ramblings on thankfulness...

...one of the first things we each need to consider, especially as followers of Jesus, is our attitude in regard to thanks giving. What is the level of gratitude we are experiencing internally? Would someone who meets us be moved to consider their own gratitude, because something about us caused them to examine their own lives and ponder all that they have.


Notice that the term “thanks giving” (above) is not capitalized, that's because I wasn't talking about the holiday... but, I will now. Sometimes I wonder if one of the most difficult tasks I have on any given day is maintaining an attitude of thanks, and maybe even more frustrating, that I would struggle (OR NOT) to just be thankful.


(And I don't know if frustrating is the right word, because you would have to be intentionally trying to do something to evoke frustration... though in this context, because I am thinking about thanks and my inability to be thankful, and am reflecting on the importance of thanks, and what it must look like to the outside world – that despite all that I have been given – I am not grateful, and considering my responsibility and privilege as a child of God to grasp and appreciate the awesome gift of life that I have been given AND the One who gives it... and how I display or don't display that in appreciation and praise – whether anyone is looking or not – let alone what it says to a lost and dying world who has no hope and needs the very gift that I have that I (at least) seem to be so ungrateful for... that if I who have it, do not see it or the One who gives it, as worthy of my gratitude – why should they (even) want it, let alone sense a need for it, or Him... yes frustrating is the word I will use to (so grossly) understate the condition of my being ungrateful.)


Are there many things more sad than watching someone be given a gift or a privilege and having them respond in disdain or apathy? We have all watched as someone has completely dismissed an act or gift of kindness and standing back, we shake our heads, pondering the ingratitude demonstrated on such occasions, cringing at the rude display, we wonder “how can anyone be that ungrateful?!” while feeling empathy for the one who was so thoughtlessly disregarded. Even wanting to approach the offended and express thanks on the rude one's behalf, and then are tempted to turn and accost the offender and ask them “what in the world could you have been thinking?! Oh, yeah, you weren't!” And I guess that, that right there, is the rub, the reason the word frustrating is too kind (almost cowardly) a word to use for any thanklessness that I might be guilty of – because the matter is that I just don't (nearly) often enough, even think about being thankful.


Maybe, I am the only one who struggles so much with this... and writing this is just an exercise in confession, an attempt for accountability, that someone would hold my feet to the fire and remind me to reflect and appreciate... or an invitation to someone, anyone, to punch me in the head when I so carelessly disregard the kindnesses offered me daily... wounding the giver who so graciously gave... and with this glimpse into my world... maybe this becomes a gentle reminder for you who practice giving thanks, to remain thankful, consistently aware of the gift and the giver... to not only remember and not lose sight of all that you have and all that you are (most times that's the easiest and most natural part) but also to remember and offer thanks for the one who has been so kind, the giver, the one who takes joy in giving and relishes in how it is received by the one they love – the object of this kind affection... and to remain thankful – expressing it at every turn...


...and this brings us to God, the giver of life and love and mercy and grace and then to us, the thankful, displaying His faithfulness and the joy that lies within and offering back to Him in gratitude, thanksgiving – not just for the gifts, but for the giver. That this, your's – the thankful, is the testimony that is right and just and fair, that has the power to evoke...

...or maybe, you suffer from the same malady as me and this is a quick reminder that you and I have perhaps forgotten, even taken for granted the kindness of our God and His incredible provisions – for life, godliness and eternity with Him. We have taken for granted not only the gifts, but also, the gift giver. That the gift is the symbol of the kind, generous and loving heart of the one who gives... maybe this is just a gentle nudge to consider, to reflect, to remember, to express... to change...


no guilt, no coercion... just consideration, respect, appreciation... simply put, thanks

maybe that's why its called Thanks-Give-ing

It’s all about the relationship(s)

God and Christianity are about relationships:
God to God; God to man; man to God; man to man...

Before creation, before time, God lived and moved – in Him was light and life (John 1) and in Him was relationship. Sometimes we get the idea that God had children because He was lonely, or needed companionship, or purpose, in fact none of that is true. God was and is and forever will be perfect and complete, not lacking anything – and that includes relationship. You see, God is relationship – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perfect in function and form, perfect in unity and purpose, perfect in relationship to Himself and each other – the mystery of God – His persons and his person, self contained – the trinity. Perfect in relationship, that is God.

I believe that relationship is what God is about. The whole of the Bible is the story of relationship, God’s relationship to Himself in the trinity and what God was willing to do to create, ensure, redeem, restore, and insure our relationship with Him. He has never existed outside of relationship; He created us to be in relationship (Gen 1, 2) – with Him and each other – and has gone to great lengths to preserve that relationship.

God is glorified by relationships. The most important thing in the universe is God’s glory – and He and we accomplish His glory through relationship (Rom 9, John 15-17, Eph 1, 2, 1John 4).

God’s purposes and ministry are accomplished through relationships. Because I believe these things to be true, I believe that this is God’s intent for His people – to be in relationships. To worship, connect, grow, serve and reach out with and to each other – in and through relationships; Christianity, ministry, Church is about nothing but relationships. The reality that God would invite us to join Him in relationship and then give us the privilege of inviting others to be a part is nothing less than magnificent! (Matt 28)

I beleive that that is what we are called to, that is ministry – more than that – that is Church. And, that is what we are asked, even commanded to be a part of… relationships.


"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

...broken pieces brought together by God's creative and gracious hands to make something beautiful – meaningful – significant – glorious...

humor, and the art of suffering

There are few things we value as much in our home as humor. We love to laugh, and we laugh a lot in our house. Nothing gives me more joy than being with my family. We laugh with each other, at each other and mostly, at ourselves. I think it may be the most honest thing in world, laughter.

It pains me to watch someone who cannot enjoy themselves or those with whom God has placed them. Although sometimes my own intensity belies my commitment to fun, I believe that in the grand scheme of things - underneath all the hurt and depravity of lostness, and the seriousness with which we (or I) approach life – there is a tinge of humor, an underlying joy to life and a hope in eternity that peeks through and tickles the feet of those willing to laugh; I am learning to recognize and understand the fruit of suffering, (which is) the budding character of a man.

I thank God that He purposes in me a likeness to His Son by the sufferings of the day, for otherwise I am lost, lost to wonder - what will become of me. James 1; 1Peter 1; Romans 5

As my friend Del Griffith so eloquently stated: “I... I... I like me, my wife likes me...” To be the real article; a what you see, is what you get kinda guy…

Target: Who It Is That We Are Trying To Reach

Target: who it is that we are trying to reach

• wounded saints who have given up on the church
• the unchurched and unsaved

Seeking To Reach…

• a generation who is fearful, resentful and suspicious of the institution, who believes that actions speak louder than words, a generation that is looking for something, someone that will meet them where they are with authenticity, openness and honesty.
• (Typified by) 20 and 30 somethings who have either given up on church or have never graced the doors of a church.
  

This generation is not only “young” people, but anyone seeking a transparent … honest… life of service, to go into the lives and places of others and show them the love of God in Christ Jesus

1. “…love God...love others… as self…” Matt 23
2. “…go make disciples ...” Matt 28
3. “...go into the towns...the Kingdom of God near...” Luke 10
4. “...they gave to everyone who had need...” Acts 2
5. “...come and see...” John 1

Indeed, 40 percent of the "unchurched" do not entirely stay away from worship services, according to a survey by Ellison Research, a marketing group in Phoenix, Ariz. That means an estimated 43 million Americans categorized as "unchurched" will go to a place of worship at least once a year. It might be Christmas, it might be Yom Kippur or the birthday of a late mother.

Demographics Here...

• the average small city has
• up to 50% of their population under the age of 40
• 60% or more of their population not currently attending a place of worship, despite proximity churches
• up to 80% of the population considering themselves to religious and Christian

Meeting them where they are... 1Corinthians 9:19-23

Commitment to generational ministry: although the target of this church is 20's and 30's, it is essential that every living decade be represented in the body. The Bible demonstrates the need for generational ministry, or discipleship, throughout. There is wisdom, discernment and experience to be gleaned from those who have gone before us on the path of righteousness.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18