YadaFactor

This summer, my husband Bob and I had the wonderful blessing of being able to take our 12-year-old granddaughter Emily to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on a Road Scholar intergenerational trip.  Nine grandparents, eight kids, and two leaders spent a week hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding, and (the highlight of the week) an amazing hot air balloon ride.

In recent months, I have been very intentional about being aware of Jesus’ presence throughout my days.  So, while at our highest elevation, I turned my attention inward to seek Him.  I was greeted with His beautiful face, bright with sunlight, wind in His hair, and He was laughing! I was delighted and laughed with Him, treasuring this beautiful moment of being fully alive and present with Jesus, Bob, and Emily.

After we landed, the balloon operator presented each of the kids with a certificate, which included the date and location of their balloon ride.  Included in the certificate was the following poem, which I believe God gave me as a confirmation that He really was there.

The winds have welcomed you with softness.

The sun has blessed you with warm hands.

You have flown so high and so well,

that God has joined you in your laughter

and set you gently back again

into the loving arms of Mother Earth.

Thank you, dear Father!!!

Christine Davis, YadaFactor Coach, with granddaughter Emily

Adventure is about risky, unknown pathways outside the usual. Adventures can be exciting, exhilarating, even scary.

Peter’s adventure was in the midst of a storm, daring to step out of his boat to join Jesus, walking on the water! How do you think he told the story of what happened that night? I’m guessing it was about walking on the water, not sinking.  Or maybe it was.  Regardless, it was likely a story he told with excitement in his voice because Jesus did the impossible through him!  God was teaching him a faith that can exceed human boundaries.

In 2007, Steve and I found ourselves in a cancer storm. While camping that summer, we received a call from the doctor that Steve had advanced prostate cancer.  Shortly after this, Steve’s dear father passed away. Like the disciples, we were in a storm, and we were “terrified.” (Matthew 14:26).

Then 2008 rolled around and the economy crashed. We found ourselves crying out like Peter, “Lord, save me (us)!” (v. 30). As if that were not enough, a dream investment became a nightmare. But God was teaching us like he taught Peter, to walk by faith not by sight.

By 2014, when this picture was taken, our faith was forced to grow or die. We had to choose faith every day at even greater levels, because another storm came up suddenly in a mountainous legal battle that threatened to sink us. But God was taking us on a soul refining adventure to learn to walk with Him on the water of faith.

When the disciples were terrified, Jesus immediately said three things: “Take courage! “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  Then Peter said, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.”

Jesus uses our storms to draw us closer to himself.  Whatever storm is blowing in your life, you can KNOW (yada) that Jesus is there and says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Storms can be painful and scary, but Jesus can answer our prayers in unimaginable ways. Dare we step out of the boat and join Him to transform our fears and worries into purposeful adventure?

Debbie Csutoros

The main character in Iron Man is Tony Stark. In the movie he has a changed heart that redirects his mission to build super-powered armored suits that defend against threatened peace around the world.

So, what does the Marvel movie, Iron Man, have to do with Jesus?

The apostle Paul reminds us that we too have a super-powered, spiritual armored suit for our redirected mission. Ephesians 6:10-20 begins with these words, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power.” Our superpower is the mighty power of Jesus that raises the dead and lives in us through the Holy Spirit. In him, we too have been given a new heart, which brings a change of direction.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 Amen!

Tony Stark is a fictional character, but Jesus is REAL and brings life.  We are called to simply believe who he is with a faith that understands he can do the impossible against enemy foes like doubt and fear. We are responsible for suiting up with the armor, but God is responsible to provide the power once we activate our faith in this way. So, get ready, suit up, our mission has just begun.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Dear God, you are infinite, eternal, and deeper than I can ever understand.  Thank you for graciously revealing yourself to me in Jesus Christ by your Spirit.  I marvel that my relationship with you will continually be full of discovery for the rest of my life.  Please give me the assurance and knowledge of this mystery, which is Christ in me, the hope of eternal glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

(From Brand New:  A 40-Day Guide to Life in Christ, page 89, from Colossians 1:27.)