John and Harold in the Netherlands - John will go back in November To subscribe or add a friend click Here     Kings – Retire Early (Now)!   The work ethic, in the US at least, has a big emphasis on working hard so you can retire early. So we see people struggling to get their house paid off so they can retire on a pension and be free to spend their “golden years” without the burden of work. I’m not entirely opposed to this so please don’t take the rest of this newsletter as a crusade against retirees! To be perfectly honest, many young people also have a strong retirement strategy driving them – their goal is to retire by 40. What is sad is that too often the bills don’t get paid off and people get to be retirement age and have to work another job (for less money) to supplement their income and never really get the opportunity to enjoy life. People that really do retire and have little to do often end up with health problems and pass away early – their retirement goal and working all their lives to attain it seem wasted. I want to expose a few of the false-hoods in the “retirement” scenario.   God’s retirement plan – In the Kingdom, we can safely make two statements: First, we don’t have much scriptural detail on heaven, but it is very likely there will be responsibility and work up there. Second, there is a place of "rest" that is available to us now that is much better than retirement. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Heb 4:8-11   10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 Entering your rest – Here’s how I picture the process of entering God’s rest. It’s like peddling your bike up a mountain pass on a hot day… we’re focused on being in shape, pacing ourselves, staying hydrated, etc. While we’re peddling, sweating, and murmuring, a big passenger jet lands on the empty freeway - a scene out of “Back to the Future.” Only in this script, the Lord is piloting the jet and the Holy Spirit opens the door and some stairs extend down the level of our little bicycle as the words, “need a lift” come booming out of eternity. Each of us face a decision – will we peddle through life in our own strength or find a vein of anointing and do the works God prepared in advance for us. It's like rolling the bike into the ditch and joining the party on the plane. The big jet swoops off and our progress goes from a grudging, sweating 7 miles per hour of self effort to 700 miles an hour of adventure. That's "co-laboring" with Christ. For we are labourers together with God…1 Cor 3:9  KJV   We then, as workers together with him  2 Cor 6:1  KJV Too good to be true? – God has blueprinted a dream in every Christian that is much better than a sweaty bike trip. An entrepreneurial anointing is being released right now that is a source of personnel fulfillment, wealth, and ministry to others. Each of us have to pinch ourselves to really believe and move on our heart’s desire. Without quitting your day job, use wisdom and take a step toward your dream. You’ll find the door open and an opportunity to take a second step. In time you’ll but running (flying) toward a great adventure than captures your heart’s desire. Retiring from that will be the furthest thing from your mind.   Making it practical – I attended an MIT-sponsored, live video on Angel investors. There is a 3 page article on Angel Investment Groups that is worth coming back to (click on the link). During the presentation the Lord gave me the following verse. And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29 (quoted by Peter in Acts 2:17-19) The phrase “your old men will dream dreams and your young men will see visions” was highlighted. Young men aren’t usually confident enough in their hearts desire to trust their dream – it takes something closer to a vision to direct their entrepreneurial desires. Older believers often do have the maturity to trust their dreams and move on them. Here’s the point. God is speaking to young and old to release the entrepreneurial side of their hearts. We’re throwing off accusations of carnality and greed from the enemy and expanding the Kingdom of God in the Marketplace.   Teamwork – young men and women have the zeal and energy to start businesses and initiatives, but not the money. Older men and women have the wisdom and money but often lack the energy. I believe God is networking across generational lines to release Kings of all ages. The wisdom and finances of one generation is launching the energy of another. The dream of the older and the vision of the younger is the same. The challenge is to help them find one another via some practical network.   Those approaching retirement are looking for investments and involvement that match their "dream." They long to be entrepreneurial and get in on this new anointing, but they usually lack the energy and nerve to do it themselves. Young visionaries are the answer. They have the same idea and the energy but need the wisdom and finances to make it happen. That’s a definition of angel investing.   We get a steady stream of stories from people being prompted toward an entrepreneurial anointing. Many are being given opportunities to start or expand businesses, but lack the finances. Others are captivated by the emphasis on Marketplace Ministry and are looking for a way to invest in business, or real estate that will link ministry with increase. We’re asking the Lord to show us that networking. Here are some examples:   Duane Smith – Is a local realtor that with a vision to help people find and fund excellent real estate investments in the Northwest. Lucas Vos is a dynamic King we met in the Netherlands with a vision to find real estate investments that would fund Marketplace Ministry (we’ll have his web page soon).   Steve Brown – is working with businessmen associated with Horizon Initiative to develop a ministry that equips young people (16-22) called The Network to be generous entrepreneurs with a hearts for ministry in the marketplace. Coaches are being organized to start groups in August.   Harold Eberle is working with businessmen like Andy Briesmeister to fund orphanages and Bible Schools in Africa… and to make them financially self-sustaining.     Your Assignment - Pray with us toward a practical vehicle(s) to help network Kings to work together - and email us and let us know if you have ideas or existing networks. The Lord is leading many in this same direction right now. One of my (John's) goals is to facilitate forming groups of angel investors and putting them in touch with legitimate opportunities for Kingdom-expanding-initiatives that carry an anointing for ministry and hundredfold returns... "self-sustaining missions through Marketplace Ministry at home and around the world"       Blessings,   John & Harold     PS: if you enjoyed this article your might also like "Six Ways to Find Your Heart's Desire."  The full story is in our book Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace, particularly chapter 7, "Who is God?"     PS: we get lots of interesting feedback on these newsletters at "You Wrote Back" http://www.releasing-kings.com/you-wrote-back.html        _____________________________________________________________________ Interested in your own WEB? We've posted information on the software we use to create this web site. If you survive the learning curve without losing your sanctification (mine is barely intact), it really is easy to use and the cost is $299 a year - much less expensive than hiring someone. The primary benefit is the ease of making your own changes. Additional info is at: http://www.releasing-kings.com/releasing-websites.html     Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings.  These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry.  Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html.  If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.     Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings.  It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions.  This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. john@releasing-kings.com 509-308-6873     Friends Tell Friends Harold and I have both been hesitant to "market" this book... sounds self-serving.  Here's the "grassroots" reality.  God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way.  If you haven't read it - get it.  If you have read it - give it.  http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html   We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it.  Reloading Seniors was powerful.  Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html   PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective.  You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html     ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html