Thanksgiving

We have just celebrated Thanksgiving and what a wonderful time of the year it is. On this occasion we normally stop to count our blessings. I read where a group of houswives got together and compiled a list of things they were thankful for. The list read like this, we're thankful for:
*Automatic dishwashers because they make it possible for us to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back in for their afternoon snacks.
*Husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house because they usually make them big enough to call in the professionals.
*Children who put away their things & clean up after themselves, they’re such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents.
*Teenagers because they give parents an opportunity to learn a second language.
*Smoke alarms because they let you know when the turkey’s done.
While this is a humorous response, there are many things we could mention that create a spirit of gratitude. For instance with all the sin, stress, and loneliness in the world I am thankful for the mercy and forgiveness of God, for my health and sanity, and for my family and friends. These things foster within me a spirit of thanksgiving. What about you? I'm sure you could generate your own list that would far exceed mine. However, the important thing is not who has the longest or the best list. No, what matters most is that we have a list that we cite often so that our lives are never void of the spirit thanksgiving nor our lips a word of thanks.

The Power of Unity

Some years ago in North Carolina there was a story about two female musicians who performed together. One was black and the other, white. They called their duo Ebony and Ivory. Both of the women only had one hand. One had lost her left hand in an accident. The other had lost her right hand. Neither knew of the other, but both were brokenhearted after the tragedy they had individually faced because they would never play the piano again. But a third woman heard of their plight and put them in contact with each other. When the two one-handed pianists came together, they found that each could supplement the other. Together they could again play their beloved piano. When the black hand and the white hand were skillfully coordinated with each other, the maimed musicians could coax beautiful sounds from the instrument. God calls us together in our brokenness and with our differences because He has given us to each other. Each supplements what is missing in the other. Together and only together with our differences are we whole and ready to serve, and compliment each other--and that's the power of unity.

Getting What We Ask For

In Matthew's gospel there is a verse given that is quite refreshing. It goes like this, "Ask and it shall be given you." I don't know about you but I think that's some kind of promise. While it builds my faith it also creates questions for me. I can't help but ask, "do we always receive what we ask for?" The reason I even dare to question such a thing is because there have been times when in my asking for something it appeared that God did not hear or He gave me right the opposite of what I wanted. This could be disconcerting but the following words help me to keep things in perspective. I hope they do the same for you.
I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for but everything I hoped for;
In spite of myself, my prayers were answered -
I am among all men most richly blest.
God in His infinite wisdom does answer. The thing I must remember is to the take what he gives me. Although it may not look like what I asked for, it will be exactly what I need.

What is the problem?

For more than twenty years Professor Edwin R. Keedy of the University of Pennsylvania Law School used to start his first class by putting two figures on the blackboard 4 2. Then he would ask "What's the solution?" One student would call out "six." Another would say "two." Then several would shout out "eight!" But the teacher would shake his head in the negative. Then Keedy would point out their collective error. All of you failed to ask the key question: "What is the problem?" Gentlemen, unless you know what the problem is, you cannot possibly find the answer." This teacher knew that in law as in everyday life too much time is spent trying to solve the wrong problem. Could this have been the case with the miracle performed in John 6? Here we find thousands of hungry people. Jesus wants to feed them so He asks Phillip where they can buy bread so that the multitude can be fed. In mere pessimism this disciple responds by saying, "Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little." The verse prior says that Jesus "said this to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do." Jesus had the answer but he wanted Phillip and the other disciples to discover the problem. Simply stated they suffered from poor eye sight. They had the inability to see the vision Jesus had in this situation. What they saw was an impossibility; Jesus saw an opportunity. The issue was not the hungry multitude but rather their lack of vision. Could this be our story. Is it possible that Jesus has the answer for our needs, but is desperately trying to get us to see the problem? He sees big things in store for our lives. However, the question is "what do you see?"

The Pool

Let me begin by asking the question "what is your biggest problem at present and how is it hindering your life?" In John chapter 5 we are introduced to a man that has been sick for 38 years. When Jesus sees him and asks if he wants to get well, he responds by focusing upon his biggest problem. He says, "when the water is troubled I have no one to put me into the pool." Jesus was offering this man an opportunity to be healed but he was preoccupied by the pool. He like many was focused upon the wrong thing. Too often our problems become our pool, which limits our lives. The problem becomes the focus of our lives. It becomes our pet and each time we are challenged to move beyond it we grab it and say "you see I have this problem." It is easy to blame our problems for where we are in life. According to the Bureau of Standards in Washington a dense fog covering seven city blocks to a depth of 100 feet is composed of less than one glass of water. That amount of water is divided into about 60 billion tiny droplets. Yet when those minute particles settle over a city or a countryside they can almost blot out everything from your sight. Many Christians today live their lives in a fog. They allow a cupful of troubles to cloud their vision and dampen their spirit. Anxiety, turmoil, and defeat strangle their thoughts and limit their potential. Jesus offered the paralytic the opportunity to move beyond his pool. He took the deal and received physical and mental healing. Jesus offers us the same; the ability to move away from our problems and into the realm of promise. I'm ready, aren't' you?

Attaining Maturity

My wife and I just returned from spending a week with our daughter and grandchildren. Needless to say we were very busy. A part of my responsibilities for the week among many was escorting the kids to school. It had been a long time since I had run the family taxi. Immediately the realization came to me that I had become far removed from the everyday skirmishes that transpire among siblings. All the memories returned as I heard statements like, "I called the front seat first, move over" and "That's my shirt you're wearing." It all came back to me. These are the kind of things that cross the boundary lines of every generation. The reason being is immaturity. While we expect this out of children, we don't expect to hear it resonant from adults. But yet such things remain a part of our vocabulary. This is especially true in the church world. Is that not a major reason for much of the disunity in the body? We want to be first. We want position and we don't want anyone wearing our gift. Was this not the issue Paul was addressing in Ephesians 4 when he emphasized flexibility and versatility in the body? Through forbearance, meekness, and long suffering we are to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" and strive to become the "perfect man." This means that at some point maturity is to be attained. When this happens we find ourselves acquiescing to the point of yielding to others in prayer and preference that the body can be a proper display of Christ. While achievable, it may be easier said than done. May God help us all as we engage in the process!

A Blessing

This week my wife and I are taking a few days of vacation. We are headed to Olive Branch, Mississippi to visit with our daughter and the grand babies. We are so excited because it has been several months since we have seen them. The mere fact that we get to visit will be a celebration within itself. However, added to this excitement will be the opportunity for us to participate in a wedding ceremony and to welcome into our family a new son-in-law. For me an occasion such as this provides the opportunity to speak words of blessing. In a world where curses are unleashed daily through the use of inappropriate words it is refreshing to change the atmosphere by speaking blessings. It is a well known fact that our words can light up a room or bring incredible darkness. They can produce hope or hopelessness as well as fear or faith. In light of this, it is so important that we be prepared to say the right things. So in my preparation I came across what is called the "Irish Wedding Blessing." I thought how great it will be to speak these words over my family. But even greater was the thought of what a privilege it would be for me to speak it over those who read this blog. Although it is intended for a specific audience, I close by offering this as a blessing to you and your family!
May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children's children,
May you be poor in misfortunes,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness,
From this day forward