Setting the Table Achieve Business Success Podcast

Episode 12:  In this podcast episode, Greg Blakemore, CEO and President of The Nehemiah Group, discusses the pivot his episodes will take in Season 2.  Greg poses two important questions he grappled with and that other business leaders face.  The theme for this episode is Setting the Table. 
Episode co-host Jim Ray comments that Greg has an interesting way of approaching each new year of his business.  They shared an office condo for several years.  During this time, Jim observed Greg’s process for assessing the passing year and planning for the upcoming year. 
Greg expresses his wish that Season 2 doesn’t become some typical religious story.  It’s not.  He’s confident in his Christian faith and is willing to share some insights into what God has done in his own life. 
The Two Important Questions
Early on, Greg began asking the first important question, “Can I trust God with my business?”  Several years later, Greg realized God had a question for him, “Can God trust me with His business?”  Those questions can be difficult for many of us to answer, from time to time.  Yet, they persist. 
Greg explains that he’s been in construction development for 43 years.  He’s been the leader of the Nehemiah Group for the past 23 years, during which he’s also been a man of faith.  In this season, you’ll come to see that if you trust God with your business, and you’re willing to do His, there exciting things waiting to happen.
Greg Explains His Process for Assessing and Planning
At the end of the year, things slow down between Christmas and New Year’s – especially in the construction industry.  This is when Greg has his board meeting with God.  Getting into the process can be a little difficult.  Greg sequesters himself in the conference room for the week.  There are always so many distractions.  It can take an entire day for him to get finished “chasing squirrels,” so he can earnestly begin the process. 
Greg begins by asking God if he did what he was supposed to with his time, talent and treasure.  How did he do this past year.  Greg analyses his financial statements and spends time thanking God for the revenue and the opportunities provided.  He looks back at his previous journals and looks to see what actually worked out in his business and life.  This is the review part of the process.
As Greg begins looking toward the upcoming year, he prays for guidance and provision.  While Greg admits, he doesn’t hear an audible voice, very often he often feels God’s prompting. 
Setting the Table
Not everything Greg journals about comes to fruition in the following year.  It may be two, three or four years down the road, but he can definitely see how God is at work “setting the table” for those things He wants to happen.  This does, however, require effort on Greg’s part.
As the week progresses, Greg focuses on pray and calming things down, so he can enjoy this time with God.  He mentions the statue on his desk that has the scripture text, “Be still and know that I am God.”  At times, it can be more difficult to remember that text.                  
The journal Greg keeps is his map.  It provides an understanding of the mission for the upcoming year.  The things that will happen are going to happen with God’s timing.  Things are progressing according to His schedule, not ours.  This is why we refer to this episode’s them as, Setting the Table. 
Regardless of our calendars and deadlines, things are being moved into place in preparation of His banquet.  The table has to be set, beforehand.  We all have a role to play in ensuring the table is ready.  Greg explains how this role in the process can sometimes become frustrating for us.  There are simply things happening for which God wants to trust us with His business.
Igor’s Journey (a Joseph Moment)
In scripture, there’s a story of when Joseph, Mary and Jesus were in Bethlehem.