Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God,

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name,

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

Three thoughts:

“Know that the LORD is God…” An attitude of thankfulness and a spirit of joy is dependent on the extent to which we believe in the reality of God. If you don’t settle the fact of your origin and purpose, the resulting insecurity will rob you of any long-term thanksgiving.

Second, God calls you by name. He claims you as his own, like a groom is proud to present his bride. “It is he who made us, we are his.” Though you may find yourself rejected and overlooked by many others, God will never be one of them. He will not–can not–walk away. Even on the worst of days, this is something that leaves me both relieved and thankful.

And finally, “…the LORD is good and his love endures forever.” There are many from whom I seek love. And a few of them really do love me, as best they can. But in end, the love they pour into my life is imperfect, like trying to pour a glass of Koolaid from a pitcher with a hole in it. Most of the time the Koolaid makes a sticky mess and my glass remains half empty. I am needy and unable to reciprocate. And, still, God never tires of loving me. His love and faithfulness endure forever.

Thank heavens.

]]> http://meetmeattheintersection.com/2008/11/16/a-psalm-of-thanks/feed/ http://meetmeattheintersection.com/2008/11/09/the-thankful-students/ http://meetmeattheintersection.com/2008/11/09/the-thankful-students/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:07:21 +0000 Krista http://meetmeattheintersection.com/2008/11/09/the-thankful-students/ It was a cold, crisp Colorado morning. I pulled myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. dreading the task that was ahead of me, but knowing full well I was one of the few, the proud and the brave assigned to carpool duty at my daughters’ school. My children attend a charter school that does not offer bus service, so in order for the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up to run as safe as possible, there must be a skilled team in place ready to handle any parking lot violation.

I reported to the “shed” at 0745 hours where all the carpool supplies are housed. Quick introductions were made with the rest of the team and then we went about our assigned tasks. Some barricaded one of the entry points; some handed out the bullet-proof vests, I mean the bright orange safety vests; while another handed out the ammunition, okay the hand-held stop signs. In about five minutes we were ready and in position at our assigned posts.

With my sunglasses on, my orange vest fastened and my stop sign in hand, I heard the hum of the first intruder, well at least their car anyway. Soon the parking lot was full of SUV’s, mini vans and a few four-door sedans. The team was doing a great job and everything was running smoothly—except my attitude.

In all honesty, I hate carpool duty. The orange vests match no outfit I own; it is freezing cold, not to mention very early in the morning; and it’s a “thankless” volunteer job, or so I thought. This particular morning though, I would be taught an important lesson.

As the parking lot became congested, I walked out to the middle of the cross-walk (my post that morning) and stopped the line of cars. I motioned for the students to walk across. But wait, were those smiles on their faces, and I think one of them just told me “thank you?” Surely I heard wrong.

A few minutes later I crossed another group of students, and heard a few more “thank you’s” and saw several smiles. I was baffled. But before long I found myself smiling back and saying, “Have a great day.” Soon the cold air didn’t seem like such a bother, and I actually felt that this was a nice way to start the day. Even the orange vest—never mind, it was still hideous.

After the last cars had passed through and the final group of students were safely in class, I thought to myself how nice this dreaded morning had turned out to be. A simple “thank you” changed my attitude instantly. And it was a group of K-8^th graders that taught me this important lesson.

How often do we forget to say those simple words—thank you? It’s a manner I have tried to instill in my children from the time they learned to talk, but as an adult I know of many times where I forget to say thank you. And even more difficult to admit, I often forget to thank God; the One who knows me the best; who knew me before He formed me in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5); the One who gave His only son to die for me, so that I might have eternal life (John 3:16).

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:28 – 29

I’m glad that we have one month set aside each calendar year where thankfulness is the theme, but shouldn’t it be on our hearts all the time? God is constantly at work in our lives every moment of every day. Though we can never out-give God, we can certainly thank Him throughout the day.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I know there are moments in our lives we feel God is far from deserving our thanks. We cast blame on Him for the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we must remember, despite the trials we endure, we are blessed. Let’s not be forgetful people. God has blessed us in many ways, and He needs to hear our thanks.

I knew I’d only be there for one year, so I couldn’t put a new relationship through the standard protocol. I didn’t want to waste any time once I got to Costa Rica pursuing a close friendship since I knew my days were already numbered. Instead, I prayed fervently for months before even setting foot on “Tican” soil for a good friend.

I could hardly contain myself once language school started. With every female I met, I’d quietly pray, “is that her?” I knew my soon-to-be-close friend was close. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve, waiting with great anticipation for what lay in the near future.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe God is a genie who is obligated to provide me with a close friend at the moment I ask for one. Actually, I don’t think God is required to answer any of my prayers. It’s just that my Abba Father likes to. Just like He does for you. And so I waited.

And then I met her. It took a few weeks to know for sure, but I quickly realized that God provided an answer to my request.

I told my mentor about my new friendship and the ways in which I had prayed for her and the great expectation I had in meeting her. She smiled, then gently asked if I’d told Christina how grateful I was for her. I realized I hadn’t.

My heart can be good at expressing thanksgiving, but my mouth often forgets to do the same.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3 (KJV)

My goal this month is to thank some of the many people who have played such an important role in my life. I want to encourage you to do the same. Feel free to use the comments section to share your thanksgiving, and please check that section throughout the month. You just might find yourself mentioned there.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Today marks the the final post for our blog devo series on the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We have more good stuff coming your way in November (Lifestyle Thanksgiving), December (all things Christmas!) and in 2009 (purposefully vague…you’ll just have to wait and see!).

Self-control is a good subject on which to close. Honestly, I like the word. Self-control implies that I have some. Control, that is. Whether a result of my history or just part of my personality, I like to feel in control (dare I say I need it???). Chaos scares me, and I slip into an easy panic if life is beyond my ability to manage. My insecurity meter hits the roof and everyone around me pays for it.

I’m a roll-my-sleeves-up-and-tackle-any-project person. I welcome any challenge as long as doesn’t leave my world spinning out of control. Therefore, the word "self-control" sounds like my kind of fruit.

UNTIL I unpack the events of the past few weeks. The comments I made and shouldn’t have. The conversations I initiated which should’ve never been started. The verbal vomit I spewed in a moment of frustration. The unforgiveness I nurtured in my heart, and the retaliation fantasy I played out in my mind (yes, I have a sinister side). I may be disciplined in many areas, but honest self-eval reveals I’m really NOT "in control" of my flesh. I am a woman who is always just a few small decisions away from major disaster. Though I desperately want to believe I am ultimately good and righteous, I have teetered close enough to the edge of destruction to know better.

That’s why self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and not a "Fruit of Michele". True self-control is beyond me. It is a challenge bigger than I am equipped to tackle. The fruit I bear of my own rolled-up sleeves is nice, but fleeting at best. And, quite honestly, my flesh pulls me down a slippery slope of carnality every day. There really is no point to being anything but transparent here: I’m out of control. Paul agreed:

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. Romans 7:18b-19

Whether we’re talking about the fruit of love, joy, peace or even self-control, we will always far short of the ideal without a working of the Spirit. That’s the whole point of this devo series: to consciously allow the Spirit of the Living God greater access to our everyday moments. The Spirit then becomes our solid footing on the slippery slope, allowing us to climb higher and stronger than would be otherwise possible.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a

Amen!

I am reading a book called, Finding Your Purpose as a Mom, by Donna Otto. This book, among other topics, addresses the very subject of busyness. On how our grandmothers and mothers lived, Otto says, “Time flowed and we flowed with it. People worked of course, but the emphasis was on the doing, not getting it done and moving immediately to something else.”[i]

We have such a timeless example in Jesus during his 33 years on earth. His ministry was about pursuing and building relationships. His focus was eternal. He wanted everyone to come to know him as their personal Lord and Savior. When reading scripture I never get the feeling Jesus rushed from one task to the next. I don’t picture him running from city to city exhausted and out of breath, or rolling his eyes when the disciples weren’t on time. I don’t picture him tapping his fingers and being impatient while buying his lunch in the marketplace of Jerusalem. He understood the concept of balancing time and creating boundaries with people. Jesus rested in the fact that time and order was his Father’s idea in the first place. Even during the throws of a violent storm, Jesus was found sleeping.

“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’" Matthew 8:24 - 25

Do you feel that way sometimes? Do you feel like you are drowning in the midst of daily tasks while life moves by at warp speed? We can’t help the tech-savvy culture we live in. The message of our rushed culture is “get it done now,” and we have every tool at our fingertips to make that happen. There is not a lot of room for interruptions, slowing down, or allowing God’s timing on things.

One of my favorite passages is Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Not only does this scripture bring comfort in the midst of busyness, but it is packed with instructions. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” he says. You see Jesus wants us to wear a yoke that is easy and not heavy. He wants us to move along freely in our day to day life, not weighed down by all we have to get done. He wants us to learn from him and then follow his example.

Easier said than done right? The above mentioned book gives great practical advice on how to bring order to a chaotic life, but one piece of advice that really spoke to me was this: “Think about what you are trading off to keep up with today’s culture? Is all the stuff in your life really worth the time you must invest in it?” Donna Otto.[ii]

This topic of busyness is an intimidating one to address, but I have recently come to a point where I am tired of sprinting through my days without feeling like anything I’ve done is for a greater purpose—an eternal purpose. As I’ve grappled with this topic, the words to Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God” song came to mind:

“Age to age he stands. And time is in his hands. Beginning and the end. Beginning and the end.”[iii]

[i] Finding Your Purpose as a Mom p. 92, Donna Otto, 2004, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene OR

[ii] Finding Your Purpose as a Mom p.97, Donna Otto, 2004, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene OR

[iii] www.christomlin.com, How Great is Our God lyrics, Arriving album

"Stacy, how about you walk slowly on the treadmill for five minutes to warm up?" the therapist mentioned the other day.

What? I ran eight miles yesterday and she wants me to walk slowly?

Almost sensing my thoughts, I heard that oft –spoken phrase yet again. "Engage the muscle." Agh. Apparently I can’t even walk right. I must relearn everything–how to pick up my son, how to sit, even how to chop vegetables or put away dishes. I shouldn’t have to learn these things at my age, I often find myself thinking. I know how to walk. But, I also know the pain I’ve felt for years and the many ways which it has hindered me. The cost is too great to not put their advice into action.

I find the same is true with self-control. I’ve lived a certain way for quite a while now–snapping at others when I’m worn out or beat up–and in my pride I don’t want to change. Why should I relearn something now? So maybe I’ve hurt a few people here and there, but I’m surrounded by gracious people who are quick to forgive my shortcomings. But, I’m beginning to take an assessment of the cost of forfeiting this valuable fruit of self-control. I can’t help but realize that it is worth every ounce of exertion. Just the look on my kids’ faces after I get upset at them for something that isn’t their fault shows me the value of utilizing this fruit. Scripture convinces me even more.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8

The fact that the admonition to be self-controlled comes right before stating that the devil is ready to pounce on us suggests a direct correlation.  When we don’t exercise self-control, we put ourselves at greater risk of being devoured by the devil.  So many times I don’t want to demonstrate self-control.  I want to retaliate after being called hateful names.  It might feel good for that second, but not only do I have to ask for forgiveness afterwards, I leave myself vulnerable and open for attack.

Galatians 5:22 promises us that the Spirit gifts with us self-control. It is very much like my abs. The muscles have always been there but I never knew how to engage them to gird myself. Self control is given to us, but we must learn how to engage that fruit to protect ourselves.

I know it is hard to change our ways, trust me, I know. But there is so much at stake here. Engage the fruit!