Laced With Grace

Wherever we go, or whatever we watch, whether TV, movies, the Internet or standing in line at the checkout in the grocery store, we see what the “world” views as “super stars” – people to emulate. It seems that every day there is some “star”, athlete, or even politician admitting or caught in uncompromising situation. These are the individuals that the world is trying to get our children as well as ourselves to emulate even worship.

Even in the Christian realm we must be careful not to put the Christian artist, authors, or even pastors in position of worship over God. The created is flawed in this sinful world. But the Creator is not flawed, He is Truth. People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own self-centered personal beliefs. We need to be careful- even watchful that we do not trade the truth about God for a lie. Today, more than ever, we need to know what the foundation is for our beliefs. The influences of TV, music, movies and even the media often presents sinful life-styles and objectionable values that we often find ourselves bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally contrary to the Bible. We need to be careful of what influences us to form our opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth so we must evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings.

This world desires us to worship the things that God has created instead of the Creator Himself! Even though some of the created may seem good, we must be careful of crossing the line from admiration to adoration. The created can disappoint us, ever fail us, but the Creator will never fail- He is forever faithful and just. He is our standard of Truth. Our God, is always worthy of our praise and adoration. Let us always give honor and glory to One who is worthy of all praise! Amen!

If we could look in the window of our neighbor, I wonder what kind of table we would see this Thanksgiving Day?

• The widow who just recently lost her soul mate of 49 years, sitting at her table alone, staring at the empty seat across from her.
• The young mother and her two children, join hands and not only pray for their meal but for the safe return of their husband and father from war over at Iraq.
• The elderly man, bows and prays and thanks God for the last piece of bread that he is about to eat.

So many of us will gather around our table this day, joined with our family and friends and enjoy in a feast that seems never ending. While at the same time, people all over will have nothing to eat or have no-one to share their dinner with, much like the examples I gave above. No matter what your table may look like this Thanksgiving day, gratitude is indeed in our attitude.

Paul is a man in the Bible that truly had an attitude of gratitude! While in prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing and it is during this time that Paul expressed his gratitude in a language. A  language of worship that is. When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he encouraged them to share all of their worries and concerns to God. Not only did Paul instruct them to give it all to God but he also implored them to do it with thankfulness.

Paul knew, all too well, that this often-missing ingredient (thankfulness) would change the perspective of so many. Consider how thankfulness lightens your perspective. For Paul, being thankful kept his focus on what was good, true, just, pure and lovely, instead of on the chains of his circumstances. As a result, Paul felt the peace of God.

Maybe you are experiencing some anxiety this Thanksgiving day, Paul is not suggesting that we love the cause of our anxiety, but what he is saying is that we can find God’s peace when we take time to stop and worship Him! Some of the awfulness of this world will not entirely go away, but suddenly it will seem smaller or even more manageable if we seek His peace.

PSALM 95:2 “Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!”

Gratitude is a beautiful way to bring your worries down to size…no matter what your table looks like this day, speak in “gratitude language” to God and give Him Praise!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

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Why is it the moment our family begins to get ready for church my pathetic attitude rears its ugly head for all to see?

My daughter had a little friend spend the night last night. With spatula in hand, my robe on and wet hair hanging around my face like the mythological creature Medusa, she quietly comes up to me and announces she doesn’t want to go to church with us as planned.

Now, I am not one to force church attendance on anyone…but I was irritated. As adorable as this little girl is, I had only minutes left to get everyone fed, run this child home and head back to make myself presentable and get to church.

Like Cruella Deville I sped through our little town to take this child home. After ringing her doorbell until my index finger was numb, we discovered her parents weren’t home.

Can you feel my growing irritation?

Racing back home in our Suburban, thoughts danced in my head. My hair is going to look awful drying on its own. I bet the breakfast dishes are now stuck by syrup to my kitchen table. Why did I eat pancakes for breakfast today anyway? I feel like I have a brick in my stomach. Why didn’t Paul offer to take this child home?

Like the godly woman I am (interject sarcasm here), I fumed on the way to church. I thought for sure my fake smile screamed “Hypocrite!” as I walked into church minutes later.

Leaning over to one of my girlfriends, I smiled from ear to ear and spoke through clenched teeth, “I am not in a good mood today.”

…and then it happened.

Worship began.

Have you ever tried to stay in a bad mood while praising God? It’s impossible to do. My anger and irritation melted away.

Replacing my foul, ugly flesh was a heart that needed forgiveness for snapping at my husband and for all of the ways I was imagining I could torture my children for creating such a mess this morning.

When we praise Him, we take our eyes off ourselves and place them where they should have been all along…on Jesus.

So, when you feel yourself heading down the ugly road of selfish, prideful, self-absorbed you, crank up the worship music.

I double dog dare you.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His wondrous works and devoutly praise them! 1 Chronicles 16: 9