Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

A day to be full of gratitude; appreciating all that one has in their life. Appreciating everything from health to family, house to job, and there will likely be "things" involved in that list somewhere.

Most will be enjoying a meal that is bigger than can be consumed in one setting. Others will be eating a meal with several people that are not their family but they enjoy their company. However, there are those people who will be sitting down to the meal this year who will be saddened because they have lost a loved one whom they miss celebrating this holiday with - maybe a first, but not limited to a first.

Whoever you are eating your meal with, this is a holiday about gratitude, which brings us to this week's quote...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie

The other day at my Bible Class at a local nursing home, we all shared some various memories we have had around Thanksgiving. Along with that, we shared things we are thankful for in our life. Then we discussed how saying and hearing things we are thankful for kind of lifts our mood. Even when we are listening to others share their expressions of gratitude, we are still lifted.

Now it's your turn...How has the quote been applicable to you?

The Extra Degree: Tearing Down the House to Get to Jesus

There is just something pretty cool about watching a big building be demolished. Whether it comes from implosion or a wrecking ball, I find it fascinating. Maybe it is somewhat of a guy thing, I cannot pinpoint it, but it is still fascinating.

When it comes to a wrecking ball, that big ball coming and knocking out entire areas of a building is cool. You may not think along the same lines as me, and that is OK.

Sunday, we looked at Mark 2:1-12 where Jesus heals a paralytic that has been brought to Jesus as a result of four friends. Thinking about our 212-degree theme for the month, these four men went that extra degree to be able to make a difference in the life of their paralytic friend. They did what they needed to do to take him to Jesus, no matter the obstacles that were in front of them.

Thinking about the text, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Look for the Opportunity ~ The men approached the place where Jesus was at to realize that it was crowded. It would have been easy for the men to turn around and not want to go through the effort to get their friend to Jesus. They decide to cut a hole in the roof - who would think to alter/destroy someone's house to make sure their friend sees Jesus? Not many, but these men did - that's possibly one of the reasons Jesus says to the man "your sins are forgiven." Who do you have as a friend that you would like to go through the extra effort to make sure they get to Jesus? Think/pray about it...
• Excitement of the Arrival ~ I can remember one family vacation that we went on when I was around 4-5 years old. We went to our state's amusement park and my family rented a van to take. This was a family van, not a 15-passenger van. I had a blast, as we didn't have a van. I was so excited! The paralytic must have been even more excited to have this opportunity to see Jesus. He was probably going to be able to be healed - because Jesus is the man to do it! With all that type of excitement to see Jesus imagine a friend of yours (or you yourself) getting to see Him, through having their sins forgiven. The Bible speaks of this in Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-6, for example, to be able to be baptized! Are you ready? Who do you need to take to the crowded house and "tear it open" to make sure your friend "sees" Jesus?
• Go the Extra Degree ~ Don't let anything stop you to make sure that Jesus is brought into the life of others. You never know who is sin-paralyzed and needing the Savior! Make sure your you make sure they get to Him!

How far will you go? Don't make the thought of taking a person to Jesus or showing them Jesus an unnatural concept. The more natural the approach, the easier it is to talk. Also, don't use the same talk for each person, we're all different. Just make sure He sees them!

Now it's your turn...if you are apprehensive, why are you apprehensive to take your friends to Jesus?

You Will Build It, the Question is Where?

Natural changes occur to people as they grow. Babies start to fill out. Then comes sitting up, walking, and talking. Growth spurts will take place at various times. Puberty will take place. Maturation of mind and body will happen over time. As the body ages, wrinkles, lack of eye flexibility, and gray hair comes into a person's life. We cannot forget the skeletal system begins to lose some range of motion along with joint pain.

People will go through these stages at various times. Some may not experience all of them, but they are common. One thing is for sure, if you are going to go through the stages, you cannot escape them.

Jesus finishes his discussion of life lessons at the end of Matthew 7 (24-29). He has just filled them with lots of behavioral changing information. They should be thinking differently about various areas in their life, now. As he has given them all of this information, He says now do something with it. You, as the modern-day recipient, are to do something with this information. What will you do? Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Location, Location, Location ~ When it comes to real estate it is all about location. When it comes to building your life in Christ, it is also all about location. If you are building it on sandy areas, then you are going to shift, especially as life brings about situations to you that are not the most pleasant. In the end, even the pleasant things could cause you to shift. Either way, the shifting could make you weak - so build on the Rock!
• Dig Deep ~ Luke's rendering of this scriptures in Luke 6:48 speaks of digging deep. As we set up shop in Christ we must dig deep so that we will be able to stand firm in the days of "trouble."
• Anchors Aweigh ~ If what you are building is having a hard time staying in that rock, maybe you need to let down an anchor to keep you where you need to be. Or maybe in the meantime while you are digging deep or laying your foundation you need a place to keep you grounded. Now is the time to make sure you are firm in your walk with Him and that you can understand what Jesus wants in your life. Don't let yourself slip...drop the anchor...secure your faith...build on the rock.

For those who feel they have their faith secure, congratulations. However, do not underestimate the sudden coming of a disaster.

Also, this is a "figurative" location, so no matter where you are at in the world your structure will be secure if built on the rock, rather than shifting sand.

Do you need to "move?" If so, now is the time! Move from the sand to the rock...God will help you in the transition!

Remember, the question is not if you will build it, but WHERE! So where will it be?

Going Green: Renewable Resources

In the last house we owned, we had a bathroom that was a little outdated. It also had some areas on the wall that were in need of repair, partly due to the previous owner's "shortcuts". One of the repairs we made was to redo the finish on our bathtub. This was quite the project. However, upon completion, it was renewed. Going from almond pristine white, in color. We didn't have to buy a new bathtub, just spend a little money, time, and breathe in some nasty fumes, and voila, a renewed bathtub!

It was interesting to see the transformation. When upon completion, the transformation was amazing. It looked brand new; hence the term 'renew'. We used something that was already there and made it look new, again.

You, self, your body, are not going to be something different. Of course, I am speaking of the intricate parts of you. However, you can be renewed. Whether you need to plug in to have your batteries recharged or you need to have a bit of paint put on the outside of you to make yourself look new again. Whatever the case, we can use 'us' and be someone 'different' if we give ourselves over to Him and allow Him to renew us daily.

Yesterday, we concluded our series on Going Green and talked about 'renewable resources', from Lamentations 3:22-26. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. "This is the day..." from Psalm 118:24 - Wake up and realize that God is good...all the time, and has given you this day. He's given us a full cup to use throughout the day. He's refilled you. He's given you abilities that are unique. He's given you interests that are unique. He's given you grace. Use this day!
2. Hope in Him - This hope is the expecting kind, hoping IN Him. However, it isn't the immature kind. The hope you have in His promises are good. The hope that you have for a terminal patient to live or a paralyzed person to walk, veers toward the immature. The reason it's immature is because if they don't become better, will you get mad at God or feel that there is no hope with Him? He will fulfill His end and His will...hope in that!
3. Get filled up - We've all probably filled a cup at a soda fountain. You stick the cup under the spigot and pushed something to fill our cup. Each time you need a refill from God just go to the faith fountain and push the button, drawing closer to Him with your need, and be filled. Don't forget to pour out any burdens while you're there!
4. Praise Him - We often forget to do this...take time(s) to express your gratitude for any and everything as you see and experience things.

Day by day...we are able to be renewed. Scripture tells us this. Lamentations 3:22-26 describes to us a fact that His mercies/compassions are being filled daily. They are new every morning. Great is HIS faithfulness! Let us hope in Him!

Have a blessed week!

Appreciating the renewed cup of mercies I found beside my bed...

Going Green: Keeping Your "House" Insulated

Last evening, HGTV gave away their "green 'dream' home". Carter Oosterhouse is a "green" guy. He promotes a lot of environmentally friendly projects. He was the host and was giving the viewer a tour of the house and its features before they had their big reveal of the winner.

Being "green" is a big deal. It seems that situations like global warming, landfill problems, and other situations have become more and more known, the principle of "going green" grows. Whether it is recycling, buying things that have been recycled, reusing items for other projects, or a number of other possibilities, ways to "go green" is gaining popularity.

Yesterday, we focused on another way we can "go green", insulating our 'houses'. When you insulate you conserve energy by running your heating/cooling unit less. Also, the principle holds true when you seal the cracks/leaks. Here are some applications to choose from to use from yesterday's message...

1. Think about areas in your life that seem weakest or areas you are tempted. Put in some extra "insulation" (prayer, bible reading, bible meditation, etc.) concerning those areas so that you will not put the energy into those areas and/or those areas will not be able to penetrate you.
2. Let the Son In - Let Jesus be everything in your life - during your ups and downs. Look for Him to surprise you as He reveals himself in various ways, places, and situations.
3. Remove old layers of insullation - We all have parts of us that need to be thrown out. As old insullation breaks down, so does some of our senses for things. Don't be tolerant of everything and don't be legalistic. Enjoy your life as a Christian as you enjoy things.

If all we are doing is keeping ourselves from being insullated or keeping the old insulation then we are not taking advantage of what it can mean to "go green". These old areas will probably negatively affect our environment. If we don't get rid of habits that negatively affect the environment, then we're just polluting the area, instead of enhancing it.

"Go green" and make the environment you're in, better!

A New Found...House - Acts 2:46

Have I been to your house? If I had I would have seen belongings of yours that were close to you, that describe you, that show what type of person you are. If I haven't and we have met, then I have only seen a very small portion of what reflects who you are.

If you have been to my house you would see things that reflect who I am. You would know what teams I root for and what memorabilia I have that show I like those teams. You may also find out what types of food I prefer. These, among other things, can only be known when you come into my home.

The early church met together in homes. There are a variety of possibilities as to why they did, regardless, we know they did. I think that they grew stronger as a group because they did meet in homes. This is what we looked at yesterday as we looked at Acts 2:46. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. When was the last time you had someone over to your house for a social reason? What about a group of people? Whether you have a hobby, like to watch sports, play games, enjoy good food, etc., make it a point to get together with someone, in your home, once a month.
2. Bonds strengthen. Visiting with people in a home environment produces a feeling of comfort and you become closer to that person or group of people. When you visit ask about a person's interest, family, or their past. Trust is greater in a home.
3. Practice Impromptu Invites. Occasionally, invite someone over to your house after an event or on a spur of the moment. It may create a very meaningful memory!
4. Bring in Outsiders. How will your friends/family/neighbors ever get to know your church family if they never go to assembly with you? When you have a gathering made up of church people, invite a few others from outside your church. It may surprise you what friendships evolve through these events.

The early church gained so much from meeting like this . May God give you opportunities to have people into your home as so you can strengthen your friendships!

Welcoming Into My House...