gifts

Much is said from time to time regarding God changing His mind over circumstances. Can he be persuaded by prayer to change His plan? Is he swayed by our pleas? Thinking about that gives my head a spin. But I do know this; God will not change His mind about me and the gifts he has given me.
Romans 11:29
for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
The gifts (your talents and passions) and calling (His unique plan for investing your gifts to a needy world) are irrevocable. The bottom line ….we have gifts deposited in our lives that He gave us and He will not change His mind nor recall the gifts!
We tend to overlook our gifts so often! We look at others and admire their gifts and neglect the deposit He placed in our lives. Someone once said;” Everyone is gifted - but some people never open their package”.
Open your package today! Share that gift God gave you. His deposit is priceless and needs to be shared. Like the phrase from the book of Luke
Luke 12:48
………… “everyone who has been given much, much will be required….”

Today I choose to live "full”, die empty!
Today I choose to live for JESUS, not myself!
Today I choose to be captured & captivated by Holy optimism & faith, not bitterness or cynicism. Today I give my gift!

An old entertainer, Art Linkletter made this statement “Life is not a rehearsal. This is it."

Look at your gifts and ask yourself when and where did I make the most use of it? Go do it again! It is irrevocable.

I remember the expectation my kids would have when I would go away on a ministry trip for an extended time cuz they knew daddy would be bringing a surprise! It was as much fun seeing their expectation rise than the prize itself.

I think we all like pleasant surprises; they seem to always point us to hope and amazement. We live sometimes in a very mundane routine world and when a little pleasant surprise comes, it gives us a fresh perspective from time to time!

Surprise your loved ones from time to time! Stop and pick up that favorite food, or that little item that speaks “I was thinking of you”. This coming week Shari and I will be celebrate 25 years of marital bliss and I still like getting that little item from time to time to give a little surprise that makes her feel as special as she is to me!

Take time and thought today and give a little something to communicate, “you matter” – “you’re special”. Drop a note to a friend; surprise someone today (in a good way!).

Michel, Jake, Cadence bring me a prize when you come next week!

Romans 11:29 (NLT)
For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.

Got the word yesterday they hired another boat salesman instead of me? HHHMMM, that for a moment was an ouch! Salesman, fisherman, and I the consummate boater was overlooked. Or was I overlooked? I, as most of us was feeling the usual “ poor me” thing, then I get a phone call from my Mother, we as a family had a crisis with one of my nieces who need prayer right then. I kicked into 7th gear grabbed my pastoral mantle and did what I am most gifted to do!
28 years ago I tried my best to follow another path outside of ministry and got my hand spanked. Then I have to ask, why would now be any different. I think what I learned yesterday was not that I do not need work to support Shari’s crab cake habit; I will get work. I just needed a reminder of what I am gifted to do! I am a pastoral machine and guess everything will have to revolve around that! Love you all, stay true to your gift, or you may get your hand spanked!