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Pocket Full Of Change
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Pocket Full of Change
On Friday night, October 18, 2002, Pocket Full Of Quarters hosted a party to tell the community and friends about the journey across America. There are pictures on the Website under “Pocket Full Of Quarters - Party.”
The journey is recorded in the Daily Journal Section from May 22, 2002 to September 23, 2002. The pictures for the journey are in the Photo Gallery.
At the party, I made the announcement about the birth of a ministry called “Pocket Full of Change.”
About three weeks into the journey, I started feeling called into a ministry.
I desperately wanted to say “Yes Lord” but I could not believe I was hearing Him correctly. My lack of faith was not in Him. It was in my ability to hear Him correctly.
I do not know how you argue with God but my arguments usually start with Yes, Lord But...
1. Yes Lord But…
What Do I Have To Say That Is Worthy? What If I Say The Wrong Thing?
A friend e-mailed that I was writing sermons and he suggested that I was being called into the ministry. I argued with my friend and he wrote back that he did not mean to upset me. I knew my strong reaction meant something serious. I realized after that e-mail that I needed to get willing so I prayed and turned to the scriptures.
God answered clearly.
1 Corinthians 2:13
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
2. Yes Lord But…
What About My Financial Needs?
I love working. I have diligently continued my job search daily. Much of my trip was about visiting business contacts. My previous job had a good income. My expenses matched my income. I could not see my way through this financially. I got on my knees.
I left my hotel room and met a sweet Christian couple. They told me their story. They are successful financially but have had financial ups and downs throughout their lives. You can read their story in the Daily Journal section on June 26, 2002. The name of the story is “God Will Provide.”
When we finished talking, the man pulled out a $10 bill and said that God told him to give it to me. I had not told him about my faith struggles that morning. I did not tell him I feeling called into a ministry. I was still arguing with God. This man knew I was not destitute since we were standing by my Suburban. He knew my husband was employed. I tried to refuse the $10 but he said God had directed him. I realized this was God’s way of telling me that he was going to take care of my finances. I will keep that $10 forever as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
God spoke through the scriptures.
Matthew 6:26-27
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
3. Yes Lord But…
I Am Too Weak.
I have the same faith struggles that everyone has. Over the years, I have learned how the rely on God. I have never forgotten what I was like when I relied on myself. By myself, I am weak, desperate, and sickly. With the help of God, I am strong, healthy, and free. It seemed like He should chose someone stronger for His work.
God spoke through the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.
4. Yes Lord But…
I Am Not Qualified. I have no training for this assignment.
I have a Bachelors degree in music and a Masters in Business Administration. I also have 32 graduate hours in education. I do not have a seminary degree.
God spoke through the scriptures.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
As I read this scripture and prayed, I realized that God is really “before all things” and that “all things really do hold together.” As I looked over my life, I discovered that God has been training me for this assignment throughout my life.
God’s Training: Struggles and Failures
The struggles and failures have been part of the training. In 1979, I committed to God that I would turn my life and will over to Him every day. At that time, I was grossly obese, sickly, and dependent on prescription drugs. I was spending many of my days in bed with other people having to care for me.
I turned to God. He agreed to restore my life to peace, health, and balance. I agreed to give that life to Him daily. We have both kept our commitments. While I have occasionally slipped in my commitment to Him, God has always been faithful.
Today, I have a full life that includes a normal sized drug free and healthy body. I am able to hike, run, play, ride bikes, ski, and enjoy God’s world. I had stopped doing all of those things.
I have healthy relationships and am active in my church. I love God and wake up wanting to enter His presence. I praise God every day for the miracles in my life.
God’s Training: Prayer, Bible Study, and Mediation
Since 1979, I have consistently spent daily time with God. I spend daily time reading the Bible and keep a written daily prayer journal. I go to several Christian Retreats every year and work through all of the popular Bible Studies. Some say I am disciplined. I know I am desperate and must spend this time with God daily. This consistent study of God’s word had prepared me for this ministry.
God’s Training: Church
My church work has also prepared me for this new assignment. Over the years, I have served in many capacities.
I am a musician so I have filled many roles in the music department. These roles have included church pianist and organist, children’s choir coordinator and director, and choir member.
I have taught Sunday School and several Bible studies. I have been active in spiritual growth campaigns and coordinated an Experiencing God Weekend in my home church. I have helped with Experiencing God retreats in several churches across Florida. Only a God that knows the future can plan something so perfectly. This valuable experience has helped prepare for this assignment from God.
I was blessed to serve as Director of a church wide Discipleship Program and have facilitated many small group activities. I have served on staff in a church coordinating a summer children’s program and have hosted many children’s camps in my home.
God’s Training: Career
God also used my career and work. I have been in the consulting field for 20+ years. I am trained to look for pain and then to create a systematic process for finding a solution to this pain. This training will be critical to the ministry of Pocket Full of Change.
I have started and managed several businesses. I was CEO of PathTech Software Solutions and Jacksonville Yamaha School Of Music. I have served in executive capacities in Bechtel Corporation, Yamaha International, and Strategic Technologies. God was training me to start and manage Pocket Full of Change.
God’s Training: Public Speaking
Over the years, I have had many public speaking opportunities and classes. I have even taught classes on public speaking. I have served on many boards in the community and they have often asked me to be a guest speaker. God was preparing me to share His message in a way that will help people understand His love.
God’s Training: Public Relations
As a business owner, I have had to become an expert in public relations. God will use this skill to help Pocket Full of Change find people that need this ministry.
God’s Training: Technology
I have been in the technology field for 17 years. God is using technology to reach His world in a powerful way. I have been training in the capabilities and applications of the web. This experience will be useful to Pockets Full of Change.
God’s Training: Music and Teaching
I am also a music teacher and have taught music privately and in the public schools. God was preparing me to teach His word. Music is critical to worship.
God’s Training: Family and Life Experiences
I am a parent and have been a foster parent. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart. I have lost one son and have two living children. I have prospered and struggled financially. I have had health problems and miraculous recoveries. God will use my life experiences, good and bad, in Pocket Full of Change.
God really does “hold all things together.” I amazed as I looked at the tapestry of my life and see how God has been preparing me. Unlike other jobs, my qualifications are actually my “lack of qualifications.” I will have to depend on God’s direction and preparation. This ministry is the answer to many of the times I asked, Why, Lord?”
After God answered my many questions, I began the process of checking the validity of “my call into ministry” with my family, mentors, church, and friends.
I talked first with my husband. He was not surprised and was enthusiastically supportive. He immediately began helping plan the ministry. He has been helping with the logistics. He also began to look for ways where we could personally cut expenses. God has miraculously reduced our expenses to “almost” match our current income.
I talked with my children. They were wonderful. They have grown into beautiful and wise adults. They listened carefully and offered suggestions. My son’s MBA has been very beneficial to the planning. My daughter’s own call into ministry has given her a heart for what I am doing. They prayed for me. My daughter-in-law, Whitney, actually thought of the name, “Pocket Full of Change.”
I talked with my minister. I believe strongly that I am to be subject to my husband and my church. If either my husband or my church had advised against this undertaking, I would have not moved forward. My minister was supportive and offered suggestions.
I talked to my close friends and other spiritual mentors. All were supportive and have challenged me with wonderful questions.
God has answered every question we have asked. I knew it was time announce God’s ministry, “Pocket Full of Change.”
The theme scripture for Pocket Full of Change is the same one used for Pocket Full of Quarters. Jesus says it is the most important commandment. It is recorded several times in the Bible.
Below is the Luke version. I like this version because it is a young Jewish man actually quoting part of the Sh’ma in Deuteronomy. Jesus answered him that he had quoted it correctly.
Luke 10:27
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.
The Mission for Pocket Full of Change is very simple. Pocket Full of Change will:
“Help Individuals, Churches, and Other Christian Organizations Identify Where They Are and Where They Need to be With Regards To Loving the Lord God with All of their Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind and Loving Their Neighbor as Themselves. It will assist them with making the changes necessary to fulfill God’s vision for their lives and ministries.”
The ministry will be broken up into Phases 1 and 2. After October 18, 2002, I have began focusing on Phase 1. Listed below are the phases and the order in which I currently believe I should prioritize my time. The Lord may have other plans for my time.
Phase 1:
• Publication – Pocket Full Of Quarters
• Walking and Talking Ministry – To Individuals
• Website Stories Ministry – www.pocketfullofquarters.com
• Traveling and Speaking Ministry - To Churches and Institutions
• Retreat Weekends for Churches
Phase 1 will continue talking with individuals about their spiritual journey and sharing their stories on the website.
It will also include finishing writing the book, “Pocket Full Of Quarters.” Pocket Full of Quarters will be the first publication by the ministry “Pocket Full Of Change.”
It will describe how America does or does not:
• Love God with all of their heart
• Love God with all of their soul
• Love God with all of their strength
• Love God with all of their mind
• Love their neighbor as themselves
It will be a practical guide to help individuals and institutions apply God greatest commandment to lives and ministries.
During Phase 1, I would be honored to talk to churches and community groups about the adventures of Pocket Full of Quarters. I would also like to offer weekend retreats to churches that will help church members learn how to apply the greatest commandment to their lives.
Phase 2:
• Walking and Talking Ministry – To Individuals
• Traveling and Speaking Ministry – To Churches and Institutions
• Consulting Practice To Churches and Other Religious Organizations
• Other Publications that could include Pocket Full of Tears, Pennies, Tokens…
• Website Daily Devotions and Stories
• Community Wide and Church Retreat Weekends
In Phase 2, other trips and publications are planned. Traveling and sharing the gospel to individuals will be a big part of Pocket Full of Change. Other publications are planned. Eventually, I hope to have daily devotions on the website.
The consulting practice will be focused on the programs and operations of small to medium size churches. It will help these institutions reach the greatest commandment in the most efficient way possible. This consulting practice will combine my experience in the consulting world and other’s experience in professional church work to help churches assess their strengths and weaknesses and plan steps to address these areas.
In closing, let me say how blessed I feel that God has invited me to this ministry. I have gone from saying “Yes Lord But…” to finally saying, “Yes, Lord!”
If God is leading you to help, I would humbly accept that help. Below are examples of areas where I could use help. God may be leading you in other directions and I am open to suggestion.
Prayers
Many of you have prayed for me during Pocket Full of Quarters. I am now asking for your prayers for Pocket Full of Change.
Website
I would ask you to spread the word about the ministry and the website. The new URL for the site is www.pocketfullofchange.org. Www.pocketfullofquarters.com will still work. If God is leading you to help with the website or new logo, I would be grateful.
Speaking Opportunities
I would be honored to speak to your church or your community group about the journey called “Pocket Full Of Quarters.” The focus of these sessions will be the same as the focus of the book. It is my prayer that people will leave these events having a better understanding about how to love God fully.
While I would not turn down any payment for these speaking opportunities, being paid for them is not important at this point. God is leading me to share my experiences. I would except a negotiated fee, a love offering, or simply offer my services free of charge. I even have some frequent flier points left and for a short while, could afford to travel to locations outside of driving distance. I simply ask you to tell people I am available.
Retreats
I have been putting together a weekend retreat that focuses on practical applications of the greatest commandment. I would ask you to suggest this weekend to your church. The terms for this are the same as those listed above under speaking opportunities. I am developing the curriculum and need places to try it out. While I will not turn down any gift of love a church offers, payment for my time is not an issue now. I have experience in putting retreats together and believe that even in the early stages, these will be meaningful. I am earnestly praying over the curriculum.
Other Ideas
God may be leading you to help in ways not mentioned. I am not feeling led to ask for personal donations at this time but there may be other ways you can help. Pray about it and contact me at Cheryle@Pocketfullofquarters.com or 904-821-5207 if you have other ideas.
I want to close by once again asking for your prayer support. I thank you for traveling with me across America. God Bless. I am praying for you daily. I pray that loving God will become the focus of your life. We were created for His pleasure and He is love.
In Christ’s Love,
Cheryle M. Touchton
Cheryle@Pocketfullofquarters.com
904-821-5207
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