It's all about me!

24 November 1999

but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20b)

It seems this year more than ever that Thanksgiving is just a mark in the time of marketing between Halloween and Christmas. As Christians we are all too caught up in it because of our association (or worse) with the worldly culture.

I was struck as I returned from Eastern Washington on Sunday, that I had no idea if I was writing anything this week at all. Monday morning, when I usually get my inspiration, things just didn't seem to be there, but I decided to write a series of three little stories on what Thanksgiving has meant to me. For some reason I got too busy and I really didn't feel that good about the whole subject. Yesterday I felt the same way. It seemed as if I was in the way of something. Could I be in the way of something that the Lord wanted to say? After all I was all caught up on my religious duties, I had confessed all the transgressions I could think of, and had set a course to learn from and to right those sins as God gave me the grace to do so.

Over these days one phrase a waitress in Spokane had told me, somewhat in jest, "It's really all about me!"continued in my mind. The fact of the matter is that this is the crux of the whole gospel. Notice the "I"s in the preceeding paragraph for illustration. We believe that it is really all about us, but the truth is it really is all about Jesus Christ and the propitiation that has redeemed us from ourselves.

In the paragraph preceding these few words from Luke, Jesus is talking about all kinds of stuff we think is important. This is mostly in the spiritual realm, which makes us feel holy. But the material stuff is truly just as significant. The point is each of us could write a page, an article, or a book about what we rejoice in. After all that noise is done, we have too little time too, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Our society, even in its most humble abode on this earth, is truly blessed materially. We are inundated with stuff. My truck was filled with stuff when I returned from Eastern Washington. Most of it related to family and community, my goal is therefore to get rid of some of my current stuff that does not have that significance in my life. The question is both if and when?

As the priesthood of all believers we look at the "ministry" that God has given to us, whatever that may be, and as we are able, we are truly thankful. But just for a moment, amongst the turkey and the rest of the gluttonous feast, let us truly reflect and rejoice that are names are written in heaven.

PRAYER PLANTS

The trip to Eastern Washington was truly a blessing, my mother is doing well. Her health has returned, and she looks as good as I have seen her in years. She recognized me, I think but could not say anything, she would just smile and squeeze my hand. We look at all this as suffering, in this world and say why would a loving God allow this to happen. But we truly do not do this from an eternal perspective. It is really all about "us" in the here and now.

As I said earlier I brought home a pickup load of stuff from my mom's lake cabin. It is not really that I need it, but most everyone else would look at it as junk. But virtually all my furniture was someone's junk and now everyone says how wonderful it is. It is just like the grace of God in redeeming humanity.

It looks as if the "Old Goat Y2K Tour" to Russia and Europe is on for the spring. Yesterday I put down the first deposit. There is still a potential cash flow situation but the money seems to be there. Please pray for direction beyond the church planting in Perm, Russia and also for continued provision until departure and after.

To be truly thankful to God our Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ for the free gifts of grace we have been given, is my benediction to you. May the majestic peace of God accompany you all during this season of hustle and bustle. Amen.