The Journey - Voices (09/04/2006)

It is so uplifting to be physically engaged in the project again. I followed through on my commitment to release the remaining book proposals two weeks ago. I didn't procrastinate. It was like exorcising the demons of my old self. We need to remind ourselves that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, we are not bound by the sins or limitations of our past. God is continually making all things new. Book proposals are now in the hands of two publishers and one literary agent. My contact for the last publisher has not answered my requests for their electronic proposal format. I've sent a follow up and have committed it to the Lord. I expect to receive replies regarding the proposals that have been released during October and November but that is not my focus. I'm prayerful but not anxious. Yet, I still can't sit around and wait because there is much to do.

I have come to realize that this effort is not about being published. The goal is to share God's message. Book publication is one vehicle to achieve that end but it is not the only vehicle. I believe God desires that the conversation about giving within the Christian community would become more balanced. The contemporary church is rapidly developing a view of giving that is out of focus. Christians must see more than just benefits, requirements, ritual and obligation in their giving. We must see God! To do so our preaching, teaching and conversations must put God back at the center of our giving. He must be the focus!

I met with a portion of my support team yesterday. Thank God for their support. While the meeting was called a "book discussion", it became more. After discussing some questions regarding the book's content, we began exploring next steps. Our first goal is to make the message of the book, the language of our local congregation. Of course our talk needs to be confirmed by our walk but our first steps are to achieve consistency in what we preach, teach and say about giving. We committed in prayer to actively seek opportunity to spread the message both within and outside of our local congregation.

I impressed upon the group my believe that God is calling forth other "voices" to join me in this project. Some of the voices will provide counsel regarding content and format, others will assist as direct communicators of the message (preachers, teachers & witnesses) and others may do both. The initial call may be local in its nature but I hear the words of Jesus commissioning us as witnesses first in Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria but ultimately to the utter most parts of the world. I expect others to join us. Consider whether you are being called to lend your voice to this message.

If this message speaks to your spirit, offer a comment, invite someone else to visit this site and/or share its content with someone you know. We must pursue the change in perspectives and conversations about giving one believer at a time with the expectation that the impact will be exponential. Such an expectation depends not so much on the power of the internet but rather on the power of the Holy Spirit.