Okay, I just wanted to read the one John chapter one and a few verses there, one John chapter one says that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled concerning the word of life. The life was manifested and we have seen and bear witness and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us. Okay, verse three, that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. Maybe we just look at verse three, you know. So it's a beautiful way and beautiful writing of that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen. So John is writing about his experience with the word, you know, the living word, which is Jesus himself. He's saying, you know, that we have looked upon our hands have handled, etc. So he's saying in verse three, that we have seen and heard, we declare to you that you may have fellowship. So the true end of declaring and leading people to Christ is that the ones who do not have that relationship might have that fellowship. Saying that you truly, that you also may have fellowship with us and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ. And he says that these things we write to you that your joy may be full. So life with Jesus, you know, we know that there are trials, there are tribulations, there are difficulties and challenges. But at the same time, it is so that we might have fellowship and in fellowship with Jesus, with the Lord and with each other, that our joy might be full. So we know that, you know, the work or the fruit of the Holy Spirit produces joy. So God's work in us produces joy. When we fellowship with the Holy Spirit, there is this fruit which is being developed in us which is joy. So John is saying, you know, this is what we have seen and heard, it's so much of conviction. We have seen, we have heard, we have touched, we have, you know, this is out of our experience that we are sharing with you that you might have fellowship and that your joy might be full. So in our, you know, in our ministering, in our sharing, in our communication of the word that we should have the same experience. That we have seen what we have heard and that we have walked with, communicated with or fellowshiped with that we want to share. And we want to share so that your joy might be full. We know joy is respective of what is happening around us, respective of the environment around us. We can have joy inside of us. It doesn't depend on, you know, circumstances and situations. And he's saying that we do this so that you may have fellowship and that your joy may be full. So several things for us to take away and for us to, you know, in our ministering also to change and say, you know, that we have seen and heard. What we have experienced, what we have walked with, you know, that is what we want to share and with this objective. Okay, so let's pray and say, Lord, you know, I want to minister in the same way. I want to walk in the same way and I want to have these as the objectives of ministering. Okay, let's pray. Father, we just want to thank you Lord. Lord, we truly owe God as we read through these verses. As we see the way in which Father, Lord, the early church or the apostles fellowshiped with you, Father God, to walk with you and what they have experienced and seen and heard. Father God, they declared. And so God made also be with us. Lord, even as we walk with you, even as we journey with you, Father God, whatever things or Father God that we have seen and heard. Oh, God, maybe declare it with all confidence and Lord, declare it with joy, Father God, so that people may be drawn to have that union and that fellowship with you, Lord Jesus. Yes, Lord, let it not just be with people just getting saved or Lord, people just being part of something, Lord, some church or but Lord, let it be that so that they might have fellowship. This koinonia with the Lord of heaven and earth, with the living God, and so that Lord each one's joy, oh God, might be full, oh God. Father, we thank you that this is your desire and this is your heart. And yes, Master, enable us to do the same God. We thank you. We give you all the praise and glory in Jesus' name. We pray. Amen. Amen. Okay. So we've been looking at a very important part of leadership and also ministry and organization, right? So we were looking at the importance of vision. What is vision? And we looked at some of the attributes of vision. We looked at how we need to state, I think that's where we stop, right? State of how we need to communicate, how we need to communicate our vision. So vision needs to be communicated at the right time and vision needs to be communicated so that people who are part of the work, you know, part of the team will also understand it. So vision, you know, cannot be just in your heart and, you know, there's a right way to share it and a right time to share it. But people who are part of the work, part of the team definitely need to know the vision. And the reason being, you know, once they know, they will also work towards it, right? They will also journey in the same direction. All the doubts, clarifications, everything will be set right. And also that, you know, they'll be able to put in that work and effort, sorry, put in that effort in order to go in the same direction. There'll be less of pulling in different directions because you communicated the vision, right? We looked at three things, right? So that people would know the vision, people would own the vision. And also people would be enthused or people would be zealous, passionate for the work because of the vision, right? Okay, so we need to communicate the vision in many different ways, okay? So if, you know, this is the vision statement of the ministry of the organization, it's good to communicate it in different ways, right? So typically, you know, if you look at APC, you know, we said, okay, every time the church gathers together, which is on a Sunday service, right? We will, we have to make it a point to communicate the vision, okay? Or to reiterate the vision, okay? And you know when that happens, right? When does it happen? Yeah, during the announcement, right? So that's the first thing which we, you know, which comes up in the announcement.  They're drinking water, they're going out and, you know, sometimes they do that. But then we found that, okay, that's the best time, right? We can actually share or reiterate, remind people about the vision. This is the vision, right? So now it just gets in. Okay, so creatively, you can think of different ways to communicate the vision. Maybe it's maybe in a team meeting, maybe in, you know, sometimes when we have our, you know, recently we had what we, what we call as a VIP banquet. Some of you have been part of it, I think. You know, what we do is, let's say people have been part of church for some time, five months, four or five months. They've been coming regularly. So they've been coming only for the Sunday service. They come Sunday service, go, okay? So recently they started coming, for example. Now they would want to, or at least the, you know, we want to communicate to them saying, there are ways by which you can get connected to the church. You know, there are ways by which you can serve. And of course, you know, there are all these different ministries that you may not know of, because you're coming only for the Sunday morning service, right? So along with that, what we also try and do is, you know, have something like a, so it's a typical meeting, which we had last, I mean, day before yesterday. So along with that, the vision is also communicated. And we just do it like a game, right? So it's not, it's like a game. So sometimes it's like, we give people pieces of paper and, you know, pieces, and each piece of paper has one word of the vision in it. So they need to put it together. So it's in a packet, they're given different pieces of paper. So they need to put it together in a salt light and things like that, right? So the first team which puts it together and puts it in the proper order, you know, get some chocolates or something like that. So in ways, creative ways, you communicate the vision. And the reason is that your team or your church or the ministry needs to understand it. And yeah, the other thing that we see here is, you know, just a minute, sorry, I'll just share this screen. I forgot to do that. The other thing that we see, the fifth one that we see is that it's not important. It's not enough if we communicate the vision once.  The vision needs to be repeated. That communication needs to be repeated. Okay, not just one, but over a period of time. And the reason is this, that we as human beings, we forget. Okay, like one of one leader, he put it like this, one of the senior pastors of a church, he put it like this. He said that vision leaks. Okay, vision leaks.  Okay, the walls of the bucket have small holes. The bucket is full. But there are these tiny holes through which the water is, you know, is just flowing out. So over a period of time, the bucket is empty. So which means that vision leaks. So we need to repeat. We need to pull back in, right? And so that it remains, you know, we remember it and we don't forget it. Okay. Okay, so we looked at mission and we also tried to write something about, you know, us, you know, the mission or vision for us ourselves, right? So what is a mission? When you say I'm going on a mission, what does that mean? It's a task. It's an assignment, right? Some steps. Okay. So mission has this whole aspect of action. Okay. So what do I need to do?  Who do we want to be? Who are we? Right. And why are we here? So mission talks about, it's about action. Okay. What do I need to do? Okay. So if you look at the notes, page nine says mission statement. If you have a statement of mission, it clarifies what you do, which is the ministry activity. For whom do you do it? Like who's the target group? Who are the people? And how do you get it done? Right. So what do you do? For whom do you do? How do you get it done? So how would mean some, some details that you go into. Okay. So again, using APC as an example, the mission statement would be all people's church, disciples and equips believers in the word and the spirit to mature them into Christ likeness, fulfill God's purpose for their lives and to have influence and impact for God's kingdom. Okay. So you see, it's slightly different from the vision, right? Vision is to be, to be salt and liked. Right. So if you look at the mission statement, mission statement, it says, Okay. Discipling, equipping, to maturing people to Christ likeness, to fulfill God's purpose. You see, it's different. It's all action, right? Actionary. What do I need to do in order to be salt and liked? What do I need to do? What does the church need to do? Or what is it the church is going to do in order to be a voice? Okay. Those are, so that would become part of the mission statement. Okay. Then the third thing is in order to carry out the mission and to fulfill the vision. Now, first of all, do we understand the difference between vision and mission? Yeah. Okay. So there will be some overlaps because that is also, you know, present mission is also present and futuristic looking. You know, this is what we want to do. But it's, it's different. And the third thing is that we need to understand that in order to fulfill the vision and carry out our action, the mission, you know, daily, we need to have goals. Okay. We need to have goals. What are goals then? What are goals? Things that we need to reach. Sorry, what? Target. Okay. These are good words. Yeah. What we, where we need to reach. It's like a finish line. Like if you're running race, typically in a football, it's the goalpost. The whole team is actually one thing. Okay. We need to score the goal. If you reach there, score the goal. Right. So, so goal is goal. We can say our objectives are like I said, targets. Okay. That we need to specific things that we need to do in order to fulfill, in order to pursue the vision. Right. So, for example, if we say, okay, equipping people, these are some goals, then outreaches, evangelism, discipleship, church planting, missions, you know, these are specific goals. And so you're breaking it down. This is a big picture. The mission is these are the things that we need to action out or take action in order to complete and you further break down and we have goals. Right. So, so when we're talking about goals, we know that we need to, you know, like we need to have plans in order to achieve the goals. Okay. So we break it down and say, this is the goal for this year. So it has a timeline, but in order to achieve those goals, we need to have a plan. Okay. So it was kind of broken down now a plan. So its plan is an activity. It's a process where we have a set of steps. Okay. These are some things that I want to do in advance. You decide, right? This is what I want to do in order to reach these goals. Okay. So if it's church growth, if it's evangelism, if it's discipleship, if it's equipping a believer, okay? Equipping a believer is, let's say that's a goal. So you have a plan for that. How am I going to equip the believer in the church? Maybe the church has 50 people or 100 people. Okay. How are we going to equip? Right. So you have a plan. You think about it. Okay. Now I have 52 Sundays in 52 Sundays in 2024. Maybe four have already gone. Now how do I equip the believers and move them to maturity or move them to Christlikeness? So as a leader, we have to start as leaders, we have to think like that, right? So it can't be like, okay, this Sunday I just come and take, switch on the mic and then I decide, okay, now I will do this. No, we have to plan ahead so that we can prepare and do it. Okay. So problems 426, very beautifully put. It says, ponder the path of your feet. Okay. So this is where I'm going. This is the path. So you say ponder the path of your feet, meaning think about it. Where am I going? Where is this path leading? And is this the path that I want to take? What path should I take? All those questions. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. What does established mean? Made strong, made firm, that made sure, right? Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. So, so planning is something, you know, practically when you look at it, it helps us to make good use of our time. Your time is a resource. This one hour will never come back. We'll have another set of hour, but this one hour will not come back. So if I plan how I'm going to spend that one hour, you will spend it well, right? So it helps us to make the best use of our time, best use of our effort, and all our resources. Resources could be money. Resources could be skill. Resources is, you know, our ability. So if we plan, we will be able to, you know, use it well, you maximize all the resources well, right? So, you know, some of the things that we see is that if we don't plan, you know, we will also look further when we are also talking about organization, right? If we don't plan, then someone else will plan for us. If we don't plan our time, if we don't plan, then we will give in to someone else's plan, right? So it could be urgent. Somebody says, hey, I want this done. And if you have not allocated that time and the resource already, if you've already not decided, then we give in to someone else's plans and things like that. Okay. So in order to achieve goals, we must have a plan, and that has specific objectives and a timeline. Okay. Go up six very strong words, six and verses six to eight. Go to the ant to use sluggered, right? Sluggered means lazy person, right? Go to the ant, consider her ways and be wise, which having no captain overseer or ruler provides her supplies in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. So what the ant is doing is, I mean, by nature, how God has created, has that inbuilt nature to go and forage for food and collect when the weather is proper, when the weather is good and store it for the future, right? So proverb saying, proverb is the right proverb saying, okay, go to the ant, consider the ant. This is what the ant does. The ant is actually doing something for the future, right? It's preparing for the future. It's actually saving for the future. So consider the ways. So when we look at planning, planning is actually preparation. Planning is preparation for what is ahead, what you want to do ahead. It could be, you know, it could be for the day, it could be for tomorrow, it could be for the week, irrespective of how big or short the time frame is, planning is preparation for it. Okay. So, yeah, so planning can be short term. It can be a daily, weekly, monthly, annual thing, or it can be like, you know, five years, ten years, right?  Okay, because sometimes we might have that conflict in our minds, you know, why should I plan? Because I'm, yeah, God is leading me and he is there to lead me every day, daily, right? So why should I plan? Okay. And certain scriptures are used, right? One such scripture is Matthew chapter 6. Matthew chapter 6. So the Lord says, hey, don't worry. In modern terms, just relax. Chill, relax. Why are you worrying about food? Why are you worrying about clothing? Why are you worrying about shelter? Just relax, right? And of course songs have been written about it and, you know, but the thing is the context is this, right? Matthew 6, 24 to 34, the verses are there in the notes, but Christ the Lord says, or maybe four times, he says, do not worry. Okay, do not worry. He's talking about being obsessed with or being kind of trying to serve two masters, God, God or God of wealth, mammon, but he's saying that in all these verses, verse 25, 28, 31 and again, 34, he's saying, do not worry about certain things. First, he says, do not worry about your life. Secondly, do not worry about clothing. Thirdly, you know, do not worry about things like, okay, what do we eat? What do we drink? Then he's saying, therefore do not worry about tomorrow. Okay, so, so is there a, the thing is we can conclude saying, okay, I should, I, if I'm not to be worried, then I can conclude by saying, so I will not be thinking about it. I will not be prepared about it. I will not even work for it. We can come to some conclusions like that, but the Lord is definitely not talking about not being prepared for it, not, you know, laboring or working. He's just saying, don't worry about it. Okay, and the word used there worry is don't be preoccupied so that your mind is not able to focus on anything. Worry is that. And the picture, the Greek word used there, now, which means your mind is, you know, it's like something is cut in different pieces. Right. It's like you're preoccupied about several things.  All these needs that you're not able to function normally. Right. So you want to focus and do something you're not able to do. So that is why the Lord is saying do not worry about it. Okay. So he does not, you know, so it's definitely, you know, wrong to worry about all these things. And these are all legitimate needs. But the Lord also gives a solution. Right. In verse 33, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added. Right. And if you look at the rest of scripture, the living word has actually, you know, quickened by the Holy Spirit, you know, all these other things, the verse that we just read, right, go to the Ann and study and study her ways and do it, which means Ann is actually preparing for the future. So we cannot conclude saying do not worry means do not plan or do not worry means do not work for it. Right. So that's the thing. So it's not, it's not a, you know, unscriptural thing to plan. Okay. Then the other thing is also what we find in James chapter 4, another scripture, James chapter 4 13 to 17, you know, where James says, come now you who say tomorrow, today or tomorrow, we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, make a profit. Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. Okay. So all this vision and planning. So sometimes we can conclude like that. What is this?  So we can say, okay, so let's forget all that, forget all that planning. Let's read through. It says, what is your life? Is it, it is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  He's saying, instead you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. So what is this? What he's saying is it's not about, I want to do this. I know I have these dreams. It's not that that is wrong, but to involve God in the picture. Let God be part of your planning. Let it be a spirit-led planning. Right? So he's saying, let God be part of it. Let it not be something coming out of selfish ambition. Let God be part of it. So he's saying, if the Lord wills, we shall live and do this and do that. Right? Verse 16. But now you boast in your arrogance. So which means that even that statement tomorrow and today, today or tomorrow, we will go there and do this, is coming from a place of arrogance, coming from a place of boasting and not humility. Right? And not from a place of being led by God. It's not spirit-led. So he's saying, therefore, and then all such boasting is evil. Okay? So that is what here. So in the first Matthew 6 we saw about how worrying about it is not what God wants. Worrying about these needs. These needs are legitimate needs. God knows that we have, you know, we have these needs. Every human being has these needs. So God is not saying not to have these things, not to have these needs, not to work towards it. But definitely do not worry about it. Secondly, here we see, don't boast. Don't boast. Don't be arrogant about the future and what you will do and what you will accomplish. But involve God in the picture. He says, if the Lord wills, we will live. We will do this. So involve God in the picture. Submit everything to the will of God. Rely on God and so on. Okay? Then another kind of idea or mindset is that the Lord is anyway going to come soon. Okay? What is the point? What is the point in all this working and saying, let's just wait for the Lord to return and just go back. Everything anyway, whatever we do will be erased. It will be all this thing. So let's just wait and go. So that's another mindset where, but yes, the Lord's return is imminent. But also we know that He commissioned us. He commissioned us to do certain things. He has unique plans for us. Till He comes. Till He returns. So He has commissioned us. Go, do this, preach, people to observe all that I have taught you. So He has commissioned us to make disciples. And He has commissioned us with gifts. He has commissioned us with call. He has commissioned us with the anointing for what? For this purpose. So it's not like He doesn't want us to do anything. It's not like His will is that we be passive till He returns. So we need to, so at the end of it we just need to understand that it's not that the work of planning is unscriptural or unspiritual or unbiblical. No, it's not. It is very much there in scripture. And it is very much needed for each one of us in our churches, in our ministries, and even for us personally to function well. And we do it. We sometimes think about it and we do it. Maybe we don't call it a plan, but all of us do it. So when we look at the very nature of God, we see that it is a characteristic. It is an attribute of God.   For example, Romans 8 verse 28 and 29. Well, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, which means that God has a plan, a purpose for and then according to that He calls that for whom He phoned you, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son that He might be the first one among many brethren. So we see that as God has a plan, God has a purpose, calling everything for people. So we know that that's an attribute of God. That's the nature of God. Ephesians 1 verses 9 to 12. Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself, which according to the mystery of His will, which He purposed in Himself, which means He thought, He planned, He purposed in Himself, that in the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ and so on, the whole work of redemption, etc. So some 33 verse 11, the counsel of the Lord, which means the wisdom, the plan, the advice of the Lord stands forever. He plans of His heart to all generations. So we have the Lord as an example, the Lord God as an example, that He's a God of order, that He's a God who plans and within time, that He's outside of time, but He steps into time and then He has plans and purposes and so on. So if we were to function well as leaders and we are addressing it in leadership so that this can be part of our functioning. This can be, we realize the value of it and we plan. So what is the opposite of planning? Not planning, doing things arbitrarily, in random. I get up one morning, I feel like it and I do it. And that's kind of a mindset sometimes. If I feel like it, I do it. If I don't feel like it, I won't do it. And it's a very strong thing. Whatever feels good, you do it. But if it's not you're the master, don't do it. And if you think that there will be chaos, there will be chaos in our lives because it will be up and down, up and down all the time. Good mode, you do things, bad mode, you don't do things, you don't even attempt. So our life goes up and down based on our emotions. And definitely if we are leading, if others, if you are giving direction, if we are being influencers, who are influencing people for good, for the cause of the gospel, definitely we cannot afford to live that kind of a life. We are being responsible. For others' lives and accountable and so on. So we need to have planning. So what are some guidelines that we can plan? First of all, we said let's just quickly look at a plan and we can apply it for our personal lives, church ministry. If you're leading a team, we can apply it. First thing is of course to include God. That's the first thing we said. Planning is not something which is apart from God. Where we just put together everything according to our wisdom and then we say, finally go to God for his approval stamp. God, now we want your signature, now we want your approval. No, it's not like that. It says, Proverbs 3 and verse 5, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean on on your own understanding. Verse 6, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path. So you see, in all our ways we acknowledge in whatever we are considering and whatever we want to do, we acknowledge him. What does acknowledge mean? To take into consideration. You get into a room and you acknowledge who's there. So what does acknowledge mean? Recognize. Recognize. Recognize. Recognize. Recognize. Recognize. Recognize is a very important word because when you are saying acknowledge somebody's presence. You are actually seeing and you are also recognizing and accepting. But you are acknowledging would mean recognize address. I come in and I say, okay, Shri Radha is here. I recognize Shri Radha. I acknowledge. I have also I say whatever, welcome I am acknowledging or maybe in informal gathering you are just nodding your head and saying hi. Acknowledging. So the word of God says in all your ways acknowledge whatever you are doing, acknowledge the Lord because he is letting be part of you. What, Sai? Sorry, what? Obey. Obey is secondary. First of all, we are just saying that Lord, thank you. You are here. Acknowledge your presence. Opposite of that would be to ignore. Opposite of that would be to ignore. I come in and I just I just come in, look and there's no interaction, there's nothing. I just completely ignore, neglect. Acknowledge is to recognize and address and interact and all that. So in all your ways acknowledge him. What is the second part of that verse? And he shall direct your parts. So that's the thing. I'm not leaning on my own understanding. I'm trusting in the Lord. I'm acknowledging the Lord and the Lord his desire that he wants to direct our parts. Direct. Which means saying, this is better. This is a good choice. This is something, okay, do what you like here. Your heart is positioned well and go for it. He shall direct your parts. Let's look at this. Acknowledging him by obeying his word, by obeying his leading, by desiring that the Lord Jesus be glorified and by placing as priority what kingdom values are like in our own lives. There are several ways by which we can acknowledge the Lord. Okay. So in all your ways, acknowledge him. So as part of the planning, just acknowledge the Lord. So let not your planning. So then we see the beauty of planning. Maybe you want to plan for your own life. Plan for your, maybe your finances, plan for whatever aspect of life acknowledge the Lord. Because he wants to, his desire is to direct your planning activity and also the implementation of the plan. He wants to direct our parts. Okay. Second one, follow the leading of the spirit. We have the privilege of hearing the voice of the shepherd because we are the sheep and he's our shepherd. Romans 8.14 says, for as many are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God, which means that I am son and daughter of God. So I have the privilege of being led by the spirit of God. So choosing to be led by God's spirit, choosing to hear his voice, right? And so on, right? Okay. Thirdly, when we're planning is to understand the seasons. Okay. So understand what season of life we are in when we plan things out. Okay. You know, maybe personally we could say, okay, am I a student? Am I a married person? Am I a professional, working professional? What season of life am I? Am I retired? Am I, what season of life we are in? Because our planning would actually be an integral part of that. So we need to understand seasons, right? So for example, I remember having this conversation with this mother and she was a young mother who used to be very active in church, almost every other and it was a very active church from where she came from. So she was almost there every day like very active in church, leading certain things and so on. And then she felt that everything had stopped because she was a young mother and her child really needed the attention and the care and so on. So she felt as if she was worthless as a believer as a child of God she was like, I feel worthless and I don't know, I used to do so many things she was feeling guilty, she was condemning herself saying I used to be so active now I cannot or I'm not doing it. I want to do I'm not able to. Then so we had this conversation about seasons what season are you in? What season are you in? The fact that you have come out of a season and entered into another season understand that you can't do the same things. I can't do the same things which I used to do in a previous season. I'm in a different season and a different season calls for different things to do and it's completely different when it comes to activities, when it comes to what I'm asked to do my responsibilities everything is different. So who conveys me from one season to another it's God himself.  So we had that conversation just to understand what season we are in. So we will plan accordingly. So with every season comes responsibilities. Our roles are slightly changed. So maybe you're a single person your responsibility or role will be different.  Now who designs this? It's God who's designed. He's a master architect. He's the one who's designed family. He's the one who designed this married life or single whatever. He's designed it. Therefore, our planning has to be in line with that. So we can't say those days I used to do that now I want to go back to that. Forget everything at home. You guys do what you want. I want to serve and I want to do it the way I used to do. It doesn't work. You have certain responsibilities and who gave that responsibility? It's God. So understand the season. So when we understand the season then we'll be able to plan things with peace in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3 verse 1 to everything there's a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Verse 11, I think there's a lot of wedding cards have it. He has made everything beautiful in its time. But the thing is they might even do it wrongly. Sometimes I've seen he has made everything beautiful in his time. But actually in its time in the time that is meant for it, in its time he has made everything beautiful. So understand the times, understand the seasons when you're planning. Dare to dream. Ecclesiastes 3 verse 20 now to him who was able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. He's able to do, he talks about God's ability he's able to do exceedingly, abundantly and it says above all that we ask, above all that we think. So here's a responsibility of asking and thinking even imagining dreaming. So the thing is do we dare, certain things we don't even dare to think of because I don't think it's for me or I don't think it's I'm capable of that. Or maybe you have this burning desire to do these things but then sometimes we limit saying I don't think even in my lifetime I don't think I can do it, achieve it and I don't think I'm capable. So we don't even begin to pray, we don't even begin to ask the Lord. He's able to do things abundantly above all that we ask or think. So we need to have that ability to dare to dream. Dream big have a big vision. Maybe because of our experience maybe because of certain things that we've had. Those things are, it could be fractured it could be hurt where we're saying okay I'm not going to ask I'm not even going to think like that because I know what happened and so I don't want to. I think you have a question. As we're talking about dare to dream so early we can't dream everything also. Can't dream anything. It should be like what we dream we have to be aligned with our gifts and talents. We have to dream according to what we can do. Sorry? Like according to what the ability are. So the thing is this what we can do what our abilities are sometimes we put ceilings we put barriers no one has put it God has not put it but I've put it myself and that barrier could be because of a recent experience or whatever past experience whatever it could be. I put a barrier and I say that this far no more. It could be in the area of your call. It could be in the area of your gifting but we know we aren't good at all Absolutely. So we're talking about what you've been called to do and what you've been gifted to do. The next point is about that if you look at it be realistic, be practical. It seems like opposite of daring to dream but it's what we are called to do what we are dreaming to, desiring to do is always tempered with being practical and being realistic. But the thing is I'm just talking about the fact that maybe you are gifted, maybe you are called but you are not really pursuing God in that. To the extent to which what you can actually do you just want to settle for a okay I just want to settle for a normal I don't know if you can call it normal. I don't think we can call it normal because the Bible talks about going for it, pursuing because he is able to do so that is what it is. Yeah. So it's not wishful thinking it's not also going in the area let's say maybe one is not gifted in that area but I still want to do it because I like it and I just like the fact that this so and such and such a person is functioning like that I'm like wow I want to be that yeah so we should have a desire okay so there are there's a couple of things one is see God is called let's say we are thinking about the 5 fold ministry the thing of the gifts of the spirit gifts of the spirit we know is for all 5 fold ministry is know that some are called okay and God is called with something you know he knows this is what I fashioned you for, shaped you for right so if you know that this is something that he's called you for but then what is the point in dreaming if it if you know for sure this is what you're called for and you can actually dream big in that right in that very area that you call for you know there's no limits to what you can do in God but then you if you're shifting all that to another area and you're dreaming about this that is what we're talking about yeah that's the thing but the beautiful thing is this you know if you're dreaming wrong God will tell you yeah that's the thing right he'll say okay why don't you just make some adjustments God would you know he'll just say just shift just shift you know your target is this sorry yeah yeah he just says you know he's just opening up he's opening up you know avenues and opening up opportunities and say you know my son my daughter just go for it you know I'm opening up and then not this Lord this is boring this I've done so many times I wanted I want to do this you know so that is what we're talking about when we say be realistic be practical right okay we shall stop here and then continue next class okay


dedicated to the strength of the nation. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. This is C.P. McGregor speaking. Welcome again to your theater of stars, proudly we hail, the United States Army and Air Force presentation, soon to be a newer, bigger program. We'll have the details after the final act. But now, act one of our story, the last voyage of the Kalani Bay, starring the distinguished American actor, Edward Arnold. A hundred years ago, down around New Orleans, Captain Dennis McKee, skipper of the Brig Kalani Bay, cut quite an outstanding figure. Fortress said that the venerable captain in 30 years at sea had turned back from no man, Jean Lafitte included, and wherever he was, the crowd followed, particularly the children who worshiped him as a hero. That I can vouch for without being too unseemly. That morning there seemed to be twice as many as before as I headed down to where the Kalani Bay was anchored. The jangling of the children began to get on my nerves a bit, so I threw them a handful of coins and shouted, off with you. There was a poop as they scurried this way and that for the money, or except one.  Captain McKee, sir. Aye lad, what's wrong with you there? Why aren't you after a coin for yourself? I don't want it, sir. I want to talk to you. Well, then what is it you want to talk to me about, lad? Come out with it. I should like to hire out with you, sir. Well, that's a good one. And what would you do, boy, if I was to sign you on? Well, sir, I could keep your clothes neat.  Well, now that's right. And I dare say you could. Well, except when I go to see, I wear anchor chain for me. Watch far here. You do? Sure, lad. And I have mermaids to scour me, cavern and keep my clothes clean. Well, you're joking me. Ah, that I am, lad. But take no offense. I'll tell you what. What? If you intend to go to see, you must get built up. You'll rickety, my lad. Perhaps I am, but I'm very strong.  The skinniest lad in the harbor. You must eat good food. Build up bone and muscle. That I'll try to do, sir. That's the lad. And when you do, then you can hire out. And you can tell whoever you talk to. The Captain Dennis McKee said he was meant for a sailor if ever one lived to breathe. Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.  Get along now. I boarded the Kalani Bay and both my first mate, Mr. Carson and myself, noticed a pair of wistful brown eyes that followed us from the shore. It was a good eight hours, and after sundown, before we were away, headed for Naples with a stop at Charleston to trade some cotton for tobacco. And a sandy shore.  Oh, Jenny, I miss you so. For I'll soon head back by the smartest tack with a merc. Made life worth living. A good ship under your feet, the breeze in your hair, and a hand with a turn for a song. Well, we were a good day out of New Orleans. I was in McCabbon when there was a knock on the door. Come in, come in. What is it, Mr. Carson? I have a stowaway to report, Captain. A stowaway? It's me, Captain McKee. Well, shades of the devil. If it isn't the Pip's week. Aye, aye, sir. Reporting for duty. Reporting for duty, aye. I'd like the gall of you while you're away, lad, of the penalty for stowaway. A smart floggin' at the main mist. I'm not afraid, sir. Well, I don't believe you. Now, how in the devil did you get a board lad? Well, I bought myself a board last night, and I climbed up. Oh, Mr. Carson. Aye, sir. What sort of a watch are you conducting that would allow this to happen? I'll speak to the men, Captain. And you, lad, don't you have people in New Orleans? I'm not the care, sir. This is a fine kettle of fish. Well, Mr. Carson, you haven't got a hand that some people watch. It's too late to turn back to New Orleans. There it is, sir. Well, put the boy here off at Charlestown, and in the meantime, give this lad a taste of the sea. Take him to the galley, and set him to work scubbing the pots of the pans. Aye, sir. Well, it was amazing the way that pinch of a lad went down to workin' and scubbin' the pots of the pans till they shined like emeralds from the Blessed Shore. And all the while a whistlin' and with a smile as pretty as her breeze for every hand on board. We were three days out of New Orleans, headed for Charlestown, when the breeze freshened, and the sea came up of it, and it began to get a mite rough with the breeze grown to width and cold. I was below for a cup of coffee. Mr. Carson was with me. He's roughened up a bit, Captain. Yeah, that she is. Where's the lad, Mr. Carson? He's on deck. And what's he doin' on deck in this weather? He's getting his belly acquainted with the gunnel. The lad is a touch seasick. Well, that's hard on the pinch of a lad. Get him down here, Mr. Carson, where it's warm. Come on, make cabin floor lad. Use the bucket. Aye, sir. Now aren't you sorry you came, lad? No, sir, I'm not. All this bobbin' and pinchin' around, you hadn't anticipated? I'm glad. All this rollin' and bumpin' that turns your stomach inside out? Well, you can't make me feel sorry, sir. Captain, you look a little green yourself. I do? Oh, nudge. Hey, what you do, sir, you look green. Just a power of suggestion. Never in 30 years would see have I ever so much as been a hair sink. There's another muckin' by the Lazarus. I see it, lad. I have eyes. Just a power of suggestion. I'll tell you, lad, if you ever so much as the word of this region. I'll prove. I'll be after you with a layin' print. I will. I will. We plead from our story the last voyage of Calarney Bay, starring Edward Arnold, to bring you an important message. What does it cost to learn radar operation, aeroplane mechanics, or photography? In the Air Force, it costs you nothing. As a matter of fact, you'll be receiving that high pay from the day you enlist. And here's the best part. Under the aviation career plan, you don't enlist until after you've been accepted for the school of your choice. It'll pay you to look into this. Get the details this week at your nearest army and Air Force recruiting station. And now, act two of the last voyage of Calarney Bay, starring Edward Arnold as Captain Dennis McKee. Captain McKee was completely chagrined at that little episode which included a bucket in his cabin. And had I another right to be? Never was I more ashamed to be as sick as a new hand on the first trip out. But I'll say this for the man. Never a word got out. He kept mum. And he tried so hard. It made me feel a might sorry to what I had to do. As on the morning I opened my cabin door. Well, now that, what's going on in here? Well, I was tidying up a bit, sir, and buffing your shoes. And what about your work below? I was all true below, sir. Well, well.  I have my mind made up. Please don't say it, sir. But I will say it. You're getting off this ship of Charleston come to calm or high water. Please, sir. Now, don't start sniffing it on me. Come on, sir. That's a good lad. I know what's best for you. This ship was no place for a lad his age. The life was hard, and he was just a grown boy and a wisp of that. It looked like a gentle southeaster would blow him over any moment. It was the only thing to do. We were about a day out of Charleston when suddenly a herd commotion on deck and the bell began to ring. I ran up on deck. I could smell smoke, and there it was, pouring out of the octagon. What's happened there? There's a smoldering fire there in the cotton bales below, sir. We'll have it out in a moment. Quick, will those water buckets? I see you have a line down the hall. Who's down there? I don't know. It's the last, sir. He was the first down with a water bucket. There's no place for a lad down there. You know, let's smoke. Stand aside there. I'll pull him out. Hold on, sir. I'll send the man down. Hold on. Nothing. What am I, the captain of this ship or a measly head? Stand back there. I went down into the hall and pulled the lad out. The smoke was very heavy. There was limp and white in me arms.  I laid the lad on the deck where the good breeze could get to him. But he didn't move. Not a hair of him. And suddenly I spoke to one of the hands standing by watching. Snedicap! Aye, aye, sir. You're always rattling every Wednesday with a song. Do you know a good song? What would that be, sir? Doxology? Old Hundred? Aye, sir. Then sing it, Snedicap. And sing it like you never sang it before. Aye, sir. Praise God for... I knelt there beside him. I never was one for a church going. And I wished I was. But I knew a prayer and there were other prayers spoken, I'm sure. It seemed like eternity itself before the lad moved and his eyes opened. How are you, lad? A bit fetched. There, now there. Don't you try to talk too much? Are we near Charles Town, sir? That we are, lad. But we won't be there long. Well, how long? Oh, long enough to get rid of this cotton and to take some tobacco. And that's all, sir? That's all, my lad. Oh, thank you, sir. I did keep the lad on for the trip to Naples and many more that followed. And I guess that run from New Orleans to Charleston was the last trip of the Kalani Bay. For from there on, she became a new ship. A new ship indeed. Our star, Edward Arnold, returns for a curtain call right after this important message from Wendell Niles. The Air Force wants you, young men, who are interested in aviation as a career. And here's the deal they're offering you. You list the three Air Force technical schools in which you want to train. Then when you've been accepted for one of these, you may enlist for three, four, or five years and attend the school of your choice. It's as simple as that. Get your application right away at your local recruiting station. Here again is our star and our producer. Rare indeed is a great artist who at the same time is a great public servant. Such a man is Edward Arnold, who as one of the founders of the I Am an American Day and the head of the Permanent Charities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry continues to enlarge his impressive record of service to his fellow man. Ed, how do you do it all? Well, it's very easy, CP. I'm the original Hollywood Yes, man. Well, Ed, we're delighted you ran through to form on our request. Well, it was a real privilege, CP, to appear for something as timely and as important as Army recruiting. But now tell me, what's on the play bill for next time? Before next week's play bill, here's the good news about Proudly We Hail. Starting the first of the year, your Theater of Stars becomes a full half-hour program featuring your favorite star and dedicated to give you the finest radio drama possible. We know you look forward to it. And next week here on Proudly We Hail, we bring you the fine actor of motion pictures, Philip Terry, in a heartwarming story of Thanksgiving. Edward Arnold appears in the courtesy of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee, which arranges the appearances of all motion picture stars on this program. Until next week, thanks for listening. This is CP McGregor saying, Cheerio from Hollywood.