The Monday Memo from John Stanko

532: Down But Not Out

Last week on my long trip from Munich to Atlanta, I had a chance to listen to Handel's Messiah in its entirety.  That reminded me of this post in the Monday Memo archives, and I thought I would revise and share this classic with you again this year.  Have a happy holiday season and remember to set some goals for the new year during this festive season - JS.

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I have seen and listened to the Messiah many times but it never gets old.  Let's take a look at the circumstances that surrounded Handel as he composed his work and see if there are any purpose lessons there for you (you know there are).

MESSIAH

The Messiah is considered by many to be the greatest musical accomplishment in the history of mankind. Commissioned by a charity for a benefit concert, Handel wrote the Messiah in only 24 days. A musician once told me that someone trying to copy the Messiah could not do so in 24 days—that is the level of inspiration in which Handel operated when he wrote. Handel never left his house for those three weeks. His food trays remained untouched outside his office door. A friend who visited him as he composed found him sobbing with intense emotions. Later, as Handel groped for words to describe what he had experienced, he quoted St. Paul, saying, “Whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it, I know not.”

What’s even more impressive is that Handel wrote Messiah under extreme duress. The Church of England strongly criticized and opposed Handel and his previous Scriptural works put to music. At the age of 56, he had no money, often going out only at night so as to avoid his creditors. Handel performed what he considered his farewell concert and went home, fully expecting to end up in debtor’s prison.

Yet the first performance of Messiah in Ireland in 1742 raised almost £400 for charity and freed 142 men from debtor's prison. Of course the rest is history as countless millions have enjoyed and marveled at this work for more than 250 years. Handel also went on from there to enjoy tremendous success and popularity in his latter years.

What does this have to do with you? Perhaps you are a person of purpose but you feel frustrated, even defeated in your PurposeQuest. Maybe you find yourself down and out, discouraged and criticized, forgotten and a failure. Perhaps your finances are in poor shape. If that description fits you, read on, for this Memo can restore your hope and faith. If that’s not you, read on anyway, for you will probably enter that phase one day as you pursue your purpose.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT.

What should you do if you are in a season of “un-use,” disfavor or inaction? As we close out 2011, I would urge you to do three things if you are discouraged, disillusioned or dismayed. And if you’re not, I urge you to find someone who is—you shouldn’t have to look too hard—and encourage them in their dark time.

1. Renew your faith in God. Your success and purpose expression doesn’t depend on your faithfulness; it depends on God’s. Remind yourself that God can do anything, and then rest in Him. Handel went home to retire and perhaps thought it was all over for him. Yet God helped him, a group found and commissioned him and God can and do the same for you.
2. Keep preparing for your day of success. I don’t think Handel went home to retire and abandoned music. Don't you abandon your love either. Keep writing, reading, learning and practicing. When the phone rings or the mail comes with your opportunity, you will be fresh and prepared, having worked in faith for the day of success.
3. Be generous. Handel wrote the Messiah for charity, even though he was destitute. What can you do for someone else, even though you are down and out?  It is a good thing to do the unexpected in hard times, and giving something away definitely fits the bill when you are in need yourself. What better way to express your trust in God?

I’m grateful for 2011 and I hope you can find reasons to be as well. If not, then just thank God for His faithfulness. At least you’re still alive! Then take this Memo to heart or share it with someone who needs it. I pray that as you do what I recommended above, you will see a purpose breakthrough in 2012. Thank you for allowing me to come into your life every week and thank you for being a PurposeQuest-er. As I close this Memo, I wish you not only a great week, but also a very Merry Christmas!

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KENYA UPDATES:  I posted two updates from Kenya.  One is on the library project and the need for power tools here.  The other is from Pastor Francis and Upako Centre here.  Please read them and then give generously to help feed a child like the one pictured left, either through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

KINDLE BOOKS:  Three of my books are now available via Amazon in kindle format.   Those three are The Revelation Project, A Daily Dose of Proverbs and Faith Files, Volume Two. Download a copy today and then carry me with you wherever you and your e-reader go! 

528: Give Thanks

In the ten-year history of the Monday Memo, I have never done one with a Thanksgiving theme.  Since this coming Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States, I thought it was about time that I did so. Without further ado, let's celebrate Thanksgiving together, no matter where in the world you live.

THE OLD FOLKS

When I was younger, I would ask some older folks in church, "How are you doing?"  They would answer, "I got up this morning, so I am fine."  I remember thinking, "That's kind of simplistic."  Now I am 61 years old and I have buried some of my friends and peers.  When I arise in the morning, I now find myself thanking God that He gave me another day. Suddenly what those older folks had to say doesn't sound so strange.

In fact, when I get up these days, I have a litany of things for which I give thanks.  I won't go into them here, but with age comes the realization of and appreciation for what the Lord had done for me, in me and with me.  I meditate on what the psalmist wrote: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).  I don't know how many days I have left, but let's say I live to be my mother's age of 92.  That means I have about 11,000 days left.  If I live to be my father's age, I have about 7,000 left.  While that would be nice, I may only have one left, so I want to make the most of each one of them, whether one or 11,000. 

In order to do that, however, I must flow from a foundation of gratefulness, to God first for His unmeasured grace and to others, who have also extended me much grace in light of my imperfections and sinful tendencies.

THE QUOTE

This past week, I posted a quote on FaceBook that caught a lot of people's attention.  Picasso, the great painter, once said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."  While I am very thankful for today, I want to make the most of it by doing what I can with what I have.  I want to run as fast, as far and as long as I can, and if that is a month longer or 30 years, I am already thankful for whatever opportunities the Lord gives me.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day this week in the U.S., I urge you to make it a day of thanks that won't exist in isolation but will become a regular part of your daily devotions and discipline. Then once you have thanked God for His goodness, I want you to attack the days you have left, to number them as the psalmist wrote, so you will have a heart of wisdom.

If you live in the U. S., Happy Thanksgiving.  If you live outside the U.S., I invite you to join me in a day and a lifestyle of gratitude.  Have a blessed week!

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ZIMBABWE, HERE I COME:  I will be back in Zimbabwe for the first time since December, 2007 starting November 27.  If you would like to be part of my visit, you can read about my schedule here.  I look forward to seeing all my friends there when I return. 

NEED FOOD MONEY:  I depart this Friday for Zimbabwe and Kenya.  I can certainly use more cash to distribute to the orphans and widows there.  If you can give a special Thanksgiving offering, please do so through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Thank you and God bless you! 

520: How High Can You Jump?

I have a trivia question for you:  In what two summer Olympic sports is the winner not awarded the gold medal until he or she has failed three times?  Then I have another question, but this one isn't trivia. It's about you. The question is: Do you know how high you can jump?  Let's see if we can answer both questions below.

THE OLYMPICS OF FAILURE

Do you know the answer to the trivia question? The two sports in which you get a gold medal after you fail three times are the pole vault and the high jump.  The last man or woman left in either competition gets to set the bar at any height, usually just over the world record, and then he or she tries to clear that height in three attempts.  Once that person fails to clear three times, the competition is over and the winner is declared. This is why the world record has been broken so often in both sports because people are not afraid to fail in seeing how high they can vault or jump.

I wish more believers had that same attitude and played by the same rules.

You never know what you can do until you attempt to do it, but failing to attempt can be simply playing it safe because you don't want to knock down the bar, so to speak. I accepted some opportunities to teach this past week that kept me quite busy.  My first thought was, "I am too busy to do all that."  Yet I accepted and actually taught thirteen hours from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.  When I was done, I went home to bed, but I did it.  No, what's more correct is that God empowered me to do it.

What is God empowering you to do these days?  In other words, how high can you jump?  It's really not about jumping, but rather about service, work, or some other practical expression of your faith. Do you really know how much you can do out of the potential you have? 

MOST PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY CAN DON'T

I often hear people quote the popular passage, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philppians 4:13 NKJV).  When you stop to think of it, however, that statement is only a declaration of potential.  Just because you can do something doesn't mean you will or even should.  If I say, "I can be a nice person," that doesn't mean I am exercising my potential. It just means I have the potential. 

When someone quotes this verse to me, I am tempted to ask, "So what are you doing?"  That usually makes people angry, for that verse is sacred to many and to challenge it in any way is tantamount to heresy.  Let me ask you, however, since you cannot get mad at me face-to-face:  If you can do all things through Christ, what are you doing?  Where and when has that supernatural strength and power enabled you to jump higher than you thought? 

I am writing this Memo after a long weekend that began that first class on Friday and didn't end until our church's annual business meeting tonight. I am tired, but I still have energy to write and do laundry (since my wife is out of town).  I cleared the bar of teaching that was set for me this week and I am the better for it. What's more, the students I as able to teach are also the better for it (I hope).

Why not set the bar a little higher this week and see if you can clear it.  Why not bless others, pray, write, study or read beyond what you thought possible and see whether or not it is possible.  Why not choose to live in the truth of Philippians 4:13 and not just talk about it.  Have a blessed week!

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THE BIG BLESSING:  In the coming weeks, I want to let you know how you can help me distribute The Big Blessing (TBB) in Kenya on my next trip.  TBB is my most ambitious goal yet to raise $22,500 for several crucial projects in that drought-stricken land.  Read my first installment here, be watching for more in the coming weeks and then give generously to this noble effort. Thank you in advance for your help and support for the orphans pictured here who are sitting on new mattresses you helped me purchase. Also remember that the children need food now, so give to The Sophia Fund while you are also supporting The Big Blessing.  Thanks again!

519: Fear Not!

Last week we saw in 1 Kings 19 that Elijah was depressed and discouraged in his prophetic work, so he took refuge in a cave where he was hiding from the threats of Queen Jezebel. If you did not read last week's entry, then you can catch up here.  Once you have done that, it's time to move on and relate what happened to Elijah to a similar situation in the life of the Apostle Paul.

FEAR

I did not point out last week that Elijah's problems started when he gave in to fear.  He had just confronted and killed all the prophets of Baal as described in 1 Kings 18. When Jezebel threatened to kill him after that, however, he took off running: "Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life" (1 Kings 19:1-3). 

Imagine that!  Elijah was afraid after such a great victory over the false prophets, and he ran and ran.  After he stopped running, God sent him right back to where he had come from to do the work that God had called him to do. It is interesting that the same thing happened to the Apostle Paul as we read in Acts 18:

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God (1-11).

FEAR NOT!

Paul had just come to Corinth from Athens where he had little ministry success. The Jews became abusive and opposed Paul, who then turned to work exclusively with the Gentiles. Do you see what the Lord told Paul?  He told him not to be afraid. You don't tell someone not to be afraid unless they are already afraid. Perhaps Paul was considering moving on from Corinth, just as Elijah had moved on to avoid an encounter with Jezebel. Yet the Lord told Paul to hold steady, for he had much work for him to do in Corinth.

Perhaps you are afraid and thinking of moving on?  Perhaps someone is opposing your work or your message. Maybe they are even being abusive and harsh. The word to you is the same as it was to Paul:  Fear not!  God is with you and He will not allow you to be run off from the work He has called you to do. He can't stop you from running, however, if you give in to fear and anxiety.  It should give you great comfort that even Elijah and Paul were fearful; it should also encourage you that they may have wavered but they never gave in to that fear.

Are you facing opponents?  Are you questioning your ability to fulfill your purpose?  If you answer yes to either question, then I urge you to take consolation from the example of these two great men and don't surrender your life's work to the effects of fear.  Don't be afraid, is the word of the Lord to you this day, and may you be strenghtened for the work that is yet ahead of you to accomplish. Have a great week!

493: Dis or En?

I am writing a quick Memo before I sign off, since I am at a home in Bomet, Kenya, using their wireless Internet.  Last week, I wrote about David's directive to his son Solomon to be strong and take courage in building the Temple.  Then earlier this past week, I was in Nairobi on the radio with two friends, Tina and Irene, and we were talking about courage.  I was taking notes and looked down to realize that two words had the word 'courage' in them.  One is discouraged and the other is encouraged. One is the presence of courage and the other is the absence of the same. 

Which one of those states of being are you in right now?

David was discouraged one time when he and his men came back to camp, only to find it ransacked and their families taken captive.  "David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters" (1 Samuel 30:6a). So what did David do?  He took courage and that encouraged him! "But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6b).

David did not settle for discouragement.  He made a decision to have courage and that moved him from discouragement to encouragement.  If David was able to do that, you are able, too.  Don't act like you are powerless to do anything about your discouragement.  You can act and change your whole attitude and demeanor.  So what will it be?  Will you chooose dis- or en-couragement?  Remember, courage is not the absence of fear but learning to act in the midst of fear.  Have an encouraging week and I will write you again next week from home!

 

492: Be Courageous and Act

Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya. I arrived with a team on Saturday night and all is well so far, as the team gets acclimated to their home away from home for two weeks.  I wasn't sure if I would do a Memo this week, but I woke up early, so I concluded I am supposed to write.  And since the Monday Memo turns ten years old this week, I thought I would write an anniversary special.

Yesterday in church I spoke on the offering that David took to buld the Temple, since the church we were visiting was raising money for a new facility.  Before he took the offering, David presented Solomon with the plans for the Temple:  "Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement" (1 Chronicles 28:11).  When David had made the presentation he explained, "'All this,I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan" (1 Chonicles 28:19).

David had received something from the Lord.  He wrote it down as he understood it and then made plans to carry out what he "saw."  What he said next is most intriguing, for he told Solomon:  “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord  is finished" (1 Chronicles 28:20).

What can you and I learn from these verses?

1. When God shows you something, write it down.  As someone once said, the problem with taking mental notes is that the ink fades so quickly.
2. God wants you to understand what you see.  What you see is not for your amusement, it is to help you fulfill your purpose and be productive.
3. Once you receive it, you are to be courageous and take action! Courage is not the absence of fear, it is learning to act in the midst of it.  God honors courage, since it acknowledges that you do not act alone when God is with  you.  Notice too that "dis-couragement" is the absence of courage!

The last point can be the toughest, for often when the Lord tells you, "Fear not!", it's too late. You are already afraid.  Just because you have received something from God does not mean you won't be terrified at the prospects of doing it.

What is there in your life that has you terrifed, so much so that, even though you know it's from Him, you have not been able to take even the simplest steps to see it come to pass?  I hope you will heed this warning this week to be courageous and act on it.  David did that, and so did Solomon and the result was one of the greatest buildings the ancient world ever saw.  The results in your life may not be that dramatic, but they will certainly be as rewarding to you and as pleasing to the Lord.  Have a great week!

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY:  The Monday Memo turns ten years old this weekend.  It has been a wonderful decade of learning and growing and thank you for sharing it with me.  If you have a testimony of how the Memo has impacted your life, please send it via email or put it on the site where this entry is posted.

PURPOSE CHALLENGE:  Many people have not retaken their Purpose Assessment to complete the Purpose Challenge I issued last August.  If you have not taken your second Assessment yet, why not do that today. You can find it on my homepage.

MPESA: Some Kenyans have inquired how they can contribute to THE BIG GOAL  I am registered for MPESA here through Safaricom, so you can write me for my cell phone number and send a contribution in that manner.

TRIP BLOG UPDATES:  You can follow our work here in Kenya by going to my travel blog. You can even register to receive the updates as they are posted, or follow them on my Facebook page.

 

 

489: Living Your Dream!

Last week I invited you to re-take the Purpose Assessment on my website as part of the Purpose Challenge I issued last August.  Many of you did, but a lot more have yet to do so!  Maybe you are taking more time to prepare, and if so, that's alright. If you are procrastinating, however, it's time to take the Challenge!  The goal was to try and increase your score by 15 points over the first time you took it.

Today I am thinking about Joseph in Genesis.  Joseph was a man of purpose and in a real sense he saved the world while also saving his family from famine.  If you have time, why not read Joseph's full story from Genesis 37-50, but if you don't have the time, let me summarize it for you.

THE PROCESS    

When Joseph was 17 years old, he had two dreams, both of which were interpreted by his family to mean that one day they would all bow down to Joseph as the family leader.  This brought a rebuke from his father but active hatred from his brothers, who eventually sold him into slavery.  Joseph was carried down to Egypt, where he became the servant of a man named Potiphar.  Joseph excelled while serving Potiphar, but Mrs. Potiphar had romantic ideas and tried to prevail upon Joseph to sleep with her.  When Joseph refused, she lied and accused him of rape. 

Mr. Potiphar was angry and sent Joseph to the prison, where Joseph again excelled in service and leadership.  After correctly interpreting the dreams of two fellow inmates who were Pharaoh's servants, Joseph was eventually brought before Pharaoh to interpret Pharaoh's dreams.  The dreams indicated that the world would suffer a tremendous famine and Joseph saw in the dreams a plan by which the world could have food during the seven years of lack.

By this time, Joseph was 30 years of age (see Genesis 41:46).  He was promoted to second-in-command after Pharaoh and he gave oversight to the seven years of plenty, when grain was stored for the famine.  That is when the story gets even more interesting.

LIVING A DREAM!       

Joseph's father Jacob thinks Joseph is dead and his brothers are simply glad he is gone.  Joseph's family is also affected by the worldwide famine, however, so they went down to Egypt to buy food.  Joseph sees and recognizes them, but they do not recognize him.  Moses wrote, "Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them" (Genesis 42:9). Since the brothers came in the second year of the famine, Joseph was 39 years old when he remembered the dream.

Now I ask you:  If you don't remember your dreams from last night, how did Joseph remember his for twenty-two years?  He remembered them because he "lived" in them.  He lived in them on the long trip after being sold into slavery.  He lived in them during those early years serving Potiphar and in the later years in prison.  He remembered them during the first years of Pharaoh's favor, when he married a foreigh woman and started a family.  So when the brothers came in after twenty-two years of living in his dream world, Joseph saw his dream become a reality.

The implications for you are clear.  If your "dream" tarries, live in it.  Visualize the dream and see yourself in the midst of its fulfillment.  Hold onto that dream no matter what, and no matter how far away from its reality you may be.  When Joseph's brothers came in to beg for bread, Joseph was ready to assume his place in the real-life version of the dream and the dream became a reality -- and yours will too, but only if you live in it today so you can live in it tomorrow.  Have a great week living in your dream!

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UPDATE FROM KENYA:  I posted the latest report from one of the orphanages in Kenya for you to read on my blog site.  As I mention in the entry, I am still in need of some money to fulfill THE BIG GOAL of $10,000 to take with me when I go on March. Pictured at right is my wife presenting some books to the Each One Touch One Orphanage last December. If you can help us give food and books, please give through my website or by sending a check made payable to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA  15221-0882.  Your generosity will serve to feed the children who have no parents to feed them.  Thank you and God bless you for your help! 

SEMINAR WHEN I COME TO KENYA:  I will once again be conducting a three-day seminar from the Pacific Institute when I return to Kenya on March 8-10. I urge you to invest in this training that has the power to change your life forever!  Write me for more information and then I look forward to seeing you on March 8.

474: Have One or Die

Did you know if you don't have one of these you will most certainly die?  No, it isn't one of your vital organs, but rather a thing. Well, it's really a mind thing or maybe even a heart thing, but if you don't have this thing, you will most certainly die.  And having more than one will help you to really live, but they will also stretch you and cause you to grow.  What is it that you must have?  You know that find out, you will have to read on!

A GOAL!

If you don't have a goal you will die!  You will shrivel up and cease to exist in a short amount of time.  Ah, but you respond that you don't set goals and you are quite alive, thank you very much.  Yet there is not an absence of goals in your life if you don't actively set goals.  You are so prone to goals that you set them and don't even realize it.

You see, if you don't have a goal for tomorrow, then your goal will be to make tomorrow like today or like last Tuesday. If you don't have an income goal, then your goal is to have the same income you had last year.  if you don't have a ministry goal, then your goal is to replicate the ministry you did this year, even if that was zero ministry. God so established you to chase goals, that you will set them even if they are negative, neutral or allowing for a slight change of what you previously had or did. 

Your goal to go to work is to follow the same path as always.  Your goal for your relationships is to maintain those you have and not make any new ones.  If your goal is not to make any new friends, you will achieve that goal.  That's how powerful goals are!

ALONG COMES GOD

When the Lord comes into your life, He desires to breathe into your goal-setting capabilities by freeing you from the hindrances that keep you focusing on the same goals day after day and year after year.  Those things, like fear, small thinking and unbelief limit you and me, just like they did the disciples who walked with Jesus.  One day Jesus turned to his disciples after teaching a long crowd for many hours:

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.""We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:15-21).

The disciples did not think they had enough to set a goal to feed the people. They did not focus on the possibilities or the power of God. They focused on what they had, or rather did not have, and they were ready to send the people home, just as they had always done. Jesus confronted their small and limited thinking and showed them what they could do partnering with Him. 

What are your goals?  Are they simply to keep your life the same?  If they are, I know that is exactly what is happening.  Are you ready to set some new goals, goals that will create a new tomorrow today?  If you are, then go back and review your values you wrote out a few weeks and ago and ask, "Where do you I want to be in this or that area in the next year?  What would I like to do?  What do I feel God would want me to do?" When you answer those questions, then set some goals to go back to school, increase your income, write that book or improve your relationship with your family. 

Goals are essential to life. That is how God created you to function.  You are already doing a good job, even if your goal is to achieve nothing!  Now all you need to do is branch out and set some desirable end results and watch the same power that has been holding you back be used to launch you forward.  Have  a great week!

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Five hundred dollars came in today for Operation Chicken Coop and some other donations came in this past week for the Sophia Fund and Deborah Foundation.  Thank You, Lord!  Pictured to the right are some of the children at the Upako Center who are impacted by your generosity (that is a classroom they are in; some of them even sleep there.)

If the Monday Memo has been a blessing to you this year, please consider a token of appreciation that will help HIV/AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya as we approach this holiday season.  Read how you can do something significant for them here and here.  Thank you!

444: Keep Pouring

Have you ever faced economic pressure that almost paralyzed you?  You were in such desperate straights that you did not know what to do next?  In 2001, I faced a major life transition when I started PurposeQuest International. The pressure was so great that there were days I did nothing but lie on the couch. We had no money, I had no business and I wasn't always sure what to do next. 

If you are facing something like this or have faced it, then perhaps you can relate.  If you haven't you may want to read on and then file this away for future use, just in case you need it - and chances are in your PurposeQuest you will face this kind of pressure at one time or another.

MORE JARS

In 2 Kings 4, the prophet Elisha met a widow who was also in desperate times. She was so heavily in debt that she feared losing her son to her creditors.  Elisha gave her some strange advice; he told her to go home and find as many jars as possible. Once she had done that, she was to go home, close the door and start pouring the oil she had into those jars. Here is what happened next:

She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left" (2 Kings 4:5-7).

Do you think the women wished at that point that she had gathered more jars to hold oil?  The point I am trying to make is that you must still operate in faith when you are desperate.  What's more, you must do things that are consistent not with where you are now, but where you will be when your breakthrough comes.

MY JARS

When I had my desperate time, I could barely function, but I had to get up off the couch and write.  I had to prepare seminars and teachings for no one in particular because I had no business.  I had to make financial decisions for the future when I had no money on that particular day!  What's more, I felt directed to give away things to others when my own needs were critical.  It was during that season that I began writing this Monday Memo and giving it away.  Shortly thereafter I began to send out my weekly Bible studies, free of charge to any and all.  I designed a website and committed money to its development, money I didn't have with no promise of any return.

Now that I look back, I did what this woman did many centuries ago:  I kept pouring what little I had and God kept providing more.  I am teaching today what I developed in those dark, uncertain times.  I meet with hundreds of people every year from all over the world, and I counsel them with things I read about and studied when my pressure almost rendered me helpless and without hope.

So what about you?  Is it time to despair, or is it time to gather some more jars and start pouring?  Your situation may be critical, but I urge you to think and act this week like it isn't  I am asking you to do what only God can help you do: act today like your breakthrough is already here, even though the evidence says otherwise.  If you can do this, then when your breakthrough comes, and it will come, you will have enough jars - whatever that represents for you - to hold the blessings that are in store for every purposeful servant of God.  If I made it through my dark time, you will, too. When it's all over, you will be glad you didn't stop pouring.  Have a great week!

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OPERATION PETTICOAT:  I announced plans two weeks ago to continue raising money for The Sophia Fund, the Deborah Foundation and a new program, Operation: Petticoat.  The latter is an effort to raise money for underwear for the young ladies in Kenya, who don't have any and consequently miss school because of it.  I know it may sound simple, but this is an important issue as evidenced by two emails I received this past week:

Just read about Operation: Petticoat.  It is so true about the underwear issue.  Most of the girls here don't wear bras and the panties are tattered.  It may seem strange to you but it is a big issue and the silly things are not cheap!  So little material but the price can be restrictive to kids who have little - J.M.

John, I think Operation: Petticoat is brilliant. Lack of underwear is a huge problem for girls and women in Africa and they are very grateful for any that can be sent. It doesn't matter if it is second hand as long as it is clean. Bras are particularly appreciated because they are harder to find and much more expensive. They are also necessary for older girls to be able to play sport. Women in developed countries don't know what to do with their older bras other than throw them away, and they could make such a difference. Children's clothes are also needed. Zimbabwe winter temperatures regularly go below zero at night.  Another vital necessity, which is out of reach for all but the best paid, is sanitary towels and tampons - S.F.

I am going back to Kenya in May, so we set April 30 as our deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there.  You may not be passionate about underwear, but the two emails above speak to the urgency of the matter. 

You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. $70 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and $500 yesterday for The Sophia Fund, and I am trusting the Risen Christ for a lot more!  Thank you for your help. 

KENYA TRAINING:  I promised last week to have the specifics of The Pacific Institute (TPI) seminar I will conduct in Nairobi from May 17-19.  I don't have the actual brochure as I thought I would, but it will be here next week for sure.  In the meantime, I have attached some PDF material from the Institute itself outlining the benefits of the program called The Investment in Excellence (IIE).  This should answer some of your questions until I have the brochure and registration info for you next week.

Frankly speaking, TPI is the best training I have ever experienced and I love to share it with my friends. Be watching next week for the specifics and then join me in Nairobi for what I know will be a life-changing experience. 

Download TPI Graduate

Download TPI IIE

443: Easter Implications

Next Sunday is Easter Sunday the world over.  I thought I would go into my archives and copy a past Memo that focused on Easter and resurrection, and I was surprised to find that I did not have anything in the archives!  I write every year about purpose lessons from Christmas, but had nothing on Easter.  Well, I am going to correct that this week, so let's get Holy Week started with this Memo.

A PACKED HOUSE

My church has six weekend services and we are getting ready for overflow crowds next weekend.  People who don't darken the door of a church throughout the year will come to church on Easter Sunday, which will make for a packed house. They sit with the regular attenders, family and friends, and pay homage to the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead. It is probably the same in your church.

We will assemble next week and say by our presence, "Yes, we believe Jesus was dead.  Yes, we believe that He was in the tomb for three days.  Yes, we believe that God raised Jesus, who was both fully God and fully man, back to life. Yes, we further attest to the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven, and that our flesh, Mary's boy, intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father."  I hope you agree that those affirmations summarize truths of Easter.  But is that all the truth?

It always intrigues me that many will come and attest to these truths yet all too often those truths have no meaning or application in their daily lives.  Stop for a minute and ask, "So what if Jesus was raised from the dead?  What difference should that make in my life?"  Those are good questions; let's try to come up with some answers.

IMPLICATIONS

If you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, then you can believe God for anything!  If God raises the dead, which He does, then He can cure cancer.  He can provide for your business or ministry.  He can transform you into the person He intended you to be, that person you want to be. If God can take a dead body and give it life, then nothing is beyond His miracle-working power.  What's more, you have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead living in you!  It is not a replica of that Spirit, it is not a portion of that Spirit.  You have the Spirit that raises the dead living in you.  Here is what Paul had to say about the implications of this Spirit-resident:

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you (Romans 8:9-11).

I trust you plan on being at your local church fellowship next weekend.  Don't go as someone merely giving assent to a historical fact, go celebrating the truth that God is alive in You  Then find how you can release that resurrection power into your life, relationships, work and purpose.  If you can believe that God raises the dead - and you should - then you can believe God for anything.  Have a great resurrection-power-filled week!  Happy Resurrection Day!

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OPERATION PETTICOAT:  I announced plans last week to continue raising money for The Sophia Fund, the Deborah Foundation and a new program, Operation: Petticoat.  The latter is an effort to raise money for underwear for the young ladies in Kenya, who don't have any and consequently miss school because of it.  I know it may sound simple, but this is an important issue as evidenced by two emails I received this past week:

Just read about Operation: Petticoat.  It is so true about the underwear issue.  Most of the girls here don't wear bras and the panties are tattered.  It may seem strange to you but it is a big issue and the silly things are not cheap!  So little material but the price can be restrictive to kids who have little - J.M.

John, I think Operation: Petticoat is brilliant. Lack of underwear is a huge problem for girls and women in Africa and they are very grateful for any that can be sent. It doesn't matter if it is second hand as long as it is clean. Bras are particularly appreciated because they are harder to find and much more expensive. They are also necessary for older girls to be able to play sport. Women in developed countries don't know what to do with their older bras other than throw them away, and they could make such a difference. Children's clothes are also needed. Zimbabwe winter temperatures regularly go below zero at night.  Another vital necessity, which is out of reach for all but the best paid, is sanitary towels and tampons - S.F.

I am going back to Kenya in May, so we set April 30 as our deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there.  You may not be passionate about underwear, but the two emails above speak to the urgency of the matter. 

You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. $70 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and $500 yesterday for The Sophia Fund, and I am trusting the Risen Christ for a lot more!  Thank you for your help. 

KENYA TRAINING:  Next week, I will give you the specifics of The Pacific Institute (TPI) seminar I will conduct in Nairobi from May 17-19.  Frankly speaking, TPI is the best training I have ever experienced and I love to share it with my friends. Be watching next week for the specifics and then meet with me in Nairobi for a life-changing experience.