THE STORY
Being the kind of person who enjoys the journey, it is difficult for me to describe the “beginning” of the process for this website, much less describing the site as an “end”. Being the kind of person who loves a good story, though, I understand every good story has a beginning, middle, and end.
This “In the beginning” takes place in the clear air and breathtaking vistas of the Canadian Rockies in September of 2005.
After half-joking with Nathan and Jane Phillips about my desire to carry their luggage on their travels around the world doing marriage ministry, I found myself outside of the southeastern United States for the first time, not counting the Caribbean, hardly able to take my eyes off of the incredible mountains around me. I carried luggage, drove the van, assisted with hospitality, and participated in my first marriage retreat with Battlefield Ministries. The combination of participating, sharing my story, and experiencing the stories of others, along with the setting of the otherworldly Rocky Mountains had a profound effect on my understanding of the concept of “gifting”.
Much is written on purpose, strengths, spiritual gifts, and story. In short, gifting is all of these and more. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV) Every good thing in me is a gift from God. Because these gifts are from Him, they are;
Pure “Perfect”
Powerful “From the Father of the Heavenly lights”
Eternal “does not change like shifting shadows”
Genesis tells us that we are created in God’s image. Ephesians tells us His image and His gifts are invested in us so “that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God would be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Our giftings, individually and collectively, are many things and one thing. Simply put, our giftings are the glory of God working for our good and His renown. Because The Glory is at stake, there is an effort by the enemy of God against His good name, therefore, there is an effort against our gifting.
My favorite example of this phenomenon is Job. God is bragging about the gifting of Job before the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. The enemy wages an attack on that very gifting, throwing confusion into the story, and the world around Job grapples with the ramifications and the meaning of what is happening. Before all is said and done in Job’s story, God makes himself known, the enemy is proved false, and Job’s gifting is restored. Better than restored, Job’s gifting is increased and he proclaims, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you”.
What “began” in the mountains of Canada, continued as I grew into a larger role serving at marriage events all over the world;
Asia,
Africa,
Europe.
During one such event, I was approached by a sage gentleman I will call “Bashing Bill” (long story) who told me it was time to pursue further education to “maximise this gifting”. Thus the transition from an 18 year career as a grounds manager to a Life Coach. I believe the best way for me to maximise my gifting is to inspire and encourage others to discover and live out their gifting. It is a thrilling journey through perilous struggle and it is best not to go it alone.
This site is a place for us to engage in community as we press on.
The End.
But, not really!
