COD - Essence

Defining Essence:

What is the bottom line? What's the essence of your mission? How are non-essentials adding complexity and weight, bogging down the journey?

Defining Essence can bring clarity.

Concentration by elimination can be a beneficial solution bringing clarity of a laser-like focus.

When we define essence, we might think about C.O.D. When we get a package C.O.D. -- there are limitations, boundaries, and requirements; we must have cash on delivery- period.

As you define essence, perhaps considering the following C.O.D.'s would help:

Cost, Opportunities, Deliverables
Conversions, Outcomes, Destinies
Conseqences, Options, Decision-making
Cause, Outreach, Distinction
Christ, Others, Dreams

"By setting limitations we must choose the essential. So in everything you do learn to set limitations." Leo Babauta (The Power of Less, 2009).

Limitations help define essence.

Embracing the journey...

Who Are You?

Unlocking your one “must do” for God is better than finding the National Treasure. Only then can you unleash your vision for ministry with white-water force. - Will Mancini

Knowing who we are is the important first step in unlocking our "must do" in life. It's part of the God-design -- our wiring, our personality, our passion, and our purpose are all linked to "who" we are.

You don't have to take my word -- it's in the Word, John 13. Jesus knowing that He had all things under his authority, knowing He had come from God and was returning to God -- humbled himself and washed the feet of others (served). Knowing who He was, his passion, his purpose, his destiny -- he unlocked the one "must do" the cross, that which only He could do. He must serve all mankind as the sacrificial Lamb and he did it with white-water force, with passion, with resolute resolve; being secure in who he was He fulfilled the mission completely.

Henry Ford said that basic human problem is trying to do too many things at once. Jesus said, "I have come to fulfill the will of the Father" -- translation my purpose, my created destiny; the same is true for us -- we must know who we are to fulfill our destiny.

Embracing the journey, pursuing the dream.

Join the Legacy - You can make a difference

Catalyst Resources exists to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give water to the thirsty.


I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors with Catalyst Resources International (http://www.catalystresources.net/)



Orphan Ministry Update...


Mark 10:13-15 (The Message)The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and Me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, You'll never get in:" Then, gathering the children up in His arms, He laid His hands of blessing on them.


Last month we began sharing with you the need for orphan care in Guatemala (over 350,000 children who need help) and our proposed solution to begin meeting that need. The initial property that we are seeking to purchase is available at a cost of $350,000.

We are now awaiting final approval for our new non-profit organization-Catalyst Resources International. Catalyst is lead by a USA board of directors and a General Assembly in Guatemala that is comprised of folks from the US and Guatemala. The proposed property will be owned by the corporation and under the leadership of the board of directors.



In order to fund this purchase, we are proposing to add to the entry area a display that will consist of 350 tiles. The tiles will be displayed as a permanent fixture to the property to commemorate the sacrificial gift of each donor.


Would you prayerfully consider committing to purchase one or more tiles at a cost of $1,000 each? This maybe paid in a lump sum or over a 24 month period.

In addition to allowing us to pursue the establishment of Mimi's House, this property will also be used as our team house and ministry center office. It will become the hub of operations that will facilitate the on-going work of ministry in Guatemala for years to come. Our areas of outreach will seek to continue to be a "catalyst" to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give water to the thirsty, all in the name of Jesus.


After prayerful consideration, our family will initiate this this campaign fund by committing to donate $2,000 toward the purchase of 2 tiles. One will be in the name of our family and the other in memory of Paula's grandmother-Mimi. That leaves 348 tiles that are available for others to contribute toward. Will you join us by praying about this opportunity? Could you purchase one or more tiles to support this project?


Ultimately, it is about much more than land or a building...this is about the opportunity to reach out to the poor and broken lives that exist in Guatemala.In our next month's newsletter, we will provide details on how to go about supporting this project and purchasing tiles through Catalyst Resources International.


To be continued...


Trusting the One who is able,
Fontaine & Paula (Missionaries for Catalyst Resources in Guatemala).


Embracing the journey ~ Pursing the Dream to Live a LEGACY.

History in the making

At this juncture in the divine timeline...many would say that "history is being made" and it is. Not only with a new president but each and every day with the stories we write with our lives.

Interestingly, we can criticize or we can join the race - so that others might know. Paul challenges us to be "doers not merely hearers"

Theodore Roosevelt said it this way:

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without effort or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with these cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” (1910)

CHEERS to “the doer, not the mere critic- the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done” (Roosevelt, 1891). For, “Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger.” (Roosevelt, 1894)

We may not always get it right but we can steady on...1 Cor 15:58.

Embracing the journey...

Wisdom

We need wisdom from God. The consequence of foolish leadership can be most severe; leadership without wisdom is empty. We need wisdom to hear the voice of God, wisdom in timing, wisdom in speaking, wisdom in living; we need wisdom.

Deut. 4:5-6 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Jeremiah 10:21 - The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered.

2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Let's gain wisdom as we embrace the journey...pursuing the dream

Beauty of Math

I always loved math growing up…the music in the numbers…the systemic nature of mathematical realities….Here’s an added reality:

Beauty of Math!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it? And look at this symmetry:
1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...101% What could it look like?

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented numerically as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K is
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E is
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E is
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D is
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there; it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Now that’s the beauty of math!

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream.

Becoming a Student (expert) of the Word

If it takes 10000 hours to become an expert; I wonder what lives would look like if we spent that 10000 reading the Word -- becoming an expert on the love of God, the heart of a servant, the life of one who would give his all for us. It's a challenging thought...

Maybe the first step would be to read through the Bible in 2009.

If you need a place to get started, you can follow the reading plan on YouVersion. It’s extremely convenient since you can read the Bible for free from an iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry, web-enabled phone, or any computer connected to the Internet.

Can't wait to see the changes in 2009...Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.

Pursuing the dream...embracing the journey.

Back on Track

Back from holiday blogging break; we all need time out to chill, to laugh, to play, to think and reflect on another day -- with the start of a new year --- rather than reflect, how about we proflect (new word). What do we want the days ahead to look like; where do we want to be in a year? What is the legacy we want to leave? Where do we want to become an expert?

Malcolm Gladwell's new book, Outliers has many interesting insights. Basically, it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at anything! It doesn't matter whether it's athletics or academics. According to Gladwell, there are no "naturals." You have to put in the time. Generally speaking, the only difference between an elite person in any field and everybody else is usually a few thousand hours of practice time.

Amazing thoughts/reality to ponder. Anybody can become an expert in just about anything. Obviously, you need a baseline of talent if you're talking about music or sports, but you can accumulate knowledge and become an expert.

So here's the question: what do you want to become an expert in? Gladwell says, "Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness."

Pursuing the dream...embracing the journey...