“Give yourself to the gifts God gives you.”

Dear Friends,

“Give yourself to the gifts God gives you.” (1 Corinthians 14:1 from the Message Bible.)

Seems there are million good things a person can dedicate themselves to. But we can only do a few of them. This verse has helped me to set priorities. As we focus in on our gifts, we can do a better job of using them and avoid paralysis from feeling guilty and ashamed for not doing what others are doing. It is in a way learning to be who we are.

For example, I have a friend who is a dentist. He used his gift of fixing teeth in places in the world where there is no dentist. People with the gift of making money, might use their gift to share money with others, to teach others how to use money, or to run a business. I use my gift of sharing slide presentations and stories about peacemaking to make people aware of what God is doing through people for peace and justice in the world. What are the gifts God has given you? How are you using your gifts for others?

This verse has got me thinking about my gifts and my calling. As a part of my quiet time I spend about an hour each day reading from the Bible. This daily reading has made me aware of the treasure of wisdom for living we have in the Bible.

And so, as a part of my peacemaking, I am planning to share these insights on my web site, on my Facebook page, and to my email list. I see this as sharing gifts from my quiet time. I envision writing these short snippets about two times a month as I have something to share.

Pray: God, help me to know my gifts and to use them for your glory and my neighbor’s good.

Peace, Jim

A Surprising Answer to a Prayer.
Dear Friends,

I have been trying to contact Lauren Winner about a leading I felt about her book Real Sex for months. So yesterday morning, frustrated I prayed, “if you want me to do this Lord, may Lauren respond today or I quit.” I had been emailing and calling her unsuccessfully. A few hours later I received the below email in response to my email.

Dear Lauren,

My name is Jim Fitz and for 6 years I have volunteered in Colombia with Christian Peacemaker Teams. We seek to reduce violence in the world. I have found your book Real Sex very helpful for me to see the violence in my sexuality and in our culture and society relationships. Your book has great potential to make people aware of the violence in sexuality we all struggle with daily, but are unaware of, and thus reduce sexual violence in our society.

So, I promote your book as a part of other books that have formed me to becoming a peacemaker (see attached book list). One place I promote your book every year is at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, IL. Every year, about 15,000 people attend this week-long Christian music festival. I think you would have a big positive impact on the youth if you would be a speaker there. The organizers, who are friends of mine, said they tried to get you to speak there but your fees were beyond their budget. I would like to ask you to consider renegotiating your fees so you could speak there. This would need to happen soon for the June 2010 festival.

Via my sharing, the President of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Colombia used your book very successfully as the basis for a retreat for married couples. He said, "the couples were very moved by the insights from the book...We have the same problems in Colombian society as in the USA...We need that book translated to Spanish." Also, other Colombians who I shared about it with, ask "where could I find the book in Spanish?" So I would like to ask you to consider looking into getting it published in Spanish.

Your consideration on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Peace to you today, Jim Fitz

Dear Jim,

Apologies for taking so long at getting back to you regarding this, it's been a busy end to a busy semester! I'm very honored by the invitation to be a part of Cornerstone (a festival which I love). I would happily reconsider my fee for this festival. Unfortunately my calendar is full for June 2010, but would happily consider being a part of the 2011 festival. Please let your friends know, and I will work with them regarding the details.

Cheers,

Lauren

P.S. Real Sex has been translated into spanish. The ISBN is 978-958-737-006-5 and it is published by Editorial Desafio. I hope you find it helpful!


Reader: Pray for fruitfulness of this venture.

Thanks, Jim