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Category: Thankfulness

Reminders from the Animals

Reminders from the Animals

I have always been a lover of nature … a lover of God’s creation.  Consequently, I’ve always loved God’s creatures.  I find them fascinating, wonderful, and beautiful in their own right.

I also find God’s animals instructive.  There is much they can teach us!  As I considered sharing a Thanksgiving blog built around God’s animals and the lessons they can impart, it was not surprising to find that the Lord himself used animals to illustrate many things in the Scriptures.

As we prepare to celebrate another Thanksgiving, we can learn a few lessons from God’s creatures.  They offer some great reminders to us humans of the blessings we enjoy.

Mountain Goats Move Us to Appreciate Our Birth

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?  Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?  Do you count the months till they bear?  Do you know the time they give birth?  They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended.  Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds.” (Job 39:1-4)

All the animals in the world today trace their lineage back to Creation.  Through all those thousands of years God has preserved their species since he created them.  Year after year the animals have bred and given birth, and they are still here today.  What an amazing gift from God!

And when we consider where mountain goats live – along steep cliffs and on treacherous terrain – it’s all the more amazing that they should still be here.  And that they are able to deliver their young in such precarious places.

When was last time we gave thanks that we were born?  It’s not an automatic, you know.  A lot could have happened to keep us from entering this world.

Of course, we have our parents to thank for that.  But also the Lord, for he made it happen.  He gave us life and preserved us already in our mother’s wombs.  He brought us safely into the world … and that’s no small thing!

But more than that.  Our gracious God sustains our lives every single day.  There was no guarantee we would wake up this morning, or that we would make it this far through the day.  Yet here we are.

Our entrance into this world, our very existence, our general health – we tend to take these all for granted.  Yet they are all wonderful gifts from God.

The mountain goats remind us to be thankful for our births … and our lives!

Birds Remind Us That God Provides Food

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  … Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”  (Matthew 6:25-26)

Not too many of us would do well as a bird. 

Besides the fact that we aren’t very proficient at flying, there’s also this: How would we like waking up in our nest each morning, and not knowing where our food for ourself and our young was going to come from that day?  And yet, this is a daily occurrence for the birds.

As humans, we want our pantries, refrigerators, and freezers full.  And for most of us they are!  If we are lacking something, we probably have the luxury of going to one of multiple stores within a few miles of our house to quickly and easily pick up what we want or need.

Think about our Thanksgiving meal.  There is undoubtedly no question whether we will have food that day, or even what specific foods we will have.  We’ve known for weeks.  For months even!  And that food was probably safely stored away well in advance.

Why can we be so confident about our Thanksgiving meal?  Why are our pantries, refrigerators, and freezers stocked? Why do we have such an abundance of food?  Is it because we are such good planners and providers?  Or because we live in a land of bounty?

No.  It’s because our gracious God provides for us so richly!  He provides so much food that we can’t begin to relate to the birds who gather their food day-by-day … and yet are provided for by the Lord just as richly.

We are so blessed!  God gives us our daily bread … and all the additional edibles we could ever want or need!

The birds remind us to be thankful for the rich abundance of food God gives us.

Foxes Remind Us We Have Homes

Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests … ”  (Matthew 8:20)

God gives all of his creatures a home, and the fox is no exception.

A fox den is typically 30 or more feet in length … and can be as long as even 90 feet.  It has multiple entrances and multiple rooms inside.  It’s a pretty simple, yet very functional, place for a fox to live.

We all have homes too.  They might be large or small, newer or older.  They might be houses, apartments, or condos.  They might not be all that attractive, or they might be quite appealing.  They might have long lists of things that need to be done, or they might not.

It doesn’t matter; we all have a home, and our home is a wonderful gift from God.

How cozy it is for the foxes when they crawl in their den.  And how cozy for us when we walk into our own home. 

We have embedded our personal touches everywhere throughout our homes.  There are the pictures of our loved ones and our many mementos.  In the closets and dressers are our clothes; around the house our possessions.  There is our favorite chair and, in our bedroom, our own bed.

And God gave it all to us, just as he gives the foxes their dens. 

The foxes remind us to be thankful for our homes here on earth.  But even more importantly, for our homes in heaven … which Jesus secured for us by leaving his home in heaven and coming to earth to redeem us so we could one day transition from earth to heaven to be with him in our “forever home.”

Deer/Ibex Demonstrate the Guidance God Gives Us

For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.  (Psalm 18:31-33)

If you have ever watched a deer in the woods, then you know how nimble they are.  They weave through brushy tangles, step over fallen logs and broken branches, and leap larger obstacles with ease. 

In these verses, David is almost certainly speaking about the Nubian ibex, which are native to Israel.  (The picture at the top of this post is an ibex.)  They scramble up and down mountainsides, and jump from boulder to boulder.  God has made them amazingly sure-footed on the most precarious of perches. 

In the same way as deer and ibex, we have all kinds of obstacles in our paths.  Spiritual challenges.  Health issues.  Monetary concerns.  Relationship struggles.

And yet God promises to guide us through.  That doesn’t mean that he always fixes everything or does things exactly the way we want him to do things.  But he takes us step by step through the low times, around the obstacles, and ultimately into the heights of blessing.

Sometimes we are convinced the path is too long or too steep.  Sometimes we just want to give up.  Yet the Lord stays with us, gives us endurance, guides our steps, and leads us forward and upward.

And then suddenly we realize that God has brought us to the heights.  With his help we’ve overcome; we’ve conquered our challenges.  (We’ll see the ultimate fulfillment of this truth when God guides us into heaven!)

The deer and ibex remind us to be thankful for God’s guidance of our steps through life … and into Life.

Eagles Encourage Us That We Are Secure

Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high?  He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is his stronghold.  (Job 39:27-28)

Eagles, of course, build their nests in the highest heights.  In the rocky crags of cliffs or in the tops of the tallest trees.

They build their nests in places that are completely exposed to all the elements.  Imagine being on a cliff-side while the snow and sleet are coming down, or in the top of a tree amidst a howling wind and pouring rain.

Yet the eagles feel absolutely secure there.  There in the heights they are closer to God, and further away from predators. 

Unfortunately for us, this world these days feels anything but secure. There are problems upon problems all around us.  Personal problems, as well as societal, national, global, spiritual and moral ones. 

It feels like we are extremely exposed to the elements of the world and the enemies of God.  Storms are raging about and upon our “nest.”

Yet, like the eagles, we are secure because God is in our foundation, our stronghold.  The almighty, all-knowing, loving and gracious God has us wrapped in his protective care.  The ever-present, eternal Lord is always taking care of us.

How wonderful to know that no problem, no predator, no difficulty, and no enemy will ever reach us unless God allows it.  And if God allows it, he is bringing us blessing through the difficulty!  How wonderful to know that the undefeatable, indefatigable God is holding us up … and holding us together. 

The eagles remind us to be thankful for our security in the Lord

Wild Donkeys and Oxen Remind Us of Our Freedom

“Who let the wild donkey go free?  Who untied his ropes?  I gave him the wasteland as his home, the salt flats as his habitat.  He laughs at the commotion in the town; he does not hear a driver’s shout.  He ranges the hills for his pasture and searches for any green thing.”

“Will the wild ox consent to serve you?  Will he stay by your manger at night?  Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness?  Will he till the valleys behind you?  Will you rely on him for his great strength?  Will you leave your heavy work to him?  Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?”  (Job 39:5-12)

When Job speaks about the “wild” donkeys and oxen, he is talking about the ones who are “free.”  They aren’t tied and trained; they aren’t harnessed or put to work by humans.  They are free.

Free to go where they want to eat.  Free to drink from whatever water they choose, and whenever they choose it.  Free to sleep when they want and wake when they want.  Free to do as they choose.  

This is no small thing!

When was the last time we thanked God for our freedom?  For freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to vote, freedom from unfair punishments, freedom from oppression, and freedom to bear arms.  For freedom in so many ways and of so many things!

Besides forgiveness and salvation in Jesus – (which, by the way, is spiritual freedom!) – national freedom is one of the greatest blessings God could give to us.  And he HAS given it to us!

The wild (the free!) animals remind us to be thankful to God for our freedoms here in this great country.

Sparrows and Swallows Show Us a Love for God’s House

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  (Psalm 84:1-4)

The Sons of Korah who wrote this psalm noticed birds nesting in the eaves of the temple. They were literally living near the altar of God.

And the birds rejoiced in going there!  They rejoiced in staying there.  They felt safe there.  They were comfortable and secure there.  Their needs were supplied there.  They were in the presence of God there.

And so it should be for us.  How blessed we are to be able to gather regularly in God’s House around God’s Word and Sacraments!

We rejoice in going there and staying there.  We feel safe there, and are comfortable and secure there.  Our needs are supplied there, because we are in the presence of God there.

In God’s House God heals our hurts.  There he comforts the sad, strengthens the weak, energizes the weary, guides the unsure, inspires the despairing, and gives hope to the hopeless.  There he soothes our souls.

Of course, God does all these things wherever his Word is present.  But God’s Word is always present in God’s House.  Therefore, we are so blessed to be able to gather there

The sparrows and swallows remind us to be thankful for the opportunity to worship God regularly in God’s house

Eagles Teach Us to Trust

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:28-31)

Eagles are amazing, majestic birds. 

Have you ever seen an eagle soar high in the air on the air currents?  They can do so at up to 15,000 feet or higher! 

Instead of fighting against the winds high in the air, the eagles simply glide upon them.  They rarely flap their wings when soaring high above the earth.  They simply glide, soar, and float on the winds.  They don’t need to flap their wings; the air currents keep them aloft.

In the same way, God holds us aloft.  Consequently, we probably want to follow the example of the eagles.

Instead of frantically beating our “wings” against the wind to try to get to where we want to go, we would be wise to simply glide on the currents and let the troubles of this life lift us higher by relying upon the Lord.  The prudent thing is to simply trust him to keep us aloft and trust him to blow us where he wants us to go

Obviously, this is easier said than done.  Yet the more we fly through life, God-willing the more we learn to simply let God lift us and carry us.  Trusting in God is far less work, far more relaxing, and a far more productive way to live than relying upon ourselves.

And not only does God lift us above the temporary difficulties we face, but one day he will lift us all the way to heaven.  There we will truly be above and beyond all the troubles of this world.

The eagles remind us to be thankful for God’s loving care, for both today and always.

Calves Urge Us to Be Joyful

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.   (Malachi 4:2)

When calves who have been cooped up for a long time in a barn finally get out, they leap and run and frolic. 

And so it should be for us.  We have been freed from unbelief, sin’s penalty, Satan’s power, and spiritual and eternal death. 

Besides these spiritual blessings, we have also been freed from so many things that the rest of the world is burdened with.  We have life, family, food and a home.  We have God’s guidance, and security through the Lord.  We have freedom and the opportunity to gather regularly in worship.

We have a God who cares for us, who loves us, and who saved us.  Therefore, we have hope, confidence, peace, worth, self-esteem, a purpose and a destiny. 

We have everything we could ever need, and so much more.  We have it all because our gracious God has given it all to us … freely and abundantly … through his love.

Which means we have every reason to be leaping with joy at all of God’s blessings!  And not just at Thanksgiving, but every day!

The calves remind us to be thankful, and to be joyful.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 148:1, 7-14
Praise the Lord.

… Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

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Our Faithful God

Our Faithful God

Have you ever been out and about on a chilly morning in the forest, on a mountain, at a campground, on a dock or boat, or even in your backyard … and been greeted by warm, bright sunshine?  Isn’t that wonderfully uplifting?

Have you ever found yourself shivering as you endure the bitter cold of the night or early morning when that first light of the sun arrives?  Or even better, when the sun’s rays first literally fall on you?  Isn’t that an incredibly comforting thing?  Not just physically, but psychologically!

Is it any wonder then that worship of the sun as a god was extremely common in ancient times? The practice spanned across numerous cultures, nations and races.  In fact, of all the things in creation, the sun was the most commonly and widely worshipped.  Even the ancients understood that this entire world is dependent upon the sun, both for light and for warmth – for life itself! – so it seemed natural to them to worship it. 

We know even more about the sun today.  For example, the sun’s gravity keeps the earth and other planets in their places in the solar system. Without the sun, the earth would be floating aimlessly and endlessly through space.

The sun provides the light and heat every living organism needs to exist.  Plants use the sun’s light to produce food for humans and animals through the process called photosynthesis. Furthermore, the sun’s heat is the reason the earth can support life by allowing liquid water to exist.  It is also this heat that brings about evaporation of water and the movement of air called wind which produces our different weather systems.

Bottom line: all of the world is dependent upon the sun for life

Not only does the sun provide light, warmth and sustenance for life, but the sun is incredibly reliable.  Every morning, there it is again; you can count on it.

The early peoples could not comprehend anything greater or more faithful than the sun.  Consequently, the sun became their god.

Sadly, they had lost sight of the God who made the sun and set it upon its work.  They became a fulfillment of Paul’s words, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised.  Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Yet in this regard those early peoples were right: the sun and its faithfulness are a wonderful illustration of the faithfulness of its Creator … of our God!

Just as the sun appears every morning … so God is always with us. 

As the sun provides light every day … so God is always enlightening our hearts and minds. 

As the sun provides warmth every day … so God is always warming us with his love.

As the sun makes it possible for us to live here on earth … so God is the giver of our lives.

As the sun sustains us daily … so God (who gives us the sun!) is always sustaining our lives, both physically and spiritually. 

Here’s what the Holy Spirit inspired David to write about the sun:

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” (Psalm 19:4b-6).

How wonderful!  Every day the sun “rises” again, doing its God-established thing. 

Our God is a like the sun … faithful and life-giving!  There are over 80 references in the Scriptures using the words “faithful” or “faithfulness” to refer to the Lord. 

Isaiah states that the Lord’s faithfulness is a “perfect faithfulness” (Is. 25:1).  David tells us that the Lord is “a compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15).  He also tells us repeatedly that God’s “love reaches to the heavens” and his “faithfulness reaches to the skies” (Ps. 57:10).

Another psalmist writes that God’s “faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps. 119:90).  Yet another psalmist makes it clear that God’s faithfulness lasts even longer than that!  He writes … “the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever” (Ps. 117:2).

How wonderful!  But just as we tend to take the sun totally for granted, so we tend to take our God totally for granted too. 

Now think about this.  When was the last time we thanked the Lord for the rising of the sun – for its light and warmth?  We just expect the sunshine to be there every day, don’t we?

But then, when was the last time we thanked God for waking up this morning?  Or for having clothes and shoes to wear?  Or for having food to eat (and I don’t mean simply reciting an oft-repeated before-dinner prayer)?  When was the last time we thanked God for good health?  Or for having shelter to live in?  Or for having transportation?  Or for having people who love us?

Even more sobering: when was the last time we thanked God for our faith?  For the fact that his Holy Spirit lives in us?  For the fact that we have a heavenly home waiting for us?  Or that God himself took our place, suffered our torment and died our death so we could go to heaven one day?

These all come from God, after all.  They are all a result of the faithfulness of our God.

And yet we so easily and so commonly take it all for granted.  We simply expect to see God’s blessings … just like the rising of the sun every morning.

Thankfully, despite our lack of faithfulness to God … God is always and forever a faithful God to us.

Just as the sun shines faithfully every day, so God who made the sun is always faithful.  In fact, God is more faithful than the sun.

Let me take you back to a time when the sun actually did stop shining. 

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.  … Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’  When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46).

Jesus, the Son of God, was dying in agony because that was the only way we could ever have true forgiveness and experience salvation one day.  And while Jesus was hanging on the cross, the sun – the beacon of faithfulness, the source of worship around the world – actually stopped shining.

The sun showed itself to be less than trustworthy.  And at the same time, the true Son (S O N) was shining his brightest!

As Jesus was making complete atonement for our transgressions, he was showing God to be absolutely faithful, reliable and trustworthy.  He was showing God’s perfect, abounding, high-reaching and long-lasting faithfulness.  He was giving us life … both spiritual and eternal!

Those 3 hours while the sun did not shine, the Son (S O N) shone brightest.  At that time Jesus’ faithfulness was shining brighter than the sun ever did or ever will.

Thanks be to God that he is always faithful!  Far more faithful even than the sun.

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Enough

Enough

When it comes to earthly wealth, I have never been rich.  Not even close.  And it seems highly unlikely that I ever will be rich.

I’m OK with that.  The reason?  Because the Lord has made sure that I always have enough.

Furthermore, I’m quite confident that even though you may not have everything you want … and even though life may have been exceedingly difficult at times for you … still, you have always had enough too.

David wrote about this very thing:

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:23-25).

Yet the world teaches us to always want MORE.  Our sinful natures eagerly take up the theme – MORE is better.  MUCH MORE is best of all!

David’s son, Solomon, alludes to humans’ unending longing with these words, “The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing” (Ecclesiastes 1:8).  He also states this is a “meaningless” exercise.  (Ecc. 1:2).

I find the Lord’s manner of providing food for the migrating tribes of Israel fascinating.  (And telling!)  You’ll recall that the Lord had miraculously delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, and as they were enroute to the Promised Land, they had to travel through a huge barren area. 

What you may not realize is that the nation almost certainly numbered between two and three million people!  (Exodus 12:37 tells us 600,000 men left Egypt.  Add in women and children, and the numbers grow exponentially.)

Garnering enough food for all those mouths would be a monumental challenge for humans.  But it wasn’t difficult for God.  He simply provided them with wafers called “manna” 6-days-a-week.  The Bible tells us, “it was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31).

But where this gets really interesting is when you consider the special instructions the Lord gave to the people in regard to gathering the bread.  Each morning they were to gather what they needed for the day, but no more.  If they tried to keep extra for the next day, the manna would be foul and maggot-filled. 

The exception to the “only-as-much-as-you-need-for-the-day” rule was the morning before the Sabbath Day (Friday).  On Fridays, the people were to gather sufficient manna for two days.  Astonishingly, the manna kept just fine for the extra day over the Sabbath.

Moses provides another incredible insight:

“The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed” (Exodus 16:17-18).

None of this was coincidence!

The Lord was teaching the Israelites an incredibly important truth; he was teaching the people to trust him.  He would supply their needs.  Day-by-day he would bless them with food.  They would have enough.  With the Lord, they would always have enough!

And not just enough food, but enough of everything.  Enough guidance in their journeys.  Enough protection from all their dangers.  Enough provision for all of their needs.  Not necessarily a surplus, but enough.  Always enough. 

The Lord wasn’t only trying to teach the Israelites this truth.  But you and me as well!

He wants us convinced that our God will always provide for us – spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  As Paul reminds us, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

We don’t need MORE.  We just need what God gives us.  It will be enough.

And when we recognize this truth – when we embrace it – we will come to realize that when God is our supplier, we have more than enough!  In fact, we are actually rich beyond measure. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Hebrews 13:5
… Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Everything, Always! A Story of Thanksgiving

Everything, Always! A Story of Thanksgiving

Evan looked around with pride.  He was reclining in his personally decorated lounge inside his lovely two-story house.  Everything was wonderful – truly wonderful.  And everything had his own “fingerprints” on them; this was what he had accomplished with his own hard work, determination, perseverance, and skillful maneuvering!

 (Alright.  And a bit of good luck here and there.)

“I’ve done pretty well for myself, haven’t I?” he murmured quietly.  “Look at what I have achieved.”

Evan sighed contentedly and picked up the headset for his Virtual Reality (VR) device.  It was the newest and most sophisticated model, allowing for the most immersive experience currently possible. This time he was going to explore the wonders of the Andes Mountains.

But instead of soaring in the heights above the South American mountains with the sound of the wind whistling past him, Evan found himself looking down on a ragamuffin man sitting cross-legged on the ground.  Though his garment seemed to be made of the highest quality material, it was tattered, torn and stained.  The man didn’t look much better; he was filthy, with his hair long, tangled and filled with twigs and grass stems.  A light rain fell, gradually soaking the shabby individual.

The VR swept Evan lower and closer to the ragged man.  As it did, Evan could clearly see the madness in the man’s eyes.  Also noticeable were his long and curling fingernails; clearly they hadn’t been trimmed in some time. 

But the most disturbing part of the experience was now revealed.  In his bloody hands, the man clutched a partially eaten rat.  Blood and entrails dripped from his beard.  The sound of rabid chewing, crunching bones and eager slurping filled Evan’s earphones.  The uttered noises that accompanied the eating made it clear the poor man was thoroughly enjoying his meal.

Evan recoiled in horror.  “What is this?” he exclaimed.

He didn’t expect an answer, and gasped when he received one.  “This is a man even more blessed than you who failed to acknowledge the source of his blessings.  I had to teach him an important lesson.  It’s a lesson that has been passed down for the ages.”

Evan was astounded … and confused.  The VR had never verbally responded to him before!  He was at a loss on what to say or do.  Oddly, the thought of removing the headset never occurred to him; he was captivated by what he was experiencing.  Fully immersed, indeed!

Finally, he found his voice.  “Who are you?”

“I am the Lord, your God.”  Evan’s heart hammered and he struggled to breath.  The Lord continued, “You know me and you acknowledge me.  But you don’t acknowledge all that I have done for you.”

“But I do!”  He paused, then reconsidered.  “I mean, I thought I did!  You saved me, Lord.  You sent your Son, Jesus, to suffer and die and rise back to life so I could be forgiven and go to heaven one day.  I know I couldn’t have ever saved myself!”

“This is true, Evan.  And it is good that you recognize this.  It’s the most important truth.  But you don’t understand the immensity of my goodness to you.  It’s a lesson I am going to teach you, but in a gentler fashion than I did with Nebuchadnezzar, since you are my child.”

Evan was dumbfounded.  Finally he managed to reply, “Teach me, Lord!”

“That I will, Evan.”

Nebuchadnezzar receded from view until he was no longer visible, like Google Earth moving back and repositioning to a new location.  The world seemed to spin; the new location was on the other side of the globe from where the VR had initially taken him.  The Americas came into view.  The VR zoomed down on North America, then to Evan’s region of the country, to his state, city, and finally his home.  Evan came to a stop, hovering over his house and yard.

The Lord’s voice returned.  “Let’s look around.  The items that come directly from me will be checked.”

Evan watched in stunned amazement as golden checkmarks began appearing.  First, his house was checked.  That was followed by one on the front yard and another on the back.  Then others on the trees Evan had planted.  Then the storage sheds.  Even the recently delivered package resting on their front doorstep was marked.

Then another check popped up on the garage.  The garage door opened, and checkmarks materialized on the vehicles inside.  In blindingly fast fashion, gold checkmarks blossomed on every single tool, toy, and miscellaneous item stored in the garage – Evan’s eyes ever widening. 

“Let’s look inside, shall we?” the Lord suggested.  Evan was plunged toward the roof, passing through the shingles and boards seamlessly.  The Lord floated him from room to room, every single one bursting with golden checkmarks.  There wasn’t a single item in the entire house that wasn’t marked – the brilliance and bounty of the golden checks blinding to Evan’s eyes.

Finally, the flustered man was guided into the living room.  Again, every single item bore a golden designation.  And again, Evan found himself shielding his eyes.  But then the brilliance faded … except for the marks on his wife and his three children, who were gathered around a board game.  Those checkmarks grew in intensity, even as the others lessened. 

Evan found himself sobbing.  What a fool he had been!

But the Lord wasn’t finished with the lesson.  “There’s more, my child.”

Once again Evan was being drawn further away.  He passed through a light, then the ceiling, then the second floor, then the attic, and finally the roof … seeing the layers of paint, boards, wiring, carpeting, insulation, and shingles on the way out … all similarly checked.

Evan was lifted to an elevation where he had a clear view of the city.  He wondered at the purpose, when more markers began emerging.  His parents’ home, his wife’s parents’ home, their siblings’ places … followed by checks on houses throughout the city where friends and fellow church members lived. 

Golden checkmarks erupted everywhere below him.  The sidewalks he and his wife liked to traverse on their walks.  The park where his children loved to play.  The dear church where they gathered for worship.  The stores, restaurants, and gas stations his family frequented.  Even the barbershop where he went!  Two checks over their bank; Evan assumed one for the institution and the other for their personal finances.  There were golden checkmarks everywhere!

Then Evan noticed something striking.  His place of employment wasn’t marked!  He pointed at it.  “Does that mean that at least I can take some credit for my job?”

The Lord actually chuckled.  “Nope.”  A blazing golden checkmark exploded over the business. 

“Nor can you boast about your body, your health, your personality, or your abilities.  They all come from me too!”  Evan looked down.  His body was plastered with gold.  He continued to stare down at himself in astonishment, squinting against the golden gleam. 

Evan was silent for a moment.  He cleared his throat.  “Lord, what about the problems in my life?  Those are my doing, aren’t they?”

“Yes, your sinfulness … like everyone else’s in this sinful world … bring problems.”  A stream of personal difficulties appeared in Evan’s virtual reality view.  “But I turn even these into blessings.”  Checkmarks became visible on the long list of hardships passing before Evan. 

Once again, Evan was crying.  “Lord, I’m so sorry!  Please forgive me for my foolish pride!”

“Of course, Evan.”  The heartsick man could hear the love in the Lord’s voice.

The tears flowed more profusely.  Through sobs, Evan managed to choke out, “Now I see that everything wonderful always comes from you!”

Suddenly, the distraught man was back in his recliner in his lounge … his cheeks still wet from his tears.  He exhaled deeply and slowly, still rocked from the shock of the past few moments.  Another question came to him.  He wanted to know.  “But what about Nebuchadnezzar?” he called out.

In a fading voice, the Lord replied, “Read Daniel 4.”  Evan ripped off his headset and dashed to find his Bible.  When he pulled it from his nightstand, he was floored.  There on the cover … was a golden checkmark.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Every Christian acknowledges that they are blessed by God – certainly verbally, but also mentally.  Yet I’m convinced that none of us … even and especially me … realize just how very blessed we are by our gracious and giving God.  To say that everything we have comes from God is typical and fine; to truly understand the extensivity of “everything” is quite another.

My prayer is that this story impresses that truth upon all of us.  Our God is so good to us!

One important comment:  The Bible states Nebuchadnezzar ate grass like cattle.  And he surely did!  I am always extremely hesitant to go beyond God’s Word.  However, I took the liberty to suggest he also added meat to his diet whenever he was able.  This would seem a logical assumption, but I acknowledge that the Scriptures do not mention this.  Perhaps grass and vegetation was indeed all he ate.  Still, I wrote this story the way I did to try to demonstrate how very far the king had fallen.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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Abounding in Thanksgiving

Abounding in Thanksgiving

My wife and I are getting away for a few days, (something for which I’m very thankful!), so here’s this week’s post … a little early!

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I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I definitely don’t thank God enough for the blessings he has showered into my life.  Perhaps you can relate, and can sidle next to me on my bench of shame?

I am so very, very blessed by God!  And you are too!

It would be completely appropriate for me (and you) to be engrossed in an ongoing prayer of thanksgiving.  But … that hasn’t been my custom.

The problems, the challenges, the obligations and responsibilities I hold, and the hassles, frustrations and busyness of life keep me distracted – and keep the words of thanks silenced in both my mind and mouth.  Satan and my sinful, selfish flesh strive (effectively!) to keep me more focused on the negatives than the positives – which, of course, doesn’t encourage thanksgiving.

But thankfully, there are moments when thankfulness bursts from my heart; occasions when profound gratefulness overwhelms all the other distractions.

Like when I reflect yet again on the Lord’s love for me … a love that moved Jesus to step down to earth, not to be acclaimed by earth’s residents, but to be rejected by them.  To be crucified by them for them – for you, for me! 

 And when I remember that though Jesus died, he didn’t stay dead.  He rose off the cold, hard burial shelf, exited his tomb and ascended back to his heavenly home to prepare a place there for you and me.

Yet, his blessings aren’t only future blessings to be experienced someday when we transition from this world to the next.  His love impacts us every day with his abiding presence, guidance, provision, protection and peace.

These spiritual truths move me to abounding thanksgiving!

As does a difficult, even impossible, situation resolved solely through God’s intervention.  Or a close call where it was clearly God’s strong hand that kept me from being hurt (or worse!).  Likewise, when someone dear to me was miraculously spared. These definitely elicit thanksgiving to a gracious God!

But day-to-day activities can sometimes prompt the same response.  Nature especially has this effect on me.  A hike in God’s creation, a spectacular view spread out before me, a glorious sunset, experiencing the woods waking up on a deer stand, or the lake easing into night on our dock – these elicit thanksgiving too.

Sometimes it’s just “normal” events.  My latest experience of this was when our entire family was together at our new “house on the lake,” as we have come to call it.  As I looked around me, seeing precious family members … as I listened to loved ones’ voices all around me … as we interacted in conversation and activities … I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving over and over and over again.  How good is our God!

There are definitely circumstances that naturally pull thankfulness from our souls.  But I want thankfulness to be a natural part of my everyday existence! 

Even when something goes wrong.  Even when the car breaks down, or the funds are falling low, or the stresses are mounting, or the body is struggling or failing.  Because even then our God is good!  Our God is always good!  And his love and faithfulness to us never ever ends.

As I consider this, it seems to me that focusing on the word “always” might be helpful.  The Lord is always faithful, so we can be always thankful.

In fact, sometimes God’s greatest blessings come through our greatest hardships.  It’s difficult for us to see it that way.  Especially in the midst of those challenging moments.  But it’s true nonetheless.

When we recognize this wonderful truth even in the valleys … when we trust our good and gracious God even in the storms … then we are “not anxious about anything,” but have “the peace of God that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

It’s a peace centered on our all-sufficient Lord; it’s a peace that fosters abounding thankfulness … no matter the circumstances.

“… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

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All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

In last week’s post, we discussed counting our blessings.  This week we’ll approach the same concept, only alphabetically.

For our Thanksgiving worship service way back in 200l, I enlisted the help of my three oldest sons, Christian, Craig and Caleb, to compile an alphabetical list of things we enjoy because of our generous God.  (They would have been ages 12, 10 and 8 at the time.)  I then pulled the list together into a prayer.  Here is that prayer:

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For apples, animals, and airplanes;  for the alphabet, athletics and all our abilities;  for America and for angels …. we thank you, Lord.

For buttons, blankets, bathtubs, boats and books;  for our bodies, babies, boys and brothers;  for the Bible, believers and the birth of Jesus …. we thank you, Lord.

For colors, computers, clothes and cars;  for courage and care;  for our cities and country and the clouds that float over them;  for church, Christmas and Christ …. we thank you, Lord.

For doctors and dentists;  for daylight and each new day;  for all Jesus’ disciples and true doctrine …. we thank you, Lord.

For exercise and the earth;  for our eyes, ears and everything you give us;  for Easter morning and the joys of Easter …. we thank you, Lord.

For flowers and forests;  for our flag and our freedom;  for food, friends and family;  for our forefathers, fathers and our Heavenly Father;  and for faith in our Heavenly Father …. we thank you, Lord.

For green grass and ripe grain;  for goodness and gentleness;  for grandparents, grandchildren and girls;  for God and God’s great grace …. we thank you, Lord.

For health and happiness;  for our houses and our homes;  for the Holy Spirit,  his work in our hearts, and our heavenly home …. we thank you, Lord.

For ice cream and islands;  for instruments and intelligence;  for injuries and insults that never occurred …. we thank you, Lord.

For judges and justice;  for joy and for jumping;  for Jesus and the justification he earned for us …. we thank you, Lord.

For kites, kittens and keys;  for kindness and knowledge;  and for the King of Kings …. we thank you, Lord.

For lakes and light;  for life and love;  for lips to praise our Lord …. we thank you, Lord.

For mountains, mouths, months and money;  for music, milk and memories;  for men, marriage and mothers;  for missionaries and for me …. we thank you, Lord.

For numbers and names;  for night and for neighbors …. we thank you, Lord.

For oceans and oxygen;  for obstacles through which you bring blessings;  for the open door into heaven because of our Savior …. we thank you, Lord.

For presents and pets;  for people and pastors;  for peace, praise and proper priorities;  for the Pilgrims who opened up a new land and celebrated the first thanksgiving;  for your fulfilled promises and your promises yet to be fulfilled, and for prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For quickness, questions, and quiet …. we thank you, Lord.

For radios, responsibility and reflexes;  for rain and the roofs that keep it out;  for the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrections one day …. we thank you, Lord.

For the sun, streams and sky;  for seasons and sisters;  for sight, sound and smell;  for the Sabbath Day, Sunday School, our Savior and our salvation …. we thank you, Lord.

For television, toys, trees and trains;  for turkey on the table;  for tongues to talk and to taste and teeth to chew;  for teachers and truth …. we thank you, Lord.

For umbrellas and universities;  for the United States of America and for Us …. we thank you, Lord.

For voyages and victory;  for our voices and our vision …. we thank you, Lord.

For wheels and wagons, windows and walls;  for water, waterfalls, and women;  for the world and for Washington; [editor’s note: we lived there then!] and for your watchful care …. we thank you, Lord.

For Xrays, eXcitement, and all the eXtra gifts not mentioned in this Prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For yesterday, youth and years;  for yummy things to eat;  and for You …. we thank you, Lord

For zippers, zebras and zest for the Gospel …. we thank you, Lord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

There is ONE source for our countless blessings: our gracious God!  And if we just take a moment to consider how very blessed we are by Him, there can be but one response: heartfelt and profound thanksgiving!  If we actually take the time to reflect, there are simply TWO many gifts from God to not be overwhelmed with wonder.

For example, consider the THREE persons of Trinity, and how incomprehensible, powerful, wise, wonderful and magnificent our God is in every way.  And this all-surpassing God is always present, protecting us and providing for us in every way!  Our response?  Absolute awe!

Then to consider that he loves us so much that he would actually suffer and die FOUR us … for you and me who don’t deserve it but are given it through Jesus our Savior nevertheless … there’s not nearly enough time to praise God sufficiently for his countless blessings.

Our FIVE senses provide abundant reasons alone to praise the Lord; our “SIXth sense” (our souls and the God-given faith in them) which recognize God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness show us even more and better reasons for praise!  We are forgiven and saved – made children of God and heirs of salvation through faith in Jesus!

Then there’s the Biblical number SEVEN, which represents God’s active involvement in our lives, working everything to perfection.  This was the case in the Bible, and it’s still true in our own lives!

EIGHTy years on earth isn’t sufficient time to properly praise God who is the giver of all good gifts … including the incredible NINE-fold fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  Thankfully, God is bringing us to the perfect joy and fulfillment of heaven, where we can worship him for his countless gifts forever.

Which calls to mind another Biblical number – TEN – which represents totality or completion.  When living forever in the presence of our glorious Lord and scar-marked Savior, we will finally recognize the totality of God’s goodness to us, and that his work for us and in us has been brought to perfect completion.  We are in heaven – forever saved.  Which will be the greatest blessing of all, and the culmination of all of God’s blessings.

ELEVEN trillion-trillion years will pass by there with us “bright shining as the sun,” and “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”  (John Newton – “Amazing Grace”).

The TWELVE apostles will be there, with Paul the “THIRTEENth,” as well.  Not to mention all the godly men and women of the Bible, and those faith-heroes of history and our lives as well.  How incredible to be joined together in one holy, heavenly place, united in victory through the Savior.  How astounding to share the stories of our struggle along the way, and to marvel at how God has faithfully led us there and used us along the way for his good purposes.

FOUR-TEENs, children, and adults … for young and old; male and female; rich or poor; beautiful, handsome, or “not-so-much” … for all the throng before the throne of Jesus, it will be a sight never before seen … and a sight that never grows old.

FIFTEEN-thousand boundless tiers of the colossal heavenly amphitheater filled with angels encircled around the Lord, worshiping him enthusiastically and unendingly – the countless believers from the centuries joining their song.  And everyone present will be counting their blessings from God, and praising him for them for all of eternity.

But let’s not wait until then.  Now’s a great time to thank God for his innumerable gifts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A newer song on Christian radio inspired this post.  It’s called “Counting My Blessings” and is written and sung by Seph Schlueter.  Here is the refrain and some of the words:

One, two, three – 
Up to infinity;
I’d run out of numbers
Before I could thank You for everything!

God, I’m still counting my blessings;
All that You’ve done in my life!
The more that I look in the details,
The more of Your goodness I find!
Father, on this side of Heaven
I know that I’ll run out of time.
But I will keep counting my blessings;
Knowing I can’t count that high.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Psalm 23:1,5b-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. … My cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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The Little Things

The Little Things

We are well aware of the big things.  They are frequently on our mind and seared into our consciousness.

We are very cognizant of our significant bills (mortgage, auto payments, etc.).  We know our financial picture … the money coming in and the money going out, and how those two factors relate to the other.  Health issues have a way of upending our day-to-day lives.  Strained familial, educational, occupational, congregational and social relationships impact us.  Technology goes haywire and vehicles or other mechanized conveniences break down and have to be repaired or replaced.  Big things, all.

But the big things that demand our attention aren’t always negative.  There is an abundance of positive things as well.  A visit with dear family members or friends.  A long-awaited vacation.  An unexpected windfall.  Accomplishing an unpleasant task that has hung over our heads indefinitely.  A new job begun or a financial debt resolved.  A new addition to the family.  These are also big things, but good things!

Typically we spend a lot of time focusing on the big things in our lives.  Those are the things we think about and pray about; the issues we devote our energy and personal resources toward.  Those are the matters that we seek or want resolved, and the ones that we are convinced will provide us with the greatest joy when resolved favorably.

And this point of view is normal and good.  It is also probably true.  However, the older I get the more I am learning to focus less on the big things, and reflect more upon the little ones.  I am convinced we would all be happier if we took more time to appreciate the small blessings. (Which really aren’t smaller blessings at all, even though we tend to look at them that way.)

James reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights … (James 1:17).  In other words, both the “big” blessings and the “little” blessings are wonderful blessings from our gracious God!  We would be wise to recognize this.

The list of “little blessings” is a long one!  Here are just a few that come to mind:

Another sunrise.  Blue skies punctuated with fluffy white clouds.  A lovely sunset.  Rain that waters the land and lulls us to sleep at night.  Flowers, shrubs and trees that burst into bloom.

A butterfly fluttering across the yard; a hummingbird hovering over blossoms; sparrows greeting the morning with song; an eagle gliding on wind currents; deer sighted in the distance.

A hug from a loved one.  A smile.  A kind word.  Time spent together with family and friends.

The smell of a baby; the sound of a toddler’s laughter; the sight of children playing; the feel of a young son or daughter’s (or grandson or grand-daughter’s) hand in yours; the taste of ice cream shared with youngsters.

A dog who is always happy to see us, no matter our mood.  A cat who purrs contentedly in our lap. 

A relaxing sit on the deck with an intriguing book.  Or even better, a nap in a hammock.  Naps in the recliner qualify too!

A simple task accomplished; a good meal enjoyed; a fun game played; a favorite show or ball team watched; a hobby pursued; a walk with someone dear.

A friendly card in the mail; an encouraging email; an unexpected but uplifting phone call; a warm greeting.

A memory remembered; a favorite song heard or sung; laughter and light-heartedness; the scent of your wife’s perfume.

The gift of sleep, and the gift of waking up again.  The lack of pain.  The use of our five senses.

Most would probably agree that these are “little things,” or at least things that we tend to take for granted.  But hopefully you also agree that they are big blessings as well … even if we don’t usually recognize them as such.

The Lord floods our lives with “little” blessings, and he gives us this encouragement: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In other words, recognize and treasure even the little things.  Maybe especially the little things!

I pieced together a partial list of little blessings.  What are some of the little things that bring you joy?  Please share!

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But for the Grace of God Go I

But for the Grace of God Go I

Due to the location of our church near down-town Tacoma, the congregation finds itself dealing with homeless folks and the issues they bring fairly regularly.  And there are definitely issues – many of which aren’t positive.  But not all of them are negative either.

It is not my intention with this post to mount my high horse and take a stand one way or the other on homelessness, or push a personal opinion or agenda on the matter.  Rather, I simply wish to make a few (hopefully helpful!) points to perhaps foster some healthy introspection.

I’ve had multiple conversations with folks living on the streets – usually after they have slipped into the church during a worship service or other activity.  This is one of the blessings of being in an area where the homeless inhabit.  Different congregational members and I have had many opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with folks struggling on the street, and to reflect Jesus’ love to them … many of whom don’t experience much wholesome love in their day-to-day situations.

Here’s my first observation: one cannot lump every homeless person into a generic category.  They are not all drug addicts or alcoholics.  They are not all mentally unstable.  They are not all choosing that lifestyle.  They are not all uneducated.  They are not all inconsiderate litterers.  They are not all criminals.  They are not all unbelievers.   

And they are certainly not all worthless.  (The Lord Jesus loves each one of them and died for them!  There is no higher value possible than that!)

Each individual is an individual with their own individual story. 

While transporting a soaking-wet woman to a safe place … a woman who walked in the church doors after the Christmas Day service, I asked her how she got in this situation.  She replied, “It’s a long story with many reasons, but it started with the death of my daughter.”  She also made the comment, “I wish more people asked that question instead of assuming the worst.”  Then she returned to singing along with the Christian Christmas songs playing on the radio.  She said, “I wish I would have gotten to church in time for worship this morning; I love the message of Christmas.”

The man who stepped into the Sanctuary this past Wednesday after worship had a different story.  After buying him a hot Pho meal (his choice!), he confided that he had to leave his home because of his abusive uncle.  When I asked if it was worse than living on the street, and could he go back there, he responded that if he did, his uncle would probably throw his mother out on the street.  He couldn’t live with himself if that happened.

While most who pop in end up asking for help of some kind (usually money), it is not at all uncommon for some to simply stay for worship.  The logical assumption might be that they are there because it’s a warm, dry place.  And that’s true for some, but others clearly relish the opportunity to hear God’s Word.  A gentleman who joined us recently actively participated in the service, and then afterwards asked me some theological questions that showed a clear mind and keen grasp of the Scriptures.  He never asked me for anything else.  He only wanted the Word.

While there is no doubt that many living in tent-cities are there because of significant personal issues, and a good share of them really do choose to live that way, there is also no doubt that there are some who do not.  They simply fell into it somehow, and desperately desire to crawl back out of it. 

The unfortunate reality, however, is that once one “gets down on their luck,” their “luck” is exceedingly slow to change.  Once dirty, disheveled and smelly, it’s pretty difficult to catch breaks … no matter how hard one may try.  The homeless shelters try to help, (God bless them!), but they have shortcomings as well. 

Between bites and gulps of his Vietnamese soup the other night, the homeless man in my truck confided that he had totally taken for granted the simple luxuries of life.  A hot meal.  A bed to sleep in.  A roof over his head.  A shower.  Comfort.  Safety.  He said he desperately wanted those things back, and if God gave them to him, he would never take them for granted again.

It is always sobering to have a heart-to-heart with someone on the street.  When it happens, I always find myself wishing I could do more for them, and I’m always astounded at the gratitude most have for the little I do.  It’s also impossible to fail to recognize how blessed I am … no matter my personal trials.  Furthermore, it’s impressed upon me that if a few things had gone differently in my life, I could be out on the street myself.  The same is true for you.

Which puts a whole different perspective on the matter.

But for the grace of God go I.  But for the grace of God go you. 

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Lamentations 3:21-25
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

James 1:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Psalm 146:1-2, 5-6
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. … Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — he remains faithful forever.

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Thanks-Giving!

Thanks-Giving!

On the last Thursday of November, our nation celebrates Thanksgiving.  People travel to be with loved ones.  Hugs are given; memories are shared; laughter is heard.  Families and friends gather around huge meals. 

Afterwards, some will settle in for a comfy nap on the coach or to watch football games, or both.  Others will go for a stroll, weather-permitting, to “walk off the extra calories.”  Groups will gather for cards or boardgames, or simply for pleasant conversation.  Some will check the store fliers to plan their Black Friday expeditions.  Still others will do something altogether different.  Every family and every person has their own Thanksgiving traditions, which is wonderful.

After all, it’s Thanksgiving!  It’s a national holiday … a day to relax and refresh.

But consider for a moment the name of the holiday.  The day isn’t called “Thanks-thinking.”  It was never intended to be a day where folks take the time for some self-ruminating on how good they have it.

Nor is it named “Thanks-gathering.”  That is, a day to get together with family and friends as a polite and pleasant acknowledgement of great blessings and a general nod toward gratefulness.

Rather, the day is named “Thanks-giving.”  That’s more than just reflecting about and rejoicing in one’s blessings, isn’t it?  The very name implies giving thanks to Someone, doesn’t it?  And there’s only One who has supplied us with all of our blessings.  It’s the Lord, of course. 

I wonder how many folks actually remember to thank the Lord on Thanksgiving Day.  It is the Lord who gave us life … and family … and a home … and food to eat … and clothes to wear … and vehicles to drive … and a place to live … and every single other blessing we enjoy.  And he’s even given us a Savior—the very best gift of all! 

The Bible informs us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. … He [even!] chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:17-18)

But in order to thank the One who gave all, a person has to know who that God is.  And they have to recognize how incredibly that God has blessed them.  Thankfully, you and I recognize both!

Which can only lead to one thing: giving thanks to our gracious God!

Happy Thanks-Giving, everyone!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.