Turkeys are already being stuffed and roasted. All the traditional favorites are coming together for a traditional feast. The Detroit Lions are preparing to be served up as sacrificial lambs for the Tennessee Titans – just like they’ve lost for the last four years. Thanksgiving Day is on the way.
As I reflect on the day, I reflect on the things for which I am most thankful this year:
I am thankful to be a fan of the Memphis Tigers, who have proved their ability to win on a level never seen before in college basketball, but also the ability to lose with grace.
I am thankful to know that my ultimate security is not dependent on an economy, but on the government – no, not that government – His government! ("Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:7, KJV)
I am thankful to be able to celebrate with my parents – remembering so many where we were separated by an ocean.
I am thankful to know health and happiness in this year when so many know illness and depression.
I am thankful to experience the Lord in the midst of a people who desire to know Him and to bring glory to His Name.
My prayer for you is that you sense His blessing and favor in this season of celebration!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A cure for the heavy heart
As believers we know that we live in the grace and under the power of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We know it, intellectually. There are times, however, when we don’t feel it. We can express these moments several ways. Some will say they are depressed; others may say they are discouraged. I’m going to adopt a new word: disheartened. Dishearten is a Shakespearean invention. He coined the word in his historical work, Henry V. Literally, dishearten means “the opposite of heart”. To be disheartened means to have that sunken, hollow feeling at the core of your emotions.
Disheartenment can occur at any moment and for a myriad of reasons. It can come from serious issues but it can also be prompted by that series of little things that culminates with the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Disaster of any kind tends to produce it. Even the memory of disaster can cause it. The anniversary of the death of someone special, for example, can be the key ingredient to a day of disheartenment.
Discord almost always brings disheartenment. When we endure discord, we understand better than ever its opposite: as David, said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Disappointment is a doorway into disheartenment. We expect something good and nothing good happens. We expect something good and something bad happens. We have a positive view of someone and they let us down; we believe someone is a positive role model and they turn out to have feet of clay.
Psalm 27:14 declares, ” Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” At every event in life where our heart falls into that heaviness that we can define as disheartenment, we need to return to this remedy. He is the Lord. When we take our broken heart, our weakened heart, to Him, He strengthens.
Disheartenment can occur at any moment and for a myriad of reasons. It can come from serious issues but it can also be prompted by that series of little things that culminates with the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Disaster of any kind tends to produce it. Even the memory of disaster can cause it. The anniversary of the death of someone special, for example, can be the key ingredient to a day of disheartenment.
Discord almost always brings disheartenment. When we endure discord, we understand better than ever its opposite: as David, said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Disappointment is a doorway into disheartenment. We expect something good and nothing good happens. We expect something good and something bad happens. We have a positive view of someone and they let us down; we believe someone is a positive role model and they turn out to have feet of clay.
Psalm 27:14 declares, ” Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” At every event in life where our heart falls into that heaviness that we can define as disheartenment, we need to return to this remedy. He is the Lord. When we take our broken heart, our weakened heart, to Him, He strengthens.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
General Motors and you
An old song said it this way, “what’s good for General Motors is good for the USA”. If you had believed that adage and put your trust in GM, then this past week has been a terrible revelation for you. According to Deusche Bank, GM stock is, well, worthless.
Psalm 20:7 declares: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. “ It is always a dreadful mistake to place our trust in those things we create. Every time we elevate a person, a government, a corporation, or even a relationship to a position of trust, we set ourselves up for disappointment because no human endeavor is immune to the dictates of the human condition. We live in a fallen world. By God’s grace, lost people are not as evil as they could be. But we are fallen and we do fail: along with everything that we put our hands to.
Difficult times like we appear to be entering should never shake our confident approach to life. We have learned not to trust in chariots or horses or GM or our government. We have trusted and will continue to trust in the name of the LORD, our God. In our passage from this next Sunday Peter reminds us to live “casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you”. Our God strides above our human condition. He is bigger than our problems. Why, He is more secure than GM! Where are you placing your trust these days?
Psalm 20:7 declares: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. “ It is always a dreadful mistake to place our trust in those things we create. Every time we elevate a person, a government, a corporation, or even a relationship to a position of trust, we set ourselves up for disappointment because no human endeavor is immune to the dictates of the human condition. We live in a fallen world. By God’s grace, lost people are not as evil as they could be. But we are fallen and we do fail: along with everything that we put our hands to.
Difficult times like we appear to be entering should never shake our confident approach to life. We have learned not to trust in chariots or horses or GM or our government. We have trusted and will continue to trust in the name of the LORD, our God. In our passage from this next Sunday Peter reminds us to live “casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you”. Our God strides above our human condition. He is bigger than our problems. Why, He is more secure than GM! Where are you placing your trust these days?
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Change in America
Lately I’ve been waking up early…and it was no different this morning. The thought went through my mind, “I think I’m going to go back to sleep. I really don’t want to get up to find out that our country has changed.” (I didn’t wait for the call last night, but the numbers were inevitable.) Then I remembered: I don’t trust in the President of the United States. I’ve committed my life to the One who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:4)
Believers in Jesus Christ never need to hide our heads under the covers -- because we live under the protection of the Lord who sees the end from the beginning and is never taken by surprise. Neither should believers in Jesus Christ bury our heads in the proverbial sand. In an environment of change like we are now experiencing, we must be ready with the good news. Hear me clearly on this: good news does not come across as good news from glum, unenthusiastic lips. If we adopt a “woe is me” attitude and allow it to reflect in our mood or show in our face, we cannot truly proclaim the news of hope. Essentially, nothing has changed. The King of kings is still on His throne. And He invites us into the process. More than at any time in recent memory, we need to involve ourselves with His invitation in 1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
My prayer this morning? Lord, bless our new President. Bless Him with wisdom, build in him conviction of truth and give him the courage to turn from that which is wrong and to do that which is right. When he reaches his hand to do things against you, prevent it. When he tries to make decisions that are opposed to you, throw him into confusion. Lord, give us grace; grant us truth…so we can live in godliness and dignity.
Believers in Jesus Christ never need to hide our heads under the covers -- because we live under the protection of the Lord who sees the end from the beginning and is never taken by surprise. Neither should believers in Jesus Christ bury our heads in the proverbial sand. In an environment of change like we are now experiencing, we must be ready with the good news. Hear me clearly on this: good news does not come across as good news from glum, unenthusiastic lips. If we adopt a “woe is me” attitude and allow it to reflect in our mood or show in our face, we cannot truly proclaim the news of hope. Essentially, nothing has changed. The King of kings is still on His throne. And He invites us into the process. More than at any time in recent memory, we need to involve ourselves with His invitation in 1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
My prayer this morning? Lord, bless our new President. Bless Him with wisdom, build in him conviction of truth and give him the courage to turn from that which is wrong and to do that which is right. When he reaches his hand to do things against you, prevent it. When he tries to make decisions that are opposed to you, throw him into confusion. Lord, give us grace; grant us truth…so we can live in godliness and dignity.
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