Thursday, October 07, 2004
VULNERABLE
10-7-04
I feel extremely vulnerable. I have a high tolerance for risk and have pushed the envelope most of my life. But today I sense how close the danger is in terms of financial.
IMAGES
As Indiana Jones gets close to the treasure city the path got very narrow and the dangers increased. Tension and excitement abound but you know that somehow he and his people will make it through this impossible place.
After many years of training the Green Barrette is thrust into a real combat situation. It is not unfolding in a nice an orderly way like the books and lectures implied. There is more than enough knowledge to call upon. But now is the time to think well and act smart.
Traveling over unfamiliar terrain with many hills. At the top of hills can see at a distance so need to sketch and update maps for times in the valleys.
GOD’s OPPORTUNITY
I think it was Chuck Swindoll that said mans extremity is God’s opportunity.
The Bible stories in children’s Sunday school classes are about how God did the impossible right on time. The people listed in Hebrews chapter 11 were commended for their faith in God during those times.
During these times my faith has been like a roller coaster ride. When the confident faith was absent then instead hope in Jesus was present. The verses that the Holy Spirit have been directing me to speak of trust God no matter the outward or inward conditions.
Here are some verses. Many are the plans of man but it is the purpose to God that is established. I can do nothing apart from the true Vine yet I can do all things through Him who strengthen me. God knows His plans for me to give me hope and a future. As I call upon Him in the day of Trouble He delivers me and I glorify Him. He brings me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay and set me feet on a rock making my footsteps firm.
What I know is that the missionaries and old saints leaned on the promises of God far more than their own understanding. God has given me a pioneering spirit and the heart of a missionary. So it seems that these are kills He is working into me.
May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to lead me into developing this essential mind set. The best intercessors have the right promises ready to claim for each situation.
FUNDS
I have looked briefly at the coming bills and paychecks for this month. But I do not have a clear understanding of all the math and timing. Pray for wisdom and clarity. I need to set up and use Quicken. I have started that process a few times but got distracted.
If I keep doing what I have been doing then I will keep getting what I have been getting. That is red ink. SO I must quickly get into the HABIT of taking other actions.
Just told the apartment manager that I will pay 200 on the back rent tomorrow. I will be making many contacts this weekend. It is my hope to catch up the remaining 600.
That will require strength and courage to face my internal giant. I know what to do and have not bee doing it. Thankfully I have lots of accountability partners and intercessors. I need to leverage these to get the ball rolling. SO pray and believe for the list of simple action steps to be sent out this evening.
SUCCESS
There have been big successes recently. I would be rejoicing greatly except for the distractions of the money pressures.
The empty shell of the beta web site now has a few audio messages. There are interviews from 4 people now and I have appointments for 2 more next week. My goal is to have more than 36 different speakers. This will give a nice wide range of voices, perspectives and insights. And those who share brief testimonies at the Friday Community Gathering starting NEXT week there could mean 12 to 20 added.
You can do me a big favor by going to these links and test the audio messages. Also note how the text appears. Each computer and browser treats a web page differently.
Interviews http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/Interviews.html
Testimonies http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/Testimonies.html
Teachings http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/Teachings.html
Sermons http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/Sermons.html
Also you are invited to poke around the site and send your comments, suggestions and questions.
Remember this is just the beginning. My strength is in concept, content and system design. After the seed capitol is raised then the professionally designed web site will be much more attractive and easier to use.
John 10:31 AM
NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW
10-7-04
Wednesday was my off day. There was much that needed to be done but little was accomplished.
During that day and night I hit bottom mentally, emotionally and spiritually several times. For the first time in almost a year I poked around the web browsing soft-core porn like swimsuits. After a while I tilted toward the harder stuff. I had been feeling frustrated with the lack of headway. What started as a short break became more than an hour on a slippery slope.
After prayer and repentance for that porn slip I had much difficulty renewing my anti-virus subscription. It took hours to do what should have taken minutes. My feelings and the words out of my mouth were not pure. I bump into such technical troubles each month. But this time it sent me for a spin.
Then I laid down and took a long nap.
I suspect that there have been subtle spiritual attacks.
IMAGES
Here are a few images to communicate what it has been like inside of me.
Very old man at a rest home that barely has strength after breakfast to get to the front porch on his walker just to sit there until lunch.
Merchant ship crossing from American to England during WWII and was attacked by German subs.
Soldier on the frontline that has gone beyond his internal limits and earnestly wants to resign from the army.
Scout that has gone ahead of the wagon train to blaze a safe trail and has gotten very fatigued.
Sheriff in a small town that has been strongly tempted to stray into immoral behavior.
Coming to the end of a marathon with less than one tenth of the distance remaining and struggling for energy to finish.
GOOD NEWS
The Bible says that when I am weak He is strong. I have prayed some wimpy but genuine prayers. They have been answered.
The great good news is that Pastor Gilbert gave the green light to start meeting at his church each week starting next Friday. That is the culmination of more than three years of prayers and preparations.
The next step is to prepare a simple flyer to announce this weekly event and begin to invite friends. The food, fellowship, prayer and times for testimonies will refresh those who attend. Thus the word of mouth will work well. It is located across the street from the campus at 1213 N Washington next to the Fina gas station.
There are a few other steps to get ready for this. I have thought of them briefly but what is strange is that I have not even started a list.
MONEY
Thankfully God made a way to avoid eviction recently. But that is not the end of my money challenges. I now owe 800 in rent. 500 for October and 300 for past due. I have avoided talking to the apartment manager because I do not know what to promise.
I will soon send a SHORT term action plan for your prayers
John 10:26 AM
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
TUESDAY BRIEFING from John S. Oliver on October 5, 2004
BLESSINGS
ALL glory to God in Jesus Name!
May you love one another genuinely.
May your hope in Jesus Christ.
May God bless you deeply today.
Amen?
COMPLETED
· God made a way to easily solve technical troubles so that FINALLY put the recorded interviews on the beta web site.
· Published some new and old mind maps on the beta site.
· Unexpected 50 cents an hour raise on paycheck. Praise the Lord.
· Lost debit card and canceled it before any fraudulent charges.
CURRENT
· Meet this week with Pastor Gilbert to talk and pray about his church hosting the Friday Community Gatherings.
· FOCUS on enrolling the Launch Team of intercessors, advisors and donors.
· Get very active in going to meet with prospective donors.
· Complete the Wish List for the ministry and publish it for prayers and donations.
· Put finishing touches on the Big Picture Flow Chart and publish it on the web SOON. I have needed to complete this in order to have all the bits of guidance in one place.
· Big Picture Flow Chart has ALL the tasks. There needs to be another mind map related to Current Concentration. That one is partly done. This one is for short term FOCUS and tracking with intercessors and accountability partners.
UPCOMING
· Follow up on the previous presentations. Had asked them to pray about how God may guide them in financial support and referrals.
· Need to work smart and hard.
RESOURCES
Audio Bible online in Hebrew http://audioscripture.com/audio/0123-01/OT/OT.htmfree spiritual gifts test www.churchgrowth.org not free test but very useful www.strengthsfinder.com
two Internet radio stations that I am enjoying
Praise Broadcasting Network www.pbnradio.com
Worship Radio http://www.worshipradio.com/
Here is an archive of previous Tuesday Briefings and updates between Tuesdays http://tuesdaybriefings.blogspot.com/
If you wish to unsubscribe then just let me know by reply email.
John 4:03 PM
/// ///
|
|
|