Guest Post! The Giver, Not the Gift

Today’s guest post is brought to you by my favorite reader- my husband, James. After much fierce bugging some gentle nudging, he agreed to set aside some time and share his thoughts and convictions with us. I pray you are blessed.

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To believe = To be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust.

Faith = Firm persuasion, a firm conviction producing a full acknowledgment of God's revelation or truth, a personal surrender to God.

As we go into this year full of hope, expectation, etc., we are constantly looking with our physical eyes and mind’s eye for God's promises, or prophecies to come to pass.  We also look for opportunities as well as ways that we can accomplish things that we desire, and maybe even look to the Mayan Calendar. “HA!”  Let us step back and once again put our feet on the ROCK, our foundation.  For He never moves and can never be shaken.

The book of Romans says (as it is written.  “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (Rom 4:17) and later He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform (Rom 4:20-21).

Abraham did not put his faith in the promise but the One making the promise.  Believe in God. Trust in God for who He is.  When we walk in the darkness, we need light and hope, and God gives us light and hope.  However, light and hope are only as good as their source.  Therefore, let us not overshadow the Giver with the gift or with the obsessions of our life.  Rather, let us take a deep breath as we plunge into the future focused on whatever our spiritual eyes may detect from the lamp of God, and be at peace because all things are being molded together for your good by Him who loves you with great love.  So let’s set our gaze on the Lover of our soul like a love struck teen, and not be so overwhelmed by the details but with the Source of the details.  For He is GOOD.  

Three Words

Beth Moore’s post from her Living Proof Ministries blog inspired me to reflect on the past year and ask God for three words that characterize 2011 for me. I offer you this same opportunity. Please share your three words with us and a short (or long) paragraph explaining each.

I'll go first J I call mine the three A’s.

ACCOMPLISHED- God sent and used (and continues using) my husband in Phoenix, Arizona among a group of Romanians, building relationships, teaching, discipling, and instilling the vision of discipleship. He has done and continues doing a wonderful work in it. What previously sounded ridiculous and impossible turned out to be incredibly fulfilling as I finished my first two years of college and received a degree at 32 years old. God relieved my back pain and allowed me to start doing something I have always desired to do- run. And (most days) I enjoy and look forward to it. God confirmed gifts in me and has begun stirring them up, teaching me to walk in obedience, and blessing the fruit of that labor and obedience. Yes, this has been a year of witnessing God accomplish much in and through us.

AWARENESS- My daughter, Korrie (my oldest child) turned thirteen, became a teenager, and officially made me old! It’s been wonderful and eye-opening in so many ways. Every single day she surprises me and I realize that she’s unlike any other child of God. He is miraculously forming her into a woman after Him, despite my failures and short comings as her

mother. My son, Joseph (my youngest child) hit the double digits turning ten, and made me old again! Through this process of watching my kiddos develop their own personalities and relationships, I am learning that God is in control of every aspect of their lives both large and small. And I am unspeakably grateful to be used by Him in such a way. I am also keenly aware of how quickly they are changing and growing and will be leaving the nest to begin their own adventures filled with happiness, joys, heartaches, and struggles.

AWED- My Lord has poured out His love upon me in ways I could not even imagine, allowing me to draw closer to Him and gain a deeper, richer understanding of His adoration and compassion for me. And with this understanding comes an awe and a realization that the more I know Him and His love, the less I understand it. He is so incomprehensible, yet personal in a way I cannot fully receive. I only pray that this New Year brings more awe, more understanding, and a deeper sense of who He is, how He loves, and who I am in Him.

I cannot wait to read about your three words!  Won’t it be fun to look back at these words next year and reflect on the changes God faithfully walks us through? Please, please, please share and don’t be shy!

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