This is post TWO of my three part blog installment on “DREAMS.” The last post was entitled “DARE TO DREAM”. Not all dreams are bad but not all are inspired from God. The Lord placed a book that was brewing in my life for sometime and when I finally sat down to write it we had it done in five business days! I note “we” because it was more God than me. It was almost like I was reading it as I was writing it. Talk about vomiting volumes! Then again, it took three and one half decades to live it so it took less than a week to write it. In the words of one of my favorite modern day theologians, TONY NOLAN: “GO GOD!!”
The Book is called “FINAL APPROACH: Career vs Calling?” It is available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/FINAL-APPROACH-Career-Calling/dp/0578039397/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271354404&sr=1-1
Keep in mind, a career is a job but a calling brings JOY! A career you make dollars and the other you make a DIFFERENCE! At one you exist but the other you live life to the full on a daily basis. With one you may reach “success” but it doesn’t ensure satisfaction or feeling significant but a “calling” can be a dream, a vision, a burden, God-sized assignment that you know is from the Lord. The catch is will you allow it to catch you and throw you to your Divine Destiny? Almost all men dream at night but dedicated men become dangerous when they dream during the day to watch them grow to a reality. As a child, nightmares to me was the fear of falling, snakes, ghosts or the dark. Today, I fear not failing or falling but forsaking the call (dream) God has purposed in me.
In researching for my book, I learned that over 70% of Americans have a “job” that they don’t even like but the bills come every month. So they exist and endure it but not EXCITED to go to work. Since we only have “ONE LIFE TO LIVE” it is crucial that we chase the CALL of GOD on our lives. When Peter walked on water he had his gaze on God, sights set on the Savior and was looking at the Lord. However, when he got his eyes off Him and watched the waves, weather and wind he went from super-natural to a sinking disciple! We must focus on our faith NOT flesh and our trust must be in the unseen not the things we can see. My dear friend and fellow Evangelist Jamey Ragle reminded me that we lose when we let our negative moments “define us” because when we are covered by the blood of Jesus those “moments” do not have to become monuments! The past is the past and we can have peace in the present when we pursue our passion in the future “by faith.”
Personally, I have always equated the wind and weather tossing at sea to also resemble the mortgage that comes without fail every month, bills that don’t cease, friends who will offer you more complaints than encouragement and the fact is, the storms of life will come but you don’t have to be overcome by them. With faith, we can go through them! Its not too late to dream and chase the call of God on your life.
90% of seniors on their deathbed when asked if you could live all over again what would you do differently? A vast majority said: “I would have chased my dream (call), loved family and friends and honored God more.” May we truly begin to live before we die. I have learned that living is backwards. When we die to sin, self and society’s suggestions we literally live on ALL cylinders. Once we die to self we can live by faith for God.
One of my favorite preachers of all-time, Dr Adrian Rogers noted: “When we promote self first we place ourself on the throne and re-place Christ back on the cross. But when we die to self, we place our flesh on the cross and Jesus has His rightful place on the throne.” Jesus’ resurrected life dwells in us to live victoriously after assassinating our agenda and adopting His will for our life! It is a HUGE honor to sponsor a child via COMPASSION www.Compassion.com or World Vision. It is incredible from what I have heard to adopt a child that was going to be aborted! PRAISE THE LORD!! The greatest adoption is giving God full reign of our life. Letting Him drive, dictate and direct our steps (dreams).
If your dream is not bigger than you than you are living a dreary life. You are existing but not really living life to the full. God designed you to be creative, contagious and Christ centered. When we cease to dream we leave God out of the equation of our life. Those are not dreams but yawns! We must wake up and work out the dream and call of God on our lives. Some abort their dreams not because they are too hard but because they won’t allow themselves to enjoy something that might be beneficial and from the very Hand of God. Honestly, I would rather dream something BIG and miss it then do something small and make it. Success is not winning or losing, completing or falling but chasing the call of Christ on our life!
Some believe they cannot dream because they feel “un-qualified.” We all have felt that and I love that God doesn’t call the qualified but qualifies the called. God uses imperfect people to promote His perfect Son and He delights to use the “broken” to bless others. Some feel un-qualified while others feel “un-fit.” Some are afraid to chase the call or dream because of FEAR. Remember that FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.
Hollywood Hero, JOHN WAYNE said is “Fear is being afraid but saddling up anyway!” Nothing wrong with being scared but remember with God you can do ALL things! You are a victor NOT a victim and you cannot lose when you live for the Lord. Friend, I have GOOD NEWS! Those that think they are not worthy are 1) Right (because its grace that we live) but 2) YOU are just the candidate God is looking to bless and use. When the world “uses” you then one feels like trash. However, when God “uses” you then you feel like a TREASURE!
Like an auto-enthusiast who restores cars, Jesus – THE MASTER MECHANIC is in the “body and soul” restoration business! One man’s junk is another man’s treasure! You may be down but you are not out! Some have encountered great loss, failed marriage, mountain of debt, poor decisions, lack of confidence, loss of a family, death of a loved one, broken promises but if you’re not dead than God is not done with you or the dream He placed deep inside you. My prayer is that my book “FINAL APPROACH: Career VS Calling” https://www.frankshelton.com/finalapproach.htm
will bless you but more importantly THE BOOK – Bible will certainly bless you when we get into the Word then we can make an IMPACT while living in the world.
This appearance aired last year on ATLANTA LIVE and (my recent ATLANTA LIVE appearance was posted two days ago on my Facebook wall. It was my honor to be a guest on their show while in Georgia. Shelley Hendrix is a dear friend, incredible Bible teacher, captivating communicator and is co-host of ATL LIVE! We both can relate to hurts and pain but God loves “left-overs.” Man may have rejected you but God is inspecting you and directing your steps (dreams) to bring Hope, Healing, Humor and Heaven on Earth to others through your yielded life. This may floor you but regardless, if you give much thought to God, take great comfort that God is “DREAMING” about you!
Don’t delay – keep dreaming TODAY!
Bro Frank, my Daddy read your book after meeting you in SC. He loved it and thanks for all you are and all you do. You are a living example of a selfless soldier of the cross. Carry on and well done!
Mr Shelton, I saw you on ATLANTA LIVE (WATC-57) recently while at home on television and your story really blessed me BIG TIME!!!
I will watch this clip but you really motivated me to live for God, not be ashamed of Jesus and chase the call of God on my life. You are one anointed man and would love to hear you preach in person. Will you be coming back to Georgia anytime soon? God bless your family as you travel.
Whew! That list of dates made me Tired just looking at it! =)
GOD Bless You Brother Frank… & May GOD exceed every need for His Glory
Frank, your book blessed me so much that I bought 10 of them and gave away as gifts. God bless you and thanks for your obedience to Christ. Lisa and I pray for you everytime you come to mind.
WOOHOO! Frank – this is EXACTLY what I needed this morning and I am amazed at how the Lord gave me just the words that were needed.
I have always always been a dreamer and I love to see others accomplish their dreams and soar just as you said.
Lately there have been a few dreams in my mind that are sooooooo strong and there is mega excitement to accompany them.
However, I have learned in my 42 years to sit for a minute and wait on the Lord to confirm and affirm dreams and visions before I roll ahead and your note this morning did just that, amongst a few other sources of encouragement …. it confirmed what I have been praying for …. to forge ahead.
The other thing the Lord showed me this past year is to check motives … and he laid on my heart a message to myself and others to ask, are we “driven or called?”.
Being driven, as we know, is admired by the others but cause someone to be sincerely wrong about their source of that drive …. pain, betrayal, insecurity, loneliness, anger,proving something, and the list goes on.
When one heals, they are whole. When we forgive, we are no longer bitter as we sit in our mind’s eye at the foot of the cross and feel His blood drip on our face looking up into His, knowing He did it for us. That makes it impossible to point fingers at another and we can dismiss, TOTALLY, their sin against us.
For myself, after a great deal of soul searching, yelling at the Lord, sitting in my Joseph pit, and emerging with a dislocated hip after a Jacob wrestle, and yes, all at once, the Lord showed me more of my motives and a “call” to do what I do best, but with no impurities involved.
Whew! Recently, after three years of praying, He helped me to forgive a terrible betrayal and gave me an enhanced meaning in Women’s Ministry that He showed me I was to do in back in 1997 during a conference where I hear Pam Moore speak – former travel companion to Corrie ten Boom.
That moment changed it all and then God took me directly to the furnace to prepare me and gave me FABULOUS mentor in the process. Now I am finding myself able to mentor.
Thanks for your timely word on the Word and to our chivalrous, yet cutting edge, jaw-dropping Father – to God be the glory!
Hi Frank!
It blesses me to see what a blessing you are to others.
Thanks for being an inspiration in all you say and do!
Frank, you are both a visionary and a leader. I am bringing some folks from my church to support you at Six Flags when you preach in June. I never get tired of hearing you brother. God bless you and as you remind us all – Go with God.
What a great post Frank! So thankful God allowed our paths to cross and our families to become friends–simply as we were walking in our callings. Keep on dreaming & making HIM known!
Blessing to you, Frank. I so admire how God is sustaining your efforts. May you continue to have so much energy!Lord willing, I can hear you in person in CA one day!!
Hi frank, this is Audrey Jane…you know me from waldorf, MD i was formerly Audrey Gregan. Anyways, i always enjoy your posts…it’s awesome how you show your love for the Lord and i share your joy:) I am a singer/ songwriter and have written a few contemporary christian songs that i would love to send to you and have you let me know what you think. thanks for your time and i hope to hear from you soon. I also saw that you met some casting crowns members…i love them and i love to sing their music!! thanks,
Audrey
Frank, you are always on my mind pal… you are the warrior out on the “Global
Front”… blessings to you as you travel and share the gospel.
Stay in touch
Hi Frank! I just wanted to stop and say hello! Thanks for your inspiration day in and day out to me all many others! It’s amazing were God has taken you in just a few months! I am looking foward to watching were GOD is taking you everyday!
We have been friends since elementary school and its amazing that you were living for Jesus way back then. I LOVED your book and I have shared with you before but I believe EVERYONE should get a copy and read it.
Thank you and God be with you always!