November 19, 2009

Christian Thanksgiving, part 2

One other aspect of thanksgiving that is relevant for Christians is the way in which it affects our heart. Now, when I write "thanksgiving," I'm referring to the act of giving thanks, and not solely the holiday.

In the Colossians and 1 Thessalonians passages I referenced in the previous post, we are encouraged to give thanks in all things and in every circumstance. This seems like a simple enough concept. Still, I pose the question: Why? Why should we, as the children of God, always give thanks?

I believe one reason is because of the humility it helps to develop within us. If I am daily thanking God for _________ , then I am less likely to develop a sense of entitlement for ________ . Whether that is my health, my home, family, friends, financial provision, ministry, food, conversations, books, art, music, etc....

So often in life, especially in this American culture we live in, we all too quickly establish a sense of entitlement to most things we enjoy in our lives. Unless we have had to work really really hard for them, we grow numb to the reality that they are all a gift from God.

Yet, a result of giving thanks is that we are reminded nothing we have in our lives is a right. It is all a blessing. Had I been born in another country at another time in history, my life would look a lot different. So much of what I enjoy in life today, check that: All of what I enjoy in my life today is an expression of the goodness, the graciousness, and the generosity of God.

May we give thanks in all things, being reminded that we are not entitled to anything on this earth. And in so doing, may we grow in humility. May your act of thanksgiving the next few days be an act of worship. And may it saturate every area and every day of your life.




On a personal note, I ask for your prayers. A very dear friend of mine lost his brother yesterday. There was a fatal incident and Michael was killed. Sean, who was in Brazil at the time, is preparing to fly home to be with his family. They have gone through so much in their lives. My first response is that I want to suffer so that Sean doesn't have to. Yet as I know that is not possible, I try to remember that Christ's suffering on the cross allows Him to truly intercede on Sean's behalf and carry some of this pain. So would you pray for Sean, his mother and sister and all of his family as they begin trying to grieve through this together?

Sean, I love you so much.
May the Holy Spirit breathe Peace on you.
May the Prince of Peace wrap you in comfort.
May the God of all comfort hold you close.
May Love surround and protect you and your family.

November 16, 2009

Christian Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, we all remind ourselves of the things that we are thankful for and focus on the many blessings in our lives. It’s a season to be thankful for family, friends, health, homes, and employment. Even when life seems really difficult, the possibility always exists to be thankful for something.

Specifically as Christians, we are called to be thankful. In passages such as Colossians 3:15 where Paul is writing to the church about being holy he succinctly states, “And be thankful.” Likewise, in his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul commends his readers to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thes. 5:18). Thus, we normally hear a good Thanksgiving sermon around this time of the year encouraging us as Christians to especially be thankful for all that the Lord has done for us.

However, as Christians, we are not limited to being thankful for what the Lord has done in our lives. By conquering death on the cross, Jesus has made a way for us to be thankful for what the Lord will do in our lives. This is a blessing which separates Christians from the rest of the world. We are able to praise the Lord for the Kingdom that not only has already come, but also the fullness of it which we know is coming. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).

So this year, I am thanking God not only for the countless ways He’s blessed us, cared for us, revealed His love to us and forgiven us, but I am also thanking Him for the Kingdom that is still coming and His reign over it. I am thanking Him both for His incredible provision in my life and the blessing of family and friends as well as the many relationships I have yet to form which will be instrumental in my life. I am thankful for the freedom He has given me and for the freedom that awaits to be released on this earth. I am thankful for the promises that I’m still believing Him to fulfill as His Kingdom comes to the world.

Will you join me this Thanksgiving in praising our Father for all that is and for all that is to come? May you be blessed and filled with His peace on this, the day that He has made.

November 13, 2009

exhale.

As of yesterday afternoon, it's official. I do not have eye cancer.

Now I exhale.

Throughout the waiting period, I have been rather convinced that this was not going to be cancer. Yet, when the doctor asked me last week if someone would be coming with me to get the results this week, just in case the news was bad, I think I stopped breathing. That just made it all so very real. And I feel like I have been holding my breath for a week. I am once again breathing :)

Regardless of the news I would have gotten, my Holy Father was going to take care of me. So the "answered prayer" is not that I don't have cancer. The answered prayer is that He continues to be faithful and reveals Himself as such. He never left me and He has now displayed His care for me one more time. Of course I'm happy that I don't have cancer. But I simply can't attempt to qualify His goodness by the results of my medical exam. He is so much bigger than that.

So much else has happened this week (perhaps some of which I will get to blog about soon...) I just wanted to take this moment and share this update with you, especially those of you who have repeatedly asked how I was doing.

I love to share stories of His goodness towards us, His children. May you find a way to share your stories as well. He is worthy to be praised.

November 2, 2009

Heart-breaking news...

...the Chronicles of the Thunderbird have concluded. Her heater went out one last time and finally, we must say good-bye. We've had a great 9 year run. So many memories! So many miles! She's just beginning to outspend her allowance :( And I can't handle that any longer.

While I hate to bail on her, she truly has treated me well. I must move on to a more dependable vehicle. Being a seminary student, I obviously can't afford a new vehicle or payments of any great measure.

However, the Lord has once again made a way. I'd like you to meet ___________?

(any ideas for its name? I'm taking suggestions. The winner may get a prize.)

It's a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee in excellent condition with very few miles. It is a blessing coming through the generosity of my sister and brother-in-law. They came to randomly find it for a great deal and have humbly decided to pass it along to me for an equally great deal. It'll drink a lot more fuel than the ole T-bird, but I can't complain. Need arose...Need met!

I can only hope for 9 equally great years with ___________(?) The T-bird will always be remembered and adored. Oh how I will miss those comfortable seats!

I will get the Jeep whenever I can next return home. My life with an SUV is about to begin. We'll see how it goes.

update...

I came to seminary to begin further understanding how to do ministry and work towards helping bring the Kingdom to earth. I want to know how to teach people more effectively. I want to know how to best create community. I want to know how to be aware of needs and meet them in an unconditionally loving way. I want to know how to inspire passion, to embrace conviction, to communicate simply, and to do all that He wants me to do.

And this is what I'm learning...how to be! It all comes down to being. Not doing. Not creating. I'm so far from it, but it all comes to BEING. I'm not trying to learn how to love, but how to BE love. I'm not trying to learn how to inspire, I want to BE inspirational. I'm not trying to learn how to teach, I want to BE the gospel. I'm learning that it's about BEING. I want to be.



On a sidebar, I have my optical scan this Wednesday. That means I should find out whether or not I have cancer in the next week or so. Also, I found out today that my knee injury is just a severe sprain. Nothing is torn or broken. Two weeks with an immobilized leg combined with plenty of Aleve and I should be fine.

In summary, I'm believing that in a few weeks, I'll BE completely healthy, whole, and worry free about my health. And more than that, I hope to have gotten a little further in "BEING."

May you not know. May you simply BE.