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.
I was raised Christian and have always had Jesus in my heart, but I must admit that my church attendance and bible study has slipped over the years. I know that He has a plan for my life but I wasn't doing a good job seeking that plan. I knew that if I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, then it would be impossible to hear my calling, so I started praying and listening. I opened up my eyes and ears beyond my current tasks, trying to find my purpose. "Speak to me Jesus. Lead me to my path. I want to make a difference for you, not me. Teach me humility. Teach me purpose. Use me."
One day Jesus led me to Luke 5. In this chapter, Jesus is trying to determine which followers could potentially be disciples. He provides Peter, James and John a series of tasks, trying to understand if they will follow Him or not. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He asks them to put out their fishing nets just off the shore. Peter replies that while they have been fishing all night and haven't caught anything, "because you (Jesus) say so I will let down the nets." Shortly thereafter they landed a record number of fish, so many that the nets begin to break. They realize that Jesus had delivered them this harvest and feeling ashamed, as sinners, fell to their knees. Finally, Jesus asks them to leave everything and follow Him. And they did. Simon Peter, James and John passed several of Jesus' tests and after catching a record number of fish, the Bible says "they left everything and followed Him". Jesus put them through several tests to ensure they were the right caliber of people to join Him. He then used the excitement of the moment to teach them that while catching fish was fun, catching the hearts and souls of others for eternity was even more fun.
Marketing a car is fun. Selling products or distributing them throughout the world feels good. But is there anything greater accomplishment than converting a non-believer to Jesus Christ? Can you think of any one thing that would be more rewarding than that? I cannot.
Typically I do not share my faith with others. I don't go around talking about Jesus or wearing a cross around my neck, but should I? I believe that you decide how and when you want to talk about Jesus with others. Usually when someone is recovering from a bad injury or coping with the loss of a loved one, we talk openly to them about Jesus and His teachings. Wouldn't it be neat if we could increase the frequency of those conversations?
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!
My prayers had been answered and at that moment I knew that I couldn't let Him down. But I tried. I didn't know how to build a website, I had never designed apparel, and I certainly didn't know how to market a product on the internet. There were so many reasons why I couldn't do this. But I kept thinking about the disciples, who fished all night and didn't catch anything. When Jesus asked them to do something, they replied "because you say so I will."
In late June my wife and I launched an online apparel company titled Fish Witness. We simply added the JC fish symbol to quality shirts and t-shirts for men and women. The logo is about the size of a silver dollar, just large enough to get noticed, but not so large that it might offend someone. In addition we set up a blog on our site for those to share their story about how this simple symbol helped lead someone to Jesus Christ. The process is simple. Purchase a shirt from Fish Witness, wear it, and when someone asks you about it be ready to witness. Share the Good News with them! We call it 'Wear and Share.' We believe that there is no greater gift than the gift of eternal life. All we want to do is help you get that opportunity as often as possible and then share that story with other members on the Fish Witness website.
When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor. I had seen them on TV, helping save people's lives and I wanted to do that. I figured that if I could help someone else live longer, then my life would be fulfilled. Many years later I realized that the real life is eternal life. Our earthly life is so short and by bringing others to Christ, I could affect their destiny forever. But I also learned that leading others to Christ was not about me. While it felt good, I was doing this for them and for Jesus. He loves us so much that He gave His life to save ours. Why wouldn't you want to share that with others?
Since we launched the business I've had the apparel to wear and share my faith with others. At first I was hesitant to wear the product because I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Then I remembered that He helped me with the design for a reason and I must follow His direction regardless of my behaviors. When I say behaviors, I'm talking about being perfect. Jesus died for us to save us from our sins and the only perfect person was Him. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be, but I can demonstrate my faith to the best of my ability, continue to pray to Him, and witness as often as possible. You don't have to be perfect to share the Good News.
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."
I was raised Christian and have always had Jesus in my heart, but I must admit that my church attendance and bible study has slipped over the years. I know that He has a plan for my life but I wasn't doing a good job seeking that plan. I knew that if I didn't have a relationship with Jesus, then it would be impossible to hear my calling, so I started praying and listening. I opened up my eyes and ears beyond my current tasks, trying to find my purpose. "Speak to me Jesus. Lead me to my path. I want to make a difference for you, not me. Teach me humility. Teach me purpose. Use me."
One day Jesus led me to Luke 5. In this chapter, Jesus is trying to determine which followers could potentially be disciples. He provides Peter, James and John a series of tasks, trying to understand if they will follow Him or not. After passing several of Jesus' tests, He asks them to put out their fishing nets just off the shore. Peter replies that while they have been fishing all night and haven't caught anything, "because you (Jesus) say so I will let down the nets." Shortly thereafter they landed a record number of fish, so many that the nets begin to break. They realize that Jesus had delivered them this harvest and feeling ashamed, as sinners, fell to their knees. Finally, Jesus asks them to leave everything and follow Him. And they did. Simon Peter, James and John passed several of Jesus' tests and after catching a record number of fish, the Bible says "they left everything and followed Him". Jesus put them through several tests to ensure they were the right caliber of people to join Him. He then used the excitement of the moment to teach them that while catching fish was fun, catching the hearts and souls of others for eternity was even more fun.
Marketing a car is fun. Selling products or distributing them throughout the world feels good. But is there anything greater accomplishment than converting a non-believer to Jesus Christ? Can you think of any one thing that would be more rewarding than that? I cannot.
Typically I do not share my faith with others. I don't go around talking about Jesus or wearing a cross around my neck, but should I? I believe that you decide how and when you want to talk about Jesus with others. Usually when someone is recovering from a bad injury or coping with the loss of a loved one, we talk openly to them about Jesus and His teachings. Wouldn't it be neat if we could increase the frequency of those conversations?
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!
My prayers had been answered and at that moment I knew that I couldn't let Him down. But I tried. I didn't know how to build a website, I had never designed apparel, and I certainly didn't know how to market a product on the internet. There were so many reasons why I couldn't do this. But I kept thinking about the disciples, who fished all night and didn't catch anything. When Jesus asked them to do something, they replied "because you say so I will."
In late June my wife and I launched an online apparel company titled Fish Witness. We simply added the JC fish symbol to quality shirts and t-shirts for men and women. The logo is about the size of a silver dollar, just large enough to get noticed, but not so large that it might offend someone. In addition we set up a blog on our site for those to share their story about how this simple symbol helped lead someone to Jesus Christ. The process is simple. Purchase a shirt from Fish Witness, wear it, and when someone asks you about it be ready to witness. Share the Good News with them! We call it 'Wear and Share.' We believe that there is no greater gift than the gift of eternal life. All we want to do is help you get that opportunity as often as possible and then share that story with other members on the Fish Witness website.
When I was a child I wanted to be a doctor. I had seen them on TV, helping save people's lives and I wanted to do that. I figured that if I could help someone else live longer, then my life would be fulfilled. Many years later I realized that the real life is eternal life. Our earthly life is so short and by bringing others to Christ, I could affect their destiny forever. But I also learned that leading others to Christ was not about me. While it felt good, I was doing this for them and for Jesus. He loves us so much that He gave His life to save ours. Why wouldn't you want to share that with others?
Since we launched the business I've had the apparel to wear and share my faith with others. At first I was hesitant to wear the product because I didn't want to attract attention to myself. Then I remembered that He helped me with the design for a reason and I must follow His direction regardless of my behaviors. When I say behaviors, I'm talking about being perfect. Jesus died for us to save us from our sins and the only perfect person was Him. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be, but I can demonstrate my faith to the best of my ability, continue to pray to Him, and witness as often as possible. You don't have to be perfect to share the Good News.
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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