Project Praise Report

I want to extend my appreciate to Dr. Trunnell D. Felder (pastor of New Faith Baptist Church International) and his staff for their decision to include More Than The Gift as one of the class for their Fall Bible Study. New Faith Baptist Church International is a 6000 member church located in Matteson, Illinois. The classes will begin in late September. Praise God!

Please join me in prayer that God will allow the seed of this word to fall on good soil and draw those who participate in the classes into a deeper relationship with Him and each other. Pray also that as they are blessed they will be motivated to share this word and workbook with others.

Thanks for your support!

Larry

Praise Report

The workbook is ranked among Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” in the Stewardship category. It’s ranked #9.

This week I received my first web site visit from someone in Bosnia.

There is a new book out “A Revolution In Generosity: Transforming Stewards To Be Rich Toward God”. It’s principle author is a college professor with has authored 22 other books. I recently sent him a copy of the press release. I continue to send out emails of my press release to pastors, churches, other church leaders, denominational conventions, newspapers, radio stations, bookstores , college professors, etc. Most people don’t respond to unsolicited emails (you have to follow-up). My follow-up efforts are slow. Surprisingly this author responded without a follow-up. He took time to send me a word of encouragement.

Praise God! I am encouraged!


Larry

Workbook - Amazon.com Update 07/09/08

I promise that I won’t trouble you everyday BUT!!!! It’s amazes me what God is doing. I don’t know how long it will last but His activity is a great encouragement at a time when I need encouragement. Earlier today, the workbook dropped out of the top 100 and was unranked (which I expected). However, as of an hour ago the workbook was ranked #21 out of 1300 in the “Stewardship” category and #104,448 out of millions in books in general. I don’t understand. I won’t try to. I am just developing my marketing strategies. I don't have any advertising and no one knows who I am. The MBA in me knows that the time frame and sample size is too small to be statistically meaningful but the truth of the matter is that it is meaningful to me. Praise God!


Larry

Workbook Correction Update

The corrections have been implemented. Prayerfully, there aren't many of the old copies in inventory. Please resume ordering and recommend others to do so as well.


Larry

Praise Report

As of 07/08/08, our internet message has been received in:

38 States within the U.S.A
35 Countries Outside of the U.S.A.
6 Continents

Last week someone from Botswana spent over 30 minutes reviewing the Blog. I may never know the extent to which God uses this material to build His Kingdom. I may never meet most of the people whose lives are touched. It doesn't matter. I stand in awe that He is allowing me the blessed privilege of fellowship with Him while He performs a miracle!!

Praise God!

More Than The Gift - Workbook Update

There were some formatting and typing errors in the original file. So, the first printed copies of the book contained those errors. Since I published through an on-demand publisher the impact is minimized. A PDF of the manuscript is maintained by the printer and can be updated within few days. Books are only produced as they are needed. Amazon only purchases a few copies for its inventory and then reorders as necessary. It is currently sold out of its inventory. I’ve updated the PDF file and I’m confident that corrected books will be available next week. Please delay any new orders until next week.

Amazon.com gives some sales performance data (though they do not divulge how it is calculated). The workbook is classified in the Christian Stewardship category. As of today, the workbook ranked #83 out of 1300 books in the category. So, the workbook makes the top 100 list for the category. It’s all pretty amazing to me. Praise God!


Thanks for your prayers!! Don't stop!!

Larry

Annoucement - The Workbook Has Been Published - PRAISE GOD!!

The publication process moved faster than I anticipated. The workbook is now available for ordering from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Praise God! Thank you for all of your support, but don’t stop now. Please consider one or more of the following:

1) Continue to prayer for this ministry effort,
2) Order a workbook for you or someone you know,
3) Encourage someone else to do so,
4) Post a book review on the Amazon or Barnes and Noble website and/or
5) Post a podcast review on iTunes


Larry

Next Project Phase

Now that the workbook has gone to press, I can give more attention to the next project. I am working on a book comprised of excerpts from the podcasts. I am using a devotional format rather than a workbook format. While the material is essentially the same, the target audience is different. Some people will read a devotional piece who wouldn’t tackle a workbook. My observation is that many of the people who have advanced copies of the workbook, haven’t actually written answers to the questions. Ultimately, the workbook may be used more by church leaders and teachers while the podcast book may be more readily embraced by individual believers. At any rate, my job is to follow the instructions that I’m receiving. God will do the rest.

The podcast book is organized around the central themes that God revealed to me from the workbook and will be a “quick read”. The themes are:

God is interested in more than just our gift
The gift is still important because of what it reveals and
The gift is important because of what it accomplishes


I may add one more theme. The completion of the book is contingent on my progress in doing additional podcasts. Pray for my productivity.


P.S. I’m researching whether I can be a speaker at the Urban Ministries Conference in Chicago (Fall 2008). Pray for God’s leading and blessing.


Thanks!


Larry

Workbook Publication Countdown

I have authorized Aventine Press to publish the More Than The Gift Workbook. Today I signed off on the final changes and authorized the publisher to send the workbook to the printer. In approximately 30 days the workbook will be available for ordering from online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes and Nobel. Thus it will be available worldwide. I serve an awesome God. I am amazed by His mercy and grace, yet I am aware that publication is not my destination. It is simple part of the journey. Much work lies before me but I want to thank and praise God for how far he has brought me. Thank you for walking the journey with me. Thank you for your comments, criticisms and prayers.

Prayer Request

I ask for your prayers. This will be a challenging month and I am in a mental rut.

Today I posted a new Internet Bible Study on the SBC website. The study is entitled “Polluted Offerings”. I encourage you to share it with someone you know.

I expect to receive the formatted draft of the book from the publisher this week. Publication should be completed approximately 4 weeks after I edit and return it. The workbook will be available online from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles in July.

In support of that, I need to step-up my marketing campaign ( announcements, press releases, book reviews, etc).

I also want to post two new podcasts this month. I need to reestablish consistency with this effort so that I can publish the “podcast book” during the 1st quarter of 2009. The podcast and the podcast book are targeted for a different audience than the workbook. I discuss this issue in some detail on my website.

Thanks for your love and support!

Love!

Larry

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 - POLLUTED OFFERINGS
Just as there are acceptable offerings, there are also unacceptable offerings. The reference scripture outlines several attributes that can render our gifts unacceptable to the Lord: polluted attitudes, polluted content, lack of obedience and deceptive giving practices.
Reference Scripture:
Malachi 1: 1 – 14 (polluted offerings)
Supporting Scriptures:
Leviticus 10: 1 – 2 (Nadab and Abihu – strange fire)
Proverbs 3:9 (first fruit)
Deuteronomy 23: 18 ( wages of prostitution not an acceptable offering)
Matthew 26:15 (Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver)
Matthew 27: 6 (It is against the law to put blood money into treasury)
Leviticus 22: 17 – 25 (lame sacrifices forbidden)
1 Samuel 15: 22 – 24 ( obedience is better than sacrifice)
Acts 5: 1 – 10 (Ananias and Sapphira)
Malachi 1: 14 (cursed is the cheat)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16 - TRUSTING GOD WITH YOUR TREASURE
Similar to the preceding section, the discussion here also focuses on our values. Our actions reveal both what we value and where we place our trust. The reference scripture warns against placing our trust in wealth that is uncertain rather than in God. In a supporting passage of scripture, Jesus helps us understand that through our daily activities we are working to store treasure either on earth or in heaven. He cautions that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. God wants our hearts.

Reference Scripture:
1 Timothy 6: 17 – 19 ( command rich … not to be arrogant nor to put trust in wealth)

Supporting Scriptures:
Acts 17:28 ( In Him we live and move)
Deuteronomy 8:18 (God gives us the ability to gain wealth)
Luke 12: 13 – 34 (Jesus teaches about treasure- rich fool & take no thought what you shall eat… where your treasure is

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.

AME Conference - Update

Thanks for your support. satan was busy trying to keep me from attending the conference but God prevailed. God blessed and the conference was a success. The most humbling and gratifying comment I received was from Elder McCants who said “ I felt the anointing of God as you spoke”. Praise the Lord!

Praise Report

As of 04/30/08, our internet message has been received in:

37 States within the U.S.A
33 Countries Outside of the U.S.A.
6 Continents

Praise God!

Event - AME Church Conference (4/24)

Rev. Gary McCants (Presiding Elder of the South District of the Illinois Conference of the AME Church) has invited me to be a guest speaker at their 3-day conference this week. I’ll conduct a 1-hour session on Thursday (4/24) from the More Than The Gift materials. The conference will be attended by church leaders and lay-persons from 25 churches from Southern & Central Illinois.

The conference will be held at:

Bethel Madison African Methodist Episcopal Church
1035 Market Street
Madison, Il. 62060

Rev. Willie Gholston, II is the host pastor

My session will begin at 2pm.


I request your prayers that my efforts will bring glory to God and bless His people. Amen!

Internet Bible Study - Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15 - YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE
Jesus’ encounter with a rich young ruler facilitates this discussion regarding our need to establish clear priorities concerning the use of the possessions under our stewardship. The young man was asked to choose what he valued most. His initial question to Jesus suggested that he valued eternal life but when asked to choose between his money and eternal life he turned away sorrowfully. God is not against us possessing wealth but He knows the danger of wealth possessing us. Offertory giving provides an opportunity to clarify our priorities.
Reference Scripture:
Mark 10:17 – 22 (rich young ruler)
Supporting Scriptures:
Luke 16:13 ( no servant can serve two masters)
Mark 8:34 – 37 ( what good is it for a man to gain the whole world)

Click on the link to the Internet Bible Study to review the full text of the lesson. The link is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.


Don't study alone. This is the world wide web. Invite a family member, friend, someone from another state or another country to join you.



Ask questions! Make comments! Let's create a worldwide conversation.

Download Brochures Update

A new brochure entitled "Our Fellowship In Ministry" has been added to the inventory of download brochures. The link for the downloadable brochures is contained in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog.

ITunes Technical Difficulties - Solution

I have added a direct link to my podcast on iTunes. If you have iTunes software on your computer, this link will take you directly the Monday's Meditation podcast. You no longer need to use the iTunes search function. If you do not have the iTunes software, I have also provided a link to allow you to download the iTunes Software.

The links are located in the "additional Resources" section of this blog.

Monday's Meditation - March 31, 2008 - Our Fellowship In The Ministry

A new podcast has been published to the More Than The Gift website and iTunes Store:

Our Fellowship In Ministry

Every now and then, I am reminded that our human experiences often convey spiritual messages. Not so long ago, as I was carrying a large box through our home, my youngest son stopped me and asked “Daddy can I help?” A part of me wanted to politely reject his offer. The item was awkward and heavy and his attempt at assistance would actually slow down the progress I could achieve alone. However, when I looked down into his eyes I realized the true significance of the moment. The task at hand immediately lost its importance and I turned my focus to my son. I told him to grab a corner of the box. I repositioned my grip to make certain that there was no more weight on his corner than he could bear. As he placed his tiny hands on the box, his eyes began to glisten. Together we completed the chore but now with a greater sense of fulfillment and joy.

On the human level, God allowed me to see that there is a bond that grows out of our co-laboring together. My son’s partnering with me in my activity gave us an opportunity to fellowship together. Our working together actually nurtured our growing together. On the spiritual level, God allowed me to see that my activity with the Lord has the same effect. It’s not that God needs my help to carry the load or get the job done faster but when God allows me to participate with Him, God is offering me an opportunity for fellowship. After I received this spiritual message, God then led me to consider the profound implications this revelation has for my giving. My giving is never meant to be a burden. God does all of the heavy lifting. He is just inviting me to come along side His activity. When I extend my hands to help and I think about what God is really doing, like my son, my eyes begin to glisten with joy at the opportunity for fellowship through co-laboring with my Father.


This podcast is a continuation the series of podcasts regarding the theme : "What Our Giving Accomplishes".

As always, I invite you to receive Monday’s Meditation as “food for thought “ for the week, then let it become “fuel for action” for the weekend and beyond.

The is audio podcast is available on my website: morethanthegift.net and the iTunes Store. Links are provided in the "Additional Resources" section of this blog. if you don't have iTunes on your computer, a link is provided below to download the iTunes software.

After listening to the podcast in the iTunes Store, I encourage you to offer a review and to send an invitation to a friend or loved one to listen also.


A separate link for the podcast website is also provided .

Use this blog for your comments, questions and testimonies regarding the episode.



Keep praying with me!

ITunes Technical Difficulties

I am experiencing technical difficulties with my iTunes feed. My last podcast doesn't play and my attempts to publish a remake have been unsuccessful. I plan to publish a new podcast on 03/31/2008 but I am unsure whether it will appear in iTunes. I am working with the iTunes staff but it is a very slow process since all of the communication is by email.

However, you don't have to miss anything. All podcasts are still available at my website: morethanthegift.net

I apologize for the inconvenience.