Praise Archives - The Ultimate Gift

December 24, 2025

The Identity Property

Lesson 1-8 Properties of Real Numbers - ppt video online download

I wrote about the Division Property of Zero in my most recent blog post and that got me thinking about other math properties that I teach my students. The Identity Property is one of them. In mathematics, an identity is defined as a transformation that leaves an object unchanged. With regard to addition, that would be zero (13 + 0 = 13), and in multiplication, it is one (13 x 1 = 13). The best way I found to explain it is by asking my students what they see when they look in a mirror. Answer: Themselves! That’s their identity. Or is it?

What is Your Identity?

When it comes to Jesus, He has a knack for turning things upside down, including the Identity Property! As Christ followers, we choose to put our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our identity is found in Him and Him alone.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

‭‭ John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Out with the Old, In with the New

We are a child of God, a new creation, redeemed and forgiven. Unlike a mathematical identity, when one’s identity is found in Christ it is a transformation that leaves us radically changed!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All Because of Jesus

Our new life would not be possible without Jesus. Keep that in mind as you gather with friends and family to celebrate His birth in the coming days.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Ultimate Gift

That is cause for celebration! Jesus truly is the Ultimate Gift, one to be treasured anew each day.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Image result for merry christmas clip art images

January 29, 2025

All (Always)

The word all is a short one but packs a powerful punch. As a result, “all” is in the running for my word of the year. In the days leading up to Christmas, I was especially drawn to the words “all” and “always” with regard to God. I find there is no middle ground with Him.

Have you ever taken a test or filled out a survey with the choices “always, sometimes, or never?” They can be tricky! Not so with God. Sometimes is not part of His equation. Unlike me, He is not wishy-washy. God is the same today as He was yesterday. And He will be the same tomorrow too. You can count on it! His character is always consistent, never swayed by circumstances.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

God is…

- - all-powerful (omnipotent)
    “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
    Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    
    There is NOTHING He cannot do.

- - all-knowing (omniscient)

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is NOTHING He does not know.

- - always present (omnipresent).
    “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
    ‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬b NIV‬‬
    
    There is NOWHERE we can go to escape His presence.
    
    No matter what you are going through right now, I pray that these truths from God’s Word bring you comfort…always.

(Part II coming soon)

May 9, 2023

Exceeded Expectations

Now that my daughter’s wedding is in the rearview mirror, I’ve been pondering just what to write about it. The title came to me this morning while I was walking and talking with God and sums the day up pretty perfectly—exceeded expectations.

Read the following passage about a lame man who experienced a result that far exceeded his expectations:

“Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Acts 3:2-8 NIV

The lame man expected coins, but instead, he gained the ability to walk. That turned out better than he ever expected. That’s how I felt on my daughter’s wedding day!

The Hurdles Fell

If you follow my blog, then you already know that my mother and the father of the bride both had to clear some significant hurdles with their health to even get to the wedding. Then there was the weather! With an outdoor ceremony planned, we were watching the forecast closely. Three days beforehand, the wedding day forecast for our part of the Sunshine State did NOT include sunshine. In fact, it looked more like a total washout. But then it changed…and for the better! It improved to the point that it became worth the risk to hold the ceremony outdoors as planned. I’m so glad we did as the rain stayed just to our north and we made it through the whole day without a drop of rain. Yes, even the weather exceeded expectations!

A Day to Behold

Since this was my first (and last) rodeo as mother-of-the-bride, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Multiple people encouraged me to soak up every minute and I took that advice to heart. It was the most amazing day, from start to finish! I find it hard to put into words. You may remember “Love is in the Air,” a song from the 70s by John Paul Young. Indeed it was! I think every square inch of Cross Creek Ranch was saturated with love. Naturally, it oozed from the bride and groom, but it didn’t stop there. To share that sacred day with so many who are near and dear to my heart was incredibly special. I’m still flying high nearly two months later! It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Like the lame man, I am praising God for an outcome that far exceeded my expectations.

In Other News

And while I’m on the subject of exceeding expectations, how about those 1st place Pittsburgh Pirates? The Buccos gave their fans an April to remember winning 20 of their first 29 games. (Let’s not talk about May)

Praise the Lord

God is in the business of exceeding expectations. Exhibit A – Jesus!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

March 17, 2023

Looking Back

So as not to keep you hanging, I wanted to finish the rest of the story before the wedding festivities kick off. Part II is less about timing and more about God’s faithfulness. As I mentioned yesterday, I chose to believe that God’s timing was perfect when it seemed anything but. I was able to do that by looking back at God’s faithfulness in the past. He has a perfect track record! When our faith is shaken and nothing makes sense, it’s helpful to look in the rearview mirror. Looking back may be just what it takes to move forward.

Remembering His Faithfulness

When the Israelites supernaturally crossed the Jordan River to enter into the Promised Land, God commanded them to take twelve stones from the middle of the river and build a monument. This stone monument would serve as a permanent national reminder of the miraculous river crossing. Building this memorial would allow future generations of Israelites to look back into the past to feed their faith for the future.

Update

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve struggled to understand God’s timing with these recent family health issues but made a conscious decision to trust that it was perfect. I am delighted to report that the father of the bride had THREE kidney stones removed yesterday morning while I was finishing off my last post. He has a stent in place for the next 5 days, but this timing should allow for him to enjoy our daughter’s wedding without incident. Thank you, Lord.

Looking in the Rearview Mirror

God is faithful! How do we know? By looking back. Just ask the Israelites!

“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”

Joshua 21:45 NLT

I can look back to yesterday with Todd. Or I can look back to His hand in my mom’s story over the past month. The truth is I have countless “stones” (not kidney) from which I could choose to remember God’s faithfulness. This morning, I’m choosing to reflect on the stone that has impacted my life more than any other. That stone is none other than the bride herself. Fittingly, this stone is marrying a geologist!

Milestones

I don’t need to rehash the miracle that is Hillary here with you this morning. I’m guessing that if you are reading this, you already know her story and have even lived it with me. Each time she arrives at a milestone I am especially reflective of God’s faithfulness in bringing her THIS far. And then I have a good cry! As I mentioned at her bridal shower, it is because of her story that these milestones hit me so hard. Thankfully, the bride knows all this and gave me a very special hanky for tomorrow. God knows I’m going to need it!

Let the celebration begin!!