A Lesson from Gideon

Gideon was one of Israels' judges. He was called by God to rescue Gods' people from the oppression of the Midianites. Let me tell you his story.

Gideon was hiding from the Midianites while he did his farm-work. God knew where he was hiding and sent a messenger to tell him the plan and enlist him as the warrior-in-charge. Gideon resisted the Lord's assignment and set out two fleeces to determine if this was really what he must do. God complied with both fleeces, and Gideon finally relented. He made a call for warriors and thousands of Israelites, fed up with the tyranny of their oppressors, came out to fight.

Gideon and his army were greatly out numbered. It seemed that God's plan was a disaster waiting to happen. It got worse however when Gideon asked God what to do. God told him to send all the men who were afraid home. Then God told him to have the remainder of the men to go down and drink from the spring. Those that drank lapping like a dog, out of their hands, were to stay. Those who bent their heads into the water to drink were to be sent home. Gideon was left with 300 men. Surprisingly, this small band of men were used by God to defeat the Midian army of thousands! God was glorified! (You can read Gideons' story in Judges 6-8)

Each of us can be a Gideon. We all are given a gift or talent by God and He has a purpose for us. Gideon was named a warrior by God. Some of us may be named helpers, writers, preachers, singers and so many other things. Like the fearful farmer, we too, sometimes resist the title conferred on us by God. We try to reason with Him and convince Him that He made a mistake. It sounds strange, but we all do it at sometime. When God prevails and we accept His plan, we often times find that God begins to limit our resources. He may limit our funds, time, or other tools we think we need to do what God has called us to do. We can feel inadequate to do the job.

When we come to the place where we only hold God's plan in our hands, and nothing or very little of ourselves, we must trust in God, believe in His truth, and have faith in His presence in the plan. We obey. We walk forward not concerned for the outcome, only for the obedience that will give God glory.

God has called me to write and speak for Him. I resisted this call at first, but then embraced it thinking He would provide all I needed. I didn't know He would take away time, and funds. I never thought I would go through dry spells, but I did. Sometimes it is hard or fearful, but I continue to take one step at a time. I pray He is receiving Glory through my obedience.

God, You are the Giver of Purpose. You name each of us in Your plan and guide us to the place where we need only You. Forgive me when I take Your gift and call it mine. Thank You for using me to spread Your love and truth. Guide me and light my path when everything seems dark. I do trust You.

Doing What I Do Best

A square peg in a round hole just doesn't fit. Forcing the square into the hole will only cause frustration and exhaustion. The same is true for us who try to be something we are not to be.

When I try to be another Maya Angelou or Elizabeth Barrett Browning I lose a part of who I am. I become a crippled producer of the talents and gifts given to me by my Creator. I am made to be me! I am called for a purpose that can only be accomplished by being the complete person I am.

When you see my work, I want you to see the whispers of God flowing through me. I need to be the unique vessel that carries a unique message to the world. I am meant to be the square peg that cannot fit into another mold. I am also to be the incomparable talent that fits only in the place designed for me. I think you are meant for that too!

Creator God, You are unique and amaze me over and over again! Thank You for giving me a purpose and a one-of-a-kind way to fulfill it. Without You I could never make it work. I trust myself to You and Your plan. Lead me. Teach me. Fill me and finish me. I do what I do, the best I can for You!

What Do You Have to Give?

There are many things we are given that are to be shared with others. God richly provides many things to us. He wants us to enjoy everything he supplies, but He also wants us to share generously with others.

We are lavishly rich in time, talent, money, and our testimony. Oh, but you say you don't have much time, don't have any talent, short on money and , well, without those you have little testimony! The truth is that we are rich in all of those things. Yes, we may find ourselves less full of one or more of these things but we do have them! god did not over look us when He was sharing His goodness with His people!

Time slips by quickly. If we fritter away our time, we will have none to share when a friend in need calls. I know that I let minutes pass by unnoticed and once they are gone I can never get them back. I often wonder where the time went. Some days I accomplish much and other days i while away the time given to me. It is sad that when a need is made known I sometimes have to say "No" because I've wasted my time and now the need to complete my chore is urgent. Time is a precious gift to share because it becomes more meaningful to us when we do!

Talents can sometimes be scary! Yes, they can be hidden because we are so afraid of being seen as a fool or worse that we won't be as good as someone else! The truth is that talents can be cause for others to ridicule us. They can be a source of pride. We want to be the best and so we hide our talent away because we are meant to sing in the choir and not do the solo! Our talents take work and sometimes we are just plain lazy. We don't want to do what it takes to improve or find our potential! Talents are a gift that should be shared because it brings joy and reveals God to the world! sharing our talent brings satisfaction and joy to us also!

Money given is life shared. It is really hard to obey God's whisper when I hear Him say give this much, when I only have a little for myself. The truth remains that giving out of our need is a blessing not only to others but also to ourselves.

It is true that our time, talents and our money is our life. The hours of our life have been exchanged for the money we earn. Taking time out of our day is an offering of our life. Using our talents is opening our lives to others. Giving our life away is a testimony.

So what do we have to give? We have our lives to give! There is no greater love that to offer your life for someone in need.

Lord God, You have lavished riches on all Your children! You have given us life and even when we have our own needs we still have much to give! Teach us to give as You have given! Let us offer our lives as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to You!

Bloodline

I have read that my fathers' Scottish bloodline was known for being bards (poets and singers). There is evidence that my mother's Slovenian bloodline was heavily endowed with the musical gifts. It is no small wonder that I gravitate to the arts.

Some of my fascination must certainly be the environment as well as heritage. My parents modeled music, literature, art, theater, and dance appreciation. We were encouraged to participate in anything that we enjoyed. Taking inventory of each of us, I have found that we all have had some success in the arts over the years.

The passing down of genetic material may predisposition us to a certain activity. I prefer the more poetic term of "Bloodline" to describe that unique inheritance. It reminds me of the long "Bloodline" passages in scripture where we are given a glimpse into the place each family belonged in the household of mankind. Scripture, however, does give us hope to strengthen the purity of the godly inheritance and turn away from the ungodly.

Our bloodline inheritance has been given to us by Creator God just as our spiritual inheritance is given by our Savior God through His Holy Spirit. Both are gifts to accept and use to their fullness or to reject and allow to waste away. The question is: Are we accepting and using our gifts? Or are we accepting and shelving the gift to wait on His return?

Giver of all good gifts, you are generous in Your giving. You are patient in our receiving. you deserve our gratitude for the many gifts we have received from Your hands. Today I take up my pen to write for Your glory. I take up my cross and follow You. You alone are truly worthy of that commitment.