thanks

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18 (NIV)

As 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, we are called to live joyfully always, and the season of Thanksgiving serves as a great reminder of how we live this out. Our source for joyful living is found in a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. To live joyfully is the discipline of continually recognizing the good in our lives and in the world around us. Today and throughout this week, be mindful that “every good and perfect gift is from above,” (James 1:17) and that the greatest source of joy in life is found in the knowledge that you are a child of the Living God through the life of Jesus Christ. Don’t allow the temporary circumstances of this fallen world to blind you from the goodness that is right in front of you today.

seasons

The last two days have truly been breath-taking – magnificent sunshine, warmer temperatures and beautiful colors. Here in Greensboro, autumn seems to be in full swing with leaves still changing and blowing off the trees. It’s beautiful to behold (along with serving as a reminder that my first job after getting moved into our new home this week will be, of course, raking!). This is Molly’s favorite season of the year, which probably comes as no surprise you, especially due to the fact that she’s an artist and appreciates the colors.

Autumn is an interesting reminder to us of the change that is constantly taking place, not only in the world around us, but in our own lives as well. Seasons usher in change and something new and unique, but perhaps no other season brings the change that autumn does. Trees change from green and full, to colorful, and then empty. Temperatures begin to vary, and we begin to brace ourselves for colder temperatures. Crops are harvested, fields are left bare. Change is taking place.

Maybe you sometimes catch yourself, like me, wondering why changes are necessary (beyond the scientific explanations). Yet during seasons like this, I think the world around us is clear about God’s plan for change in all our lives and why it is so necessary. In nature, changing seasons bring renewal – bringing life to things that once seemed dead. Perhaps that’s a good way to look at why God allows change in our lives. Although He never changes, God uses change in our lives to renew us because He is a God who loves “making everything new” (Revelation 21:5).

Later this week, we will be moving once again into our new home in Greensboro, and I’m again reminded how this season (the last 3-4 months of our lives) has personally brought change after change into our lives. The changes have been tough, but they’ve also brought us huge blessings found in new relationships, new opportunities and a new home. And when you take time to put things into God’s perspective, you’ll be reminded, as I have been recently, of how we must continually give thanks during seasons of change – thanks for what has been (God’s faithfulness), thanks for what is to come* (God’s promises), thanks for what God is producing in us (God’s purposes). You see, God’s ultimate purpose for the changes that take place in our lives today is to transform us where “we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Today, I pray that you will live in recognition of God’s purpose for change in your life, that you would embrace it and give thanks.

the friend and the loner

"Wisdom sees all life through relationships - our relationship to God, to others, to nature, and more. It is recognizing that the best of ourselves can only be discovered when we consider others above ourselves."

-Erwin McManus from Stand Against the Wind

This morning I was checking out the words of one of the wisest men ever. I love meditating on the words of Solomon, who probably wrote the book of Ecclesiastes late in his life. This guy had everything, yet despite every earthly pleasure you can imagine, Solomon found his heart empty. This book contrasts a live of vain pursuits with the only meaningful pursuit in life, the pursuit of relationship with our Creator.
In chapter 4, Solomon talks about 2 types of people...the loner and the friend. The lonely man - who can also be described as a prideful 'workaholic' - observes the end of his toil with despair and "his eyes were not content with his wealth." He then asks, "why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" (v.8)

When I consider times in my life where I'm working so hard for something, only to find emptiness in my toil, I realize my tendancies and my mistakes in pursuing success and gain in life on my own. No matter how successful I may be, when I look back, there's no one there I shared my labor with. There's just emptiness and questions.

Before Molly and I were married, I had "Ecclesiastes 4:9-12" engraved on her wedding band. These words remind me that we were not designed for loneliness and isolation in life (hear me on this, introverts); we're designed to enjoy companionship and intimacy - with God, with people, with nature. Two are truly better than one. Life becomes more productive, and such companionships bring us encouragement, support, the ability to survive, strength to face battles and to overcome.

Verse 12 nails this point home of me..."a cord of three strands is not easily broken." My friend, John Berry, and I used a few pieces of yarn one time to illustrate this point; it has stuck with me to this day. One piece of yarn can be snapped easily. Add another piece, and it become tougher to break. Braid three together, and it's very difficult to break.

We need relationships...relationships that are meaningful, deep, intimate. Relationships that are made "unbreakable" with the cord of God woven into them.

I truly believe that the best moments in my life have been found in giving myself away...

Consider your own life. How do relationships shape you? What are your stuggles with them? Jump in with your thoughts and add to the painting...

movement

I love what a friend of mine shared with me a few weeks ago as we discussed what exactly it was that Jesus meant when He spoke of His kingdom. Check out the words of French Emporer Napoleon Bonaparte concerning the uniqueness of this kingdom:
"I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Ceasar, Charlemagne, and I have found empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him."

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within (or among) you." (Luke 17:20-21, NIV)

This kingdom was and is a movement of love, and it's a movement that continues today as God's kingdom advances through human hearts. That is a key value and desire of the church-movement we are planting, a church that "awakens" the human heart to the reality of God's presence and His kingdom here on earth through love.

Join the discussion and allow the painting to continue...