Thanksgiving

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

Spiritual Direction

I've been thinking a lot about what Mark shared at CBS about the importance of having a spiritual direction, (not just a career direction).

I know some of us, as seniors, have thought a bit about our next steps. And for some (probably most, or all), family/spouse enters the mix of our thoughts, even if just glancingly.

And so, I just wanted to share this sermon that I was just listening to. Francis Chan articulates it so well, that I'll refrain from summarizing. Basically the first 5 minutes summarize it well, if you don't want to listen to the whole thing. Hopefully what Francis says, along with what Mark shared and what Henry has shared in CBS, will remind us of our mission on Earth, and the importance of following through with convictions, as well as having spiritual direction.

=]

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(by the way, feel free to disagree with Francis Chan. I know a married person/Christian who sort of disagrees with what he says, because so many people in ministry neglect their family life in the name of "God's call". I don't think that's what Francis is saying, but it could turn into an excuse for that. He also has another series, which is the same thing except elongated and more opinionated (maybe if there are flaws in his argument, it is more easily seen in that one) After hearing a couple sisters disagree with Francis, I have to reevaluate what I think...)

He saves, I complain.

"Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death!" Psalms 68:20

"If we fought for our rights, we'd be in hell tonight." LeCrae

He saves us, and we don't even know it. What we think is best for ourselves is not always what really is best for us. The American suburban dream degenerates to fat materialism and environmentally destructive piggish behavior. Spiritual and religious fervor turns in to self-righteousness. Service becomes people-pleasing. Growth becomes pride.

The way God saves, molds, or purifies me is rarely ever what I expect, know, or even want. I can only trust in His goodness--and even with that, I need His help! And even when I'm in the thick of the process, I will most likely not know it or thank Him for it.

Where would I be without His grace?

Time to Give Up

I've been reading through some old coordinator binders, and in one of them is an excerpt from this guy's book, Time to Give Up by David Henderson. There's multiple stories about time and time management and busyness and Sabbath, but here's the first one (which I liked a lot)...

"A light drizzle fell as I pulled out of the parking lot and head for home. We were trying to squeeze in a family dinner between my work commitments, my daughters' friend time, and my son's soccer practice. As often happens, we were shy a few ingredients for the meal, so I made a hurried run to the grocery store after work, painfully aware of how close we were cutting the time. As i merged into traffic and flipped on my windhsield wipers, I caught sight of an older man walking slowly down the slick sidewalk. A plastic grocery bag dangled at his wrist as he tried to wipe the mist from his glasses. His drooped shoulders were darkened with rain.

In the half-second after I passed him, I realized I knew him; he was a new member of my congregation. In the next half-second, I calculated that it would take me no more than 4 minutes to turn around, pick him up, and deliver him to his doorstep.

But I didn't. I drove right past him.

Lord, have mercy."

I like this story because it reminds me of a time (or multiple times) in my own life, where I don't do the thing I feel is right because of time issues (needing to go somewhere), awkwardness, or convenience. Oftentimes, the moment can pass away quickly, allowing me to have an excuse for not doing something, as long as I wait a little bit.

The most vivid memory I have that is similar to this story is a time when I was in Taiwan (a year ago for winter break), and there was a poor, blind man and his wife singing for money. I wanted to give them some of the pocket money that my dad had given me to go around Taiwan to buy things with, but my family was already moving away when I was trying to decide about all of this, and in a second, I felt like the opportunity was gone. I think there are a lot of opportunities that I just let slip me by...but God has mercy on us. He will make me more faithful!

Rebuke

Galatians 2

"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong"

..."When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, 'You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?..."

I always thought rebuke had to always be gentle and private. But apparently Paul and Jesus think differently!

I was reading this passage that a pastor wrote in a book, about what he does in his church:

(by the way, this is key! I have personally seen innerworkings of a church divide because of this)

"One Sunday about 20 years ago, back in our days in YWCA, I said something impromptu while receiving new members into the church that has stuck with us ever since. People were standing in a row across the front before me, and as I spoke, the Holy Spirit seemed to prompt me to add, “and now I charge you, as pastor of this church, that if you ever hear another member speak an unkind word of criticism or slander against anyone—myself, another pastor, an usher, a choir member or anyone else—you have the authority to stop that person in midsentence and say, ‘Excuse me—who hurt you? Who ignored you? Who slighted you? Was it Pastor Cymbala? Let’s go to his office right now. He will get on his knees and apologize to you, and then we’ll pray together, so God can restore peace to this body. But we will not let you talk critically about people who are not present to defend themselves.’

“New members, please understand that I am entirely serious about this. I want you to help resolve this kind of thing immediately. And meanwhile, know this: If you are ever the one doing the loose talking, we will confront you.” "

~Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

So good.

Fear God.