Because of the abundant blessings that rest on America, we don’t really understand what it means to be desperate. We go to the grocery store stocked with literally thousands of items. We go to the doctor when we get sick. We go to the faucet or the refrigerator when we get thirsty. Desperation is […]
What do you picture when you think of rest? Do you see yourself chillin’ in front of the televison? Sleeping in? Playing video games? To my friend Pete Hohmann, it is kayaking, serious, mile after mile of kayaking! Way too much work for me! Of course if I could do it Keira’s way, as seen […]
Saturday was our anniversary and it was a perfect day for the two of us to get away. We had put in some long, hard hours for several weeks. I packed a healthy lunch, grabbed a handful of chocolate kisses (a person can only take so much healthy) and we look off to Lake Lure. […]
I met Bill Gray several years ago, probably over 20, but I had not met his wife Cheryl. When we would drive through downtown Mobile to visit relatives I would always pray over Metro Ministries and wonder how Bill was doing. But this past weekend I had the privilege of meeting Cheryl at the Women’s […]
The beaches at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida are some of the most beautiful in the world. The Marine Science instructor had the 4-H students meet at the park entrance to begin the field trip. It was a fascinating afternoon. We splashed in the water gathered specimens to identify and observed scat (animal droppings) and tracks […]
It grows a foot a day! And you thought centipedes had a lot of feet. No, I mean it grows a foot longer a day, and yes, I’m talking about Kudzu. This vine covers everything and I do mean everything. It covers road signs, cars and houses. It smoothers, covers and chokes everything in its […]
Have You Washed In The Golden Laver Lately? In the tabernacle, if you move from the brazen altar and then continue to the next piece of furniture you will come to the laver. For a long time this piece puzzled me. The altar was where the sacrifice for sin was made. It is a […]
Why do we hold on to things that remind us of pain and defeat of the past? It stayed in Wayne’s junk drawer. You know the drawer; filled with all the stuff that you can’t part with, but doesn’t have a real home because it’s really not worth keeping, but you can’t bear to […]
I can’t begin to imagine what it must have felt like when Goliath criticized David. OK! I’ll admit it was much worse than just a criticism. Goliath loathed this kid and his words were intended to intimidate and humiliate David. “Do I look like a little dog that you can run off with a […]
I’m sure you’ve felt it too…the sting of criticism. Whoever said “… but words can’t hurt me” was lying or delusional. They do hurt…and like it or not, it is a part of life and ministry. So, what do we do with it? First, don’t just dismiss it. Process it. It could be that […]
In August 2011, Ray Horton ended his role as coach with the Pittsburg Steelers. His new assignment is with the Arizona Cardinals as the defensive coordinator.
One of the people on his “Say Goodbye To List” was a cook Maurice Matthews. Maurice was always a fun guy, that constantly teased Horton with jabs like:
You’re coaching in “my” position or
“When are you going to let me drive my car,” referring to Horton’s shiny red Mercedes.
Horton always teased back, “Man, you can’t afford the gas for that car!”
But Horton had more than a final goodbye in mind when he stopped by the kitchen that day. His question probably surprised Matthews. “Man, can I borrow whatever money you got on you?” Regardless of the questions that had to be rattling in his brain, he pulled out a twenty and surrendered it to the coach.
The car keys jingled as Horton handed them to Matthews with the explanation, “sold for $20!”
Wow! Don’t ya just love the generosity of this coach! But the question that is rattling around in my head is, “What if Maurice hadn’t surrendered what he had?”
I’m sure he had plenty of excuses:
Does it upset you that Horton would ask for what he had in his pocket? No, of course not, but we know now, that Horton had a fabulous exchange in mind!
And so does God!
He is a generous God. WE SEEM TO FORGET that! And He has a good plan in mind for you.
But you’ll never experience it unless you learn to SURRENDER what is in your hand!
The prophet Elijah asked the widow woman a similar question, “Give me what you have.”
From the burning bush, God asked Moses what he had in his hand.
Oh, and Jesus asked the rich young ruler the same question.
I believe it is the question God is asking believers today. And it is the question He is asking you, “What do you have in your hand?”
What ya got?
That place of surrender positions you to receive from God.
That act of obedience releases blessings.
It ‘s in more areas than just financial. I’m not talking about how to get a car. I’m talking about releasing the blessings of God into your life. Releasing His favor, His joy, His peace and His abundance into your life.
What is your talent?
Think MISSIONAL.
If you know someone that would enjoy this blog, please pass it on!
Don’t Miss a Single Blog
Get the latest blog posts sent directly to your e-mail or RSS Feed!
Hugh Latimer was an influential leader in the reformation; a very dangerous time to be trying to influence people that “we are saved by grace and not works.” Queen Mary was the daughter of Henry VIII and was known as “bloody Mary” for killing Christians. However, King Henry VIII actually killed more Christians than she […]