Thanksgiving: Much more than a day

On of the biggest problems after the fall of man-kind (sin) in the Garden of Eden is the problem with our memories. We can't remember much and when we do it seems to be pretty selective. My Uncle Hilmer tells me all the time he knows everything, He then adds that he just has trouble recalling it sometimes.

I think that is one of the biggest problems we face as a race. We can't remember! History is repleat with mankinds forgettfulness. War, crime, abuse, violence and ignorance caught for all to see in the pages of history.

Paul talks a little bit about our predicament in the first chapter of the book of Romans.

Romans 1:20-22 "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools" (NIV).

There it is! We can't remember! or we choose not to remember.

Thanksgiving Day is a time set aside by the leaders of our great country. It is a time our nation is supposed to reflect on the incredible provision of Almighty God.
Historically it has been connected to the very first settlements in this great country and William Bradfords incredible declaration for a Day of Thanksgiving for the Pilgims at Plymouth is a wonderful example of that history.

We are approaching a day that has been set aside to remind us of how we should be living all year long. Let us not forget!

Chack out these other texts:
Nehemiah 12:46 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 100:4 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Colossians 2:6-7 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Out of the Shadows

Shadows serve a lot of purposes don't they? Some are good, some are not. They cover, hide and conceal that which we don't want fully seen.

The scriptures use this picture of us under the shadow of God's wings seeking refuge. That is a good shadow. It preserves us until we are able to stand on our own.

I trained with the military in the Mojave Desert in California. In that environment we needed, coveted, looked for shade continually. We could not handle the direct powerful strength of the sun. Even the most experienced soldiers sought out the shade when needed.

I have been reading through Luke chapter 7 for the past week. It is a really neat story about Jesus as a guest at Simeon the Pharisees home.

Luke records for us that out from the shadows steps an incredibly brave and daring woman. A woman who wasn't on the guest list. A woman many in town knew and talked about because of her reputation. She was said to have been a woman who had led a sinful life.

This woman steps off the wall, into the light, and falls at the feet of Jesus. She begins weeping uncontrollably and wipes Jesus feet with her tears and hair and then pours perfume on them. She was done running, hiding, holding back. She had heard the stories about this Jesus and her hope would not allow her to stay in the shadows any longer. She went for it and when she sensed his acceptance of her all the years of rejection, hurt and pain boiled over into this heart felt display of worship.

Simeon didn't invite Jesus into his home to worship him but to investigate him and maybe even try to discredit him. We see this because he does not render the traditional honor to his visiting guest. He doesn't wash his feet or allow him to refresh himself before dinner.

Jesus reads Simeon's thoughts and tells a parable. A story about two people who had debts they could not satisfy. Two people who needed the grace and mercy of their master. The story is a picture of Simeon and the woman. One who was ready to admit and deal with their debt and the other who was still denying his own need.

This story shows us that where ever we are at in this process of trying to settle our debts with the master he is willing to work with us.

He is safe and will not embarrass us if we venture from the shadows and into the light. The threat of punishment, abuse and shame are over. David says in the Psalms, "The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

Lets be done with trying to hide our inadequacies. Lets come out of the shadows and walk in the light. It is safe for all of us.

Check out these other verses...
Psalm 139:11-12 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Isaiah 9:2 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

What Was I Thinking?

Diercks Bentley got it right when he wrote his country western song called "What was I thinking?" It is a song that did well and I know it is because sooo many of us could identify with saying. There were times in my life when I have asked it of myself, times when others have said it to me, and times when I have asked it of others. We have perhaps all felt the sting of that question. It is dangerous for us to live without evaluating our thoughts.

Today in the scientific community many have rallied around this concept of linking our behavior to our thoughts. One of the most popular psychological approaches being taught today is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It corrects thinking behind behaviors to make changes. The American Psychiatric Association indicated that among psychotherapeutic approaches, CBT is the most effective treatment for major depressive disorders.

We are being confronted with the truth that our thoughts drive our actions.

The Scriptures have always linked our thoughts to our actions. Gen 6:5 "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." God knows our predicament. Christ connected thoughts to actions in the sermon on the mount. In reguards to murder and lust he said if you think it, you might as well have done it. The Apostle Paul indicates that we can win in this area of our thought life in 2Cor 10:5, "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”

How did he do that? Could We? What if we could somehow learn how to filter our thoughts?

I think Paul gave us a great filter for our thoughts in oen particular verse in the scriptures. Look at Philippians 4:8 with me. In it Paul uses 6 adjectives and 2 nouns that lay a great foundation for creating this filter.

I memorized it and shared this message with amny of you this weekend in service. It is my sincere hope that many of you have committed this text to memory and are using it to help you walk in the victory Christ has provided.