November 2008
November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving. Many of you are aware that I have an ornery streak in me. It’s probably genetic since I could never have developed it on my own – i.e. “It’s not my fault.” Arh , arh. So I was thinking about Thanksgiving and I decided to write about “What I’m not thankful for this Thanksgiving.” This might be very revealing. However, every time I come up with something, I am reminded that God somehow uses the items on my list for something good.
I’m not thankful that my appetite gets the best of me and being overweight has been a constant battle throughout much of my life. It seems to me that God could have made me with a higher metabolism and lower appetite. However, this battle has driven me to God countless times. I cannot effectively wage this war without His assistance. If I was one of the “beautiful” people, I would probably just become stuck on myself and not consider the need for him in something so basic to my daily life.
I’m not thankful for exercise. It makes me sweaty, sore, and smelly. I just want to tell God that I’d appreciate it if He would have created me such that my muscles were self-exercising as I slept. No such luck. Yet, I’ve learned more about the concept of daily exercise of my “spiritual” muscles from the need and development of physical exercise than you can imagine. There are so many parallels to physical and spiritual exercise. It is amazing.
I’m not thankful for brussell sprouts. They’re funny looking and taste like I just went out in the back yard and started grazing. In fact, there is quite a list of foods for which I am not thankful and I won’t be eating any of them on Thanksgiving. Many of the children in
I’m not thankful for turkeys. They’re funny looking, they make annoying noises, and they walk funny. Wait a minute, that’s sounds like a description of me!
Alright, I’ve changed my mind. Lord, You win. In God’s world the only way to not be thankful for everything is not let Him use everything for the good. One person put it, “In Christ, the only way to lose is to quit.” I’ve even seen Him use that too!
Be thankful for EVERYTHING this Thanksgiving.
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don
November 21, 2008
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Legend has it that Ernest Hemmingway wrote those words as a “Six word story.” As you can see the six words are full of meaning.
This summer I heard a powerful message in which the speaker used six word memoirs to describe what God had done in peoples’ lives. A few dozen church members paraded across the stage. Each had written a six-word sentence to describe some of their life. They were very powerful statements.
This idea is derived from a book by the name: Not quite what I was planning. Six Word Memoirs, edited by Smith Magazine. “One tooth, one cavity, life’s cruel.” “Born a twin, died a loner.” “It was worth it, I think.” “Wife died young; on the mend.” “I’m ten, and have an attitude.” “Saw the world; now where’s home?” “Born with glaucoma . . . fading to black.” “Born bald. Grew hair. Bald again.” “If there’s more, I want it.”
I’ll be teaching a series of messages next year based upon six word sentences in the Bible. There are some very powerful ones there as well. “For such a time as this.” “No one can serve two masters,” “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
I am wondering, can you come up with a six word blessing to God for Thanksgiving? Here are some of mine. “Both hearts repaired by God’s love.” “God’s timing, always perfect, moving forward.” “I’m glad I’m not a turkey.” “Three beautiful daughters, incredibly blessed dad.” “Eyesight getting worse, insight getting better.”
How about having everyone around your table deliver a six word blessing to God this year? “Thanks be to God for His . . .” If you come up with some blessings, please send them along to me. I’d like to use them in a message. Let me know if you don’t want yours shared and/or if you want to remain anonymous. This Thanksgiving: Be a blessing, make a difference.
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don