Got A Minute?

Got a minute? Think about everything God has done for you.... When was the last time you took the time to say "Thank You" to Him?  When was the last time you shared with others what God has done for you?

Think about these:
     You have air to breathe
     You have the ability to touch
     You can think
     You can communicate
     You can love
     You can see the stars at night
     You can see God's creation
     You can smell the scent of flowers as the wind gently blows
     You feel the heat of a fire as you enjoy camping 
     You hear the sound of the stream and are relaxed
     You hear the laughter of children playing
     You feel the soft warmth of your pet.
     You taste and enjoy
     Your heart beats.
     You learn
     You think

The list is absolutely endless.  God has done and continues to do SO much for us....take a minute and thank Him.

What Does It Take?

God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7 

 

In 1187, Saladin and his army of Saracens captured Jerusalem from the Crusaders after a long and bitter siege.  Now, you have to understand, the Crusaders had a reputation and habit of killing their Saracen captives, while the Saracens, for the most part, were hospitable toward their captives. As the victor, Saladin had every right to do whatever he wished to his captives, especially the Crusaders.  The people of Jerusalem figured they would be killed.  However, they were astounded and amazed when Saladin allowed them to leave unharmed.  As a matter of fact, he provided an escort for them to safety.  Saladin showed that undeserved compassion and care, neither demanding or expecting anything in return.

 

How often do we do good things for others, secretly hoping there will be some reward?  Do we openly do good so we can be seen?  Do we do good only to those who will sing our praises to others?  Why?  Jesus tells us that God blesses those who are merciful and will show mercy to them.  What does that mean?  Think about this, God blesses us each day by allowing us to be part of it, and He does it because He WANTS to do it.  Does He have to do it? NOPE!  Is there ANYTHING we can do to repay Him for being merciful? NOPE!  God shows us mercy knowing full well we have no way to return the mercy.

 

I admire Rescue Groups who make it their mission to rescue animals that have been injured, abused, mistreated, or abandoned.  Why do they do it?  Because it's a good thing to be merciful to these animals.  What do they get in return?  Most times, getting to see the animal placed into a loving home.  But more than that, they receive the gratitude from the animal who has no other way to repay than with their love.  God is merciful to us, shouldn't we at least show Him our love and gratitude?

Thankful For God's Provisions

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19 

 

Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God provides exactly what we need at exactly the right time in exactly the right amount?  Consider that thought for a moment....I'll wait......no, seriously this is important, so please take your time.....

 

Remember the Lord's Prayer where ask God to give us our "daily bread"?  We are asking for God to provide us ONLY what we need for that day.  We don't need what God has for us tomorrow, because tomorrow is not here yet.  We don't need what God provided for us yesterday, because we can't go back to yesterday.  What we need is God's provision for TODAY!

 

Now while God has promised to "supply your every NEED" that means just that...God provides for our needs....not our wants or desires or cravings or greediness. We have this habit of taking what we WANT and convincing ourselves that we cannot function without it and then we TELL God that it is our need when it is in actuality our greed!  God does not feed our greed!  If God knows you need an automobile then be happy with His provision (because He didn't HAVE to give it to you.  He could have supplied you with a bicycle instead.), yet some insist that they NEED an expensive SUV with all the whistles and bells that cost more than most people's homes, when God may provide them with a used puddle jumper that conveys them from point A to point B.

 

You see, we must be careful about taking OUR "needs" list before God.  God supplies our NEEDS.  Again, think about this: God provides food the birds need, but He doesn't drop it in their nests.  If your need is for employment, God has provided for that need, but chances are He's not going to drop it in your lap.  If God gave everything to us on a silver platter with a velvet pillow, we would become spoiled and not appreciate His provision.

  

Let's take time to thank God for His continuing supplying of our needs.  Let us be grateful for all He has already given us and for what He has in store for us.

 

#dailythankfulchallenge

Ballistic Vests And Protection

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 

 

Have you ever thought about how much gear our First Responders have to carry and wear?  If amazes me that they can even move with all that stuff.  But each item has an important purpose and that purpose is to provide protection to the First Responder.  I'm going to be completely honest, I am glad First Responders have all that gear to keep them safe, because when THEY are safe I am going to be safe.

 

Now here's something that I, as a Chaplain, have dealt with many times in the past and probably will continue to deal with until Jesus returns...with all the First Responders see, experience, face, and endure it shouldn't be any wonder why it is easy for them to become jaded and calloused.  It's as if they have replaced their heart with a cast iron box that nothing can penetrate.  And that makes family life difficult.

 

So how can we help prevent having a cast iron heart?  By protecting it!  "GUARD YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE!" Can't get much clearer than that.  Guard your heart so that you can remember that "thou art human."  And here's the fun part, those of us who are not First Responders can help with the heart guarding by being grateful and encouraging.  Thank a First Responder.  Perhaps, if you feel generous, purchase their meal.  Help your children to share their gratitude as well.  I have to smile every time I see the posts on Facebook of Richland County's "High-Five Fridays" where the Deputies go to the schools and high-five the children as they come in.  

 

It isn't difficult to be an encourager, it just takes a little thought and time.  Remember, we are to do to others as we want done to us.  Encourage to be encouraged.  Share gratitude to be shown gratitude. 

Appreciation and Appreciated

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:3 

 

In this age where everyone is supposed to get a trophy for trying, it's sometimes hard to truly express to someone that they are really appreciated, even if they aren't the best of the best.  Let's face it, when we feel appreciated we are willing to go that extra mile.  But how do we do that without becoming cliche? 

 

There are many ways to show appreciation:

     How about a handwritten note reminding the person that while no one says it, but their hard work has not gone unnoticed and they are appreciated?

 

I have shared this with several people and I think it still holds true, back when the flooding caused so much damage and chaos, the Deputies were working long hours in the heat and were having to listen to people vent their anger about their situation.  And I appreciated being allowed by some of these officers to tag along with them.  But the thing I found to be most meaningful was a relatively small church came to one of the Regional substations with coffee, cold drinks and some food for the Deputies and each one of the paper cups used for the beverages had a handwritten note to the Deputy expressing appreciation (and here's the kicker) written by children.

 

Many months later, the cups have long since gone to the landfill, but several of those messages still have a place in the visor of some of the Deputies.  

 

Let me put it this way, gifts are easy.....expressing appreciation isn't so much, but is worth the effort. 

Quit Your Griping!

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
    Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
    ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
    ‘How clumsy can you be?’

Isaiah 45:9

 

We like to complain, don't we?  We even invent little quips to support our "need" to complain, such as: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!"  And we rant about this, we moan and groan about that, we rail against the people we don't like or disagree with their decisions.  We complain about service (yet what service do WE give).  We complain about prices (Yet we want increased wages).  We complain about the weather (as if we have the ability to change it). We complain about EVERYTHING!

 

When I was in High School, I worked for a fast food franchise (which shall remain nameless), and learned VERY quickly what the cooks thought of those who complained about their food.

 

I have also learned that if you raise a big enough stink, you may get what you want....at first, but rest assured somewhere along the way retribution will be sought.  Why?  Because that's how we operate!  And, to be honest, there seem to be a growing number of people who only purpose for breathing is to complain.  Know anyone like that?

 

What would happen, do you think, if we consciously made the effort to offer gratitude instead of complaining?  

 

In any situation, there are three options available to us:

     1.  Complain - and face the repercussions.

     2. Change what you can (either your perception or your attitude).

     3. Accept what you cannot change and be grateful.

 

I will be the first to tell you that I love my job!  I cannot imagine doing anything else!  And I am grateful for even the small things, like a place to keep my books, training, the chance to improve my skills, the free coffee, and the list is enormous.  

 

Who will you be today?  Grumpy or Happy? 

Who Are You Grateful For?

 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:3 

 

Have you ever stopped to think about all the people God has brought into or through your life?  I will be honest, there have been people God has brought through my life that I haven't been fond of, but the more I thought about it, God was teaching me through that person even though we may not have agreed on anything.

 

Yes, it is true that we may not like everyone.  And, yes, it's also true that some people are an "acquired taste."  You may not like them at first, but then they grow on you. God made each of us unique, yet similar.  We are drawn to people who think rather like we do and enjoy the same things we do.  

 

But think about the people who have been or are part of you life that you are grateful for.  Family and friends, of course.  But what about those who challenge us?  What about those who make us think?  

 

During this Presidential Election, I have seen all sorts of people expressing their views.  Some I agreed with, some made me think, and some I completely disagreed with.  But here's my point, I'm still grateful for those people!  

 

People!  Let's face it, we are on this planet together, Thank you for being here!

Being Thankful for Being Thankful

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20

 

What are you thankful for?  What makes you thankful?  Is it your stuff?  Is it your family?  Is it your job? Is it your looks? 

What are you truly thankful for?  As we approach the day we have designated as the day to give thanks (for heavy meals and sports and shopping), take just a moment to actually focus on what you are truly thankful for.

Consider this: 

     1. Breathing

     2. Your ability to read this

     3. Being able to see the sunshine

     4. Knowing that you are loved and cared for.

     5. The ability to LEARN from mistakes.

     6. Being able to enjoy a meal or a dessert (yum)!

     7. How about the ability to be Thankful!

Being thankful is a choice! Being unthankful is also a choice!  Which choice will we make?

Grateful For Those Who Work Behind The Scenes

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, 

when you did it to one of the least of these 

my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Matthew 25:40

 We see people in the forefront all the time, but how many times do we even give a thought to the people who work behind the scenes to make things happen.

I was told by a professor in college to make sure you know who helps you to be who you are.  He then shared the story of his own Ethics Professor who was in the middle of a conference in his office when the janitor came in to empty the trash.  The other professors in the conference ignored the janitor and gave him looks of disapproval for interrupting their esteemed colleague. Instead, this esteemed Department Head greeted the janitor by name, inquired about his family, even asking about the janitor's sick child by name.  The other professors were astounded and offended.  

After the janitor completed his task and had gone, the Department Head looked at the rest of the highly educated professors and said, "If you don't know the name of the person who empties your trash, you are overlooking the very people who make your life possible!  What would happen if George didn't come empty my trash twice a week?  What about the cooks and servers in the cafeteria?  You might think them to be beneath you, but if they did not do their jobs, where would you be?  Always be grateful to those who help you be who you are, for without them you would be nothing!"   

Think about the people Jesus took the time to get to know:
     * Tax Collectors
     * Prostitutes
     * Manual Laborers
     * Lepers
     * People with issues
     * And how about the criminal on the cross with Him?

Never forget to be grateful to the people who helped you get where you are and the ones who help you in the seemingly smallest of ways.      

Pray For The Peacemakers And The PeaceKeepers!

This has been National Police Week, and today I ask you to join with me in lifting to the heart of God police officers you know, have met, or know of.  And to lift them BY NAME. If you don't know their name, introduce yourself....they really are great people.

Abba Father,
In this moment, we give to you our offerings of praise and gratitude for those who keep us safe and enforce the laws.  We are grateful that You have called them to stand as Your guardians of Your people.  

As each officer prepares for their tour: 
     grant them Your strength to do what must be done
     grant them Your wisdom to make the split second decisions
     grant them Your discernment to determine the best course of action
     grant them Your patience when dealing with the public
     grant them Your protection as they go where evil dwells
     grant them Your love to show the world that police are here to help
     grant them Your courage to show that they are human too
     grant them Your fearlessness to let others come alongside and care
     grant them the knowledge that You are protecting their families
     fill them with the truth that You have called each of them BY NAME and love them
     grant us the desire to pray for them, love them, care about them, and encourage them
     fill them with the truth that they are appreciated and we are grateful for each of them
     Remind those who would break the law, that YOUR agents will enforce the laws, and lawbreakers should fear.

And as each officer goes through their tour, remind them that You are always with them!

And at the end of their tour, let each officer be grateful to You that they can go home safe.

Remind us always to, with gratitude, to pray for those who protect and serve.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
Amen!
 

Look for the Rainbows

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

Psalm 9:1 

 

I was sitting in my chair, ticked off and frustrated, because of some news we had gotten that blow a hole in our lives.  My prayer was "God, I don't understand why this happened, but I have to trust You because You love us."  That was all I could manage.  I won't lie to you and say that suddenly the doorbell rang and the Publisher's Clearinghouse representative handed us a giant check.  Actually, the situation did not change...but my attitude about the situation in that moment changed.  And believe it or not, as hokey as it may sound, the clouds outside drifted away and the sunlight was just what I needed.

 

The older I get, and you may stop laughing, the more God reveals things I have taken for granted that I should be thankful for.  There are mornings when I really don't want to get out of bed, yet God reminds me that He has people I need to meet.  There are times when I just don't want deal with anyone, and then comes that message that says "Thank you. Just want you to know you're appreciated."

 

I am beginning, at the age of over 50, to understand that when I praise God for the things He does, has done, and will do in my life, my perspective changes from All-About-Me to WOW!

There's an old hymn that says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face; and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of his glory and grace."

 

Begin this journey toward gratitude with me.

Let's Start Developing An Attitude!

But if we have food and shelter, we will be grateful for that.

1 Timothy 6:8 

 

Attitude!  Two things come to mind when I hear that word: 1) the very proud and arrogant; 2) the grateful spirit I need to develop.  We see the first one all the time: "NO ONE can tell me I can't have that....it's my RIGHT!"  You've seen this attitude.  You may even know some who have developed this attitude to a razor sharp edge.  But that's not the quality I want us to think about right now.

 

Let's focus on developing a grateful spirit.  Now, understand, having a grateful spirit does not mean allow yourself to be taken advantage of or walked on.  Having a grateful spirit means you understand that God allows things to happen for your good, sometimes we like them and sometimes we don't.  A grateful spirit is one that lives simply.

 

One program my Beautiful Bride and I enjoy is called "Tiny House Hunting."  People decide to "scale down" from their 3000 sq ft. home to one that's less than 5oo sq ft.  In order to do that, they must learn to get rid of things they don't really need.  It's always interesting to me to see what people cling to....collections of trinkets, shoes, guitars, tools, things they like to look at and like to have but haven't used them in YEARS.....but they just can't live without them.

 

Look at the words of the Apostle Paul: "If we have FOOD and SHELTER, we will be GRATEFUL."  The simplest of the simple things.  Food and shelter, and some translations include clothing.  The basics!  Nothing fancy.  Nothing extravagant.  Just simplicity.

 

Let's spend the next few days looking at Developing grATTITUDE!

Why Be Grateful!

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

Psalm 77:11-12

It seems as though we are living in times where gratitude and thanks are long forgotten.  I hear it over and over when I talk with people:

 "But you just don't know what I've been through...how can I even THINK about being grateful?"

"You've got to be kidding me, right? Do you have any idea what my life I like?  Do you have any clue what I am going through?  And you tell me I have something to be grateful for?"

"I don't know what hit you on the head, but until you have worked for my boss (met my coworkers, lived with my spouse, put up with my kids, etc. Take your pick), don't tell me that I have something to be grateful for!"

The lists of excuses why we aren't grateful gets longer and longer and longer every day.  And, hang on to your seat, it's because it takes EFFORT to find things to be grateful for.  It takes effort to DECIDE to be grateful!  Two things we don't like to do!  We want everything to be happy and easy and gently float into our laps without our having to exert any sort of effort.

Newsflash!  God gives us lots of reasons to be grateful and we are being ungrateful if we choose not to see them!

1.  Did you wake up this morning?  Be Grateful!
2. Are you able to read this? Be Grateful!
3. Did you have something to eat? Be Grateful!
4. Are you able to move around? Be Grateful!
5. Are you able to think? Be Grateful!
6. Has God provided for you? Be Grateful!
7. Do you have friends? Be Grateful!
8. Dislike your job? Be Grateful that you have the choice to stay or go!
9. Don't have a job yet? Be Grateful that you have the ability to look for one!
10. Need to lose weight? Be Grateful that you have so much to eat.

You see, we make a HUGE mistake when we complain instead of being grateful.  The children of Israel spent their time in the desert complaining about EVERYTHING, and what happened? God let them wander in the desert, while He continued to provide for them, until that entire ungrateful generation had died.

Take a deep breath!  God let you do take that breath, so be grateful!  He who is grateful in the small things will soon realize that life is much better.



Today Is THE Day!

This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 

 If you are reading this, then welcome to TODAY!  You see, TODAY is THE day!  What day?  THE Day that you get to decide to make it worth remembering or just another day to endure.  Today is THE DAY you will never get to see again or live through again.  Today is THE DAY that God has made specifically for you!  This is His gift to you!  

Yesterday...we can never change anything that has already happened.  EVER!  

Tomorrow....we haven't gotten there yet, so we can only plan possibilities.

BUT TODAY IS THE DAY we live in now!  TODAY IS THE DAY which we are adding to our legacy!  TODAY IS THE DAY that God has given you and me!  Let's make it a day of rejoicing in spite of our circumstances!  Let's make it a day of celebrating the victories!  Let make it a day that God will be thankful He gave us!

TODAY is the day God has made...just for you!