The Monday Memo from John Stanko

408: The Babylon Model

I hear many people bewailing the current state of the world.  They are convinced that we are close to the end and, who knows they may be correct.  Yet I happen to think that God is up to something different, something that most don't recognize.  It is what I call the Babylon model.  What is that, you may inquire?  Ah, I will be glad to answer but it will require that you read on.

BABYLON THEN   

Daniel was taken from the comforts of Judea to the discomfort of Babylon.  There was nothing about Babylon that reminded Daniel of what he knew in his youthful past.  He had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, learn a new currency, get accustomed to a new name and a society where everything was a god.  This young man who served one God had to learn how to live, work and prosper in a land where everything and everyone was a god. I would expect that Daniel had culture shock.

Yet God brought Daniel to Babylon. You may say that it was God's handpicked place for Daniel to learn, grow and prosper.  Daniel had no time to yearn and mourn for the "good old days" back in Jerusalem.  He had too much work to do to make it in Babylon.  And make it he did.

When you think of it, Daniel was one of God's first missionaries.  God sent Daniel to Babylon and immersed him in a place where Daniel's voice and God were only one among many competing for the allegiance of men.  Yet Daniel did it and soon was at the top of the world in his new home.

BABYLON NOW

So what does that have to do with now?  We live in a modern Babylon. Everyone is a god and consequently no one is.  Every man does what is right in his own eyes and, like Nebuchadnezzar, we build monuments to heroes who are not heroes at all.  Yet God is raising up missionaries to this new Babylon but only those who embrace it, who embrace this Babylon model, will prosper and succeed.  Those who build spiritual fortresses to preserve the past will miss the fact that this Babylon model is God's idea.  He has made His people one voice among many and promises them to succeed and prosper but only if they don't oppose what He is doing.

Daniel did not just exist in Babylon, he prospered there.  He did not oppose the soothsayers and necromancers, but rather became their supervisor as chief of the so-called wise men of Babylon. Daniel thrived in the Babylon model and you will, too.  First, however, you have to let go of the past and learn to express your purpose in this new day where God's ways have to compete with many other ways that claim to be superior.  Wherever you are in your PurposeQuest in Babylon, I pray you will have a great week!

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:  $152 came in last week for The Sophia Fund, which is a great week of income for which I am grateful.  As you know by now, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund four weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother).

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. If you give a gift of $35 or more up until July 31, I will send you a free copy of my latest book, Changing the Way We Do Church: 7 Steps to Purposeful Reformation, which is pictured to the left. 

2. REVELATION: I still need your help, although I had two good leads for publishing two weeks ago but no money. Every week I am ready to remove this plea and every week I feel the Lord tell me to keep it in.  I have finished a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation and I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been distorted by so many weird interpretations. I know there is someone out there who is going to help me with this project.  Maybe it is you.

406: I Hope You Dance

About eight years ago, a friend gave me a CD with a song on it when I was going through a tough transition.  I was disillusioned, scared and in turmoil.  The song was Lee Ann Womack's song, I Hope You Dance.  I have written about it before, but this week I want to use it as we wrap up my series on PurposeParents.  What does this song have to do with PurposeParenting?  Ah, for the answer you know you will have to read on.

A SIMPLE MESSAGE

The message in I Hope You Dance is basically be yourself and don't give up when life happens, as it does to everyone.  If every parent can impart that message to his or her children, along with values that stress the importance of service, integrity and love, their job as a PurposeParent will be a success.

I am not going to include the words to this song in this Memo, but I have attached Monday Memo 242 below, which included the words when I last wrote about the song.  I am doing this because I would rather you watch Lee Ann's rendition of the song, sung to her children, at this link.  It would be great to watch this with your children and discuss the implications for purpose, life, career and God's will.  It may even have some relevance not just for PurposeChldren, but PurposeParents as well.

That's it for this week. Enjoy the song and get ready as we embark on a series focusing on Daniel starting next week.  Have a great week, and Happy Fourth of July to my American readers.

Download Monday Memo 242

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: Just $75 came in last week for The Fund, which is a little under what had been coming in! I am grateful, however, for every penny that arrives and I know it is making a difference in Africa. As you know, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund four weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother).

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.

If you give a gift of $25 or more up until June 30, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last (I sent out eleven so far). Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger. I will have an offer involving my latest book that I will announce next week, so be watching for that.

2. REVELATION: I still need your help, although I had two good leads for publishing last week but no money. I have finished a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation and I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been distorted by so many weird interpretations. I know there is someone out there who is going to help me with this project.  Maybe it is you.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

4. FACEBOOK: I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

5. UK AND KENYA: I am scheduled to be in the UK from September 18-September 27 and then in Kenya from September 29-October 4.  If you can use my services while I am there to speak, consult or conduct a purpose seminar for your company or church, please let me know as soon as possible.

405: Never Too Young

I have been writing to parents the last few weeks talking about what it takes to be a PurposeParent. Having taught thousands of people all around the world about purpose, I have come to a simple, but profound conclusion:  there are no age restrictions when it comes to clarifying and fulfilling your purpose. 

In some cases, I’ve found children, teenagers and young adults to be much more “in tune” with my purpose teaching then their adult counterparts.  In fact, this young generation wants their purpose and they want it now.  They are not willing, as their seniors were, to spend years paying their dues in a company or ministry in the hopes that eventually they will do something they enjoy that is related to their purpose.  They want to know and fulfill their purpose as quickly as possible. Anything less is unacceptable for them.

I have an article on my website entitled Never Too Young For Purpose that runs through a list of young people in the Bible who were purpose driven. You can go to my site and read this article about Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Esther and many others.  In each case, the Lord didn’t speak to these young people about a career; He spoke to them about fulfilling their purpose—His will for their life.  And all of them made a significant impact on the history not only of the church but also of the world.  

Below are seven conclusions I came to that will help you fulfill your role as a PurposeParent or PurposeCoach.

1. Parents may play a key role. 
2. Parents may not play a key role.
3. Purpose doesn't only apply to church work. 
4. It’s never too early to start a PurposeQuest.
5. Young people can and do hear God’s voice. 
6. Young people need to be prepared for the road ahead. 
7. Young people need to see Jesus as a man of purpose. 

I hope you find this helpful whether you are seeking purpose or helping others find theirs.  In the meantime, if you have any other insights into being a PurposeParent, please don't hesitate to add them to this entry on the site where it is posted.  Have a great week!

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: $393 came in last week for The Fund, which is just super! As you know, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund four weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother).

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.

If you give a gift of $25 or more during the month of June, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last (I sent out nine so far). Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger.

2. REVELATION: I still need your help, although I had two good leads for publishing last week but no money. I have finished a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation and I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been distorted by so many weird interpretations. I know there is someone out there who is going to help me with this project.  Maybe it is you.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

4. FACEBOOK: I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

5. UK AND KENYA: I am scheduled to be in the UK from September 18-September 27 and then in Kenya from September 29-October 4.  If you can use my services while I am there to speak, consult or conduct a purpose seminar for your company or church, please let me know as soon as possible.

404: Prenatal Purpose

A few minutes ago, I was in the car with my wife and said, "i have given absolutely no thought to the Monday Memo this week."  She said, "Time to pull out an old one?" I responded, "Nah.  I think I'll write on prenatal purpose."  So with no planning or outline, let's read on together and see what transpires. Last week I interrupted my series on PurposeParents to write about pipe dreams. Before we move on next week to Daniel, however, let's talk a little more about that topic -- PurposeParenting that is.

ROLL CALL

There were five mothers in the Bible who had a good idea of their child's purpose before they were born.  Their roll call includes:

1. Rebekah.  She had twins who were struggling in her womb.  When she inquired of the Lord as to what this meant, He told her about her two boys in Genesis 25:21-28.
2. Samson's mother.  She was told before he was born that her son would "begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines" (Judges 13:5).
3. Hannah.  Hannah agonized over having a child and finally had Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord before he was ever born.  Her son went on to do great things for God (see 1 Samuel 1 and 2).
4. Elizabeth. Elizabeth knew her son was special, due to the unique circumstances surrounding his birth. What's more, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when he heard the voice of Mary, the mother of Jesus (see Luke 1:39-45).
5. Mary.  Mary discovered quite a bit about Jesus before and right after He was born (see Luke 1:26-33 and Luke 2:21-38).

LESSONS FOR PARENTS

What can parents learn from these five examples of parents who had prenatal purpose awareness for their children?

1. God can reveal clues and directives about your child's purpose before he or she is born.
2. You can ask to see your child's purpose and God may show you.
3. Your child can be filled with the Holy Spirit and purpose before he or she is born.
4. Notice that all these PurposeParents were mothers. Mothers help give birth not just to children, but to purpose in children.
5. Your relationship with the Lord and your ability to hear from Him play key roles in knowing your child's purpose - and consequently them knowing it as well.
6. You play a key role in directing your child into his or her purpose. 
7. Somehow, I think this same kind of information and impact is available to fathers and grandparents as well.

Finally, these five mothers did not know that their children would be doctors, lawyers or accountants.  God did not speak to them about their child's job, but rather their child's role in the plan and economy of God. As parents you have a choice: to raise your children to be good cultural citizens or good citizens in God's kingdom.  The former may get them a job; the latter will bring them into God's purpose. The choice is yours. 

Shall I add your name to the roll call above as good PurposeParents.  I hope so, for we need more PurposeParents and PurposeChildren to do the work that God has assigned for the generations ahead.  Have a great week!

Feel free to add your comments or insights to this post on PurposeParents on the site where it is posted.

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: Just $35 came in last week, but the restaurant called and said they have $113 sitting in their safe waiting for me to pick up. As you know, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund three weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also 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.

If you give a gift of $25 or more during the month of June, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last (I sent out seven so far). Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger.

2. REVELATION: I still need your help. I still cannot find a publisher for an important book I have written, which is a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation. So I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, 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. I was ready to remove this appeal this week, but I sense someone is out there who is going to help. Just do whatever God is telling you to do.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

4. FACEBOOK: I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

5. FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feeback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

402: Moses' Mama

Last week, I wrote about PurposeParents and received a lot of feedback asking for more stuff on purpose and parenting. So due to popular demand, I will delay my series on Daniel that I was about to begin and talk about the topic at hand.

WHAT DID SHE SEE?

When i think of a purpose parent, my mind goes to Moses' mama.  She had the mixed blessing of giving birth to a son.  It was "mixed" because she was certainly joyful at the birth but sad that Pharaoh's edict demanded every male baby be thrown into the river, to be drowned or eaten by crocodiles. That is what all the other mothers had probably done or been forced to do, but the story is a little different for Moses' mama.

So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months (Exodus 2:2).

What did Moses' mama see? When our son was born, his nose was flat against his face, his ears stood out, his hair, though wet, stood straight up and he was blue, red, pink and purple all over!  My wife looked at him and looked at me to say, "Maybe he will be intelligent!"  He certainly wasn't must to look at (we are proud to say he is today both an intelligent and good-looking 31-year-old man). 

What did Moses' mama see that made her boy beautiful?  She saw the purpose of God on him.  She saw past the imperfections and Pharaoh's edict and saw God's hand, as Stephen said while preaching to the Sanhedrin:

"It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father's home (Acts 7:20).

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

So Moses' mama obeyed Pharaoh's edict, sort of.  She threw her son into the river, but first she built and placed him in a waterproof basket.  After all, Pharaoh didn't say that she could not do that, now did he?  She was creative to preserve her son's purpose from the ravages of culture, prejudice and fear.  This woman changed the world because she saw more than her baby boy; she saw God's purpose for him, which made him lovely in the sight of God.

So if and when you are a parent, what will you do?  Will you choose to look at all the wrinkles, faults and weaknesses of your children, or will you focus on his or her purpose? Will you do for them what Egypt says must be done, or will you do what God's purpose warrants for them?  Will you send them into the river without protection or with a handmade basket that will protect them from the dangerous elements of life so they can "float" to their divine destiny?

Moses' mama changed history by being a good PurposeParent and you can, too.  Don't waste time trying to make your children perfect, and don't just hand them over to Egypt. See in them what God sees and then do what you have to do to help bring forth God's purpose in them.  Have a great week!

    Feel free to write a comment to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: I am so excited. I got an envelope from the local restaurant containing the "first fruits" of the container we placed there, and we got $56!  Plus another $135 came in last week.  I am having more fun with this than any one person should be allowed to have. Yet the purpose of the Fund is not fun, for we are using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund last Monday and you can read it here.  You can also 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.

If you give a gift of $25 or more during the month of June, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last.  Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger.

2. REVELATION: I still need your help. I still cannot find a publisher for an important book I have written, which is a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation. So I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago 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. Once you read my rationale, 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. I was ready to remove this appeal this week, but I sense someone is out there who is going to help.  Just do whatever God is telling you to do.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site.  If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there.  I promise to have it updated every day. 

4. MONDAY MEMOS ARCHIVE:  Did you know that all 400 Monday Memos are archived on my website along with an index that includes the topic and Scriptural references for each Memo?  This makes it possible to read past Memos or search for specific topics or cross references with ease.

5. HEAR ME PREACH: You can download and listen to yesterday's message I delivered at my local church, entitled Cliffhanger Faith by going here. You can download the notes from that site, too.

6. FACEBOOK:  I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote.  I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

7. FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feeback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website.  This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

401: PurposeParents

I have been thinking about the role that parents play in a child's PurposeQuest, even when those children are mature and out of the house.  This week,  I want to focus on three parents in the Old Testament, make some comments on how they were as PurposeParents and then give them a grade.  See if you agree with my evaluation.

1.    Abraham – Abraham was distracted at times by his attachment to Ishmael, whom he fathered to Hagar while he was waiting for God’s promised son. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son at God’s command, which shows that he certainly put God before his son and had his priorities correct. To his credit, Abraham got involved in finding Isaac a wife, but Isaac wasn’t a purpose-driven man. 

Isaac never accomplished much of anything and we will see that he was a poor father.  That leads me to say that Abraham failed to provide adequate direction for Isaac, whose only accomplishment seems to have been unstopping some of his father’s wells that the locals had filled in.  Isaac obviously knew about the promises that God made to Abraham, but did little to carry them out.  For all that, I give Abraham a C as a PurposeParent.

2.    Isaac - Isaac was a man of many weaknesses.  His wife Rebekah regularly had to intervene in the family’s affairs when Isaac didn’t seem to pay attention.  No one will ever convince me that Isaac didn’t know it was Jacob standing before him when Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing that belonged to the eldest. “Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked (Genesis 27:22-24).  Isaac did not want to confront Jacob or to anger his wife. 

Jacob never mentioned his father and, in part due to Isaac’s poor parenting model, Jacob’s family was a mess. I give Isaac an F as a PurposeParent

3.    Jacob – What can we say about a man who played favorites, didn’t confront the obvious animosity between his sons, fathered sons to four different women and paid more attention to his business than to his offspring?  We would say that he was a bad parent, and that’s what Jacob was.  I give Jacob a D as a parent (at least he had the sense to favor Joseph over the rest, although the way he showed it caused Joseph tremendous problems).

I want to go one step further with Jacob, however.  I would give Jacob an A as a grandfather.  Read Genesis 48:1-22 and see how Jacob handled the blessing of Joseph’s sons.  He got it right!  He didn’t pay attention to the grandsons' age, but rather to God's purpose for their lives.  He refused to follow what Joseph wanted him to do and instead released each grandchild to his divine destiny. 

PurposeParent Lessons:

• It's never too late to instill purpose in your children or grandchildren.
• There are no perfect parents, only a perfect God.
• God was known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so He identifies with the weak and imperfect. There is hope for you and me!
• God has a purpose for each child. 

As a parent (or future parent), meditate on and discuss the parenting skills of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as they relate to your child’s purpose.  What can you learn about what not to do with your children?  What can you learn that will make you more effective?  Can you think of other parental models to consider from the Bible?  How about Mary, Moses’ parents, Hannah, Jesse or David?  What can you learn from them that will make your children more in tune with their purpose and destiny?  Have a great week!

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REVELATION: I need your help. 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.

THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:  Last week, $150 came in for The Fund.  As I promised, every penny you send is going 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.

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!

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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.

Memo 398: Purpose Ramblings

I feel pensive and reflective as I sit at my desk to write this Memo.  So allow me to share some random ramblings with you about purpose.  I won't follow the format of any past Memos, but here goes.

1. My most recent purpose coaching sessions have been fascinating. They have all been accompanied by tears, something that happened twenty years ago when I first presented purpose and has not stopped. When you realize that God knows your name and that you have something from Him so deeply ingrained in who you are, it is hard not to weep for joy.

2. It has taken me 15-20 minutes in my last few sessions to get to the bottom of someone's purpose, or at least to give them a lot of things about which to think and pray.  I hope those I am coaching don't dismiss the results because they come so quickly.

3. To be good at something, anything, you must put the hours and effort into developing your greatness.  I have sat with more than 2,500 people in the last ten years in one-on-one purpose sessions.  I would like to think God has helped me hone my skill.

4. I am often sad that I don't speak or preach more regularly, but the other day I had this thought: "If I was preaching, I probably would not be writing as much as I do." God closed one door and opened another.  He knows what He is doing.

5. I still have the duty to find more opportunities to use my speaking gift, so I am teaching some classes at the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry. I just finished a class entitled, Messianic Prophecies: The Old Testament in the New.  It was a great class!

6. I am now writing a daily Proverb and one inspirational quote on Twitter and Facebook for my "twitterati" and "friends."  Here is one from the other day:

"There comes a special moment in everyone's life, a moment for which that person was born. That special opportunity when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission - a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment, he finds greatness. It is his finest hour" - Winston Churchill.

7. Oh, how I wish I could reach more young people with the purpose message. I just wrote an article for someone in the UK by the title, "Never Too Young for Purpose."  I am attaching it to this Memo below.

8. I am selling more of my Daily of Proverbs books than ever before.  There is no feeling like selling something you have written and then have people come back to tell you they enjoyed it.

Okay, I invite and even challenge you to write me this week with one purpose rambling from your own experience.  Click here so you can add it to the end of this entry on the site where it is posted. Have a great week!

Download Purpose and Youth

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REVELATION: I need your help. 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.

THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE:  Last week, $200 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 this past 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.

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.

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.

397: Work, Ministry and Purpose

Are you stuck where purpose is concerned?  Are you confused about the difference between ministry and purpose?  Do you understand the potential difference between your purpose and your occupation?  If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, then this Memo is for you.  If you answered them no, then this Memo is still for you because I am using a different format this week that requires you to do some work! In other words, this Memo is for you, so you had better read on and not miss out.

PURPOSEFUL MINISTRY

I have noticed that we allow people to do "anything" they want in the church, as long as it's ushering, nursery or choir!  How and when did we lose our sense of creativity in ministry?  In part, it is because we have assumed that only those who derive their income from ministry are truly in ministry, and those are usually pastors, administrators and musicians. 

That leaves everything else for the “non-ministry" people to do.  Consequently, too many people see themselves as not doing ministry, even though they have important things to do in the church. Thus the church loses valuable human resources and their gifts, all because of bad thinking.

PurposeCoach Points:  1) You may already have a ministry, even though you are working outside the church.  2) God may also want you to work in the church without pay as He provides your needs through your job.

CASE STUDY

Consider this case study of Paul and see if you can answer these questions:

1. What did Paul do for a living?  (See Acts 18:3).
2. Who wrote the book of Acts? (his name begins with L)
3. Do you think it’s interesting that Paul wrote 13 letters in the New Testament, but never mentioned what he did to make a living?
4. In every letter, however, Paul mentioned what his purpose was (go to Acts 26:9-19 and see if you can describe Paul’s purpose in a short phrase.  Need help?  Then go to Galatians 2:7).
5. Can you find those references that Paul wrote?  if not, then go to my site and look for the article, Paul: A Man of Purpose.

So what is the significance for you? 

1. Define our purpose by what you do that gives you pleasure and serves Him and not by what you do for a living.
2. You don't have to be paid by a church to work in a church. In fact, Jesus never recruited anyone to a paid position with benefits!
3. Be creative and define your purpose according to who you are, not by what already exists. 

I have given you some work to do this week, so you had better get busy. As you study and reflect on what I wrote, however, I know it will help you have a great week!  Blessings!

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REVELATION: I need your help. 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.

THE SOPHIA FUND:  It was a slow week for The Sophia Fund, although I did get permission to put out a container in a busy restaurant to collect money.  That is a blessing!  The need is urgent and the workers are grateful, but are requesting even more help.  If you didn't read the email below that I received two weeks ago from Eddie Adembesa in Kenya, here it is again:

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 Sophia 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.

395: Stand Up!

Last week, my title was Sit Down! This week my title is Stand Up!  Sit down, stand up, sit, stand.  Are you confused?  What will next week's title be, Lie Down?  Ah, this is the joy of being a serial writer.  You can confuse your readers so that they must come back week after week to clear their confusion.  Yet sitting and standing aren't really confusing at all, if you are willing to read on.  If not, then you may just want to go for a walk.

KNOCKED DOWN

In Acts 26, we read Paul's account of his Damascus road experience to King Agrippa.  We know that Paul was knocked down to the ground by a bright light from heaven, a light that temporarily blinded him.  The light was intense, for it shone more brightly than the noonday sun in the Middle East.  That is the kind of intense light of understanding that God can shed on your purpose.

There are many people who, when God "knocks" them down, want to remain down. It is comfortable and for some a super-spiritual experience.  The Lord had Paul (then Saul) on the ground but did not keep him there for long.  Rather than have me recount the story, let me include it for you to read yourself:

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' " 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you" (Acts 26:12-17 emphasis added). 

Did you see it?  After Saul was down, the Lord commanded him to get back up, to "stand on your feet."  He may be telling you to do the same thing.

STANDING UP

You sit or lie while you are seeking, but you stand when you receive.  You humble yourself and lay low while you search for God, but you stand up when you find Him.  Why do you stand?  You stand to signal you are ready to go.  You stand because the God of the universe knows your name and is speaking to you because He has something for you to do!  You stand because one always stands in the presence of royalty. You stand to say, "I am ready, Lord, to do Your will right here and right now!"

So are you lying down, sitting or standing? If you are seeking purpose, you can do either of the first two.  If you have found it, then you must stand.  Stand at attention, ready to go and do.  Stand facing God's face, so you can not only see His words, but catch His facial expressions as well.  When God speaks, you don't judge His words.  You act! 

So this week, choose a position and be serious about whichever one you choose.  If you seeking, seek with all your heart.  If you are hearing, then stand and go.  It's that simple.  Whatever position you find yourself in, I trust you will have a great week! 

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

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  We received almost $1,200 this past week for The Sophia Fund. That is just super. Thank you so much for responding. but please don't stop now. The need is urgent and the workers are grateful, but are requesting even more help.  If you didn't read the email below that I received last week from Eddie Adembesa in Kenya, here it is again:

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.