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.
I really enjoy my work. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my hands and my heart to support my family. I thrive on success and recognition. We all do. But is there any greater gift than sharing your faith with others? Don't you want them to live eternally and have the comfort of knowing that life is not just an earthly venture but everlasting? Is there anything you can accomplish greater than savings someone's life for eternity?
I'm not a great witness. I usually do not share my beliefs with others unless they ask, but I really wanted to increase the frequency of those faith based conversations. I was working and interacting with people every day that I cared about, yet I did not have the courage to start a conversation about Jesus. I wanted to find an easier way, maybe something that I could wear that might just make others curious enough to ask.
I wanted to create a design that was unique but relevant to others. I learned that the fish symbol had been replaced by the cross many years ago but I also knew its popularity had increased over the last 20 years. When I read about the significance of the symbol, I learned that long ago, when Christians would meet strangers, they would draw an arc in the sand. If the stranger was a Christian he/she would draw a second arc in the sand, forming a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith without the fear of discrimination. This would be the perfect symbol for our business logo. But how can I make this different? I asked God to help me out once again.
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.
At a young age I wanted to become a doctor. I believed that if I could save one life, then my purpose on this earth would be fulfilled. Several years later I realized that eternal life was so much more important than earthly life. I also learned that I could share this opportunity with others and save their lives forever. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us on the cross. He sacrificed His life so that others could live eternally. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Your family and friends deserve to be there with you.
Now that our business is up and running, I have the opportunity to demonstrate my faith and share my own witness with you. But at first I was hesitant to wear my own product. I thought that if I was wearing the logo that He helped me design, my path had to be straight and my behaviors perfected. Then I remembered that no one is perfect. I remembered that He died for us, to save us from our sins. And I remembered that He loves us, and forgives us, no matter what we do.
Share your faith with others. Demonstrate your beliefs and be ready to witness. Don't let others live without Jesus because they will die without you.
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.
I really enjoy my work. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my hands and my heart to support my family. I thrive on success and recognition. We all do. But is there any greater gift than sharing your faith with others? Don't you want them to live eternally and have the comfort of knowing that life is not just an earthly venture but everlasting? Is there anything you can accomplish greater than savings someone's life for eternity?
I'm not a great witness. I usually do not share my beliefs with others unless they ask, but I really wanted to increase the frequency of those faith based conversations. I was working and interacting with people every day that I cared about, yet I did not have the courage to start a conversation about Jesus. I wanted to find an easier way, maybe something that I could wear that might just make others curious enough to ask.
I wanted to create a design that was unique but relevant to others. I learned that the fish symbol had been replaced by the cross many years ago but I also knew its popularity had increased over the last 20 years. When I read about the significance of the symbol, I learned that long ago, when Christians would meet strangers, they would draw an arc in the sand. If the stranger was a Christian he/she would draw a second arc in the sand, forming a fish. This allowed Christians to share their faith without the fear of discrimination. This would be the perfect symbol for our business logo. But how can I make this different? I asked God to help me out once again.
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.
At a young age I wanted to become a doctor. I believed that if I could save one life, then my purpose on this earth would be fulfilled. Several years later I realized that eternal life was so much more important than earthly life. I also learned that I could share this opportunity with others and save their lives forever. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us on the cross. He sacrificed His life so that others could live eternally. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Your family and friends deserve to be there with you.
Now that our business is up and running, I have the opportunity to demonstrate my faith and share my own witness with you. But at first I was hesitant to wear my own product. I thought that if I was wearing the logo that He helped me design, my path had to be straight and my behaviors perfected. Then I remembered that no one is perfect. I remembered that He died for us, to save us from our sins. And I remembered that He loves us, and forgives us, no matter what we do.
Share your faith with others. Demonstrate your beliefs and be ready to witness. Don't let others live without Jesus because they will die without you.
About the Author:
Learn more about christian clothing. Stop by James Kitts's site where you can register for discounts christian tee shirts and wear your witness.
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