It’s Sunday Again: Thanksgiving Sunday?

Across more than 40 years of preaching, I always struggled with the question of the Thanksgiving sermon–especially which Sunday to consider “Thanksgiving Sunday” It may seem obvious to think of the Sunday after Thanksgiving (concluding the Thanksgiving weekend) as “Thanksgiving Sunday”, but at least two problems arise. First, attendance is often lower due to holiday travels. Second, Thanksgiving has come and gone and most people have already moved past any desire to consider the attitudes of gratitude. Thus, my general approach was to use the Sunday before Thanksgiving (at the beginning of Thanksgiving week) as Gratitude Sunday.

The truth is that developing a heart of generosity and gratitude is appropriate at any time. As the Thanksgiving weekend winds down, here are a few questions.
How and why has God blessed me? Why was I born where and when I was? How can I fully comprehend and appreciate the truth: “There but for the grace of God go I?” In a world where blessings often distinguish us from others and set us apart (above?), what blessings cause me to identify with humanity rather than separating me from humanity? How can I pass on God’s goodness to me?

If you have not taken time over the past few days to consider such basic questions, why not include these reflections in today’s devotional or meditations as you worship God?

It’s Sunday Again: The Lord’s Day (?)

It’s Sunday. Even though the number of regular churchgoers in our nation has dwindled drastically, millions of people in the US will attend church somewhere today. (If the surveys are correct, reflecting an attendance of only 15-25% of the population nationwide, 50-75 million people in the US will attend church today.)
When the church attendance obligation for the day is punched, a question remains. Will God’s people treat this day as the Lord’s Day all day long? Is church merely an hour or two of obligatory activity in a day that otherwise appears little different than any other day, or will this be a day of God’s presence, power, and praise? Will this be a day of meditation and contemplation of God’s majestic Word? Will this day be devoted to considering spiritual life, or will it be devoted to physical things? In 16 waking hours (more or less), what time will God get?
In a time when church attendance at “secondary” services is struggling to reach 1/3 or 1/2 of morning attendance, what version of Christianity exists in our nation? Is Christianity a habit or a commitment? If Christianity can barely alter our activities on a day we call the Lord’s Day, how probable is it that it will change how we live our lives on Monday through Saturday?

“Missioning”

Today has already been a busy and productive day–lots of birthday greetings sent, prayers for special people in my life, meditation and reflection, an online “chat” with a brother who lives in Central America, a review of upcoming activities…. In one of the birthday greetings, I used the word “missioning” to describe my activities for the upcoming weekend. As I reread what I had written, the word caught my attention. I wondered about it, but I did not change it. This weekend I am “missioning.”

Isn’t the English language wonderful? Take whatever noun you wish and turn it into a verb. The possibilities are almost endless (and at times discordant to the trained ear!). “Missioning.” I do not know if I coined a new verb or if I perhaps used something I had already heard. For Jan and me, missioning means that we are making contacts with the purpose of advancing mission work. Missioning is our involvement in activities which are designed to advance God’s mission in the world.

It strikes me that this may be a good word–one that should describe our lives as Christians every day. Are we not called every day to participation in God’s mission? Are we not called daily to join him in his work in this world? Would not a Christian desire to be “on mission” every day, and never to be “off mission”? God has a purpose in the life of every person–may he help you and me find our specific roles and niches this day, so that we might fully share his mission!

“Here we go a-missioning….”

What is the Christian life about?

It is about God. It is about recognizing God for who he is, both in his creative power and his nature (character). It is about seeing God as he reveals himself to us.
It is about respect for God based on who he is–his nature and character.
It is about Jesus. It is about understanding God through the One who shows us the Father.
It is about responding to God’s love, aligning our lives with his. It is about relationship with God.
It is about healthy relationships on earth–it is about people. It is about our family and our friends, relationships that demonstrate God’s presence.
It is about becoming like God as his sons and daughters, people of God. It is about imitating him.
It is about reflecting him in our lives–bringing glory and honor and praise to him.

Random thoughts from this morning’s meditations–worthy goals for this day. What would you add? How would you summarize the Christian life? What are your goals for this day?

Reflections on the Lord’s Day

It’s Sunday again–no preaching nor teaching obligation today. Early this morning the breeze on the back patio feels cooler than normal–a welcome harbinger of summer’s almost end. Another Lord’s Day–this must make over 3000. I suspect that I have preached on at least 2000 of them.
The opportunity to arise and celebrate God’s presence and power, to meditate and read devotionally is refreshing. I appreciate that John was “in the s(S)pirit on the Lord’s Day.” What an unequalled blessing. No last minute review of notes, no “cramming” to make final adjustments in wordsmithing and to guarantee communication that is just right. Drink deeply at God’s well–it was a job requirement in preaching, now it is pure luxury. During my years of preaching, getting up early on Sunday and preparing heart and mind for worship were a given–now these are a joyful choice.
By the time the rest of my world awakens and thinks about today as a day for worship, the refreshment of worship and communion will be long in my life. Praying for a message from God, for clearer directions, for more opportunities to serve and for the ability to serve faithfully in the opportunities He provides.

I guess not all are “morning persons”–but this is the Lord’s Day. He is calling us to Him, and for the most part our culture still allows us a day with few excuses for failing to come to attention. How interested are we in honoring our Lord and God on this day? Are we serious, or are we just going through the motions?

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

We were challenged to think yesterday about the amazing, confident harbor of God’s amazing grace, even when we face seemingly insurmountable odds. Jesus DOES know all about our troubles, and there is indeed no one like him–no not one! What a privilege to walk with him as he walks with us. Thanks, Stan, for super encouraging words.

It’s Sunday Again–Bonus

The local church has designated today a “Bonus Sunday.” The schedule is altered with a fellowship meal at noon, an early afternoon period of worship, and a congregational meeting to follow, after which the scheduled church activities for the day will be concluded. In addition to the altered schedule, the congregation is encouraged to give a “bonus” during the offering so that special needs can be met and the cause of Christ can be advanced more rapidly in missions and other activities.

I like the terminology–Bonus Sunday. I regret that the application is mostly to what we give or do. An equally good or better application would be to consider that on this day we can receive more than normal. We share more fellowship. We have the opportunity to discuss the work of the congregation together. We experience more family and leisure time with the more compact schedule of events. What would happen if every person involved (especially those involved publicly) made a special effort to ensure that this is indeed a “bonus Sunday”? What if the preacher spent enough time in preparation to guarantee a “bonus” sermon? What if the prayer leader spent enough time in advance to bring all of the concerns of the congregation before God’s throne? What if the person who directs the communion thoughts were so well-prepared that our hearts were touched and our lives were changed simply by experiencing anew the body and blood of Jesus? What if the focus of the day were so spiritual that even the guests would notice? That would be a Bonus Sunday!

Such ruminations lead me to one more question: What if every Sunday were a Bonus Sunday?

Today will be another day of blessings from God

On some days the blessings are more obvious than on others. Some days are wonderful and positive and we have easily see that we are having a “blessed day.” On other days the blessings are almost invisible. Sometimes this occurs when we do not have time or take time to notice. But sometimes the difficulties mount and focusing on the positive presence and power of God is not easy.
Today I will spend time with my grandchildren–we will talk and play and share. Those times are too few, and they easily slip by. The grandchildren are growing up quickly. It is hard to believe how much Clay at 15 months looks like a little man. Because of the heat outside, we will spend lots of time inside, but the early morning and the late evening breezes will provide some relief and allow us time outside.
God’s spiritual blessings will continue even when we are distracted or do not notice. He will be present to protect and guide. His Spirit within us will empower us, guide us, and equip us. The blessings are too numerous to count!
This is one more day reflecting God’s creative genius and wisdom. Let us rejoice and be glad!

This Is My Father’s World

I am constantly amazed by the beauty of God’s creation….colors, variety, adaptation. We experience extreme heat, we enjoy cool mornings. Nature protects itself when conditions are not favorable and restores itself at the right times. My grass is brown in the winter–now it is brown in the summer.
Our title today is also the title of a song. We only see and hear when we look and listen. Paul wrote to the Romans that in nature God can be seen. Lord, help me this day to look and see, to listen and hear.

It’s Sunday Again: God Thoughts

What makes Sunday different? For the Hebrews, it was a significant slow-down (stoppage) of activities. Our secular society has long ago moved away from any observable slow-down of activity. The stores are just as full, the highways are even fuller, and the lakes are packed. We hurry away from church, anxious to get to the scheduled plans that will consume the rest of the day–a day most often packed full of activities either leisure or personal that are anything but restful and relaxing. (Of course, there are exceptions, but I am writing about the overall direction and philosophy of our society and many/most of the Christians who live in this culture.)

How does a Christian uniquely make Sunday the Lord’s Day in such a culture? Each person must find answers in the context of their own life and obligations, but following are some of the things I have found helpful through the years.

  • Arise a little earlier than normal so you can have some private time with God. If this is not possible inside your house, generate the “aloneness” time artifically with a brief walk outside, a time of prayer and reflection on the patio or door stoop, or during shower/bath time or personal grooming time. The goal is to find a brief time you can uniquely devote to God thoughts.
  • Spend a little extra time with the Word. Ideally, this is Bible reading, but it can also be reflection on a well-known or favorite passage of Scripture.
  • Sing some Christian songs, or provide Christian music as background music for the morning during your activities as you prepare to worship God.
  • Be more spiritually sensitive and look for God–in the little blessings, in the places where he is but you may pass him by during the week. Enjoy the God-created surroundings in which you find yourself and look for his hand of blessing and guidance.
  • Prepare your heart for worship. Avoid negative thoughts, put a positive outlook on the events and activities of the morning, laugh, seek spiritual realities, seek in a special way to demonstrate the presence of God’s Holy Spirit within you.
  • Spend a little extra time in prayer, perhaps in a prayer than you uniquely use on Sunday, glorifying God, seeking restored and meaningful relationship, connecting with God.

How do you make Sundays special? What things have you found helpful in preparing your heart for worship and in escaping (mentally, at least) the busyness of our world?