Would you be interested in helping me write the book God has put on my heart (actually several books, eventually)? I believe the Lord has directed me to once again focus my time and energies more fully on ministry, and particularly writing. While this is exciting, it is also a bit scary for us. I am writing to invite your financial support in this direction.

For years I have had a desire from the Lord to put some of my messages into book form. This last spring a respected brother in another state sent me a disturbing note. He wrote, "I don't think I need to pray for you to have more strength and I believe you have motivation to ministry. What I should have been praying and will begin to pray is that the Lord meet your needs without secular employment so that you have time to do what is in your heart." This was not a suggestion I wanted to hear. After fifteen years of speaking at conferences and presenting seminars full-time, three years ago I returned to teaching in local public schools. Now I had invested much time and money in acquiring additional credentials, had become comfortable in my teaching job, and was well-liked by my supervisors, co-workers, and students. Yet the thought gnawed at me that the Lord might be leading this brother in his prayer, and preparing me for a change.

Then in late June I was stunned to learn that I would not be rehired at the school district I was working for. The way this came about was so unusual and unexpected that I couldn’t help but wonder if the Lord’s hand was in it. Still, though I suspected the Lord might be answering my friend’s prayer, as I prayed about it I felt I should faithfully seek another teaching job, while asking God to close doors that contradict His plan. Nearly 200 applications later, despite interest shown, and good, but fruitless, interviews with various local education agencies, it is clear the Lord is redirecting my path.

One night in mid-August I couldn’t sleep as I sensed the Lord speaking to me through the account of David’s challenge to his son, Solomon, and to the leaders of Israel. In 1　Chronicles 28:1 we’re told how, toward the end of his life, "David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel." He went on to review with them his unfulfilled vision for building the house of God. He described how God didn’t allow him to carry out the vision, but gave him the plans and allowed him to make the preparations so his son could build it. Then, after explaining the vision, at the beginning of the next chapter, David actually asked for the leaders’ financial support. He challenged (1 Chron. 29:5), "Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?" The people had caught the vision with David and in the next verse we’re told, "the leaders of the fathers' houses, leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the king's work, offered willingly." I sensed the Lord applying this example as an encouragement to openly invite support of God’s people to the burden of putting my messages in book form.

As I’ve discussed this with my family and several close friends, they have offered strong encouragement, and independent but unanimous urging for the first book to focus on the theme, "Instructed by Scripture, Led by the Spirit" (the motto of my e-mail newsletter for several years). This message is clearly the passion burning in my heart currently.

That night in August when I sensed the Lord speaking so strongly to my heart about this, an idea kept recurring that I think is of the Lord. It would be a good accountability measure for me to commit to sending updates of my writing to any book-project supporters.

With all this in mind, I am soliciting friends who would sense the Lord’s leading to help me write these books by contributing to our family’s support while I devote myself to this task. And for supporters who are interested, I commit to sending regular update drafts of my progress electronically. I am setting a goal of having a final draft of this first book completed by the end of this year (2011).

Do you sense the Lord in this? Would you stand with me in this pursuit? If so, please use this link to leave a comment and let me know what the Lord is speaking to your heart.

If you are moved by the Lord you can commit any regular amount toward our monthly support, or simply contribute as the Lord leads you. Contributions can be sent to: Bold Christian Living, PO Box 820, Springville, CA 93265. Or you can contribute using the "Donate" button below or at the top left of our website.

For Jesus’ pleasure,

Jonathan Lindvall

P.S. For those interested in a more thorough presentation, from which this letter is abbreviated, of how the Lord has led me, it can be found at http://boldchristianliving.com/pdf/Support_Vision_(Long)_9-22-11.pdf.