Called2Business Luncheon Featuring Dr. Tim Bertram

May 22, 2008

Timothy Bertram, D.V.M., Ph.D. / Senior Vice President Science and Technology –Tengion, Inc. (Tengion is a company that focuses regenerative medicine – building organs).

Dr. Bertram has served as senior scientific executive at Pfizer, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, and Procter & Gamble Co; a faculty member at the University of Illinois; and a visiting scientist to the National Institutes of Health.

Title of Presentation:  Harnessing God’s power in trials and tribulations to trust and triumph

Deuteronomy 29:2-6

Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them: Your eyes have seen all that the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land.  With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders.  But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.  During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.  You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink.  I did this so that you might know that I am the LORD your God.

·         God speaking to Israelites through Moses

·         See what the Lord did before your eyes

·         See great trials and tribulations – reflect on the past.  If we don’t learn from the past, we will be destined for failure.

·         God is in control – shoes and clothes did not wear out

·         Take inventory of Who I Am?  - know your purpose

·         God is not there to answer your prayers; He is there to help you discover His will for you.  Your prayers help you understand God’s plan and design.

Business Lessons

1.       Know your purpose – take inventory of who you are:  skills, talents, personality, etc.

2.       Be prepared to be molded – potter and clay analogy

a.       God places people above us to be authority – how will we respond?  Will we operate in pride and arrogance or humility and honor?

3.       Lose the battle, but win the war.  Many times in the business world we may lose the corporate battle, but God will open our eyes to see the spiritual battle.

4.       Patience – God is working in you, through you, with you.

Biblical Business Plan

FROGS (Fear not, Remember, Offering, God is in command, Serve with joy and gladness)

·         Fear Not – Fear not.  When you see challenges greater than your capabilities, do not fear.

-        Pay attention to order.  God has a plan, a purpose, and a time for it.

·         Remember where you were, why you were there, what did you learn so that you can carry it with you.

·         Offering first fruits – read Malachi 3.  If you will do “that and more” He will provide “that and more.”

·         God is in command – Deuteronomy 28

·         Serve with joy and gladness – all the curses that came about were not because the people did not serve, it was they did not serve with joy and a glad heart.  Where is your heart?