1 QUOTE

“It was a very good year.”

- Frank Sinatra

1 NOTE

I write every day. I have a writing habit. Last spring I heard God say, “It’s time to write for others.” I spent three months considering formats, crafting outlines, and creating newsletter names. Most of the names were absolutely awful. But when our team created ‘1-1-1’ (1 note, 1 quote and 1 question)  it felt right: clear and concise. But it was still only a concept. Not real world.

Having an idea is one thing. Putting it out there for all the world is a different matter altogether. I felt vulnerable. How would this be received? Would my motives be questioned? I asked God for encouragement. A few weeks later he gave me the double confirmation process item. This is a technical term that describes the shaping activity of God. Process items occur in three formation circles: (1) Inner-life: faith and character; (2) Ministry: leadership skills; (3) Strategy: direction and decision. Of the 40+ process items, ‘Double-Confirmation’ is one of the my favorites. Here is the definition:

The term double-confirmation describes the unusual guidance process item in which God makes his will clear by reinforcing it through more than one source, each source independent of each other.

In the fall, I spoke at a training conference in New York City. The room I was assigned to was 1110. It felt like God gave me a big wink from the throne. The next morning I sat down to pray. I had my earplugs in to drown out the Manhattan taxi horns. God brought to my mind the address for our new church home. I didn’t know the address. Our first service was in three weeks. So I Googled ‘St. Philip Lutheran Church, Compton.’ My jaw dropped. My heart leapt. The address was 1110 N. Dwight Avenue. God made his will clear. The same 1-1-1 in Manhattan and Compton. Jesus really wanted me to launch ‘The 1-1-1 Newsletter.’

On November 1, 2024 (11/1) I hit send on the pilot issue of ‘The 1-1-1 Newsletter.’

The first 52 issues of the 1-1-1 have brought me so much joy. Through the newsletter, God has grown my teaching gift, sharpened my theology, organized my illustrations, and helped me think different. But the greatest gift has been the relationships. The 1-1-1 has renewed many old friendships, created new ones, and led to Kingdom ministry. I have an email folder just for 1-1-1 encouragements. Thank you for your love, support and kind words!

1 QUESTION

What have you liked from the first year of the 1-1-1? Do you have any ideas to make it better in 2026?

Until Next Tuesday,

John