Reluctant Christian Ambassador: Community (6)
Letter from Daughter
(Note: to start from the beginning of Letters from the King: The Reluctant Christian Ambassador, go here.)
Father, let me report the good news. There are many who know that You love them and care for them. They are great people. Yes, they struggle with life; but they seem to have a sense of contentment about them. They are good, caring, loving people. You will be pleased when you meet them because they truly are helpful and kind. They have your character. How do you do that, Dad? How come the people who know You are so much like You?
Christian Leadership
They do read the letters that You sent many years ago. They pour over those letters like they are gold, seeking to gleam any and all words of insight and encouragement that you wrote. They love Your letters.
Your people have treated me very well. They have helped me to get settled. They have helped me find a home and are showing me around this country. Even though they have been wonderfully kind to me, I must confess that all is not easy. In fact, it seems extremely difficult at times.
There are other people who are so confused and have such strange ideas. They don’t even want to hear about You, Father. Some laugh in my face. Others just ignore me…look right through me. No one has been physically mean yet, for which I am thankful. But, they certainly don’t believe that You are or ever were the King. They don’t know and it’s like they don’t want to know.
Another thing Father – You sent me here to this land with no source of income to purchase the food, shelter and clothing I need to live here. So, I’m looking for a job. Frankly, it makes me angry, Dad, I don’t understand.
Well…actually, the more I think about it… it’s probably okay. Getting a job to earn my way in this new country will probably bring me in contact with more people who need You, than if I were to just sit around and talk with your people. Plus, if people see me working as You would work and acting as You would act, perhaps it will give them a glimpse of You…and my message that You love them and care for them and are coming back soon will be more believable.
So, I’m off to find a job. Have You been here before? Do You have any suggestions about what I should do? There are so many choices, Father, it seems overwhelming.
Thank you for sending your Right Hand Advisor along with me. He’s extremely helpful to talk to. You’re right, he thinks exactly like you do, Father.
Your loving Daughter
Marketplace Minister’s Question: How do you prioritize the development of community with other Christ-followers?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: The spiritual discipline of fellowship with other Christ-followers is critical.
P.S. I’m interested in your comments on this journey. What details would you add? What questions are you asking yourself after reading? If you were in the character’s shoes, what questions would you be asking?
To keep following the story, go here
I look forward to your insights!
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Challenge for Christian Marketplace Leaders
Since I’m working on Letters from the King: The Journey of the Reluctant Ambassador, I have a heightened awareness of “kings.” So, when I read this in the forward of Pearls of the King by Lee Domingue, thought I’d pass it along to you.
“Several years ago, I was pouring over the scriptures to understand why so much lack existed inside the local church. In the world, there seemed to always be plenty of provision, but when it came to the church executing Kingdom purposes, there never seemed to be enough…or in some cases, the “enough” was abused or self-serving. God answered me with a truly awesome vision.
Christian Leadership
In my minds eye, I was standing in the doorway of an enormous warehouse. It was of massive proportion and filled with thousands upon thousands of crowns. They were recklessly piled one top of another; dusty, dirty and tarnished. It was such a massive site, and it seemed so odd to me.
The Lord spoke to my hear: These are all the crown I had prepared for the generation of people who are no longer on earth. They had My call of a king on their lives, but they never chose to surrender their own throne and pick up the crown I had for them.
Immediately I understood why there was so much lack in the Body of Christ today. There are many men and women who do not understand the importance of the call upon their lives. They are to be these true kings, and their crowns are waiting for them…
We can no long say to ourselves, I wish they would do this and I with they would do that (they is ref erring to the church administering all types of \social justice.) Wake up…We are they.”
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Are you walking in the full blessing and power that God has for you?
Marketplace Ministers Lesson: Seek God to learn more about what he has for you.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Letters from the King: The Anointing (5)
Introduction: I drafted this story over 10 years ago in the midst of a life transition. I was wrestling with what it meant for me to be Christian 24/7, especially a Christian Businessperson and a Christian Entrepreneur. I decided to write a short letter to God to express my frustrations with life; I wrote for two days straight.
The manuscript of Letters from the King: The Reluctant Christian Ambassador sat on the shelf. Periodically I took it off the shelf and paged through. Invariably, I returned it to the shelf, discouraged because it seemed too daunting of a task to “clean it up.” However, this is the year! I look forward to our journey together and your insights!
Read Intro 1 here. The Journey continues….
The Anointing
‘Child, I am sending you into a dangerous place. The people have forgotten about me and are all confused. They have strange ideas about what’s right and wrong. I need you to go and be “me” among them.’
Still dumbfounded, I said, “Father, how am I to live? I don’t even fully know your ways yet. Plus, I am young.”
Christian Leader Anointing
Patiently, the King responded, “I know. And, you are my child and I will not leave you to this difficult task alone. I am sending my Right Hand Advisor to go with you. He will always be there for you to consult. No matter what the circumstance, He will be with you giving you My advice. He has been with me forever and He knows My ways…He knows My thoughts. It will be as if I am with you.”
Uncertainly, I implored, “Father, why are You sending me? What do You want me to tell them?”
His eyes softened even more and he longingly sighed, “Tell them that even though they don’t know me, I love them. And, that I care for them and I am coming to visit them soon.”
“Many don’t even believe that you are the King,” I responded skeptically. ” They will not accept the message.”
“That is very true, my daughter,” He said. Then He went on, “It will be difficult for you because of their unbelief. However, you are My daughter, and no one can change that. I guarantee that, at times, you will feel overwhelmed with their confusion. You must always remember My message and to consult with My Advisor. You have My Anointing:
Marketplace Minister’s Anointing
I AM calling you,
I AM anointing you,
I AM setting you apart for a divine purpose.
Rise up and walk in it.
Turn your back on how you’ve done it before.
Behold, I make all things new.
I open new vistas and opportunities.
Walk in confidence.”
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What are the difficult tasks that God has asked you to undertake?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: We are only asked to tackle difficult tasks with the help of the Holy Spirit.
P.S. I’m interested in your comments on this journey. What details would you add? What questions are you asking yourself after reading? If you were in the character’s shoes, what questions would you be asking?
To keep following the story, go here
I look forward to your insights!
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Letters from the King: Reluctant Christian Ambassador: Intro (4)
Introduction: I drafted this story over 10 years ago in the midst of a life transition. I was wrestling with what it meant for me to be Christian 24/7, especially a Christian Businessperson and a Christian Entrepreneur. I decided to write a short letter to God to express my frustrations with life; I wrote for two days straight.
The manuscript of Letters from the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador sat on the shelf. Periodically I took it off the shelf and paged through. Invariably, I returned it to the shelf, discouraged because it seemed too daunting of a task to “clean it up.” However, this is the year! I look forward to our journey together and your insights!
Read Intro 1 here. The Journey continues….
A Lifestyle to be Learned
Christian Leadership & Mentorship
I did trust my Father’s wisdom. However, I did not trust myself. I felt sure that if I stepped out of my comfort zone to be an “ambassador,” as He called me, I would fail in my mission. I was afraid that I would either conform to of those around me or hide whenever people laughed at me whenever proclaimed my Father’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness. It would undoubtedly sound ludicrous to a people who did not even believe that my Father was in existence as Ruler.
“I guess You’re not asking me, you’re telling me, aren’t you Father?” I said, already knowing the answer to my own question.
“Child, this one is most definitely a command,” He said with a little smile.
As His words sunk into me, my thoughts began to clarify. Then a horrifying thought sprang to mind. What about my family?? I couldn’t just leave them behind. They couldn’t come with me, could they? That had to be out of the question.
“Dad?” I began.
“Your family will come with you,” my Father answered.
Then, I began to really panic. How would I raise my kids without the protection of the castle walls and the King at their sides? Perhaps they would forget Him, too. How would Dave react? He would have to give up his job as the royal financial consultant and start over in a place where no one knew him or his work. He would undoubtedly be hesitant to embark on this mission my father had given—not just to me, as I now saw, but to my entire family.
But I felt the permanence of my Father’s words, and I was resolved not to let Him down. He has done so much for me, I thought. This is something I can do to serve Him. “How long do we have to get ready?” I asked.
“You will probably never feel ready,” my Father said wisely. “This mission is not a project to be developed, executed, and accomplished, but a lifestyle to be learned, practiced, and lived. You must leave within the next few days.”
As I left my Father’s throne room that afternoon, I tried not to dread breaking the news to my family.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What are the parts of the “lifestyle to be learned” that you’re most concerned about learning?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: That it is a lifestyle to be learned! It’s not something that we can easily check off our To Do List. This walk is much more encompassing!
P.S. I’m interested in your comments on this journey. What details would you add? What questions are you asking yourself after reading? If you were in the character’s shoes, what questions would you be asking?
To keep following the story, go here
I look forward to your insights!
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
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"Danita delivered a powerful, insightful and thought-provoking talk that dramatically kicked off the new semester with great success. She is a polished, professional and prepared speaker, yet connects with her audience as if she were having a conversation with a good friend. Thank you, Danita!"- Heather Lam
Communications & Marketing Director
Moms In Step, Woodridge Church
Medina, Minnesota