Plowing and Being Plowed

From the introduction of Preparing for Rain by Michael Catt ...

"In the movie Facing the Giants, Grant Taylor, a discouraged football coach at Shiloh Christian Academy, gets an unexpected spiritual lesson from Mr. Bridges, a prayer warrior.  When the coach tells Mr. Bridges "I just don't see God at work here," the prayer warrior responds with a story:

"Grant, I heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain.  Both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it.  Which one do you think God trusted to send the rain?"

"Well, the one who prepared his fields for it."


"Which one are you?  God will send rain when He is ready.  You need to prepare your field to receive it."



Are we at C Square Ministries, Inc. ready for rain?  Have we plowed our fields to be ready for a downpour?

Approximately five years ago at our very first public ministry event - a Grace Life Conference we sponsored - a prophecy was spoken over this ministry.  As the rain poured outside, and I mean, poured outside, I felt the Holy Spirit say he was going to do the same thing for us.  He was going to abundantly pour out his favor, drench us in it.


In the ensuing five years, we have seen some rain.  We have seen drought.  We have seen provision.  We have felt heartache.  We have watched the hand of God move on our behalf.  We have made mistakes.  We have received forgiveness.  No downpours.  Are our fields ready?

You have read about our work in the hotel in our Christmas letter (scroll down to February to read it).  Do you want to know where my husband excels?  It is here.  Meeting new people.  Loving new people.  Gently comforting them to see God at work in their life.  He is amazing.  One day as I sat by the pool, I realized we had impacted a small group from our house but God brought us here so He could bring us so many more.  Each day, each week, each month, each year, more and more people. Woody has the heart of God for them.  He amazes me.  He has a realness with them that leaves me in awe. 

He reminds me of the first evangelist in the Bible - Philip.  That is Woody's given name.  He was named after his mother, Phyllis.  There is also the apostle, Philip.  Whether the deacon, apostle or his mother, they all have given him a deep spiritual heritage that oozes out of him.  Look at Acts 8:4-8.  You could rename it Woody in Studio Plus.  It is what he has been doing in his own unique and wonderful style.

As for me the most recent things are that I was asked to read some scripture at our church's Ladies Spring Fling back in May.  I was part of a team of five reaffirming "Who I Am In Christ."  I was honored to participate.  In the same month, I was also asked to be on the Intercessory Prayer Team for my daughter's home school cooperative, New Life Academy.  We have been attending there four years.  I count it a privilege to serve. 



In "Preparing for Rain," Catt says, "The prayer ministry is the heartbeat of who we are as a church.  If it weren't for the prayer ministry, the rest of this book would be little more than flesh-peddling and bragging about who we are.  Because of the prayer ministry, Sherwood is a testimony of what God can do.  The secret to touching the world is to know the secret of touching the heart of God.  When we fail to pray, we disappoint Christ, defeat ourselves and delight the devil.  No Christ-honoring church or ministry ever rises above the level of praying done for it. (p.58)."

 I am looking forward to learning.  Learning how to pray for a ministry.  Learning to touch the heart of God and hear him speak in a new context. Yes, a new context.  I have for three years now been in what I believe was a season of discipline.  My own personal field has been plowed.  God has overturned rocks of pride, financial independence and self-righteousness.  It is humbling the day it dawns on you that your family has had to endure a financial famine because of your sins. I understand David now in 2 Samuel 24 when he counted his troops and sinned against God, and he said that he would rather fall in the hands of a merciful God than man.  It was a matter of my heart.  No man knew.  Man would have judged me harshly.  God, however, knew and was gracious.  I understand because even in discipline I have seen the mercy of God.

Preparing For Rain has been soaking in my brain for about a month now.  It has been a perfect book to help me see a bigger picture with the ministry.  Remember when I asked you, the reader (If there are any out there.), for suggestions on books to help with the progress of the ministry.  God guided me to this one at just the right time.  I guess He reads blogs. (Hee! Hee!)  That pretty much wraps up what I gleaned from Chapters 1-8.  I have one more parallel to draw with Chapter 9.  We will work on that one tomorrow.  Thank you for reading on!