Good Intentions

Well, have you ever had one of those times where you had good intentions, but it ended up not being the best thing?? We are in one of those times right now. We have been praying about ways to raise funds for the property we hope to purchase. We have named it The Center of Hope. Steve talked to our pastor about some fund raising ideas and he didn't have a problem with them, so we proceeded. One of the ideas was an on-line fundraiser in which people could subscribe or resubscribe to magazines. In doing so, we would earn a percentage that would go towards the property. There was a part that people could sign up to help us get the word out and they could also raise funds for the property with us. It sounded interesting and inventive.
The downside is that after we had started it, we got some negative feedback. In fact, we have since found out that ABWE has an unwritten policy against fundraisers like this. The negative feedback wasn't a downer for us, but more that we could have offended people unintentionally. Not everyone is going to do things the way we would do them, but we aren't against changing course if that is the way the Lord is leading.
So, we have withdrawn the on-line fundraiser, feeling that it is best.
God knows our intentions were pure in trying to get the word out about the desire for this property to be used for His glory and bringing souls to Christ. We know that He will bring in the funds if this is the property He wants for us and this fund raiser attempt was in no way a deviation from our trust in God. If the fundraiser had been a success, it would have been to His glory. It only would have been a success had He wanted it to be. So, canceling the fundraiser isn't a big deal, we have the same amount of trust in His provision. If it's to be, He will provide.
We heard a story from a church recently about a Christian college during the depression. The teachers were 2 months without pay and the school was about to fold. Someone heard about their situation and prayed with the leaders of the school. His prayer was, "Lord, we know that you own a cattle on a thousand hills. Please tell one of your ranchers to sell his cattle and donate the money to our school." That was Monday. On Thursday, there was a message received by the school telling of a rancher who had sold a large amount of cattle and felt led of the Lord to send the $10,000 check to help the school out. That paid the teachers backpay, debt and they were able to put some money in the bank.
It was an encouraging story. We know that God ownes everything.
Thanks for traveling this journey with us.