Greetings dear ones. Wow!!! have I been absent from the updates to all. So sorry if you are one of the special people who only are able to hear updates on this blog. My “bad” for sure. I will try hard to do better. These past weeks, I have been “attacked” in such a surreal way that I have found it difficult to know when to “break in” for an update without feeling we had a moving target which was obsolete while being written. Maybe in ways that is still the case… but we must stay connected. Without bringing you all up to speed on the day by day issues, you know that we have once again been attacked by unforeseen forces and continue to pray and seek God’s wisdom in each Decision.
Without too much detail, we have been hit with the discovery of pulmonary embolisms and blood clots on the legs and lungs. We are attacking with God’s promises as well as installing a “dam” to keep them from moving up to lungs and heart etc. Scary, but now controlled we believe with other blood thinners and meds we will be getting through that one. Lots of pain though in my legs and your prayers are welcome as we attempt to block pain with stronger meds so we can focus on healing and movement….I need to get up and around more to avoid the problem getting worse from doing nothing. Catch 22.
Quick Game with Ray Keller
Monday I have another PET scan to see if there is something we don’t know pressing on some nerves. God knows and He always has a plan. Meantime, I am focusing on what my “job” is. To speak what I want, not what I see or feel. To stand firmly on all his promises and doubt not. To continue to rest and seek His guidance on my role as His child and not always as His “leader” (not easy after 40 years of dysfunctional belief that people like me are expected to be examples and not just passive participants in life as it hits us).
We have a God who cares and who wants a relationship with us… this I am learning is beyond his desire for us to be productive or carry too much responsibility instead of learning to be his child and influence others through our obedience, and our faith, and our peace. Quite a lesson as we move along. I am learning and growing and I sense many of you are as well.
Our business teaches us so much about life, and ambition, and leadership principles, and the whole world of success and achievement principles, and it is all good and needed for sure. We will continue to lead the way as we learn more about faith’s role… and the great and key role that our knowledge of God’s priorities remain forefront. We are excited to be able to make this journey of discovery with you.
Fear not… our business can and will become stronger, while our satisfaction and sense of purpose become deeper. What a privilege.
I read this entry the other day and it was a great reminder to me of the balance needed to be a leader for God’s purposes, as well as our own ambitions and desires (and that we never let our own crowd out what God has said and promised). Let’s see what you think:
Well, kinda thought-provoking but certainly relevant to me these days.
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are.”
Ephesians 1:11
“Where can you find happiness?
- Not in money. When dying, Jay Gould, the American multimillionaire, said, “I am the most miserable man on earth.”
- Not in military glory. Alexander the Great conquered the world. Having done so, he wept in his tent, saying, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” So where can happiness be found? In Christ alone! “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10 NIV).
There’s a jellyfish that loves to swallow a certain snail because it tastes delicious. The problem is, the snail has a hard shell and the jellyfish can’t digest it. So the snail keeps growing, and begins to eat away at the jellyfish. By the time the snail is fully grown it has consumed the entire jellyfish. In life, a lot of the things we desire, pursue, and think will be good for us actually end up consuming us—things like materialism, position and achievement.
Don’t end your life feeling empty, having your insides eaten away by a quest for things that can’t make you happy. God has a wonderful plan for your life (See Jeremiah 29:11). Spend time with Him today and let Him tell you about it.”
Here are a few other thoughts I feel worth sharing. Hope you don’t mind….they lift me up!
FINDING PURPOSE
Humans have an innate and deep desire to know they are fulfilling their purpose. This is why there are a plethora of books on the market dedicated to helping people understand why they are here. There are times during a trip to Barnes and Noble that I come across one of these reads.
As I flip through the pages, I am sometimes saddened because the author’s focus is on being your own god, making your plans, trying harder, and believing for bigger success. The author doesn’t tell the reader that accomplishing any purpose apart from one’s Creator doesn’t lead to fulfillment. In fact, there is no way to fulfill your purpose apart from a genuine relationship with Christ and be free.
In a powerful message, author and speaker Dudley Hall explains what happens to us when we disconnect from Christ and try to accomplish our purpose, and live our lives, apart from Him.
“The orphan mentality is a striving mentality. Because when you are conscious that you are separate from the Father’s love, then you start taking on responsibilities of the Father, like, “Well, I gotta take care of my provision.” So worry becomes a part of the deal. Then you gotta take care of your protection, so fear becomes a part of your experience. And you gotta take care of your promotion; that is your significance. So pride and selfish ambition become a part of your experience.
So now you have these things driving you, and one of the differences between a son and an orphan is being driven by internal things to meet these needs, whereas a son [or daughter] is free to follow. To respond to the Father.
This is the fruit of not living in relationship with Christ, of not following Him in your purpose: striving, worry, fear, pride, and selfish ambition. But the sons and daughters of God who let Him lead them in their purposes, are free to follow in peace. These are the ones who experience fulfillment and joy.”
Are you allowing God to lead you in His purpose for your life? I encourage you to turn to your Father today and let Him guide you..
A bit more…
“My life is worth nothing…unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord.”
Ac 20:24 NLT
Some of Our European Leaders Hard at Work in Moscow with Hans Nusshold
There’s an old saying: “If you love your job you’ll never work a day in your life.” That’s not quite true. Most people work hard. But even when they love their job they still have to do things they don’t like to do. They give effort above and beyond what’s comfortable. It’s probably more accurate to say that if you’re doing something you believe in, the hard work you do will bring you deep satisfaction. Novelist Ursula K. Le Guin stated, “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” Some folks suffer from “destination disease.” They think that arriving at a certain place in life will bring them happiness. What a shame. Because the reality is that many times when we arrive, we discover that it wasn’t what we expected. If you become fixated on a destination you can miss the great things that happen along the way. You miss the joy of today.
Dave & Jules with John Maxwell
If you’re convinced that “someday” is going to be your best day, you won’t put enough into today—or get enough out of it. If you’re not doing something significant with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. It’s not enough just to survive, you need a reason to live. This is where Christ comes in: He will give you new life, and add purpose to your life—plus the power to fulfill that purpose. D. L. Moody once said, “Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.”
How about this?? Some notable folks from history on our beliefs:
William Gladstone, prime minister of England: “There is but one question of the hour: How to bring the truths of God’s Word into vital contact with the minds and hearts of all classes of people.”
President Ulysses S. Grant: “Hold fast to the Bible as the anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts on your heart and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for the progress made, and to this we must look as our guide in the future.”
President Woodrow Wilson: “A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world, who has deprived himself of this: knowledge of the Bible. When you have read the Bible you will know that it is the Word of God because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.”
President Abraham Lincoln: “I have only to say that it is the best gift God has given to man. Like the law of gravity, the Bible will never become redundant.”
Napoleon: “What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it! What marvels it bestows upon those who reflect upon it!”
Daniel Webster: “There is no solid basis for civilization but in the Word of God. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will continue to prosper. I make it a practice to read the Bible through once every year.”
William Lyon Phelps (once referred to as the most beloved professor in America—of Yale University): “I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women, but I believe knowledge of the Bible without a college course, is more valuable than a college course without knowledge of the Bible.”
Sir William Jones: “The Bible contains more pure sensibility, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence than can be collected from all other books in whatever age or language they may be written.”
Robert E. Lee: “The Bible is a book, in comparison with which all other books are of minor importance. In all my perplexities and distress, the Bible has never failed to give me light.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Mt 24:35
What about a little “humor” as well, but certainly makes sense!! Enjoy…
Following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip:
- Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
- Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
- Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
- Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
- Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
- Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
- List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
- Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
- Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
- Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
- Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
Dave & Jules w/ Simon Thompson at US Seminar
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most and add to our faith. So, dear friends, we are excited about out future. We are readying the ship for bigger journey. We are rejoicing in the away our global family has adjusted where needed and simply observed and reflected with others of you where the timing is different. We want all of our “kids” and business associates to be comfortable or drawn to a new paradigm… as is is always in God’s plan and sovereignty. You are all very special and in all we simply want to be a help and a Blessing. We “assume” you are interested in our spiritual discoveries as well as our day to day adventures. There have been far less lifestyle photos in this one as there has been quite a lot less lifestyle lived. But we are being prepared! Have a wonderful few weeks as we look for His hand in all we do and experience. He is mighty and trustworthy and all that we need.
See ya next time.
Jim