As we continue in our adventure of building a new restaurant, I am having so many understandings about what God desires for our lives. Today, when we met with our contractor, he told us that they were going to have to make changes to a perfectly good wall. You see, we are attaching our new restaurant to an already existing building and so it is making the construction complicated at times.
But, why in the world would we need to make changes to a perfectly good (only three years old) wall, I asked?!? They are not even affecting that wall with the construction. But the contractor informed us that structurally the wall had to have changes made to it, in order to complete the construction. Because the wall is a bearing wall, if changes were not made, the integrity of the building would be compromised.
As I pondered this, I thought about my life and how God is doing so many new things in this season. I'm usually not elated when God wants to tear down an old wall in my life, but in the midst of the deconstruction, He tears down walls, pierces hard places, heals old wounds and brings beautification. It certainly seems like I'm fine, that I don't need any work in me, but the architect of our souls knows us through and through and knows when our bearing walls need work.
Construction can be very painful, but our Heavenly Father knows what we need and He knows the perfect timing and circumstances to use to bring us to His ultimate goal for us, intimacy with Him. His mercy and grace are perfect and sufficient for all the work that He wants to do in our lives. Changes must be made in our hearts so that the integrity of our lives and our character are perfected and the new can come.
In the long run, I believe that we can rejoice in His perfect plan and purposes for our lives, as He beautifies and expands us. Are we willing to allow the perfect being who created us and knows us best to bring the newness in our lives that will bear fruit and bless others? I hope so!!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Blessing
When we heard that a new fast food restaurant was coming into town, fear immediately sprang up within me. After all, we had been THE fast food restaurant in our small town and with a second one coming in, how would that affect our business? Certainly there couldn't be enough business to go around. Would our business be in danger of going under, as had happened ten years earlier in another location? The fears and lies of the enemy just kept assaulting my mind and before I knew it, I was in full panic mode.
Well, maybe, I thought, a semi would come along and crash into the new building and then they would have to close and maybe never re open. These were the kinds of places my mind traveled, as the anxiety and fear overwhelmed me. I didn't realize it at the time, but my imaginings were cursing the new business and owners.
After dwelling in that place for much longer than I should have, God began to teach me about cursing and blessing. He showed me that my seemingly innocent thoughts were also cursing myself and my business, that He had placed me in our little town to be a blessing to the whole community. He certainly was able to provide for my all my needs, I did not need to worry about my food, what I would eat , or my clothes, what I would wear. Initially when God first began to highlight this to me, I was shocked to think that I would curse anyone. I certainly would never do that intentionally.
But our competitive nature so easily rises up, (especially when there's fear) like a venomous dragon, and wants the best only for ourselves. Like an orphan, we are afraid that there will not be enough to go around.
I began to purposefully bless the new building and the new owners every time I drove by the location, even though at first it was a bit begrudgingly. But eventually I found myself blessing them gladly and looking for other places and people to bless. In the long run, our business did not suffer from the opening of that new restaurant and ten years later, we are getting ready to open another location in another community close by.
God has given us all things that we may be a blessing to those around us. Blessing others always exponentially affects much more than we will ever understand on this earth. As marketplace ministers, we are called to be God's funnel of blessing on the earth. Tomorrow as you go out into your community, ask God to show you what business He wants you to pray blessings into and then be obedient. You too will be greatly blessed!
Well, maybe, I thought, a semi would come along and crash into the new building and then they would have to close and maybe never re open. These were the kinds of places my mind traveled, as the anxiety and fear overwhelmed me. I didn't realize it at the time, but my imaginings were cursing the new business and owners.
After dwelling in that place for much longer than I should have, God began to teach me about cursing and blessing. He showed me that my seemingly innocent thoughts were also cursing myself and my business, that He had placed me in our little town to be a blessing to the whole community. He certainly was able to provide for my all my needs, I did not need to worry about my food, what I would eat , or my clothes, what I would wear. Initially when God first began to highlight this to me, I was shocked to think that I would curse anyone. I certainly would never do that intentionally.
But our competitive nature so easily rises up, (especially when there's fear) like a venomous dragon, and wants the best only for ourselves. Like an orphan, we are afraid that there will not be enough to go around.
I began to purposefully bless the new building and the new owners every time I drove by the location, even though at first it was a bit begrudgingly. But eventually I found myself blessing them gladly and looking for other places and people to bless. In the long run, our business did not suffer from the opening of that new restaurant and ten years later, we are getting ready to open another location in another community close by.
God has given us all things that we may be a blessing to those around us. Blessing others always exponentially affects much more than we will ever understand on this earth. As marketplace ministers, we are called to be God's funnel of blessing on the earth. Tomorrow as you go out into your community, ask God to show you what business He wants you to pray blessings into and then be obedient. You too will be greatly blessed!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Choose Life!
A good question to ask God during our intimate time with Him, is, what is my place of authority. God has given us a realm, a domain in which He gives us authority over and we are responsible for inviting/bringing His redemptive work into that place. In that place of authority we are given the tools, armor and weapons to take ground. It will only be in our dwelling with Him that we will know that place of authority and know the timing and strategy to take ground. We must look into His face and focus on the work He may show us that He is currently doing in our domain and then advance toward what He shows us. The Kingdom of God is always, always building and advancing. We must be willing to let go of old unredeemed ways and receive the keys to the building of the Kingdom in our domain.
This morning I was reading in John Eldredge's "Journey of Desire" and he says, "Life is now a battle and a journey." God uses everything in our lives to bring us closer to Him, especially the battles in our lives. I believe that if you are experiencing a battle right now, perhaps over the domain that He has given you, that you have the opportunity to receive life right there in that place. You may see it as hopeless, but God has allowed or given you this opportunity to receive more of Him and more life. We actually get to choose if we will receive it or not. So, now, choose Life!!!
This morning I was reading in John Eldredge's "Journey of Desire" and he says, "Life is now a battle and a journey." God uses everything in our lives to bring us closer to Him, especially the battles in our lives. I believe that if you are experiencing a battle right now, perhaps over the domain that He has given you, that you have the opportunity to receive life right there in that place. You may see it as hopeless, but God has allowed or given you this opportunity to receive more of Him and more life. We actually get to choose if we will receive it or not. So, now, choose Life!!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Longer I Know Him...
The longer I know Him, the more I realize the depths of His goodness.
The longer I know Him, the more I realize that it's more about Him than me.
The longer I know Him, the more I realize it's all His work to do and my job to trust Him.
A T. Davis Bunn book I'm reading has a line in it...the fictional video game junkie says, "That was the trouble with reality. He could never get it to do what he wanted." I had to think a long time about this. What makes us think that we can control or manage our reality? The more I try, the more the Lord thwarts what I try to control. He knows how dangerous it is for me to be in control, so He allows my plans to find invisible walls around them. As they fall apart, He arises in His perfect ways and gently (well, maybe it doesn't always seem so gentle) moves me toward what He has already, always purposed for me. Oh, Lord, give me more grace, more trust. Help me in my unbelief. Allow me to see your gracious Hand in everything around me. Amen!
The longer I know Him, the more I realize that it's more about Him than me.
The longer I know Him, the more I realize it's all His work to do and my job to trust Him.
A T. Davis Bunn book I'm reading has a line in it...the fictional video game junkie says, "That was the trouble with reality. He could never get it to do what he wanted." I had to think a long time about this. What makes us think that we can control or manage our reality? The more I try, the more the Lord thwarts what I try to control. He knows how dangerous it is for me to be in control, so He allows my plans to find invisible walls around them. As they fall apart, He arises in His perfect ways and gently (well, maybe it doesn't always seem so gentle) moves me toward what He has already, always purposed for me. Oh, Lord, give me more grace, more trust. Help me in my unbelief. Allow me to see your gracious Hand in everything around me. Amen!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
How in the world did I become a marketplace minister?
So I was talking to my sister, Kathy, the other day and telling her about what God had been teaching me about being a marketplace minister and she said that I should set up a blog to share those insights. I thought it was a great idea, but with all my other duties, I didn't really see that I would have time to do that...but then this morning as the Lord continued to teach me about being a marketplace minister,...I couldn't stand it any longer...I needed to share it with someone. So I decided that I would just begin and see how much time I have to do it.
If you're a marketplace minister, you probably wonder the same thing I wonder...how did I get to this place? I just thought my husband and I were getting into business for ourselves to make a living, I certainly had no plans for it to be a ministry. But of course, when we went into business for ourselves 30 years ago, we didn't know the Lord like we do now! He has a way of going before us and putting things together that He will use years later - He's not really worried about whether or not we GET it at the TIME!
Twenty five years ago, as our domain grew and then collapsed, we found our need for a saviour and then the Lord began building through us again. Because of that season and the purification that went on in our lives, we were much wiser, and so the Lord has been building His Kingdom in and through us ever since. I was so excited when I began to learn that we were serving His Kingdom in and through our businesses. I had served in the church proper for many years, but never understood that we could honor God and serve Him in and through our businesses.
One of the very first things I learned is that because we are a "ministry", we need to have prayer covering i.e. intercession, just like any other ministry. The enemy hates the move of God anywhere , even in the marketplace and so he of course is going to oppose us and do what he does best...rob, kill and destroy. God has been gracious to provide intercessors in friends and family and in addition to the continual prayer covering, I know where to go for emergency prayer.
Some of the main points He taught me in the beginning are: We will need wisdom to operate righteously in a sinful world and we need the mind of Christ to know God's plan for our decisions. It all belongs to Him, and it is in His hands. We have much responsibility, but ultimately, it is His work.
Another thing I have learned is to look at the process we are in daily, not just focus on arriving to a certain "place". A wise person once wrote: "God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. " This has actually comforted me (if that makes sense) to know that I haven't necessarily gotten off the right path whenever there may be pain. We must want His Kingdom more than our own comfort. This whole process is an adventure, and there is great risk involved (as if everyone doesn't have that if we're breathing!) but above all, God loves me and wants the best for me.
Recently during a really stressful day, when I was thinking that retirement looked awfully attractive, He said to me "You must build or you will die". I knew that He didn't mean die physically, that He was talking about many other facets of life. Our calling as marketplace ministers is to build His Kingdom, and for my husband and myself, that is in the restaurant business. Sometimes, because of the battle, I just want to retire and stop building and risking, but that Word from Him made it very clear that that would not be the best thing for my husband and myself at this time. (Lots more about the battle another day). Obedience has to be key in our walk as marketplace ministers.
He has also taught me that we will make mistakes, but they will be growth-laden. There will always be steps backwards, but the progress forward will be greater in the long run. I have to remember to focus on what He has done, not on what I haven't!
Another very important word for me from Him was that our goal was not to accumulate wealth, but to know Him more and grow into the image of His Son - to learn to trust Him more. This has helped me to stay focused on the ultimate goal of knowing Him and not watch my bank account.
Another important thing He said to me was, "Live like you believe me!". This continues to be a challenge, but I know that His grace is sufficient for all that I face.
For years I asked God to redeem our finances and to give us favor. Every time I prayed that I felt nothing, like I was talking to a ceiling. But over the years I have seen that He was pleased with that prayer and has answered it over time. In the midst of that He redeemed our hearts CONCERNING finances and that was part of the process.
One of our main purposes is to bless those we have contact with, our employees, our vendors, our customers and our community. Our servant's hearts must be continually looking for ways to bless others. He gives us authority over our domain, and that means we must intercede for those in our domain. My husband's generosity has served us well over the years as he continues to teach me so much about blessing others.
The degree of integrity that we must choose is paramount. At times this has been difficult, because sometimes it just doesn't seem to matter much, (nobody will see it) but over the years, I have felt the Lord say, "Just choose integrity one minute, one decision at a time" and truly He has blessed us for those choices.
Wow, I guess I had more to say than I realized. There's so much more, but perhaps for another day. It's so great to be able to share, even if nobody else reads this. Thanks for listening!
If you're a marketplace minister, you probably wonder the same thing I wonder...how did I get to this place? I just thought my husband and I were getting into business for ourselves to make a living, I certainly had no plans for it to be a ministry. But of course, when we went into business for ourselves 30 years ago, we didn't know the Lord like we do now! He has a way of going before us and putting things together that He will use years later - He's not really worried about whether or not we GET it at the TIME!
Twenty five years ago, as our domain grew and then collapsed, we found our need for a saviour and then the Lord began building through us again. Because of that season and the purification that went on in our lives, we were much wiser, and so the Lord has been building His Kingdom in and through us ever since. I was so excited when I began to learn that we were serving His Kingdom in and through our businesses. I had served in the church proper for many years, but never understood that we could honor God and serve Him in and through our businesses.
One of the very first things I learned is that because we are a "ministry", we need to have prayer covering i.e. intercession, just like any other ministry. The enemy hates the move of God anywhere , even in the marketplace and so he of course is going to oppose us and do what he does best...rob, kill and destroy. God has been gracious to provide intercessors in friends and family and in addition to the continual prayer covering, I know where to go for emergency prayer.
Some of the main points He taught me in the beginning are: We will need wisdom to operate righteously in a sinful world and we need the mind of Christ to know God's plan for our decisions. It all belongs to Him, and it is in His hands. We have much responsibility, but ultimately, it is His work.
Another thing I have learned is to look at the process we are in daily, not just focus on arriving to a certain "place". A wise person once wrote: "God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. " This has actually comforted me (if that makes sense) to know that I haven't necessarily gotten off the right path whenever there may be pain. We must want His Kingdom more than our own comfort. This whole process is an adventure, and there is great risk involved (as if everyone doesn't have that if we're breathing!) but above all, God loves me and wants the best for me.
Recently during a really stressful day, when I was thinking that retirement looked awfully attractive, He said to me "You must build or you will die". I knew that He didn't mean die physically, that He was talking about many other facets of life. Our calling as marketplace ministers is to build His Kingdom, and for my husband and myself, that is in the restaurant business. Sometimes, because of the battle, I just want to retire and stop building and risking, but that Word from Him made it very clear that that would not be the best thing for my husband and myself at this time. (Lots more about the battle another day). Obedience has to be key in our walk as marketplace ministers.
He has also taught me that we will make mistakes, but they will be growth-laden. There will always be steps backwards, but the progress forward will be greater in the long run. I have to remember to focus on what He has done, not on what I haven't!
Another very important word for me from Him was that our goal was not to accumulate wealth, but to know Him more and grow into the image of His Son - to learn to trust Him more. This has helped me to stay focused on the ultimate goal of knowing Him and not watch my bank account.
Another important thing He said to me was, "Live like you believe me!". This continues to be a challenge, but I know that His grace is sufficient for all that I face.
For years I asked God to redeem our finances and to give us favor. Every time I prayed that I felt nothing, like I was talking to a ceiling. But over the years I have seen that He was pleased with that prayer and has answered it over time. In the midst of that He redeemed our hearts CONCERNING finances and that was part of the process.
One of our main purposes is to bless those we have contact with, our employees, our vendors, our customers and our community. Our servant's hearts must be continually looking for ways to bless others. He gives us authority over our domain, and that means we must intercede for those in our domain. My husband's generosity has served us well over the years as he continues to teach me so much about blessing others.
The degree of integrity that we must choose is paramount. At times this has been difficult, because sometimes it just doesn't seem to matter much, (nobody will see it) but over the years, I have felt the Lord say, "Just choose integrity one minute, one decision at a time" and truly He has blessed us for those choices.
Wow, I guess I had more to say than I realized. There's so much more, but perhaps for another day. It's so great to be able to share, even if nobody else reads this. Thanks for listening!
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