"I am thankful for..." is the phrase that is on the foremost of our thoughts as we approach the aptly named, Thanksgiving Day. How do you finish that sentence? We usually begin with family and loved ones, God's provision, mercy and grace, and the physical blessings we have in our lives. The statements can be a prayer of gratitude for God's divine hand of blessing on our lives. What if you started each day with this sentence with the challenge of not repeating yourself. How many days could you go until you simply couldn't add one more prayer of gratitude for God's blessing upon your life? Would it be a week, a month, years or to our last breath?
I am not aware of anyone taking this challenge to the fullest extent, but what is the limit of God's provision, protection, guidance and love extended to His children? As I think about it, it seems the limit is in our perception and understanding. Limitless blessings...wow, that's a powerful concept. We can dream of and visualize limitless funds in our checking account (that's why millions of Americans play state lotteries), or limitless shopping, travel, or entertainment, but in all those things I would suggest there is a limit to its level of security, fulfillment, happiness, or excitement. God's nature, love, protection, and provision is beyond our perceived limited boundaries with an eternal fulfillment.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children.
Psalm 103:17
I think the only limit to our daily gratitude and thanksgiving is confined to our perception and ability of description. Tomorrow as you pause, pray, meditate or verbalize "thanks", remember our perception is but a grain of sand on the beach of God's blessing extended to us.
Have a wonderful time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Turn Back, Give Thanks
A group of men, sat on rocks, in small clusters, some were telling stories of their families others, looked longingly out across the hills of Jerusalem to a city they could not enter. Unclean, the title that shattered their lives, separating them from their families, work, homes, and Temple worship. One of the men looked at the open sores on his hands, knowing that in time, the leprosy would take his fingers, as well as, infect other parts of his body. With little to no hope the men exist from day to day by the support of family and mercy of others.
One of the men spotted a small group traveling, and as they approached he recognized this rabbi, the teacher who healed the sick. Getting the attention of the other men, they stood and called out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”. He stopped, turned and his companions quieted as he gazed upon the pain, loss of dignity, and hopelessness expressed across their faces. With his hopeful command “Go, show yourselves to the priests”, the words prompted all ten men to walk, some faster than others, to the city.
As they traveled, their steps quickened, their backs straightened, their strength returned, and their skin was renewed. No sores, no pain, no disease, means a life restored with family, work, dignity, and they are men once again. Rejoicing some quicken their pace, others stop to show their restored skin to one another, but one man turns back and leaves the group.
He sees the Rabbi in the distance, and emotion springs forth and he shouts praises to God. The lone leper, a Samaritan, falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him, tears flow from a life fully restored. Jesus looks into the hearts and thoughts of his traveling companions and asks, “Were not all ten cleansed?” Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Turning back to the man he softly commends, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Paraphrased from Luke 17:11-19
Charles L Brown, asks the question Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? He gave a list of nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
One said, “I was already much improved.”
In our season of Thanksgiving, we celebrate the joy of family, the comfort of material blessings, health and enjoyment of life, but let’s not forget the lesson of the lone, Samaritan who fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Turn back, pause, in your celebrations this week, fall at Jesus’ feet and in everything give thanks to God.
One of the men spotted a small group traveling, and as they approached he recognized this rabbi, the teacher who healed the sick. Getting the attention of the other men, they stood and called out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”. He stopped, turned and his companions quieted as he gazed upon the pain, loss of dignity, and hopelessness expressed across their faces. With his hopeful command “Go, show yourselves to the priests”, the words prompted all ten men to walk, some faster than others, to the city.
As they traveled, their steps quickened, their backs straightened, their strength returned, and their skin was renewed. No sores, no pain, no disease, means a life restored with family, work, dignity, and they are men once again. Rejoicing some quicken their pace, others stop to show their restored skin to one another, but one man turns back and leaves the group.
He sees the Rabbi in the distance, and emotion springs forth and he shouts praises to God. The lone leper, a Samaritan, falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him, tears flow from a life fully restored. Jesus looks into the hearts and thoughts of his traveling companions and asks, “Were not all ten cleansed?” Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Turning back to the man he softly commends, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Paraphrased from Luke 17:11-19
Charles L Brown, asks the question Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? He gave a list of nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
One said, “I was already much improved.”
In our season of Thanksgiving, we celebrate the joy of family, the comfort of material blessings, health and enjoyment of life, but let’s not forget the lesson of the lone, Samaritan who fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Turn back, pause, in your celebrations this week, fall at Jesus’ feet and in everything give thanks to God.
Friday, November 13, 2009
What is Beauty?
What is beauty? Why do we attribute something or someone as beautiful? Is beauty a subjective evaluation, or is it a timeless ideal? A few questions I’ve allowed my thoughts to linger over the past few days, and a surprising insight surfaced.
Beauty is “the combination of qualities that make something pleasing and impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell, or taste”, Encarta Dictionary. We generally use this descriptive word with the personal physical attractiveness of a woman, but we also use it to describe music, visual arts, performance arts, architecture, food and drink, aromas, and natural features: fields of tulips, cascading waterfalls, and golden sunsets. Beauty captures and holds our attention through one or more of our senses.
Is beauty a timeless ideal, or a subjective description? Not all beauty falls in the same category. Polyester leisure suits, 80’s techno pop, and 60’s VW art, may not be as timeless as Michelangelo’s Statue of David, or Handel’s Messiah, and man’s creations seem insignificant compared to majestic mountains, vast oceans, and any one of this earth’s scenic wonders. Standing on the rocky edge of the Grand Canyon with its depth, expanse, and vibrant colors will overwhelm our senses, and we feel small in our humanity.
One verse that caught my attention is Psalms 27: 4.
As for us, created in the image of God, we have an intrinsic beauty that begins to surface the closer our lives reflect the nature and character of God. We can also reveal His beauty by the creative work of our hands in sensory art forms, to be pleasing and honoring to the Lord. Today, worship God with your all your heart, mind, soul and strength and let your creativity blossom in the beauty of the Lord.
Beauty is “the combination of qualities that make something pleasing and impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell, or taste”, Encarta Dictionary. We generally use this descriptive word with the personal physical attractiveness of a woman, but we also use it to describe music, visual arts, performance arts, architecture, food and drink, aromas, and natural features: fields of tulips, cascading waterfalls, and golden sunsets. Beauty captures and holds our attention through one or more of our senses.
Is beauty a timeless ideal, or a subjective description? Not all beauty falls in the same category. Polyester leisure suits, 80’s techno pop, and 60’s VW art, may not be as timeless as Michelangelo’s Statue of David, or Handel’s Messiah, and man’s creations seem insignificant compared to majestic mountains, vast oceans, and any one of this earth’s scenic wonders. Standing on the rocky edge of the Grand Canyon with its depth, expanse, and vibrant colors will overwhelm our senses, and we feel small in our humanity.
One verse that caught my attention is Psalms 27: 4.
”One thing I ask of the Lord,“To gaze upon the beauty of the LORD”, is the phrase to long for, to see the beauty of the Lord, in his immeasurable power, his depth of love and compassion, and his creative glory and majesty. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon will be insignificant compared to standing at the feet of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Son, and in the presence of the awesome wonder of God our Father. That moment, an overwhelming of all our senses, will burn a lasting impression on our lives for eternity. When we will gaze upon the pure, holy, eternal, majestic glory of the Lord, we will then see true beauty.
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the
beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.”
As for us, created in the image of God, we have an intrinsic beauty that begins to surface the closer our lives reflect the nature and character of God. We can also reveal His beauty by the creative work of our hands in sensory art forms, to be pleasing and honoring to the Lord. Today, worship God with your all your heart, mind, soul and strength and let your creativity blossom in the beauty of the Lord.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sticky Fingers
Can you think of something that is sticky? Glue, tape, honey, syrup, gum, half eaten candy and other substances can create a sticky mess. If you have ever worked or raised younger children you know those sticky substances can wreck havoc on clothes, walls, carpet, and even hair. Most parents have, at least once, had to clip gum chunks out of their child’s hair and try to create a modern hair style. I am one of those people that do not like to have my hands and fingers sticky. Even when I eat hot wings, I hold them as if I was at High Tea with the Queen.
Although I am cautious with sticky stuff on my fingers, when it comes to our friendships we want them to stick. We desire those close relationships to hold fast through good times and bad, through life changes, through separation, and through the years. The sticky stuff that holds those relationships together are acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, joy, laughter, shared experiences, time, gentleness, patience, kindness and many others, but all fall under the greatest of these, love.
In our Wednesday Kid’s Bible Max class we explored Proverbs 18:24b, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Coming from a home with four younger brothers, I can appreciate how close brothers can be with growing up together, fighting, playing, sharing, pranking and all the rest. I love my brothers and we will be close throughout our lives. We may have a friend, outside of family, come into our lives that fulfills that proverb, but we all have an invitation to a lifelong, and eternal friendship in Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us his friends in John 15:14-17, Jesus says “You are my friends…”, “…I have called you friends”, “…I have chosen you”. To be the friend of Jesus, the Son of God, The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, is an awesome invitation of friendship.
It is out of Christ’s love displayed for each one of us that makes this relationship “stick”. His love, his compassion, sacrifice, gentleness, peace, hope, joy, patience, kindness, and goodness is the glue that makes Him the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I don’t mind that stickiness.
The one thing about getting a little sticky is that when you come into contact with others, they get sticky as well. With our friendships in Christ we can develop “sticky” relationships that hold, and we may even like it.
Queen: “Would you like some Crumpets and Earl Grey?”
Me: “No, but I would like a dozen of the Dragon’s Breath Buffalo Hot Wings…and some milk, thanks.”
Although I am cautious with sticky stuff on my fingers, when it comes to our friendships we want them to stick. We desire those close relationships to hold fast through good times and bad, through life changes, through separation, and through the years. The sticky stuff that holds those relationships together are acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, joy, laughter, shared experiences, time, gentleness, patience, kindness and many others, but all fall under the greatest of these, love.
In our Wednesday Kid’s Bible Max class we explored Proverbs 18:24b, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Coming from a home with four younger brothers, I can appreciate how close brothers can be with growing up together, fighting, playing, sharing, pranking and all the rest. I love my brothers and we will be close throughout our lives. We may have a friend, outside of family, come into our lives that fulfills that proverb, but we all have an invitation to a lifelong, and eternal friendship in Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us his friends in John 15:14-17, Jesus says “You are my friends…”, “…I have called you friends”, “…I have chosen you”. To be the friend of Jesus, the Son of God, The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, is an awesome invitation of friendship.
It is out of Christ’s love displayed for each one of us that makes this relationship “stick”. His love, his compassion, sacrifice, gentleness, peace, hope, joy, patience, kindness, and goodness is the glue that makes Him the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I don’t mind that stickiness.
The one thing about getting a little sticky is that when you come into contact with others, they get sticky as well. With our friendships in Christ we can develop “sticky” relationships that hold, and we may even like it.
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