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Archive for November, 2009

A Master Key

Jason November 30th, 2009 2 Comments

If your life seems locked so very tightly, might I recommend you try one of the great master keys– thankfulness.

Last week a friend of mine reminded me of this great insight. A spirit of gratitude unlocks so many doors and dark places. We all know how hard it is to remain bitter, angry, sullen, and depressed when we lead our mind into thankfulness.

So keep turning your thoughts toward thanksgiving. Beyond the turkeys and meals, football games, national pride, and parades, be settled in your spirit about the things for which you are truly thankful.

I suppose I could stop right there, but I know how silly and empty this post might sound to someone who is truly miserable. It’s easy to say “thankfulness is my master key” when life is on an upswing. It’s another matter when your health is at risk, your family life is a constant battle, and you have been treated unfairly (perhaps even unjustly).

Have you ever been the innocent party who is simply exhausted by the tumbles of life? Maybe there was an unexpected and tragic death in your family. Or a marriage that fell apart. Or a relationship with a child. The list could go on and on.

Does this master key work when life is full of challenges?

I think it does, and it is when life doesn’t seem to make sense that we find out about our faith. Do we believe in the goodness of God and that He is our hope and strength? Do we believe that we can be thankful even when joy has been stripped out of our hands? What are we to do when our soul has been wounded and we know a scar is forming?

The scriptures are clear:

No matter what happens, always be thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col. 3:15)
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his . . . Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:3-4).

Don’t underestimate the master key and the grace of God. Let his goodness chart Your steps today.

Posted in: Inward, Spiritual Barriers

Pictures From This Week

Jason November 25th, 2009 No Comments

Here are some pictures from this week’s Thanksgiving baskets and dinner.

Posted in: Outward

Partiality, Love, and Thanksgiving

Jason November 23rd, 2009 1 Comment

I have been doing some teaching lately on the book of James on Sunday mornings. Above is a great video/scripture meditation. Just click on the play button to get it rolling. I shared with my class a couple of weeks ago this nice piece by John Piper on “Seven Reasons to Avoid Partiality.”

1. Partiality contradicts faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory (Verse 1).
2. Partiality reveals a judging heart and behind it evil thinking (Verses 2-4).
3. Partiality to the rich contradicts God’s heart, because he has chosen many of the poor for himself (Verse 5).
4. Partiality dishonors people created in the image of God (Verse 6a).
5. Partiality to the rich backfires and becomes your downfall (Verses 6b-7).
6. Partiality makes you a transgressor of the law of liberty (Verse 9-11).
7. Partiality is not mercy. But if you don’t show mercy, you will perish (Verse 13).

The other Christian author that comes to mind as I think about the issue of partiality is Soren Kierkegaard and his powerful Works of Love. Consider these choice words:

“The task is not to find the loveable object, but to find the object before you lovable– whether given or chosen– and to be able to continue finding this one lovable, no matter how that person changes”.

We foolish people often think that when a person has changed for the worse we are exempted from loving him. What a confusion in language: to be exempt from loving.

True love is a matter of loving the person you see. The emphasis is not on loving the perfections, but on loving the person you see, no matter what perfections or imperfections that person might possess.

If you wish to become perfect in love, strive to love the person you see, just as you see him, with all his imperfections and weaknesses. Love him as you see him when he is utterly changed, when he no longer loves you, when he perhaps turns indifferently away or turns to love someone else. Love him as you see him when he betrays you and denies you. Love the person you see and the person you love.”

I have to think that James, the brother of our Lord would shout, “Amen” to these words. How hard it is to love whoever it is that we see! To treat people the same– whether they would fit on Tim Gunn’s runway or if they smell like the gutter– this is the call of the good news. All people are the same. God doesn’t love people more because they have gold rings or fine clothes. He loves them the same and offers them all life in Jesus– a poor carpenter’s son.

This Thanksgiving be grateful for what you have and be willing to share openly and lovingly with others.

Posted in: Bible Reflections, Life Practices, Outward, Spiritual Barriers

There’s is the Kingdom

Jason November 9th, 2009 1 Comment

Yesterday in Bible class as were studying James I mentioned a book that I have found rather helpful called There’s is the Kingdom by Robert Lupton ( Harperone, 1989). The chapters are short and to the point. Below is chapter 1. Enjoy!