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In Reply to: Lone Wolf repost (part 2) posted by Another Fan on May 05, 2002 at 15:37:21:
At the end of the Houston meeting, there were many new concepts for us to grasp and areas to investigate. We knew we needed to establish a legal entity to do business with the System, but what type of business?--And where to begin? Should we have a System publisher do the final edit, format and print our books, and have a System company produce and package our other products?--Or should we open our own publishing house and production company? Then there were taxes, copyrights, trademarks and other legal matters to research and consider.
We were thrust into a new world of business, publishing and marketing--matters we knew next to nothing about! Before setting out to accomplish the task of publishing books, we needed to do some research as to how the printing and publishing world worked, and at the same time, make the decision as to where the GPU would base from. In order to do the research, a team would need to travel throughout the States visiting printing establishments and publishers to get some advice and a quick education.
It was obvious in the discussions at the Houston meeting that the GPU members were going to need to look to System experts in various fields for counsel and advice, similar to how Family members needed to get advice from lawyers and academics during the various court cases. When we prayed about this during the meetings the Lord said,
(Jesus speaking:) Draw from many sources. Be not afraid to seek the counsel of those who are gifted, who know more than you. Go to them humbly and seek to learn, even as you have done with those of the academics. Did you not go to them in humility, did you not learn from them? Did you not absorb some of their counsel and has it not benefited you? Even as you have done in the technical aspects of video production and of music, you have taken the things that they have shown you and you have used them for My glory. You have still done it My way, not their way. You have sought their counsel and rejected that which was not suitable, and you have produced that which I wanted you to produce.
So seek the counsel of these who know more than you. Listen to them, but then listen to Me. For all that they say is not so, but you can take in what they say and I will show you that which is so and that which is not so, and then you can use that which is good and eschew that which is evil. With wise counsel make your war; but the wisest counsel is to hear from Me, for I am He that knows all things. You must battle according to My plans if you wish to win the battle. So seek the counsel of man, but bring it before Me that you may receive the full counsel of God. (End of message from Jesus.)
Once again the Lord had given instruction that has been our touchstone in this project. Because of the many facets of the work at the GPU, it had been necessary to become involved with many experts in many fields who have given valuable advice. But we've found, true to what the Lord has said, that it's imperative to bring these issues before Him for His mind on the matter.
After two months of initial research, the GPU team of Ike and family, Scotty (Mordecai Inky) and his wife Meek, joined by Josiah (now Paul), moved to Dallas, Texas, to set up the GPU Home.
In May 1996, an international book fair and publications seminar was held in Chicago. The team asked the Lord if they should go and present some of our publications, and if so, how many people should go, etc. Most of the counsel He gave us for that specific event also applied to their contact with publishers and consultants whom they met at other seminars and conferences, or contacted directly over the next several months:
(Jesus speaking:) Be not afraid to go out and represent My Kingdom at this fair. And be not ashamed of your tools. For as you know, these are mighty tools that shall win men's souls worldwide. This is a golden opportunity to find those who will not only counsel you, but will support you in this venture. … I am leading you to go, present your wares, and have a personal touch with many individuals at this fair.
Through this fair you will receive a great education, one that will carry you forth. But do not look upon this education and this wisdom of man as your final goal. But take each point that you gain and gather from this fair and bring it to Me, and let Me clarify your goals and your methods. (End of message from Jesus.)
The Chicago Book Fair was a major education for the team that attended, and all of us. It greatly expanded our horizons as to the possibilities, but also gave us a very strong reality check as to how difficult it is to successfully enter the System's publishing world. We became much more aware of how to go about getting books published, the multitude of legalities involved, the myriad of details and all the rest. The challenges were daunting, but at least we'd made a start and knew what steps to take in order to get the ball rolling.
