This is Monday Memo number 620; that seems like a lot of Memos! Every week I am amazed that I have something to write, but God is faithful to bring something to mind and away I go! I hope you still find these relevant and enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing them.
Over the last several weeks, I have alluded to a special project I have in mind, one that will probably take a decade or more to complete. Next year, I turn 64, so that means it will keep me occupied until I am 74, unless the Lord takes me or returns.
What is that project, you may be asking? Before I tell you, let me share some background. When I began teaching on purpose, there was little material I could refer to. There were some Buddhist books, and of course I questioned why this was so. Was purpose not biblical, or was it in the beginning stages of our understanding of the subject? I turned to the Bible with one prayer: "Lord, if it's not there, don't allow me to make believe it's there. Don't allow me to say or see what's not in Your Word."
Of course, I was delighted to find purpose in the Scriptures and now I have been teaching about purpose for almost 22 years, gaining new insight all the time.
A few weeks ago, I consulted the Leadership Bible, one of many topical or themed Bibles on the market today. Suddenly it dawned on me: There is no Purpose Bible. So that's my new project - a ten-year study and compilation of insight about purpose, book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter if need be. I am so excited!
I have no idea how I will do this, how to publish it, how to build a team to do it, or how to finance it. How's that for a plan!? But I know it will be fun and think of the legacy I will be leaving from a lifetime of purpose work and teaching.
If you have any insight or encouraging words, or you want to contribute money or insight to the cause, then feel free to write me this week, or any week for that matter. In the meantime, I am finishing up this year's Purpose Pearls projects, publishing Faith Files; Volume 3, A Daily Taste of Proverbs, What Would Jesus Ask You Today? and a special anniversary book for the school where I teach - all before the end of the year. Then it's on to the Purpose Bible along with my next book, Life is a Garden: Can You Dig It? That should keep me busy for a while, don't you think? Feel feel to write me about your big projects so we can share them with others and encourage them. Thanks, and have a blessed week!
**********
KENYA UPDATE: I just posted a very good report from Kenya. I hope you will read it and then give generously to the cause there. I am off to Kenya on October 7 and need to take some resources with me to help prepare for the summer holiday season there. You can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Pictured at left is our little orphan Mary, who returns to boarding school from the slums today, thanks to your help. There are many more Marys in Kenya and, while we cannot help them all, we want to help as many as possible. Please help us do just that. Thank you and God bless you!
Comments