400: More Ramblings

This is Monday Memo 400.  It's hard to believe I have been writing the Memo for more than eight years. What started simply has taken on a life of its own, with its own site and a pretty hefty following.  I have found something to write about on 400 Sunday evenings when I sat down at the computer and i have learned a lot in the process.  Here are some of my thoughts, which you may consider ramblings:

1. I have grown more confident in my writing skills since 2001 and it serves me well as I continue to write books and produce papers for my classes at Reformed Presbyterian Seminary.  The more I write, the more I want to write.  It is almost addictive.


2. When I am afraid, I procrastinate. What am I afraid of?  Mostly I am afraid I don't have time to produce something of the quality I desire, so I find all kinds of excuses to put off trying.  I have come to the conclusion that most procrastination is rooted in fear.


3. As I have become a better writer, I have been able to encourage others to take the "plunge" and write, too.  There are many today who write their own regular updates because of the Monday Memo and I consider that an honor.


4. Every year I seriously consider whether or not I should stop writing the Memo.  I am thinking about it now.  I think, however, that I would rather change the format at this point and not stop, but I am procrastinating (see number 2 above).


5. I am always amazed at the power of regular Internet communication to build relationships.  Many people write or tell me that I have mentored them through the Monday Memo, yet I have never met them face-to-face.  When people tell me the Internet is impersonal, I just shake my head, knowing that they don't fully understand what they are talking about.


6. I can look back into my childhood and see the first signs that I wanted to be a writer. Your childhood often holds significant clues as to your purpose.


7. I have written two books using Monday Memos as the content. When you can do two things with one effort, it certainly makes it more efficient and worthwhile.

While many people have been blessed by the Monday Memo, I am the one who is the most blessed. I have given them away free of charge and it is my joy to do so.  I never grow tired of someone saying, "I read your stuff."  I almost always respond, "Great!  If you keep reading, I'll keep writing."  So let me close with that thought before I ramble too long and far, and you grow weary of my words. Have a great week!

************************************

THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:  It would be a fantastic way to celebrate issue 400 of the Memo by making a contribution to The Sophia Fund. Last week, $335 came in for The Fund.  As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya (We wired $1000 to Kenya two weeks ago, with another $500 slated to go to Zimbabwe this week). Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  Won't you consider helping orphans and widows today?  You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

REVELATION: I know there is someone or someones out there who are supposed to help me with this project. I urgently want to publish my next book, this time a devotional from the book of Revelation. I wrote about this project in my blog last week and encourage you to read what I wrote there. In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Then please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been obscured by so many weird interpretations.  If you have any questions about the project, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Comments

[Shirley Mantfeld]

Thank you for not letting procrastination steal you away from writing the Monday Memo. Thank you for making it free and easy to access.

I was introduced to your Memo in 2001 when I was living through a personal crisis. Your Memos inspired me and brought me hope. Often there were very pertinent questions embedded in your Memos, which I explored and learnt so much about myself. I learnt and am still learning how to reconcile God's purpose together with my desire to do so much. Thank you!

[Puseletso Makhema]

I echo Shirley's sentiments. Thank for not letting procrastination steal you away. Though I sometimes get lost and forget to read the Monday Memos, they always bring my life back into perspective and remind me that it's never about me but God's purpose in my life.

[Jana]

I never thought about procrastination and fear in the same sentence...

A new dimension is opening. Actually, I am reading this blog instead of study, so off I go.

Thanks for the blog! Love it!!

[Jane]

Hi John it's been great to read your Monday Memos. Ave been sooooo....... blessed. What spoke to me the most in this last one is the idea of procrastination. Ave desired to write the story of my life with the idea to encourage someone but i keep on saying i will do it next year, which seem to never come. it's my prayer that i can start so that i don't feel that much afraid to do that which i feel is the will of God for me. Congratulations and keep on writing