The United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek

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December Newsletter 2009

Message: Gratitude Brings a Joyful Attitude-
Scripture, Hebrews 13: 15-21
UMC-SC, John D. Landis, Pastor
Sunday, November 22, 2009

Well it is Thanksgiving.  Somebody might be thinking, oh here we go again, another talk on how to be thankful.  We will listen to it then go home, eat turkey on Thursday, and watch the Lions and we will be miserable again.  That can easily happen.  But I want to hit you with the thought that living with gratitude to God and others can actually change your life.  You can go from being in an unhappy mood to a joyful one.

Think of the times when you were most miserable.  You were being eaten up by frustrations at work, irritations at home, and complications with finances.  Life was looking so unpleasant, and it just got worse and worse.  Then you saw someone who was handicapped, or you visited a person in the hospital who was on a respirator, or you learned of someone that lost their home and you said dear Lord forgive me for not being grateful for all the blessings I have.  And your attitude began to change.

You thought of your wife who made meals for you everyday, you remembered that the house was almost paid off, that your kids had jobs, and you only had minor health concerns.

This morning as you came to church you noticed that the parking lot looked new with fresh sealer.  At the coffee hour someone asked how you were doing, and told you they were praying for you.  You started to count your blessings. Then you hear a verse in worship that sticks with you all week, and you remember that God is good even though our world is full of trouble.  All of a sudden you feel gratitude and you have a joyful attitude.

Now I know some stresses in life don’t make it as easy to have a changed attitude. There are things that hit us that it seems no amount of will power can move us to be thankful.  The Scripture gives us some insight here for when it is tough.  Verse 15 says…Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name.  We are reminded that in praise and thanks sometimes we have to give up our will, give up our attitudes.  It costs something. The bible says we are…

I. Give the Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving to God.

Life can get really tough. It is going to be tough for those families in Flint who lost loved ones in a triple shooting, to give thanks.  How can we give thanks in circumstances like that?  In some places in our world shooting and violence happens everyday thousands of times over. Africa has seen Genocide in numerous nations.  One such place is the Sudan.  The National Islamic Front has used violence, killing and destruction to force Christians and others to convert.  Over 2 million people have been killed, villages have been bombed and churches destroyed.  Women and children have suffered the most.

The Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio has given millions to help put this nation back together. Mission groups like Samaritan’s Purse have helped build 27 churches.  Recently, in Jolimo, the pastor returned after being a refugee in Ethiopia.  Pastor Ladu said, most of their churches had been destroyed, but they prayed to God to restore churches and He heard their prayers.  In Jolimo when the first service was held every seat was filled and people stood outside.  The people found hope, and they offered to God the sacrifice of praise, with joyful singing.  That is really an example of giving a sacrifice of praise to God.

As I think about those persons, sometimes I think it is harder for those who have a lot to give thanks then those who have little. We are a nation that has become discontent, yet compared to the rest of the world we have everything.  Now I know if someone is out of work, if someone is terribly ill and has no health coverage, and if a marriage has broken up we can feel as miserable as anyone.   But many people are unhappy who do not have those kinds of troubles.  Some people are not happy and they really don’t know why.  The writer tells us here in verse 5 that we need to be content with what we have.  Sometimes we allow things to cloud out the many blessings right before our eyes.

Have you ever had a window at home or at work, that had not been cleaned for awhile.  It had cobwebs, dirty glass and musty screens.  You forgot that looking out a window can be a thing of beauty.  When you clean that window all of a sudden you have a clear vision that is absolutely astounding.  Our lives are like that.  The windows of our heart become dirtied by pride, selfishness, and negative attitudes.  All of a sudden you start thinking about all the blessings you have and you have a new perspective on life.

Melody Beattie explained it this way.  She said that gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.  When you live a life of thanks it helps you see your blessings more clearly.  It changes your attitude from complaining into joyful appreciation.  You are actually happier.  People like being around you more.  God is pleased.

This week I read an article about a person who described the transformation of their thinking. Things were going wrong and they were being tempted to complain.  But they decided to write down the things they were thankful for.  As they wrote it filled one page, then another, and another.  Joy filled their heart and they began to cry with a feeling of gratitude.  We often talk about writing the list, but most of the time we neglect it.  To kick start your efforts, I have a list of 10 things that I printed for you. Take this 10 and add 10 more at home.  See if you are not transformed.  Gratitude cannot help but bring a joyful attitude.

Let me just highlight a few from the list. First try thanking God for the weather and for the beauty of nature no matter what happens.  We moaned and groaned in the summer and in October because it was so cold and wet, but now we are having the most beautiful November most of us can recall.  Have you thanked God as much as you complained?  Scripture says:This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Cherish every hour above 30 degrees and revel in it.  Be glad you don’t have to go up a ladder in snow and ice to put lights up.

Secondly, think of the food we have available. This country throws away more then some countries have to eat.  Despite the downturn in farming we still have amber fields of grain.  Thank God every time you see a combine harvesting.  You can still buy bread for $1.00 a loaf and some people in our world have none at all.  I thank God for our food bank which is providing food for hundreds of people each month.  If you need it come and receive it.  We have a free soup supper too.

Thirdly think of the blessings you have with family.  Most of us here have family members.  Some do not, but God has given you a church family.  Other people I know are alone in the rest home, with virtually no-one, but they thank God for the visits of Christians and churches who lead services.  We need to thank God for our families.  Even though we might not have all the warmth that we would like in our families, when you add it all up God has given you much.  When you go to the family reunion, think of all the blessings you have.  There has to be at least one person who thinks you are great.

Fourth think of the blessings that you have with our church.  Sometimes we forget unless we see it through the eyes of someone who observes it for the first time.  I was showing a pastor friend around this building on Tuesday.  As we walked the hallways looked at our beautiful welcome center, observed the décor in the octagon, saw our spacious gym, and looked at our numerous classrooms he was amazed.  He said God has blessed this church.  I said I know and I thank Him for His grace. Do you walk these halls and thank Him?  Do you thank Him for the ministries of this church?  Of course everything could be improved.  People make messes, jobs are forgotten and folks can get anxious.  But if that is all you see, the windows of your soul and heart need cleaning.

As we have this Charge Conference I thank God for so many things. I am grateful for the largest youth confirmation class I have ever had.  I thank God for 22 men in a Sunday school class on deer hunting weekend.  We have packed 2700 operation Christmas Child boxes already and some of them will go to hurting children in the Sudan. I am grateful for the hard work of volunteers: ladies who clean, men who fix things, youth who serve the community, people who bring thousands of articles for the food bank and children who study the bible.  But most of all I thank God for a people who believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that they know Him and want to share Him with others.

And then think of our freedom as a country. Despite our failures more people want to come here then anywhere else.  The statue of liberty still is a welcome figure for countless millions.  It has been that way since the pilgrims landed on the Massachusetts shore.  They knelt down in prayer and gave this land to God.  In fact almost every group that came here from Massachusetts to Florida, from Michigan to Louisiana knelt in prayer and did the same.

We have forgotten the sacrifice of praise that the Pilgrims gave to God on that first Thanksgiving Day.  It was all they could do to muster enough food together to have enough.  If it had not been for the kindness of the local tribe of Native Americans they would have starved.  They knew that.  In the midst of sorrow they thanked God. As one person said: The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been poorer than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of Thanks-giving. Because of the foundation they laid you and I can still worship freely, travel at will and take on most any job we want.  In some countries worship is restricted, you cannot travel from the east to the west and you are limited in what jobs you can get.  Give thanks for these things and others and you will find joy.

Now thanks cannot just be about words, but it is an attitude of the heart, that produces action. The writer here of Hebrews says that along with the fruit of our lips there must also be the fruit of our service and doing good to others.  The Scripture says do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. In other words…

1. We Show Thanks and Praise by The Sacrifice of Good Deeds. Think about the concept of a sacrifice. When the Old Testament believer brought a gift to God for the altar, it was a lamb, bullock, or fruit offering that was laid on the altar. They gave up something to show thanks to God.  Thanks Giving Words, must be followed by Thanks Giving Deeds.  Thanks Giving is Thanks-Living. If we are truly thankful to God and others it will work itself out in good deeds. Verse 21 says our good deeds are pleasing in His sight

What are some good deeds God might be calling us to perform to show thanks? What could you do out of the overflow of the blessings you are thankful for?  Most of us will do some thanksgiving shopping.  Why not buy an extra can of tuna, vegetables, or peanut butter for the food bank.  Or if there is an elderly person in your community bring them some dinner, or invite them to dinner.

As you think about the blessing you have with family, and church think about making that happen for others. Stop in and see an elderly person, or someone who is in the hospital.  We have this prayer list in the bulletin.  As you pray for the persons also give them a call.  If you make 10 calls a week to friends, make just one call to reach a new friend.  The pastors and care committee cannot meet every single felt need. The bible says that every believer is to be equipped to do the work of ministry.

As you give thanks for the freedom we enjoy in this nation think of what good deed you could perform to show thanks. How about writing a soldier, or helping with the care packages that will be sent to them.  Pray for them each week.  Pray that God will go with them on the battlefield granting safety and peace.  Remember our policeman and fireman, and EMS persons who often are in dangerous situations.

Part of our good deeds of thankfulness is praying.  Paul says he always give thanks to God for all of the believers and mentions them in His prayers constantly.  I Thessalonians 1:2.  We are not to worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we are to let our requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6.  Prayer is always to have an aspect of thanks with it.   We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise.  We cannot be pleasing to God unless we enter His presence with thanks and praise.

Someone says preacher all you say is true, but I cannot have joy in the holiday season because I lost a family member and my heart becomes heavy when I think of how I miss them.  That burden is not easy, but God can turn our sorrow into rejoicing Isaiah says.  This week as I walked into McClaren hospital, I was visiting David Goff for heart valve replacement.  I was thinking of so many people who have gone through difficult times in the holiday season.  Then I saw the green garland with red bows that the hospital had just placed on its new walkway.  It was beautiful.  But then my mind went to the thoughts of the last three Christmases when my father was near death each holiday season.  We almost lost him 3 times at Christmas, and then in May God called him home. Tears came to my eyes.  He suffered so much.  But then I was reminded of all the blessings God gave me through him, my mother too, and grandparents, and my sorrow began to mix with thanksgiving. Feelings of joy started to flow in into my heart and soul.

I was also reminded that my savior Jesus Christ promised eternal life to my father, to me to everyone here and the whole world, if we receive Him into our hearts. So though sorrow comes at Christmas I have a joy that runs deeper. Hebrews 13:20 says Jesus shed His blood, rose from the dead, and now Shepherds His people. What greater gift is there then forgiveness of sins, the gift of eternal life and the promise that our shepherd will watch over us and walk with us through all life’s trials.  Let us fall before Him in this Thanksgiving season as the angels, and saints do in Heaven giving thanks.  Gratitude will give you a joyful attitude.

Key Verse:   And we urge you beloved to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.

I Thessalonians 5:14

In this season of Thanks, many persons are finding it hard to celebrate in the normal fashion.  All across the nation people have lost jobs, homes have been taken because of unpaid mortgages, and the bills just keep racking up.  People often do not know where to turn especially if their field of work is scaling back.  Some people wrestle with leaving their community and finding a job in another state.   In these moments faith can really bottom out.   Financial woes can bring stress in relationships and health.

As believers we need to take the admonition seriously to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with all.

For those who face these kinds of things, we must let them know that we value them and that they are not a failure.  We must pray for them daily and look for ways to give some assistance.   It might be a good idea to have a simpler Christmas ourselves, so that we can have more resources to help those who face great losses.   Christians and their congregations need to think of ways to provide emergency funds to help.  In some cases one mortgage payment can rescue a home.    Giving to a food and clothing bank, helping with Christmas gifts and making donations to an emergency fund are all ways of helping.  Give thanks today for all the blessings you have.  With each blessing you enjoy think of ways to share it

JDL

Key Verse:   Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, as indeed you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

I remember when we were teaching our first child to walk.   We would stand behind him, hold him by the hands and lead him around the room.  Then the big moment came.   We would lean him against a couch, and would say now come to mom, come to dad.   We would say take another step, you can do it, that’s good, now another.  His face would beam with accomplishment, but then he would fall.  But after a number of tries at this with copious amounts of praise and encouragement he would finally walk across the room.  As parents we understand our children do best when we encourage them.

While we intuitively know encouragement is needed for children, we often forget to do that with adults.   We think that when people are grown up, they do not need daily words of praise and affirmation.  But every single human being needs to be affirmed and encouraged.  The Apostle Paul realized this and began all of his letters with praise for the believer’s efforts.  In I Thessalonians Paul says everyone has a responsibility to build others up.   Every human being faces frustrations each day.  As we seek to live for Christ, and serve a broken world, we need encouragement.   Ask God to show you who you can encourage today.  Make it a practice to build up every person you come in contact with.

JDL

Psalm 104:10-30
10You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills,
11giving drink to every wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst.
12By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.
13From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth,
15and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.
16The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees.
18The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.
19You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.
20You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.
21The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.
22When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens.
23People go out to their work and to their labor until the evening.
24O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
26There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
27These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
28when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.

Last year, two friends and I began writing a Vacation Bible School curriculum oriented around God’s Good Green Earth. We went into the task hoping to create something beneficial for children’s faith journeys, but soon found out that it would strengthen and grow our faith experiences as well!

In the process of our research and studying, this particular psalm took on newfound prominence in my own spiritual life. Although it didn’t make it directly into our curriculum, it definitely shaped our theology and interpretation of scripture! I love how the passage shows the intimacy of God’s involvement in creation, the steadfast provision the Lord provides, and God’s enduring sustenance. In an era that focuses on human production, this psalm reminds us of our need to be faithful recipients of God’s provision as well.

Let these oft-familiar words wash over you today, filling you with wonder and awe.

Psalm 8
1O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
4what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
5Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
6You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
7all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

“O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth…” (verse 1). Did the depth of those opening words sink in for you? ‘O LORD,’ Yahweh, the Most Holy One. A name that is almost too holy for us to utter and yet simultaneously encompasses all our deepest groanings and longings. And yet also ‘our Sovereign,’ our Lord, our God, thou. A name which encompasses our close proximity in relationship with God. Combined they create the mysterious God who is above all and yet is in all. The God who has created the mightiest mountains and yet still knows every hair on our heads. The God who has created the heavens and earth in all of their majesty and yet who cares deeply for humanity.

This psalm of praise expresses the amazement and wonder of a God who is so sovereign and yet chooses to be so present in human life. The psalmist asks rhetorically, why would the God who created the heavens by the “work of Your fingers” (verse 4) be “mindful” of humanity? Although it is in written in the form of a question, it becomes clear in verse 6 that the psalmist knows the answer even as he is asking it. Thus, what is significant is that even though the psalmist knows the answer, he seems to find it difficult to fully believe.

Like the psalmist, do we find it hard to believe that God has “made [us] a little lower than God, and crowned [us] with glory and honor” (verse 5)? Do we live into this gracious reality? Do we believe that God has empowered us to do amazing things?