Since a short time ago, I feel that my last post is greatly in need of some follow-up.

I did not do the best job clarifying some things because I was more focused on making my point clear. But what I would like to say is this.

Many of the people who have approached Sheria and I about our sacrifices that we have made for ministry actually do have good intentions. However the difficulty about doing this kind of work for the kingdom is that scripture demands sacrifices to be made. For example, the apostle Paul returned to Jerusalem at danger of his own life, despite how he was warned from all his peers. This move could have cost the apostle his ministry, but he moved forward in spite of all odds because of his desire to see jerusalem turn to Christ. People everyday in other countries make greater sacrifices than sheria and I ever have. We tend to think that we at least could make it a year or so with a little financial uncertainty if it could mean someone finding hope in Jesus. In addition to this, we are promised that God will meet our needs if we seek first his kingdom and righteousness. So it would seem that the most rational, level-headed thing we could do at this moment is simply keep doing what we are doing.

However, I understand that those people who mean well are simply offering their best possible advice for our circumstances. And the advice isn't bad, it is simply just practical... But I think that the advice does not fit into the context of what we are doing. If we were sitting idly on our hands waiting for money to fall out of the sky, it would be very valuable advice. However, we are working hard and persevering through this difficulty in faith. This is where God has led us in spite of our worries about it. When people make discouraging statements about us it is probably because they don't really have all the facts about what we are actually doing...which isn't necessarily their fault. I guess with this current blog in contrast to my last one, I intend to shed a more balanced and less frustrated light on the facts so that everyone can now know.

The most important part.
I fully recognize that God has different things for different people. I don't think that people are all called to take financial risks...I simply just want to be an advocate for those who do. Just because someone is doing something that you would not personally prefer for the sake of the kingdom does not mean that they are wrong or unwise. Just the same, I hold no negative feelings to people who work an 8 to 5. Heck, I used to have one. Sometimes I even miss it. And there is nothing wrong with making money, I just personally tend to get frustrated when people seem as though they are measuring me by how much money I make. No one should be measured by that. But where we are right now is where God has brought us and this is now our work until the time comes that we move on to something else.

My purpose was not to offend. It never was. Please keep in mind that this blog is sometimes more widely read than I can tell. I use this place as a spot to rant, but I am seeing that sometimes it is not the best place for it, at least not with public posting. Therefore, if you the readers have ever read anything that made you flip out, I probably wasn't aiming at you. I apologize.