Saturday, April 03, 2004
NEW PIX AND MARCH RENT PAID
4-3-04
After sending out the update named Storm I was feel the need for a change of pace.
I had borrowed the digital camera from the seminary for just this purpose.
It is a lovely spring day.
I walked the three blocks to the school.
There I scouted out the flowers.
I observed the flowers carefully that I had quickly walked by for weeks.
I looked for those that were in the fullness of bloom.
Most had past their peak.
I took about two dozen.
It was wonderful for those moments to just get so close to God’s creation.
I was headed to the Media Center to look at the digital pictures on the computer.
I was not sure if the direct sunlight or shade made a big difference.
Along the way I saw a man reading that I had not talked with for a long while.
He is a graduate of three yeas ago.
He comes to the library as a quiet place to study for his Sunday school class.
WOW that conversation was longer, wider and deeper than I expected.
The Lord willing he will be one of my first online Bible teachers.
He is one of many that I know who long to teach the Bible to eager students.
We caught up on many things and the time zipped away.
I had planned to be on the phone making fund raising calls.
Then it occurred t me that he was one of the people I was going to call.
So with much hesitation God gave the courage to ask for help with the March rent.
He quickly said yes.
He will mail the check to me in made out to the apartment management company.
May God insure that this occurs swiftly.
God met the need in an unexpected way.
Praise the Lord for His goodness.
And here are the new pix http://fellowpilgrim.photosite.com/FlowersApril4th2004/
John 5:02 PM
Storm
4-3-04
Mentally and emotionally these have been very stormy days and nights.
I had hesitated to tell you the details.
But I need focused prayer at very close quarters.
While working at the seminary my thoughts and feelings have been unusual.
I could do my tasks but there were intervals when it was very difficult.
Thoughts were drawn away like never before.
Sometimes emotionally all I could do was quietly groan.
I looked forward to getting home to focus on ministry.
I had good intentions and simple plans.
But when I arrived home I am much more tired than usual.
Recently I have been taking a long nap in the evenings.
I would wake and work into the wee hours of the night.
That is okay.
This is when I am usually my best creatively and concentrations wise.
During the late night and early morning hours I stay busy.
But I am not making progress on key projects.
It is like there is a force field around the projects that are the most important .
That is why I need to set the tiny goals and get your agreed prayers.
God can use answered prayers to break the force field.
My neighbor has sometimes been playing music more loudly than usual.
He plays music day and night that I can barely hear through the ceiling.
Then at odd intervals he cranks it up.
This has not happened for months.
It is not quite so loud to complain to him or the manager.
But it comes at times that irritate.
It is part of the storm.
Sinuses are draining more than usual.
I have taken things that helped before.
But there has been little improvement.
Yet another part of the storm.
GOAD
Many of my friends are seminary graduates.
They talk about challenges getting papers done on time.
Sometimes they stay up very late to make the deadline.
In my case there is no outside authority to set a deadline.
The past due rent is a goad that God is using to get me moving.
I must move into the face-to-face fund raising that I have avoided for years.
I have told you this before.
Kindly be led by the Holy Spirit in how to pray through to victory.
There are the fear of rejection and fear of failure to be conquered .
My core issues come from feelings of lack of acceptance and inadequacy.
IMAGES
The storm is like a sand storm.
It blows for a while and then quits.
It is difficult to function while the sand it blowing.
Jesus can calm the storm.
And/or the armor of God can protect my mind and emotions during the storm.
There are some labor pains to press through.
I must let go of the preliminary research, planning and preparing mentality.
It is past time for the ministry to come forth.
The ministry will not be perfect.
I cannot make it perfect by holing back and tweaking it for another decade.
Ducks, geese and swans fly in V formations.
This allows them to save 30 percent of their energy.
As a pioneer I need to lead the way.
It is God’s job to put into my mind and heart how to move into the unknown.
But I also need to enroll intercessors, advisors and donors.
Together we can get this job done well.
At time I may need to drop back in the V formation to rest.
Yet as I have cast the vision and steered the course then we will arrive safely.
Humming birds fly swiftly.
They arrive at a flower.
They hover.
Then zap they are gone.
That is an image of how God reveals his will to me.
I get pictures in my mind.
Then they are suddenly gone.
My challenge it to record the sighting.
I put that with others to come up with a mural of the Big Picture and game plan.
I ALWAYS carry 3 by 5 index cards and two pens.
I record all kinds of small, medium and large revelations.
Then I move the notes to the right files for action.
I have not had many humming bird sighting related to paying the rent.
On a related note, Jesus said that He did what the Father SHOWED Him.
REQUESTS
Please pray for strength from God.
The Bible says He gives it.
He has done this before.
I need to learn to say NO to the good in order to make room for the best.
I need to send tiny goals to the intercessors.
I need to process notes on the colored papers into colored fonts.
I will share this with the intercessors and advisors.
I feel that God will use this to help get me motivated.
I need to have a document to review that summaries the vision.
I need to understand that I am paying a price for a greater good.
I need to pull out the files with the names of prospective donors.
Previously I had made a list of 200 possible donors.
On this list 20 were top priority.
I need to dig this out and pray over it.
I need to make phone calls to set appointments.
Hey this is a God-sized dream.
Thus it is not a surprise that there is so much opposition.
Our Metroplex Vision existes to be used by God.
Together we will systematically facilitate
better evangelism, discipleship and benevolence throughout the DFW Metroplex.
Some of you can just boldly believe God for the rent caught up to date.
There are a few that on this distribution list that have seen God move in that way.
Others can just believe God for the forty thousand dollars to launch the ministry.
It can arrive soon and easily.
Some prayed for me to get a car years before that manifested.
They can believe God for a full time staff of eight with suitable offices.
Your comments, suggestions and questions are always welcomed.
John 10:49 AM
Thursday, April 01, 2004
TURNING THE CORNER
4-1-04
BEGINNING
Yesterday the third member of the Board of Directors said yes.
Today I called to accountant to begin the incorporation process.
The name of the emerging ministry is Our Metroplex Vision.
The state of Texas requires 3 board members.
It needs a unique name and nonprofit purpose.
Tonight I will write a simple statement of purpose.
IMAGE
This is the climax of a complex transition.
During these weeks I need to apply what I have been learning for years.
The image is like passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.
It is like I am moving from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
It is a narrow passage.
There are real risks.
If God does not provide then eviction is the worst case.
I do not fear that, nor do I ignore it.
From 1998 until last month God provided beyond the paycheck.
He will not abandon me while I seek to obey His revealed will.
The Tuesday Briefings for years point in this direction.
Here is a map of the Strait of Gibraltar.
http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/map34sg.html
TARGETS
Here are some prayer targets
March rent paid off very soon. 140
April rent paid soon too. 500
The incorporation process unfolds smoothly and quickly.
Soon send you tiny GOALS that can be completed in less than a week.
Get moving toward a HABIT of face-to-face fund raise presentations.
AHEAD
Next week meet with a fellow graduate from the fund raising Boot Camp.
He has raised support for himself and his family for years.
God has begun to use him to coach me to implement the many lessons.
I am off work on Saturday and Monday.
I need to use these days wisely.
I need to use the phone to set appointments.
I need to rehearse the presentation alone and with friends.
I hope to get the audio on the web soon.
The notes on the colored pages are helping me get organized.
Various organizational methods suggest using color codes.
My next step is to put these simple summary terms into Word documents.
I plan to use colored fonts.
Hopefully I can share this with the intercessors and advisors over the web.
Mentally there small parts of the whole that are coming into order.
As I go over this material my emotions are getting stirred.
Every so often it is no longer a design challenge it is a living hope.
Not too long from now this will be presented graphically on a Mind Map.
That will help me to share the passion quickly.
The donor can see the Big Picture and how the parts fit.
They will appreciate how their contribution will move things along.
PRAYER
My prayer life needs improvement.
I do my best day and night.
But there are many times during prayer when I just go blank.
I do not know if that is from stress, spiritual warfare or all prayed up.
The spiritual battle field is in the mind.
The attacks have more subtle than ever.
I need discernment.
Thankfully I have been getting enough sleep and rest.
But I need to learn how to rest in the Lord better.
I ask for wisdom and insight about what to pray about.
What shall I focus my prayer on.?
And what are the most timely prayer requests?
Kindly send your comments, suggestions and questions
John 10:56 PM
INTENSIVE CARE PRAYERS
3-31-04
I need more prayers.
Today as I worked with the papers of different colors it was like a roller coaster.
There were long periods of sluggishness and then a short break thru.
I felt restless and paced around my apartment.
At different times it felt like I was walking through a thick fog.
My lower tract was churning but my health and diet had been okay.
When I stopped to pray I closed my eyes.
I saw images of me fighting and slaying dragons and wolves.
There was progress but it was difficult.
Spurgeon said that the Christian life is like climbing a mountain of ice.
Every inch of real progress requires careful effort.
The meeting with my accountability partner went well, thank God.
I hope to use very short term goals to focus my relationship with him and you.
Right now I am not sure what those tiny goals are but I will let you know soon.
Like getting the script online within a few days, that gave FOCUS.
Two things stood out as I spoke on the phone today.
A friend had been up for many hours with her daughter in law.
She wanted to deliver the first child naturally.
But after a half a day then they tired drugs.
This did not work.
Finally they opted for a C section.
The baby was 11 pounds.
Now they say it was no wonder it was difficult.
That is an image of what is happening with me.
This ministry is still inside of me.
It needs to come out.
It is HUGE.
God can do the surgery.
Your prayers and presence can help.
By working with these colored papers it is coming alive to me.
The script and Power Point show were good mental exercises.
It forced the parts into a linear order.
But now God is making it real for me emotionally.
I will have a short time with the prospective donor.
My passion, excitement and confidence will be transmitted.
Mentally I know generally the steps to take.
The Boot Camp three ring binder is full of practical steps.
But turning this corner has been far more difficult than expected.
This is where I have been stuck for more than 20 years.
There are some spiritual warfare aspects.
I am shifting into the mode like direct sales that I have resisted.
There is no plan B.
This is surely the will of God.
Everything in my mind, heart and files points this way.
With these skills and momentum then the ministry will be well funded.
I am asking you to stick closely with me for the short term.
I am reminded of a friend that sent daily updates.
This was for a friend while she was in intensive care.
Then the updates decreased as the healing occurred.
For those who are called to God to the ministry of intercession … go for it.
The Holy Spirit can guide you better than I.
Some are training for this vital ministry in the prayer closet.
I will keep you posted.
God will be glorified.
The enemy will be defeated.
Our faith will improve.
Pure faith is like gold to God.
The ministry will emerge.
Others will enjoy the fruits of your prayers for years to come.
Kindly send your comments, suggestions and questions.
John 12:04 AM
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
TUESDAY BRIEFING from John S. Oliver on March 30, 2004
BLESSINGS
ALL glory to God in Jesus Name!
May your faith arise to meet each key spiritual battle.
May Jesus dominate your thoughts and feelings
May you call upon the name of the Lord in faith as needed.
Amen?
COMPLETED ·
THANK God MUCH has been completed.·
The blogs keep those records for future thanks and testimonies.
CURRENT ·
I REFUSE to panic about the current financial conditions. The Holy Spirit keeps encouraging me that this too will pass. I am just going through a valley. This transition is needed. I will not pass this way again. On the other side of this valley are other challenges but not sweating rent.·
God has led me to read and reread the book of Galatians chapters 3 to 6. This is pungent material to strengthen my faith. I carry around a photocopy of this portion. May God guide and anoint my reading and reflecting on these verses.·
I need to line up the ducks and get into motion.
UPCOMING ·
The Holy Spirit has led me to put simple summary notes about the emerging ministry on paper of different colors. This has already helped to bring better order to my desk and in my mind.· You will be reading more about specific action steps for prayer and work with accountability partner.·
These steps include prioritizing the names of people to call and what kind of support to ask of each one..·
I meet with my anonymous accountability partners on WED 11:45 over lunch. May God guide and bless our relationship.·
I will be reaching out in the coming days to intercessors, advisors and donors. May God prepare them.·
If you have a link to a resource that has greatly blessed you and you want to share it then please send it to me so I can send it along to others.
RESOURCES
AMAZING Bible maps adapted from satellite pictures http://www.bible.org/docs/about/maps/index.htm
The NET Bible New Testament as audio on 2 CDs for 20 hours as MP3 by Reg Grant http://earsightbible.com/ Hear the free sample of the gospel of John
Winged migration DVD www.wingedmigration.com many goodies on the site like migration patterns http://www.sonyclassics.com/wingedmigration/home.html
Christian Cartoons http://rev-fun.gospelcom.net/ I
keep an archive of the three blessings at the beginning of each Tuesday Briefing. They are timeless. God may use them to inspire and encourage you http://triplemayblessings.blogspot.com/
Links to evangelism tracts http://christianity-links.com/Evangelism_Resources_Tracts.html
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John 11:52 PM
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