June 7th, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Visionaries Wanted
Walt Disney was a remarkable man of vision. He never gave up. Early in his career a newspaper fired him because they thought he had "no good ideas". That just made Disney try harder. When he was starting out in Kansas City, he couldn't sell his cartoons. Some hinted that he had no talent but Walt Disney had a dream so he set out to conquer his foes. He found a minister who paid him a small amount to draw advertising pictures for his church. Disney had no place to stay, so that the church let him sleep in the mouse-infested garage. One of those mice which Disney nicknamed Mickey, became famous -- as the world knows.
The early days were tough; but that remarkable, creative visionary refused to give up. Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream to his board about and idea he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would gulp, blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing. But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn't pursue it. Yes, you heard me correctly. Unless everyone RESISTED the idea, he would not take it. The challenge wasn't big enough to merit his time and creative energy unless they were unanimously in disagreement! Is it any wonder that Disneyland and Disney World are now realities? This type of faith is required for visionaries in business -- but also for us as Christians. Like Disney we need to dream big and trust in God for the impossible.
When Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. opened in 1974, Mrs. Disney was sitting beside Walter Cronkite. Walt Disney has passed away a few years earlier. Walter Cronkite wanted to say just the right thing to Mrs. Disney, so he leaned over to her and said, "Wouldn't it be great if Walt were here to see this today." Mrs. Disney wisely replied, "If Walt had not first seen this you would not be seeing it today." -copied-
The Scriptures are filled with amazing people who acted on visions they received from God. God has called on us to fulfill his vision of lost souls being lead into his family. Jesus told his disciples to share his good news with people in every part of the world. He also declared that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against his church. Gates are not offensive devices. They are built to keep the enemy out and the citizens within to be guarded, protected and held. The vision Jesus had was that all followers of Christ become battering rams against those gates so that the captives held within could be set free.
Ezekiel was shown a valley filled with dried up bones where multitudes had been slaughtered in battle. God asked him a very important question, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
The Prophet replied with a statement of faith, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Ezekiel’s board of directors likely would have responded like the one Disney had, a unanimous “NO!” But he deferred to God. Because he realized that, if God wills it, nothing is impossible. God’s next words were for Ezekiel to prophesy (or preach) to the bones. This was a strange command, but the prophet obeyed and delivered a sermon. As a result, the bones developed signs of life, like skin and tendons and muscle. Then they stood up and danced around.
When God sends you a vision you should envision it as done. When it develops into reality, you have already seen it. God grants vision to his servants and stands ready to fulfill each one when his servant carries it out. What vision has God given to you? Some of those visions are already announced in the Word of God. All we have to do is believe it, receive it and proclaim it. God does the rest.
This Sunday I will share a message with you titled, The Breath of God based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. God can breathe life into anyone and anything when he chooses to do it. We often call that “Revival.” Come and join us this Sunday as we learn how to experience new life in Him. God sees it. Will you receive it?
Seeing God’s vision with you,
Jon
Visionaries Wanted
Walt Disney was a remarkable man of vision. He never gave up. Early in his career a newspaper fired him because they thought he had "no good ideas". That just made Disney try harder. When he was starting out in Kansas City, he couldn't sell his cartoons. Some hinted that he had no talent but Walt Disney had a dream so he set out to conquer his foes. He found a minister who paid him a small amount to draw advertising pictures for his church. Disney had no place to stay, so that the church let him sleep in the mouse-infested garage. One of those mice which Disney nicknamed Mickey, became famous -- as the world knows.
The early days were tough; but that remarkable, creative visionary refused to give up. Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream to his board about and idea he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would gulp, blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing. But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn't pursue it. Yes, you heard me correctly. Unless everyone RESISTED the idea, he would not take it. The challenge wasn't big enough to merit his time and creative energy unless they were unanimously in disagreement! Is it any wonder that Disneyland and Disney World are now realities? This type of faith is required for visionaries in business -- but also for us as Christians. Like Disney we need to dream big and trust in God for the impossible.
When Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. opened in 1974, Mrs. Disney was sitting beside Walter Cronkite. Walt Disney has passed away a few years earlier. Walter Cronkite wanted to say just the right thing to Mrs. Disney, so he leaned over to her and said, "Wouldn't it be great if Walt were here to see this today." Mrs. Disney wisely replied, "If Walt had not first seen this you would not be seeing it today." -copied-
The Scriptures are filled with amazing people who acted on visions they received from God. God has called on us to fulfill his vision of lost souls being lead into his family. Jesus told his disciples to share his good news with people in every part of the world. He also declared that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against his church. Gates are not offensive devices. They are built to keep the enemy out and the citizens within to be guarded, protected and held. The vision Jesus had was that all followers of Christ become battering rams against those gates so that the captives held within could be set free.
Ezekiel was shown a valley filled with dried up bones where multitudes had been slaughtered in battle. God asked him a very important question, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
The Prophet replied with a statement of faith, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Ezekiel’s board of directors likely would have responded like the one Disney had, a unanimous “NO!” But he deferred to God. Because he realized that, if God wills it, nothing is impossible. God’s next words were for Ezekiel to prophesy (or preach) to the bones. This was a strange command, but the prophet obeyed and delivered a sermon. As a result, the bones developed signs of life, like skin and tendons and muscle. Then they stood up and danced around.
When God sends you a vision you should envision it as done. When it develops into reality, you have already seen it. God grants vision to his servants and stands ready to fulfill each one when his servant carries it out. What vision has God given to you? Some of those visions are already announced in the Word of God. All we have to do is believe it, receive it and proclaim it. God does the rest.
This Sunday I will share a message with you titled, The Breath of God based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. God can breathe life into anyone and anything when he chooses to do it. We often call that “Revival.” Come and join us this Sunday as we learn how to experience new life in Him. God sees it. Will you receive it?
Seeing God’s vision with you,
Jon
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