Personally Speaking – I’m Extremely Thankful pt. 1

 

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.                     —1 Thessalonians 5:18—

As this Thanksgiving day comes and goes, I’m reminded of the blessings in my life. 

First, I’m thankful for a God who knew my sinful nature and sent His only begotten son, Jesus,  to live as an example and then to die, in my stead, for my trangressions.  Jesus’ perfect life and perfect sacrifice allows me to be reconciled to God. For that, I will be eternally thankful.  And, I love Jesus.

Next, I’m blessed to have such wonderful parents.  They have been beacons of love, encouragement, and discipline as I’ve needed them over the years.  My mom taught me how to express my opinion.  She taught me how to stand up for myself and instilled a brilliant (vibrant) sense of right and wrong. 

My father taught me discipline, follow through, and doing a job right the first time.  He spoke few words but his work ethic and mannerisms have impacted my life for the better.  And for my parents’ input and guidance in my life…I’m thankful. And, I love them.

I’m blessed to have two wonderful siblings.  My brother and my sister have been in my corner from day one.  Though I’m the oldest, that doesn’t always make me the wisest by any stretch.  I have learned and grown tremendously emulating them.  As children we loved one another deeply.  As adults that love is only stronger and comes with a great measure of respect for the persons they’ve become, both as siblings and fellow believers in Christ.  For my siblings, I’m thankful. And, I love them!

I’m thankful for a few peripherals in my life.  Not peripherally obscure, but rather additions to my life that I never knew would mean so much.  My brothers and sisters-in-law have become part of my life in such a meaningful and special way.  Each one has added his/her own flavor into my life, as if my life were candy and they were the candy maker.  There’s a swirl of one here.  A hint of another here.  A little dash of this one here!  Each has touched me for the better.  I’m thankful for my “add-on” family members.  And, I love them.

What are you thanful for today?

Lifewarrior

Introducing Mr. Lovewell — Is that you?

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:10-11

Just this morning, I’ve come across a very special idea.  No — not a new idea!  No — not a foreign idea!  No — not an obscure or obsolete idea!  But, YES! … it’s an idea that is vital although it’s been undervalued at times.

What is this idea?

It’s called Love-Well!

MercyMe, a contemporary Christian band,  has touched upon heavenly manna with its newest album, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell.”  It’s quite the inspiration. MercyMe is one of those groups that I enjoy listening to because its song are lyrically so well-written and the message is clear; Jesus is Lord!

With that, MercyMe has again proven why it remains one of the most well-loved and most well-received Christian vocal bands.  They have a heart for God, a heart for people, and a love of serving others.

The album, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell”, revolves around a fictional character we created who reminds us that we simply need to love others well. For some of us, it means that we need to put hands and feet on our ideology and rhetoric. For others, it means that we need to continue in doing well, but not stop there. We need to let people know why we are called to make a difference. Our prayer is that this album would mobilize the body of Christ to encourage people in word and deed.

It’s almost like a ‘pay-it-forward’ idea that revolves around the Cross. We are called to be servants to our neighbors, but if we don’t share the gospel with them, it’s almost offensive and we have only accomplished a part of what God has called us to do. We need to stop letting the world teach us theology about how to act or speak. We need to encourage one another to provide a helping hand to our neighbor, offer up random acts of kindness and share with others how our lives have been transformed by the power of the Cross. It doesn’t take much action – or even many words – to make a difference both here and forever.

– Bart Millard, MercyMe

 

The only question to answer now is do you love well? 

Are you a Mr. Lovewell?

Do you love Jesus and therefore love on other people with such passion as He did and does? 

Let it be said of us, that we Christians are guilty of loving others…well!

Well? Go love someone!

Lifewarrior

Word of God Speak – God Wants to Gives Us Good Things

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

–Matthew 7:11–

My devotional time this morning found me in the book of Matthew.  The scripture speaks of fathers giving their children good things.  What father really desires wickedness, turmoil, sadness, strife, grief, stress, or meanness for his children.  I’m not being silly there, though it might seem silly, I’m seriously asking you to consider who wishes bad things upon his children?

I haven’t met anyone yet who has sat around hoping for bad in the life of children.

Children are innocent.

This verse says, if we who are evil, full of sin, and full of animosity towards the things of God by nature, still understand and know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does God want to give us good things.   As I ponder, I think of how much God loves us.  Sending His son to redeem us was His biggest act of a good thing towards us.

However, it seems this verse indicates as well, the daily things.  The small things.  The material things.  The spiritual things.  All things.  God wants to do good in our lives.  When will we get that concept in our minds?  When will it resonate in our hearts and souls?

Today, I embrace the idea that God wants to do good things in my life.  Not because I’m deserving, but rather because I’m NOT deserving and He has compassion on my helpless estate.  Thank you Lord!

Lifewarrior

Quick Thought: Christian Rights Infringed Upon?

Are Christian’s being persecuted just for being Christian?

When a 31-year-old single woman in Grand Rapids placed an ad for a Christian roommate on her church bulletin board, she had no idea it would result in a civil rights complaint accusing her of illegal housing discrimination.

The Alliance Defense Fund, which represents the woman, sent a letter last week to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights asking that the groundless complaint be immediately dismissed, but the division has not yet offered any response.

“Christians shouldn’t live in fear of being punished by the government for being Christians. It is completely absurd to try to penalize a single Christian woman for privately seeking a Christian roommate at church–an obviously legal and constitutionally protected activity,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “Not content to just lock Christians and their beliefs into the four walls of their church or home, some groups also want to invade those walls and force their own ideas upon them by force of law.”

Where’s the media outrage over this woman’s rights being muffled?  Where’s the cries of intolerance?  Where’s the women’s lib movement now?  Come on people…let’s be consistent!

Lifewarrior