(Backup) Gratitude Schmatitude — What’s The Big Deal

Ever since I was a little kid, my mom would remind me, “Paul, say please and thank you.” I can understand the please, it’s a requisite to getting something. But the “thank you” part seems unnecessary. Why should I say thank you for someone doing their job, for a mother’s love, or for a polite gesture from a complete stranger, for that matter. I didn’t ask them to open the door. I mean, if they did it for the response, then where is the ultruism in the act? It’s not that I think I am entitled to the goodness of others, it’s just that the goodness should be displayed regardless of a thank you. 

My mother complained to me one time that my brother didn’t appreciate all that she had done for him. “If only he would say thank you. Is that too much to ask?” I told here if his ingratitude bothered her so much, then maybe she should stop giving to him, or doing so much for him. It’s much easier to complain about others ingratitude than to own up to the fact that it is the comments of appreciation that are coveted. 

Gratitude is an expression of appreciation for an act of kindness shown by someone else. The greater the act of kindness the greater the expression of gratitude. Gratuity that we pay at restaurants is a prime example. Often the reciept will give suggested options (I’ve never seen one under ten percent). The greater the service, kindness, and promptness impacts the rate of which I pay in gratitude. It’s the same way in life, and in our spiritual lives as well.

Maybe that’s why the Bible talks a lot about Gratitude. Imagine standing at your window, watching the snow blow gently across your lawn. How marvelous to know that it wasn’t a mistake, that God works all things together for good. Each morning is a gift for which we should express gratitude. Each breath is a gift for which we should give thanks. When all the mornings and all the breaths are taken away, may our hearts take flight for the greatest of loves, and our tongue confess gratitude for His glory above.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit”1 Thess. 5:16b-19.

Gratitude is God’s will. Gratitude opens the door for the Spirit to work. Gratitude is on-going and in EVERY situation. Gratitude is the borromotor of our spiritual health. So today I would like to express my gratitude:

For the saving love of Jesus, and the life giving Spirit that dwells in me.

For my wife, who is the living example of Christ’s love in my life.

For my children, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, and Abrar (my Bahraini daughter) who are the joy of my life.

For a church family (warts and all) who is willing to walk through this messy life together, offering grace, expressing love, and chastising when appropriate.

For the means to live comfortably and to bless others when needed.

The freedom of liberty that our country enjoys by the grace of God.

There is much more that I will express in the privacy of my prayer, but for now I want to say thank you, to you, for what you mean to me. I’m just saying.

What I am Thanful for—the grandnephews and nieces

What are you thankful for?

Grand Nephew 1. “It can’t be for the turkey. I’m thankful for church.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for church?

Grand nephew 1. Pause...”I just am.”

Me. “That’s good, I’m thankful for church because it’s where we go to worship together.”

Grand niece 1. “I’m thankful for food.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for food?”

Grand niece 1. “Because it keeps us from starving.”

Me. “Well, we didn’t starve today, did we?”

Grand nephew 2. “I’m thankful for family, because they give you someone to play with.”

Me. “Why are you, oh,...playing with family can be a lot of fun.”

Grand niece 2. “I’m thankful for God.”

Me. “Why are you thankful for God?”

Grand niece 2. “Because he made everything.”

Me. “That’s right, and I’m glad he made you.”

Grand niece 3 (eyes old). “Unintelligible.”

Me. “I know what you mean.”

Me. “I’m thankful for Grandchildren, no matter whose they are, because they tie me over until I get to see mine.” At the end of the evening they each gave me as big a hug as they could to hold me over until my grandchildren come in a few weeks. I don’t know about you, but I had a great Thanksgiving! Oh, yea, and the Turkey was great too! I’m just saying...

Dogs Do, What Dogs Do

My neibors, to the south, at least I think it is south, Bluffton is layed out at an angle, anyway. My neighbors have a mangary of dogs and cats. The gentleman will walk his five small dogs along his property line and behind him will be an assortment of cats and kittens. They follow him, there has to be at least 20, and they’re cute, and for the most part stay away from our house. Not that we don’t like cats, but I’m not sure what Porthos would do, or at least I didn’t know what Porthos would do.

I was in my garage, door open, when I saw a wall of fur flash by. Behind him, which seemed funny, was a cat runny toward the dog that stood between it and freedom. I didn’t think Pothose could maneuver so quickly, and neither did the cat. The feline disappeared beneath the thick coat of the canine. I started yelling at Porthos to come. He looked up and then down, resuming his (I can’t even bear thinking about it) attempt to subdue the cat. Finally, he relented to my calls and the cat fled beneath the trees that boardered the property. I couldn’t tell, but beneath the fury smile of my dog might have been a little cat nip.

“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion” Eccl. 9:3,4.

That poor cat almost experienced what happens to every living thing—death. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that death is an evil. The idea that death is just a part of the circle of life is a lie. Death is an evil, an enemy, it was never meant to be a part of our experience. Death is the result of sin, it’s a curse, it’s the consequence of our rebellion against God. That is why we pray for Jesus to return. His coming brings the final reconciliation and death will be thrown into the lake of fire. The problem is that those who are still in their disbelief will suffer the righteous judgement of God. That’s why the writer says it is better to live with hope, even if wickedness is all around us. Some might come to believe. Peter puts it like this,

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.

As long as He is patient. As long as we are alive. As long as there is day, it is better to be a live dog than a dead lion (cat). I’m just saying...

What I Should Have Said

How do you make the difficult decisions in your life, especially if they affect other people? How do you make decisions when everyone has different perspectives, different goals, and different ideas?  What if you know what the right decision is, but to make it, or require others to make it, breaks trust? In the book of Philemon the right choice was to receive Onesimus with open arms, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. The implication was that every slave who believed should be a brother and not property. It would undermine the whole Roman system.  Paul, however, didn’t care about provincial customs, cultural taboos, or religious ritual. He cared only for the will of God. If that meant relinquishing his “right” to authority in order to give people the opportunity to do the right thing, giving them the right to fail, he would do it. The reason he could allow people to fail is because he truly believed the sovereignty of God.

God’s will is immutable. God’s will is omnipotent. God’s will is omniscient. God’s will is all powerful. God’s will is holy. God’s will is righteous. God’s will is pure. God’s will is true. God’s will is just. God’s will is good. God’s will is pervasive. As such, God’s will doesn’t need our help, unless he asks for it, and whatever God’s will is, we can’t thwart it. So if Paul let’s someone make a decision, no matter the outcome, God’s will will be accomplished, either now or in the future. Paul said, “God works all things together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The problem arises when there are multiple decisions that are conflicting. It’s mind boggling to think that God works it all together. All we have to do is to open our eyes to see God’s hand at work. Maybe what we need to do in order to see God’s hand at work, is to open ours, and let go…I’m just saying.

By the way. This Sunday in Church we will have a time of open sharing, where people can stand up and voice their heart of Gratitude, and the congregation can rejoice together. Be thinking of what you will share.

One Man, One Hour, God’s Glory

It’s only lonely at the top if you push everyone else off. Our culture looks at power and authority in terms of who is first or in charge. Leadership books and articles will talk about the need for collaboration, working together, sharing responsibility (both blame and praise). It never really works that way. There is always someone who will take the fall or bear the ire of shareholders or customers. 

I guess it really isn’t our culture. Jesus chastised the disciples for the same thinking. “Who will be first?” He reoriented their thinking, it’s the servant who is first. Of course he had to teach that lesson over and over before they got it. Even then it came down to one man who ended up taking the blame for everyone else, because Jesus is the only one who can shoulder such responsibility. It really comes down to one thing, and it isn’t about who is first or last. It is about the man who God calls to a task, and is willing to stand or fall against the back drop of God’s will. Look at the falling list of men God called to an impossible task, only to find it possible through His grace.

Adam — “Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Cor. 15:45

Noah — “When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son

and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” Genesis 5:29

Abraham — “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” Genesis 17:5,6

Job — “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”” Job 1:8

David — “the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:12,13

John the Baptist — “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:11

Jesus — “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Peter — “Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:18,19

Paul — “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:6,7

Jesus — “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.” Rev. 19:11-23 

Each of us face a moment in which we chose to walk down one of two given roads. The proverbial fork in the road. The one you chose will shape you the rest of your life. The only sure thing is that whichever road you chose, it needs to be God’s best for you. That takes wisdom, counsel, and fortitude, because once you chose the evil one wants nothing more than to cause you stumble. If you do stumble, you are likely to stumble alone, unless your are blessed with friends who will walk the tough road with you. Be of good cheer, Jesus never leaves or forsakes us. What type of person will you be today? What road will you chose? Who will you take with you. I’m just saying...

Slaying Monsters

Imagine standing at the mouth of a very large cave. You had heard the stories, and they must have been true, for surely in just the telling of them, made them even more real. True or false the cave stood before you like the mouth of the monster itself. Why, you thought out loud, would anyone want to enter the cave in the first place. There must be more noble endeavors to keep oneself occupied. Yet, there you stood, sword in hand. It felt light in your grip, at least for a moment. The fine carved stick soon weighed as heavy as any real sword, of any real knight. 

The wind blew past your head, hair wildly blowing, and howeling down the cavern’s mouth. A flicker of light, was it real? The low moan, was it the wind or something else? Frozen with fear kept your feet from running away, and forward seemed the only option. Each stepped echoed in your ears, as only soft foot falls could be heard by the creatures scurrying away. The light flickered again, and the shadow against the wall exentuated the horrible teeth just beyond the vile curtain of smoke. 

“It is my destiny,” the little knight said, chest puffed out. “It is what I was meant to do, it is what I must do.” Sword held high the young warrior marched to what was most likely to be his doom. No longer did his knees quake. No longer did his heart pound within his chest. No longer did he wield his trusty sword. For what lay beyond the glowing lights and hell pale smoke was not what he might have expected, I know for a fact he hadn’t  a clue. But when he rounded the inner chamber there it—-no, there she sat. His little sister, a small table, and the most precious table of tea. “Would you like some,” she asked? “Indeed I would,” he said. 

The wind blew through the hall window and blew the bedroom door shut, and both brother and sister jumped in fright, and then rolled in laughter.

What is your destiny? What are you meant for? We each have a purpose, a calling that can only be achieved if we face the monsters in front of us. Whether real or imaginary the creepy, crawlies of our lives are designed to tear down, to keep us quaking in fear. With confidence we can march headlong toward our doom if we know that the outcome is sure. For nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing can stand against us if the Lord is in our side.  Nothing can storm the gates of heaven and prevail, for the Lord is on our side. For we are more than conquerors in Christ and the monsters that loom so large, whisp away at the name of Jesus. Even little sisters....I’m just saying...

Itchy Palms, I Mean Crazy Itchy Palms

I had lunch with a good friend today. We went to a restersunt I had never been to before, and was hopeful when I saw BBQ in its name. Never judge a book by its cover, but this place looked more like “bar meets supper club” (If you don’t know what a supper club is then you’ve never lived in Wisconsin). To my delight it was wings Wed. and how can you let that go by. I ordered the Kickin’ BBQ, and was assured that the only thing that it would kick is a sleeping dog. It lived down to its expectations. Don’t get me wrong the sauce was good, and I was happy to let sleeping dogs lie. 

On the way back to the church it started, and I wasn’t sure if I would make it. The intestinal distress came on like a flood, and when I jumped out of the truck...let’s just say casual greetings and pleasant helloes were not first on my agenda. Then all was well. Until I was sitting talking with a coworker. The palms of my hands began to itch. I mean, get down, rub off the skin itchy. Pointed in the direction of the kitchen I grabbed the benedryl anti itching stick and rubbed it all over the palms of my hands. Suffice it to say, it did little to help. I then soaked my hands in hot water, and the itching eventually subsided, along with the intestinal distress. We called the restaurant and asked for the sauce ingredients, nothing unusual there. It remains a mystery, but there is a superstition surrounding itchy palms. According to “budgets are sexy.com” the following could be an answer.

There’s an old superstition that when your palms itch it means money. An itching left palm means money to be paid out, while an itching right palm is money coming in. To stop the left palm from itching, the superstition says to rub the palm on a piece of wood.

There may be something to this old tale, since itching palms often show new internal energy moving through the hands. The left hand is the passive or receptive, and the right is the active. When the left palm itches, look for new energy or services coming into your life – Of course this will probably cost you some money. The right palm itching means energy or services going out – Work you might get paid for.

Touching or rubbing wood is a very old method for transferring or releasing unwanted energy buildup (thus expressions like “touch wood”), so if your left palm itches, try rubbing it on the corner of a table – If you don’t get a splinter, perhaps you’ll save some money!

Well, it was payday and I did pay some bills. Both palms were equally itchy, so I guess my finances will equal out. They usually do. “Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?” (Proverbs 17:16). All I know is that constant, intense itching would be a horrible way to live or die. Next time I will try the wood...I’m just saying.