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Lawrence Taylor: “As easy as football is to me is as hard as life is.”

Posted by ronmoore on February 3, 2012

 
As the New York Giants prepare for Super Bowl XLVI, some of their former stars are resurfacing. Who can think of the Giants stars without thinking of L.T.?

Lawrence Taylor was one of the greatest football players in NFL history. The 6’3’’, 237 pound New York Giant linebacker played in ten Pro Bowls and was voted the Defensive Player of the Year three times. The defense he led, coined the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew,” was a major part of New York’s victories in Super Bowl XXI and XXV. The Hall of Famer was selected to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time team.

But after Taylor retired from football, his life began a downward spiral. A series of bad decisions and destructive actions have tarnished his reputation and embarrassed his family. Two years ago Taylor was charged with sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute.

Here’s what L.T. told Showtime’s Inside the NFL:

“What was I thinking? According to my wife, I wasn’t thinking . . . You know, we as boys we think that we can do certain things, and we still want to have the same life we did when we was younger, you know? Sometimes my decision process is not very good. I make mistakes, and I make bad decisions,” said Taylor, his eyes seeming to glisten. “Do I wish this had gone another way, that day had never happened? Of course I do. The embarrassment I gave my family, the embarrassment of myself.”

Then Taylor got to the crux of the matter.

“I know everything about football, I mean as far as defense and stuff . . . I can see the play before it happens . . . I know how to manage a football game.” Then Taylor lamented, “The problem with me is sometimes managing my life . . . as easy as football is to me is as hard as life is to me.”

Managing life. That’s the challenge, isn’t it? Keeping our marriage intact. Being the mother we need to be. Being the father that God expects. Balancing busy schedules. The demands of work. Dealing with burdensome debt. Handling our finances wisely. These are issues that weigh heavy on us. We know that one bad decision or a series of bad decisions can put us on a slippery slope.
 

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Christmas Traditions: The Christmas Tree

Posted by ronmoore on December 21, 2011

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My Christmas Gift from 1990

Posted by ronmoore on December 14, 2011

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Christmas Traditions: The Celebration of Advent

Posted by ronmoore on December 7, 2011

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The Journey of Marriage: Date Night

Posted by ronmoore on October 7, 2011

 
 

FRIENDSHIP


A major desire that couples have is for their partner to be a friend. In one study, conducted with couples in all stages of the marriage relationship, couples were asked to rank a list of possible goals for their marriage. The single most important goal listed was to have a friend in one’s partner (Fighting for Your Marriage, pp. 233-234).

In another study aimed at determining why singles wanted to get married, 60% answered “to have consistent companionship; someone who is there for you; someone to share your life with,” and another 24% answered, “to be loved and receive love; to be with someone who is concerned about you” (The Future of the American Family, p. 55). Therefore, 84% of singles describe friendship as the primary reason they wanted to marry. This should not be surprising since the essence of marriage is to meet man’s need for companionship and defeat loneliness (Genesis 2:18).

Friendship provides support, companionship, someone to be open and honest with, accountability, enjoyment in tasks done together, and protection. Wallerstein and Blakeslee note, “For everyone, happiness in marriage meant feeling respected and cherished. Without exception the couples mentioned the importance of liking and respecting each other and the pleasure and comfort they took in each other’s company” (The Good Marriage, p. 329).

When asked, “What is a friend?” Aristotle replied, “A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Notarius and Markman said that many divorced couples say that in the process they “felt like they had lost their best friend” (We Can Work It Out, p. 132).

In distressed couples, therapeutic interventions are often aimed at increasing the couple’s shared activities in order to develop companionship. Beach, Sandeen, and O’Leary state, “Depressed, discordant couples typically function as married isolates, living separately under one roof. Thus we place a great deal of stress on increasing companionship and shared activities and routinely expect to do work with couples on increasing joint positive activities, such as dating, joint recreational activities, and activities with other couples” (Depression in Marriage, p. 126).

Gottman, Notarius, Gonso, and Markman list the following things that can be done to develop friendship in a marriage: spending time planning for the future; reminiscing about the past; talking about self so that your mate can better understand you; sharing fantasies; and sharing silliness (A Couple’s Guide to Communication, p. 145-146). Wheat and Perkins list relaxation (finding things to do side by side); rapport (sharing aspects of yourself that are precious and vulnerable); and revelation (being freely open with one another) as ways to increase friendship (Love Life, p. 108-113). They write, “Picture the friendship of your marriage as a fire capable of dying out through indifference. But the fire can be rekindled and become a live thing—like sparks igniting the space you share” (Love Life, p. 113).

FUN

Notarius and Markman note that in the past, researchers and therapists have ignored fun in marriage. But when couples are interviewed, the aspect of having fun together is one of the factors that attract partners to each other (We Can Work It Out, p. 290). In one of their studies to determine the secrets to a happy marriage, Markman, Stanley, & Blumberg were surprised to find that “among all the variables, the amount of fun . . . partners had together emerged as the strongest factor in understanding their overall marital happiness. That’s not to say that other things weren’t going on in these relationships, but good relationships become great when you’re preserving both the quantity and the quality of your fun times together” (Fighting for Your Marriage, p. 250). Wallerstein and Blakeslee found that over and over, couples in happy marriages said that laughter was one of the most important bonds between them. They write, “The nemesis of a good marriage is monotony unrelieved by imagination” (The Good Marriage, p. 203). Fun is an important part of marriage enrichment since about half of all married adults find marriage to be less fun the longer they are married (The Future of the American Family, p. 46.)

One of the worst things that can happen in a relationship is for the couple to avoid taking the time to laugh together and talk to one another as friends. A date night is for friendship and fun—exclusively. A date night is not the time to resolve conflicts in your marriage.

Date nights need to be developed as a habit in a stable and satisfying relationship. With busy schedules it may not be possible to take your spouse on a date each week, but for this program four dates will be required. Date nights should be scheduled during weeks two, four, six, eight, ten and twelve. Husband and wife will plan two (or three) each.

Remember, the purpose of a these dates is to have fun!! Be creative as you plan. If possible, keep the details from your spouse and let him/her enjoy the surprise.

Suggested Purchase (if needed):

We’re Finally Alone—Now What Do We Do? by Greg Johnson (Tyndale, 1996)

The book contains over 500 thought-provoking questions. The author writes the questions on five levels:

1. Fun, Nonsense
2. More Personal
3. Self-Revealing
4. Deeper Waters
5. Intimate Issues
 

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The Journey of Marriage: Weekly Meetings

Posted by ronmoore on October 5, 2011

It sounds too simple and even too formal, doesn’t it? But a weekly meeting is an important habit to establish in a growing relationship. With busy schedules it provides a time to put upcoming events and activities on our personal calendars. It is a time to “synchronize our watches.” Markman, Stanley, and Blumberg note that a weekly meeting provides a tangible way to place priority on your relationship by carving out a set time. They also note that it is a good time to deal with any conflicts that may have occurred at a time during the week when discussion and resolution could not take place (Fighting for Your Marriage, pp. 111-112). Gottman says:

Knowing you have a set appointment to talk will prevent you from stewing over a problem or holding things in until you burst. By setting aside a specific amount of time (twenty minutes is a good, general guideline), you don’t have to worry that the discussion will be endless (Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, p. 214).

I will ask that you schedule a meeting each Sunday (afternoon or evening) during the enrichment program. This will give you an opportunity to evaluate and discuss the assignments of the previous week and plan for upcoming assignments. If Sunday does not work, please schedule a time and stick to it.

Following are some suggestions of things to accomplish during the meeting:

1. Determine how long you will meet prior to the meeting and stick to the time. I suggest 45 minutes to an hour. This will give you the confidence that the issues discussed will not drag on and on.

2. Have a cup of coffee and find a comfortable place. You may want to have your weekly meeting over dessert at a restaurant. (However, this is not a date, you will have the opportunity to discuss the issues on your mind.)

3. Take a few minutes to share what you would like to discuss during the meeting. Perhaps it is an unresolved conflict, an issue with the children, or making arrangements to get the car into the shop. Once you have your “agenda” make sure you allow for time to discuss the most critical items.

4. Discuss and evaluate the previous week’s assignments. Did you gain anything by doing them? What was most beneficial? Least beneficial?

5. Plan for the upcoming week’s assignments—reading, devotions, etc.

6. Plan your family schedule for the upcoming week.

7. Make an agenda of issues that you need to discuss and schedule one for each meeting.

8. Deal with any unresolved conflict.

9. Practice using the Speaker-Listener technique.

10. Discuss your reading.

11. Open and close your meeting with prayer asking for the Lord’s insight into the events and issues and thanking him for his love and protection.
 

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The Journey of Marriage: Devotions – Scripture and Prayer

Posted by ronmoore on October 3, 2011

 
The Christian couple has the best possibility for a stable and satisfying marriage because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. Ed and Gaye Wheat, in their book Intended for Pleasure, recommend that the Christian couple view their marriage as “a private little kingdom, a kingdom where you and your marriage partner dwell with the King: Jesus Christ, who is none other than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (p. 265).

However, spiritual intimacy does not just happen. It must be cultivated and maintained. Partners must encourage each other “to know the heart of the Father through the passion of Christ” (Allender & Longman, 1995, p. 89).

Spiritual intimacy is the ability to share the love of Christ in each other’s life. David Stoop in his book, Experiencing God Together, describes spiritual intimacy as “the joyful union that comes when two people learn together how to relate to God and experience God at work in their lives in very practical, specific ways” (p.9). He lists gender differences, personality differences, differences in our approach to our relationship with God, and fear and resistance as barriers to developing spiritual intimacy (p. 27-41).

In order to develop spiritual intimacy several things must take place in the relationship. These include: sharing Scripture together; praying together; worshipping God together; sharing in a ministry together; taking communion together; fasting together; and times of extended prayer (see 1 Corinthians 7:5).

Each of these disciplines is necessary and important, but for our purposes we will concentrate on the development of sharing God’s work with each other and praying together.

DEVOTIONAL READING

Reading scripture together is a discipline that develops spiritual intimacy. Here, as in prayer, time and priority must be established and guarded. Few couples can handle a formal Bible study together. Inevitably, one partner will be the teacher and the other the student. This situation is not conducive “to a growing sense of partnership (Stoop, 1996, p. 65).

To remedy this potential danger, it is recommended that a devotional book be used in order for each partner to be taught by the writer(s) instead of each other. Following are descriptions of several excellent devotionals.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (Dodd, Mead, & Company, 1935).
This devotional is a collection of daily Bible readings selected from lectures and talks that Oswald Chambers gave during his life. It is a Christian devotional classic supplying depth and insight on the selected passage of the day. It provides material for much discussion and encouragement.

Morning and Evening Daily Readings by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a prolific writer and gifted preacher who lived and ministered in England (1834-1892). The morning devotions were compiled in 1865 and the evening devotions in 1867. This devotional was written to bring the serious Christian under the teaching of the Word at least twice a day. The devotional is out in many editions some with the original English of the 1800’s; others updated.

Although Spurgeon bases his daily writing on a chosen Scripture, he sometimes wonders far from its theme. However, it is rich material and will teach as well as encourage. The two devotions each day is an advantage.

Daily Light by Anne Graham Lotz (J. Countryman, 1998)
Daily Light was originally published in Great Britain in 1794 by Samuel Bagster. Like Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening, this devotional has morning and evening readings. Originally compiled by Bagster for his family devotions, this work is a collage of scriptural passages that follow the theme of the chosen passage for that day. The passages are referenced at the bottom of each page. At the back of this volume, Lotz has included Scripture readings for the following broad categories: life’s moments; the seasons of life; special occasions in life; suffering in life; success in life; struggles in life; strength for life; and salvation of life. Each category is divided into several specific topics.

Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Readings for Husbands and Wives by Charles and Norma Ellis (Banner of Truth, 1980)*.
The aim of this devotional is to help couples understand “what the Creator has designed for marriage and the home” (p. xvi). The authors, a retired pastor and his wife, select key passages from Genesis to Revelation giving comments on each directed to the godly home and the husband-wife relationship. Eight readings cover each chapter of the Song of Solomon. The authors note, “God made man and woman to desire each other and enjoy each other physically. We do not apologize for the presence in the Bible of a book which plainly indicates this” (p. 137). The authors recommend that each devotion be closed with prayer, “each partner in turn offering thanks to God for the blessings of the day and presenting before Him the special needs of the home. If praying aloud together is new in your marriage this may be difficult at first, but each day it will grow easier, and you will marvel at the way in which God will answer your prayers and mold you into the kind of relationship he has in mind for you” (p. xvii).

*(This book can be ordered directly from Banner of Truth—717-249-5747).

Becoming Soul Mates: 52 Meditations to Bring Joy to Your Marriage by Les and Leslie Parrott (Zondervan,1995).
Each of the weekly meditations begins with a brief devotional thought on a marriage-related topic. This is followed by a passage of Scripture that relates to that topic. Next, there are several questions and/or suggestions to spark couple discussion. The couples are then asked to discuss what they learned from the session, how they can pray for their spouse in the upcoming week, and make a concrete application from the session. The sessions conclude with a prayer the couple can use together. Also there is a testimony from a couple included in each session.

Like a Kiss on the Lips: Meditations on Proverbs for Couples by Les and Leslie Parrott (Zondervan, 1997).
The authors draw the title for this devotional from Proverbs 24:26, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” The authors provide 31 meditations from the book of Proverbs. They address relevant topics such as communication, money, sex, commitment, recreation, anger, forgiveness, praise, humility, and conflict. Each meditation ends with two questions for discussion and reflection.

Love Is . . . Meditations for Couples on 1 Corinthians 13 by Les and Leslie Parrott (Zondervan, 1999).
The authors use 16 translations and paraphrases of Scripture to put forth 16 devotions on 1 Corinthians 13. They write, “ . . . no words, no passage, no song or poem in all human history has crystallized the qualities of love into simple absolutes more elegantly than 1 Corinthians 13. The Love Chapter of the Bible paints a perfect picture of love. It reveals the ideal love everyone yearns for. But something about these words, the way they are written, tells us they are meant to be not only admired but also lived. These words are a means to a more excellent way of being” (p. 10).

Quiet Times With the One You Love: A Devotional Guide for Couples by Art Hunt (Multnomah, 1998).
The author provides 120 devotions directed at the marriage relationship. Each begins with a passage from Scripture, followed by comments as to how that passage can be applied to life and marriage. Each devotion includes a set of questions to help the couple make personal application. The devotions conclude with direction as to what the couple should pray for.

Moments Together for Couples: Devotions for Drawing Near to God and One Another by Dennis and Barbara Rainey (Regal, 1995).
This devotional begins with a passage of Scripture, usually one or two verses, printed in the book. The comments follow the theme of the passage as it relates to the family and the marriage relationship. The devotions are concluded with a set of questions to spark couple discussion and direction as to what the couple should pray for. The authors challenge the readers to “set yourself apart from the norm. Use this devotional to seek God together. Use these pages to grow closer together spiritually . . . If you do this for the next year, we guarantee your marriage relationship will reach a totally new dimension of oneness and intimacy. It will be the best investment you could make.”

PRAYER

Dennis Rainey, in One Home at a Time, described a national survey commissioned by FamilyLife in 1995. The survey discovered that couples who pray together frequently (at least three times per week) have a higher level of marital satisfaction than those who do not (p. 86).

Art Hunt states, “In twenty years of marriage to my wife. . . praying together has enriched our relationship beyond anything I could have imagined. . . This is the same testimony shared by hundreds of other couples that I’ve met over the years” (Praying with the One You Love, p. 13).

However, praying together is very difficult. First, there are different expectations. For instance, there may be differences in the time of day one prays or the style of prayer. Secondly, prayer is disarming. We are praying to God, who knows everything about us, and before our spouse, who is our most intimate human. Prayer with our spouse is no place for facades. Thirdly, prayer is spiritual warfare. Stoop states, “To pray together is not just a simple activity we add to our day; it is an act of aggression against spiritual forces—and the enemy will resist us” (Experiencing God Together, p. 56).

Several things must be done if couple prayer is to happen and be effective:

1. Make praying together a priority. If it is not established as such, other things will always crowd it out.

2. Establish a set time for prayer. There is no sacred time to pray. Make the time work for you and your schedules.

3. If you are not used to praying together, begin by praying silently together. When comfort and trust is built finish the prayer time by praying aloud.

4. If you are not comfortable praying aloud together, write out your prayers then share them with each other.

5. In time develop the discipline of praying openly and honestly.

6. The more you pray together the more you will want to pray together. On the other hand, the more inconsistent you are the more uncomfortable you will be.

7. Remember, Satan does not want you to pray together and will do all he can to stop you!

Suggested Material:

Face to Face: Praying the Scripture for Spiritual Growth by Kenneth Boa (Zondervan, 1997).
Face to Face: Praying the Scripture for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa (Zondervan, 1997)
Handbook to Renewal: Renewing Your Mind with Affirmations from Scripture
These works are intended to enhance individual and couple prayer life by using various scriptural passages as a guide. These passages help the person focus on God—His person and works; our relationship to Him and others; and the cultivating of our character. Following the passages, Boa includes direction as to what one should pray for.

Praying with the One You Love, by Art Hunt (Questar Publishing, 1996)
This is an excellent work dealing with the great blessing of couple prayer. Hunt includes a chapter on finding time to pray without adding more pressure to schedules and working through the personal differences that often keep partners from praying together. Hunt also addresses how the couple can pray for their children and how to resist the efforts of Satan to keep us from prayer.

Experiencing God Together: Spiritual Intimacy in Marriage by David Stoop (Tyndale, 1996).
This book deals with the spiritual disciplines and relates them to the marriage relationship. The disciplines considered are: prayer; Scripture reading; worship; celebration; service; confession; forgiveness; money; silence and solitude; fasting; and Sabbath rest. The book begins with a “Marriage Intimacy Inventory” aimed at helping the couple determine where their marriage is in terms of spiritual intimacy.

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A Personal Blind Spot Confession

Posted by ronmoore on August 24, 2011

I have coached a variety of recreational sports in my community. I hate to admit it, but for many years I was a downright jerk. Now, years removed from my coaching “jerkiness,” it’s hard to believe that I took winning so seriously. But I did. Several of us coaches worked hard at beating each other. Somehow we forgot about the kids. At least I did. I wish I could have a “do-over” on those years, but I can’t.
I was very hard on my own children as well. I put so much pressure on them that they were unable to enjoy the sports they loved. My blind spot wake-up call came one day when I berated my daughter for striking out. Here is the story from my side and then my daughter’s side. I wrote mine with Paul’s words in Colossians 3:21 ringing in my head, “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

My Perspective

From the time that I was seven years old, it was drilled into my head. Every coach from 10-and-under to college bellowed the same command, “Don’t take a called third strike! If you strikeout, you had better go down swinging. When you have two strikes, widen your stance, choke up a bit, protect the plate, don’t take anything close. Whatever you do, never watch the third strike go by!” So when I began coaching my kids, I repeated the same instruction.

I will never forget one particular softball game. My oldest daughter Brittany, a fifth grader at the time and a great player, made the last out of the game by taking a called third strike. My insides ignited. After the obligatory handshakes and post-game “great game girls” talk, I walked to the car with Brittany. The very second the doors were shut, I exploded. “What just happened out there?! Why didn’t you swing the bat?! Never, I mean never, take a called third strike. How many times have you heard me say that? You could have pulled that pitch down the right field line. As fast as you are, you could have made it to third easily. We could have won the game! What were you doing?” I stopped to take a breath and then started repeating the questions with a louder voice. Then I saw the tears. My heart sank and I realized how foolish I had been to get so upset with my daughter over a recreational softball game.

Please don’t do what I did. Do not embitter your children. The word “embitter” means to “irritate” or “provoke.” One translation used the word “exasperate.” This continued practice will cause them to lose heart, confidence and respect in you as a father. As fathers, we are called to demonstrate what it means to honor the heavenly Father in all things. As fathers, we are called to build up our children. As fathers, we are called to demonstrate unconditional acceptance and love. Embittered hearts will walk away from God and us.

Brittany’s Perspective

The walk back to the car might have been worse than the actual strike out. Check that statement. It was infinitely worse. When I think of bad games, none stick out in my mind like that particular one—my at-bats consisted of nothing but strikeouts and infield pop-flies. Never in my five years of playing had I struck out so much in one game. Usually, I was not one to watch a ball pass by (I was notorious for swinging at the first pitch). During this particular at-bat, I was horrified to hear the umpire—an energetic baseball enthusiast whose “strike” call always made us jump—call “staaariike three! She’s out!” From my left handed batting stance, my dad in his third base coach position was directly in my line of sight. My stomach flip-flopped as I, anxiously glancing up the third base line, saw my dad drop his head. Game over.

I walked numbly to our old gray Honda, dragging my cleated-feet against the pavement, dreading the car ride home. My mom, who had driven separately, passed by on her way to the van. “See you at home,” she said, giving me an empathetic glance and my arm a reassuring squeeze.

“Bye, Mom,” I managed to choke out, while in my head I was screaming, “Please! Ask to take me home! I don’t want to drive home with Dad!” But, unable to read my thoughts, my mom walked away, and I was left to face the terrible silence preceding whatever my dad had to say in response to my “unacceptable” softball behavior. I don’t remember everything he said, but I didn’t cry often as a child. I cried on that car ride home. And then I cried more once I got home. But once I got out of the bathroom (I took a “shower” so that I could sit in the bathroom and cry some more), my dad was right there, waiting to apologize and to console me.

Those were some intense softball years. We can look back on those years and laugh at the ridiculous level of intensity, but up through the seventh grade, recreational softball was competitive—to put it lightly. Winning was king, and I remember feeling discouraged on many counts when I felt like I had let my dad down. Softball was more nerve-racking than fun. I was always nervous that I would mess up and disappoint my dad. Don’t get me wrong. My dad was a great coach. He was great at teaching the fundamentals, knew fun drills, and was enjoyable to be around. But when the subject of bitterness comes up, those softball years always re-surface. I’m really not bitter about it now, but Colossians 3:21 brings up a good point. I think that becoming “embittered,” or to be made to feel troubled or distressed, is something that a lot of children struggle with.

No matter your age, when one feels like he has not lived up to his parents’ expectations—not gotten the grades, made the cut, landed the job—it can be really discouraging. And while I think having high expectations for your children is completely justifiable (after all, they’re your kids, you should want the very best for them!), loving us (not necessarily “tough love!”) through our failures is vital for our emotional well-being.

I have never—not even for a tenth of a second—doubted that my dad loves me, but that didn’t stop me from feeling anxious before softball games. I can’t tell you how many times my dad has asked me to forgive him for his years of ultra-competitive softball coaching. And I’m totally over it (it’s great to have something to hold over his head, though!!). But since realizing his mixed-up priorities, my dad has been nothing but encouraging in my various sports endeavors. He wasn’t my coach while I played in high school, but I always enjoyed having him at my games! If I’m discouraged, he’s always there to support me. In the seventh grade, the last year he coached my team, we won the championship.

Winning the championship should have been exciting, but once again, I was in tears on the way home. This time I disappointed in my own performance. But to this day, my dad still reminds me of the vital role I played in those games. Without my parents’ support through my years of softball, various sports, and other activities, I don’t know where I’d be! It might sound strange, but I really think that going through those years of intensity, and then realizing that we had our eyes on the wrong prize, created a stronger bond between us. We were both able to grow as a result of seeing how our priorities were out of whack, and I think we’re closer because of it.

This past summer, I had the chance to help my dad coach my younger sister’s third and fourth grade softball team. Getting to coach alongside Dad was a blast, and it’s so fun to see how laid back he’s become (youngest child syndrome). On multiple occasions, after playing against a team with an intense coach, we would laugh most of the way home, the conversation usually starting off with, “Who did that coach in the purple shirt remind you of?”

I wish I could say that was the last time I blew it with my children. I have had to go to each one of them more than once to ask for forgiveness as well as asking forgiveness from my Father. That event happened over a decade ago, and by God’s grace, Brittany and I have a great relationship. She even has a touch of my sarcastic humor. And sometimes right out of the blue she’ll say, “Hey, Dad, do you remember that time you made me cry in the car after that softball game?” Then she lets out her patented chuckle.

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The Gift God Gave You!

Posted by ronmoore on April 12, 2010

Listen to these words written to believers by the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Did you hear that? Every believer has at least one gift, and should use that gift to serve others. God’s grace is put forth in various ways, as people use their gifts to serve one another.

Believers, you have received a gift from God, and that’s exactly the gift God wants you to have. Paul says that God “has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Corinthians 12.18). And that gift that God has given you is critical to the body of Christ. The body can’t do without it. There are no classes or levels of spiritual gifts. Every gift that God gives is first class; top shelf. It may be a gift that is used up front or behind the scenes. It may be a gift that receives a lot of response from people or maybe no response at all—but God always sees and always takes note.

Whatever gift you have is exactly the gift God wants you to have. Your job is to use it.

    If your gift is service…use that gift to the glory of the God who gave it to you.
    If your gift is encouragement…before you go to bed this evening, write a note of encouragement to someone going through a difficult time.
    If your gift is giving…pray for God to put an opportunity in front of you today and respond generously.
    If your gift is showing mercy…find a person in need and cheerfully show them the mercy that you have received from God.
    If you gift is hospitality…open your home up this weekend and invite some friends over for a meal. They will leave encouraged because you chose to use your gift.
    If your gift is teaching…find a place within the local body to teach the word of God.
    If your gift is leadership…use it to further the kingdom of God.

God does not pass out second-class gifts. Whatever gift you have is exactly the gift God wants you to have. Now your job is to use it to serve others and to bring glory to God.

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Letters to God

Posted by ronmoore on March 25, 2010

The Journey is pleased and honored to partner with Possibility Partners in presenting the movie, Letters to God. This is the same group that produced Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

Members of The Journey ministry team had the opportunity to watch Letters to God, which will be released nationwide on April 9. The Bible Chapel will be permitted to show this movie prior to its release, and all the proceeds of the movie to go to The Journey. This is a generous and much appreciated offer. We will be showing Letters to God on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center of the South Hills campus. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Chapter 2 Bookstore or at www.thejourneyradioministry.com.

I have to tell you this movie is very powerful. It is based on a true story about a young boy and his battle with cancer. The story deals honestly with all the emotions that take place in a family going through health challenges. Check it out:



Possibility Pictures is committed to making faith-based movies. We were impressed to hear their heart for God and desire to see people come to Christ. You will be amazed to hear how God worked in the life of actors and those working on the set. This is the type of mission we want to support, and we are thankful they desire to partner with The Journey. We pray this will be the first of many opportunities. We are in the process of getting an interview with Tom Swanson, Executive Producer of Possibility Pictures, or David Nixon, the director/producer, and making it available at www.thejourneyradioministry.com.

I look forward to hear your thoughts about Letters to God. See you there.

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