All
area business women and men are invited to the next Business by the
Book luncheon.
Mike Kolen will be the guest speaker.
The luncheon will be at Cornerstone United Methodist Church.
Share this invitation with your friends.
The luncheon is Thursday, Nov. 15.
It will start at noon and will conclude at approximately 1 p.m.
Please check your calendar and join us on Nov. 15.
If you can attend the luncheon, please respond to this e-mail message.
There is no charge for the luncheon.
Please tell your friends that reservations may be made by e-mailing
gwaters@business.auburn.edu
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food
and to hear about resources for the Christian workplace.
Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Prior speakers at Business by the Book luncheons are:
Wayne Hall of Coach's Construction Co.
Dean of Students at Auburn University Dr. Johnny Green
Former Auburn University Head Swim Coach David Marsh
Tre' Mills, partner in e G Enterprises Inc.
Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy
Opelika restaurant owner Chuck Ferrell of Chuck's Bar-B-Que and Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers
Tom Hunt, president and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc.
Dr. Del Crosby, East Alabama Medical Center emergency room physician and Mercy Medical physician
Martha Hawkins of Martha's Place in Montgomery
Jim Pursell of Pursell Technologies in Sylacauga
Business
by
the
Book
http://www.auburn.edu/~willik5/businessbythebook.html
Bookmark this Web page address for updates on Business by the Book
Quarterly luncheons
Purpose: To bring the Holy Spirit
into our work place and home
Join fellow business women and men
for fellowship and food
and hear about resources
for the Christian work place
AU’s ‘Captain Crunch’ to share Christian perspectives at Nov. 15 luncheon
Mike Kolen will be the guest speaker.
The luncheon will be at Cornerstone United Methodist Church.
Share this invitation with your friends.
The luncheon is Thursday, Nov. 15.
It will start at noon and will conclude at approximately 1 p.m.
Please check your calendar and join us on Nov. 15.
If you can attend the luncheon, please respond to this e-mail message.
There is no charge for the luncheon.
Please tell your friends that reservations may be made by e-mailing
gwaters@business.auburn.edu
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food
and to hear about resources for the Christian workplace.
Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Prior speakers at Business by the Book luncheons are:
Wayne Hall of Coach's Construction Co.
Dean of Students at Auburn University Dr. Johnny Green
Former Auburn University Head Swim Coach David Marsh
Tre' Mills, partner in e G Enterprises Inc.
Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy
Opelika restaurant owner Chuck Ferrell of Chuck's Bar-B-Que and Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers
Tom Hunt, president and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc.
Dr. Del Crosby, East Alabama Medical Center emergency room physician and Mercy Medical physician
Martha Hawkins of Martha's Place in Montgomery
Jim Pursell of Pursell Technologies in Sylacauga
Business
by
the
Book
http://www.auburn.edu/~willik5/businessbythebook.html
Bookmark this Web page address for updates on Business by the Book
Quarterly luncheons
Purpose: To bring the Holy Spirit
into our work place and home
Join fellow business women and men
for fellowship and food
and hear about resources
for the Christian work place
AU’s ‘Captain Crunch’ to share Christian perspectives at Nov. 15 luncheon
Contact: Michael Tullier, APR; 334.844.1324, mtullier@auburn.edu
Known to Auburn Tiger football fans in the 1960s through today as “Captain Crunch,” former AU linebacker Mike Kolen returns to The Plains on Thursday, Nov. 15 during the next Business by the Book luncheon. Kolen will share about his Christian perspectives and how they relate to his personal and professional lives.
The luncheon, open to all area business women and men, will be held at Cornerstone United Methodist Church on Hamilton Road near Ogletree Village in Auburn. The luncheon, which begins at noon, is open and free to the public. Lunch will be sponsored and provided by area Chick-fil-A restaurants.
While there is no charge for lunch, reservations are requested. Reservations may be made by e-mailing gwaters@business.auburn.edu.
Kolen’s football credits at Auburn and beyond include a two-time All-SEC linebacker at Auburn, eight-year starter for the Miami Dolphins and member of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins. He was named to Auburn's Team of the Century and was a member of the Tigers' All-Decade Team for the 1960s, a two-time All-SEC pick (1968-69) and a team captain in 1969. He helped lead the Tigers to two postseason bowl games in 1968 and 1969.
He was a 12th round draft pick in 1970 NFL Draft and played as a linebacker with the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1977. While with the Dolphins, he played in three Super Bowls (VI, VII and VIII) and was a member of the 1972 "No-Name Defense" that led Miami to a perfect season—the last team to do so in the NFL since 1972.
Among his honors, Kolen was named as the 2001 Auburn University Legend at the SEC Championship game that year. He was awarded the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Athlete of the Year Award” in 1970, and later inducted into the FCA Hall of Champions in 2006. He has served on the FCA boards in Central and North Central Alabama starting in 1985 and has also served on the FCA National Board of Trustees. He has been called the "face of FCA in Alabama" and continues to speak at many FCA events across the state.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food, and to hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home. Recent speakers include former AU assistant head football coach Wayne Hall, AU Dean of Students Johnny Green, former AU head swim coach David Marsh, e G Enterprises Inc. partner Tre' Mills, and Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy.
For more information about the luncheon, e-mail gwaters@business.auburn.edu or contact Business by the Book members John Harrell, 887-2212; Chris Hines, 826-2929; Jay Jacobs, 844-9891; Howard Porter, 826-8682; Michael Tullier, 844-1324; Gary Waters, 844-5841; Ed Williams, 844-9100; or John Wingfield, 826-8800.
Dr. Johnny Green
AU Dean of Students Dr. Johnny Green
to speak at prayer breakfast on Nov. 10
Auburn University Dean of Students Dr. Johnny Green will be guest speaker at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce- and Business by the Book-sponsored prayer breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10.
The breakfast will be under the oak tree at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street, site of the traditional AU victory celebrations at Toomers Corner.
All area business women and men are invited. There is no charge for the breakfast. Reservations may be made by e-mailing BibleBusiness@charter.net.
Green, who serves as pastor of White Street Baptist Church in Auburn, was named AU dean of students in July 2006. He has been chaplain of the Auburn men’s basketball team since 1997.
He previously served as assistant vice president for access and community initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.
In 1997, Green was recognized as “Pastor of the Year” in the Opelika/Auburn area. He holds a bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Auburn and a master’s degree from Auburn University-Montgomery.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food, and to hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Auburn swim coach David Marsh speaks at Sept. 21, 2006, meeting
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn hosts the luncheon
From left, Gary Waters, Gail Lien, Jackie Waters, David Marsh
Amy Fisher and Chris Hines lead the singing
Business
by the Book
Auburn Head Swim Coach David Marsh
guest speaker at BBB luncheon
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006
Noon
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Auburn
(From The Opelika-Auburn News)
Auburn University Head Swim Coach David Marsh will be guest speaker at the quarterly luncheon meeting of Business by the Book on Thursday, Sept. 21 at noon.
The luncheon will be at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Auburn.
All area business women and men are invited. There is no charge for the luncheon. Reservations may be made by e-mailing BibleBusiness@charter.net.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food, and to hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
A highly regarded speaker, Marsh has spoken on numerous occasions at both local and national conventions. Since his return to his alma mater in 1990, Marsh has guided Auburn to six men’s and four women’s NCAA crowns and a combined 15 Southeastern Conference titles, the likes of which had never been seen before on the Auburn campus.
To what does Marsh attribute his success? “Most importantly, talented athletes,” he said in an interview. “I have to deflect all my accomplishments to God’s work in my life, an excellent hardworking staff, and the facilities and equipment that Auburn provides for the swimming program."
Marsh was recognized as 2006 Citizen of the Year by Auburn Rotary Club. The annual award is presented to individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the Auburn community through their work in their vocations.
Other Business by the Book speakers have included Tre’ Mills, a partner in e G Enterprises Inc., a local company involved in real estate developments. The company was started after the owners participated in a Bible study titled “Experiencing God.” Mills spoke in May at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.
Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy spoke in January with more than 400 people in attendance at Auburn United Methodist Church. Cathy talked about his restaurants’ “closed-on—Sunday” policy – unique to the restaurant business and a testament to his faith in God.
Opelika restaurant owner Chuck Ferrell of Chuck’s Bar-B-Que and Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers was guest speaker at a Business by the Book luncheon last year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.
Other speakers have included Tom Hunt, president and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc. in Auburn; Dr. Del Crosby, East Alabama Medical Center emergency room physician and Mercy Medical physician; Martha Hawkins of Martha's Place in Montgomery; and Jim Pursell of Pursell Technologies in Sylacauga.
For more information about the luncheon, e-mail or contact Business by the Book members John Harrell, 887-2212, jharrell@charterbank.net; Chris Hines, hines@aunetwork.com; Jay Jacobs, 844-9861, jacobjo@auburn.edu; Howard Porter, 826-8682, hporter@portercompanies.com; Michael Tullier, 844-1324, mtullier@auburn.edu; Gary Waters 844-5841, gwaters@business.auburn.edu; Ed Williams, 844-9100, willik5@auburn.edu; or John Wingfield, 826-8800, johnw@aumc.net.
Quarterly luncheon
coincides with
National Day of Prayer
Click here
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Noon
Lakeview Baptist Church
Guest speaker Tre' Mills of e G Enterprises Inc. talks about God being at the center of his business.
Mills was speaker at Business by the Book luncheon at Lakeview Baptist Church on May 4, 2006.
Allen Brewer and Chris Hines lead the singing
at Business by the Book Luncheon at Lakeview Baptist Church on May 4.
Guest speaker
Tre' Mills
e G enterprises
472 N. Dean Road
Suite 100
Auburn
Tre' Mills of e
G Enterprises Inc., 472 N. Dean Road in Auburn, was guest speaker
at the quarterly luncheon meeting of Business by the Book on Thursday,
May 4 at noon.
The luncheon was at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.
The luncheon of area Christian business women and men coincided with the National Day of Prayer. All area business women and men are invited. There is no charge for the luncheon. Reservations may be made by e-mailing BibleBusiness@charter.net.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food and hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Mills is a partner in e G Enterprises Inc., a local company involved in real estate developments related to custom home building, and light commercial and multifamily developments in Auburn and the surrounding area.
The company was started after the original principal owners participated in a Bible study titled “Experiencing God” by the Rev. Henry Blackaby of Blackaby Ministries International, an organization founded to help people experience God.
After the study, they felt led to start a company together. Desiring that God be at the center, the owners decided upon the name e G (experiencing God) Enterprises Inc.
A native of Lee County, Mills spent 20 years in the banking industry in various roles, starting at age 16 as a teller and working his way up to executive vice president. Active in the banking industry, Mills served as chairman and president of the Alabama Young Bankers Association and in 2000 was recipient of Alabama’s Outstanding Banker of the Year Award.
In his current role at e G Enterprises Inc., Mills uses the skills developed during his banking career to supervise the real estate development transactions for e G Enterprises, as well as overseeing all construction.
Mills is an administrative board member and Crown Financial leader at Auburn United Methodist Church. He also participates in various other roles at the church. He is also active in the Central Alabama Emmaus community as well as in other volunteer activities and charitable endeavors.
Other Business by the Book speakers have included Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who spoke in January with more than 400 people in attendance at Auburn United Methodist Church’s Epworth Center. Cathy talked about his restaurants’ “closed-on—Sunday” policy – unique to the restaurant business and a testament to his faith in God.
Opelika restaurant owner Chuck Ferrell of Chuck’s Bar-B-Que and Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers was guest speaker at a Business by the Book luncheon last September at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.
Other speakers have included Tom Hunt, president and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc. in Auburn; Dr. Del Crosby, East Alabama Medical Center emergency room physician and Mercy Medical physician; Martha Hawkins of Martha's Place in Montgomery; and Jim Pursell of Pursell Technologies in Sylacauga.
For more information about the luncheon, e-mail or contact Business by the Book members John Harrell, 887-2212, jharrell@charterbank.net; Chris Hines, hines@aunetwork.com; Jay Jacobs, 844-9861, jacobjo@auburn.edu; Howard Porter, 826-8682, hporter@portercompanies.com; Michael Tullier, 844-1324, mtullier@auburn.edu; Gary Waters 844-5841, gwaters@business.auburn.edu; Ed Williams, 844-9100, willik5@auburn.edu; or John Wingfield, 826-8800, johnw@aumc.net.
The luncheon was at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.
The luncheon of area Christian business women and men coincided with the National Day of Prayer. All area business women and men are invited. There is no charge for the luncheon. Reservations may be made by e-mailing BibleBusiness@charter.net.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food and hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Mills is a partner in e G Enterprises Inc., a local company involved in real estate developments related to custom home building, and light commercial and multifamily developments in Auburn and the surrounding area.
The company was started after the original principal owners participated in a Bible study titled “Experiencing God” by the Rev. Henry Blackaby of Blackaby Ministries International, an organization founded to help people experience God.
After the study, they felt led to start a company together. Desiring that God be at the center, the owners decided upon the name e G (experiencing God) Enterprises Inc.
A native of Lee County, Mills spent 20 years in the banking industry in various roles, starting at age 16 as a teller and working his way up to executive vice president. Active in the banking industry, Mills served as chairman and president of the Alabama Young Bankers Association and in 2000 was recipient of Alabama’s Outstanding Banker of the Year Award.
In his current role at e G Enterprises Inc., Mills uses the skills developed during his banking career to supervise the real estate development transactions for e G Enterprises, as well as overseeing all construction.
Mills is an administrative board member and Crown Financial leader at Auburn United Methodist Church. He also participates in various other roles at the church. He is also active in the Central Alabama Emmaus community as well as in other volunteer activities and charitable endeavors.
Other Business by the Book speakers have included Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who spoke in January with more than 400 people in attendance at Auburn United Methodist Church’s Epworth Center. Cathy talked about his restaurants’ “closed-on—Sunday” policy – unique to the restaurant business and a testament to his faith in God.
Opelika restaurant owner Chuck Ferrell of Chuck’s Bar-B-Que and Jim Bob’s Chicken Fingers was guest speaker at a Business by the Book luncheon last September at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.
Other speakers have included Tom Hunt, president and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc. in Auburn; Dr. Del Crosby, East Alabama Medical Center emergency room physician and Mercy Medical physician; Martha Hawkins of Martha's Place in Montgomery; and Jim Pursell of Pursell Technologies in Sylacauga.
For more information about the luncheon, e-mail or contact Business by the Book members John Harrell, 887-2212, jharrell@charterbank.net; Chris Hines, hines@aunetwork.com; Jay Jacobs, 844-9861, jacobjo@auburn.edu; Howard Porter, 826-8682, hporter@portercompanies.com; Michael Tullier, 844-1324, mtullier@auburn.edu; Gary Waters 844-5841, gwaters@business.auburn.edu; Ed Williams, 844-9100, willik5@auburn.edu; or John Wingfield, 826-8800, johnw@aumc.net.
Scenes from Truett Cathy luncheon
Click here
S. Truett Cathy
Founder, Chick-fil-A
Guest speaker
at
Business by the Book
Luncheon
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
noon
Epworth Center
Auburn United Methodist Church
Chick-fil-A Founder Truett Cathy with Business by the Book Committee members
Michael Tullier, John Harrell, Chris Hines, Gary Waters, Ed Williams and Jay Jacobs,
and Auburn United Methodist Church senior pastor, the Rev. George Mathison.
By the book
Chick-fil-A founder shares convictions with local crowd
Beverly Harvey
Staff Writer
The Opelika-Auburn News
January 20, 2006
His
name tag read: “Truett Cathy. 57 years of service.”
But an introduction seemed hardly necessary for the founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A, who spoke to more than 400 local professionals at Thursday’s Business by the Book luncheon.
It was a perfect gig for Cathy, who in all of his 57 years of service has never opened his restaurants on Sunday.
The Business by the Book luncheons began more than a year ago as a way to promote Christianity in the workplace.
Two local Chick-fil-A restaurants - the Magnolia Avenue and TigerTown locations - catered Thursday’s luncheon, held at Auburn United Methodist Church’s Epworth Center.
“I believe that you can combine biblical principles and good business practices,” Cathy told the receptive audience. “I testified before Congress ... on how to be honest and successful at the same time.”
The 84-year-old entrepreneur began building his wealth of business knowledge at age 8, when the Great Depression demanded he go to work to support his family.
“As a kid, I can’t remember having anything to play with except a loose tooth,” Cathy said to laughter. “And that wasn’t mine. It was my brother’s.”
One of Cathy’s first jobs was delivering newspapers, he said. But even as a newspaper delivery boy, he made sure he gave customers the best service possible.
“I took care of my customers,” he said. “It’s important to take care of your customers.”
Now, more than 1,200 Chick-fil-A stores and close to $2 billion in annual sales later, Cathy still stresses customer service.
“Being in the food business, you have to remember to do each and every thing right, every time,” Cathy said.
Providing any service on Sundays, however, remains out of the question.
From the day Cathy and his brother opened their first Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in Hapeville, Ga., in 1946, the company has never opened on Sundays.
“I really believe that’s the best business decision I’ve made,” Cathy said.
The practice has drawn both criticism and challenges over the years, he said.
For example, when Cathy began opening restaurants inside malls, he was pressured to have the stores open on Sunday. But he refused.
Instead, Cathy insists that each mall lease states that Chick-fil-A has the “privilege to close on Sundays.”
The company policy not only supports Cathy’s belief in following biblical principles in the workplace, it also provides his employees a day off on the weekend, he told the local crowd.
“As Christians, we have an obligation and responsibility to abide by the principles of the Bible,” said Cathy.
e-mail at BibleBusiness@charter.netBut an introduction seemed hardly necessary for the founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A, who spoke to more than 400 local professionals at Thursday’s Business by the Book luncheon.
It was a perfect gig for Cathy, who in all of his 57 years of service has never opened his restaurants on Sunday.
The Business by the Book luncheons began more than a year ago as a way to promote Christianity in the workplace.
Two local Chick-fil-A restaurants - the Magnolia Avenue and TigerTown locations - catered Thursday’s luncheon, held at Auburn United Methodist Church’s Epworth Center.
“I believe that you can combine biblical principles and good business practices,” Cathy told the receptive audience. “I testified before Congress ... on how to be honest and successful at the same time.”
The 84-year-old entrepreneur began building his wealth of business knowledge at age 8, when the Great Depression demanded he go to work to support his family.
“As a kid, I can’t remember having anything to play with except a loose tooth,” Cathy said to laughter. “And that wasn’t mine. It was my brother’s.”
One of Cathy’s first jobs was delivering newspapers, he said. But even as a newspaper delivery boy, he made sure he gave customers the best service possible.
“I took care of my customers,” he said. “It’s important to take care of your customers.”
Now, more than 1,200 Chick-fil-A stores and close to $2 billion in annual sales later, Cathy still stresses customer service.
“Being in the food business, you have to remember to do each and every thing right, every time,” Cathy said.
Providing any service on Sundays, however, remains out of the question.
From the day Cathy and his brother opened their first Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in Hapeville, Ga., in 1946, the company has never opened on Sundays.
“I really believe that’s the best business decision I’ve made,” Cathy said.
The practice has drawn both criticism and challenges over the years, he said.
For example, when Cathy began opening restaurants inside malls, he was pressured to have the stores open on Sunday. But he refused.
Instead, Cathy insists that each mall lease states that Chick-fil-A has the “privilege to close on Sundays.”
The company policy not only supports Cathy’s belief in following biblical principles in the workplace, it also provides his employees a day off on the weekend, he told the local crowd.
“As Christians, we have an obligation and responsibility to abide by the principles of the Bible,” said Cathy.
For information on the next
Business by the Book luncheon
Chuck Ferrell, owner of Chuck's Bar-B-Que
and Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers in Opelika,
gives his testimony at Sept. 29, 2005, Business by the Book luncheon
at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika.
From left, Tim Chambliss, Chris Hines and Chuck Hawkins (seated)
lead the singing at the Sept. 29, 2005, Business by the Book luncheon
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005
Noon
Trinity United Methodist Church
800 Second Ave.
Opelika
Complimentary lunch provided
Guest speaker: Chuck Ferrell
Owner
Chuck's Bar-B-Que, Opelika
Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers, Opelika
Business by the Book
sponsors
Auburn Chamber of Commerce
Prayer Breakfast
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Moores Mill Golf Club
7:30 a.m.
Guest speaker: Paul West, Pak Mail
Capt. Paul West addresses crowd at Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Business by the Book
National Guard captain speaks
at Auburn Chamber
Prayer Breakfast
By
William White
Staff
Writer
Opelika-Auburn
News
July 13,
2005
Capt. Paul West, commander of Alpha Company of the U.S. Army National Guard 711th Signal Battalion, talked at Tuesday’s Auburn Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast about his time being stationed in the ruins of Babylon.
“This is a nice way for a member to share his or her walk of life spiritually in business,” said Lolly Steiner, chamber president. “This is probably one of the biggest turnouts we have had.”
“The Prayer Breakfast, held at Moore’s Mill Golf Club’s Clubhouse, was sponsored by a local organization, Business by the Book.
“We are a small group committed to supporting Christianity in the workplace,” said John Harrell. “The group has a quarterly luncheon and speaker related to Christianity in the workplace.”
West started his talk with the topic of conversation – the recent rains here in the last few days.
“We should be thankful for the rain and each and every day we get here. In Iraq last year, from about April until October there was not a single cloud in the sky. It did not rain a single drop of rain.”
West said he and his wife, Tracie, moved to Auburn after buying the Pak Mail business here. He was deployed and left Auburn in January 2004, and after training at Fort Stewart, Ga., and in Kuwait was stationed in an area named Camp Babylon, Hillah, Iraq.
West said he questioned where God was in all of this and found that God was where he was supposed to be and read from Philippians 4:12-13: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
“For Tracie and I those words are what allowed us to have the belief and faith in God to make this commitment I had to honor. My orders were for 18 months and that was what she was facing.”
He said Tracie was mailing him little things he had forgotten or wanted.
“You can’t imagine that you can’t go to a drawer in your kitchen or a drawer in your bathroom and just get whatever it is – a pack of gum, shaving cream or candy. You can’t imagine it until you are in that situation where it’s not there and may not see it several weeks, if at all.”
He said among those things Tracie sent him was a book of devotionals, “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman, contents of which he shared with Tracie daily.
“This book solidified my walk with God, my faith and m y beliefs. Knowing there is nothing I can do if something happens to Tracie being 9,000 miles away. There is nothing she can do for me being 9,000 miles away. There is no getting home unless the worst of the worst happens to my family,” he said.
“So ‘Streams in the Desert’ was our link. Every day we would each read the same day’s devotional. Always it seemed that that day’s devotional was right on for the situation.” He said there was a nine-hour difference when he called Tracie. “So I called at 4 in the afternoon there and it would be 7 a.m. here.”
He said his company of 130 men actually lived in the ruins of Babylon – some soldiers lived in trailers, some lived in tents, some lived in the palace there and some lived in the maintenance building for the palace. He said they had church every Sunday and special services with the 2,000 Polish soldiers stationed there.
Their work was like a mobile BellSouth delivering telephone services. He said he would be up at 5 a.m. and work until about 10 p.m.
“In the 10 months we were in Iraq we did three million e-mails and one million and half phone calls, both secure and non-secure. We were the signal so my soldiers could call home every day, if they wanted to.” He said those knocks on his door at night meant the signal was down or there was Red Cross message to deliver.
“In a span of about eight weeks, we had about eight to 1- Red Cross messages. You can’t imagine getting that knock which meant someone related to someone in my unit had either died or something serious had happened to that family.
“You cannot imagine how hard it is to go find that soldier either sleeping or on duty. It was by far the most difficult thing I had to do, even more so than the mission. Missions I knew. We could go out and do my job. But Red Cross messages were the worst.”
West said he suggested an idea to Tracie that the schools, students and community embraced enthusiastically and turned into one of the most meaningful actions for him while there.
“Everybody involved provided more than 2,000 pounds of school supplies to children in Iraq. We provided supplies to more than 2,100 children between the ages of 5 to 17,” he said. “We helped rebuild three schools, built a footbridge, a water project to help restore the gardens and worked with doctors and delivered supplies to provide medical care to rural areas along with food and toys for the children.”
and upcoming Prayer Breakfasts
e-mail:
BibleBusiness@charter.net
or contact:
John Harrell, 887-2212
jharrell@charterbank.net
Chris Hines
hines@aunetwork.com
Jay Jacobs, 844-9861
jacobjo@auburn.edu
Howard Porter, 826-8682
hporter@portercompanies.com
Michael Tullier, 844-1324
mtullier@auburn.edu
Gary Waters 844-5841
gwaters@business.auburn.edu
Ed Williams, 844-9100
willik5@auburn.edu
John Wingfield, 826-8800
johnw@aumc.net
Committee: John Harrell, Chris Hines,
Jay Jacobs, Howard Porter, Michael Tullier,
Gary Waters, Ed Williams, John Wingfield
Tom Hunt is guest speaker at May 5, 2005, meeting of Business by the Book.
Quarterly Luncheon
Noon
Thursday, May 5, 2005
(in conjunction with the
National Day of Prayer)
Location: 467 Building
(Youth for Christ)
467 North Dean Road
(Former Auburn Athletic Club building)
Guest speaker: Tom Hunt
Kevin Flannagan, executive director of East Alabama Youth for Christ,
welcomes Business by the Book luncheon group on May 5.
Chris Hines and Chuck Hawkins provide musical entertainment.
Tom Hunt tells luncheon group that the Bible is a "how-to" manual in operating a business
with Christian values.
Business by the Book quarterly luncheon
coincides with National Day of Prayer
Tom Hunt, President and managing partner of The Hotel Group Inc., in Auburn, will be guest speaker at the quarterly luncheon meeting of Business by the Book on Thursday, May 5 at noon.
The luncheon will be at the 467 Building (Youth for Christ) at 467 N. Dean Road. (former Auburn Athletic Club building).
The luncheon of area Christian business women and men coincides with the National Day of Prayer. All area business women and men are invited. There is no charge for the luncheon. Reservations may be made by e-mailing BibleBusiness@charter.net.
Business by the Book is the opportunity to join fellow business women and men for fellowship and food and hear about resources for the Christian workplace. Its purpose is to bring Christian values into the workplace and home.
Hunt is an Administrative Board member and youth leader at Auburn United Methodist Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn University.
The Hotel Group Inc. is an independent hospitality management and development company with headquarters in Auburn. It manages hotels in Alabama and Mississippi markets, ranging from the proprietary branded “Arbor Suites” to Hilton branded focused service hotels. Their Auburn Hilton Garden Inn was named best for guest loyalty in the entire Hilton Garden Inn chain in 2002, and Hunt was honored as Hilton Garden Inn “Owner of the Year” in 2003.
Hunt began his hotel career in 1992 when he was hired to oversee the final stages of development of the Hampton Inn in Auburn, and he served as general manager upon its opening.
####
Dr. Del Crosby is speaker on Sept. 22, 2004
Business by the Book luncheon
Business by the Book
Resources that may be of interest:
"Business by the Book," by Larry Burkett
Click here
"The Maxwell Leadership Bible, NKJV
Click here
"There is no such Thing as Business Ethics," by John Maxwell
Click here
I, __________________________, will pray for my business and coworkers daily.
I will also establish two Absolute Values in my office and home.
Larry Burkett, author of "Business by the Book,"
defines absolute values as principles by which you operate
and will not compromise for anyone. I will also start a devotional time in my office.
____________________________________
Your signature
___________________
Date
Some scripture verses that John Maxwell identifies in "The Maxwell Leadership Bible"
that you could use in your Absolute Values are found in Matthew 6:1 - 7:27.
Do the right thing for the right reasons.
(Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18)
Pray God's agenda, not your own.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Relationships will make or break you.
(Matthew 6: 14-15)
Prioritize eternal things, not temporal things.
(Matthew 6: 19-24)
If you need something, ask; if you have something, give it.
(Matthew 7: 7-12)
Stay true to your convictions; don't wander from the narrow path.
(Matthew 7: 13-20)
Obedience to God is the only sure foundation for life.
(Matthew 7: 21-27)
Judge yourself before you judge others.
(Matthew 7: 1-6)
Don't sweat the small stuff.
(Matthew 6: 25-31, 33)
God's kingdom is paramount, seek it first.
(Matthew 6: 32, 33)
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
(Matthew 7:12)
Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet
when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
Business by the Book
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004
Noon
Lakeview Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall
Music provided by Dr. Charlie Veale and Tim Jackson
Complimentary lunch provided
Welcome and Blessing: Al Jackson
Announcements: John Harrell
Introduction of guest speaker: Howard Porter
Guest speaker: Dr. Del Crosby
EAMC Emergency physician
Mercy Medical physician
I am only
one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still
I can do
something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.
-- Helen Keller
(1880-1968) American Writer
Prayer Warriors:
Faith keeps Auburn together
Opelika-Auburn News
Tom Peavy
Staff Writer
Friday, November 5, 2004
Members of any athletic team typically form strong bonds that last lifetimes.
Those bonds come from months of hard work, side by side, battling for personal achievements as well as helping teammates achieve their own personal accomplishments - all with the goal of team success.
Auburn's football team has shown a strong, unified bond in 2004 - one that has helped propel the No. 3 Tigers into the national spotlight at 9-0.
But Auburn's football team has not bonded strictly from on-field successes. Instead, many of the Tigers have turned to a higher power for inspiration and guidance.
"You always have to have God first in everything you do," defensive end Stanley McClover said. "We all have devotionals and we do prayer requests and praise reports - and it's been helping us all year."
When head coach Tommy Tuberville took over the helm at Auburn in 1999, he entered a program in chaos after then-head coach Terry Bowden resigned mid-season. Auburn was also dotted with players who found their way into the headlines for off-field problems.
The program seemed to be the epitome of dysfunction. So to bring in a little function, Tuberville brought on the Rev. Chette Williams to serve as the team's chaplain.
Williams made an immediate impact on Auburn's players, and many openly shared how Williams' guidance had helped turn lives around - and helped pull a separated bunch into a tight-knit band of brothers.
In former Auburn defensive back Rob Pate's book, "A Tiger's Walk: Memoirs of an Auburn Football Player," he spoke of the beginning of team prayer meetings and how the meetings grew into a regular part of weekly team functions that ultimately bonded players together.
"Attendance at the prayer meetings continued to grow over the last two weeks of the (1999) season. And as the room began to bulge with players and a handful of coaches, a bond began to form that was unbreakable," Pate said in his book. "You began to realize how little you actually knew the guy in the chair next to you, the guy you've lined up next to for years. You began to realize that everyone has a story, that everyone has pain in his life and that everyone needs encouragement.
"And what those meetings did for us on the field was extraordinary. We were willing to lay down our lives and die for each other. We were ready to fight to the death for our coaches."
That same team chemistry is evident in 2004, and the spiritual bond seems stronger than ever.
"Brother Chet has done an outstanding job. We have people on this team that show outstanding faith from top to bottom," running back Carnell Williams said. "From the best player down, we're all in this together and we're all pulling to please the Lord. We feel He is with us and we can do all things through Him.
"Not to take anything from the other teams I've played on, because I've felt that bond and that chemistry. But this team is special. We're really out there for one another."
On-field guidance
It's the fourth quarter of the LSU game and Auburn is trailing 9-3, but driving for a winning score.
Quarterback Jason Campbell fires a pass to the end zone to the waiting arms of receiver Courtney Taylor, who hauls in the bullet for the score and the Tiger victory.
With such a huge, game-breaking catch - the first of Taylor's career on top of that - one would expect a wild, jubilant celebration with a ball spike, a little dance, a salute to the crowd ... but no.
Taylor simply dropped to a knee and prayed - and that was his celebration.
That scene has been played out numerous times for Taylor since that first touchdown. But while some will look at Taylor's end zone prayer as clich?, the sophomore, who lists one of his favorite movies as "Passion of the Christ" and reading the Bible as an interest in the Auburn football media guide, takes his prayers to heart.
"It just gives you a lot of inspiration and lets you know there is always something there you can count on," Taylor said. "It's not so much as in just football, but outside of football spiritually. Just having that strong faith in God is important and it has really helped pull us all together."
But Taylor isn't the only Tiger who openly shows his spiritual side.
On any given Saturday, a multitude of players can be seen huddled together near Auburn's bench in prayer following a touchdown or any other big play.
And the huddle isn't just an exclusive group. The prayer group includes offensive players, defensive players, kickers, holders, white players and black players - all massed together to give thanks.
And it is that unbiased togetherness that Auburn's players cherish in their spiritual bond.
"A lot of guys have the same belief and we all know you have to love your neighbor," Taylor said. "We go in and off the field every day pretty much Monday through Saturday. We all just have that bond and it pulls us together. It makes things so much easier to come in every day. We don't have any animosity on this team - it's just all of us pulling together for each other."
Their faith also carries into the locker room, and while fans in the bleachers never see it, many of the Tigers have stated on numerous occasions how their pre- and postgame routines include spiritual guidance in some form.
Hard Fighting Soldier
While many players on the 2004 Auburn team speak openly of their spiritual beliefs and show their use of prayer during games, the faith-based bond became no more evident than on Tuberville's weekly post-game television show following the Tigers' victory against Ole Miss this past Saturday.
A mainstay on Tuberville's show includes the team singing the Auburn fight song, "War Eagle" in the locker room following every game. But after the Ole Miss game, Auburn's players followed the fight song with a stirring and powerful rendition of the spiritual song, "Hard Fighting Soldier."
The song includes the repeated line "I am a hard fighting soldier, on the battlefield" and references Bible passages Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the full armor of God" and Psalm 60:12, "With God we will gain the victory!"
Credit for the team learning the spiritual song is handed to sophomore tight end Kyle Derozan, who decided to sing the song during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting after the scheduled singer failed to show.
"That song has always stood out to me and every week we're in a battle with opposing teams," Derozan said. "At that meeting Brother Chet asked me to sing and I figured I could share that song with the team and we could use it as a motto.
"God said, 'Whenever you go to battle take with you the breastplate of righteousness, sword (of) salvation.' So I thought if I could relate that to the Bible and my life, my teammates could see where I was coming from with it."
Derozan's introduction of "Hard Fighting Soldier" spread quickly through the team, and it became a common song to sing during the team's prayer meetings. It was then adopted as the team's song and rallying cry, but did not make its first locker room appearance until the Ole Miss game.
"That's our song. We sing it every Friday before games," McClover said. "It's something we started this year and it's working out good. I think it's something we're going to have to start up on Saturdays now too."
While opinions vary on favorite lines from the song, a common favorite is the thunderous, staccato line, "You gotta walk right, talk right, sing right, pray right, on the battlefield."
The song has also become a favorite subject on Auburn Internet message boards - so much so that many fans have been searching for the history of the song and speaking of attempts to adopt the song for use in the stands - all to show the team's visible spiritual bond has carried into the fan base.
"The songs, Scripture - once everything came together we all realized we are all a family," Derozan said of the impact the team's spiritual faith has had. "We all look out for each other and take care of each other in everything. It just makes me proud to be a part of this team right now."
tpeavy@oanow.com | 749-6271 ext. 3111
Tom Peavy
Staff Writer
Friday, November 5, 2004
Members of any athletic team typically form strong bonds that last lifetimes.
Those bonds come from months of hard work, side by side, battling for personal achievements as well as helping teammates achieve their own personal accomplishments - all with the goal of team success.
Auburn's football team has shown a strong, unified bond in 2004 - one that has helped propel the No. 3 Tigers into the national spotlight at 9-0.
But Auburn's football team has not bonded strictly from on-field successes. Instead, many of the Tigers have turned to a higher power for inspiration and guidance.
"You always have to have God first in everything you do," defensive end Stanley McClover said. "We all have devotionals and we do prayer requests and praise reports - and it's been helping us all year."
When head coach Tommy Tuberville took over the helm at Auburn in 1999, he entered a program in chaos after then-head coach Terry Bowden resigned mid-season. Auburn was also dotted with players who found their way into the headlines for off-field problems.
The program seemed to be the epitome of dysfunction. So to bring in a little function, Tuberville brought on the Rev. Chette Williams to serve as the team's chaplain.
Williams made an immediate impact on Auburn's players, and many openly shared how Williams' guidance had helped turn lives around - and helped pull a separated bunch into a tight-knit band of brothers.
In former Auburn defensive back Rob Pate's book, "A Tiger's Walk: Memoirs of an Auburn Football Player," he spoke of the beginning of team prayer meetings and how the meetings grew into a regular part of weekly team functions that ultimately bonded players together.
"Attendance at the prayer meetings continued to grow over the last two weeks of the (1999) season. And as the room began to bulge with players and a handful of coaches, a bond began to form that was unbreakable," Pate said in his book. "You began to realize how little you actually knew the guy in the chair next to you, the guy you've lined up next to for years. You began to realize that everyone has a story, that everyone has pain in his life and that everyone needs encouragement.
"And what those meetings did for us on the field was extraordinary. We were willing to lay down our lives and die for each other. We were ready to fight to the death for our coaches."
That same team chemistry is evident in 2004, and the spiritual bond seems stronger than ever.
"Brother Chet has done an outstanding job. We have people on this team that show outstanding faith from top to bottom," running back Carnell Williams said. "From the best player down, we're all in this together and we're all pulling to please the Lord. We feel He is with us and we can do all things through Him.
"Not to take anything from the other teams I've played on, because I've felt that bond and that chemistry. But this team is special. We're really out there for one another."
On-field guidance
It's the fourth quarter of the LSU game and Auburn is trailing 9-3, but driving for a winning score.
Quarterback Jason Campbell fires a pass to the end zone to the waiting arms of receiver Courtney Taylor, who hauls in the bullet for the score and the Tiger victory.
With such a huge, game-breaking catch - the first of Taylor's career on top of that - one would expect a wild, jubilant celebration with a ball spike, a little dance, a salute to the crowd ... but no.
Taylor simply dropped to a knee and prayed - and that was his celebration.
That scene has been played out numerous times for Taylor since that first touchdown. But while some will look at Taylor's end zone prayer as clich?, the sophomore, who lists one of his favorite movies as "Passion of the Christ" and reading the Bible as an interest in the Auburn football media guide, takes his prayers to heart.
"It just gives you a lot of inspiration and lets you know there is always something there you can count on," Taylor said. "It's not so much as in just football, but outside of football spiritually. Just having that strong faith in God is important and it has really helped pull us all together."
But Taylor isn't the only Tiger who openly shows his spiritual side.
On any given Saturday, a multitude of players can be seen huddled together near Auburn's bench in prayer following a touchdown or any other big play.
And the huddle isn't just an exclusive group. The prayer group includes offensive players, defensive players, kickers, holders, white players and black players - all massed together to give thanks.
And it is that unbiased togetherness that Auburn's players cherish in their spiritual bond.
"A lot of guys have the same belief and we all know you have to love your neighbor," Taylor said. "We go in and off the field every day pretty much Monday through Saturday. We all just have that bond and it pulls us together. It makes things so much easier to come in every day. We don't have any animosity on this team - it's just all of us pulling together for each other."
Their faith also carries into the locker room, and while fans in the bleachers never see it, many of the Tigers have stated on numerous occasions how their pre- and postgame routines include spiritual guidance in some form.
Hard Fighting Soldier
While many players on the 2004 Auburn team speak openly of their spiritual beliefs and show their use of prayer during games, the faith-based bond became no more evident than on Tuberville's weekly post-game television show following the Tigers' victory against Ole Miss this past Saturday.
A mainstay on Tuberville's show includes the team singing the Auburn fight song, "War Eagle" in the locker room following every game. But after the Ole Miss game, Auburn's players followed the fight song with a stirring and powerful rendition of the spiritual song, "Hard Fighting Soldier."
The song includes the repeated line "I am a hard fighting soldier, on the battlefield" and references Bible passages Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the full armor of God" and Psalm 60:12, "With God we will gain the victory!"
Credit for the team learning the spiritual song is handed to sophomore tight end Kyle Derozan, who decided to sing the song during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting after the scheduled singer failed to show.
"That song has always stood out to me and every week we're in a battle with opposing teams," Derozan said. "At that meeting Brother Chet asked me to sing and I figured I could share that song with the team and we could use it as a motto.
"God said, 'Whenever you go to battle take with you the breastplate of righteousness, sword (of) salvation.' So I thought if I could relate that to the Bible and my life, my teammates could see where I was coming from with it."
Derozan's introduction of "Hard Fighting Soldier" spread quickly through the team, and it became a common song to sing during the team's prayer meetings. It was then adopted as the team's song and rallying cry, but did not make its first locker room appearance until the Ole Miss game.
"That's our song. We sing it every Friday before games," McClover said. "It's something we started this year and it's working out good. I think it's something we're going to have to start up on Saturdays now too."
While opinions vary on favorite lines from the song, a common favorite is the thunderous, staccato line, "You gotta walk right, talk right, sing right, pray right, on the battlefield."
The song has also become a favorite subject on Auburn Internet message boards - so much so that many fans have been searching for the history of the song and speaking of attempts to adopt the song for use in the stands - all to show the team's visible spiritual bond has carried into the fan base.
"The songs, Scripture - once everything came together we all realized we are all a family," Derozan said of the impact the team's spiritual faith has had. "We all look out for each other and take care of each other in everything. It just makes me proud to be a part of this team right now."
tpeavy@oanow.com | 749-6271 ext. 3111
