The Monday Memo from John Stanko

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!

518: What Are You Doing Here?

It's good to be back after taking a week off.  I had someone ask me this morning where the Monday Memo was!  I am honored to be part of your life each and every week and I hope to continue by God's grace.

This week let's look at a servant of God who was depressed and discouraged, or in the term of the day, he was "bummed out."  His name was Elijah and he took refuge in a cave after a difficult time in his life to sulk and complain.  His way out of his funk was to hear the voice of the Lord. If you are "bummed out," that is your way out as well.

THE VOICE OF GOD

When Elijah was sulking in his cave, this is what the Lord said to him:

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9b-13). 

When God asked Elijah what he was doing there, God wasn't looking for information.  He already knew, but Elijah didn't know and that was the problem.  Elijah was depressed because he was looking at the circumstances and not listening to the Lord.

Notice how God's voice came.  It was not in the power of nature or the fire.  Instead the Lord spoke in a gentle whisper.  You can't hear a gentle whisper if there is lots of other noise around you.  Elijah had to block everything else out and listen to the voice that had led him up to that point in his life. It had never failed him and was not about to fail now.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Is the Lord asking you what he asked Elijah?  Is he asking you why you are "here," wherever the here may be? If so, he knows why you are discouraged, and why you are delaying and hiding.  He is not asking for His benefit but for yours!  And you must do what Elijah did.  You must learn to hear the voice of God, perhaps learning all over again.  Perhaps Psalm 46:10-11 will help you:  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

God is a great and effective communicator.  If you aren't hearing, then the problem does not rest with Him.  This week I urge you to do what Elijah did:  Get honest with yourself and God, and then be still and listen!  His heart is to speak.  Is your heart set to listen and hear? I know God will reveal Himself to you and that His presence is the key to getting out of the cave you may be in.  Have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE:  I posted an update from Alice on the egg farm here, and then posted my latest initiative to help the Kenyans here.  We need help right now to support the egg farm until the economy stabilizes and then help to establish the libraries and other projects described in my update.  I need you to give now and often between now and March.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. 

505: Too Late

I ran across a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. this week that impacted me deeply. Before I share that quote, however, I want to share a passage from Isaiah that people recite and even sing to me regularly (it was put to music years ago).  It is their life philosophy and approach to missions, creativity and action, and it reads like this in the NAS Version:

"He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:30-31 emphasis added).

A CLOSER LOOK

The key phrase in that passage for many is "those who wait on the Lord."  The implication is that if you are going to serve the Lord, you need to wait.  There is only one problem with that philosophy.  Everything else in that passage speaks to action, not waiting. It speaks of strength, flying, runing and walking.  Those who are waiting aren't do any of those things, but the entire context of the passage is God giving strength to those who "wait." I would propose that those who wait don't need the strength.

The NIV for once is more accurate in its translation of the word "wait," for the NIV states, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."  Insert that phrase back into the longer quote above, and you will see there is a big difference between hoping and waiting. Most already have the waiting down pat. I want to be one who hopes as I run, fly and walk, and I hope that we can run together toward our purpose and creativity. 

THE QUOTE

And now for the quote from Martin Luther King's speech "Beyond Vietnam," delivered on April 4, 1967 in New York City. I will offer no commentary on his closing comments. I trust you to draw your own conclusions and make the necessary adjustments in your life and work to make room for what he said:

We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood - it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. Omar Khayyam is right: "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on."

Have a great week!

504: Weight Loss

I looked at a picture of myself when I was preaching last December, and I was pained by what I saw. There was more of me than ever before, as gradually my weight had risen to an unacceptable level. In other words, I was chubby, hefty, large or any other word that is synonymous with fat. I had been to the doctor's office in 2009 and looked on his weight chart. For my height, I was progressing into the danger zone.  Right then I vowed not to go back to the doctor until I had done something about that.

And I did do something.  Between 2009 and December, 2010, I put on more weight! 

TIME TO TAKE ACTION

In January, it was time to take action.  I had been making an affirmation about my weight goal, visualizing a slimmer, trimmer me.  It was time to put some weight to my words and thoughts, instead of to my waistline.  Here is what I did.

First, I fasted for ten days, no food, only water. This year I have continued to fast every Thursday.  I had lost the discipline and desire to fast over the years, which of course is not a good thing. Second, I made a rule not to eat late at night, as had become my habit when I came home from teaching.  I would eat a sandwich, maybe two, along with some chips and maybe a dessert at 10 PM or later regularly.  Now if I do eat late, I eat salads only. I am still eating, just eating smarter.

Third, I repented of anxiety.  You may ask what that had to do with weight loss.  While working on my doctorate, I would write and then eat, go back to write some more and then eat. Even when I wasn't writing, I was eating because I was anxious about finishing my writing project.  The writing anxiety also caused me to eliminate any form of excercise.  Thus I continued to see the image of a man in the mirror that I did not recognize or like, and anxiety was one of the root problems.

THE RESULT

The results are not final, but to date I have lost 30 pounds, with six more to reach my goal.  I have made major lifestle adjustments, including not going into a Starbuck's this year, and I feel better.  I did finally go in for my annual checkup and my doctor was elated!  A bad knee that was causing me pain is no longer painful.  I have more energy and I can look at pictures or in the mirror and say, "That's the man I once knew."  It's been a rewarding experience and I am determined never to return to my old ways with God's help and by His grace.

The most enlightening aspect of this journey was the anxiety revelation. I was anxious over my ability to create and it had physical ramifications.  While adjusting my eating habits, I am also working on trusting Him more and controlling my thought life, which was sinful, pure and simple.  Anxiety is worry, which is lack of faith, and you know what Paul wrote:  ". . . and everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23b).

How about you?  Where is anxiety showing up in your life?  What adjustments do you need to make to root it out?  My weight loss has been more rewarding than my graduation, and my graduation was a special time. I will hang my diploma on a wall, and maybe I should put before and after pictures next to it to remind me of where I have been and where I need to be. Have a great week!

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WE HAVE EGGS:  Read the latest from Kenya and you will see that we have mature chickens laying eggs as part of Operation Chicken Coop!  I am going back to Kenya on July 28 and I need your help once again to feed widows and orphans.  I need you to give to The Sophia Fund, as some did last week as a graduation present to me upon graduation.  You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA  15221-0882. Let's replicate this success story to help other orphans and widows in Kenya.

 

502: Graduation

This coming Friday I will graduate from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. I am surprised by how relieved and excited I am as I approach that event. I began my studies in 2007, after I was confronted by the fact that the school where I earned my first doctorate had never completed their institutional accreditation. Now I am looking back on my last four years and I have some thoughts to share with you about the experience.

LESSONS LEARNED

First, I started in 2007 with no idea where I would get the money or the time to complete the program.  The cost was in excess of $10,000 and the classes (eight of them) were held one week each from Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. In addition to the class time, there were gobs of reading and tons of writing. My final project alone was 265 pages!  Yet my desire overcame the obstacles and God always made a way to finish with excellence.

Second, my project was an exercise in confronting my fears.  Many times I sat down to write and found every convenient excuse why I could not write that day - I was too busy, I didn't have enough time to do quality work, it was too difficult, the professors would not like it, just to name a few.  I almost threw up my hands and gave up when I had to write my five page bibliography.  It was a war to finish, and I wish I could give you some secret of how I did it.  There was none.  God helped me, but I had to sit down and fight through my fears to get the job done.

Third, I grew tremendously through the whole project. I learned so much, not only in new material, but about myself.  I began when I was 57 and now I am 61 when I graduate. I moved out of my comfort zone and confronted head on material, people and projects that I chose to confront.

Fourth, my degree and experience has opened new doors for me. I now teach courses at a masters level in organizational leadership.  I am helping to start what we are calling a Divine Design Team at my church to assimilate people not only into their role in the church but also into their life purpose. My class project, Back to the Garden: A Theology of Creativity and Productivity, will undoubtedly be a book one day. My confidence has grown when I discuss theological matters. 

GRADUATION

Now I will go forward this Friday to receive my diploma and my doctoral hood, but I have already received so much more.  Why am I telling you all this?  Am I bragging? Well, sort of, but I want to stimulate you to action and help you overcome your fears to do something that is in your heart to do.  The time is not tomorrow, it is not next year, it is now.  The time to take the first step is now, whether or not you know what the second step will be. I want you to learn from my experience and then go create your own experiene that exceeds anything I have done or could do.

May I recommend two books to help you at this point?  I must warn you, both books have some "bad" words in them, words that can offend your sensitivities. Yet the truths contained are vital if you are to be creative and productive, and these books are the best I have found recently to help you be just that.  They are both by Steve Pressfield. One is Do the Work and the other is The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Creative Battles. The former is available as a free Kindle download from Amazon, but both are available in paper editions. I wish I had written them - except for the bad language - and I have already begun to refer to them both in my counseling and coaching sessions.

I have a busy week, but Friday will be here before I know it. In fact, these last four years have flown by.  I am so glad I started and so glad it's over. Now I want to savor this moment, but only for a moment, because I am eager for more learning and growing adventures, more purposeful activity. Will you join me in my quest for meaning and purpose?  I look forward to seeing you on the road to "graduation," which is the completion of any work God has put in your heart to do. Have a great week!

471: Christian-itis

Did you get your journal started like we discussed last week? If not, then why not do it this week so you can continue to progress through my Purpose Challenge to improve your score 15 points before December 31. (If you missed the Challenge explanation, you can check out past Memos here.)

This week I want to give you another reason why journaling is so important and that is it helps fight the disease called Christian-itis.  You have never heard of Christian-itis?  It afflicts the mind and is capable of shutting down all your goal-setting and purpose-seeking efforts and can lead to paralysis of the will.  Let's look at this debilitating but not deadly disease.

TWO SYMPTOMS

Christian-itis usually manifests in one of two ways.  The first way is an inability to think or talk about yourself, what you enjoy or what you are good at doing.  To do so is pride, or so Christian-itis tells you, so you avoid doing any deep searching or digging.  Christian-itis tells you your feelings can lead you down the wrong path, so they aren't to be trusted either.  Compliments cannot be received and processed, for they are solely due to God's work in your life.  Failures, on the other hand, are purely your fault and you must beat yourself up for any wrongs done and avoid doing anything similar to the events that led to the failure.

The second way Christian-itis shows us is in extreme passivity.  This symptom dictates that you must wait on the Lord for all things, careful to avoid any initiatives that come from your heart or emotions. If God wants you to do or be something, then it is up to Him to initiate, confirm, direct, guide and finalize everything.  You are the passenger along for the ride and He is the captain, steward, pursor, navigator and entertainer.  This symptom helps you avoid any success, but also any failure and enables you often to judge the efforts of others rather than engage in your own.

I am being facetious while exaggerating these symptoms, but not by much!  Let's now look at how journaling can help you overcome Christian-itis.

PAY ATTENTION

Journaling helps you pay attention to what is going on around and in you.  Why is that important?  It is critical to pay attention becasue that is how God communicates through you.  You want to write down what you think and feel so you can see them, honor them and allow God to use them to direct you in the paths of righteousness. Faith without actions is dead according to James in his epistle and journaling gives you a chance to do something with your dreams, thoughts and faith ideas.  Read what the Lord told the prophet who was complaining to the Lord about his circumstances (yes, it's the same passage as I quoted last week):

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Then the Lord replied:  "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:1-4).

If the Lord directed the prophet to write it down, don't you think He may be giving you the same advice?

You may not know what to write about, so I am included an outline with some questions at the end for you to download to help direct your first journal entries if you need help.  I am also including some journaling tips that I found online to help you understand the journaling concept more fully.  Yet there is no way to journal but to do it - and please don't use a yellow tablet or spiral notebook as a journal.  Invest in something nice that you will be sure to use.  Get started this week and I will be back next week with some more advice to help you win the Purpose Challenge that 500 have taken so far.  Have a great week and may the Lord provide the cure for any Christian-itis that you may have!

Download Journal Tips

Download Purpose Outline

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HELP NEEDED IN KENYA:  I am resuming my campaign called Operation Chicken Coop to help orphanages build chicken farms to feed and fund their orphans. If you can help or pray for the project, please read my latest update on my personal blog.  While you are there, did you know that you can also register on my blog to receive my daily devotional from the book of Proverbs? 

 

Memo 429: Down but Not Out

Last night I had the privilege of seeing Handel's Messiah performed here in Pittsburgh at Heinz Hall, due to the generosity of a woman in my church.  I have seen the Messiah many times but it never gets old.  Last night was another outstanding rendition of that timeless classic.  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 feat in the history of mankind. Commissioned by a charity to produce 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 raised almost 400 pounds for charity and freed 142 other men from debtor's prison in 1742. 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.

So 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 I believe 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 2009, 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. So 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 and He will help you.
2. Keep preparing for your day of success. I don’t think Handel went home 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. What better way to express your trust in God?
   

I’m grateful for 2009 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 the purpose breakthrough in 2010. Thank you for allowing me to come into your life every week and thank you for being a purpose seeker. As I close this Memo, I wish you not only a great week, but also a very Merry Christmas!

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LETTERS FROM KENYA:   Please, please take the time to read my latest update on the Sophia Fund and the Deborah Foundation here, this time written by three Kenyans. You will see how critical this work is from those who are touched firsthand.  Then give as you can this holiday season.  Your giving will make a big difference in the lives of many children and adults.

Not a lot of money arrived this past week, but a lot of stuff did.  I have no idea how I will get all this over to Kenya, but I am not worried.  I have people going with me in February and we will take as much as we can.  I truly believe that God will work all this out, so I refuse to fret for even one minute.

After you read these updates, I hope you too will act to help today as we approach the Christmas holiday.  I need money and supplies to feed and educate them in a difficult environment. I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  If you need more background or information, go to my blog to see my latest posts or go to my Facebook page. I will figure out a way to get everything to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

424: Criticism

Do you enjoy criticism?  I don't know too many who do, but it can sometimes be an important part of your development.  If you can't handle criticism and misunderstanding, then you won't go very far in your purpose quest.  So as we wrap up our study of Gideon this week, let's look at the criticism he received and see what you can learn.

SUCCESS BRINGS CRITICISM

When Gideon had won a great battle over the Midianites, some of his allies confronted him after his victory:

Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you call us when you went to fight Midian?" And they criticized him sharply (Judges 8:1).

This reminds me of a time later when David was sharply criticized when his men's families were taken captive:

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters (1 Samuel 30:6a).

After all David and Gideon had done, they had their critics, and you will have yours, too.  With that in mind, you have three options of how to handle your inevitable critics.

THREE STRATEGIES

First, you can become defensive, spending a lot of time and energy explaining why you did what you did.  What's more, you can determine never to do much of anything again because the effort is too painful if it results in criticism.  I would not recommend this first option.

Second, you can do what Gideon did:

But he answered them, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided (Judges 8:2-3). 

Gideon answered diplomatically and softly. He helped his critics see that their perspective was a bit skewed and that they were also an important part of what had just happened.  Gideon showed great restraint and wisdom, for he knew that leaders will be criticized and he deflected it and won his critics over with a gentle, non-defensive answer.

Third, you can do what David did:

But David found strength in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6b).

David did not react or respond.  He took some time to regain his perspective and he did that by going to the Lord.  The Lord spoke to David and he returned to lead the very men who had threatened to stone him.  What's more, he led them to victory.

I once thought that fear of failure was the greatest hindrance the people of God face.  I now think that fear of criticism is the number one obstacle to obedience. Since criticism is inevitable, it is vital that you develop strategies to deal with it and still remain focused and purposeful.  That is what Gideon and David did and if they did it, with God's help, you can, too.  Have a great week! 

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THE SOPHIA FUND & DEBORAH FOUNDATION:  Books, toys and money have begun to arrive for our Christmas project for the Kenya orphans, with promises of much more to come. This is so much fun to sit back and see what will happen with all this.  I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  To read all about what's going on, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page.  I need books and educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out a way to get them to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

I also need help to continue feeding the orphans and widows there from The Sophia Fund.  When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation.  I know you will be blessed when you do. 

394: Sit Down!

It's been a great stay in the UK and I thank my hosts, Dave and Pam Graham of Everlasting Books, for taking such good care of me.  Before I pack for home, however,I need to write this Memo.  It's been eight years since I started writing the Memo and every time I sit down to write, something comes to me. This week's theme came this morning while I was writing next week's Bible study. It's nice when I can use one thing for two purposes, but it doesn't always work like that.

I realize that you are just dying to know what this week's topic is, but you know the rules. You have to read on if you want to know.

BREAD FOR YOU, BUT FIRST. . .

In John 6, Jesus had a massive crowd following Him and He asked Philip how they could possibly feed all those people, about 5,000 in number. Jesus wasn't looking for information or ideas; He already knew what He was going to do. He was testing Philip to see what he would suggest and, of course, he had no ideas, commenting that eight month's wages would only give everyone a snack.

Andrew, perhaps jokingly, said that there was a little boy who had five loaves and two fish but that certainly was not enough to feed the crowd.  It was then that Jesus went into action. It was in what He told the people to do first that gave me the idea for this Memo:

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them (John 6:10).

Before Jesus would give them any bread, which was symbolic of His own life that He likened as bread from heaven, He ordered the people to sit down in a grassy place.  It was then that I saw this for the first time in the context of Psalm 23.

. . . YOU HAVE TO SIT DOWN

To hear from the Lord, you have to sit down and quiet yourself.  You can't be running here and there, hoping to catch the Lord on the fly.  You have to sit down.  I wonder if you don't know your purpose or aren't more productive because you don't know how or simply don't take time to sit down. Perhaps a refresher on Psalm 23 will help you this week:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet water, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:1-6 emphasis added).

God will make you lie down in green pastures and, once you recline, He will give you bread -- whatever it is that you need to sustain your life and purpose.  So this week, why not take the time to just sit down?  It's not very glamorous and I don't have any other suggestions except to take a pad and pen and write down what He says.  If He can feed 5,000 from nothing once they sat, surely He can feed you when you do the same.  As you do that, I am confident you will have a very good week!

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  I received another email from Kenya this week concerning The Sophia Fund, this time from Eddie Adembesa:

Greetings from us all WEMA widows with the trust that all is well by the grace of God.
 
This is to acknowledge that we have received $1,000 Sophie Fund and $50 St. Paul’s Baptist Church which you sent to us through SARAH NETWORK towards the feeding programme for orphans under the care of WEMA widows.
 
This has not only put a smile on the face of the children but also the widows who have great lack due to the prolonged drought that Kenya is facing.
 
To every single person who made this possible, it’s a big thank you and God truly bless you and enlarge your territories. A good measure shaken together, pressed down and overflowing. I call this a divine connection from God. Let’s continue to pray for one another as we continue noble task. Once again thank you and God bless you.

As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  With reports like the one above, 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.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.

BIBLE STUDY:  If you would like to receive the Bible study from John that I mentioned in the first paragraph, I would be glad to send them to you on a weekly basis. If you would like them check or subscribe to receive them as they are published, you can do both here. 

393: A Fat Duck

I read this quote a few years ago from Ralph Waldo Emerson:  "Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."  That is what I have tried to do through the Monday Memo and my purpose teaching: Inspire you to be who God created you to be, who you have always wanted to be.  I have found, however, that some resemble the duck described by the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.  I hope you aren't like this duck, but just to make sure you aren't, you had better read on.

GROUNDED

The story has it that there was a duck flying with other wild ducks when they flew over some tame ducks in a barnyard.  The wild duck decided to stay with these tame ducks for a while.  He stayed for an hour, a day and then several months.  Finally, his wild duck cohorts flew overhead one day and beckoned the wild duck to rejoin them, which he gladly did.

He found, however, that his barnyard living had made him so soft and heavy that he could not fly high enough to join his former mates.  So he dropped back into the barnyard, promising that he would get in shape to join them the next time.  The next time he heard them, he flapped his wings but could not even get off the ground.  Finally, after many attempts, wishful thinking and a lot of broken promises, the wild duck became a domesticated bird that looked good but never went anywhere.

FLYING HIGH OR NOT AT ALL?

Did you dream of flying high at one time?  Better yet, did you actually taste the heights you had determined to reach?  Then where are you now?  Are you still flying high or content with the safety and provision of the barnyard full of chickens and goats? 

I am almost 59 years of age and am in the midst of a Doctor of Ministry program here in Pittsburgh.  This summer, I will release my ninth book, with one more in the works for this year.  I continue to produce regular Bible studies that are sent to 5,000 people. I want to fly high and refuse to forsake the heights of productivity for the safety of the barnyard, with its regular rations.  I listen to music that inspires me, go to places that move me and read books that engage me.  I want to fly high and far and I do things that contribute to those objectives.

Flying high can be dangerous, but the view is fantastic!  This week, ask yourself some tough questions.  Do you talk about flying, or do you really fly?  Are you content with barnyard chatter and routine, or are you ready to flap your wings to see how high and far you can go?  I hope you are ready to fly and that you will take others with you on the journey. I look forward to seeing you in high places.  If you settle for the barnyard, we won't be meeting any time soon. Have a great week!

   Feel free to write your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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UK TRIP: I am in the UK as I write and will be a guest on the World in Focus show on Revelation TV live this coming Wednesday, April 1 from 9.15pm to 10:30pm.  You can call in your questions from 10:00 to 10:30. Make sure you tune in.  I need all the support I can get. 

PROVERBS:  I am attaching my April daily devotional from my book, A Daily Dose of Proverbs, as a Resurrection season gift.  Enjoy!   Download April

FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT:  Don't forget about the free PurposeQuest assessment available on my website.  This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study on my site concerning where you stand in your PurposeQuest.  About 800 people have taken the survey so far.  I hope that every Monday Memo reader will eventually take the assessment and heed the follow up email from me on how you can be even more purposeful than you already are.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.

THE SOPHIA FUND:  I received the following email from Kenya this week, written by Pastor Francis at the Upako Orphanage:

This is to let you know that we received $1000 from you through Sarah Network for the feeding of the orphans at Upako Centre Nairobi.We are indeed very grateful to you and all involved in this and we have channeled the money to the children's food kitty and to no other use. I will give the breakdown of what we bought with the money after use.

I also want to congratulate the wonderful people who visited Kenya with you and got the opportunity to visit Upako,they too made a difference and may God bless all of you. Finally, keep us in prayer so that you may continue helping Upako Children alongside other projects in Kenya.

Every penny you send will go to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. 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.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.