October 21, 2018

Gratitude

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. – Psalm 95:2-3

What are you grateful for? Do you ever stop and think about it? Oh, I know. We’re supposed to count our blessings every day, but do you? Really?

It’s easy to focus on the big things. Family. Friends. Home. Job. Health. Those are all important. Sometimes they are even things we take for granted until we don’t have them anymore.

But what about the smaller things? In our country, we assume clean, running water and indoor plumbing. Until we don’t have it. Then we’re scrambling and whining. But here’s the thing: some people do without those luxuries every single day. Do you ever thank God for the water you use every day?

Do you thank Him for the food you eat? I’m not talking about a standard prayer before your meal. I’m talking about giving real thanks, the kind of thanks that comes when we realize how blessed we are to have food.

For most of us, when we are hungry we simply go into the kitchen and get something to eat. That’s not true for everyone. You might not always recognize those who don’t have enough to eat. Sometimes they’re the people who live down the street. Their children play with your children. You know they work. You assume they have enough food. Yet, many don’t.

What about medical care? Are you grateful that you can go to the doctor when you need to? Are you grateful that you and your insurance can afford whatever medications you need? We are blessed to have access to such wonderful medical care. Not everyone does.

We assume that everyone has insurance. Do they? Can they afford to use it? High co-pays and deductibles make medical care unreachable for some people. Medicine is an unaffordable luxury. It’s not about need or desire. It’s about reality. If you can afford medical care and medicine, you are blessed.

There was a photo of a beautiful little girl on the front page of the local newspaper today. She’s sitting in a wheelchair. A big bow highlights where her hair should be. You know what’s coming, don’t you? This little girl is fighting for her life. She wanted to be on the sidelines of the high school football game with her cheerleading class friends and her parents and others made that happen.

Don’t ever take your health for granted. Don’t take the health of those you love for granted. It can be gone in a flash. You could easily be the one living the unthinkable.

Gratitude does more than just change our attitude. It fuels our compassion for others. It helps us realize how blessed we are and how much we have to give back to God by loving others.

The next time you’re tempted to whine about what you don’t have or how busy you are or how much you dislike your job or a co-worker, stop. Consider your blessings. Thank God for your health, your job and the lessons He’s teaching you by sending a challenging person into your life.

Be grateful. Praise God. Feel peace.

April 7, 2018

Add A Little Gratitude

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

What are you grateful for? Really. Have you ever stopped to consider all that you have, the people who bless your life, the things that make your days easier? Or are you like the Israelites in the wilderness, complaining about everything and never being satisfied with anything?

Some people refer to this as the glass half-empty or the glass half-full. It’s how you see life. But many people who might see themselves as optimists aren’t really. How do I know? Because they complain all the time. Because they always look to the next thing to make them happy. Because they talk about their life as though the good old days have already passed on by.

What’s missing in your life? Maybe a spouse or children? How about a good job or even a job you love? Are you satisfied with your home? Your bank account? Are you longing for a vacation? Maybe the latest technology gadget? What are you so focused on that you’re missing the joy of today?

Ah, joy. Yes. That simple little word. Joy comes from the Lord. We’d just like a little extra in the form of blessings. But the thing is nothing will ever satisfy us until we are content in God. We’ll always crave what we don’t have until we realize that our worth doesn’t come from our financial assets, our social status, or our address, but rather from our status as a child of God.

There’s another way we show how ungrateful we are though we might not always see it that way. It’s when we try to control the people and events around us. Are you someone who is always trying to tell others what to do? Do you think you know better how to do just about anything than anyone else? Do others frustrate and anger you when they won’t go along with what you think is right?

It’s not about us. We know that. Most of the time anyway. But we really do want it to be about us. We are like spoiled little children, wanting to get our way all the time. We forget that the best things come when God’s children work together for His glory. If you’re not content to step back and work with others and really listen to what they say, well, maybe it’s because you need to get a little gratitude in your life. Other people are rarely as stupid as you think. Be grateful that you really don’t have to do it all alone and welcome the help of others.

Gratitude has a way of softening our hearts and changing our attitudes. It’s difficult to be upset when you truly notice all that’s good in your life. Gratitude puts things in perspective. It makes you realize what’s important.

Do you want to be happy? The next time you start to complain or lament what you don’t have, think about something you are grateful for. It could be something as simple as the roses blooming next door. Or it might be the soup you had for lunch or the child you just tucked into bed. Maybe it’s kisses from your dog or the sunshine coming down on your face. There’s always something to thank God for. Always.

February 5, 2016

See What’s Good

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. -- Philippians 4:8

What did you think about today? Were you stressed about work? Did you have a fight with your spouse? Did your child get in trouble at school? Were you overwhelmed by all the daily chores, like laundry and dishes and homework?

There are tons of things that fill up a day and push aside the good things that also are all around us. I could make you feel guilty right now. I could really turn it on and remind you of all those childless folks who long for children and would give anything to referee a sibling fight or help with homework. I could remind you of the people who are fighting cancer and would love to have the energy to do laundry and dishes. But I won’t.

It’s easy to focus on all the issues that cloud our day and make us long for a vacation or, at least, Friday. That means we spend much of our time longing for something else. That feeds on itself and pretty soon we’re consumed with all that’s wrong with our life instead of what’s right with it.

Stop for a minute and ask yourself what’s right with your life. Do you have good health? What about your family? Do you have a home? Do you have plenty of food to eat? Do you have a nice television? What about a computer?

But let’s not stop there. When was the last time you noticed the sky? The views can be breathtaking. What about flowers and birds? Did you enjoy the snow or the rain or the sun today? Did you make a few green lights on your drive home from work? I could keep going but I think you get the point.

There’s always something to be thankful for if we just open our eyes to see. It’s funny how that works too. The more we look around and focus on the good in our lives, the more good we see. And pretty soon we’re doing what Paul told us to do.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful today. It’ll change your attitude and your life.

January 5, 2016

Pray Without Ceasing

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What is prayer? Talking to God. Yes. But it’s so much more. Because this isn’t just anyone. It’s God! Our Creator. Our Father. The One who loves us more than anyone else ever could.

Yes. That’s the One. So it’s not just talking to anyone.

Of course, that’s a scary thought. What do you say to someone so powerful? Thanks. That would be a good start. Thank you God for everything you do for me. Thank you God for your Presence in my life. Thank you God for never, ever leaving me alone. Thank you God for loving me.

God could speak death over us but instead He gave us life. He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to live a sinless death and die for us. We could never have made it on our own. We could never, ever have measured up to God’s perfection. We faced eternal separation from Him. Damned by our own sinfulness. He saved us. Thanks seems so small when we really understand that.

January 7, 2015

God is Good

 

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His love endures forever.

-- Psalm 107:1

A sweet friend recently received a wonderful medical report. Her pathology results were fine. No cancer. Her Facebook post was flooded with comments. "God is good," some wrote. Yes, He is. But God would still have been good if her test results revealed cancer.

The same thing happened a few years ago when a tornado ripped through our town, killing nine and destroying the high school and numerous homes. Those whose homes were fine, whose loved ones came home, declared God's goodness. Were they saying God wasn't good to those who died, to those who lost loved ones and homes and businesses? I doubt they even considered it.

I am reminded of the story of the man who was born blind. You can read the story in John, Chapter 9. Jesus healed him and explained that neither the man nor his parents had sinned. He was born blind that the glory of God might be displayed in his life.

The sad truth is that we don't learn so much when life is going well. Nor do we rely greatly on God when we think we've got it all under control. We turn to God when this sinful world rips us apart. And that allows God to work in us and through us to glorify God.

God is good no matter our circumstances. God is good no matter what happens. We live in a fallen world. Death and destruction are all around us. God never promised to insulate us from all of that. What He promised is to walk with us through the storm, to be with us, to strengthen us, to carry us when we couldn't carry ourselves.

It's hard to grasp all this. We want a simple answer. And we get angry when bad things happen. We expect God to love us enough to protect us from everything bad. But His intention was never to put us in a bubble and dictate our every move. He loves us enough to let us live, making choices and coming into contact with people who make choices too.

What about natural disasters? Our world groans under the weight of sinful man. Yeah. There was that awful tornado. God carried us all through the days and months and years that have come afterwards. God is good. He never left us alone. He dried our tears. He provided miracles in the midst of horror. Would we have preferred that God made the tornado go away? Of course, we would. But that's not generally how God works.

God is good. Always. Us? Not so much. But God always loves us and is willing to help us. God never abandons us. He never leaves us alone with our mess, our tragedy, our sadness.

God is good. All the time. God is good.

November 27, 2014

Give Thanks Always

 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. We celebrate that first Thanksgiving, when Pilgrims and Indians came together to share a bountiful harvest. That was in 1621. Thanksgiving wasn't made a federal holiday until 1863, during the Civil War. I note all of this because when viewed in terms of world history, of Biblical history, it's a rather new holiday.

In this country, Thanksgiving is a time to gather together, to eat, to watch football and, increasingly, to shop. A few weeks ago I heard a sermon about the importance of slowing down during the holidays. We should take time to actually talk to one another. There was great concern that Thanksgiving was getting lost in the midst of our hurry toward Christmas and all its material gifts. All good points. There is certainly truth there.

Except that why should Thanksgiving -- a holiday created by man -- be the only day we concern ourselves with being grateful for all God does for us every day of the year? For that matter, why not talk and visit with family and friends other times as well? Why wait?

And why get upset when we are inundated with Christmas advertisements and all that goes with it? Shouldn't the real upset come from the materialization of the birth of Jesus Christ? It's not our birthday or so the saying goes. But we act as though it is. We all do.

I understood what the pastor meant. I did. My early childhood memories are filled with Thanksgiving Days spent at my grandparents' house, surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins and the occasionally friends and extended family. For some folks, that still exists but for many it is a time of rush, rush, rush. There is no time to enjoy, to savor, to make new memories.

That's how life is now and it's just so sad. We should make time each and every day to give thanks to God for who He is and all He does. For His Presence. For His love. For His grace and mercy. Thanksgiving should be every single day.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Take Time To Be Thankful

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

-- Psalm 118:28

What are you thankful for today? Family, friends, home, health, job. The list likely could go on and on. Most of us today will eat too much. We may watch a little football. We’ll likely share a few laughs. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll take a few moments to thank God for all He’s given us.

It’s a lot different from that first Thanksgiving back in 1621. The Pilgrims, as they’ve come to be called, were thankful for health and food. They’d come over the year before and endured a harsh winter. Only half of the Mayflower’s passengers and crew lived to see that first spring.

But some wonderful people from the Wampanoag tribe took pity on the settlers and taught them how to plant and grow crops, how to fish, how to thrive in the new land. And the two groups celebrated a fine harvest that November.

The Pilgrims had traveled to this land for different reasons. Some sought the opportunity to freely practice their faith. Others sought prosperity. Some wanted the chance to own land. Whatever their dreams, they no doubt were filled with gratitude that first Thanksgiving.

Sometimes I wonder if we know what heartfelt gratitude really means. We’re so busy looking forward to what we want in the future, that we don’t always take time to look around and see what we have today. We never let ourselves be content with where we are. We never seem to let that peace settle over us.

So what are you thankful for today? I’m grateful that we live in a country where Bibles are plentiful and we can worship wherever we choose. I’m grateful that we can freely express our opinions without fear of prison. I’m grateful that I have plenty of food to eat in a world, in a country, where people go hungry every day. I’m thankful for overall good health. I’m thankful for the eyeglasses that help me see. I’m thankful for clean drinking water. I could go on and on. When I start naming my blessings, I can’t seem to stop. God has been so very good to me. I am grateful for my blessings.

This Thanksgiving I’ll probably eat too much. And I’ll laze around and plot my Christmas shopping strategy. But I also want to take time to thank God, really thank Him, for the blessings He has bestowed on me. I am so grateful that He calls me His. I am thankful that one day I’ll be celebrating in God’s Presence. I have quite a bit to be thankful for. How about you?

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thank God For Protection

I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. -- Psalm 118:21

What was important to you yesterday morning? What was the focus of your life? Were you busy getting the kids to school and yourself to work? Were you stressed about a job situation or worried about money? Or maybe you just felt overwhelmed by the demands of a life on the go?

It’s amazing how quickly everything can change. When the sirens sounded and another storm approached, most people thought it would be just another small event. Oh, there might be some destruction. A few people might even lose their homes. But nothing major. Nothing widespread. Nothing that would impact on anyone you might know.

The storms killed close to 200 people in Alabama alone. That number may go up. Tuscaloosa looks like a war zone. Neighborhoods in Birmingham are gone. Rubble and chaos reign throughout so much of the northern part of the state. Citizens are too busy trying to find people who are missing to even consider the enormity of rebuilding shattered lives.

The tears flowed from the survivors. Of course they did. But there was an overwhelming sense of thanks. One man stood in front of what had been his home. Splintered wood and shattered glass mingled with remnants of a life. He pointed to a bathtub. He’d rode out the storm inside it, hanging on as it swirled and moved in the wind. He’s alive and grateful for that.

A young mother and her two young children hid in a Birmingham-area basement with relatives who lived nearby. Their house is gone. Of all the relatives in the area, only one house remains. They gathered there in the darkness to await a shattered dawn. Yet, there was reason to smile. They were alive and healthy. And the children’s dog, feared lost in the storm, was found alive and unharmed. Joy amid the dark devastation.

Life has forever changed by those impacted by the storms. Even those who had only minor damage will understand what could have happened. How fragile life is. How quickly all those things we value can be destroyed.

One man asked today why it takes something so devastating to make us treat each other with kindness and compassion. I don’t know. Maybe it takes something awful to make us look up from our self-filled world and see the people around us for the valuable, priceless creations that

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Thank God

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him -- and he was a Samaritan." -- Luke 17:15-16

How many times a day do you ask God to do something for you? Maybe you ask Him to protect you on a trip. Maybe you ask Him for help with a co-worker or a child. Maybe you need a little extra money or healing for someone you know. Maybe you're just frustrated and need a parking space ... right now! We all ask God for things big and small, day after day. But how often do we thank Him?

In this story, Jesus healed 10 lepers but only one came back and thanked Him. And that person was a Samaritan, a foreigner that the Jews looked down on. But he was the one who recognized the gift Jesus had given him. Do you see the gifts God gives you? Do you thank God when He does protect you, when He does provide healing, when He walks with you through difficult situations? Thank about it -- and thank Him right now.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Be Thankful

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

A brilliant moon lit my path as I drove home the other night. It was one of those crystal clear nights where the moon's fullness revealed God's magnificent glory. I thanked God for the beautiful sight.

I'm trying to do that more and more. I'm so quick to run to God about any little complaint but I want to be just as quick to thank Him for all the things He does for me each day. This computer, for example. My health and the health of my family. My dog. A home, complete with a bed and central heat and air. I have a bible to read and I don't have to worry that I'll be killed for reading it. The list goes on and on. God has blessed me with so many things.

His greatest gift to me, and you, was and is His Son, Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, we gain eternal life with God. That's a blessing beyond anything I can even comprehend. He loves us so completely. What a glorious gift that is!

Today is Thanksgiving Day. As Americans we remember the pilgrims and Indians gathering for a feast. I know that in this country one out of six children don't have enough food each day. I am grateful that I have food. I thank God and pray that I'll always have a heart to share the gifts He gives me with others.

God created this great land of ours. We have religious freedom that we sometimes take for granted. There are Christians throughout the world who die for their faith in God. We are blessed to live where we can worship Him without fear of attack.

It's easy to focus on what's wrong with our lives. It's a downward spiral that makes us forget all the blessings that surround us. When I get depressed, I start counting my blessings. It really does help refocus my mind. It fills me with hope. My God has done so much for me and He continues to love and bless me each day. I am thankful for His Presence in my life and all the many blessings He bestows on me each day.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Give Thanks To God

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God imn a loud voice."

-- Luke 17:15

I love the story of the 10 lepers. I think it clearly illustrates how most of us are in life -- so focused on ourselves that we fail to thank God for all the blessings he bestows on us.

For those unfamiliar with the story, 10 lepers cried out to Jesus for healing. They were outcasts because of their disease and required to stay away from others. Jesus did have pity on them. He told them to go and show themselves to the priest. That was required before a leper could rejoin others. What fascinates me is that they immediately left to go to the priest -- before they were healed. The Bible tells us "And as they went, they were cleansed." Amazing!

I want to have that kind of faith, to know without doubt that God will always do exactly what He says. I want to believe that way. But I also want to thank God for all He does for me. Because the sad part of this story is that only one of the 10 returned to thank Jesus. That person was a Samaritan, a foreigner, a member of a race despised by the Jews.

God does so many wonderful things for me each day. The other day a deer stopped just short of the new  car I was driving. I was thankful for what didn't happen because, honestly, I didn't have anything to do with it. God did it all. I'm thankful for the food I eat, for the opportunity to work, for my health. I am thankful for the rain, for my family and friends, for this great country we live in. It's so easy to focus on the negative but we have so many things to thank God for.

God is gracious and kind. He loves us and does good for us and to us because of that love. But just as we like to hear others thank us for our good deeds, God would like to hear praise and thanks from us. Not because we have to but because we want to. Because we love Him and we know our lives are in His hands.

Give Thanks

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We've all heard the advice. When you feel down or discouraged, start listing all the things you have to be thankful for. It's easy to focus on the negative and forget all the good. That's especially true when the money doesn't cover all the bills, your child is sick with the flu and your spouse is whining about his job.

Do you have a roof over your head? Are you warm? Did you have enough to eat today? Do you have a job? How about a car to get you to work? Overall health pretty good? Do you have a Bible to read? Can you read it without worrying about being thrown in jail? You have plenty of things to be thankful for. This is just the start.

The Bible tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. Life on this Earth will never be perfect. We live in fallen world. Horrible things happen. But we can be thankful for all our blessings and the secure knowledge that as believers, we one day will live in a perfect Heaven with Jesus.