What about my vision of a perfect, nurturing church? We tell people they should go out on a limb and their faith will grow. You say to take chances. It's OK to fail. Sometimes I think people forcing themselves to face other Christians and trusting each another enough to experiment may be almost as powerful as the gifts themselves. The gifts are to build up the Body of Christ. Maybe by the time you feel comfortable enough to express your gifts, and others are allowing you to, you may have already taken a huge step forward in building up the Church before actually using the assigned gifts. I am not trying to minimize the gifts by saying this. However, sometimes working toward a goal is just as important as achieving the goal. Working toward the goal is the goal. Life is full of tough decisions. But sometimes it is easier to go ahead and do the impossible, than it is to continue fussing about things that you give into as not being possible. So, do you want to be a fusser for the rest of your life, like I almost was? Or do you want to have visions of the future and watch them unfold before your very eyes? I shared with you my impressions of the room of acceptance. But this is not the fulfillment, the end, of my life story. It has only just begun. I want you to realize that God has this same dream available to you. God gave me the dream to confirm what I have experienced. And I am sharing this dream with you because you are to expect the same in your life for what God has in store for you. But you may have to believe that what seems impossible will happen. Before it happens. Maybe you will never find a congregation that comes close to meeting your expectations. But I am sure you will still find like-minded Christians to develop supportive relationships or cells with. We do have a working model, a vision to hope for. If you have faith, your hopes will become reality. It did for me. And it will for you as well. Always remember, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20) Maybe you have been nodding your head, “Yes, I’ve been there.” as you read this. Maybe you have faced similar struggles in your faith, doubting your calling, just as I did. You have now received confirmation, affirmation, and encouragement. Go to it! You are not alone. You are understood. God has gone before you and has laid out a path for you. Walk it! Over and over again in my ministries, I have seen God giving me a dream I consider personal, and applicable to only me. But over and over again, I find that God made that dream come alive in me because He wanted me to help that dream come alive in someone else. Do you think my triumphs were intended solely for my own edification? Or maybe, just perhaps, some of God’s interventions in my life have come about because YOU needed to see God working in someone’s life. I wanted to see a working church. I don’t know what you want, what you need, to see. But I do pray you have allowed the Holy Spirit to help you interpret and "read between the lines" of everything I have said here. Publicly stated or not, there is a very personal message here for you. Accept it here and now. I was asked to write my bio. You might think I have written a sermon. But this IS my life. This is what I was called to do. To talk to God. To talk to you. We all face struggles. I was always confused as to whether I was trying to help myself or help others. Both are possible. Sometimes separately, sometimes at the same time. Once you can get past yourself and take a chance. Like I did. Like I trust you will. Let me summarize my life, what I have shared with you. What I hope you will share with others. If you meet someone who has been brutalized by life (maybe everyone could qualify), resist your first inclination to perform open heart surgery to fix him. Instead of trying to correct what was done to him, try to give back to him what was stolen from him. Afford him the luxury of being who God is leading him to be, not who the world is driving him away from being. Be what he needs most, simply a friend who will accept him as he fumbles his way back to finding his true identity. Don't treat him like he is broken or damaged goods, just provide enthusiastic encouragement, and share his excitement as he masters each new challenge. If we fail to extend the hand of friendship, then who has caused him more damage? The original villains from the past, or those in the present who do nothing to help him overcome his past? Maybe brilliancy had its time and place. But then again, I still question that it ever had much merit around here. However, sometimes it does take a brilliant mind to be able to explain things in a manner that everyone can understand the message. To make the difficult seem easier... more manageable... more direct... more attainable. THAT is who I was. Once I thought this. When I try to help others, I receive such a strength and a power from God's Spirit, I cannot even begin to describe it. When I seek resources to help others, no universe has ever been denied me. But when I plea for a little support for myself from others, even something as simple as a glass of water seems to strain their capacity to comprehend my need. Ouch! How did I get past these hang-ups? There is a way to face, deal with, and conquer every problem you and the church may encounter. All the gadgets, widgets, and gizmos you need are right here before you. Right here in God's Giftbox and His Toolbox. It isn’t rocket science or any other mystery. It’s just love, pure and simple. God’s love for you. And for me. Close your eyes and let God speak to your heart. Let God fill you with a vision. And don’t think that when you open your eyes the reality of the world will cloud your vision. What God has given you no man can take from you. Unless you choose to let it slip through your fingers. I have made this promise to others, and I will extend it to you through this prayer for you. I am watching the dreams that you carry in your hands. I will scoop them up and place them back in your hands should you drop them. And I will cup my hands around yours to hold them in place. I will listen for the voice of your dreams as they cause your heart to beat with purpose, with a drive and a passion you have never known before. If that voice becomes too faint for my ears to hear from a distance, I will lean my head forward until close enough to hear even the stillest and smallest of voices. And the Holy Spirit will revive that voice. The Holy Spirit will amplify that voice, your voice, and you will ring out in joyous harmony with those around you. Your voice will be heard. Your dreams will become reality. God has planted the seed for those dreams in your heart. From a seed that has died, new life will spring forth. And most importantly, if your spirit starts to waiver, if you become discouraged and want to give up, if someone deceives you and leaves a telltale spirit behind, I will know. I will shoo away the doubt in your mind... the darkness in your soul... the coldness in your heart. How do I know how and when to do this? It’s a spiritual gift. Given to me by the Holy Spirit. Earlier I said I was going to tell you something. When I returned to the Church, what did I get to build up and what did I have to tear down? Words could not adequately describe my life. Perhaps my prayers have shown you. Go to the beginning of Jeff's bio.