Reluctant Christian Ambassador: Finances (17)
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 the The Reluctant 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!
(Note: to start from the beginning of the story, go here.)
Letter from Father
Daughter,
I was deeply saddened by your letter. As we discussed, this is a dangerous assignment. This is one of the easiest and quickest dangers to fall prey to. The status symbols in each culture have a strange allure, deceiving many into thinking that these items are “must have’s” to survive. It is a lie. 
My guess is that you did not talk to My Advisor about this. He knows My thoughts concerning this trap and. For those who listen to him, he provides great wisdom on how to handle finances. I would encourage you to, in the future, discuss all transactions with him. He will provide a balanced perspective that will allow you to meet your needs without becoming trapped in the system of that culture. He will teach you about how to use your money to proclaim the message that I love, I care, and that I am coming back soon. Know, my daughter, that people will watch how you spend your money. Every transaction is a way to proclaim My love for this land.
I must urge you again, to be very careful in this area.
So, what to do now that you are “trapped”? Know that when you err such as this, there are always consequences to reap. And, I am sad to say, that you are going to reap difficulty for some time. First, you need to acknowledge the things you did incorrectly and that you relied on your own way without consulting My Advisor. Confess that you let the culture influence your thinking, instead of remembering the truths that I taught you.
Next, you need to decide that in the future, both you and your husband WILL consult My Advisor on all financial matters. And, listen! Don’t move forward until you have listened and heard. Next, remember that you are only temporary guests in this land. My child, you have all the riches in the heavens at your disposal. I know you’ll agree that nothing in that land even compares in beauty and lavishness and wonder to the smallest servant house that I have. You have all this waiting for you upon your return. Why waste your time and energy on having the “best” over there…it so pales in comparison to the riches I have for you! Why toil so hard when you’re going to leave it soon anyway. PLEASE, don’t get trapped again!
Next, always keep your mission in mind. If you keep your mission in mind, you will be less enticed by the world around you.
All the money needs to be repaid, my child. I encourage you to do so as quickly as possible while remembering to keep your family relationships loving and nurturing. Do all that you can to get your finances under control so that you can once again focus on your mission.
Remember what you have learned, My child. I have trained you well. Do not stray from My teachings.
Love,
Father
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What steps do you take to wisely manage your financial resources?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson 
ray about all things, even financial decisions.
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.
Reluctant Christian Ambassador: Trapped (16)
Letter from Daughter
(Note: to start from the beginning of the story, go here.)
Dear Father,
What would I do without You! You are wonderful! So wise! So loving! You know me so well! It’s like You understand my very thoughts, frustrations and desires. What a wonderful Father You are!
You’re right. I am crying my heart out to Your Advisor…without listening. Listening….you know that’s a difficult one for me, don’t You, Father?
I still need to talk more with him in depth about some other issues that are troubling me. I have found that he thinks just like You, Father. When I talk to him, it makes me feel like I’m actually at home sitting in front of the fireplace talking with You. Thank You for sending him along with me and my family to this foreign land.
As You suggested, I did find one of Your People who is willing to ask me whenever we see each other about my listening skills and if I am staying focused to the mission. She is a wonderful woman. She loves You. It’s the strangest thing, Father. Whenever I talk with her, I almost feel like I’m talking with You…or your Advisor. She is so full of love and wisdom. Have You ever met her before? She is wonderful.
You will be pleased to know that she also has raised children in the foreign land and that all those children believe in You and love Your ways. I think she will be a good resource as I try figure out how to raise my children in this culture that doesn’t even appreciate You, their King. And, yes, I know, I will also talk about raising children with Your Advisor…he has also been successful with this before!!!!
Father, I have another confession to make. I am very embarrassed; I’m very frustrated and need Your advice.
When we first arrived here, we were unsure what to do about housing and all the other “stuff” that looked like requirements to live in this land. It is the custom of this land to “borrow” money to buy these types of things. And, I imagine that would have been okay except we have encountered some difficulties. First, I think we wanted too many things. Everyone else has a nice place to live and nice things inside. It seemed like it was the right thing to do at the time. Because of all the settling in and all the children’s needs, I haven’t gotten an “outside” job to generate money to repay these loans. My husband has had difficulty locating a best-fit job. Money is very tight. I am embarrassed to admit this, Father.
Because of this added financial stress, I’ve shouted at my husband a couple of times. I haven’t been as loving, kind and encouraging as I want to be. I feel trapped. This is a horrible feeling.
I think this is why the job/kid dilemma has been so intense lately. I feel like I need money…and yet I know that my children are a top priority AND that I need to be sharing Your message with others.
This is the worst bind I’ve ever been in. I feel like I’ve made a mistake that will keep me trapped forever. If I’m trapped, will I ever be able to focus on sharing your message with all my heart, soul and mind?
Trapped forever,
Your Daughter
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Where are you feeling trapped?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson:When feeling trapped, remember that God wants you to go to Him asking for wisdom, insight and discernment.
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.
Relunctant Christian Ambassador: Be Still and Listen (15)
Letter from The King
(Note: to start from the beginning of Letters from the King: The Reluctant Christian Ambassador, go here.)
Dear Daughter,
Oh, My Daughter, I cried with you when I read your letter. I know your tender heart. I know your intense desire to do what is right and to walk in My way.
You are so dear to My heart. If you only comprehended how much I love and care for you. It is because you are so dear to My heart, that I personally trained you myself. Honey, I spent hours and days with you teaching you My ways. They did not come naturally to you. Many times you fought me. You have a very strong independent streak in you and it took tender loving care and patience on My part to train you. I prepared you specifically for this mission, My Daughter. This is one of the most important duties in my Kingdom and I needed someone who was willing to obey Me in spite of horrendous obstacles – someone who believed in Me when everyone around them would walk away from Me – someone who sought to know My heart above all else. 
That person is you, My Child; yes, it’s you. You have faith, a heart of obedience, and a desire to know Me. You are designed for this purpose. You must trust Me in this for; I have invested much into preparing you. You, along with My trusted Advisor, can accomplish all that’s needed to tell the story.
Thanks for being honest with Me. I have found that it is easy for many to get distracted. I promise you that I will ask you about your relationship with My Advisor. I also suggest that you talk to My People and find someone or a group of people who will ask you that same question. It is good to find someone who can hold you accountable on a regular basis.
Perhaps that same person could hold you responsible to ask you about your mission. You’ve mentioned that it is easy to lose focus of your mission. And, yet this is the only reason I sent you, to proclaim. Find someone who regularly will ask you if you have been living a life that I would be pleased with and that you have the mission as the driving force in your life.
You also mentioned that you have cried your heart out to My Advisor and he seems to be unresponsive. May I ask a tough question? Did you listen to him after you got done crying? As I recall, my child, you love to talk. If you want his direction, you will need to also listen to him.
I understand your frustration with the multiple priorities that you have. Sometimes we want everything NOW, don’t we? But, does everything have to happen NOW?
There are seasons in life where the scale must tip in favor of one priority or another. That doesn’t mean that you leave one part of you locked up or sitting on the shelf. No, your main focus is tipped in one direction, but the other priorities provide key motivators for you also. It is a difficult truth to figure out. I assure you, child, that when your family is in proper perspective, numerous other opportunities will present themselves. You will be blessed beyond measure, knowing that you are walking the right pathway. As you care and nurture your family, you will find numerous opportunities to share My story that I care, I love and that I am coming back soon. Working alongside people may mean formally, like at a job, or it may be informally, as you get to know people in your neighborhood and school. In both places, My Word is being proclaimed.
This has been a long letter, Daughter, but I sensed your frustration and I wanted to respond to it.
Remember, be still and listen.
Father
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Are you being honest with God about your frustrations? Then, are you listening?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Share all your concerns with Him. Then, listen.
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 this 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.
Reluctant Christian Ambassador: No Answers (14)
Letter from Daughter
(Note: to start from the beginning of Letters from the King: The Reluctant Christian Ambassador, go here.)
Dear Father,
I am sorry that this last letter is so long in coming; I have been thinking long and hard about what You said in your last letter.
First, I confess that I don’t talk with Your Advisor as frequently as I could about the monumental task of raising these three little ones. Thank you for reminding me to talk with him. Sometimes I get so busy with just doing everyday life that I forget to chat with him about the day’s activities and ask him about the best long term decisions for me, my family, and proclaiming of your message. Father, will you ask me that question often? I get distracted and I need your regular reminder.
I don’t quite understand something You talked about in your last letter. We agreed that one of the important criteria in looking for a job is being able to use the knowledge and skills I have. Here’s my most pressing question–Are You certain that “all the opportunities will come my way if I ensure that training and nurturing my children is held in the highest regard?”
I don’t know, Father. You tell me that my mission is to tell the people that You care, You love them and that You are coming back soon. You tell me in order to accomplish that, I need to be out working alongside people so they can see Your character and get to know You – so that a relationship can be built with them and they will be receptive to Your message.
And, at the same time You speak of the utmost importance of training and nurturing my children. Can the two be done? Frankly, it seems impossible, Father. This is too confusing! How can both projects be of the same importance? The “job” requires that I be “out in the world.” My children require that I be at home, tied to them and their activities. I don’t get it.
Okay, I know that You’re going to ask me if I spoke with your Advisor about this. Yes, I have cried my heart out to him! He seems to understand…but he offers no advice! He can be so frustrating to deal with at times. I need help and he just stands by and watches me trip and fall and be frustrated. I trust you that he is right for this job, Father, but sometimes I wonder about him.
I’m sure you sense that I am frustrated. I don’t think I am doing anything right, Father. I think you sent the wrong child for this task. I want to come home!
I miss you,
Daughter
Marketplace Minister’s Question: How often are you sincerely, honestly praying about your challenges and frustrations?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson:God is faithful to those who pursue Him with all their hearts.
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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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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