What To Do With $100,000,000???

Becky and I have spent the last year asking ourselves, “What would we do if we had $100,000,000?” Answering this question has become one of our favorite Saturday morning rituals. We sit in our wicker furniture and dream big. It’s amazing that when money is not a concern the curtain on the stage of suppressed dreams and passions is lifted to reveal a panorama of possibilities. So, what is our dream? More about that in a minute…

Regardless of the dream, how do we get there with no money? For several months we let that stop us. We’ve been thinking of little things we can do to increase our income little by little, like squirrels in a wheel running as fast as we can, just so that we can earn a surplus and eventually make the dream a reality a few years from now…hopefully.

Well, yesterday while listening to CD #2 of “48 Days to Six-Figure Income”, I had an epiphany and shared it with Becky. I think we may have the cart before the horse. Instead of telling people about the dream, we’ve been telling people about the steps we’re taking to get to the dream. Instead of promoting the dream, we’ve been promoting the things we think will get us to our destination. For example, I make piano music and sell it; I buy silver and sell it. Becky tries to cut costs. What else will we do to get to the dream without getting to the dream? What if we just tell the world our dream?

Ok, enough already. What is it? What is our dream?

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…You are a pastor/missionary/worship leader, weary and burdened, wanting nothing more than to escape from the world of expectations. You are hungry to reconnect with your Lord, to rediscover who you are, and reaffirm your calling to His service. You need inspiration…encouragement…creativity…hospitality…worship.

…You heard about this place in the countryside created for folks just like you. You visit the website, ask for an invitation to stay, and fill out a short questionnaire on what you want to get out of this experience.

…Weeks later on a Thursday afternoon, you and your spouse find yourselves driving through the rolling hills of west Tennessee. You turn onto a gravel road and are welcomed by a processional of trees. As you travel down the drive you see a large two-story house with a wrap-around porch. Becky and I step outside to greet you, our new guests.

…We sit on the front porch, sipping sweet (or hot) tea, and hear about your trip, your story, your expectations for your stay, and whatever else you want to talk about…but only if you want to talk.

…We tell you about the cottage further down the drive that we’ve prepared for you and your spouse. We kindly ask you if you would like us to lock up your cell phone for you. You won’t need it…you’re here to escape. Besides, you can always stop by and check voicemail or messages if you can’t resist the urge completely.

…You and your spouse get in your vehicle and follow Becky and me in our golf cart down the drive till we get to your beautifully landscaped cottage with a front porch and a view of the placid, well-stocked, man-made lake surrounded by trees. There are four more cottages down the way, but you are pleased with the amount of privacy you have.

…We walk you into your clean, welcoming cottage where you hear the sound of my piano music playing softly, our gift to you to for staying with us. You see a sitting area, kitchenette, a loft and enough room to house six people. You notice the fresh flowers from Becky’s garden sitting on the table with a thank you note. You’re already feeling relaxed.

…We invite you to our house on Friday night where we will offer a free catered dinner followed by an inspiring house concert by me at the piano. Hope you can come!

…We leave you two alone. You sit down on the couch. You mutter about the fact that there’s no TV or Internet in your cottage. How will you cope? Then you remember that you came to escape. You notice a book shelf across the room. You see a nice blend of contemporary and historic Christian literature, chosen specifically to inspire and encourage you. You pick up The Autobiography of George Muller and start reading. You can’t put it down. You wish you could take it with you to share with the folks back home. Then you notice a price list on the bookshelf. Turns out you can purchase this copy when you check out on Sunday. We’ll replace it for you.

…As you walk through the trails in the woods and you notice little “environments” where you just want to sit and read. This one is beside a stream. There’s a plaque there that quotes Psalm 23, “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” It’s just you and God, the stream and the rustling trees. What you read hits home. You want to respond in worship. You know you’re in the right place. Nobody is there to interrupt you.

…On the way back to your cottage, you notice a building. You step inside. It’s a medium sized conference room with a stage. You think how nice it would be to bring your fellow church leaders here to hash out next year’s plans. Off to the side you see another structure. It’s the sound studio where I record my music and podcasts, and where I write. You might catch me in the act!

…Saturday morning you stop me on the drive and you comment about something you are doing to expand your missions program. I throw out three good possibilities for making it work where you won’t have to ask for more money from your flock, while at the same time increasing the impact on the people you want to reach. You really appreciate the value of brain-storming with a third-party. The conversation opens your eyes to see new possibilities that might really work!

…You enjoyed a quiet weekend together and now it’s Sunday afternoon. You feel renewed and it’s time to checkout. You’ve collected your things. Don’t forget John’s piano CDs and the books you wanted to take with you. You leave inspired, encouraged, and creative. Worship has taken on a whole new meaning for you. You can’t wait to tell your friends about this place, but not until you book next year’s visit!

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Ok, so that’s a shortened narrative of our dream. How do we turn it into a reality? We have no money to do it, but it’s worth doing and worth doing well. We’re moving forward and we’re trusting God to provide the means. I welcome any and all advice.