The Monday Memo from John Stanko

527: Commitment

This week I wrap up the fifth c in succcccess, the first four being curiosity, creativity, competence and collaboration.  You can catch up on any you didn't read here, but let's move on to this fifth and final c and wrap this series up!

THE WINNER IS

When I think of one who had to perservere and endure but who was totally committed to God's plan, I think the winner is Joseph in Genesis. Joseph had his visions from God indicating that he would lead his family when he was just 17 years of age.  After that, all hell and parts of heaven broke loose for him and before he knew it, his brothers had sold him into slavery, then covered their deed with their family by concocting a story that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal.

Joseph prospered in Potiphar's house and then languished in prison until he was 30 years old.  It was then that Pharaoh had his two dreams and Joseph was summoned to the palace to interpret the dreams.  Joseph not only interpreted that there would be seven bountiful years and then seven of famine, but he also came up with a plan that pleased Pharaoh of how to prepare for those lean years.  Joseph went from the dungeon to the palace in a matter of minutes, but he had been in Egypt for 13 years up to that point.

It the story ended there, it would be a good one - but it doesn't! Joseph serves Egypt during the seven good years, storing up grain and establishing Pharaoh's throne. Then the lean years begin and Joseph's family, not knowing he is alive or in Egypt, came down to buy food.  They appear before Joseph and he recognizes them, but they don't recognize him.  Joseph told his brothers, "I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute" (Genesis 45:11).

What's my point? Joseph was 39 when his brothers came to get food and he revealed himself to them.  That means he lived in his dreams before they became reality for 22 years.  Can you wait for your dream that long, preparing for the day when it will come to pass?

YOU MAY BE NEXT 

If you have done all you can do, are you prepared to wait?  Are you committed to see succcccess in the long run, whether that is in business, ministry, publishing or some other purpose expression?  You can be the next Joseph, if you are willing to pay the price for succcccess as I have spelled out over the last five weeks. Like Joseph, you can wait long, but then have your life change for the better in five minutes.

I am 61 years old, and I have yet to see some of the things I believe God put in my heart. That is why I keep writing, praying, learning and growing.  I am committed to do what it takes to see my dreams, and that may mean I see them from another vantage point after I am gone to be with Him.  Whatever it takes, I won't give up.

I invite you to join me in the pursuit of succcccess.  Let's not stop until we run as far and fast and as long as we can, as He empowers us.  I hope these last five weeks have helped you and that you have learned something.  Have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE: I posted an entry explaining that we raised our money for the matching grant, which you can read here.  We need more, however, and I tell you how you can give in the same entry. 

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

526: Collaboration

We are almost finished with our discussion of the five c's in succcccess.  To date, we have covered Curiosity, Creativity, and Competence. This week we will take a look at collaboration.  Without further ado, let's get into it.

YAY TEAM!

God did not create you to do everything, just certain things.  If you could do it all, you would not have need of anyone else.  The same is true for organizations. Even large corporations need to collaborate with others or else build an organization big enough so that everything they need is under one corporate umbrella.  In a sense, they are then collaborating within their organization, but still must at times build partnerships with other entities.

Here are a few examples of teams working together in the Bible:

1. Joseph and Pharaoh made a great team in Egypt, with Joseph providing the administration and Pharaoh the leadership.
2. Moses and Aaron led the Israelites out of Egypt.
3. Saul and David enjoyed success early in their partnership as they defeated the Philistines again and again.
4. Nehemiah partnered with the king her served to secure permission and resources to rebuild Jerusalem.
5. Daniel had his three friends serving with him in Babylon.
6. Jesus had twelve disciples with whom he collaborated and worked closely.
7. Barnabas and Saul, Paul and Silas, Paul and Luke, and a number of other combinations worked together to spread the gospel to the Gentiles in the early church.

I hope you get the idea that is you are going to be succcccessful, you are going to need to collaborate or partner with others, whether you are looking for individual or corporate succcccess.

SOME SUGGESTIONS    

Here are some quick suggestions to enable you to collaborate effectively:

1. Find those who share your values and ethics.  Don't collaborate with those whom you can't trust.
2. Partner with your opposite.  This assumes you know your strengths and are willing to collaborate with those who are strong where you aren't.
3. Know your purpose. If you know where you are headed, you can join up with people who are on the same road.
4. Network. Get out and meet people.  Build relationships before you even think of collaborating.  Don't just build a card file of acquaintances, but listen and learn what motivates other people.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive teaching on partnerships and collaborations.  Rather it is an attempt to help you get out your own little world and learn to "play well" with others. If you want to do great things and enjoy succcccess, then there is usually no such thing as a one man or woman act.  Succcccess usually comes through strategic collaboration.

Stop going it alone and playing it safe, and learn to partner with others so that you can enjoy the synergies of joint ventures that will allow you to reach your goals. Have a great week!

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GOOD NEWS!: I wrote last week that I had a $1,500 matching grant that expired on Monday, October 31 at midnight for the Kenya library project.  As of Sunday, October 30, I had $65 toward that match. By midnight, October 31, just one day later, $1,290 more had come in, for a grand total of $1,355!  This week, I will wire Pastor Peter $2,710.

But that's not all. The donor has extended the deadline a few more days, so that if the other $145 comes in by this Wednesday, November 9, the donor will match it and we will have our $3,000 needed to renovate the library space, pictured to the right.

Can you help with the $145 yet to be received from the matching grant?  If so, you can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA  15221-0882 (please let me know if you are sending a check, so I will know if we made our new deadline or not).  Thanks, and thank You, Lord, for coming through on this first phase of the money we need.

 

 

 

525: Competence

This week we continue our discussion of the five c's in succcccess with the third c - competence. (If you missed the previous two, you can access them here.)  I want to say at the start that God does not promote or use people with potential.  He does not promote holy people just because they are holy.  God promotes and uses people who have developed their potential and have coupled their holiness with competence and fruitfulness.  Don't believe me?  Then read on and see if I can convince you.

PROOF PLEASE

How can I make statements about the importance of competence? Consider these examples:

1. Daniel - Daniel served with distinction in Babylon.  He was promoted because of his gifts that God gave him, but he developed them, as it was said of Daniel: "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent" (Daniel 6:4).  Daniel was a good, perhaps even a great, skilled administrator.
2. David - David was a prolific songwriter and poet who honed his skills by regular use.  He was also a magnificent warrior and leader, of whom the people sang: "When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:6-7).
3. Esther - Esther was a beautiful woman, by God's design: "This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful" (Esther 2:7b). What did God do with her beauty?  He dispatched her to the king's servants, who bestowed beauty treatments on Esther for one year.  The result: She was even more beautiful than before! 
4. Paul - Paul knew four languages and was from one of the most cross-cultural city in the Roman Empire. He was a Jew of Jews, who was a stellar keeper of God's law by his own admission: ". . . as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:6). What did God do with this man who had excelled in Judaism?  He chose Paul to be His representative to the Gentiles.  God took Paul's skill, redirected and perfected it, and used it for His glory.

THE LESSON FOR YOU

The lesson for you should be clear.  God uses you to the extent that you have developed your skills and gifts.  If you are competent, He will use you.  If you are competent and have integrity, He will promote you to the highest levels that your gifts and foundation will allow you to attain. Your succcccess in any field or endeavor is a partnership between God, who provides the grace and opportunities, and you, who develop your competence. 

What is your plan for competence?  Do you even have one?  In what field or effort do you want to be competent, even world-class in skill and effect?  Mind you, I am not suggesting that competence is more important than holiness or integrity?  I am saying, however, that without competence your holiness alone will limit God's ability to use you to the fullest extent of your potential.  Give some thought this week to the importance of competence in succcccess and then go about a one-, five- or lifetime plan to achieve the greatest skill possible for you as you express your purpose and pursue your goals.  Have a great week!

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MATCHING GRANT:  Today is the last day for the $1,500 matching grant we had received for the library work in Kenya.  That means unless $1,500 comes in today, we lose the grant.  That's alright, for God has a plan, so I am not worried. There is still time today, so I have not given up until I check the mailbox this week to see if someone sent a check.  If this is the first you have heard about this grant, you can read about it here and then give through my website or by sending a check today to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  His will be done, so give as He leads and directs and if He doesn't do either, then I and we will trust Him for other sources.

I NEED FEEDBACK:  I am in the middle of revising my book, So Many Leaders, So Little Leadership and posted some definitions of leadership, team and purpose on my blog.  If you have a chance, take a look at them here and tell me what you think of how accurate they are and/or how they can be improved. 

524: Creativity

In case you are just tuning in this week to read the Monday Memo, we are in the midst of studying the five c's in succcccess. If you think succcccess isn't a consideration for you, read these words from Psalm 1:1-3 in the Good News Translation: 

"Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night.They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do" (emphasis added).

With that in mind, let's look at the second c in succcccess, that being creativity.

YOU ARE, TOO!

In 2006, I had a startling revelation and changed my purpose statement from "I bring order out of chaos" to "I create order out of chaos."  It was then that I accepted the fact that I am a creative person, something I had denied up to that point.  I began to write and teach about creativity after that, and I have many Monday Memos devoted to the subject of creativity.  You may want to take some time and review them here. 

Over the years, I have also collected creative life expressions from Monday Memo readers and posted that collection on my website. You can find that list here titled, "Samples of Creative Expressions."  Once you read that list and some of my past Memos, I hope you will come to the same realization that I did:  You are a creative person, too!

CREATIVITY FOLLOWS CURIOSITY

Last week we looked at the first c in succcccess and that is curiosity.  Once you are curious and decide to follow your heart and what interests you, it is time to express your creativity.  You can then begin to structure your world and invest your time in such a way that your creativity can take shape as a practical expression of who you are.  I am interested in writing, and have been since I was young. So in 1995 at the age of 45, I started to pursue my interest and today I write every day to an audience all over the world. 

I have written 12 books, 524 Monday Memos, finished a verse-by-verse devotional on the entire New Testament, and write a daily devotional online featuring one verse from Proverbs every day (I want to turn that into a desktop calendar soon). This semester I am teaching five classes and have no end of other creative projects and ideas in the works.

I love to do media but got tired of waiting for people to invite me to be part of their media world.  What did I do?  I started my own online broadcast, Your PurposeQuest, that is live via the Internet every Tuesday at 4 PM my time (you can access some of my shows on the site where they are stored here; feel free to download and listen). 

You don't have to do any of those things that I am doing to be creative.  You just have to be yourself.  You cannot be fighting yourself, however, and be creative.  My experience is that most people (perhaps even you) are trying to talk themselves out of their creativity instead of into it.  With that in mind, I encourage you to read my past Memos, think about this in the coming days and embrace your creativity.  You cannot be succcccessful without employing it, but you cannot employ it if you deny that it even exists.  Have a great week!

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A MATCHING GRANT: Great news! I have received a matching grant for the library work in Kenya.  That means that every dollar you give through October 31 will double up to $1,500. You can read more about this here or just give now through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. What a great way to maximize your gift by making sure it doubles through this special, limited time grant. Remember, the grant offer expires on Monday, October 31.

523: Curiosity

Last week I began a six-week series on the five c's in Succcccess.  I promised to touch on each one of the five in more depth in the coming weeks, so here is the follow up to that promise.  I have actually thought of several more c's since last week, but I am not ready to expand the series, otherwise I will have to spell success "Succcccccccccccess."  Maybe that would not be such a bad thing, but for now, let's dive into the concept of curiosity and how it ties in to succcccess.

A BURNING BUSH    

We know that Moses tended sheep in the wilderness for forty years!  I have been to the Middle East numerous times and it is a hot, hot place.  Moses had to work in this heat year in and year out, and I am sure that every now and then a dry bush would burst into flames due to the super-hot conditions.  Then one day Moses saw something unusual that captured his attention:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up" (Exodus 3:1-3).

What was unusual about this bush is that it burned, probably a common sight, but the bush was not consumed.  It just kept on burning.  Moses could have easily dismissed this sight and went about his business, but he decided to investigate further.  Upon closer examination, he had a surprising thing happen: "When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am" (Exodus 3:4).

SO WHAT?

It is interesting that God did not call Moses and that is what drew Moses to the bush.  It was his curiosity that caused him to pause and look, and then and only then did God call out to Moses and initiate a series of events that changed the course of history.  In this order of events, first came Moses' curiosity, his reaction, God's call and then Moses' response to God.  What does this have to do with your success?

There are many people waiting for God's call.  Perhaps you are one of them.  Did you ever consider that the call may be in what interests you?  You are busy and don't see how what interests you can add to your career, so you don't pursue what is in your heart.  Because you don't trust what is in you, you go about your business and wonder why God is not answering your prayers to be used or promoted.

Do you realize that it was Saul's interest, his obsession with persecuting Christians that led him to be a Christian and become the apostle Paul?  If God can use Saul's misdirected interest to direct his steps, then God can use your curiosities to do the same?  Succcccess starts with investigating what piques your interest and I urge you to do something to satisfy your curiosity this week.  As you do, be lsitening for the voice of God and then follow His directions, just like Moses and Saul did.  Have a great week.

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KENYA UPDATE:  I posted the latest pictures and update from Kenya, indicating that Pastor Peter signed the lease and is ready to prep the space for the library. You can read about it here and then please give generously here to make this project and others like them (described here) a reality when I return next year.  I can't do this without you, so don't delay in sending your financial help.  The children pictured here (click on them to enlarge) need you to help them prepare for a succcccessful future through reading and studying. Thank you! 

522: Succcccess

Don't write to tell me I misspelled succcccess. I did it on purpose because this week I want to start a series on the five c's in succcccess.  Since success only has two, I thought I would add three more for effect.  So without further ado, let me spell out for you those five c's.

THE FIRST THREE

I am currently co-teaching a class on "A Love and Theology for the City" and I was discussing with the students what it takes to launch and sustain succcccessful initiatives in poor areas.  The longer I thought about it, I realized that what it takes to succccceed in urban work and ministry is the same as what it takes to be succcccessful in any other area as well.  Armed with that conclusion, let's dive into the first three c's.

1. Curiosity.  If you want to know where to start in your quest for purposeful succcccess, start with your curiosity. Answer the question, "What interests you?" and then follow the answers. Too often you may try to "figure out" how you can make money from that interest and, if you can't see how, you abandon your interests. You must be careful not to do that. Follow your interests and see where they lead you.  God can take some of the simplest things and help you turn them into a business, organization, or project that will bless or edify others.

2. Creativity. I have written extensively on creativity and you can read some of what I have written here. Suffice it to say here that you were created by the Creator in His image, which is to be creative.  There is no end of your ability to be creative as you express your life experience as seen through your eyes. Adam named all the animals in the Garden and he used his God-given creativity to do so.  What assignment has God given you that require you to do the same?

3. Competence. God does not promote people with potential. He promotes those who have developed their potential. You need to become the best you that you can be, and that will require work, training, education, apprenticeship, spiritual disciplines and godliness. There are no shortcuts to obtaining any of those aspects of life, so don't even look for them. There is only one way to develop yourself and that is to invest time, money and effort into becoming more effective tomorrow than you are today. 

THE LAST TWO

Now let's look at the last two c's in succcccess. 

4. Collaboration.  You will need to team and partner with other people if you are going to make a major impact in your life's work.  You can't do it all. Rather you must do what you do best and team with others who do what they do best that will contribute to the overall effort.  What's more, you must know your own strengths and weaknesses and understand how your personality and characteristics will best mesh (or cause some friction) with others.

5. Commitment. You will be tested in your resolve to finish the task at hand.  God will use your failures and setbacks to conform you to Christ's image.  If you faint in the heat of the day, you will not be able to achieve your dreams or fulfill your purpose.  Winston Churchill once addressed an audience of youth and he said, "Never, never, never, never, never give up."  Then he sat down.  That's all he said, but it was great advice. As long as you have breath, stay the course.

There you have the five keys to succcccess.  We will take a closer look at each one over the next five weeks and learn how to apply and develop them all in your life. I have not included any Bible verses this week but don't worry, there will be plenty in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, meditate on these five concepts and, while you are doing so, have a great week!

    You can respond to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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KENYA UPDATE: We have secured space for one of the libraries in Kenya!  There's no turning back now.  Read Pastor Peter's thank you here and then give generously to The Big Blessing project that is desgned to raise money for food, books, and jobs in Kenya.  You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882 or give through Paypal on my website.  $280 came in last week, so we are off to a great start. 

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!

503: Post-Graduate Studies

I graduated last Friday night with my Doctor of Ministry, as you can see from the picture at right. It was a grand affair, well, at least from my perspective it was.  Many friends and family showed up to celebrate the evening with me, I posed for lots of pictures and savored every moment. Many have asked me, "Now what are you going to do with your free time?", knowing that I stay pretty busy.  Yet it is a legitimate question, for I learned long ago to set goals through a point and not just to a point.  I do have goals to accomplish, by God's grace, from this point.  I thought I would outline a few of them for you this week.

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

1. I will publish at least one book every year for the rest of my life.  If I live to be as old as my mother (92), I will have 44 books to my credit when I die.  I may not live to be her age, so that may require publishing more than one a year
2. I will teach well.  When I say teach, I want people to seek out my classes because they have the reputation to make a deep impact on lives and work.
3. I will teach a lot.  You may think I am repeating myself, but I am not.  I will trust the Lord for time and for what He has put in me, by expecting it to come out when needed. Therefore, I will not say "no" to an opportunity to teach unless I have something already booked to do in that class time. 
4. I will work smarter and not harder.  I am looking for wisdom to restructure my world of volunteers, staff and time available to maximize my impact on as many people as possible. 

POST-GRADUATE STUDIES

The fifth goal to go with those above is that I will continue to learn and grow until I have no strength.  I think (and hope) that my classroom time as a student is over, but not my classroom time as a learner.  I will attend one seminar every year in some area of relevant interest and I will continue to read or listen to four to six books every month.  I will accept the assignment to teach new classes with material with which I am not familiar and I will not allow perfectionism or fear to stop me from exploring, teaching and writing about new subjects.

I am now 61 years of age and I realize that my end may be tomorrow or in 30 years.  All these plans are meaningless apart from Him and His help. I have to assume, however, that He is directing my thoughts because I have asked Him to do so. He is free to adjust me in any way, but I assume that He will actually help me do more than I am thinking, for Paul wrote, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).  What's more I count on Him to provide the energy for me to do the work as well: "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power" (Ephesians 3:7).

I am no longer afraid of making a mistake or choosing the wrong path.  I am capable of doing so, but He is not!  I trust Him to direct my steps and strengthen my legs. 

I have other goals, but these will do for now.  I just wanted you to know that I have a plan from here, and I invite you to join me in developing your own plans.  Last Friday night was so enjoyable that I want to set and achieve even more for Him.  It was so good that I want you to experience it for yourself.  Have a great week as you take the first steps toward your own post-graduate studies in life and purpose.

501: Don't Put Me In, Coach!

This week we finish up with Moses' excuses after the Lord directed him to go back to Egypt to set the people free. My intent is not to diminish Moses' standing as a great leader, but to show you how his struggle to fulfill God's purpose for his life may have some similarities to your own struggles. My hope is that you will learn to overcome your hesitation, which usually appears as a list of reasonable excuses why you cannot be the one to do what is before you.

DON'T PUT ME IN, COACH

A number of years ago, a professional basketball game was in the final seconds. The coach called time out and designed a play that he hoped would win the game. When play resumed, however, only four of his players were in the game. The fifth player, who was also the star, refused to go back in because he wasn’t the one to take the winning shot. He forced the coach to put in someone else; the good news is that his team won, but that player lost. Players, writers and fans castigated him for his selfish behavior.

As we look this week at Moses’ final comment at the burning bush, we see that Moses, having expressed five excuses, simply refused to go to Egypt. “But Moses said, ‘O Lord, please send someone else to do it’” (Exodus 4:13). In essence, Moses said “no” to God! Moses refused to go into the game just like that basketball player.

What was God’s response? “Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses” (Exodus 4:14). Up to this point in the story, God was patient and gracious with Moses, responding to all his objections. At this point, however, God was angry. I hope I never make God that angry, but this story proves that it can happen. God is patient but there are limitations to His patience and we are never quite sure when we will reach those limitations.

MISSING PURPOSE?

I have people ask me all the time, “Can you refuse your purpose?” and my answer is always, “Yes!” Consider these two passages:

1. “But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves” (Luke 7:30).
2. "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

You can receive the grace of God’s purpose in vain, choosing to ignore or do nothing with it. You can sit on your gifts, remaining in the comfort zone of life rather than experiencing the discomfort of new faith experiences. You can also be so afraid of doing the wrong thing that you choose to do nothing.

God had answered and addressed each of Moses’ questions and concerns so that the real reason for Moses’ reluctance could be revealed: Moses just didn’t want to do it. Like that star basketball player, Moses just didn’t want to go into the game.

How about you? Are you testing God’s patience through delay and excuses? The good news is that after Moses said this, God assigned Aaron to go with Moses and then sent them both on their way to Egypt. If you confess this week that you don’t want to fulfill your purpose, that you’re scared, lazy or lack confidence, then the Lord will still help you!

You are not alone in your PurposeQuest; God is with you, even if you are hesitant. All you have to do this week is acknowledge where you are and ask God’s help. He will do the rest. Let this be the week when you face reality and still move on to do great things for God, just like Moses. Have a great week!

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

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MY NEW BOOK:  I have information on my next book coming out in July on the home page of my website, along with my updated travel schedule and resources.  Check all my updates and then pre-order your autographed copy of Faith Files, Volume Two today.

MY GRADUATION:  If you live in Pittsburgh and have nothing to do on Friday, May 20, you are welcome to attend my graduation from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I am attaching a scanned invitation below.  No gifts, but you can always make a contribution to The Sophia Fund for the widows and orphans in Kenya in honor of this occasion. You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA  15221-0882.

PRAY FOR THE CHICKENS:  Speaking of Kenya,I received an email from Alice in Kenya that they had an outbreak of pneumonia among the chickens and a few died. They were able to medicate them in time to save most of them, but the chickens still haven't laid any eggs.  Pray for Operation Chicken Coop that God will protect our investment and provide for the orphans through this project. 

Download Graduation Invitation

500: Excuse Number Five

It is always special to write a Monday Memo but this one is extra special because it is issue number 500! I started the Memo in March, 2001 and here we are, ten years later, at number 500. All I can say is thank You, Lord, for helping me and thank you, my friend, for reading. 

WE'RE ALMOST DONE

We are almost finished with our study of Moses’ comments during his encounter with the burning bush. When God spoke to him from the bush, Moses’ first comment was, “Here I am!” We saw that this indicated his readiness to do what God wanted before He knew what it was, an attitude that you would do well to imitate. Then we studied how Moses made his first excuse when he asked, “Who am I?’ I related that question to our tendency to discount our ability to accomplish our purpose when we find out what it is.

We later saw that Moses’ second excuse was: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" (Exodus 3:13). We saw that this comment was an example of Moses coming up with the excuse that he wasn’t ready and didn’t know enough about God. His third excuse was: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you'?" (Exodus 4:1). This question was an indication that Moses was concerned that he would fail and I asked you to consider what, if anything, you were afraid of.

Last week, we looked at Moses’ fourth excuse: “Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he [Moses] replied” (Exodus 4:2). God was teaching Moses to use what he had and not to fret over what he didn’t have. And that brings us to Moses’ fifth excuse, which was: “Moses said to the Lord, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue'” (Exodus 4:10).

THE NEED IS YOUR CALL

With this fifth excuse, Moses had moved from honest questioning to procrastination. He is now working hard to come up with some excuse, any excuse, so that he wouldn’t have to go to Egypt. If you look hard enough, you will always find a reason that could exempt you from fulfilling your purpose. Some of these reasons I hear on a regular basis are: “I’m too young; I’m too old; I don’t have the education; I don’t like to speak in front of people; I don’t have the money; My spouse/pastor/leader/supervisor doesn’t feel good about me doing that; I’m not sure it’s God’s will; I’m waiting on the Lord’s timing.” I’ve heard these reasons many times and God has heard them even more often, even from me.

I especially want to address the last excuse: “I’m waiting on the Lord’s timing.” I heard a leader say one time, “The need that you see is your call; you must move now to meet that need.” He meant that seeing a need that exists is often the only “call” you are going to receive. When I teach about purpose, I ask what you see that you assume everyone else sees. In most cases, everyone does not see what you see. Seeing it then requires that you then do something about it, without over-spiritualizing the process.

God who has given you the ability to see the need will also equip you to address that need. The Lord responded to Moses: “The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say’” (Exodus 4:11-12 emphasis address).

God is saying the same thing to you this week. He is telling you to “go” and do. As you go, He will help you speak or do whatever it is that He wants you to do. Stop procrastinating and finding excuses to justify your delay. The good news is that it isn’t too late. The God of your purpose is extending another opportunity to do His will. Don’t disappoint Him or make Him find someone else. You can do it. What’s more, you must do it, if you are to be a person of purpose. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone; He will help you. As you go and do, I know that you will have a great week!

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