Paradox

The oft-quoted opening line from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," is hardly appropriate for describing the past week, but the following, lesser known sentence, is quite suitable: "It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness."

Challenges were faced on every front this week; challenges with the web template for our upcoming website, challenges at home with family, challenges during meetings, challenges surrounding speaking engagements and challenges at classes. The past week was filled with circumstances aptly displaying my more-often-foolish-than-wise behavior. Most of them come from trying to do things on my own rather than letting go and letting God.

The week could not be considered the wisest of times, nor could it, fortunately, be considered the most foolish of times. I reckon, in retrospect, it is our daily struggles that bring about full realization of our foolish and wise behavior. It seems, too, that just as light and dark share an eternal dance in order to be fully appreciated, one cannot appreciate displays of wisdom without first feeling a bit foolish.

Perhaps Dickens wrote before his time. Or perhaps his paradoxes aren't of the past. Instead they are timeless and constant. Perhaps it should read, "...it is the age of wisdom, it is the age of foolishness..."

See 1 Kings 3:3-14


Prayer Requests:

• Pray for encouragement and wisdom regarding Chariot Ministries.
• Continue to pray for Every Woman story submissions. Pray that women will be moved to share their personal testimonies and that they will recognize how their story could have a greater impact on the community. Pray their fears will be lifted and for willingness to be vulnerable.
• Pray for me. Pray that I will make wise decisions regarding time management. Pray the Lord will continue to open doors for me to introduce Journey to the Son to various women. Pray that I will be filled with the Holy Spirit's creativity and energy.
• Pray for finances to fund this important ministry.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and encouragement. Be sure to check out our website at ChariotMinistries.com.

For His Glory,

~Harvest

Commitment

During church service yesterday my pastor spoke about commitment. He said we should be committed to: the Lord, reading the Bible, and to prayer. His sermon reminded me of a commitment I made two and a half years ago.

In an effort to know God more, I promised to read a minimum of one chapter a day from the Bible (usually less than half a page) and to pray at least once a day. Being new to such discipline, I decided to employ the rule, “No read. No feed.” This meant that if I didn’t read my Bible, or say my prayers that morning, I wasn’t allowed to eat breakfast until I did. The rule worked great, allowing me to establish a new routine. Eventually, I was able to drop the tactic because my relationship with the Lord had developed to where I hungrily sought Him of my own accord.

The pastor also spoke yesterday about how many of us had likely made plans, set goals and outlined objectives for the New Year. I certainly had. But then it snowed—record-breaking snowfall for Spokane, Washington—and messed with my plans!

“God, I don’t understand. My plans were for you. I was going to start the New Year by tending to some administrative tasks for Chariot Ministries. Why would you keep me from doing your work?”

Pastor Roger’s sermon addressed my distress. “The commitment needs to be to the Lord. Not the plan.”

Duh.

Commitment to the Lord should be ever present. It should not be dependant on a bout of inspiration for the New Year, or relegated to a pew on Sunday mornings. Nor should we treat our commitments like fad diets that we vow to “start on Monday.” When we commit to the Lord he will meet us...even if we are stuck from the snow.

When the snow comes, use that time to recommit yourself to the Lord. Read your Bible. Pray. I did.

As of this morning, I’ve completed the entire Old Testament.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray that I will continue to seek God’s guidance as it relates to Chariot Ministries. That my commitment to Him will be ever-present as I strive to submit myself to His will and His perfect timing.
• Pray for our web designer, Noel, who is diligently working on posting a new website for Chariot Ministries that is more reflective of our mission. Pray the Lord will inspire him and fill him with purpose-driven creativity.
• Pray for us as we work on getting the paperwork together to file for non-profit status.
• Pray for the women who are being called to be part of the Journey to the Son: Every Woman project. That they will see God’s greater purpose in their vulnerability. That they will be filled with the Holy Spirit and full of inspiration and creativity. That they will feel safe in sharing.
• Pray for our finances. Pray that the Lord will continue to open doors allowing us to afford the many tasks at hand (filing legal paperwork, publishing books, promoting shows, staging productions).

For His Glory,

~Harvest

Be sure to visit us at our website: www.chariotministries.com

A Lesson on Perspective

The curtain closed on 2008 instantaneously re-opening on 2009. With it my enthusiasm for Journey to the Son was replaced with anxiety. Did I take on too much? Am I prepared for this responsibility? What if I fail?

I suddenly felt alone. This project was so much bigger than me. I wanted to run and hide. But running would mean turning my back on God. Plus, I was past the point-of-no-return; already soliciting story submissions, committing to speaking engagements and having booked the theater.

I cried out to the Lord. "Father God, I think you picked the wrong person for this project. I'm not good enough to run your ministry. I'm not qualified and...there's not enough time. Only nine months!" Doubt took over. I started questioning my purpose and the calling to which I had been so sure was from God. I needed reassurance. I needed to know God was on my side.

In desperation I reverted to the two things I know for certain bring about communion with God. Reading the Bible and prayer.

I sought Him with fervor. I poured out everything in me; my fears, my doubts, my objections to this ministry. I asked Him for guidance, clarity of purpose and direction. I prayed for wisdom, patience, and confidence to go forth as a servant of the Lord. I argued. I pouted. I wept.

Then, when I was empty, and alone in the silence of my home, I heard the Lord chuckle. I smiled abashedly.

"You," He said sternly but I could hear the smile in His voice, "need some perspective."

"Perspective?" I questioned.

"Yes. You are worrying about publishing two books, directing and promoting a show, and some administrative details for Chariot Ministries..."

"All of which need to be done in the next nine months." I interrupted to remind Him.

"Yes, all of which need to be done in the next nine months." He conceded. "Which is why you need perspective. I gestate and bring forth human life in the span of nine months. Compared to Journey to the Son, which do you think is the greater miracle?"

I was grateful for His point, and I understood it well. God took six days to bring forth all of creation. He chooses to take nine months for human gestation. It seems, then, that nine months for a couple of books, a stage production and some administrative tasks is sublimely generous.

I'm back on track thanks to the Lords gentle rebuke. I've vowed to stop wasting time being overwhelmed and concentrate, instead, on following the path the Lord has set before me. It's no coincidence His first project for Chariot Ministries is titled, Journey to the Son. It is a constant reminder that everyday is a Journey to the Son. The first step in my journey for 2009 comes in the form of new perspective.

I've heard your call, Lord. I'm right behind you...

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for continued encouragement.
• Pray for the women who are considering submitting a story for Journey to the Son: Every Woman. That they will follow the prompting of their heart. That they will realize the power of their testimony to transform and save lives. That they will be bold and vulnerable.
• Pray for me as I continue to work on editing Journey to the Son.
• Pray for Chariot Ministries as we work toward posting a new website and seeking 501c-3 non profit status.

For His Glory,

~Harvest