Funny Re-gifting Story

It’s Christmas time again, which can only mean one thing: RE-GIFTING.

Do you know what “re-gifting” is? Re-gifting is defined (by me) as “giving a gift that you were given & did not pay for - to someone else.” In other words, you get a gift you aren’t real crazy about and then you re-wrap it to give it away to someone else. 

We got re-gifted recently! Has it ever happened to you?

Honestly, I must admit, sadly, that in the past, we have re-gifted to others – usually when we didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Gotta admit it!

But this year, we were re-gifted in a HILARIOUS way: we received the exact gift back that we gave to the exact same person in a previous year! We know it is what we gave out because it was an autographed copy! There was no mistaking it!

Isn’t that funny? We think it’s hilarious and did not tell the person but graciously accepted the gift back. We love it, actually, because we gave all of ours away! Now, we have one again!

Spiritually, we should always re-gift what God gives us because it glorifies Him. For example, when He gives you wisdom, re-gift it to others. When He gives you joy, re-gift it to others. When He gives you peace, re-gift it to others. Counselees who have been helped can become counselors who help others – that’s the ultimate spiritual re-gifting for the glory of God (II Cor. 1:3-4).

-Mark (enjoying the Lord’s sense of humor this year)

Tiger Woods had it all?

I heard someone say recently, “Tiger had it all. Riches, power, success, a supermodel wife from Sweden, two kids, and played golf all day, the sport he loves…He had it all. I wish I had that life!” 

In the world’s eyes, he had it all but it didn’t fulfill him because natural things do not satisfy us completely. All of us are seeking after more…just wait until the day AFTER Christmas when children start playing with their old toys again or some of their toys break. We are exactly like that – we enjoy things for a little while until we get the next thing!

But did Tiger really have it all?

I don’t know if he did, but IF he didn’t have Christ, he didn’t. When you have Christ, you have it all. Nothing more is to be gained. Mark 8:36 (ESV): “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

I hope Tiger looks to Christ through all of this. I hope his eyes are turned toward the Lord. If they are, then all of this will be worth it, even losing all of his riches, fame, and prestige. The things of this world are temporary not eternal. They do not last. Only life in Christ is eternal.

-Mark (hoping we all learn a lesson about what really matters and that Tiger comes to know Christ either for the first time or for a deeper relationship with Him if it already exists – let’s pray for Tiger!)

“I feel led to…” (part 2)

What about in the arena of giving money? “I want to give to this organization” rather than “I feel led to give to this organization.” Sometimes, I think we want to justify our giving as though it is super-spiritually led by the Spirit and it makes us feel more secure in our decision – almost like we are convincing ourselves.

In many places of the Bible, the Lord commands us to be good stewards of our money. For example, the Old Testament indicates that we are to tithe. So based on God’s Word, why don’t we just say, “I want to give this money to you as unto the Lord. I’ve prayed about it and believe that it’s the right thing to do based upon the Scriptures.”

Maybe this is a controversial issue. My point is that God leads us by His Spirit in accordance with His Word so anything more than that is simply extra. God does not need our help to make His Word extra special or extra spiritual. It already is!

-Mark (thanking God for the simplicity of His Word)

a gray-colored what?

Communication is so difficult. One reason that is so is that we read our own “baggage” into communicating with others.

For example, recently my daughter said to my wife, “Mommy, yours has more GRAY in it than Daddy’s.” My daughter was comparing our shirts which looked exactly alike except for the shade. But my wife mistakenly thought she was talking about…her hair. In other words, she thought my child was saying that my wife’s hair is more gray than mine (which is not true, by the way). So my wife launched into a mini-sermon and my daughter looked on with a weird expression on her face. Then, my daughter said, “Mommy, I was talking about your shirt.”

We all had a laugh as each member of my family was there to hear all of this. It was a great lesson in miscommunication. We all do that from time to time. We read into what someone else is saying and we misunderstand their heart and intended meaning.

God wants us to be “quick to hear and slow to speak” so a simple question by my wife would have avoided the whole incident.

I encourage you: do not judge another person’s comment when you think it is attacking or unclear; instead, ask a question. Questions clarify communication and are essential to understanding, especially in biblical counseling sessions.

Are you a good question “ask-er” and a good listener?

-Mark (learning to ask better questions everyday of my life)

How are you doing?

 

Ever wonder how many times you get a pat answer from someone when you ask this question?  How often do people really let us into their worlds?  What keeps us from being transparent and really sharing with people what we might be carrying or struggling with?  Could it be PRIDE? Do we buy into the lie that people really don’t want to know how we are doing?  Should we all just suck it up and be fine all the time? As I grow in my relationship with the LORD I am finding that the most intimate times are found in truly opening up to our Heavenly Father & other people. We need each other!

What do you have to lose?  The better question might be, what do you have to gain?  God’s Word exhorts us to “share each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).  We were not created to be independent, but rather interdependent on Christ and our brothers and sisters in Him.

So this week, when someone asks you how you are doing,  take a minute and really be authentic.   If you are struggling,  say so…. If your concerned, voice it…WHO KNOWS, God may have sent that person along to encourage you and your blessing is just beyond the comfort of keeping your true heart hidden.

Oh yeah, and make sure you take time to really inquire how the other person is doing… As we all know better than we  probably practice, it is more blessed to give than to receive…

 

-Jason  (learning to be real at every opportunity)

Waiting on the LORD…

God ordained waiting takes place in the lives of every person.  You will never see any fanfare or draw attention from quietly submitting to God’s timing in your life.  In fact, often times we fall off the social map.  Maybe it begins with a tragic car accident, or a bankruptcy. Perhaps you have a relationship torn apart with conflict.  Whatever the cause, the result ends in the same destination.  A place of humility where all we can do is look up. 

It’s at that time the LORD goes to work in our hearts.  We gain a new, eternal perspective in the waiting room of life. Our LORD teaches us how to focus on Him above all things. As our identity in Christ grows, we are given eyes to see how God has been moving…. all along…

Currently I find myself in this waiting room of life.  Where do I go with the calling on my life? When will I see my wife?  How many, if any, children will we have? But more importantly… After traveling beyond the ‘me’ questions:  God how can I grow even closer to you? 

Fact of the matter is,  God most often uses us when we least expect it.  This makes us effective because we realize it’s only through Him we have the power to do anything. 

God is able.  If you are weary and tired of waiting, hang in there… God is teaching us that waiting is one of the preferred methods of preparing  His people for significance.

“Waiting is a common instrument of providential discipline for those to whom exceptional work has been appointed.”  -James Stalker

 

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7

Happy Thanksgiving,

-Jason (learning that wisdom is found in waiting)

Thankful: doesn’t come from us…

Remember back when you were young…  An adult blessed you with something, maybe your favorite toy, a good book, or some clothes.  What were the first words out of your mouth?  WOW, COOL, NEAT….  For most of us, it wouldn’t be hard for you to imagine what your parents words were to you… WHAT DID YOU SAY?  “Uh thank you…”  We aren’t taught how to be selfish.  We become prodigys of that nature all by ourselves.  As I grow older, I still find myself having to battle against being focused only on me.

What is the solution?

The Bible says that every good and perfect gift is from the LORD.  As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week with your loved ones, ask the LORD to reignite your heart of Thankfulness.  Spend the day thanking Him for all the amazing blesssings in your life.  Take time out to remember, if you are thankful, it’s only because of Him.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

-Jason