What's God Up To?
Posted by Jeffrey K Radt ("JRed") | Posted in Prayer Requests , Week In Review , Welcome | Posted on Monday, January 25, 2010
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A change is coming to Look Up Fellowship (LUF).
Historically, LUF has been known for publishing too many articles, too fast, that are too long. This has been the product of being a Christian who has been masquerading as a Small Business Owner for nearly 5 years. The last 2 years have been particularly fun as the good Lord has provided me with the unique opportunity to run the business that He gave me from home on a daily basis. As he delivered one blessing after another I, in turn, used the luxury of "more free time" during the day to serve Him as best as I could by researching and writing as many articles as possible. Well, I'm sorry to say that those days are about to change starting today.
As for the quantity of writing on LUF, you'll be happy to know that those bags under your eyes from staying up late most nights (trying to catch up on anything that was published in this space during the week) will be disappearing soon. In what's been a whirlwind of a start to the New Year, He's single-handedly made my small business virtually non-existent (and brought it to the point where I will most likely need to shut it down; in fact, it's already in the process of being shut down), and He immediately led me to a new position working for a new company altogether.
It has only been me and God as Business Partners for the past 4.5 years so this is an unexpected change for me. Yet, please don't think I'm complaining. I know that there are thousands of people out there who would love to be working again in any capacity. That's not what this is about at all. I merely wanted to let all of you -- my dear brothers and sisters in Christ -- know that starting today (with my 3-day trip to Chicago, IL) I will have A LOT LESS TIME time research and write articles, and it's quite strange for someone like me to be facing that reality.
Again, that was the beauty of being a Christian masquerading as a Small Business Owner. The freedom and luxury to come and go as you please and the time to devote to quality research used for writing all those posts for Him was what I absolutely loved! I'm wondering what He has planned and why He's slowing things down dramatically just when I think they need to be ramped up. His ways are not our ways, right? Hmmm...
When you know you're the Lord's, and you know that you're His, and you know that there's nothing between the two of you, then you can have confidence and fully place your trust for the future in His highly capable hands. However, I don't want to ever get to the point where I start to believe that "confidence in God" means being able to tell Him what to do. No, we stand at attention before Him and serve Him -- always -- not the other way around.
So, although I admit that I will miss the daily schedule I've grown so accustomed to (the writing for all of you and the corresponding via email with all of you), I also recognize and accept that this blog, this ministry (if I'm even allowed to call it that), is not mine (it's not the "property of JRed") and it never was, but is and always will be His and His alone.
Back in August 2008, I trusted Him with all of this when it didn't make sense to me to start a blog and commit to it on a daily basis especially when my small business was just starting out. I followed His lead in bold confidence and He established this community of believers that still continues to grow into one that builds up the Body of Christ on a daily basis. Praise the Lord for that!
I will remind myself of what He's done in the past since it provides me with hope for the future amidst all kinds of uncertainty. The truth is, I can't even begin to imagine what He has in store for me, LUF, and this fellowship of believers next!
God bless all of you for your constant prayers and support! Please continue to stop by regularly. No, there probably won't be new columns posted daily anymore, but I plan to continue to follow the Holy Spirit's lead and publish pieces as often as I can. In this world, and at this moment in time, there's sure to be no shortage of topics either.
Stay tuned!
Share
Historically, LUF has been known for publishing too many articles, too fast, that are too long. This has been the product of being a Christian who has been masquerading as a Small Business Owner for nearly 5 years. The last 2 years have been particularly fun as the good Lord has provided me with the unique opportunity to run the business that He gave me from home on a daily basis. As he delivered one blessing after another I, in turn, used the luxury of "more free time" during the day to serve Him as best as I could by researching and writing as many articles as possible. Well, I'm sorry to say that those days are about to change starting today.
As for the quantity of writing on LUF, you'll be happy to know that those bags under your eyes from staying up late most nights (trying to catch up on anything that was published in this space during the week) will be disappearing soon. In what's been a whirlwind of a start to the New Year, He's single-handedly made my small business virtually non-existent (and brought it to the point where I will most likely need to shut it down; in fact, it's already in the process of being shut down), and He immediately led me to a new position working for a new company altogether.
It has only been me and God as Business Partners for the past 4.5 years so this is an unexpected change for me. Yet, please don't think I'm complaining. I know that there are thousands of people out there who would love to be working again in any capacity. That's not what this is about at all. I merely wanted to let all of you -- my dear brothers and sisters in Christ -- know that starting today (with my 3-day trip to Chicago, IL) I will have A LOT LESS TIME time research and write articles, and it's quite strange for someone like me to be facing that reality.
Again, that was the beauty of being a Christian masquerading as a Small Business Owner. The freedom and luxury to come and go as you please and the time to devote to quality research used for writing all those posts for Him was what I absolutely loved! I'm wondering what He has planned and why He's slowing things down dramatically just when I think they need to be ramped up. His ways are not our ways, right? Hmmm...
When you know you're the Lord's, and you know that you're His, and you know that there's nothing between the two of you, then you can have confidence and fully place your trust for the future in His highly capable hands. However, I don't want to ever get to the point where I start to believe that "confidence in God" means being able to tell Him what to do. No, we stand at attention before Him and serve Him -- always -- not the other way around.
So, although I admit that I will miss the daily schedule I've grown so accustomed to (the writing for all of you and the corresponding via email with all of you), I also recognize and accept that this blog, this ministry (if I'm even allowed to call it that), is not mine (it's not the "property of JRed") and it never was, but is and always will be His and His alone.
Back in August 2008, I trusted Him with all of this when it didn't make sense to me to start a blog and commit to it on a daily basis especially when my small business was just starting out. I followed His lead in bold confidence and He established this community of believers that still continues to grow into one that builds up the Body of Christ on a daily basis. Praise the Lord for that!
I will remind myself of what He's done in the past since it provides me with hope for the future amidst all kinds of uncertainty. The truth is, I can't even begin to imagine what He has in store for me, LUF, and this fellowship of believers next!
God bless all of you for your constant prayers and support! Please continue to stop by regularly. No, there probably won't be new columns posted daily anymore, but I plan to continue to follow the Holy Spirit's lead and publish pieces as often as I can. In this world, and at this moment in time, there's sure to be no shortage of topics either.
Stay tuned!
Share
JRed...Let me be the first to say "good luck" and God bless, brother. You've done a wonderful thing and I for one, cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. Those of us who have been reading your site for some time now will miss you I'm sure but we're also able to take that information and share it with others now because of all the work you've put into this.
Thanks and again, God Bless!
Your daily posts will be missed.
Dear Jeff,
Praise GOD for your new position! This is a mighty blessing from the LORD to be able to provide for your family during these hard economic times! (And we all do what we have to do in the LORD to work!) Thanks for the heads up. We will all be praying that GOD gives you every success in your new job and blessings to your whole family! I will check back periodically to see what is new on your sight.
Dee
I think you have an amazing, simple trust of God that is a remarkable example to all of us. I have no doubt that He will continue to use you to encourage Christians to look up, as well as to prompt non-Christians to do some seeking. I admire your humble glorification of His purpose and His sovereignty.
Many blessings to you, and you know we'll all keep on reading (and looking up!).
~Maria
Start watching at 3:03 There's a recurring and thus suspicious 6.21 mile depth in "many" earthquakes:
I then looked at 6.21 miles in kilometers and it's exactly 10 Kilometers. Look at how many there were in Haiti (at this link http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed) that were all the exact same depth, and the exact same depth as those mentioned in the above video.
Seems at least a little strange, doesn't it?
Your blog has been such an inspiration to me and a place I visit at least twice a day (sometimes more on the longer articles). In fact, sometimes when I awake in the wee hours of the morning, I will come to this site and find that you have just posted a new article. I for one will miss your obviously Spirit-led insights into what is going on in today's fast changing world. May God bless you and your family as you start this new stage in your life. Maranatha!
Barbara in VA
Congrats on the new job!! We'll miss your regular updates, but then will appreciate them all the more when they do come out.
May God bless you in your new job!
Best wishes in your new job! I for one will go into withdrawal when you cut back your publishing!
always enjoy the articles you share with us. They are good reading and make me use some brain cells which is nice in this day of "dumbing down". Good luck in this new adventure the Lord is taking you on and many blessings to your family in 2010.
JRed,
Wow, big news! I'll miss the daily rush of info, but the Lord must have something else in mind for you. Disappointing and exciting at the same time! Will keep checking back here for updates.
Scott from VA
I am sad to hear this because I for one, stumbled upon this site and it has made me re-think all that has been systematically being programed into me by the so called spiritual world. It has strengthened my once lost connection to Jesus Christ.
Now that you will not write anymore, it makes me feel as if those forces that wanted to silence you have won. They have diverted your attention to a new job and perhaps they will now begin to turn you into one of theirs and because you have given up your mission to be the voice of truth here.
This makes me very sad because I feel Satan has silenced you.
More blessings are on the way, brother!
Thank you for sharing so much with everyone here and for your big, open heart.
A big hug from Spain,
Paul
Congratulations on your new job! We all know our God opens doors and closes doors. We all just try to be obedient and listen for His mighty voice. I have greatly enjoyed your blog and it has been a part of my day for quite a while now. I will still be looking in anticipation for any new information posted.
May God richly bless you in all you do!
I'm very sorry to read that your daily "long" posts are going to be drastically shortened.
I feel that the lives of many of us will be drastically changing very soon.
Will look for whatever God allows you to write - and God bless you in your new venture.
There is never "an end" in the Lord - only a new beginning.
I always checked in twice a day for the latest insights... Will miss that!
Thanks for all the prolific hard work you've put into this blog!
Enjoy the new journey and do keep us up to date.
Cheers,
Martin
I am familiar with the long commute. I clock 2 hours per day, m-f, and it turned into a real blessing. Listening to the Bible on CD, Christian Radio, Praise & Worship CD's. But nothing compared to the quiet time. Bonus blessings to be sure!
Enjoy this transition because as you give God this time (like i'm sure you will) He will multiply back to you in unimaginable ways and the riches of knowing Him more intimately because of this "separation" will be overflowing.
We all should be as fortunate, and we will when He leads you to share what you've learned.
Love to you and your precious family! You will be in our prayers, all of you.
Good luck in your new job, I will miss all the hard work you do and interesting insights you share. But I'm sure that the Lord will refine what he wants you to write. Most of us will want you to let us know you're still here, and whatever the Lord has laid on your heart to share with us. Thank you again for a first rate read every time I stopped by. I'll still be watching for your entries.
There's nothing wrong with scaling back on the posts. You've done more than your share and it's greatly appreciated by many.
Life is strange, isn't it, how changes can happen so quickly. One day you are here, and the next day you aren't. Changes are good though, when you are on a path with God. He always leads us to a better place. May He bless you, JRed, and your family on your new journey. Your constant insights and posts will certainly be missed. Hopefully we will hear from you soon.
FYI:
Possible maitreya?
Interview on same day as Haiti earthquake:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/261500/january-12-2010/raj-patel
About RP, Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raj_Patel
Wow, Jeff, you know we are going to go through withdrawal but I for one am happy for you and wish you the best in your new endeavors. Are you relocating to Chicago?
J
It is exciting and sad to see such a change take place. I can relate to your feelings as a small business owner and as one who has a ministry because not long ago I was called out of a growing and successful business as well as the ministry I had at the time.
God called me to walk away from both - and I went as far as giving up the small business part.
Should have listened like I was told. But it just didn't make any sense to me then like it does now.
I made the mistake of following my heart instead of its maker. BIG mistake.
You keep following GOD and trust that this time you had has been for a purpose. And you moving into this new era of your life is also for a purpose.
Expect great things from God as you obey Him in this move!
In
Christ
BBA
Dear JRed..thank you so much for all that you've done. You have been such a blessing and I truly have looked forward to what you've shared. I wish you all the best in the future, I know that HE is in control and even though I am so sad to see you go, I know that you will continue your work, maybe not through this venue. Best wishes and from the bottom of my heart I thank you again for all that you've done.
Hi Jeff!
First off, thank you for all of the time you have devoted to this site. No question the Lord has used you/it in many ways.
We just want to throw in some "free thoughts", not exactly advice. LUF will become what the Lord and you decide on, how much time etc. you spend on it, if any.
We wonder if you have given thought to how awesome it is to have had your own business? Perhaps because this is the kind of "circle" we fellowship in, but most of the men are self employed. What a HUGE gift that has been to work directly for the Lord, with no "middleman" per se. Being employed by someone else is certainly honorable, and Biblical. However, since you have skill that has permitted you to work on your own, maybe the journey you are now undertaking could lead you there again.As you may know, there are huge benefits and challenges, all which cause us to rely on Him, that come to us when our daily bread is very directly coming from Him.
We just wanted to say, bless you, and maybe keep yourself "open" to being "on your own again". There certainly are seasons to our walk with the Lord and changes He brings into our lives to teach us and train us. Someone once told us,"you don't want to wake up one day and discover that you have been making bricks for pharoh all of your life". We were being encouraged to start our own business, a blessing that we could not have imagined at the time, and not because of the financial provision!!
We look forward to meeting you one day in the presence of our King!
Maranatha!!!
Yes, should be interesting to see how God will move in this new year.
The "San Diego Air and Space Museum's" featured exhibit is about "Aliens". Looks like the brain-child for this exhibit began in London. Satan has really put it into overdrive & I suppose 2010 will be no exception.
MAKE CONTACT! Exhibition Opens Feb 1, 2010
The Science of ALIENS, When will they return our calls?
**There is a video on the event if you scroll down.
Personally, I don't think the articles are too long, I don't think there are nearly enough, and I'm addicted, so I look for more several times a day and am disappointed if I don't find any!
We're almost home - don't stop now! :o)
JRed, Many congrats on your new position !!! The Lord bless you w/ much favor and wisdom, and all that is required to excel in your job .You have rarely, if ever, written too much as far as I am concerned. Don't forget all of us " hungry hearts ". We love and appreciate you, and your work to and for us, the body !
Heather
May God bless you in your new job, and may He give you further insight and discernment in the days ahead!!!
Kari
I will miss you too like the others have said here, God Bless you and your family and thank you for your insights and study. YSIC
I miss your posts already but I know God will bless you and your family. I wish you all the best in your new job.
Leesa
JRED,
I think you will find that less is more when it comes to matters of effort to understand Him. I have found that the less that I try to push my way in to understand the more He just sends my way after thoughtful prayer. You know I have said from time to time that rabbit holes to connect the dots may bring you to Him and His ways, but, in the end, He knows what He is doing and really, our efforts to find meaning in a movie to prove His existance is really not what he wants us to do.
He is in everything. He is in you, He is in me, He is even in the particles that we try to understand at CERN. There is nothing without Him. So, connecting dots is a bit silly when the dots are just pixels of the picture of Him.
You are a good man, perhaps this change will bring to you the true peace that faith in Him brings. So, as you start you new path, I look forward to your insights that "just come" without having to do the research that takes so much time. I think you will find, that if you let it, that LUF will be even better and that you will be at more peace and offer your gift to even more.
Yours in Christ,
D Randall
God Bless and all the best to you and your family. When you do return to your blogging, see what you make of this.
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100131.html
I have no clue where to begin or if it ties in to what you've been writing about.
If anyone is looking in to see updated posts I give you this: Feb 11th will be a day to watch! The war drums are beating ever harder in the Middle East and Feb 11 is a big day in Iran. The "green" movement always gets stronger on these "revolution" days and this may be the pinnacle they've waited on. Depending on how explosive it gets or how deadly and bloody the Iran government is to it, will also depend on the US and Israel taking advantage of the situation to insert ground troops as well are direct air strikes on their nuclear locations.
On top of all this will be the plans recently uncovered concerning 4 Hezbollah brigades sweeping down from Lebonon with a 5 in reserve and Syria massing troops on the boarder and calling up reserves.
This may be it folks. Pray and keep watch.
Nick
Third_heaven_investigations
A scam collecting funds for building the third temple is running across Christian sites. It refers to David Rockefeller raising capital to rebuild the Jewish Temple. It is a scam!
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=124105
Also report on CNN's Money
Nick
We miss you.
Are you ever coming back?
God's blessings on you always.
you put so much useless babble here i dont think it will be missed