The Ultimate Gift

January 21, 2014May 8, 2014

Get That Foot Wet

So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Joshua 3:14-16 (NLT)

Sorry I haven’t written anything lately. I was just waiting for God to supply some material. That, and a little time. I’ve been rather busy with the start of a new semester and watching my favorite cheerleader, my daughter Hillary, in action. As I write this, we are on our way to take a closer look at one of the three colleges Hillary is considering for the next chapter of her life. College has become a bad word at our house over the last several months. It seems my girl isn’t all that excited about leaving her comfort zone and wading into the unknown.

For the past few weeks I have been wrestling with God over a pretty big decision, at least in my small mind. I have waffled quite a bit during this decision-making process. This morning as I was praying for Hillary and about our day ahead God provided the material for my blog as well as an answer to prayer.

It turns out that I’m not so different from my girl. This decision that I have been grappling with would require me to step outside my comfort zone in a big way too. I can give a whole host of reasons why I shouldn’t step into the Jordan by accepting this assignment, the first being that I am not qualified, or at least not in my mind. I can certainly relate to Moses. But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11 NLT) God reminded me this morning that it isn’t about me. It’s about His power at work IN me. And with that I repeat the words of Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) I was unable to view this as God’s calling until He related it to my daughter’s situation this morning. As I encourage her to put her foot in the Jordan, I must be willing to do the same. For the first time in weeks, I have peace regarding this decision.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Are you facing a decision that would lead you into uncharted waters too? Afraid to leave your comfort zone? May I invite you to step into the Jordan with me? I would welcome the company. Let’s step out in faith together!

January 3, 2014May 8, 2014

New Year, New Focus

Upon recommendation from my pastor I have been reading the Bible online through various plans offered at YouVersion, the Bible App, for the past several years. I get an email from YouVersion every so often encouraging me to keep up the good work or sometimes to let me know that I’ve missed a few days. The other day I received a different message. In this message, it was suggested that I choose a verse to focus on in the new year. I have been thinking about it ever since. It is kind of overwhelming to try to pick just one from God’s instruction manual for living.

As I have been thinking about this, God brought something to mind from the first Christian fiction that I ever read, the Mitford series by Jan Karon. In this series of books, the main character, Father Tim, often resorted to the prayer that never fails when he was at a loss for words and would simply say, “Your will be done.” This has stuck with me over the years for a few reasons. It is so simply stated and it really is the prayer that never fails.

While I was trying to come up with a focus verse I looked for verses that pertained to healing because that is the desire of my heart and is never far from my mind. That, and my doctor says we’re going to fix it in ’14! I know this—we are certainly going to give it our best shot. Ultimately, though, I have decided to choose part of the Lord’s Prayer for my focus verse of the year..your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 NIV) Why that one? Because it is the prayer that never fails!

The prayer I offer for healing, on behalf of all those who are suffering, is that it would happen in His perfect time and in His perfect way. There is no guarantee we’re going to fix it in ’14, maybe not even in this lifetime, but there WILL be healing. I shall leave the details to Him. Why? Because I am His child and He loves me. I believe He knows and wants what is best for me. His promise in Romans 8:28 to use it ALL for my good, even the unwanted, undesirable circumstances of life, brings me comfort in the midst of the pain. He makes that promise to each of His children.

I pray as I walk through this new year He would help me overcome my pride and selfish desires and simply want what He wants. The beginning of the Lord’s Prayer as written in The Message states, Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Amen?

Do you have a verse to focus on in 2014? If so, I’d love to have you share it here at theultim8gift.com. Let’s hold each other accountable and stay FOCUSED!

December 29, 2013May 8, 2014

Down, but NOT Out (at least not yet)

After the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a winless month of September, I highly doubted that they would still be in the playoff hunt when they took the field for their final game of the regular season in December. But, lo and behold, that’s exactly where they find themselves heading into their finale tomorrow against the Cleveland Browns. Granted, the chances of the Steelers making the playoffs are slim to none, but they are still mathematically alive so there is still hope. They not only need to beat the Browns, but they also need a ton of help. The Chargers, Ravens AND Dolphins must also lose.

Can you relate to the Steelers’ current predicament? Have you been in that place where it seems you are hanging on by a thread? I have. Are you there now? Has life knocked you down repeatedly to the point you aren’t sure you can make it back to your feet? If so, I know just the One who can help!

I am here to tell you that as long as we are living and breathing there is hope because there is One who is bigger than any problem we could ever have—the all-powerful God of the universe. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26 NLT) Though He may not choose to calm our storm, He promises to walk through it with us. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV) If you are reading this, you are still mathematically alive, just like the Steelers. There is still hope!

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Mark 9:23 NLT)

Go Steelers…and Jets…and Bengals…and Chiefs!!

December 23, 2013May 8, 2014

Decisions, Decisions

Knowing the baby wasn’t his, Joseph had made the decision to break his engagement with his pregnant fiancé, Mary. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20 NLT)

The angel caused Joseph to rethink his decision to walk away from Mary. This decision would alter his life in a big way. Each of us is faced with numerous decisions each day, some bigger than others. Maybe not quite as big as the one Joseph had to make, but big nonetheless.

What decisions are you faced with today? Maybe they are relatively minor choices like what to have for dinner or what to wear. Or maybe they are decisions that are life-altering, like the one Joseph had to make. What treatment should I pursue? Is he/she “the one” for me? Is this job a good fit? Can we afford this house? I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t possibly count the little decisions that I make each day because they don’t require much, if any, thought. They almost seem too easy to even consider them a decision. The bigger ones certainly grab my attention though.

My daughter is a high school senior and happens to be facing some particularly large ones as she looks to her future. College? If so, where? Major? If not college, then what? The unknown can be scary territory for all of us, but the good news is that God doesn’t just leave us there to go it alone.

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24 NLT) As a result, Joseph was privileged to serve as the earthly father of Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world. I bet that looked good on his resumé!

Just as in the days of Joseph, our tomorrows are impacted by the decisions we make today. We must choose wisely! Joseph had an angel assist him. Believers today have the Holy Spirit, a resident 24/7 guidance counselor. Jesus said, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:26-27 NLT)

May you receive and savor the gift of peace that Jesus came to give…