Dear Prayer Team,

Preparation time is so valuable.

Paul recently spoke to more than 10 men, presently busy with their careers, who are at different stages of preparing for full-time service. Paul challenged them to consider preparation time just as important, if not more important, than the actual goal. More than 11 chapters of I Samuel are spent studying David's special training period. Relationship before activity, trust before charge. Paul has been challenged to apply this truth to his own situation.

Progress on the "Encountering Love" project has slowed down since our last prayer letter. Other projects, assignments and taxes have gobbled up valuable time. But the 'waiting' period is important. Paul has been reflecting on how God uses many life situations to better equip him to write on this awesome topic. The next few weeks will be spent making the Overcoming Anxiety Seminar web-ready.

A good part of the delay was because of one half hour! God opened floodgates of ideas during a reflective time last week. God gave Paul 4 mini projects. Paul had been praying for insight and help but never thought all these ideas would come so suddenly!

• A chronological chart of Old Testament books with major themes
• An overview of Judges (Cycle of Decline and Revival) (This can be good to gauge our church/individual passion)
• Lessons from Samson's life (Parental training, Understanding the Flesh, Battling with Lusts)
• Seven Principles on Spirit Led Teaching (bonus: wasn't praying about this one!).

This half hour surge of thoughts kept him busy all last week and even into this week. When God speaks so clearly, it needs to be captured quickly or it will be lost.