rejection and promotion - Growth - Success and failure... And much more!
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
171. What Defines You?
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
This unusual encounter in my hotel room in Hawaii was the real defining moment of Heaven in Business. It is now burned into who I am and what we live for. It has also made it really obvious what we are NOT. When you know that it is God With You that defines you, you are no longer defined by anything else:
Not your accomplishments or lack thereof,
Not what people say or don't say,
Not your history or trauma or sickness,
Not your vision or purpose,
Not your miracles or giving or net worth,
Not your family or legacy or where you came from,
And DEFINITELY NOT your church or political affiliation, or club membership!
The Presence of God WITH US is what defines us.
So what defines you as a follower of Jesus in the workplace? How would you know?
If you’ve never been certain that God wants to break into your world and rock your business…if you’ve built your business with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake because you didn’t possess total conviction that business success is a holy pursuit… you need this book (Perry Marshall, writing about the book God With You at Work).
If this leaves you wanting more, check out HeaveninBusiness.com and join us in person or online to grow in your partnership with God at work.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
170. How to Change the Narrative - Generosity Campaign
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
Did you hear about the guy at the coffee drive-thru who paid for the person behind him and it turned into a SIX HOUR spirit of generosity?!! Imagine what it would be like to be part of that? Or what if you were the one who ended it?
One of the key attributes of the Kingdom of God is generosity. This is in stark contrast to a political spirit or a religious spirit which are all about greed, position and power. The result of those are division, fear, manipulation and futility. The best way to diffuse it is to do the opposite - intentional generosity.
So that is what we are going to do. For the first 21 days of December we are doing a Generosity Campaign and I want you to add to the momentum by joining with us. We have made a list of 21 intentional acts of generosity, put those into a guide and will share tips and scriptures and inspiring stories to shift the narrative and build a culture where the Kingdom of God is demonstrated.
So are you in?
Simply jump onto Generosity-Campaign.com, sign up and we will send you the guide and the steps from here. Also follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin to get notifications and updates of the testimonies.
Finally, what are your favorite testimonies of generosity and what is the best resource on how to be generous?
Looking forward to hearing from you and shifting the story!
#generosity #generositycampaign
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
169 Case Study: Growing Business with God
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
This is an update of episodes 166 and 167. I had been happily growing Heaven in Business as a viable business model and seeing some really great fruit - people accelerating in their partnership with God at work. This was evidenced by increased measure of peace regardless of circumstance, increased awareness of the wisdom of God directing different strategies and resulting miracles in dead businesses coming back to life, cashflow turnaround and divine favor for expansion.
Then God spoke - "Call the crowd"
I immediately jumped into action, ran ahead, got overwhelmed... then was lovingly realigned by God.
Next I learned I didn't have to go looking for the 'crowd' but the crowd was already at my front door! Our website analytics showed over 10,000 visitors to the home page in the last 30 days.
So here's what Ive been doing since, how I am hearing God through His Word and through a dream and how it is unfolding. The rest you can assess for yourself! Just know this... our version of 'success' and timing are not always the same as His. I am learning!!!
May this encourage you. And if you want to understand more of what is a Kingdom Business and how do you know if you are succeeding with that frame of reference, check out a free assessment and one page summary HERE - HeaveninBusiness.com/KingdomBusiness
What am I Learning?
1. Patience leads to beautiful things... learn to wait!
2. Obedience IS success
3. Excellence is worth the time
4. God is still speaking and I am still learning to hear
Resources Mentioned
- Superfans: The Easy Way to Stand Out, Grow Your Tribe, and Build a Successful Business by Pat Flynn plus the associated online course
- Irresistible Offer Plan Course and Free Pipeline Plan from Rebecca Austin
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
168 The Founders Story - Heaven in Business
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
This episode is the founders story of Heaven in Business. Andy Mason is interviewed by Ken Fish and Grant Pemberton of God is Not a Theory. They ask insightful questions to unpack the raw and real journey of partnering with God and launching a business that is now serving businesses and leaders all over the world. Here's some of the questions:
How & why did you go from New Zealand to USA?
What is Heaven in Business
How did Heaven in Business launch?
What were the barriers and challenges you needed to overcome?
What was it like working with senior leaders at Bethel Church, Redding?
How did you need up in New Hope, Pennsylvania?
What is happening next?
Make sure you check out Ken Fish on OrbisMinistries.org and their podcast God Is Not a Theory
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
167 STOP IT! How to Slow Down to Speed Up
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Last episode I shared how I got a Divine business correction (I was believing lies...) and immediately jumped into a new strategy - "Don't ONLY focus on the few, ALSO call the crowd."
Well, here's the update and what I am learning:
Firstly, based on a word from God I seriously embraced the change and leaned right into ALL that I could do to IMMEDIATELY adjust. I'm sure you would never do this... I signed up for a course and diligently did the homework to redefine our target customer and their pain points and our irresistible offer and the nurture sequence and where to put lead magnets... And I listened to some podcasts and downloaded an audio book and researched what was actually going on with our 'crowd' market. I stayed up late reading and writing and listening.
I forced myself to study and learn and plan rather than just dive in and execute. That's a success moment!
Then all my work was interrupted by needing to drive to Virginia for an executive retreat. My head was bouncing around all the things I needed to implement and I wanted desperately to get the strategy and get.it.done!
Then my wife, Janine, patiently and kindly (and firmly) asked me to get my head in the right space to be present for the job at hand. (Yes, I did marry exceptionally well.)
Friday morning we got everything ready for an activity where people are setup to experience God in new ways and my job was simply to be present and help out if anything was needed. I sat in a chair, closed my eyes and imagined walking up onto a porch to meet with Father God. He was sitting on a chair gently rocking. I sat in a chair next to Him, pulled out my notebook and said something like, "OK Father God, what decisions do I need to make to get this moving?"
Father simply looked at me and said, "How about we put down the notebook and connect?" It wasn't harsh or patronizing. It was humbling and kind-of-obvious, like you would say, "Ohhhh yeah... that makes sense!"
For the next hour I just sat there, eyes closed, enjoying peace. My thoughts came back into alignment and it felt REALLY good. I didn't want the 'appointment' to end.
Oh, and I didn't write down ANYTHING!
One thing was needed and I had 'chosen' (sort of) correctly.
Some time around then a lot of floating pieces of information fell into place. I had been focused on how to better reach the crowd (for example, we have 30,000 followers on facebook.... and there are ???? MILLION people that need this message across the world). I had done some due diligence on our website analytics and discovered that 10,000 people had visited the Heaveninbusiness.com home page in the last 30 days and almost 3,000 people had visited the blog! Wow, I don't need to find a crowd, the crowd is ALREADY here!!! What if I called the EXISTING crowd into engagement?
That afternoon I went for a run in the beautiful Virginia fall. I noticed how amazing the leaves looked and the temperature was PERFECT. The run was only four miles but took me an hour because I was listening to a new audiobook and had to keep stopping to take notes on my phone.
"Spend less time on lead magnets and more time on creating memorable experiences..."
OMG this was speaking to me right in the moment!
Course correction! Don't focus on the unknown crowd in the cloud... somewhere out there, focus on the crowd that have already come to you that you are ignorant of! Give them a memorable experience that will benefit their lives and move them toward discipleship whether they choose to engage further or not.
So what am I learning?
1. SLOW DOWN to speed up - pause, not just to get the right strategy... to get the right HEART. Ask, "Holy Spirit is there anywhere I need to slow down because I am running ahead? What do you have for me in this moment? How can we do this TOGETHER?"
2. Lead magnets are awesome - learn about them AND keep the priority the people, not the number or transaction. "Is this creating an experience that will genuinely add value to this person, whether they continue with me or not?"
3. Do your due diligence - know the state of your flock. What is already in your hand that you are not paying attention to? Do you know how many people are coming through your door, or to your website, or on your email list? Are you serving them? What is important to them? What is their greatest challenge in stepping into the help or service that you can give them? Ask them!
4. God is crazy good at leading and guiding and knows my business better than me - He truly is the good shepherd. Pause and express gratitude... you will be amazed at the traction and momentum that results.
5. Super practical - I'm working on making the HeaveninBusiness.com/free-trial much clearer and adding a free audiobook gift regardless of whether people engage or not. I have also already added an exit pop up that gives visitors a Kingdom Business one page summary and assessment and then follows up with a free video/audio session on the same topic and then an invitation to grow even more. Perhaps you can find it on the Heaveninbusiness.com home page as you go to exit!
Finally, I am LEARNING how to do business WITH God better. It's a journey that I don't believe ever ends and I love it!
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
166 I was believing a lie!
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Here's what happened when I became aware of some self-limiting or self-sabotaging beliefs about my business. Not only did the lies get flipped on their head; but I now have a very clear strategy going forward.
For you.... what are the lies that you have believed about you and business that have limited your growth? What is the truth? Now what will you do about it?
For me? I am doing a course with Rebecca Austin of Strive4Savvy.com that is refocusing me on who is my customer and what their pain is and the solution that we deliver. I am also working with a facebook Meta consultant (that happened to reach out at the perfect time... ) and listening to podcasts from Think Media on how to best grow our YouTube Channel.
If you have any specific questions about what we are doing and why we are doing that and even HOW we are doing it, please don't hesitate to send them to contact@heaveninbusiness.com.
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
165 What, Why and How I am Learning On-The-Go
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Here's a behind-the-scenes look into how I am learning - feeding myself - at the moment. What books am I reading? What podcast do I listen to? Also HOW do I do this when I am busy with family and business and other demands of life? How do you make time to learn?
Why I Prioritize Learning
Firstly I believe that if I want to continue to grow in excellent business and leadership, I must continually feed and challenge myself. It's no longer "I don't have time for this..." it is "I can't afford NOT to do this!" It has become a priority. But there are some life hacks to do this without stopping other things in my life. I call it double-time and here's some of the ways I do it:
How I Create (or steal) Time to Learn
It's amazing how taking a few minutes here and there through your day (and night) adds up over time to be SIGNIFICANT.
- Listen while at the gym or doing exercise (30-45min most days)
- Listen while driving to do chores or pickup kids (15min to supermarket, 60min school pickup)
- Listen If I wake up in the night (set the timer to 30mins and 'stop playing' afterward so you can fall back to sleep and the book doesn't continue playing)
- Listen as I go to sleep or if I wake up early and my wife is still asleep (I have airpods and my phone beside the bed so I can quietly reach over and grab it without waking her up)
- Read a few minutes before going to sleep (actually proven to help you sleep better!)
Programs I Use to Learn on the go
- Audible membership (One book per month = $14.95 per month) - they have a promo right now where you can get four months for $4.95 per month.
- YouVersion - bible app, multiple translations, audio in some translations. I now donate to them on a monthly basis like I would a business.
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube for worship and 'how to' videos
- Physical books to read before bed and for reference if an audiobook has greatly impacted me
What I am Listening to Right Now
Audiobooks:
- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
- Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller
- Shifting Atmospheres by Dawna de Silva
- Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
- The Passion Translation bible
Podcasts:
- Think Media
- God is Not a Theory with Ken Fish
- Ford Taylor Talks
Books
- The book of Ephesians in the Bible (Physical or YouVersion on my phone)
- Atmospheres 101 workbook by Dawna de Silva
- The 3D Gospel: Ministry in Guilt, Shame & Fear Culture
YouTube
- Bethel Worship
- Elevation Worship
- Upper Room Worship
- Revere Worship
- Think Media Videos
So, what are you listening to right now and what are you learning?
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
164. Are You LONELY? Do this...
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Are you feeling isolated or alone? Perhaps in the middle of a busy life, and bustling crowds and multiple friends... but something feels out-of-sorts on the inside? Here's my story and learning.
I am a people-person
My natural gift is quickly making connections (see WOO on Gallup Strengthsfinder). I have regular, weekly calls with people I love and care about and who have a shared vision.
We recently relocated 3,000 miles from California to Pennsylvania into an area where we know no one. I am SURROUNDED by connections all across the country and friends within 2hrs drive BUT have yet to find local, in-person community.
Feeling out-of-sorts and not knowing why
Last week I was wondering why I felt irritated, unsettled and out-of sorts. Here's a few of the context:
- My kids who have grown to be friends, have left for college (thankfully we have one adult child with us!)
- My wife, Janine, had COVID so was keeping her distance
- My daughter couldn't come home for the weekend, as planned, because of COIVD in my house.
- I have reached out to connect with a local law enforcement community to build a similar relationship I had in California... only the local establishment had no grid for positive connections with good citizens without an agenda.
- We have visited four different local churches and have yet to find one where we all sense we belong.
"Oh.... I'm feeling lonely!"
In talking with my wife about what was going on I had a lightbulb moment (often happens in conversation with her)... I am feeling lonely!
I have more-than-I-can-manage connections via phone and zoom and facetime and email. But I MISS THE FACE-TO-FACE connections and unspoken sense of security from being part of a city-community. I miss the significance of being engaged with something in-person, that bigger than me.
The first step to change is acknowledgement
It was a bit of a shock to realize I was feeling lonely. And at the same time, freeing. Oh, that's whats going on. I am having a feeling!!!
So I sit with the Lord and begin to process it. Actually that started to unpack (unravel?) over the next few days.
Denial (or believing lies) results in unhealthy behavior
I became aware of lies that I was starting to believe that were REINFORCING loneliness.
Maybe I don't fit.
Maybe I just don't belong...
I am not wanted.
I am unloved.
I am an outcast...
I am rejected.
This progression of thought is ENTIRELY what the devil wants to do with you. To lead you down a progression of thoughts that first self-protect, then isolate, then lead to depression and ultimately death.
I was being passive
They also result in passive (or perhaps victim-like) behavior - waiting from someone else to reach out or introduce themselves or include you.
STOP IT. Change your thinking - Divorce rejection
Thanks to my wife and the Holy Spirit prompting I found the problem and now had a choice to own it and change it. That looks like this...
"Jesus, thank you for loving me.
Thank you for paying the price for me to be one with you.
I have been feeling lonely.
I have started to believe the lies that I don't fit or don't belong...
Please forgive me for partnering with lies and listening to the spirit of rejection.
I receive the acceptance and adoption and security and identity that you freely gave me.
Thank you that I am accepted and I belong and I am a member of your family.
I divorce rejection!
Jesus, what do you want me to know instead?"
Take a moment to pause and listen for what the Holy Spirit says...
I immediately heard him say of me "I am in the right place at the right time with the right message and the right people," and that "I am dearly loved by all who know me."
I wrote that down and use that as a weapon every time I recognize a lie trying to creep in.
Take the initiative
Dealing with the lies and reconnecting with who Jesus says you are is the first step.
Now there's some PRACTICAL things that you need to do to walk into freedom and life and healthy in-person community.
Ask yourself - what could I do to take initiative and reach out?
Here's what I did and am doing:
- Have dinner with some new connections
- Introduce yourself at local church... don't wait for someone else to come up to you
- Take initiative in your local community connections
=> I have joined the local Chamber of Commerce and emailed the contact regarding one of their leadership programs that introduces participants to the key people and influences of the community
=> I am going to a local Economic Development Corporation meetup that happens to be this week
- Ask Holy Spirit what else...
- I am taking more time in my office to pray in the Spirit and worship with Youtube Bethel
Seek further resources
If you recognize you need more help to get free from thinking and behaviors that have made you passive and/or powerless check out some other helpful resources:
- Read Shifting Atmospheres (and accompanying workbook) by Dawna de Silva
- Read/watch Spirit Wars by Kris Valllotton
- Find a counsellor or get a session with Bethel Sozo (link here)
- See Orbis Ministries for Resources on inner healing and deliverance
- Join Heaven in Business online community - Heaveninbusiness.com/free-trial and meetup at our weekly live call for encouragement, inspiration and activation
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
163. Kingdom Driven MONEY with Shae Bynes
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
We know that poverty is stupid and that selfish prosperity is not prosperity at all. So how do you know how much is too much? How do you keep a healthy focus on business growth and profitability without the pursuit of money consuming you or being your primary motivation (or marketing message!)?
Listen to this conversation with trusted friend and influencer, Shae Bynes of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur. Shae is the founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, author of multiple books including Doing Business God's Way and her devotionals on YouVersion have had more than 500,000 people!
If you find this content valuable and want more, join us at Heaveninbusiness.com/free-trial or email your questions to contact@heaveninbusiness.com
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
162 How to Find (and Keep) the Spouse of Your Dreams
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Twenty four years ago I married my best friend... and she is still my best friend! We (mostly me) have had some bumps and adjustments along the way as we have navigated moving across continents, having no income for three years, avoiding wildfires and working through family health challenges. The last three days we have spent together in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, celebrating our 24th anniversary together and I've been reflecting on what has made our marriage a success - I found and kept the spouse of my dreams. Here's an insiders list of how you can do the same:
1. Get in the Right Position
I was 25 years old when I met Janine. I certainly wanted that to (make it?) happen sooner but a key principle guided me:
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Key action - seek God first. Make Him (...not a church or a career or a companion) the center of your life and you will find that He will ADD what is best and most important to you.
I was open to relationships as I went to college and considered a couple different people to pursue. In each case, I asked the Lord for His guidance and both times He let me know that wasn't the person I was going to spend my life with. That wasn't easy at the time (especially when I compared my single life with the lives of others around me). But I made a decision to trust Him fully with my life and seek Him first - above all else. History says He was right!
When I left college and prayed about which location to start my first job as an agricultural business consultant, I sensed the Lord leading to a particular location. When I arrived I also joined a young adults group in the local church. There I met Janine, who grew to become my best friend. Nine months later, through a fun story, God showed me this is who He was sending my way (and me toward her!).
2. Get in the Right Condition
A key part of the verse above says to seek God's righteousness = His way of living. This is simply impossible in our own ability which is why He gives us the Holy Spirit to teach and lead
3. Be a Life-Long Learner
When you are an expert there is no room for mistakes. When you are a novice, you are EXPECTED to make mistakes. So stay a novice. Give yourself grace and give your spouse grace and keep learning!
4. Keep Short Accounts
Don't go to bed angry or disconnected. Resolve it, if you can. Otherwise AGREE to resolve it in the morning.
5. Leverage Professionals
I have found pastoral counselors are helpful. I have also found that professionally trained counselors are MORE helpful. In business you would be foolish not to engage the best professional advisors (accountants, lawyers... ) that you can afford. Your marriage is MORE valuable than your business so it should be even more important to engage professionals.
6. Have Fun Together
Regardless of your budget there is always something you can do to laugh together or create shared experiences. Prioritize it. Explore what is fun.... games, walking, visiting...
Your turn:
What is one piece of advice you have learned, to find and keep the spouse of your dreams?