Thankful for the Small Things

When I think of giving thanks, I find myself thankful for small things such as seeing the colors of the sky or grass, getting a cup of coffee in the morning, the porches on our house, the rain, hearing music, or other small things. I felt kinda silly being thankful for these ordinary, little things, until.....

I see what my grandmother is going through. She is 96 years old and although she has her mind, she has lost nearly all capacity to see and hear. She has macular degeneration, which has slowly robbed her of her sight. When I walk into her room, she cannot tell it is me. She can't see pictures of our vacation, see how beautiful our kids are, or see what she is eating. 

She is also losing her hearing. It is getting harder to have a conversation with her on the phone or in person. She constantly has to have things repeated to her in a loud voice so she can understand.  

She is slowly sinking into a prison that is making life much less enjoyable. 

I realize now what a blessing it is to be able to see and hear the small and ordinary things around me. 

I also recently ran into an old friend of mine that has had surgery and radiation for oral cancer.  He can no longer speak or swallow. He told me that he was very discouraged. The reason: he had not been able to eat in over a year! Imagine! He had not been able to taste a steak, or hamburger,or anything in over a year. Tasting great food is pleasure! But he had not been able to taste anything for such a long time! 

He also can not talk so any communication had to be by hand! Very difficult and challenging! 

What he wouldn't give to talk and swallow again! 

When I see these challenges my grandmother and this friend are going through I realize that being thankful for small things like seeing beautiful things around me and tasting or eating delicious food is not so silly after all! 

There are many blessings we experience in life and we need to give a HUGE Thank you to God for ALL our blessings! 

Eternity

This morning in church the pastor who was bring the sermon talked about the importance of making sure we knew Christ. He gave the example of a young man he knew in high school. On a Friday, he and this friend say "Goodbye" to one another, ending with the promise: "See you on Monday." When he got to school on Monday, he learned that his friend had been tragically killed in a car accident that weekend. Death came suddenly and without warning to his friend.
Yesterday, I visited my Grandparents graves in Lampasas, Texas. I always go there around the anniversary of their deaths and birthdays. They were very special people to me and I miss them dearly. As I wander through the cemetery, I see many grave markers of people who had lived in that area. Many have lived very long, and hopefully happy and productive lives. Many lived into their 70s, 80s, 90s and some even  reached the century mark. But there are many who never reached their teens or 20s. Their lives were cut short by illness, car accidents, or some other cause of death. One young lady was taken tragically by a train accident at the age of 15. One died of leukemia at the age of 10.
The point is that none of us know when we will pass from this world into eternity. We assume we will live a long life, but the truth is that God may allow us to meet him face to face at any time.
The question is: are we ready to meet Him face to face? Have we prepared to slip into eternity?

While death is certain, where we spend eternity is up to us. We have a choice in the matter!

Jesus said in perhaps the most famous verse in the world; For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB.
One of the most important words in this verse is believe. What does is mean to believe in Him?
I think William Barclay explains this best.
To believe means at least 3 things.
1. We believe that Jesus is who He said He was. The Son of God. Not just a good man; not just a great teacher; not just a miracle worker; but that He is the Son of God! I remember a pastor telling me when I was young that Jesus was either the Son of God or He was a very deluded man. As I study the Bible more and more I realize the pastor was correct! Jesus made some incredible claims and He was either entirely off His rocker or He truly was the Son of God. To believe in Him means that we believe He was the Son of God as He said.

2. We believe that what Jesus said about God is true. If Jesus was the Son of God then He would know about God more than any human would! Therefore, when He tells us about God and His love for us, we can trust Him. He knows because He knew God on an intimate basis and could show and tell us what God is like. Jesus said in John 14:9: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father..."

3.  But we must put action to our beliefs. To believe means that we obey what Christ tells us to do. James tells us: "you believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. "James  2:19. Even the demons know about God. They "believe" in Him but they are not obedient to what He tells us to do. Our actions must follow our beliefs. To belive is not just an intellectual acknowledgement, but is played out in our everyday lives in which we choose to be obedient to His commands. When He tells us to love our enemies, we must do so. When He tells us to live by faith, we strive to follow Him, not by sight , but by faith. When He tells us to live a life of sacrifice for Him and for others, we do our best to place Him and others before ourselves. Yes, we will fail miserably at times, but that is what His grace is for. 

So, do you believe? Are you ready for eternity? It can come at any time! If you are not ready, then I want to encourage you to ask Christ to come into your heart. Choose to believe in Him, and then follow Him with your heart and your life. Then, you will ready for eternity! 

Seeking God first

My sister in law is in the hospital as I write this. She has diverticulitis and is receiving antibiotics. As we were talking, we got to talking about work. We both work for the same healthcare system. We were talking about how tight things are in the healthcare industry with the new laws; etc. Money is tight all around. There are many changes and it's been tough. 

As we were talking I got a little anxious about my job. What if I lost it? How could we cope financially? Could I find another job as a Physical Therapist? Thoughts filled with worry clouded my mind as we conversed. 

After we finished talking I turned to Twitter to look over the news feed. One of tweets was Matthew 6:33. What a blessing! Jesus promised in this verse that if we seek Gods kingdom, then He will supply ALL of our needs! No need to worry! If I keep my job He will supply! If I lose my job, He will supply! God is in control! 

So what does it mean to seek Gods kingdom? Gods kingdom is a place where Gods will is perfectly done in all things. Therefore to seek Gods kingdom is to seek His will for our life and then follow that will. We seek and we obey! But the verb seek is one of continuous action. It's not a one time thing. In other words we should daily seek Gods will for our life. Each day we should ask God to direct and guide us. As we seek, and humbly submit to His will, He promises He will supply ALL our needs!

So if you are worrying, turn daily to God and submit to His will and know that He will provide all your needs!

God has a plan for your troubles

We are still studying the life of Joseph in our worship services at church. We will be looking at Genesis chapter 45 this coming Sunday. I looked ahead and continue to be amazed at Gods working in Joseph's life. And God wants to do an amazing work in our life as well. 

There are several lessons here in chapter 45 but the lesson that catches my eye quickly is how God had a plan for the trials and difficulties that we go through. 

Remember, it was Joseph's brothers who were jealous of him and wanted to kill him. However, through Gods providence his life is spared and he is sold into slavery in Egypt. Through God ordained events Joseph rises to second in command in Egypt and through his leadership Egypt and others survive a severe famine. But notice.  Joseph recognizes it is God who orchestrated all of this. 

In verse 5 he reveals himself to his brothers and tells them not to be upset that they sold him into slavery for God sent me before you to preserve life. Joseph realizes God had a plan through the trial. He was using a trial to bring about His perfect plan. In verses 7-8 he again gives credit to God for sending him to Egypt. Not the brothers. What they meant for evil, God used for good. 

We need that perspective when we go through trials. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that God can bring good out of anything. Not everything that happens in our life is good. Terrible things happen. But God is still in control. And because he loves us he will bring good out of it. 

God uses trials for our good and for the good of others. 

You may be going through a trial right now. Things may look very bleak. You may not see how any good can come out of the circumstances you are facing. As you go through these times remember Joseph. Look at the trials that he went through and then remember how God used those trials. So much good came out of those trials. God was still in control and his plan and purpose for those trials could not be defeated. It's the same way with your trials. God loves you and his purpose for your life will not be defeated if you continue to follow his plan. So in those dark days study his promises and claim them. Let his love wash over you and trust him. He loves you! And he is still in control!  

Gods in charge

We have been studying the life of Joseph in our church. As we go through Genesis there is one thing that stands out in my mind.  God was in complete control of Joseph's life. And ours as well!

In Genesis 37 Joseph has made his brothers mad enough to want to kill him. They had a plan to do away with him, but God used one of his brothers to intervene and convince his other brothers to throw him in a well. Reuben then was going to rescue Joseph later. God used Reuben to intervene and spare Joseph's life. Of course they later sell him to some Ishmaelites who then take him to Egypt. There he becomes the personal servant of the head of the "Secret Service". He was very respected and became head of the house of his master. Unfortunately he is falsely accused of rape and is thrown in prison. But God is still in charge! He could of have been executed. But God doesn't allow this to happen. One of his fellow prisoners is released. Joseph asks his fellow prisoner to remember him and try and get him out. But he is forgotten and continues to remain in prison. God is still in control. At the proper time he is remembered when Pharaoh has a dream that no one can interpret. Joseph interprets the dream and is raised to second in command in Egypt. Through his leadership, Egypt and Joseph's family is saved during an extreme drought. 

As I read this I am amazed at how God works in his life. How God is in control. Joseph could have lost his life several times. God intervened every time. Joseph languished in prison for some time. He may have felt abandoned by God but God was still with him every step of the way. And when the right time came God allowed him to be released. 

This has significant implications for our own lives. I try to control my destiny in many ways. I try to be as safe as possible with the goal of living a long life. But the truth is God is in control of our lives. He knew beforehand when we would be born and he knows when we will pass in to eternity. (Psalms 139:16)

There is comfort in that! Our lives on this earth will only end when God allows it. No one and nothing can take our life before God is ready to receive us into his prescence! We should rest in this and live life fearlessly as we trust God and his control of our lives.

But there are many languishing in some type of prison just as Joseph was. Not a prison with iron bars but other prisons. I know of people in financial prisons. They are not sure of where their next paycheck is coming from. Bills are coming and money is not in the bank to cover those bills. Some are in the prison of loneliness. Some are single and trying to wait patiently for the right person to come along. Others have lost their lifelong spouse through divorce or death. The kids may not be around and their nights are sleepless and the days long. 

There are lots of prisons and for many of us the wait to be delivered seems long, just as Joseph's wait was. As we go through these times it is helpful to look at Joseph's life and know that God is still in control and that deliverance will come. In his timing. Not ours. And his timing is always best. So as we wait, trust him. Lean on him. Read the scriptures. Pray and pray often. Fellowship with believers that can walk with you through those times. We are to bear one another's burdens. And support one another as we go through those prisons. 

So rest in Gods love and trust him. He will deliver you from whatever prison you may be in.  

God'Amazing Grace

I have been studying the prodigal son in Luke 15. I have read this before so many times and heard it preached on so many times. But as I studied it in preparation to preach I am amazed anew at Gods love and grace.

During this sermon I looked at three things. The son. The father. The reception.

The son: his request to his father was completely selfish and humiliating to the father. Essentially he was saying to the father: I wish you were dead! You are in my way and so I want what is coming to me so that I can get on with my life. He then takes what his father has given him and spends it on loose living which apparently included prostitues.  This is an insult added to injury for the father. Not only does the son humiliate and hurt him with his request, but he then spends the money on a lifestyle that the father would never approve of.

The Father: when I think of this father I think of my own dad. He was a rancher and worked so hard to provide for his family. He worked outdoors in the Texas heat for many a long hour to provide for us. I went to Baylor and he paid for all of it without any financial help. My youngest brother was born with Downs Syndrome. Since he would never be able to provide for himself my dad also set aside money to  provide for my brother when my parents were no longer able to provide for him.  My wife and I will probably have my brother when my parents pass on. Yet my dad worked hard enough and long enough to set aside funds to provide for him so that he would not be a financial burden to us. The point is that this man was probably like my dad and worked hard to provide for his family. Suddenly his son now asks for his inheritance. Not to spend it wisely but to spend it foolishly. And on a lifestyle that his father would never approve of. 

 Put yourself in the father’s shoes! All of his hard work! All of his savings! All of his sacrifices! It has all gone to naught as the younger son spends it without regard on whatever sinful pleasures he can find! Imagine his hurt. His own flesh and blood is so selfish that he wished that he (the Father) were dead so that he could get on with his life. But the hurt comes from a love for his child that even though he has been hurt by his son’s callousness he is watching and waiting and hoping for the son to return. 

Someone wrote this about the father: Day after day he gets up and waits and watches. Every time someone appears on the horizon his heart jumps with anticipation and hope only to be disappointed as it is always someone else. Every night he lays down with disappointment, hurt and nostalgia as his bedmates. His dreams are filled with memories of his son and happier times. Times in which they loved each other and sought to bring each other joy rather than hurt. Smiles rather than tears. Laughter rather than sobs. Morning comes and the endless cycle continues until one day there appears on the horizon a young man. This time however, its different. There is something about that walk. Something in the way he moves that is so familiar. It is him! The joy is uncontainable and cannot be held back. He can’t wait for his son to get here. He has to see him and touch him. So rather than waiting, he runs! The run is not easy. His feet, knees and back hurt. His lungs gasp for breath after running only a short distance, yet he continues to run. When he gets closer he sees what his heart has already told him. It is his son! He wraps his arms around him and kisses him. His son is trying to speak. He says something about not being worthy to be called his son! Nonsense! He will always be his son regardless. Nothing that he can ever do will change that! What matters now is that he is home! And even though he has caused significant pain and hurt, that is in the past and he will now be restored to his rightful place as son! And the celebration begins!

The reception: The tendency is to believe the way the Religious leaders of that day believed. They and we would agree that if the son returned that the father should initially refuse to see him. That would be logical. It would help maintain the father’s dignity and honor. The son had hurt him hadn’t he. Give him a cool reception! Give him a cold shoulder! Make him sit outside the gate of the family home or the city gate for awhile. Make him work to restore himself! Make him do menial tasks! Make him do all the chores and the work that no one else wants to do! That makes sense! And after all that, then maybe restore him to a place in the family. But the father doesn't do this. Instead he gives his wayward son a reception that I find incredible.

The run: Having to hike up the robes and run would have been very undignified. For a man of the father's stature this would be very demeaning. He lost his dignity! Yet the father loved his son so much that he was willing to lose that dignity to get to his son. 

The hug and the kiss: The son probably stunk! He had been slopping hogs and had probably traveled a long way on hot and dusty roads. He probably had not bathed in some time. Yet, the father did not stand at a distance, but instead hugged and kissed him. 

The father then gave him his own robe. The robe stood for honor. The best robe would have belonged to the father and worn only on special occasions.  There was about to be a celebration and the robe that the father would have worn, is now going to be worn by the wayward son. 

The father also gave the son his ring which would have been the signet ring which bore the families crest and used to seal documents to authenticate them.  It stood for authority. The father was now giving the son a place of authority when he did not deserve it. It also gave the son authority to commit financial decisions. And he certainly did not make wise financial choices with his inheritance. Yet he is still given the ring.

He is also given sandals: slaves usually did not wear shoes and so it signified a restoration to sonship. The son receives a reception that he never expected and the religious leaders (and us) are shocked by the father’s love and grace. Especially the giving of the ring and the robe which should have gone to the older son. 

The religious leaders and us would have expected that if the son had come back that he would have had to return the way he, himself expected. As a hired hand. They would have expected punishment. They would have expected him to work his way back into the family! They would never have expected the father to throw a party for the son and then return him to his former position.

Of course this is parable showing us how great the Father's love is towards us and all of mankind. To me its a stunning show of how much God loves me and you. Don't ever doubt your worth to God. If you ever do, reread this parable and learn to enjoy your relationship with God. He loves you so much.

But this also is a reminder of how much God loves others! And when we remember how much He loves others, it reminds us that we are to love others like God does. Its hard sometimes. Others treat us in ways that hurt sometimes! Life isn't fair and others contribute to that often. Words and actions by others sometimes sting. Sometimes others actions and words do much more than sting. They can alter you and your loved ones lives forever! I have seen this happen recently and the hurt is enormous! 

But we have to remember God's love for us during these times and at the same time remember Gods love for the ones that hurt us well! His love is unconditional! And He wants is to love unconditionally as well!

We are all special in Gods eyes

I just hooked up with an old classmate in high school on Facebook. He and his family were very low income and were often looked down upon by others in the school. They lived in a house that probably had no running water, central heat or air. They came to school in very worn and tattered clothes. They often looked like they had not bathed in some time. Needless, to say they were outcasts in our school.
As he messaged me on Facebook he expressed deep feelings about being bullied. 30 years later he is still having great difficulty dealing with the fact that he was bullied throughout school. In fact he wrote that he didn't have a family because he didn't want his children bullied. Imagine that! Let that sink in! He didn't want a family, because he didn't want his children to be bullied!!!
I can't imagine the bitterness and hurt that he has suffered for so long. I'm not sure "sad" is even the word that describes the situation. A person's life has been damaged severely by the lack of love and compassion that could have been shared by his classmates and by myself. I carry a load of guilt because I could have been a better friend and at least lessened the feeling of rejection that he felt. Maybe I could have changed his life. Maybe he would have a wife and children if I or someone had reached out and befriend him. Maybe his life would have been so much different.
There is a lesson here for all of us. Not just our children in school but for us also as adults. Everyone wants to feel loved and needed. While bullying is not so commonplace in the adult world it still happens as we have seen in the recent NFL headlines coming out of Miami. But regardless, we, as adults may not bully per se, but we may look down or criticize or ignore others in our life. Often there is a silent bullying that occurs.
What is so important is that we reach out with love and compassion to those in our life. The person in our life that needs to feel loved and appreciated may be the person lying next to us in bed, or just down the hallway. We often overlook our family and assume that they know we love them. But we often take them for granted and we need to show them our love and appreciation everyday. Do they KNOW that we love them and need them? Do they know that we want them? That they are important to us.
But we also need to reach out to those that God brings into the peripheral circles of our life. It may be the person that bags our groceries, the waitress, the check in person at our hotel. For me as a Physical Therapist it may be one of my patients, or one of my wife's students that she evaluates at school.
Regardless we are to love everyone that God brings into our lives. Not just those that are lovable. Sometimes the ones that need love the most are those that are the most unlovable for whatever reason. They may be someone that is not good looking according to the world's standards, they may have few possessions, or have a personality that it irritating to many. But regardless God made them and we are to love them. And when we love them we make a difference in their life. We share God's love with them and help them realize they really are important.
It haunts me that one man felt so unloved that he would not have children because he didn't want his children to be treated the way he was. It motivates me to love more freely and unconditionally. It encourages me to be bold and take the initiative to make sure that those in my life know that they are love and appreciated! How about you?