Thank Therapy

I have had a small case of the blahs this morning. I spent time in God's Word, Luke 21 precisely. Spent time in prayer. My commute was filled with spontaneous singing of praise and prayer, no radio or CD, just my voice and God's ear. Once in the office I prayed through our staff list. And while my mood lightened, I feel compelled to do some thank therapy right here.

I'm thankful for: God who loves me and desires relationship w/ me, Traci, my wife whom I cherish and adore, my church, its staff and mission, my family, birth and in-law who love me despite my strengths and weaknesses, the work I have for the kingdom, the friends and volunteers who share it with me, for the students God brings in our path, for the fact that God designed me to be a huge dreamer, for coffee, random soft drinks that the masses don't know about, sugar cake, well lets just say food, for my home and pets, for Scrabble, for my mistakes and the grace that God has used to mold me, for four seasons, for.....

Okay, I feel better now! Every time I take a look at the many blessings God has given me my spirit soars. I guess that is why the apostle Paul said to give thanks in all things. What are you thankful for today? Ultimately it is not the blessings that should cause us to thank God, but the truth that while we were yet sinners, He sent His son, Jesus to go to the cross for us that we would gain relationship with the Father and live forever with Him. That is the blessing that we have, Jesus. All else pales in comparison to that. In Jesus alone is the world is blessed. I'm a sinner and I am blessed.

MILENNIAL MADNESS

Maybe you saw it, maybe you didn't, but CBS' 60 minutes had a feature about the millennial generation recently. The angle was how this generation is impacting the work place and the management shift they require. It noted how the parents of this generation will call employers to voice their dissatisfaction with their child's employment evaluation. Some "helicopter parents" have even hounded college professors because their child didn't get an A on a paper. The blame for it all is placed on the fact that in this day and age every kid is special, gets a trophy, and is stroked from birth to build their self-esteem. While most of us over 30 are tempted to think that nothing like this ever happened prior to the millennials, maybe we should examine Matthew 20:20-23. Mrs. Zebedee, proud mother of James and John, asks Jesus to let her little boys sit on his left and right in His Kingdom. While we may laugh at the audacity of a new generation, the truth is that there is a sin nature that is as old as the world in all of us that wants to be treated with privelege. The challenge for all of us, no matter our generation, to get of our self important high horse and die to our selfish bent. The person who loses his life will find it!

A RICH LIFE

You may have heard about the plane crash in Riverside CA last week. A small plane crashed into a neighborhood street not far from the airport. among the three lives lost, was my cousin's son whom I never really knew. Zach Ronald was 23, a recent college grad with the desire to be a fighter pilot or a military medical doctor. The loss is tragic! But I have found comfort in many things as I have searched the web for info. His friends set up a website for people to post pictures. As I looked through the 400+, it was obvious that he had a rich life. Pictures of friends, family, adventure and general goofiness all found him with a smile. (the book Acts reminds us the early church grew because people gathered to eat with glad and sincere hearts.) His mom, Nancy, was quoted in a CA paper saying "he loved the Lord, we all do and that's what's helping us all through this." What a witness to the peace and purpose that comes from being in relationship with Jesus! I can't answer the "why" questions of events like this, but I can say that I'm sure there is a bigger picture that we are not painting, and God will use this to draw some to Him and his love for them. Jame's epistle reminds us our lives are like a mist in the spectrum of eternity. I believe Zach's mist will leave a wake. May we all live in such a rich way that shows our love for God.

JESUS IN HD

Well if you haven't been filled with panic yet by all the "Your TV may not work a year from now" ads, you probably have nothing to worry about. And since I'm on the technology trail, is there anyone else out there who could care less about seeing things in HD. Let's be honest, do we really need the Brady's, Gunsmoke, or anything really in HD? My friend Mike, assures me there is a definite quality advancement, and when you can A/B the channels with your remote, you see it. Must be the mirrors! While I'm sure there is a difference, seriously how important is it? When I think of HD or High Definition, I think how awesome it would be to see Jesus in HD. To be so lazer focused that I knew his thoughts and words before he said them. Imaging the miracles that up close and in person. And how cool would it be if when others saw, met and related with us that they saw a high definition of Jesus. That's the goal of the faith and the desire of our father that we be molded and shaped into the image of Christ in HD. I'm working on it, but that doesn't do it; so I'm trusting God for it. The beautiful thing is: I'm a "BIG SCREEN"!!!!

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

At our church we are in the middle of a financial sermon series. While most growing believers understand that everything belongs to God, putting that into practice is a tough thing to do. We Americans love our comfort, and simplifying is no easy task. Our property is really God's. But the topic has got me thinking, what about our intellectual property? I've heard it said of people that they are fine with anything as long as they think it was their idea. As a somewhat creative person with ego, I'm sure that can be said of me. But if everything is God's, then my thoughts must be too. So He should get the credit. Want more? It reasons then that our thoughts should honor, glorify and bear witness to Him 24/7 I believe God is calling us to a simple lifestyle with our material goods and our mental goods. HE DOES NOT WANT US TO BE DUMB OR IGNORANT! Knowledge and Wisdom are His gifts. But His word warns us to not think more highly of ourselves than we should, and the more I learn and surrender; I believe he wants me to dwell and think about Him and his kingdom. It is His intellectual property. May you meditate on Him today.

Unstoppable Light

I've been a slacker this week, but I noticed something on Wednesday morning as the storms that had ravaged our state made their way into Knoxville. Though the wind whipped and the rain poured from the dark clouds, morning broke. It reminded me that no matter how dark it gets the light God made to govern the day cannot be hidden. It wasn't pure sunlight mind you, but it was light to see by. Nothing can hide the light of our God and his truth. Hallelujiah! So many times I let fear come when the storms come and how often does his word say "Fear Not!"? I'm learning. Thy word is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet. May His light shine brightly on you this day.