During the holidays last year, that age-old question arose from my husband.

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Normally, I shrug my shoulders, shake my head, or give some form of non-commitment. I don’t ask for anything special because somehow I believe if I do, I will end up disappointed. But this particular year was much different. This time, I knew exactly what I wanted. With all the gusto I could muster, I exclaimed…

A crock pot…

A WHAT?

Yes, a crock pot. Now, I realize that this is a strange request, but I really wanted a crock pot. I love the smell of food cooking through the house, and the feel of home that a crock pot offers, plus the food is incredible!

This Christmas was different indeed for not only did I know what I wanted for Christmas, my husband spent the next few weeks trying to talk me out of my crock pot. Not that he wasn’t willing to buy it for me, but he exclaimed that a crock pot just wasn’t special enough, or worth enough to give me for Christmas. He wanted to show me an expression of his love, and a crock pot just did not sum up to love; or at least it didn’t in his book.

This one little exchange, one simple request set my mind wandering.

How often do I give to people because it is what I want them to have, and not necessarily what they want? Quite possibly this is the number one reason that gift cards have become such an acceptable practice in gift giving today. If we just give someone the gift of cash (or a gift card) then they can just get what they want, and we don’t need to be bothered with the whole ordeal.

Is that how we look at giving? As an ordeal? How hard is it to find out what someone really wants or likes? Truth… not that hard at all. It takes one simple skill, a skill that all of us have at least to some extent… the skill of listening.

Think about it… have you heard your co-worker just rave about a certain shampoo, perfume, or candle that they just love but never seem to have the money to buy? What about a favorite artist, author, movie? Do they have a favorite candy, or dessert?

Years ago I worked for a company and we decided to increase the morale of employees within our work area we would have a secret pal game that went year round. Basically the rules were that everyone had to fill out a one-page questionnaire where we disclosed all sorts of favorites; from teams, to music, to food, candy, movies, actors, colors, and so on. The questionnaires then were picked at random by everyone in the group. Only key was you had to look right away to make sure you did not get your own form back… then, at least once a month (including Christmas and birthdays), your secret pal would get you something… nothing big, just something that lined up with your list and leave it for you, or have it delivered to you at the office. Gifts were as small as a candy bar and as big as a bouquet, or dinner out; there was no dollar limit. Morale went through the roof, and other departments started the same ‘game’.

Why did this form of gift giving work? Because we concentrated on the wants, the likes, the needs of others… and we gave according to what their heart centered on – not ours.

Then I wondered… how often do we do this same thing with God?

Do we give God what we want to give Him of ourselves, or do we give Him what He wants from us? Like any good parent, He is pleased and happy with whatever gift His children bring… but how much sweeter to really give what He wants…

You know what it is… that nudging you have heard during your prayer and devotional time. That one thing you feel in your spirit you need to do. That thing that keeps springing up reminders all around you from out of nowhere…

That thing that He requires of you…

Can you see it?

Will you give it?

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. (Micah 6:8, AMP)

That Christmas, I did get my crock pot, and even though I knew it was coming… it is probably one of my fondest memories of Christmas because it was a gift that was meant for me… and it was a gift given out of love!

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“John, wake up!” James was anxious, shaking his brother, hoping he would wake up soon and not be angry with him.

“What! What is it?”

“Look, out on the water…what is that?”

“I don’t know, get Bartholomew up. NOW!” John yelled. Normally not scared of anything, John was just as frightened as his brother John. It had been a long evening, fighting the winds and the fury of the sea; and now, this…

“Bartholomew, come here! Tell us what that is!”

“What? Where?” Bartholomew yawned.

“On the water. Don’t you see it? It’s heading straight for us!”

“I don’t know. Is it a ghost?” Bartholomew asked half-heartedly.

“Yes! That must be it! It’s a ghost!” John and James were both screaming and running around the ship looking for something to defend themselves with.

The noise woke the other disciples up, and through their groggy, sleep filled eyes, they peered out into the night sea trying to figure out what exactly was coming there way.

Most of the disciples were accomplished fisherman and had spent years on the sea, but none of them had ever experienced anything like this. They were visibly frightened, and their fear exploded into the normally calm and peaceful reserves of the others.

“Where is Jesus? He could help us through this, tell us what that is.” Matthew exclaimed.

“He’s not here. Let me see for myself what you are all yelling about.” The overly confident Peter took to the helm of the ship, and stared out into the sea. His confidence slowly faded away, as he too was uncertain of what was coming their way.

The disciples continued to dwell in their fear, not sure if they should lift the anchor and head for the opposite shore, or stay their course. Then suddenly through the night sky, they heard a voice exclaim, “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid, it is me.” They were certain it was the voice of their Lord, but their fear gripped them more than they could imagine.

In the grips of fear, they started whispering among themselves… “It’s a trick… don’t listen to him… the ghost is trying to fool us… if we listen to it we will surely die.”

Then Peter, determined to take control of the situation, yelled out to the figure “If it is you, tell me it is okay to walk out to you on the water!”

James and John grabbed him.

“Peter, are you crazy? It’s a trick.”

“How can you be sure that is Jesus?”

“Don’t do it, Peter.”

Then Peter heard the voice. The voice he had heard many times before, the voice that could speak through any storm, any dark place, the voice that could tell him everything would be okay, the voice he had complete faith in…

“Come” was all the voice said. In that one simple command, Peter knew everything was going to be okay. He had no understanding of how he was going to walk on the water, or if he would even be able to do it, he just trusted completed in that voice and he stepped out…

Peter stepped out despite all the voices calling his to stay…

Peter stepped out despite the disciples trying to grab him and keep him exactly where they were at…

Peter stepped out, even though he was frightened and did not understand…

What is God calling you to step out into today?

Too often we concentrate and listen to the voices in our midst. We heed our friend’s advice; trust in chain e-mails, text messages, and responses on any number of our social network sites. We call out for the help of others, and then we find ourselves very confused and scared because we don’t know which voice to listen to.

In the midst of a stormy night, with the wind blowing rough, the boat tilting from side to side because of the force of the sea; one man heard the voice of God calling him to step out. He heard the voice over the voices and concerns of the men he would call brothers. He closed off everything in his world, and focused on one thing… the Master’s voice.

Are you scared about your next step? Do you have an important decision to make? Are you in the midst of a storm, and unsure which way to go? Is fear starting to overtake you, so much that you cannot hear the still, small voice whispering to you exactly what you need to hear…

Come.

That is God’s cry to us.

Come.

Come to God in the midst of your time of trouble.

Lean on Him even when you don’t understand.

Come to Him on your darkest night, in the hour of your deepest need, when fear is knocking on your door, and all you want to do is find a way out.

Come to Jesus.

Peter took that step out of the boat despite what everyone around him was telling him, and despite what everything he knew about the sea, and science can teach us about the sea and gravity… Peter stepped out certain of only one thing; that his Master would be there for him and catch him should he fall.

“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…” (Matthew 14:31a)

Come.

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Do you remember warm summers eating watermelon and spitting out the seeds? What about hollowing out your pumpkins and removing the seeds from them? Or maybe even cutting the seeds out of an apple or orange so our kids can eat them safely?

Seeds are very prevalent in our lives. We come into contact with them from a very early age. Usually our parents tell us something crazy like, “Don’t swallow that seed or you will grow a watermelon (or some other named fruit) in your stomach!”

Another familiar memory for many of us may be our planting experience with seeds. Believing that if we throw that one precious seed secured from our piece of fruit, plant it and water it; then a wonderful, glorious, fruit bearing plant will emerge. Often the seeds are quickly forgotten after the first few days so no quick producing evidence and we lose interest.

Or possibly, we learned about seeds correctly. We learned to garden and understood the process of planting, and the lessons in patience; as we waited for our seeds to first germinate, then grow, and eventually bear fruit. We also learned that our seeds would not bear fruit unless we cared for the ground, removed the weeds, watered and fed the crop, picked the ripe fruit, and pruned the unnecessary growth.

Perhaps it is only natural that Jesus would refer to the seed of faith when answering the disciple’s question in the Gospels.

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

 

Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

 

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

 

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

 

~ Matthew 17:14-20, NLT

Many times we hear this Scripture in reference to our amount of faith suggesting that if we had the smallest amount anything would be possible. Consider however that Jesus was also referring to the process of the seed and its ability to bear fruit.

When planting – you must plant multiple seeds to produce an outcome. Remember planting flowers, vegetables, or anything in your garden? How often did you precisely place one single seed in the whole and then move onto the next spot? Not often at all if you intended for anything to grow. We learn early on that we must plant several seeds to expect an outcome. Not all seeds take to the ground, not all seeds are living inside and able to continue their growth. When planting your seed, remember you must plant more than one seed in more than one location. Pray more than once. Confess the Word from your mouth more than once. Stand on that Scripture more than once.

Seeds have to be covered up and not bothered for awhile to grow. After you plant seeds in your garden, you cover them with soil, then water them… then you leave them alone for a few days. You may add food of some sort, additional water, or sunlight, but you do not remove the soil and look at the seed again. It needs to stay put, so it can take root. Continue to believe and water your belief, but allow it to take root in you. Don’t dig what you are standing on up again and reconsider the outcome or what God has intended; stand on what He has shown you (or maybe not shown you), and press in, praying, worshipping, seeking Him and allow your seed to take root.

As seeds grow, so do some other unwanted items. Crops of any nature produce weeds. Weeds grow without any care, any true root foundation, and any real desire to see them sprout up in our lives. To kill a weed, you must destroy it from the root, or it will continue to grow and multiply… potentially smothering the fruit you are trying to produce. As you stand on your faith, things will get in the way. Stand firm on God’s Word and remove the disbelievers, the naysayers, and even the poor habits that prevent you from moving forward in your faith. Do what you promised to do, and if you don’t succeed, intend to get up and remove that weed the next time with persistence and perseverance. “You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)

Pruning and Picking are important steps in the process. Just because your plant is all grown and bearing fruit, does not mean that you are done. Good fruit has to be picked and used or it simply grows mold and goes to waste. Leaving ripe fruit on the vine also produces an ill effect as it will eventually over ripen and fall to the ground, unused and not serving its purpose. Use your fruit. If God has brought out the fruit of kindness, be kind… don’t just reserve that for your friends and family, be kind to strangers, or the person who drives you crazy at work, or the person taking too much time in line at the grocery store. If God has brought you the fruit of patience, be patient… not just with your own kids… but also the teens at your youth group, or the ones at your child’s high school that don’t go to church. Use your fruit wisely, don’t let it go to waste.

Most importantly, remember this… it only took a small seed of faith to move the mountain. In contrast, the smallest seed of doubt can build mountains in front of you that are immovable. Be careful not to plant the wrong seeds within your life.

If you are diligent, careful, and caring as the farmer is, I promise you that you will be able to produce the promises of God in your life, moving mountains that stand in your way, and testifying to the goodness of God.

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The past few months have been difficult for my family, as well as many of my closest friends. This time of recession is hard and has caused many of us to question where God is leading us, are we following His will for our lives, or are we just missing the boat altogether?

I wonder if the Israelites had the same questions during their wilderness journey. For forty years they wandered with only a promise that one day they would enter the Promised Land.

But was that all they really experienced during their time of journeying the wilderness?

The Bible tells us that the Israelites received many miracles during their journey. They were led by God through the wilderness; they were never hungry or thirsty because God provided manna and water for them; their clothes and shoes did not wear out; and they received quail to eat when they desired more than manna from God. Yet in the midst of all they were being blessed with, the Israelites still complained… they still failed to believe God fully for the promise He provided to them.

Why did they fail to believe God fully?

I believe that it was because the Israelites had their own vision, their own idea of what God was doing as their focus, and when things didn’t happen in their time or within the realms of what they believed would happen… they lost their hope in the promise He had given them. They began to complain, and began seeking and worshipping other gods. They turned their back on the God who was providing for them, and put their trust in something else.

I will be the first to admit that I myself am guilty of this behavior. When things don’t happen within my timeframes, I begin to scramble. I wonder what I am doing wrong, what I can do to fix this, or how I can change this outcome. I begin to believe in my own power, and lose sight in the power of God. As I look back I realize there have been times that God has shown Himself to me, and I have failed to see His hand moving in my life.

The real question is who do I trust more, God or myself?

As I pondered that question today, a song I haven’t heard in over twenty years flowed into my remembrances, Do I Trust You Lord by Twila Paris.

Sometimes my litter heart can’t understand
What’s in Your will, what’s in Your plan?
So many times I’m tempted to ask You why,
But I can never forget it for long.
Lord, what You do could not be wrong.

So I believe You, even when I must cry.
Do I trust You, Lord? Does the river flow?
Do I trust You, Lord? Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart; You can read my mind,
And You got to know that I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love.

Do I trust You, Lord? Do I trust You?
I know the answers, I’ve given them all.
But suddenly now, I feel so small.
Shaken down to the cavity in my soul
I know the doctrine and theology,
But right now they don’t mean much to me.
This time there’s only one thing I’ve got to know.

Do I trust You, Lord? Does the robin sing?
Do I trust You, Lord? Does it rain in spring?
You can see my heart; You can read my mind,
And You got to know that I would rather die
Than to lose my faith in the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord? Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord, when I don’t know why.
I will trust You, Lord till the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord, when I’m blind with pain!
You were God before, and You’ll never change.
I will trust You. I will trust You, Lord.

I realized today that it is in the wilderness journey that we see the goodness of God. Even during my own journey these past few months, if I take the time and really look at it, I can see all the places where God has been there with me faithfully, providing for me and making sure that I was never doing without. God has been faithful to me, just as He was faithful to the Israelites. As I focus on His goodness, I realize that this journey, while not always pleasant, is doable because God is walking it with me, every step of the way.

That being said, we all still come to the place where we feel like we can’t take another step, and we don’t know which direction to go. What do we do in those times?

I suggest that we follow the instruction found in Deuteronomy 8:1-10:

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years; to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

Follow His Commands: Sometimes when you have no idea what to do, the best thing to do is what you know to be right. By following God’s commands, by continuing to pray, love others, and seek Him; it will help us to remain faithful. Sometimes this will feel like we are just going through the motions, and it doesn’t seem to be making an impact… but it is. Even though you may not feel anything at the moment, God promises that if You continue to obey His commands then He will enter the land He has promised to You.

Remember God: So often we forget about God in our everyday moments. When we have to wait in line, or in a traffic jam, or the house is a mess… whatever the situation, we need to remember God in the everyday moments. By concentrating on Him, we will begin to see all the areas He is moving in our lives. The blessings of having money to pay for what we are buying, the grace that kept us from being in the wreck causing the traffic jam, or the moments of love shared with our family when we take our mind off our chores and focus on our relationships.

Be Receptive: God is using this wilderness experience to teach us. Sometimes He is working out a bad attitude, or maybe there is an area that we need correction on; possibly there is an area in our life that needs to be fixed before God can move us into the things He has promised to us. Be open to God’s correction, His instruction, and His guidance during this time.

Praise Him: Remember to thank God for all He is doing. Even though it may seem like you are going in circles, seek Him and praise Him during this time. It is in those moments of praise that you will begin to feel His presence in your life. Praising Him in the hard times is hard, but if you can’t praise and remember Him there, then you are apt to forget Him when things are going your way.

So, in closing… enjoy your journey. Seek God in the wilderness, and trust Him even when you can’t see the next step. He is certain to guide your paths and give to you what He is promised, just continue to put your hope and trust in Him.

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When the going gets tough, the tough get going is an age old adage that many of us have coined at one time or another. With our current economic climate, it seems to become more than a saying to many of us; it is a way of life. Some of us are digging in our heels and taking on additional jobs to make ends meat. Or we may find ourselves chipping away at the grocery list, only buying what is absolutely necessary to stay on budget. In our household, seeing newly released movies is a thing of the past, as it is an expense we can no longer afford. So are evenings out as a family, weekend trips, visits to the amusement parks, or any past enjoyment that we used to splurge our money on. Now we are clipping coupons, looking for deals, and figuring out ways to cut our budgets.

Personally, I have started to search for a second job to supplement our current income. After sending out what seems to be hundreds of resumes, I finally received interest from one company looking for a part-time assistant. Excited, I followed the instructions and presented myself at the appropriate time to fill out a brief questionnaire.

To my amazement, there were at minimum thirty other people already in the waiting area hoping to speak with the manager regarding the position. After turning in the questionnaire, the employer asked if I would also wait for a few moments to discuss the job. A few moments turned into two hours, but I finally made my way in, and pray that I made not only a lasting but an inspiring impression.

The thing that amazed me, were the lessons I learned as I waited to speak with the employer. To everyone seeking potential employment, please keep these tips in mind.

1. Always be on your best behavior. Even though we were in the waiting area, the receptionist and other office employees were consistently in and out of the area, and certainly had their eyes open to the potential new employees. Many times a manager will ask the secretary or receptionist how they were treated, and this may be the deciding factor on whether or not you receive a call back.

2. Turn the cell phone off.I know we live in the age of modern conveniences, where anyone can reach you at anytime and for any reason. However, unless it is a dire emergency, do not engage in texting or phone conversations while you are waiting to be interviewed. If it is an emergency, and you must take the call, politely excuse yourself and take the call outside.

3. Dress for success. I really cannot believe that I have to implore people to dress appropriately when they are interviewing for a position. Do not wear jeans, even if they are hundred dollar designer jeans. Do not wear halter tops. Do not wear flip flops. Dress modestly and professionally.

4. Know your potential employer. If an employer is taking the time to speak with you, take the time to know who they are. You would not go on a date without knowing something about the person you are dating, so why then would you go on an interview without Googling the company? Knowing what business the employer is in and some of their history is a big plus!

5. Always… I mean ALWAYS… have good manners. Thank the manager for meeting with you. Thank the receptionist / secretary for helping you. Say good-bye. Learn names. This shows that you are considerate of others and not self-centered.

As I sat and observed individuals in the lobby awaiting their turn, I realized that even in this situation, I am a representative of Christ. I should not only be focused on presenting myself accordingly for a potential employer, but should be focused on presenting myself accordingly for a potential believer.

And that made me begin to wonder; what impressions I am leaving on other people? When they meet me or see me, do they see a reflection of our Savior? Am I kind? Am I courteous? Do I put others before myself? Or am I self-centered, worried about my tomorrows, and not helping anyone else out?

I pray that I am an example of the approved worker as seen in II Timothy 2:

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. (II Tim 2:15-16, NLT)

So I encourage you, as you go on those job interviews, as you find potential employment, ask yourself…do people see Jesus when they see me; and then present yourself accordingly.

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