Canceled, Delayed and New Hope
CANCELED
During the last update, I mentioned the plan to go on a road trip to Arizona. I was going there with Scott and his brother to sell an RV. While doing the repairs to make the RV ready for such a long trip a buddy of Scott made an offer on it. So the trip was canceled.
I was informed of the cancelation about 13 hours before I expected to be picked up. So I experienced a wide range of feelings for the next hour.
I had looked forward to the adventure. I wanted to see the various landscapes and cities from here to there.
Note that without a car I rarely leave my apartment complex except to attend church and go grocery shopping. All my other shopping is done online.
As a recovering workaholic, I am very aware that I have not taken a real vacation in decades.
DELAYED
I talked with my brother Jim in St Louis about the generous offer by a couple to sponsor my trip to come to visit him. I have not seen him is more than 20 years.
I learned that he will be busy with a work project until December 30 and then he has an intense training out of town from January 4 to 13. After that, he will need to rest and apply what he learned. So my visit to see Jim is delayed until February. The sponsoring couple is understanding and accepts this.
I had mentioned that I planned to work with Scott and his brother to pass out flyers at Urbana in St Louis at the end of December. But I learned today that also is canceled.
NEW HOPE
During the 40 plus years of following Jesus Christ by faith one day at a time, I have learned the hard way to always remain flexible.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of Proverbs19:21 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
My plan had been to go on a road trip to Arizona and report back to you today with a summary of those experiences plus pictures.
My plan had been to visit my brother and work with Scott at Urbana at the end of this month.
My plan had been to talk at length with Scott about the possible sales opportunity and get the needed training during the road trip so that I could start this month.
My plan had been to earn additional income from all 3 of those activities.
Then after reflection, I noticed a small but important development that has the potential to have a long-lasting impact on my personal life and online ministry. This is why I used the term New Hope in the subject line,
CANCELED
During the last update, I mentioned the plan to go on a road trip to Arizona. I was going there with Scott and his brother to sell an RV. While doing the repairs to make the RV ready for such a long trip a buddy of Scott made an offer on it. So the trip was canceled.
I was informed of the cancelation about 13 hours before I expected to be picked up. So I experienced a wide range of feelings for the next hour.
I had looked forward to the adventure. I wanted to see the various landscapes and cities from here to there.
Note that without a car I rarely leave my apartment complex except to attend church and go grocery shopping. All my other shopping is done online.
As a recovering workaholic, I am very aware that I have not taken a real vacation in decades.
DELAYED
I talked with my brother Jim in St Louis about the generous offer by a couple to sponsor my trip to come to visit him. I have not seen him is more than 20 years.
I learned that he will be busy with a work project until December 30 and then he has an intense training out of town from January 4 to 13. After that, he will need to rest and apply what he learned. So my visit to see Jim is delayed until February. The sponsoring couple is understanding and accepts this.
I had mentioned that I planned to work with Scott and his brother to pass out flyers at Urbana in St Louis at the end of December. But I learned today that also is canceled.
NEW HOPE
During the 40 plus years of following Jesus Christ by faith one day at a time, I have learned the hard way to always remain flexible.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of Proverbs19:21 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
My plan had been to go on a road trip to Arizona and report back to you today with a summary of those experiences plus pictures.
My plan had been to visit my brother and work with Scott at Urbana at the end of this month.
My plan had been to talk at length with Scott about the possible sales opportunity and get the needed training during the road trip so that I could start this month.
My plan had been to earn additional income from all 3 of those activities.
Then after reflection, I noticed a small but important development that has the potential to have a long-lasting impact on my personal life and online ministry. This is why I used the term New Hope in the subject line,
It is possible that this tiny unit of research will be used by God to place me in a community of like-minded Christians and under the guidance of a mature Christian couple. Both of them are certified spiritual directors.
Scott mentioned that one of the Christian ministries that his sales have benefited is named Unhurried Living https://unhurriedliving.com/ So I went to that website to conduct research.
I read their blog post and heard some podcasts here https://unhurriedliving.com/blog/
I enrolled and took their free online courses here https://learn.unhurriedliving.com/
I found out that they are starting a special program in January named an Unhurried Collective https://unhurriedliving.com/collective/
Here are quotes from that webpage:
An Unhurried Collective is a transformative process that is an intensive combination of rejuvenating retreats, individual and group mentoring, and a vibrant virtual community that’s available whenever you are. This learning collective of Christian leaders and influencers will connect with God and one another in six retreats over two years.
Rediscover the genius of Jesus’ unhurried way of life and leadership.
Built on nearly 30 years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire Christian leaders around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
You’ll receive…
On-retreat mentoring and training from Alan & Gem Fadling & faculty.
Retreat presentations are rooted in the ideas of An Unhurried Life, An Unhurried Leader and the forthcoming Eight Paths to Transformation (IVP 2019).
Lodging and food at Prince of Peace Abbey, in Oceanside, CA, for all six retreats.
Private Facebook Group with Alan, Gem & faculty, for strategic and transformative guidance in leadership and spiritual practices.
Virtual co-mentoring & community gatherings between retreats where you’ll deepen friendships with other leaders in your Collective.
A Certificate in Unhurried Leadership.
Scott mentioned that one of the Christian ministries that his sales have benefited is named Unhurried Living https://unhurriedliving.com/ So I went to that website to conduct research.
I read their blog post and heard some podcasts here https://unhurriedliving.com/blog/
I enrolled and took their free online courses here https://learn.unhurriedliving.com/
I found out that they are starting a special program in January named an Unhurried Collective https://unhurriedliving.com/collective/
Here are quotes from that webpage:
An Unhurried Collective is a transformative process that is an intensive combination of rejuvenating retreats, individual and group mentoring, and a vibrant virtual community that’s available whenever you are. This learning collective of Christian leaders and influencers will connect with God and one another in six retreats over two years.
Rediscover the genius of Jesus’ unhurried way of life and leadership.
Built on nearly 30 years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire Christian leaders around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
You’ll receive…
On-retreat mentoring and training from Alan & Gem Fadling & faculty.
Retreat presentations are rooted in the ideas of An Unhurried Life, An Unhurried Leader and the forthcoming Eight Paths to Transformation (IVP 2019).
Lodging and food at Prince of Peace Abbey, in Oceanside, CA, for all six retreats.
Private Facebook Group with Alan, Gem & faculty, for strategic and transformative guidance in leadership and spiritual practices.
Virtual co-mentoring & community gatherings between retreats where you’ll deepen friendships with other leaders in your Collective.
A Certificate in Unhurried Leadership.
Dates:
February 4-7, 2019
June 17-20, 2019
October 7-10, 2019
January 27-30, 2020
June 8-11, 2020
October 5-8, 2020
TOGETHER, WE’LL LEARN TO:
Manage time from the foundation of our truest priorities.
Practice soul-filling experiences with God that fit who we are.
Lead from the central foundation of our engagement with God.
Look honestly at the distractions in our lives and make discerning decisions.
Engage interactions and gatherings in ways that bring about transformation.
Become more present in a busy, fast-moving world.
Discern what true soul care looks like for ourselves and for those we lead.
Here is more about the leaders, Alan and Gem Fadling.
https://unhurriedliving.com/our-team/
PRAYER
So the good that comes out of the bumpy path recently could be that God is guiding me to participate in this cohort of people like me.
Note that my neighbors are mostly in their 70s and 80s. The church I attend is mostly young families with all the complex challenges that come with raising small children while dealing with career issues.
Today I do not know anyone on a first name basis like me that thinks day and night about finding their ministry niche in this ever-changing society. I do not have accountability partners to be with me during the planning and implementation processes of launching an online ministry next year. I have never had a spiritual director yet needed it during many seasons like this one.
Thankfully all my basic financial needs are met thanks to my retirement income, section 8 housing subsidy, and food stamps.
I have plenty of time and energy to do anything or nothing. I have made lots of ambitious plans during the last year and a half but none became an online reality for the public.
The blueprint that starts January 2019 is to publish online sets of short videos with PDF worksheets about prayer. These will be used to get customer feedback and lead to both online ecourse and online community.
As I have prayerfully considered this option I feel that God is prompting me to join them.
If the program was free and they met across the street then I would not need to trust God to provide the money. I would not need to request many prayers for God to guide and provide.
If I had been paid for the Arizona trip or the St Louis help then I could easily afford the 50 dollar registration fee.
If I had learned how to complete the online sales with Scott then I would not be totally dependent on God to raise up supporter to provide the initial 900 dollar payment that is due on January 5 and the 225 dollar Retreat & Training Fee (beginning February 1, 2019; paid monthly over 20 months; includes room and board for all six retreats).
February 4-7, 2019
June 17-20, 2019
October 7-10, 2019
January 27-30, 2020
June 8-11, 2020
October 5-8, 2020
TOGETHER, WE’LL LEARN TO:
Manage time from the foundation of our truest priorities.
Practice soul-filling experiences with God that fit who we are.
Lead from the central foundation of our engagement with God.
Look honestly at the distractions in our lives and make discerning decisions.
Engage interactions and gatherings in ways that bring about transformation.
Become more present in a busy, fast-moving world.
Discern what true soul care looks like for ourselves and for those we lead.
Here is more about the leaders, Alan and Gem Fadling.
https://unhurriedliving.com/our-team/
PRAYER
So the good that comes out of the bumpy path recently could be that God is guiding me to participate in this cohort of people like me.
Note that my neighbors are mostly in their 70s and 80s. The church I attend is mostly young families with all the complex challenges that come with raising small children while dealing with career issues.
Today I do not know anyone on a first name basis like me that thinks day and night about finding their ministry niche in this ever-changing society. I do not have accountability partners to be with me during the planning and implementation processes of launching an online ministry next year. I have never had a spiritual director yet needed it during many seasons like this one.
Thankfully all my basic financial needs are met thanks to my retirement income, section 8 housing subsidy, and food stamps.
I have plenty of time and energy to do anything or nothing. I have made lots of ambitious plans during the last year and a half but none became an online reality for the public.
The blueprint that starts January 2019 is to publish online sets of short videos with PDF worksheets about prayer. These will be used to get customer feedback and lead to both online ecourse and online community.
As I have prayerfully considered this option I feel that God is prompting me to join them.
If the program was free and they met across the street then I would not need to trust God to provide the money. I would not need to request many prayers for God to guide and provide.
If I had been paid for the Arizona trip or the St Louis help then I could easily afford the 50 dollar registration fee.
If I had learned how to complete the online sales with Scott then I would not be totally dependent on God to raise up supporter to provide the initial 900 dollar payment that is due on January 5 and the 225 dollar Retreat & Training Fee (beginning February 1, 2019; paid monthly over 20 months; includes room and board for all six retreats).
So what I can do today is share this update with you and requests your best prayers both now and later.
I can write the initial draft of the application https://unhurriedliving.com/collective-application/
I can persevere in prayer about these matters. I can hope that the application fee with be provided, I will be accepted, the 900 dollars will arrive in time as well as the other monthly funds.
What I have been telling my self for months during this grief work is that after this season of inner healing the next season is about outward expressions. I have an abundance of outlines and notes related to teaching prayer online. I believe God has been preparing me for this kind of work for many years. I will draw on my personal experiences of answered prayers and having been a member of local churches in a wide range of denominations. As I move in that direction then I will benefit many people and thanks to the answers to their prayers I will have more than enough income to grow the ministry.
I can persevere in prayer about these matters. I can hope that the application fee with be provided, I will be accepted, the 900 dollars will arrive in time as well as the other monthly funds.
What I have been telling my self for months during this grief work is that after this season of inner healing the next season is about outward expressions. I have an abundance of outlines and notes related to teaching prayer online. I believe God has been preparing me for this kind of work for many years. I will draw on my personal experiences of answered prayers and having been a member of local churches in a wide range of denominations. As I move in that direction then I will benefit many people and thanks to the answers to their prayers I will have more than enough income to grow the ministry.
CONCLUSION
So today I will begin to draft my responses to the questions on the application.
As I do this I have faith that God will provide the needed 50 dollar application fee.
I request your best prayers now and later that my application will be accepted.
Pray for the funds to be raised both initially and monthly. Those goals are 900 dollars by January 5 and 225 dollars by the first of each month for 2 years. Plus there will be transportation costs to get to and from San Diego California 6 times.
This is the opportunity that God has placed before me. It is my plan to do what I can make this a reality. This seems to align with other factors in my spiritual journey. Yet this is just my plan. Ultimately apart from Christ it will not happen.
During the coming days, I want God to confirm this new direction or correct me. I do not care. I let go of my preference that this happen.
Each day when I pray I say, Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I am not my own. I am here to trust and obey the guidance of my Good Shepherd.
I am reminded that twice god made a way for funds to arrive right on time for my first and second set of dentures a few years later. They are working great. And without the gifts from those generous supporters, I would still have a mouth full of rotten teeth and could not enjoy holiday foods.
Sorry that this message is so long. But this could be a major turning point in my life.
THANKS again for each of your prayers.
Shalom
John
