The inhabitants of the Old Glory township lived a good, comfortable life. The valley they lived in, several miles downstream from a big and beautiful lake, was peaceful and profitable. The people of Old Glory loved one another and truly appreciated the life they had been given.

Life was good.

Then one day, an engineer came to the Old Glory town council meeting to give notice of a crack in the dam above the town. The council members were initially alarmed, until the engineer told them not to worry, that the Engineering Corps would keep an eye on the crack and keep the council informed.

So, each year the engineer reported the progress of the crack. Year after year, the crack grew a little bigger, but not so much as to create an alarm. The council and most of the people of Old Glory grew comfortable with the growing crack and the engineer’s yearly report.

But there were some in Old Glory who were not so comfortable. Eventually, and much to the dismay of their family, friends, and neighbors, a small group of families decided to give up their peaceful and comfortable valley to head for higher ground. No argument of their family, friends, and neighbors could dissuade them.

Their decision to depart comfort for something more encouraged several others to more seriously consider the dam’s danger. Year after year, several families would depart. Most, not knowing where to go, simply wandered around the region, being careful not to settle or spend too much time in the valley. Others created small communities, where they could trust one another and work cooperatively together.

As for life in Old Glory, it went on pretty much as before… until one fateful season.

It was a season, though it seemed like a moment, when two alarming things occurred. First, the council discovered that the Engineering Corps had been underreporting the deterioration of the dam. Why, they would not say. In fact, the Corps leaders dug in their heels and doubled down on the validity of their reports. The dam was not in danger of collapse, and the townsfolk of Old Glory were not in danger.

This seemed to calm most everyone in Old Glory. After all, why would anyone they trusted put them in such perilous danger? The dam had held this long, it would surely hold for many more years to come.

Anyway, the council had a more pressing matter to deal with: marauders had entered the valley and begun disrupting the townsfolk’s peace and comfort. Things had been so peaceful and so comfortable in Old Glory, nobody seemed to know what to do. Many thought ignoring the problem would send it and the marauders away.

But, as you might expect, not everyone was so easily convinced. One rather large group, led by several council members, decided it was indeed time to leave Old Glory for higher ground. The dam had become a quite uncertain thing, and the marauders were a threat to their children.

Courageously, this group of Old Glory citizens set out to establish a new town on the mesa above the valley. Their grand plans included gathering together many of those who had gone before them – including the wanderers and the settled groups. They would call their new home, New Glory.

Now, it was not easy for the future residents of New Glory to leave Old Glory behind. They were leaving loved ones and things they had come to enjoy, and they were uncertain about the journey out of the valley. How would they find their way? What would life be like on the mesa?

Some were excited and some were a bit fearful.

Their concern for the ones staying behind in Old Glory compelled them to make two wise and courageous commitments. First, as they journeyed to New Glory, they would keep on eye out for late-leavers. In fact, one brave young man agreed to stay behind for a while to help others find their way. Second, when the dam collapsed (as they now knew it certainly would), they would send in rescue crews to save all they could.

And so their adventure began.

As expected, their journey was not easy. Keeping everyone safe and satisfied required wisdom and sacrifice. Encouraging those who desired to return to Old Glory required patience and sharing the truth in love. But they were determined to go together, and to grow in their love for one another along the way.

Eventually, New Glory became a reality. Many who had previously wandered from Old Glory found their way to the new township. Several of the settlements joined this new and exciting community. And when the dam broke, more than a few Old Glory holdouts were rescued.

New Glory became a refuge, an encouragement, and a place of spiritual wisdom, just as it had been envisioned.

The End.

So, why do you think the Holy Spirit had me share this with you? What does it mean to you?

I believe there are several reasons:

1. To encourage you for your adventure.
2. To increase your hope for the future.
3. To help you get your bearings (i.e., as a group, you are just beginning a new adventure).
4. To introduce God’s way for Christian maturity.

And that’s what I want to close with.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18

1. Christian maturity comes in iterative seasons of transformation from Old Glory to New Glory.
2. Most of you have stepped out of the Old Glory comfort zone into the transformation phase of your adventure. Some of you may still be undecided and that’s understandable.
3. The end of the adventure will be the manifestation of the desire in your heart for yourself, your family, and this little fellowship of believers.
4. God has created good works for you to walk in together (Ephesians 2:10), along the way and particularly when you get through the transformation He intends for you.
5. Being a fellowship with a desire, a destination, and an adventure will draw others.

So, by all means, be encouraged, be bold, and be thankful that God has called you to this adventure.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob

#iamjustthepen

Ministry Updates and Prayer Requests

The Lord is using us to encourage, edify, and equip a several groups facing transformational adventures. Two are going through the stress of leaving a church they have loved for many years. Please pray for their comfort and courage.

The Douglas County Trusted Advisor Forum has now met four times. We have moved into the purpose phase of the transformation (i.e., Map Maker) process. We are also focusing on God’s way for developing a healthy organization. We still have several open seats at the table. Please pray for the workplace leaders who will join us – that they would clearly hear the Father’s call.

The new inLight website is up!! Now that we have a good design running on a stable platform, I can make some necessary changes to the messaging (to reflect God’s renewed mission for inLight). Please pray for the time and wisdom to complete this soon, and perhaps someone to lend a hand.

Marketing for The Storms Have Only Just Begun did not go as well as I had hoped, so I need your help. Please share our “About the Book” article with your family and friends. Chaos offers the best opportunity for discipling others, but we first need to prepare ourselves. The Storms Have Only Just Begun will serve as a great discipling tool for you and those entrusted to your care.

Please join me in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, who are under tremendous persecution from the radical Muslims there. Please pray with me for their encouragement, protection, and faithfulness in the face of severe trial and tribulation. From my reading, I understand they are also praying for us.

Continue to pray for the workplace leaders you know. And let me know how I can help you minister to them (we have tons of resources for you to share).

Beth and I are now hosting a prayer meeting in our home – the first ministry we have done together since Beth’s retirement, and the first offering of our home to the local church community. Please continue to pray – particularly regarding our ministry to our adult children (and our wonderful, beautiful grandchild).

Partnering with inLight Consulting

God’s purpose for inLight Consulting is beyond human capability. We are desperately dependent on Him; and would have it no other way. We are grateful for the continued support of those that trust God to use this ministry to further His kingdom. Please pray for our vision and mission.

Share the truths you find here with the leaders in your life; it will make them free.

God bless you with wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; and may He give you the grace and courage to walk in the work He has prepared for you.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob