A funnel in God's hand...a note from Christine
11/24/2009 5:49:53 PM
October 27,2009
Hello, Friends~
In the discovery of our God-given purpose, I suggested that we start out somewhat like a funnel-shaped instrument in God’s hand—and
when we stay committed to being used of God,
we give Him the freedom to move the funnel as He wills,
with the end result being that we move into
the center of our destiny as a child of God, driven by our purpose.
God has moved me further down that funnel in the last couple years, in such a way that He has given me a more unique and specific calling than ever before. (However, I wouldn’t have gotten here without the preceding years of service.) After years of ministry to and with women, last May, I felt God called me to resign my leadership position as director of women’s ministry at a local church. It didn’t make sense to me at the time, but it has all become very clear since.
Here's what happened. . . the following week, I got a call from an acquaintance who had some deeply spiritual questions, and he asked if I would sit down to discuss them. We spoke openly and frankly, and I could see that God wanted to grow this man's young Christian faith--mature his understanding and experience of prayer, and get him into the Word. I offered to channel some discipleship material I had written his way. Several days later, we met again, this time with his business partner as well. We talked about these matters and how to make it happen. From that point on, I became their corporate pastor. Yes, it is my own term, but it is apt. In order to grow their understanding of God's Word, and get it to them regularly, I began writing Bible studies and sending them five days a week...to them. . . and then their people... I have taught through the books of James, Luke, Acts, and am in the last of Galatians now. But then. . . God took these “Morning Briefings” global. There are now ministers and readers throughout the world (in the thousands), who use my material—partly because of technology, but only God could have done such a thing.
After some prompting in May of this year, I knew I had to take next steps, for several reasons. I was troubled that when someone ‘added in’ while we were in Acts 17, they had no way of getting the preceding lessons. . . that was a problem. Very clearly, in order for God to best direct my funnel, I had to build a structure—a launching pad. Over the summer, I had a website constructed, and I invite you today to view it. . . actually, I ask you to please take a look at it. . . spend some time, look at the resources, note the available podcasts, past Bible studies, and book reviews. When the designer asked how I would have folks subscribe and pay, it struck a nerve in me, so I began praying immediately; it just didn’t feel right. Indeed, God confirmed in me that ‘It is His Word, not mine, and I had no right to charge for it.’
At the same time, the readership of Morning Briefings grows daily, and truly, it is my life’s work. A local company has given me a beautiful, quiet office in which to study and write. . . and I have been advised that it is time to set up a non-profit organization, so I now have a Board of Directors that advises me. This is not my work, it is the Lord’s; I am the funnel in His hand, and am called to faithfully obey. PastorWoman.com is for His glory, and has the purpose of spreading God’s Word to as many people as possible. . . “for such a time as this.” Taking faith into the workplace is a special interest of mine, and I have seen God’s favor there. Richard Blackaby was recently asked where he thought revival would break out next, and without hesitation, he said, ‘in corporate America.’ I have seen it firsthand, friends.
The ministry that God has in mind requires funding, as does the setting up of a non-profit organization in the correct way, and it is expensive—so I want to humbly ask you to think about supporting the work of Pastorwoman.com, so that I am able to keep the Morning Briefings/daily Bible studies going throughout the world, the website current and vital, and the daily podcasts, (downloadable for free from Itunes), thriving. (Please see the bottom for information.)
Why? Why do I do what I do, and why should you want to participate in it? Because it has never mattered as much as it does right now—at this time in America, at this time throughout the world, and at this time in history, with God’s plan to reach the world with the gospel before His imminent return.
What is the need around us? I was in Los Angeles a couple months back, and on the way to Griffith Observatory, I passed the huge Scientology compound, Gurdwara (Sikh center), the center for Spiritual Enlightenment, the Eckankar Center, Church of Christ Scientist, and the Elysian Masonic Temple. . . That was just on my way from here to there. . . do you have any doubt that people are searching for God? And how about Christians—how are we doing? Christians are staying away from church in great numbers. . . most say they have ‘had it’ with church—tired of the conventional church, and disillusioned by ‘organized religion.’ How the Lord must grieve that His children are choosing not to come together to worship Him! Even so, these people need to be trained up and refreshed by the Word; Morning Briefings meet them right in their own homes, or at their desks at work, or on their I-pod or Blackberry while commuting.
On September 20, the New York Times ran a large obituary that got my attention. John T. Elson died at 78 years of age. Who cares? Well, he’s the guy that wrote the article ‘Is God Dead?’, the cover story of Time Magazine on April 8, 1966. Who IS dead, Mr. Elson? Not God. God is alive, and He is on the throne. He is deserving of our honor, devotion, and obedience.
This ‘funnel in God’s hand’. . . this note from Christine is in obedience to His calling on my life—His purposes for me to take the gospel into all the world. . . to tell them there is a God who loves them and has a plan for their lives. For such a time as this. . .
Christine DiGiacomo, 27 October, 2009, San Clemente, California