Appreciating faith-driven companies like Chick-fil-A: Not just today but everyday

August 1, 2012 by 2 Comments

Faith Driven Consumer Lisa Marks Todd shares her experience on August 1st at Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day

Like hundreds of thousands of people across America, I went to Chick-fil-A today to show my appreciation for a business that shares many of my values and to stand up for my First Amendment right to freedom of religion and expression without governmental interference.

When I arrived at 10:45 a.m. in the pouring rain of North Carolina, I found hundreds of others with smiling faces enjoying a tasty chicken meal with exceptional levels of customer service.

More than 640,000 consumers showed up to support Chick-fil-A on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on August 1, 2012 all across the nation.

Here, I had two significant realizations during my visit:

First, I need to support businesses that share my values every day – and not just Chick-fil-A on August 1, 2012. I believe this is part of the call to be a good steward of my resources. As the number of businesses that share my values – and are willing to stand up for them – seems to dwindle, I need to faithfully support those businesses that do. This is true for eating out, back-to-school and Christmas shopping and everyday purchases – even if it means I drive a little further or do not shop at my favorite stores.

Second, I spent more than an hour in Chick-fil-A today, not waiting in line, but talking to other customers. Yes, I talked to total strangers in a fast food restaurant! And it was a genuinely enjoyable experience. There was a real sense of caring and fellowship with people smiling, sharing tables, helping others, having conversations and finding things they have in common. People were truly kind and loving toward strangers.

And then it hit me; this is the way we are supposed to live! As a Christian, I am commanded to love my neighbor as myself. This means not just the other Christians who are at Chick-fil-A today, but those who hold to differing worldviews and belief systems – including, and perhaps especially, the gay and lesbian activists and their allies who plan to protest at Chick-fil-A on Friday.

Given this, I believe we as Christians and Faith Driven Consumers need to be at Chick-fil-A again on Friday to not only show our support for Chick-fil-A but, more importantly, to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who mistakenly think we hate them. As Christians we are called to love our neighbors, so let’s be more proactive in how we show it.

I encourage all Christians who are Faith Driven Consumers to patronize Chick-fil-A again on Friday and demonstrate the warmth, kindness, and caring we experienced today – looking for what we have in common with those who disagree with our biblical values and loving them where they are.

Thank you, Dan Cathy, for speaking up about what you believe and helping me to examine what I believe and how I live that out.

-Lisa Marks Todd

Montage video of other Faith Driven Consumer supporting Chick-fil-A:

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Tim Tebow displays Faith on the Football Field

December 6, 2011 by 7 Comments

Broncos football player, Tim Tebow, has been in the spotlight recently as videos of his praying after touchdowns have gone viral on the web. Tebow has stated that whenever he scores a touchdown, he wants to thank God for the moment by getting down on his knees and praying.

People have been mocking Tebow for his public display of his faith by calling his prayers “Tebowing.” Fortunately, Tebow has not allowed these comments to get the best of him and he continues to praise God in public.

As Christians, it is not news that we are sometimes not well-liked in the public eye. We are often portrayed as hypocrites and bigots in the media, and many of us have become silent out of fear of persecution.

America has always been a place of religious freedom. Our Founding Fathers built this country on their biblical values. Christians maintained a vocal majority of the population for our early history, but this has changed as those who promoted their version of “religious freedom” have redefined the debate.

Faith Driven Consumers need to see Tebow’s faithfulness as a call to action for Christians. We have been complacent in our faith for too long, and often we let the world silence us for fear of persecution. God has not called us to fear, but to declare His name in confidence.

2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Perhaps as Christians, we should be more like Tebow in our everyday lives and show others that we love God and will not be deterred by their criticism. If Faith Driven Consumers were to do this in the marketplace, it would be different. We need to be public in our faith. We need to be confident that God will be faithful always.

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‘In God We Trust’ stands as nation’s motto

November 2, 2011 by 3 Comments

The House of Representatives on Tuesday reaffirmed “In God We Trust” as the national motto.

This action was initiated by Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., who supports the display of the motto in all public schools and government buildings. Forbes said the resolution was necessary after several circumstances raised questions about the issue.

Recently in a speech to the International community, President Obama asserted “E pluribus unum” (“from many one”) as the national motto.  Before that, “E pluribus unum” was  engraved in the Capitol Visitor Center as the national motto. Congress ordered this be corrected.  The National Mint recently removed the motto from the face of a new coin and placed it on the edge instead.

If our president misrepresents our nation’s motto and the House has to reaffirm the phrase, what is this truly saying about where Americans place their trust?

Our country was founded upon Christian principles, and even our money says this motto. Then why is it that we fail to trust God in various situations  we encounter daily?

Consider this: Money is a leading cause of divorce. Companies are misusing the money consumers spend through supporting organizations that do not honor God. So what can we do about this as faith driven consumers?

It’s time to actually trust in God as a nation. If we truly trusted God, wouldn’t we earnestly seek to honor Him in all ways, trusting that He would provide for our every need? As a Christian consumer, you can use the Company Reviews tool to see how companies line up with your Christian values and see what they are supporting.

Join  Faith Driven Consumer as we aim to honor and trust God in all aspects of our lives, even in the marketplace.

 

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