WHYIASSIST.ORG

Do I Trust?

John Leland — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:27:00 GMT

We are just into the new year and I find myself acutely aware of the Lord's favor in my life. Kim and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary last week and I am so excited about reaching this milestone. I never had any doubt of our commitment to our vows, but it feels good to look over our past and see how the Lord has orchestrated our lives for His purposes and our good. There were a number of downright uncomfortable moments as we grew through life's circumstances, but in hindsight those "mountains" were simply bumps and not as daunting as we once thought they were. Debt and discouragement were trivial in light of God's abundant provision of grace.

As I reflect on the past, I am emboldened, but often as soon as I look ahead, I regain an angst about the path before me. I have begun calling this feeling a "funk", though I am sure you have your own label for it. Things could be going amazingly well for me; I have money in the bank, the wife is madly in love with me, I'm in the best shape of my life and still, this "funk" creeps in. It is not so much a feeling of fear or depression, but more a sense of uncertainty, blind-sight or, as the Lord would probably label it, a lack of faith.

Many of us move through our days with a preset notion of how life should unfold. We view life so linearly and expect "A", "B", & "C" to always equal "D". When it doesn't, we begin to question. We begin to wonder if "B" or "C" should have even been part of the equation. We scratch our heads (sometimes beat them against the wall) wondering why "D" is not the "D" that we had envisioned for ourselves. "What is the Lord doing here?", we may ask. "Why can't He simply drop 'D' into my lap without all the drama associated with 'B' & 'C'?" "Why can't He just give me a crystal-clear picture of what "D" is?!?"

OK, enough with the Algebra. I think you get my point and the more I type about this line-of-thinking the more frustrated I get with my lack of reverence for the God of the universe.

Proverbs 3 reads:

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

There it is! The equation which equals fulfillment and a funkless or less-funk life.

"So, John, you've have read this passage a number of times. Why the funk?"

"Do you really trust?"

Finishing Well by Going Deeper

Keith Davis — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:45:00 GMT

Deep things sometimes scare me. I enjoyed snorkeling in the Philippines in the South China Sea until I got to a place where it was so deep I couldn’t see the bottom. It was possible there were hungry creatures down there that were looking for a meal and I didn’t want to be a part of that. Fishing in the Bitterroot River, there are some deep holes and I know that if I were to step into them I would be in trouble. Once you have explored a coral reef or the depths of a river you overcome your fears you can relax and marvel at the beauty or the mystery. What a rush to see a moray eel peeking at you from his den or getting a fish to strike a fly out of those deep pools. What excitement, what an adrenalin rush.

I was thinking about this in conjunction with the spiritual realm. God invites us to go deep with Him rather than be content with the surface. In Romans 11 we read “Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.”

As Paul writes his New Testament books he reveals something of his heart as he grows and lives in this intimate relationship with the Almighty Creator. Phil 3:10: “I want to know Christ” . . . I want to progressively become intimately acquainted with my Lord . . I want to go deep. “I want to know the power of His resurrection” I want to touch His garment and allow Christ’s power to flow through me to others. “I want to know the fellowship of His suffering.” Why Paul the suffering part? James says that trials, suffering drive us deeper into our walk with the Lord.

People this should be our cry to go deeper in our spiritual walk and not be satisfied with the surface. To be intimately acquainted with Him. Not to be intimately acquainted with theology, the church or good works, but to be intimately acquainted with Christ, to fall in love with our Savior. What a rush to get beyond the surface.

David said in Psalms 42, “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for thee oh God. My soul thirsts for the living God.”

The question that arises in my mind is what keeps us from this intimate deep walk with our God? Here are a couple of things to consider that seems hinders us (me) from actively pursuing and taking hold of this deep, exciting, productive walk with our God.

ü First is our cluttered complicated world. God did not create it this way. We with depraved minds made it this way. The writer of Ecclesiastes says this, “God made us plain and simple, but we made ourselves very complicated.” And we have.

We cry out, “More is better, bigger is best, enough is never enough.” Not only do we acquire we keep and then we have to maintain all that we keep. There are times when I get on this treadmill and I ride it until I am exhausted. Busyness becomes my greatest enemy to intimacy with God

It seems to me that in order to walk in a deep relationship with our Creator we need to simplify our private lives. Now I don’t know what that means to you, but I do know there are some steps that I can take. I need to work on the discipline of simplicity. . I need to get the clutter out of my life.

ü Another thing that keeps me from enjoying the deep things of God is the lack of silence. Psalms 46 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” We live in a noisy world today.

There is no way that you or I can probe the depths of God unless we spend some time of stillness in His presence. We are commanded to rest, relax, let go and spend time with Him. We need to find the time and place where we can get alone with God. We need solitude not only where we can seek God and His presence, but a place where God can search us. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139). God draw me deep!

Passion to serve? I pray your choice is clear

David Block — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:36:00 GMT

If we look long enough everyone has a core motive or desire, a compelling dream or goal, a supreme passion that moves in their lives. What we want most becomes the center of our lives. Some is short term others lifelong.

In our natural self this central value, even for the Christian, usually translates to seeking "better life of blessings" in exchange for some performance we give. We identify a goal that allows us to trade our action for some "reward' either from God or man

As you/ we are being stretched and shaped, a new supreme passion is moving from blessing pursuit for self, to being drawn close to and encountering Jesus. Let us learn together to begin each day with seeking a right perspective of our sin nature, and to move passion from any self centeredness to a passion to encounter God, a passion to know him above all other pursuits.

Many amoung us are currently, or have been identified with what we "do" as our core identity. Even in pursuit of a noble "good work" that helps others like a mission trip, or giving, or organizing, or mobilizing to "help" others, we see "doing" as an end that earns rewards.

Yet no pursuit of good or service matter more than the true blessing of a simple encounter with Christ……embracing this as our first supreme passion, is a deliberate shift from pursuing blessings from God, to pursuing being drawn near to God; by encountering Jesus as our first passion each day. Just being near God, prior to doing any "good" work for God, will change what we see as true service.

I pray today that your life is replete with evidence of one supreme passion, the passion for God; the passion to meet Him, know Him, enjoy Him, reveal Him, and share Him, and mostly to submit yourself to Him. This gives us the best chance to move from a self centered focus to an "other centered" mindset.

We can begin by seeking every day a right perspective of our sin nature, and to move our passion from self centeredness to a passion for God. Then He gives us His passion so we can truly serve others.

We all still will have personal pain, and setbacks; we all are continually broken by how far we fall short. Trials are always with us, and problems abound. But perspective will shift and "Self exchanged for God" becomes the path to really serving others, no matter how ambitious or small our service instinct is.

It begins with chossing a passion. As you move through this web site and consider the impact you desire, pray about the passion choices you have considered; is it serving, praying, giving, building new business ideas, raising money, working overseas, studing cultures, traveling? Then submit those choices before God with the prospect of your supreme passion being to encounter God above all interests, activities, or even a call to service.

I trust God shows His presence in your daily walk today as we fix our eyes upon Jesus.

Solitude & Silence

Keith Davis — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:12:00 GMT

Recently my wife Karen and I took a weekend trip to Glacier National Park. In our busy hurried life we decided it was time for a break. Time away, just the two of us. All the struggles, worries, hurry, tiredness were left at the door. Some solitude, some silence and some big beautiful mountains. All of a sudden the world took on a new look and so did God.

I hate to talk about the “good ol' days,” but bear with me for a moment. There was a time when television, computers, video games were not an option. We had family and friends who would come and visit. Playing was “kick the can.” Sometimes we would sit on our front porch and talk with neighbors. Getting away was jumping on a train and heading for Naples, Idaho to visit family. (Memories, precious memories thanks for a moment of indulgence).

We had a taste of the discipline of silence. Sometimes there was nothing to say or no one to say anything to. I didn’t know much about God at that time, nor did I really care. Wish I would have. Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God” (NIV). “Stand silent and know that I am God” (TLV).

Silence, solitude is a tough discipline to develop in our “run up the ladder,” “drive hard,” “hurry up,” noisy culture. Yet we are commanded to stop, rest, relax, let go and focus on Him. It is hard to hear that “still small voice” in the clutter of the day.

I was writing this for others, but after laying out the challenge I guess it is time to get my own life “uncluttered” so I am not numb to His voice.

Treasured Memories

Keith Davis — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:58:00 GMT

Today I took a couple of large boxes filled with IAP files to the shredder. The process of getting some of these files from the cabinet to the box was interesting. First, I had to look through the files to see which ones were necessary and which were not. Some of the files I didn’t even have to think twice about throwing out. Others caused some hesitation before sending them to the pile.

Another class contained history that needed to be preserved. These took some time sorting. Some contained ideas that eventually were never acted upon, while others revealed plans that actually came to pass. This sparked memories, precious memories. They are treasured because they point to God’s faithfulness and remind me not to give up. Paul said it this way, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Some take-away’s come with today’s task:

The past is the past; I can’t change it, nor will ever be the same.
Some of the past needs to be thrown away. There were some letters that revealed heartache and conflict. Things I would have done differently if I could. Did I learn from these times? I hope so. But I can’t change the past, so I need to shred it. Or as Bob Buford put it, “Never let failures live beyond their death.”
I cannot control the future. God did not follow the written plans. Many times our timing was not His...so we had to wait.
Projects are not the end result. Changed lives are. So what should I really treasure?

Piper's Prayer Echoed

John Leland — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:58:00 GMT

"O Lord, as you are often accustomed to do, show your great power in my absence. Send a remarkable awakening that results in hundreds of people coming to Christ, old animosities being removed, marriages being reconciled and renewed, wayward children coming home, long-standing slavery to sin being conquered, spiritual dullness being replaced by vibrant joy, weak faith being replaced by bold witness, disinterest in prayer being replaced by fervent intercession, boring Bible reading being replaced by passion for the Word, disinterest in global missions being replaced by energy for Christ’s name among the nations, and lukewarm worship being replaced by zeal for the greatness of God’s glory."

A prayer borrowed from John Piper as he departed Bethlehem for an 8-month leave of absence.

Smarter Ways to Help

John Leland — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:44:08 GMT

A great article in the Spokesman-Review referencing IAP and the Letta Microfinance Institution in Ethiopia.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/apr/23/smarter-ways-to-help/

Business Making an Impact

Keith Davis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:51:00 GMT

Last night my wife and I spent the evening with some friends in Reardan, a farming community just outside of Spokane. The dinner was wonderful, but reliving some of the IAP history was not only enjoyable, but refreshing and encouraging. Daniel, a business man from Romania, was in town and staying with Fred and Vickie. Daniel wasn’t always a businessman. When we first met him he was just a young man trying to find his way in a broken country that was looking to heal from years of communist oppression.

IAP was invited into this brokenness and began by setting up a farm. Fred took the lead with getting donated equipment and Marlin, another Spokane businessman, took time out from his business and, with his wife Sharon, moved to Romania to help these people build businesses that would not only create jobs, but provide funding for churches and outreach. Into this exciting adventure comes Daniel. These men and others took this young man that knew very little about business, mentored him and the rest is history.

The farm turned into a seed mill, the mill into the construction of silos and steel buildings. This process was not a cakewalk and a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the development of RDI. But to see the product of hard work and perseverance and hear the stories of what God has done warmed our hearts. Daniel is now the President of RDI which currently employs 27 Romanians. We viewed pictures on his computer (which I might add was new and much better than mine…not fair…J) of a recently finished 8 million dollar contract. IMPRESSIVE!!

Business, professionals, marketplace people have a wonderful opportunity to minister where they are planted, whether that be as a business-owner or an employee. But God also pricks the hearts of some to take their spiritual gifts and vocational skills and use them to impact the community outside of their local environment. Fred, Marlin and other successful businessmen caught the vision and helped to change lives and impact a needy part of our world.

This transformation that takes place in a life when it connects with people and helps change the world is what keeps IAP moving forward. Although our role in this story is sometimes small, we are blessed as we see God move in the lives of so many. He continues presenting opportunities for linking businesses and professionals with projects in low income countries.

What is your story and how can IAP partner with you?

Africa - The Latest Trend?

John Leland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:07:00 GMT

I just finished meeting with two women from a local title company who came in asking what they could do professionally to earn my business. It didn't take very long for the conversation to shift from business pleasantries to a conversation of substance.

One of the ladies asked, "How is everything else going?” Anyone who knows me knows how I responded. My demeanor immediately brightened as I began to share about Letta MFI and the ongoing work of IAP. This is what Kim (my wife) and I are passionate about. This is what gets us up in morning. As one of the ladies sensed my enthusiasm, she shared with me her daughter's desire to possibly take off a year from college and get involved in Africa.

"In Africa? What does that mean?" That is the question this mother is asking herself and praying about. "Is this just some new fad or trend that has captured my daughter's heart or is there merit in this prompting?"

I challenged this concerned mother to nurture this dialogue with her daughter and commit it to prayer. She cannot discount that the Spirit of the Living God may in fact be behind all this.

I admit that as we watch the news and world events we are inundated with celebrities and people of notoriety who are turning their efforts and fortunes toward the continent of Africa. What is their motivation in this? I am not going to even begin to search their hearts and judge their motivations, but it is interesting that it seems like Africa is becoming a status symbol of sorts. Why is this?

Why is this happening...or...why is this interesting?

Oh, I know why it is happening. It is happening because the need is so great on the continent of Africa. People who are confronted by the reality of the situation are quickly cut to the heart and demand a response to the injustice of poverty and the fallout from such a crisis. The images of death, malnutrition, orphans, widows, blight, famine, war, genocide, disease, etc haunt those who have be confronted by this overwhelming reality. To not act would be inhumane (un-human). To not act would rob one of any hope or joy in their own life. Regardless of the motivation, there is a response.

What is interesting is that it has become a status symbol in some regard. Why? Why are the Bonos, the Dilians, the Jolies, the Pitts, the Clooneys of the world being noticed and placed on a pedestal by many for their philanthropic work in Africa? Simply and humbly stated, it is novelty. It is something new and newsworthy.

The fact is that even in times of immense prosperity here in the United States and other "civilized" nations during the 1900's (and truthfully even now) we have, as a people, turned a blind eye to the situation in Africa. We have simply chosen to forget or ignore our global community, so we could have more time and resources to commit to our self-indulgent lifestyles. I know that sounds harsh, but I am right there in the middle of that statement. We as a nation and more specifically as the American church have utterly failed in our response to the needs of the world. So because we have been apathetic and ineffective for so long, the world will take notice of those who have not.

Wow, John! Are you actually saying that the Ford Foundation, the Gates Foundation and individual actors and superstars have been more the "hands and feet" of Christ than the very Church that Christ established through his death and ministry!

What I know is this.

There are millions of people who, because of circumstances and not choice, wake up daily to "Africa" and everything that that word encapsulates. These people are crying out to the Lord of Hosts for reprieve and provision. The Lord is not going to ignore their cries. He will respond. He will use all means necessary to sustain those that love Him.

The true injustice is that God is not receiving the glory. As God uses those who are willing, to answer the cries of His people, His name is being replaced with names of men.

Church of God, understand that the plan for this world is you. You, being filled by God Himself, have the power and ability to return the glory of God to its rightful place. Africa is not a lost cause. It is not a stage on which to perform. It is not an outlet for my carnal need to feel good about what I am doing. It is an altar.

As the Church rebuilds this altar and sacrificing ensues, God's glory will be made known to this world and Africa will no longer be a trend, but a place of worship.

Daily Brokenness

John Leland — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:27:00 GMT

Father I pray that you will forgive my self-interests and remove all sin in me.

You are perfect and good; always forgiving when I confess; always providing your cleansing mercy.

Please accept the surrender of my spirit to your nature, as I plead to you to change and shape my thoughts, words and actions.

As you grant me life today, my desire is to honor, obey and yield to your leading.

Guard me from the cares of this world that attempt to steal me away from your gift of life through dependence on you. When I deny myself in obedience you become my true strength.

As I struggle with life’s difficulties and obstacles; persist in disciplining me from selfish pursuits. Continue to relieve, refresh, and reclaim me from the demands and evils of this world; less of me and more of you.

The more I pray and grow, the more I require your grace. Your gift of life inspires complete dependence and communion to live by the spirit you placed within me.

You have bought me with the your priceless sacrifice on the cross—you are glorified as I enter into any sacrifice or suffering for your names sake.

I place my weak self-centered nature under your authority and cling to your command each day by:

Denying my selfish sin, picking up the cross you have for me, and be made alive in Christ.

A Prayer of Faith & Commitment for the Board of IAP and all our Partners and Champions - by David Block

Unsung Heroes

Keith Davis — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:20:00 GMT

A few nights back my wife and I were watching Alex Bilodeau bounce down the Olympic mogul course in Vancouver and collect the gold medal at the end of this wild ride. The crowd went crazy and a new hero was born. Because of practice, discipline and skills that have been developed his name will beremembered by Canadians for many years.

My wife Karen and I over the years have read through most of the series of books entitled “Christian Heroes, Then and Now.” (If you haven’t read these it is a family must read series). Some heroes get presstime, but many are unsung. It is those unsung hero’s that challenge me.

A few years ago we visited a man whose wife has Alzheimer’s. These dear people were together battling a daily struggle to get through the day. We watched as Maynard tenderly cared for his wife. We heard the story of the daily service that was necessary, yet given without bitterness or despair. We saw and heard how his love deepened for his wife as he took on this difficult responsibility. We know that this man had times of weakness, but what a model of caring was seen that evening. He didn’t get a gold medal or any press, but to me he is a hero.

Visiting different countries gives us opportunity to rub shoulders with some of today’s heroes of the faith, people who have stood for Christ and have been persecuted for what they believe. Stories are told of the Elders in the Ethiopian church in Dilla that “have stayed the course” during atime of struggle and found themselves imprisoned. These men were taken from family, beaten for their beliefs and yet through the hard times their faith was strengthened. We have visited the building where some of the church elders felt the blows of their oppressors and lived in this atmosphere of hate. That building is no longer owned by the government, but the Kale Hewot churches in the southern zone purchased this place of bondage and turned it into a place of hope. Unsung to most of the world, but to me they are heroes.

Some of you are bearing a cross that we will never read about. Some of you are behind the scene, but are faithful and obedient to the Lord and His work. Some of us get to tell, see and live the stories. We get to channel the funds you provide. We are the recipients of the answers to our collective prayers. We are recognized while most will not be recognized this side of heaven. One day the unsung will hear the chorus of people from every tribe and nation saying thank you for your faithfulness. Until that day, let me say thank you for partnering with us as we touch a world in desperate need.

A Biblical Vision

Donald Scotland — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:39:00 GMT

What Is a Vision?

Proverbs 29:18—"Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy are he who keeps the law."

When you take the word "vision," drain it of all of the world's self-interest, cleanse it from its overdose of emotion and rhetoric, all you are left with is the naked fact that vision means revelation.

What kind and Whose revelation?

Solomon uses the Hebrew word "vision" in Proverbs 29 to speak of the revelation of God's purpose for our lives.

Purpose is the first and biggest issue of vision. The question of vision is: what does God want to do?

A biblical vision is not a goal or dream we can imagine for our future or ourselves; rather, it is God's divine instruction as it relates to eternal redemption in Christ. Put another way, vision is a picture of what God desires to do in His church and how you can join Him in accomplishing it.

When the revelation of His plan is absent, blurred, or ignored, the result is that people are left to their own unrestrained passions. There is no restraint morally, no direction spiritually, and no joy inwardly. Therefore, no greater calamity can befall a man than the absence or removal of God's vision for his life.

Why Is Vision Important?

God's vision is important because people need to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People want to give their lives to a mission, a cause, or a purpose. People want something to give their lives to, someone to share it with, and a practical way to achieve it.

This is what a vision does. It clearly and passionately explains how your ministry helps to fulfill God's purpose and brings glory to Him.

Your purpose or vision should be characterized by four clear marks:

1) It is biblical

2) It is practical

3) It is transferable

4) It is short

How Do You Discover God's Vision?

Discovering God's vision is not just a matter of reading the Bible. This is essential, however, because God does not speak outside or in addition to His revelation in Scripture. Nevertheless, there is a moral and spiritual component to discovering God's purpose. God's vision or revelation is given to those who know Him, seek Him, hear Him, and trust Him.

1. Vision involves knowing God's will in His Word. (Prov.29:18)

2. Vision involves seeking God's strength in prayer. (Jer.29:11-12)

God's will must be known and His strength sought in prayer before a picture of His purpose becomes clear. Why? Because God's purposes can only be fulfilled in dependence on Him for power (Ps.138:8). What are you depending on God to do? The answer is easy to discover. The things you are praying for are the things you are depending on God to do. The things you are not praying for, you are doing on your own.

How Do I Get Started?

• Prepare the vision.

• Define the vision.

• Plant the vision.

• Share the vision.

• Implement the vision.

• Deal with opposition to the vision.

• Make corrections to the vision.

• Evaluate the results of the vision.

• Give God the glory for the vision.

How Do I Communicate Vision to My Team?

Own it for yourself.

Live it in your life.

Share it from your heart.

Implement it with others' help.

Keep working at it.

Expect opposition.

Make it a part of the journey.

Make corrections as you go along.

Trust that God provides for His plans.

"The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. Vision without a task makes a visionary. A task without a vision leads to drudgery. A vision and a task make a missionary."

Having trouble sleeping? Read a Company Mission Statement!

Donald Scotland — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:33:00 GMT

Oh I know that's rather cynical but let's face it - how many employees do you know have their corporate Mission Statement taped to the bathroom mirror because it gives them an emotional jolt on Monday morning? Now, how many employees do you know who frankly don't care if there is a Mission Statement or not? Exactly! What did we do before we had Mission Statements? Did we wander around in a pointless daze wondering what to do? Of course not! We did our jobs. Now that we all have Mission Statements what do we do? We do our jobs.

Does anyone else get the feeling that something is missing here? The "something missing" is called spirit. It's the fire in the belly. The light in the eyes. The spring in the step. The thrill of innovation. The pride of quality. The satisfaction of service. The delight in reward. Wrap these all up and you have something called Vision.

I define "Vision" as "seeing the future as though it were already here." The evocative phrase I like to use instead of "vision" is "The Richly Imagined Future." I think it has more life and action in it, more spirit than the simple words "mission" or "vision." It requires more than some vague goal hygienically written so as not to arouse provocation.

If I were to ask you to describe your richly imagined future, I would expect to hear something truly grand about how you imagine a better world tomorrow. It would be grand because imagination has no limits, especially if you are richly imagining it. It would be vibrant and tasty. It would be intense in color and depth. The richly imagined future is not anchored to last quarter's results or to political complexities. It is the world as you dream it could be

Economic or Ecological? Grand statements of intention can be created on one of two levels: an economic or an ecological level. Most corporate missions are economic - and that is where any possible passion is hissed out of the human spirit. Economy (from the Greek oikos nomos) literally means "the rules around here". It refers to those things we measure and for which we have hard data. Ecology (oikos logos) refers to what is really going on, the deeper meaning of the situation. The latter is a fuzzy area - "the soft stuff". We don't have ready language for it and it makes most corporate leaders uncomfortable.

The economic is more about "what" and "how". The ecological is about "why". Without an answer to the question "WHY?" there can be no purpose or passion. "Why?" is the universal question created into every human heart. We are born asking it and, unfortunately we have it pretty well bleached from our souls by the age of seven.

This is precisely what makes exciting our employees to vision so difficult. Most people go through life without a "Why?" The job and joy of leadership is to put the "Why" back! Why are you doing what you do? It does not take much to see that if we who lead the company do not have a "Why?" for ourselves, it will be impossible to instill purpose and passion in anyone else. So - why are you doing what you are doing?

If it is only because you are the fifth generation owner and you feel obligated to your heritage, so be it. If it is because it was simply the best job you could get at the time, that too is nothing to mock. On the other hand just do not expect anyone who works for you to wake with a burning passion to get to work.

Now, if what you do glows in your soul, so that as a manager you can't look at an employee without marveling at the responsibility you've been granted, you can't take a Sunday afternoon drive without seeing a new application for your product, you swell with pride when you see the team surpass an impossible performance goal, you bow in respect and admiration toward the one who went far beyond the call of duty to serve the customer - then we are getting close to the spirit of vision. Make your Vision ecological and your Goals economic. Without a "Why?" there can be no Vision!

Here is a typical why-less mission statement. "Our mission is to become the preferred supplier in our chosen marketplace." Sends shivers of excitement through your body doesn't it? NOT! This is no vision - it is a neutered statement of survival. If you walked into your doctor's office and read on the wall, "My mission is to reach a million dollars in patient billings" would you stay for a single minute? If that disgusts you, what makes you think that an economic mission statement would excite your employees or customers? I want you to make a fortune, but please, put your economic intentions into your goal statements not your vision statement.

Again, why does your company do what it does? Are you protecting treasured history? Are you bringing color and joy into people's lives? Do you bring wisdom to those who have to make decisions? Are you dousing the anger and self-destruction so rampant in our world? Do you bring nourishing food to kitchen tables? Are you keeping people healthy and safe? Are you preserving that which is precious? Do you help children get a decent start in life? In short, "How are you making the world a better place?" You will know when you have reached an ecological vision because it will make you stand back, almost like it is too big a responsibility. You will feel that you do not deserve such a privilege. It will make you tremble. And then you will begin to know the meaning of your work.

For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ there is an even deeper and more meaningful reason to dicover the "Why we do What we do" in both our personal and business lives. Our "Why we do What we do" can be found in our desire and commitment to fulfill God's purposes in our lives and businesses. The question then is…What are God’s purposes in our world of influence and how do we develop a Vision for our lives and businesses that will enable us to fulfill His purposes.

Join me next time as we unpack this powerful and compelling question.

Grow Where You Are Planted

Keith Davis — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:52:00 GMT

I just read an interesting article off the web from the Business as Mission Network. The opening paragraph captured my attention. “The greatest 'unrealized potential' in the Christian movement for the next 20 years probably rests on the shoulders of Christian business people. That's great news for every Christian person who loves business. Talk about a life of adventure. What more could you ask for when your faith and your love for business intersect?”

They go on to talk about the potential of unleashing 6 million businesspeople with a vision of reaching the world. The potential not only makes sense, but brings us back to the Biblical model. It is interesting to consider the apostle Paul. Not only was he involved in touching lives and strategically planting churches, but he ran a business. And it wasn’t a non-profit business. Acts 20:33, 34 states, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know (Ephesian elders) that these hands have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” Then he quoted the Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul knew about profit and loss, keeping books, paying business taxes, marketing, sharing his wealth with others, etc. The marketplace was his mission field as well as a place of provision.

I was just with a man who has taken his business skills to another country. What an impact Steve has had in the lives of the national business team that he is apart of and in the lives of those that the business supports. I have known this man for some time and what struck me was his excitement when we talked about the business and its impact. He has found his niche and is living the adventure.

The moral of his story is you don’t have to be a vocational missionary or pastor; your current vocation has great opportunity for you to be salt and light. So take your skills and passion to the marketplace and allow God, through His Spirit, to work through you. So “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Grow where you are planted until He plants you elsewhere.

100% in 2010

John Leland — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:39:00 GMT

I typically don't use the IAP blog to make a direct ask, but this is too good to keep silent!

100% is the amount of your donation in 2010 that will go directly to those who need it most. IAP has received commitments from a couple key supporters who will cover all of the Letta Micro-Finance Institution's administration expenses for the entire year! That is a huge commitment! That means that all funds donated to IAP as loanable funds for the women & families of Ethiopia will be placed directly into the hands of the loan recipients. These micro-loans will be used to start small businesses which are key to bringing economic relief and ending extreme poverty in this region of the world.

Furthermore, IAP typically retains a modest 6% administration fee to cover the costs for running our organization here is the United States. This amount has also be underwritten, so truly every dollar that you give to IAP in support of Letta MFI will be placed in the hands of the loan recipients and used to build these small businesses.

IAP is committed to making every dollar count and provide opportunity for you to give generously knowing that your gift will be used to directly change lives around the world. Now is the time to partner with us. Your support is vital and it will end the cycle of poverty for families who have been praying for such a time as this.

Click on DONATE to place 100% of you donation into the hands of an Ethiopian family.

Who Will Remember?

Keith Davis — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:57:00 GMT

Recently I was struck by a quote that came from a workshop I attended. “Live each day as if it’s your last...because one day you will be right.” We all smiled when this was read because we knew it is true, but then came the challenging question and exercise. Where are you on your journey?

Take out your pencil and multiply your age by 365 days. Mine came out at 25,550 (you figure out my age...smile). Now subtract that from 27,375 days and you will have the estimated days you have left (assuming the average life span for those living in the U.S. is 75). That means I have a possibility of 1,825 days left on this side of heaven. Whoa!! That puts life in perspective!

However as I recall, Columbus opened up a whole new world in five years. I also realize that I have just as many hours in a day to make an impact on the world as Mother Teresa, Billy Graham or others that have helped to impact the world. The question is what am I going to do with the hours I have left? Waste them on me and my pursuits? Feel sorry because I am struggling in the valley of despair? Or will I take those hours and help change the world?

How many of us can name the most famous or wealthiest people in the world or past Nobel Peace Prize winners. Yes, I know most will remember Obama and Gore, but over the past ten years few are remembered...and probably by next year I will forget Obama and Gore. We tend to quickly forget those whom we have applauded because we have no personal connection with them.

However, there are some people that I remember very well and will until I die. A professor that challenged me to fall in love with Jesus. A coach that took time to pour more that baseball skills into my life. A mission leader that saw in me leadership skills and believed in me before I believed in myself.

Someone has said, “The people that make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most rewards. They are the ones who care."

So how many hours do you have left? Want to make a difference? Invest in lives and it will be the best investment you will ever make.

Are You Willing?

Keith Davis — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:45:00 GMT

I have been enjoying Richard Stearns book, “The Hole in Our Gospel”. In chapter two he shares his personal testimony and the challenge to resign his position in the corporate world as CEO of Lenox and take a position in the non-profit world as President of World Vision. His story and openness of the struggle is worth the cost of the book.

A phone call is made by a recruiter for World Vision and is very direct in challenging Richard to become the next president. He didn’t want the job and gave all kinds of excuses. The tipping point was when the recruiter asked “are you willing to be open to God’s will for your life?” Great question!!

Almost 40 years ago we were pressed with the same question. I responded before Karen and had a couple of frustrating years waiting for my dear wife to catch the vision. One Sunday after church I had taken my children to the park while Karen cleaned up after dinner. I came back home to a sobbing wife. She related the story of how God got her attention while washing dishes and directed her to a devotional, “The Daily Bread”. The title of the devotional for that Sunday was “Channels Only”.

It reads:

The year was 1872. The setting was a small congregation gathered in a barn for a Gospel service. A quiet-spoken preacher by the name of Henry Varley was conducting a message on 1 John 2:17. Lifting his eyes to the nearby haymow where an interested youth was seated, he said with emphasis, "The world has yet to see what God can do with, for, in and through one man (or woman) who is fully consecrated to Him”. One of the listeners was a young man by the name of Dwight L. Moody. He was stirred by what Varley preached and Moody said to himself, “He didn’t say he had to be educated or brilliant or anything else.. just a person who is willing to be used! I will try and be such a man.

Karen read the words "just a person who is willing to be used" and her will was broken and declared to the Lord that she was willing. Forty years later we both look back and although the road was not always smooth we marvel at the blessing of obedience.

Question to you: Are you willing to be open to God’s will for your life?

You Are International (Part II)

John Leland — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:55:00 GMT

In my last post I left you sipping on your cup of coffee inviting you to be missional in your everyday life - considering the beneficiary of the products you consume or use on a daily basis. So what now? Two weeks have passed. What has been done to meet the basic needs of so many around the world?

Please friend, do not underestimate the power of awareness, because with awareness comes a response. But awareness does have an enemy. It is us. We as Americans have been so blessed for so long that we have begun to feel a sense of entitlement to what is "ours" and it numbs our senses. Entitlement? Really? What have any of us done in our own strength to achieve our current successes or lifestyles? If we pause and think honestly, we will eventually come to the realization that, though many of us have worked very hard, our society and upbringing are major influences in shaping who we have become.

It is hard to imagine, but every so often I place myself in the midst of poverty. Not as one working for an NGO or non-profit bringing humanitarian relief, but as one who has been born into a family plagued by generations of extreme poverty. Every morning I wake up to a life of hunger, sickness and death. What did I do to deserve such a state in life? What did my parents do to warrant such a task as feeding me and my siblings on a daily budget of pennies? The answer is...absolutely nothing.

There are no easy answers to why some have been born into a life of poverty and others into a life of abundance. The question should not be why this disparity exists; but rather, since we have been blessed with a life of abundance, what should be our response?

And that is the question I am working out in my own life. What should be my response? What does the Lord require of me as a result of His richest blessing and abundant provision?

God grant me Your wisdom as I seek Your will for me in my life. You have been so good for so long and for what? What do You hope to accomplish by blessing me so richly--a person who for so long has been so numb to the great need around me? You have awakened me to this disparity. What now? What do you require of me?

The Conduit Principle

Keith Davis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:23:00 GMT

The news media continues to record the weakness of the American economy and the lack of values of men and women who fall to the god of wealth and corruption. We are seeing the practical application of the Bible verse “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Yet it is in this environment that we find ourselves thinking and sometimes concerned about the future. Will I have enough to carry me through these “golden” years? What about the future of my kids and grandkids? What will happen to those faith-based ministries that depend on donated income (my focus)? These are trying times and certainly none of us escapes the questions that invariably come at such a time as this.

As I pondered these thoughts I couldn’t help but be reminded of the roads of this world where I have traveled and watched people who don’t know about stock markets or country economy. What they do know about is today. What is happening today? How will I meet the needs of my family today?

Someone has concluded that America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of starving people. This conclusion doesn’t change inspite of the adverse economy that we find ourselves in today. We are still a blessed country. May we continue to take Christ’s admonition to heart when He said, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” In the midst of a financial challenge or financial blessing we need to make sure that we make wise investments. Could it be that the best investment is a pass through to those in need?

You Are International

John Leland — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:01:00 GMT

I recently returned from my 4th trip to Ethiopia in support of the Letta Micro-Finance Institution. It was another very productive and blessed trip of which I will blog about in the coming days, as I am able to meet with the team that accompanied me and debrief. While on the ground in southern Ethiopia the thought once again crossed my mind, if people would only come and see poverty first-hand this world would change. Immediately after thinking this I was deflated because the reality is the need of Africa is so great and the rest of the world is so consumed or busy with life to make significant commitment.

Forgive my cynicism.

After returning stateside and having opportunity to digest my experience I was reminded that we live in a global economy and we don’t have to look far to have an encounter with other nations and their influence. Even this keyboard that I am typing on was made in China. Robert Wuthnow in his book Boundless Faith takes a look at American Christianity in relation to globalization. He writes that over the last few decades America’s exposure to the world has increased exponentially and as a result the American church has stepped up its work abroad. An online review states, “This fresh and revealing book encourages Americans to pay attention to the grass-roots mechanisms by which global ties are created and sustained”. My take away is, that we have an amazing international network at our fingertips interwoven into our daily lives – whether it be from passed duty stations, family vacations, relatives living abroad, a friend who has adopted a couple African children or the simple cup of coffee that you just purchased at your favorite latte stand. All these have international scope. Are we going to take these opportunities for granted or embrace them as catalysts for thought, discussion and action?

I mean, how much more grass-roots can you get than a cup of coffee. But it is not just a cup of coffee; it is a cup of coffee brewed from beans roasted by a local roaster, who himself has a family and an international network. That roaster purchased those very beans from a trade agent at the Port of Djibouti in West Africa. That trade agent received those beans from a commodity exchange in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. That exchange accepted those beans from a Yirgacheffe coffee union in southern Ethiopia. That coffee union is comprised of 22 cooperatives which are operated by 43,000 coffee farmers in the hills and outlying areas of the small towns and villages of Dilla, Kercha, Chelchele and Yirgacheffe. This area is home to millions of people that wake up daily to a life of extreme poverty, but your cup of fair-trade coffee has provided one coffee farmer the money required to feed at least one of his children this morning.

I am going to leave you here for now with that thought marinating your mind. Let that thought bring joy to you as sip your coffee. But may it also haunt you as you finish your cup, because it is only in the next cup that the other children will have opportunity to be fed.