Sunday, March 29, 2009

Trust and Law 15

As a result of the decision made in the last post, this Wednesday is my last day at the Flexi School as their Chaplain.I know full well that this is the right time to leave, even though in the physical realm, it looks like it is far too early. Wednesday will make it 1 year and 2 months since I started, in a role that I was convinced I would be in for a minimum of 5 years. I don't get it...

And in some ways this is likely why it took me a good 2 weeks to make this decision. I feel I have more to do, more to give and more to offer, more to accomplish. But instead, I know in my heart of hearts that he time is right, for Flexi and for me, to step away.

The Law of Tenacity says that long term persistence is required and that quick fixes are not in God's usual way of dealing with things. I obviously agree with this. The difference in this case is that I was only to be a small part of a larger objective. One of the reasons I am going is so that the Flexi Chaplaincy can flourish. I can't go into details, but I know part of the reason I have to step out is to allow things to blossom. Could they blossom with me there? Yeah, you better believe it! But God wants to use someone else for that...

But I am reminded that God's way of doing things often doesn't make sense:

"What that means is that we have to have some degree of tenacity about out mission in the world. It means that our need for instant gratification might have to be brought into submission, because quite often there will be no measurable results, or even any kinds of results at all that we can see or measure, from our efforts. Problem is that while the results will be immeasurable, it is also likely our efforts have resulted in immeasurable good in terms of what we have achieved. After all, if Paul plants the seed and Apollos waters, their mission efforts are just as important as the one who harvests." from 17 Irritating Laws of Followship, p. 124

What Paul makes explicitly clear in the verse where he talks about his role and Apollos' role is that "...God gives the increase..."

And so while there is a part of me that wants to tenaciously hold on, there is another that tells me that it is all in God's timing and grand scheme. Whatever I did - plant, water, harvest - my job, for now, at Flexi is done. And I can trust that someone else wil do and bring what is required next so that God can bring the increase.

How irritating, but yet reassuring, that God uses us but at the same time doesn't need us to see HIs will done?!

Next time, we'll talk about the stench of beef that has been brewing for the past wek and what God can do when the BBQ is running...

Thanks to everyone who over the past week sent messages of support and prayer. Thanks too to those who sent leads, and to those who intend to buy the book via Koorong. Love it!

Cheers and Peace,

MG

Friday, March 20, 2009

Law 4 and Law 5 in Practice REALLY HURTS!!

I have just returned from a 10 day tour in South Australia in which I took in a few churches, a few schools and a Young Adults conference in the Adelaide Hills, Adelaide itself and North at Port Augusta. During that time I delivered 5 comedy workshops, 1 keynote address, 3 church/chapel services, 2 English classes (on public speaking) and 2 full length comedy shows. I also sold out of books and CD's that I took with me, which was an absolute blessing also.

I want to publically thank all of my hosts during the time there - Karl Klose and the FUEL Team, Stephen Shultz, Stuart Traegar and Lisa Preuss, Catie Morrison and Bruce Kurtzer.

While I was away, I had a full day where I could rest, rejuvenate, be with God and spend some time working some stuff out that God was on my case about before I left Queensland. Some changes in the way the Flexi School (where I have been chaplain 2 days each week for the past year and a bit) operates means that it was going to be difficult for me to be able to keep speaking and writing. It meant I had a decision to make, but deep down i knew what I had to do...

In this current economic climate, fear is common. And I have to be honest, there were three occasions during the time I was away when fear hit me like a literal punch to the stomach. Nat told me that this is how anxiety attacks feel sometimes. I don't know what it was, but I do know that each time, my thoughts and focus were NOT on God in that moment.

There is something to be said for dieing to self. IT SUCKS! Sure, there is this thing called free will, but if I want to keep on in this irritating journey of followship, there are times when you consciously surrender to what you KNOW is God's direction. I'm not talking about making irresponsible decisions - I have tested and can say that I know for sure what the direction God wants me to take is. But that doesn't make it any easier on the will, if you know what I mean.

So, where does that leave me? Well, as of April 1 (yes, I too saw the irony and God's sense of humour in this!), I will be a free agent. My focus will be developing the speaking and comedy around the country and overseas (including writing in this blog more often, so keep watching and send others); working with my publisher on more books, e-books book production and other products; and continuing to develop further some of the other projects I am involved in, like the radio show and some DVD stuff.

This is dead set scary and yet amazingly exciting. And yes, you can help:
- Book me or throw me leads for speaking engagements/comedy shows. If you want more details about what I do, drop me an e-mail at markgladmancomedy@gmail.com - I'm even open to offering you a spotters fee!
- Buy my book or encourage others to do so, especially from Koorong. If I can increase Koorong sales, it can mean a berth in one of their catalogues which means more exposure.
- Pray for us as we embark on this journey.
- Sponsor the work I do financially: there are times when I offer subsidies and even free bookings to not-for-profits and some schools/groups that work with at-risk young people; and other occasions when I need to cover my own travel to do shows at events and festivals. Your financial gift could help me do this more consistently. Drop me an e-mail if you feel led to do this.

Most of all, pray. I am fully confident that God is going to continue to bless us and stay true to his promises that He made to us when I stepped out.

Thanks for your support. I know that this will be an interesting journey that will make the 17 Laws hit even harder. And that can't be all bad. Irritating, but not all bad!

Mark G

Monday, March 2, 2009

LAST DAY - Purchase 17 Irritating Laws of Followship with 20% Discount!

Hi Everyone,

Just reminding you all that the Koorong 20% discount sale is on it's last day TODAY! It's the last day you can purchase the book cheaper in the store than you can buy it from me!! Go to www.kooring.com and put "Mark Gladman" in the search, or click the "Buy the Book" link on the right of this page.

Cheers,

Mark G