Only yesterday Fred Pruitt and Ole Henrik posted what I felt was another bombshell post which I plan to repost here on the "Change of Priesthood".
Today, or late last night rather, Rich posted this request for clarity. Andre did something similar among those that knew him a few months ago. Because a lot of us really love Rich and his fabulous posts I thought I'd make this request more widely known. What I suppose I am saying is God has been birthing a different order of ministry suitable to the the times ahead, and I recognise this in Rich and Linda Novek.
Posted: September 14, 2011 by novek7 in Uncategorized
Dear Gracebook Family,
Well it looks as though “the opportunity of a lifetime”, the position I was offered, while in the hospital recovering from my recent illness may soon be coming to an end. For those of you who don’t know why I was hospitalized, in April of this year (my birthday of all days) I was admitted into the hospital for a life threatening infection they found in my spine. While there recovering, they also found a (non-cancerous) tumor which turned out to be twice the size of my kidney on my kidney, which also resulted in them removing the damaged kidney.
And it may be ending before it even had a chance to get started.
It seems the ownership of the company I am working for is back-pedaling at this point on the initial offer they made to me. And if this isn’t bad enough, there is other miscommunication and misinformation across the board. This might also be the reason the company is where it’s at today. It’s really a shame too, because the product is a brand name in the industry, and the potential for increased market share is huge.
A wonderful brother IN Christ (who after 30 years, still sees himself as my pastor) who introduced me to some of the deepest writers of our day once said to me, “Rich, God didn’t put you here on this earth to work a “regular” job. He has a much larger place for you than that to fill.”
Well, after nearly 30 years of occupational ups and downs, (mostly downs) I am finally beginning to believe he may have had a point, lol!
So if this current opportunity continues to fall short, I think the next step for me may be to pursue a certification as a “deeper life” Life Coach. I have been involved in counseling in one capacity or another for nearly 25 years, even though I have never received any income doing so.
Linda and I are asking our Gracebook family for clear direction as we move forward, and realize this could very well be the answer to our heart’s cry! That is, Him shutting one door, only for the purpose of opening up another better door.
Please stand in agreement with us as we seek the Lord for clear direction as to what the next thing is. My heart’s desire has always been to be involved in REAL ministry in a full time capacity…writing, counseling, speaking…and otherwise sharing the wonderful revelation of His life IN us. But I am also open to whatever it is He places in front of me.
I always have been.
When I heard the disheartening news today, I immediately came home to Linda. For the past 7 years she has always been there for me, especially in those “I feel less than” times.
Upon my arrival home, I noticed the internet guy was there reconnecting our disconnected internet service. It turned out he is also a brother IN Christ, another one of thousands of starving sheep, those who are longing for so much more when it comes to their relationship IN Him!
As we fellowshipped together, I broke down, and we all prayed!
Linda and I know with a deep certainty we are not as those who have no Hope! Our Hope IS Christ…He IS our Life!
And just as has happened so many times before, my loving Father was there in the form of this six foot-seven 20 something, whose heart was searching for the True spiritual food and the True spiritual drink! It was this young brother, along with my wonderful wife, who God placed in my path “Today” to help comfort me in my time of disappointment!
He was also the catalyst behind this… request for clarity!
Yes, it was Kaine Popejoy (now there’s a name), my internet service technician, who suggested I might start looking at the possibility of “feeding the other starving sheep” in some type of full time capacity! Without Kaine, I would probably not be writing this today, not only because he was the guy who hooked us (our internet service) back up, but more importantly, because of his willingness to allow God to use him.
I want you all to know in thirty years of lay ministry I have never written a letter like this, a letter which specifically asks for clarity from the corporate body concerning the possibility of moving into full time ministry. It has never been easy for me to ask anyone of anything for myself, but I guess it’s time to do so.
And…as the saying goes, there is a first time for everything!
Over the course of my life, I applied to three different Bible colleges, and for whatever reason, it pleased the Father to place me in the “School of the Fire” instead! And He did this in order to position me to receive the revelation of Christ IN me as my life, by Grace alone, through faith alone, IN Christ alone! It was also here, in His chosen institute of “Higher” learning where I learned OF God, not only ABOUT Him!
To date, I have written nearly 100 articles on the “deeper life.” These are articles I am one day hoping to compile into 3 separate 31 day, Day-By-Day devotionals. All of the “deeper life” articles I have penned were written here on Gracebook in the last 18 months.
The following scripture passage in Philippians has brought so much freedom to my soul over the past few years, and “Today” it means so much more to me than it ever has!
“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too GOD WILL MAKE CLEAR to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16)
Linda and I want to thank you all for your continued love and support! We are praying that we are able to see ALL things just as He does, and that all of these things will be made as clear as the glass we NOW see through…to Him! Thank you.
We love you all!
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