The answer came unexpectedly (and unrecognized by me at the time) in October of 1989. I was having lunch with my longtime friend Larry Burkett and his ministry associate Steve Humphrey. As we discussed the financial challenges facing the average Christian family, Larry felt what was lacking was a certain kind of monthly investment newsletter with a truly Christian perspective. He said there was a great need for a reliable source of information, written with easy-to-understand, "user-friendly" wording, which would guide readers through the investment process step-by-step with instruction and counsel from a biblical perspective. It would help Christians make the varied and often complex investment decisions they face, as well as continually attempt to help its readers "renew their minds" with God's principles.
My initial response was, "You're right. Sounds great ? too bad nobody's doing anything like that." It didn't occur to me that I should undertake the task ? after all, I was an investment manager, not a writer or publisher. But as the weeks passed, the Lord kept bringing me back to Larry's comments. The number of investment services and products being offered today is mind-numbing in their variety. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. So I began to pray. Though I agreed Larry had put his finger on a real need, I wondered whether I should be the one to attempt to meet it.
I began to pray for wisdom: "Lord, do You want me to try to do this? Well, it would certainly be mentally challenging ? I don't have much experience as a writer and none as a publisher. If I could succeed in encouraging my readers, it would be emotionally satisfying because I know from my own experience how important encouragement is in sustaining our hope during the tough times. And to the extent Christians get their finances and investments straightened out and give more to Your work, it would certainly have a ministry component. But Lord, I don't have the experience or the start-up money or the wisdom to pull this off ? I'd have to depend totally on You." Hmmm. . . .
After many other closed doors and much prayer, Susie and I felt the Lord was indeed orchestrating events so that I would begin moving in that direction. At a time when I was wondering if I should go into publishing, it "just happened" that two of our best friends had built a successful publishing business centered on a lineup of monthly computer software journals. Their company was the national leader in its field. Their counsel and prayers were invaluable. The first Sound Mind Investing newsletter was issued in July 1990.
Almost 15 years have now come and gone since the day I bravely had 500 copies of the first issue printed. The start-up phase was physically demanding, financially unprofitable, but spiritually fulfilling. The way in which events have unfolded have reminded Susie and me on several occasions that our God "is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think ? infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams ? To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever" (Ephesians 3:20-21, Amplified).
