You have to work at it to miss the point of Numbers 9:15-23. 

God's people were camped in the wilderness without a map or GPS or compass. Essentially, they were lost. 

However, wherever they turned there was this cloud of smoke and at night this pillar of fire. These eye-catching visions were better than a map; they represent the presence of the invisible God. The people didn't have a clue where they were, or where they were going, but they were living in the moment, within God's holy tent city: they could see The Presence, even if they couldn't feel it.

When God moved, the cloud moved; when the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they camped. All they had to do was camp in His Presence.

The message of Numbers 9 that applies to our times is: It's wasn't that important that they had a clear vision of where they were going, what was important was that the I AM was with them, regardless.

I have spent the last few months wandering around among numerous options wishing I knew which way to go. I have longed for direction while forgetting the The Presence. That stops now! 

When God is ready to move, I am ready. The adventure is unknown, but the fellowship is certain.

How about you? Oh, I think the cloud is moving... 

The concept is simple: "If you want to make a difference, if you want people to know who you are and what you stand for, then it's time to get in the blog business. Blogging (sharing your thoughts about faith, family, health, culture, business, sports, travel, whatever) gives readers a glimpse at what makes you tick--what's important to you. Oh, and in the process, you take on a more engaging, transparent, and authentic persona. Of course that only happens, if you want people to see you as engaging and transparent and authentic. 

Bottom line, your blog becomes online DNA. You can't get that on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn. However you can link all those, social media, networking options to your blog. In doing so, you bring everyone home to your "virtual house" for a visit. Your blog invites people to get to know you on your terms and in your context.

"So, will anybody read it," you ask?

"If you write about your life and your vision and your perspective, and you have a life worth writing about, then, the answer is YES. You write it and they will come, the readers will come. Ready to get started...

Step One:

Do you really want to make a difference? Do you have something to say?

Step Two:

Pick a general theme, or focus, for the blog (faith, family, health, culture, business, sports, school, travel, adventure, hobbies, humor, advice, etc). Jot down some "first thoughts" about what you have to say about your chosen theme. You must do this at this stage of the process; it's reflective and introspection and motivating. Most people stop right here and miss the hidden joy of it all.  By the way, you don't have to post every day, or every week, or on any regular basis. This is your DNA, not mine, or anyone else's.  

Step Three:

Choose a creative name and design for your banner or header. 

Step Four:

Goggle keywords: "blogs" "free hosting" "posting" and try out some of the results. Wordpress is a very popular place to start. Select one of the choices and post a initial blog. It's free! Send me a link and let's talk about tweaking it.

Step Five:

Tell your friends. Invite them to connect to your online DNA. Does it all have to be perfect?

Are you?

FCN ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE RADIO PROJECT

POWERFUL RADIO PROGRAMMING FROM RON ROSE

PROGRAM GENRE: Story/Talk (1 hour)

PROJECT THEME:
Because stories have the power to inspire us to become a better version of ourselves, this faith-based program embraces story-power to inspire listeners to be the fingerprints of God.

STORYBOARD (PROGRAM CLOCK):

INTRO: 20-second open—Produced program info with music bed

SEGMENT 1: Ron introduces the episode theme and sets the gap context (gap between where we are and where we want to be). Mobile conversations from real world sites (coffee shops, trains, lobbies, etc.) are edited and woven together to set the stage for episode action.

BREAK 1: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 2: Ron unwraps the theme with quotes, media, illustrations, and/or personal stories.

BREAK 2: Two-minute block for ID and commercial spots

SEGMENT 3: Ron retells a story from the Bible with direct application to the theme of the episode.

BREAK 3: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 4: Ron continues the theme with his audio version of FaithNotes (As the program grows he will also share responses from past episodes).

BREAK 4: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 4: Ron connects the dots, tying together all the segments--the stories and presented content.

BREAK 5: One-minute block for commercial spot

SEGMENT 5: Using content from the stories, Ron challenges listeners to be the story, the fingerprints of God. Listeners will get involved online at StoriesThatMoveUs.com 

CLOSE: 20-second close—produced program contact with music bed

PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION:

Stories That Move Us will meet listeners’ momentary and anticipatory needs. While professional marketers push promotional and informational campaigns based on real needs or felt needs, this program takes a different tack. Here the focus is on anticipatory needs; our question is “What needs to be done to move that roadblock out of our path?” Each weekly episode engages listeners where they are, with stories that move them forward, coaching listeners to be the fingerprint of God.

PROGRAM RATIONALE:

This innovative story/talk program uses stories to lead listeners beyond life’s paralyzing roadblocks. Filled with ambient sound, this natural, unvarnished production compels listeners to be purposeful eavesdroppers.

PROGRAM PREPARATION QUESTIONS:

1. What life roadblock needs to be moved in this episode?

2. What stories show us what to do: life stories, personal stories, and Bible stories?

3. Do the stories connect the dots and inspire listeners to take action? Does the episode’s macro story hold attention segment to segment?

4. How will this program increase the number of listeners and the number of visitors to website? How does this episode perpetuate our ministry reputation and influence? What will we use as our measurement of success for this episode?

5. What call for action connects this episode to the website?

POTENTIAL PROGRAM THEMES:

What roadblock, hindrance, or struggle is keeping us from faith in action?
 
•    Failure
•    Loneliness
•    Emptiness
•    Bitterness
•    Legalism
•    Selfishness
•    Insignificance
•    Confusion
•    Distrust
•    Blindness
•    Forgetfulness
•    Impotence
•    Oppression
•    Disaster
•    Fear
•    Silence
•    Rejection
•    Brokenness

PROGRAM INFO:
Stories That Move Us and StoriesThatMoveUs.com, written and produced by Ron Rose, are resources of the Faith Coaching Network. Address questions and requests to Ron Rose at ron@faithteam.org or call him at 817.239.9229.

DEVELOPMENT BUDGET:
The total production launch budget for this new project is $26,000. These funds will assure the production of 12 episodes, which will be heard online via Internet Radio, downloaded to personal media players, and within 6 months introduced to broadcast radio.

We need you to get on board. You can be a major help in making this project a reality. Join with other generous friends and help us raise the $26,000 launch budget.

You may also want to become a charter sponsor of the program. Contact Ron concerning rates and options.

 

When I ask Lyn, "What do you want for Christmas?" Her response is usually, "Oh, I don't need a thing." But, that doesn't mean I skip the gift. I have a need to give her something I want her to have. What kind of need is that?

I have days when life seems cloaked in neediness; how about you? Have you got the basics covered? Many don't, you know. But, their basic real need doesn't diminish the presence or intensity of your own tightly-held personal needs. So, what do you need?

It could be...
...a real need: a job, food to eat, a home, transportation, good health, security, safety, friends, etc.
...a felt need: comfort, hope, love, courage, meaning, forgiveness, generosity, respect, wonder, humor, confidence, etc.
...a momentary need: coping in crisis, healing in brokenness, sexual fulfillment, sense of accomplishment. freedom from injustice, new discovery, recreation, awe in worship, service beyond self, etc.
...an anticipatory need: moving forward, getting out of the rut, re-thinking convictions, cleansing the heart, learning to listen, growing in faith, conquering demons, etc.

Tragically, most of our need discussions focus on what we want, not on what we need.

Needs tend to be carefully covered with layers of privacy stickers and fine print. My Facebook friend Jennifer said, "It's so hard to dismantle the wall of self-sufficiency and the mask of 'I'm ok and I don't need anyone's help.' As a single mom of 3, I have to wear the 'tough guy' mask for my kids all day. It's hard to take it off." She is not alone.

So, what's next? Forget the needs assessment processes and take your secrets straight to the top. Talk to God. He has a proven track record of success. Take off the mask and trust HIM to do HIS thing. He has a direct line to your messy secrets and the chaos under the mask. Remember he has a personal interest in you. He has a need, yes God has a need to love you, to lift you, to give you life, and to delight in your connection. 

Your needs are in good hands with the Creator. He knows your real needs, your felt-needs, your momentary needs,  and your anticipatory needs. He even meets the "out-of-the-box, crazy needs; and, after some retooling, he tackles the sensual needs. He made us, he knows us better than we know ourselves. It takes us a lifetime of growing awareness to understand our hidden selves, but God understands already and he loves to connect with us in our neediness. After all, he sent jesus to save us.

God has a need to give us what he wants us to have. So, ready for the divine connection?

It was 11:00 AM, eight years ago today, when I opened my eyes. I was still alive, barely alive. I spent the rest of the day, wired and tubed in my CCU bed at North Hills Hospital. The day before was a blur of disconnected memories. I remember getting the paper, EMS guys in my bedroom, a determined ER nurse, a screen showing my blocked heart, darkness, ventilator down my throat, my wife, my preacher, my girls, and more darkness.

By the end of the day, January 20, 2002, I had learned how to connect my scattered memories. The 19th will be forever marked as my "on the edge" day. My heart just shut down. Three times, I coded and three times, I was revived. The old ticker was still marking time, but in the words of the hospital staff I was a "miracle man." I was still alive.

"Still alive!" Thank you God!

During the next weeks, I had lots of time to think and re-think, to wonder and dream, to listen for God's voice. Of course, that time had always been there, I had just planned my life around it. But, God interrupted my plans and graced me with a precious gift, a vision of life after my day "on the edge." I had a story to tell, a reason to live, a path to walk, and eight years later, here I am, still walking the path.

By the way, the path has not been an easy one. There have been distractions, detours, breakdowns, and a few "questioning" moments along the way, but the path remains. God called me to step toward a vision beyond my skills, to an emerging goal that seems to be a moving target. We are using the web, email, radio spots, and video training to coach the next generation of faith giants. It's a 24/7 mission and the stories of God's fingerprints in this world are still the heart of it all.

He took my broken heart and replaced it with his.

He gave me a dream and energized the mission.

Today eight years from the challenge of a lifetime, I celebrate his faithfulness. Oddly enough, I spent yesterday struggling with our impossible financial situation, It seems we are on the verge of darkness, but today God has remind me of his power, After all, he is already calling others to help make this a "miracle month."

He is bringing together the resources he needs for his story to be told and retold. We are truly living in the middle of a "God Thing."

God has given me more time, not just time to breathe, but time to live fully alive for a mission of his calling. And I'm not the only one he is calling to his mission. Is he calling you?

Ron Rose
Faith Coaching Network
5001 Surrey Ct
North Richland Hills, TX 76180