A couple good quotes on cultivating a thankful heart from Mahaney’s book on Humility:
“Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.” ~ Michael Ramsey
It was said of Matthew Henry that “he was an alert and thankful observer of answered prayer”; his gratitude for God’s mercies was constantly “sweetening his spirit, and he would often invite others to join him in giving thanks.”
This past Sunday my buddy, Lisle Drury, preached a great message on The Absurdity of Idolotry from Isaiah 44. That evening I followed up with a brief message on The Beauty and Glory of Jesus. Both of us were influenced by Tim Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods. This line, in particular, has continued to affect me this week:
“Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart, than your idol…If you uproot the idol and fail to ‘plant’ the love of Christ in its place, the idol will grow back (172).”
I pray these messages will help us take steps to remove the false and functional saviors in our lives and replace them with the beauty and glory of Christ.
Though it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, GirlTalk has already posted C.J.’s Christmas list of recommended books.
Most pastors won’t have a far-reaching public ministry like the Apostle Paul or the modern-day John Piper. But we can be like Tychicus. Who? Tychicus. He’s only mentioned in a couple verses at the end of Ephesians, but look at how he is described:
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. ~ Eph. 6:21-22
Tychicus was sent to the church at Ephesus to tell them how Paul was doing. He stands in the shadow of Paul. But I love how Paul describes him. Tychicus is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a humble encourager. Wouldn’t you love to be described that way?
Not all can be Paul (or even Piper), but more of us can be like Tychicus–a beloved brother, faithful minister, and humble encourager.
Provocative title, huh? Let me say right off the bat, I have great in-laws, and my wife and I enjoy our time with our families over the holidays. But I thought this was a helpful article especially for those of you who are newly married to help you decide how and where to spend your holidays. Here’s the conclusion:
Jonathan Dodson has put together a good list of gospel-centered marriage resources here.
Sometimes God has a way of getting my attention in the most peculiar of ways. Yesterday two completely different events came together and spoke one message to my heart.
The first involved my car. I was driving to work when all of a sudden I hear a noise coming from the front wheels. Now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I knew right away it had to be my brakes. After talking to one of our pastors who knows a lot more than I do (understatement!), it was confirmed — I needed new brake pads. Bummer, huh? That’s event #1.
On that same day, around the same time, my left ear started bothering me big time. It was actually hard for me to hear. But right away I knew what it was. About two times a year, my ears have a tendency to get loaded up with wax (I guess it’s inherited). So I tried putting some drops in them to soften up this junk, but it didn’t seem to work. After struggling for awhile, I went to see my doctor and he flushed out my ears. Not very fun. That’s event #2.
Now … I admit. I’m always trying to find spiritual parallels and pictures of God’s providence all around me. Some may say I’m sensitive to the Spirit while others would call me crazy. But here’s what I think God was up to.
I have a tendency to rush into my day and think about what I need to get done. So maybe, just maybe, God used two completely unrelated circumstances to remind me to stop and listen to Him more. To put on the brakes and clean out my ears, if you will, so I can hear his voice. I’m sure you know that stopping and praying and meditating on Scripture takes time. You can’t rush it. But it’s so worth it to hear God personally speak to your soul.
So even though I had to fork over some $$ yesterday for the brake pads and the doctor visit, I’m grateful that God got my attention.
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Tony Kummer, at Ministry-to-Children.com, posted a children’s lesson for Thanksgiving that I wrote awhile back. The main point I tried to draw from Luke 17:11-19 (The Story of the 10 Lepers) is that All Gifts from God Should Point Us Back to God and Cause Us to Give Thanks to God. The lesson is best suited for older elementary kids (preteens), but could be adapted for your family or ministry context. If you work with children and families, you will want to check out this helpful site.
As we approach the season of Advent, I encourage you to check out Sojourn’s Advent Songs. Available now for free or pay-what-you-want. Here’s a description from the website:
The emphasis here is on the already/ not-yet tension of Advent, the season of waiting and anticipation before Christmas. Advent comes to us in the darkest season of the year — a season when the nights are long, the days are cold, and we look with anticipation for the return of the warmth in the spring. The songs have both a dark sense of anticipation and glimpses of light dawning in the face of the Christ child.
As we celebrate this season, we celebrate that our Messiah has come, and we look with longing to the day when he comes again. As St. John says, “Amen! Come Lord Jesus.”
“… it’s a welcome change from the same old holiday ear candy.”
—Louisville Velocity Weekly
Joy to the World
Chord Sheet | Preview
Glory Be
Chord Sheet | Preview
God is With Us
Chord Sheet |
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Chord Sheet |
What Child Is This?
Chord Sheet | Preview
O Come All Ye Faithful
Chord Sheet |
Amen, Amen
Chord Sheet | Preview
Hosanna in the Highest
Chord Sheet
Even in this visual culture, it’s hard to find good Bible-based videos for children. But these look to be a great resource for families.
(HT: Jared K.)
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