Living Thankfully

What motivates us is interesting, and there are many: love, anger, grief, joy, greed, selfishness, personal gain. When my boys were young, the prospect of less stuff and less privileges proved to be a pretty strong motivator!

The only pure and undefiled motive for service is love for God. Too many Christians serve God from a foolish sense of debt, to which they become trapped. Truth is, we do not serve out of gratitude because there is nothing we can DO to repay God for what He has done! His grace is a free gift! The women of Luke 8 -- Mary [Magdalene], Joanna, Susanna – personally contributed financially to the ministry of Christ. They didn't do this out of some false sense of gratitude to The Savior although that alone was great. No, quite simply, they loved Jesus. There’s nothing magical about the one Thursday in November; actually, it’s the extra with respect to how genuinely grateful we are. The deepest gratitude comes from a heart of love and devotion to Christ; that alone causes us to testify of His greatness and respond with faithful obedience. The best motivator to thanks-giving is a heart committed to living thankfully all year long!

Speak Up and Out!

If repetition is the best teacher, Mr. Bill and I are real educators!  Most of our conversations with one another [these days] involve one or more of these phrases: what did you say,  will you repeat that, I can’t hear you, and eventually … never mind.

 

How important is it that you repeat yourself?  God thinks it’s very important: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).  Being diligent in something sounds pretty important to me!  If Mr. Bill didn’t ask me to repeat myself – just said “never mind,”  well, we’d probably stop talking to one another!  The telling and re-telling of God’s faithfulness and goodness from generation-to-generation was especially important before we had the written word.  Reading the Bible is critical to Christian maturity, however, testifying to one another should not be neglected.  What a wonderful season of Thanksgiving to speak words of gratitude!  Use words of testimony to God’s awesome goodness this week … Speak up and out!

Potential Sunshine

"The hands of those I meet are dumbly eloquent to me. I have met people so empty of joy that when I clasped their frosty fingertips it seemed as if I were shaking hands with a northeast storm. Others there are whose hands have sunbeams in them, so that their grasp warms my heart. It may be only the clinging touch of a child's hand, but there is as much potential sunshine in it for me as there is in a loving glance for others." -- Helen Keller

 

Did that give you a mental picture of someone?  I believe it is truly a tender gift from The Father when one cannot help but emit His Love.  It may be a gentle & quiet spirit or perhaps a warm & genuine acceptance.  However His Love is manifest, its sincerity cannot be mistaken nor the depth defined from which it comes.  There is within each of us great potential for sunshine. Sir James M. Barrie wrote, "Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."  It is written "he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25)  Let us be challenged to embrace The Source of our potential sunshine, and let it shine forth!

Be Reminded -- Give Praise, Part 5

Growing things is not my thing. That is, unless it’s in the refrigerator; I grow things quite well there. Mr. Bill, however, is pretty good at making things live in our yard because he works at it. One of his projects thirty years ago was a tree that I brought home in a coffee can. He worked a miracle, and in the fall it turns a brilliant shade of orange!

There’s always a price to be paid for rebellion and disobedience: “He changes rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into a thirsty ground; a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.” (Psalm 107:33-34) Of course, we don’t intend to make life more difficult but it is the cost of going our own way. Brokenness, however, of a humbled – confessed – repentent soul certainly changes the landscape! “He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water; and there He makes the hungry to dwell, so that they may establish an inhabited city, and sow fields and plant vineyards, and gather a fruitful harvest.” (Verses 35-37) See, there’s much gain to those who acknowledge their sin and the great sovereignty of God. “Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the loving kindnesses of the Lord.” (Verse 43). Be reminded evermore -- Give praise!

Be Reminded -- Give Praise, Part 4

Mr. Bill often refers to how busy he is as “up to my eyeballs in alligators.” Well, since alligators aren’t the warmest, cuddliest, or friendliest of God’s creatures, this phrase doesn’t describe pleasant circumstances.

No doubt, our present struggles can certainly bring on massive anxiety and leave us with feelings of … eyeballs-and-alligators. The Psalmist describes it well: “Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:23-27) Wit’s end – we all know where that is: the laundry is piled high & the washer’s on the blink; the kids are sick & the doctor’s not in; the mailbox is full & the checking account is empty … wit’s end. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven.” (Verses 28-30) Our haven … of rest, peace, calm. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of man.” (Verse 31) Be reminded -- Give praise!

Be Reminded - Give Praise, Part 3

No one wants to be called a fool unless it’s Flip Wilson doing the name-calling. It was one of his flamboyant characters, Ernestine’s, famous lines. Of course, it wasn’t so much WHAT “she” said but HOW it was said that caused us to laugh hysterically.

The Bible’s reference to fools is certainly no laughing matter! Rarely is there a disconnect between foolish behavior and its root cause, “Some are fools because of the way of their transgressions and are afflicted because of their iniquities. They loathe every kind of food, and they draw near to the gates of death.” (Psalm 107:17-18) Sickness is rampant in this life, and I’m not JUST referring to physical sickness. Sickness of the soul is far more serious and far-reaching! There is hope for healing: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them. And delivered them from their destructions.” (Verses 19-20) “Yes!” to physical healing, but “Hallelujah” to souls healed and delivered. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” (Verse 21) Be Reminded! Give praise.

Be Reminded - Give Praise, Part 2

There’s computer software named the Daily Reminder; can you guess its purpose? To … remind daily. Our dog used to bark to remind Mr. Bill to feed him. My family wasn’t quite so subtle: “what’s for dinner” seemed to work fine for them.

Nothing seems to remind us of what we’ve neglected more than the state of misery. The truly honest even admit when it’s self-induced! Psalm 107:10-11 describes a too-common circumstance: “There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High.” Have you noticed [what we call] freedom to do-as-we-please usually ends up putting us in the most-confining chains, causing … misery? It only gets so dark or so deathly or chains so tight before we’re seeking help, and God faithfully responds: “He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart.” (Verse 13-14). And the grateful respond: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” (Verse 15). Be reminded – give praise!

Be Reminded - Give Praise, Part 1

What do you do to remind yourself of important things? Sticky notes – marker board – electronic reminders – write on your hand? Mr. Bill calls his phone and leaves himself a voice message. Such a strange-smart guy!

Why do we have to be reminded to praise The Creator? It should be second-nature … like breathing, walking, or talking. Psalm 107:4 describes man’s wandering soul – lost, hungry, thirsty, faint. As I pondered this, I realized being physically lost does not compare to being spiritually lost: physical wandering manifests itself with-OUT while spiritual wandering manifests with-IN. Eventually, we find our way home [in the physical sense], but there is only One Way to be spiritually home [at peace] and that is by way of The Savior. He’s put that divine compass inside that points only one direction. And about those wandering souls, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city.” (107:6-7) And what do they do when delivered, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!” (107:8) We stand reminded. Give Praise!

Grateful Hearts

You know it’s the wishing season! Here comes the longings for newer, sleeker, smoother, shinier, prettier, more high-tech stuff. Most of us have more gizmos and gadgets on our "this and thats" than we know how to operate. I’ve just learned how to DVR a program!

What’s the recipe for a grateful heart? This could be it: "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." (1 Timothy 6:6-8) God's goodness simple yet profound -- His greatest blessings and our greatest joys are rarely extravagant. We know them in the eyes of children, a gentle breeze, an inviting porch swing, time shared with a friend, squirrels gathering acorns, a bowl of warm soup, sunlight peeking through the blinds. When we refocus on the simple blessings, those pesky longings and for this and that fade, and the God of grateful hearts is honored and glorified.

True Light

The call was clear. Response was swift. The mandate was certain – find the deer at all costs. The weapon, a FGI-IRIA Game Finder, summoned from its place of reserve to assist rescue. Complete with motion detection, temperature sensitivity, bar graph display, and dual element detector capable of detecting changes in temperature of less than one degree, the weapon was sure to befriend the Legendary Tracker Bill. Only one thing stood between him and success -- one small yet missing 9-volt battery. I kept telling myself there really was no humor in this situation.

Christ's chosen ones are never without Source of power. It is never absent, and never weak. Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world." Beyond the surface of this verse, we see divine Light needs no power source -- it IS the power source! It’s the light Who feeds all others, empowers, supplies, illuminates, dispels darkness. Claiming such power, fully available to us, causes us to never lose our way again. So, what was the ending to the infamous tracker’s mission of mercy? An alternate source of light was found and all was well. Aren’t you glad we’re never without The True Light!

Make Up Your Mind

Do you ever stall out in the soft drink section? Geez, I remember when the choices just were not so overwhelming. And, now, there’s actually a drink machine that offers 100+ combinations. So many choices -- what’s a mind to do!

Let's face it: choices are a reality of life. The choices at times are simple and obvious, but at other times complicated and not-so-obvious. No mistaking, however, choices rule our lives. The long-lasting and far-reaching consequences of our choices are frequently immeasurable. Just the same, the quick take of our choices often determine the quality of life as well as our state-of-mind. Barbara Johnson sums things up best, "Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional." What is required of us is a faithful heart, tuned in to God to know what is best, what is honorable, what is ... His way. The Psalmist David penned it well, "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." (Psalm 51:6). How will we choose to live each day: happiness over sorrow? freedom over bondage? peace over turmoil? victory over despair? love over hate? joy over misery? For sure, the choice is ours! Make up your mind, and choose wisely.

Stay Empty!

Think about empty things: laundry baskets, trash cans, tea pitchers, bank accounts, gas tanks, refrigerators, dishwashers. Yeah, some make us smile … and, yeah, some do not!

God sees empty as a good thing! So is an empty trashcan when I have a hand full of trash! Consider then how a Christian can possibly be of real use to God when we are full of everything else! Paul writes, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Honorable vessels don’t just happen; they’re made so by the work of the Holy Spirit as we seriously pursue righteousness. Be assured, however, the shaping and perfecting of an honorable vessel is never by human means but rather by the power of the Master Potter as it seems good” to Him. (Jeremiah 18:4). Empty laundry baskets and trashcans – well, they’re just delightful! So is the born-again heart, empty and ready to do the Master’s work! Stay empty!

Get Personal

Does it bother you when people ask you personal questions? Some folks just like to be up-close-and-personal in other people’s business. Rarely does it offend me to be asked an otherwise personal question. When I’m done, the person usually wishes she’d never asked!

Just like King David, Christians should be confident God has a design for our lives: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11). Much secular wisdom has been written because people are hungry to know their life-purpose. Truly, God wants to show us more than we want to know! So, why do we struggle so with this “why am I here” question? For me, I’ve found the greatest hindrance is because I know too little of Him! Knowing God’s will requires more than just knowing The Savior – it involves having a personal relationship with The Savior! Excuse the personal question, but just how “personal” is Christ to you? Get personal!

Your Move

Board games are almost a forgotten past-time. I used to love to trick Nanny into thinking it was my move when it wasn’t. It didn’t take her long to keep an eye on me, and defend her turn at rolling the dice! This memory makes me giggle!

Has anyone ever asked your advice then either argued about it or ignored it? Did it not leave with this feeling of … waste-of-breath! Unfortunately, that’s what Christians do many times. We face something hard or God reveals a new truth yet we fail to apply what-we-know to be true and right. Besides being disobedient, we act … stupidly [we’re not stupid, just act like it J]. The best plan-of-action is always to put-into-practice what is new and relevant especially when it comes to following Godly counsel. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me …” – that’s a command of action, not a suggestive option. Words from Almighty God aren’t passive in nature; they are directive, true, and reliable. As we apply God’s words, act them out, we draw near to The Father as He draws near to us: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). Clearly, when God speaks … it’s your move!

Belly-Up

Mr. Bill is spraying for bugs!  At least once a year, he gets out his sprayer and sprays the baseboards.  Actually, it works pretty good since most all the bugs I see are belly-up!  Yes!

 

God calls for perseverance.  Poor bugs strive to persevere, but [thankfully] it just don’t happen around here!  Sadly, Christians don’t always persevere either.  Satan likes nothing more than to cause us to fall.  He’s pretty good at hitting below the belt – dangling in front of us the very sin that entices and entangles.  There’s few things that crush me more than to know my weak link, then fall for his nasty tricks anyway.  Oh, how wonderful when we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9) then send us on our way without further condemnation.  Just when Satan is whooped and we are free to move on, he reminds us of the sin for which we’ve been forgiven.  Then the guilt cycle begins: forgiven but not forgotten, forgiven but not forgotten, forgiven but not forgotten.  I take that personal beating again and again until finally it’s just Jesus and me, and His words break through: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11).  Mr. Bill’s bug spray is potent; well, so is the power of God against self-inflicted guilt of past sin.  Forgiven sin is in the past where it must stay; it is dead and gone … it’s belly-up!  Let us rejoice and live on in the light of God’s amazing grace!