Forgiveness: No Longer a Slave to the Past

Forgiveness: No Longer a Slave to the Past

Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Have you ever known someone with a victim mentality? No matter what has happened or what might happen, it’s not their fault. They are always the victim of someone or something. Sometimes people’s pain helps them justify how they feel about themselves. If they were to forgive someone, then they could no longer blame that person for their being stuck, and they might have to become responsible to take steps to move forward.

The truth is, unforgiveness keeps you locked in the past. God wants you to forgive others so you can move forward with Him. He wants to lead you into your Promised Land, but He can’t take you there if you keep going back to Egypt. When you hold on to unforgiveness, it is like being tied to a bungee cord that actually keeps you tethered to your Egypt. Try as you might to leave Egypt and move forward, it will continue to pull you back. God understands that the pain of Egypt is something you may be comfortable with, but He wants you to take a bold step of faith to follow Him, even if it feels scary. Follow Him to a land that He will show you.

If you have unforgiveness in your life, the next step of your Exodus journey is probably forgiveness.

Forgiveness Comes in One Big Package

Forgiveness Comes in One Big Package

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven  ― if there was anything to forgive  ― I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

Is there someone you are having difficulty forgiving? If you refuse to forgive someone, you sow seeds into the field of your mind that say, “You have to do something to earn forgiveness.” When those seeds take root, your subconscious mind tells you that you have to earn God’s forgiveness. But God’s forgiveness comes in one big package. It is an act of mercy; there is nothing you can do to earn it. By forgiving others (even though they may not have earned it), we are equipped to fully accept and experience God’s forgiveness for us.

Sometimes people have difficulty forgiving because they have the wrong perception of what forgiveness is. When you forgive someone, it doesn’t mean that your memory banks are wiped clean like when you reboot a computer. You will still remember what happened. However, forgiveness is a part of the healing process that allows the wounds of past memories to heal. Just like in our physical bodies, even when wounds heal, they can leave scars. True healing comes when we are able to see our scars as reminders of God’s faithfulness to bring us through situations rather than as a reminder of our pain. Forgiving others as God has forgiven you helps you focus your mind on what God has done to help you overcome your pain.

Forgiving someone is not saying that what the offender did is now OK. If what they did was wrong, it’s still wrong and forgiving them won’t make it right. You can forgive someone but still believe what they did was wrong. In our relationship with God, sin is sin. God doesn’t lower his expectations or wink at sin so that we are “OK,” He forgives us.

Do You Need to Change Your Glasses?

Do You Need to Change Your Glasses?

Matthew 6:9-13  “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us). And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'”

Matthew 6:14-15  “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

People can be really cruel. Sometimes people who are hurting and wounded lash out and hurt others. Given how cruel people can be, it seems that someone could do something that we feel is impossible to forgive. But Jesus taught us to pray, “God forgive us as we forgive others.” Why did He do that? And while it seems easier to forgive others for things they didn’t intend to do, how do we forgive someone who has intentionally hurt us?

Let’s look at how Jesus handled it. While Jesus was dying on the cross and the soldiers were casting lots for his clothes, he said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). What? Anyone could see that these guys were professionals and knew exactly what they were doing. But Jesus didn’t look at them through the same glasses through which others saw them. He didn’t see the soldiers as the enemy; they were who he came to save. Instead, He recognizes that the real battle is between His Father and Satan, and He knows they are fighting over the souls of all men, including the soldiers. On that level, they were clueless pawns; victims who were being lost in the war for men’s souls.

For us to really forgive someone, we have to look at them through God’s eyes. Then we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds and can test and approve what God’s will is  ― His good, pleasing, and perfect will: forgiveness. Instead of looking at others through a lens of our pain or of their actions, which makes it virtually impossible to forgive them, we must change our glasses. We must see them through God’s eyes.

How to deal with extra “Turkeys” at your Thanksgiving Dinner

How to deal with extra “Turkeys” at your Thanksgiving Dinner

Going home for the holidays can often bring a mixed bag of feelings: the excitement of fond memories to be made as well as the stress of certain relational dynamics. When you are packing your bags this year, also think about what you need to put into your heart to be prepared for the “drama” you may encounter when you get there or when family comes to you.

Every family has its “Holiday Play.” If you think about it long enough, you can probably imagine how things will play out when you get together. While you can’t control what other people will be doing, you can control how you choose to react to it. Your reaction to anything says more about what is going on inside of you than what you are reacting to.

Before you go home or family comes to you, take time to think through the various scenes that may be acted out in your family holiday play. You likely know the “lines” of each family member. Do you need to change your “lines” in response to theirs? Keeping the welfare of your heart in focus, ponder how you can best respond to these roles your family members may play.

The Advice Giver: If someone is prone to give you advice, will you get defensive, or will you say, “Thank you for sharing that, I will take some time when I get home to think through what you’ve said.” Then, do what you feel God is leading you to do. Keep in mind you only have one God in your life and that best not be mom or dad.

The Critic: If someone is critical of you, will you lash back or will you respond to your own heart as an ally? Others may be your critic, but you can still be your gardener. Remember, your brain only listens to you. You ultimately decide what you tell yourself no matter what others say or do. Touch base with your heart and see what you need. You may even find yourself needing to write yourself an ally letter or simply say to yourself something like, “Heart, I am sorry you had to hear those hurtful words. I am here for you and I am for you no matter what others say. You are okay by me.”

The Rager: If someone breaks out in an angry rage, will you get angry back, or withdraw, or will you say, “I see you are angry right now. I am going to go in the other room, and if you get to a place where we can have a calm conversation about this, let me know.”

The Braggart: This person, perhaps a sibling, will only be able to get to you if you feel you have something to prove. If you are okay with yourself, you don’t have to “one-up” them. Remind yourself of your own worth and value. Then you can say, “I am happy for you for that accomplishment.” Or, “Congratulations.” Or, “I am glad things are going well for you.”

The Black Sheep: Maybe with the gardening skills you have now, you will be able to be someone who can listen with love and understanding. There is a reason that person became the black sheep, and your acceptance of them as a person, without having to approve of their behavior, could be a turning point for them and you!

The Alcoholic: Boundaries with an addict look something like this. “I care about you, but if you choose to continue drinking and acting like this around me and my family, we are going to have to change our plans.” The key with an addict is that you do not try to get them to change their behavior, but allow them to make their choices. However, you make it clear what your choices will be should they choose to continue their poor choices. Just be prepared to follow through on what you say!

The Downer: This can be a difficult person to be around especially when you want to enjoy the holidays. The tendency with this person is to try to cheer them up, fix their problems or dismiss their concerns. Often times this person is just needing validation. When they get it, they may not feel the need to keep looking for it. Validation might sound like, “I am sorry things are so rough for you right now.” Or, “I could see why that is hard for you.” “That does sound depressing.” If you are honest with yourself, you don’t want someone trying to get you to look on the bright side when you are feeling down.

The Controller: A person can only be controlled if they let someone control them. We teach people how to treat us. You may not have had a choice as a child when someone controlled you, but you do as an adult. Children are at the mercy of the way things are, but adults get to decide the way things are going to be. The key is healthy, appropriate boundaries. Remember, a person can’t cross your boundary if you have one.

Practice Makes Permanent! Rehearse your new lines before “curtain time” and the family drama begins. Remember: You can’t change others, but as you change, others around you will have to change. “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Praying you have an amazing Thanksgiving!

Jim & Kathie Hobson

The Mysterious Lagoon

The important thing isn’t what others say or do, but rather how we respond to the actions of others. Think of all the words, phrases, comments, actions, pleas, suggestions, and orders that come your way each day. Now think of how you tend to respond to them. You might respond out of love and respect, regardless of how you were treated. Or you might lash out in an angry tone, hoping to silence an accusing voice or get even with someone who wronged you.

The effect our responses have on our lives is the backdrop for “The Mysterious Lagoon” we read about in Phase 3. As you’ll recall, this allegory involved Explorer and The Guide. The Guide had cautioned Explorer to bring to Him every situation he encountered in the lagoon. Because unless The Guide were behind the response, Explorer was certain to respond out of his own heart, which would create a toxic environment that would kill him over time.

The lagoon, as we learned, is our own mind. And just as Explorer learned that by his own words and actions he could turn the pleasant lagoon into a dark and murky mess, we face the same choices regarding how we will respond to circumstances we encounter each day.

Explorer had no control over the actions of others in the lagoon. But he did have choices in how he would respond. Explorer learned that if he responded in whatever way seemed best to him, he polluted the environment he had to live in. On the other hand, when he turned to The Guide for direction, The Guide responded for him. And The Guide’s responses always produced life rather than death.

If we instinctively respond in whatever way seems best to us, we will always miss the mark. Even when we love someone and want to respond to them with unconditional love, we won’t be able to.  This is why we must abide in Him at all times and in all circumstances. In Christ, He becomes our source and response in every situation. As Christ’s response becomes our response, His love flows through us.  When that happens, not only do the ones we are interacting with experience Christ’s love, but so do we as it creates the environment we live in. Consider how much life is contained in just these few verses of scripture:

^“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

In every area of life, we reap what we sow. That is why the important thing isn’t what others say or do, but rather how we respond to the actions of others. From out of our own hearts, the future issues of our lives are formed. We are never immune from the results of our own reactions.

25th Anniversary Celebration Recap

We had an amazing 25th Anniversary celebration that went beyond our expectations! A big THANK YOU to those who were able to make it.
Click below to watch a two-minute video clip of John Marquez from the open house. To see the entire 27-minute video click HERE

2 minute video clip

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MUST SEE 4 Minute Video from Jim & Kathie Hobson

The Countdown is on.
One Month from TODAY!

Join us for a special Open House as we celebrate 25 years of transformed lives through The Ultimate Journey!

Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Time: 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Special Appreciation Ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Christ-Life Center
1900 NW 86th St., Clive, IA 50325

Mark your calendar and make plans to join us—we can’t wait to see you there!

PS. In honor of the lives God has transformed over the past 25 years through The Ultimate Journey and to help transform even more lives over the next 25 years, consider setting up a monthly donation for the next year.

You are invited! Save the date: July 13, 2025

New Co-Executive Director

I am excited to share that this July 1 will be the 25th anniversary of the official birthing of Christ-Life Ministries. Since then, we have seen thousands of people receive emotional healing and life transformation through The Ultimate Journey. As stewards of The Ultimate Journey and with the help of our amazing Board of Directors, three years ago we began a strategic planning process earnestly seeking God’s wisdom on how to make sure Christ-Life Ministries continues beyond Kathie and me.

Two years ago, God blessed us by calling John Selman to serve at Christ-Life Ministries. After serving on our Leadership Team for two years now, we are excited to announce that John has accepted the position of Co-Executive Director. John is an amazing man of God with tremendous gifts and talents. His servant heart has helped free up Kathie and me to concentrate more of our time on direct ministry. Over the next few years, we look forward to being freed up to do even more as John takes on more and more of the leadership responsibilities.

Prior to joining Christ-Life Ministries, John most recently owned and managed a real estate and development agency. He has over 15 years of management experience and has served on the board of his church and many non-profits. John has master’s degrees in both non-profit management and education. John and his wife, Meredith, have three children, Josiah (10), Ayla (8), and Levi (1).

John and I will serve, together, as Co-Executive Directors for the next couple of years in what, hopefully, will be a seamless transfer of leadership. Eventually, as John takes over all of the Executive Director responsibilities, Kathie and I will transition to part-time focusing on teaching turbos, mentoring leaders, and discipling individuals for as long as God enables us.

If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to John, Kathie or me.

In His Covenant Love,

Jim Hobson

Co-Executive Director

jim@theultimatejourney.org

John Selman – john@theultimatejourney.org

Kathie Hobson – kathie@theultimatejourney.org

Join Us For Our Upcoming Phase 2 & Phase 3 Turbos

Whether you have already made it through all three Phases of The Ultimate Journey and are looking for a refresher or you still need to complete Phase 2 or Phase 3, the turbos are extremely powerful and will help give you the boost you need.

Phase 2 will address your lies at an even deeper level helping you to see yourself the way God sees you. During Phase 3, on a very practical level, you will learn to take those truths beyond just intellectual ascent to a place where they are internalized and become your new identity. When that happens, you will have an even greater understanding of what it means to be transformed by the renewing of your mind and be equipped to live out your God-given purpose.

Phase 2
April 1-2
(Tues/Wed)

The Phase 2 Turbo will help you discover God’s solution to your guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety. You will move beyond the hopelessness of never feeling good enough as you leave the treadmill of performance or addiction. You will walk away from these two days with a greater ability to trust God in every area of your life, which will enable you to draw everything you need from Him.

Phase 3
April 3-4
(Thurs/Fri)

During the Phase 3 Turbo, you will take the love of God beyond head knowledge into the reality of your everyday life. You will leave with new or updated personal Christ-In-Me and Christ-Through-Me Identity Statements that will help set you free from the issues/lies of your past and help to improve your relationships with the significant people in your life. You will take with you a personalized plan of how you will continue to renew your mind.

Times: The sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

Cost: $100 for each Turbo

Phase 2- taught by Jim Hobson and John Selman

Phase 3- taught by Jim Hobson, Kathie Hobson and John Selman

Sign up for one or both Turbos today by clicking here. If you have questions please email info@theultimatejourney.org or call 515-251-6838.

Our turbo options are extremely powerful and will help give you the boost you need.