gratitude

Take a Gratitude Break Before You Break

/ insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

GratitudeSince today is Thanksgiving Day here in the USA, I’ll not be writing a typical post to this blog.  I do, however, want to encourage you to remember to express your gratitude to God, family, and friends, and to give thanks.

If you have time to read over this extended holiday weekend, I’m providing a couple of links that emphasize the benefits of gratitude:

Use the admonition of Paul to guide your thoughts today:  “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:18).”

Gratitude: Is It the Main Course or a Side Dish?

/ insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

imagesOn Thursday of this week we will observe a day of Thanksgiving; however, the spiritual discipline of giving thanks was practiced long before the Pilgrims found their way into the pages of history.

As you mull the meaning of thankfulness,  give more than just a wink of contemplation to the contrast below:

  • Psalm 50:23: He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.
  • Romans 1:21: Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
  • One focuses on solemn reflection leading to respect, while the other speaks of rejection and neglect

When you consider the knee-buckling-goodness of God, your response should be more than a blasé yawn—it should be shout-it-from-the-mountain-top-gratitude.

Henri Nouwen has said, “The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”

Gratitude and thanksgiving are like identical twins–they are so similar it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.  Gratitude is the manifestation of kindness perceived, and thanksgiving is the expression of kindness received.

Paul encourages us to abound in thanksgiving:  “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).”80506764d4f9bef09a9cd171e8a6bf24

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expresses his gratitude and unabashed appreciation:  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3–5).”

What stirs a sense of gratitude and thanksgiving in your heart?  Have you called the person or written them a letter to express your appreciation?  Why not do it now?

The Great Fullness of Gratefulness

/ insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

708161.052doughnut_hole_man1_origBefore I go to the office of a morning, I usually stop at the donut shop for a cup of coffee. Some mornings I yield to temptation and eat a donut. I guess this makes me somewhat of an expert on these high cholesterol, artery-clogging treats.

Donuts reveal a little bit about your perspective on life. Do you focus on what you have or on what you do not have? Here’s a little rhyme to explain:

As you go through life, make this your goal:
Keep your eye on the doughnut and not on the hole.

Some people focus so much on what they think they are missing, they miss out on the joys of life. Because they are always wanting more, they know nothing of contentment.

Paul spoke to Timothy about this when he said: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (I Timothy 6:6-7).”

A common companion of contentment is gratefulness, and great fullness is what Paul wanted Timothy to experience. Because he was grateful, Paul had a great fullness that helped him to face the trials of life:

“I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me (Philippians 4”10-13).”

It was Charles Dickens who said: “Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

If you just focus on your misfortunes, you will miss the fortune you have in your family, your friends, and in your Savior. Think about them, express your gratefulness and great fullness can be yours to enjoy.

Appreciating the Power of Words

/ insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

Words Written In Plastic Kids LettersI remember an incident with my son that involved an exchange of words. At the time he was a young boy and I was a father who was more concerned with being more macho than manly. I had said something like: “Boy, come here, and I mean NOW!”

My son responded: “Dad when you speak to me like that it makes me feel like I’m one of your dogs.” In that instant, I was reminded of the power of the spoken word.

Solomon was a gifted-writer, and he addressed this power in the Proverbs:

• Life and death are in the power of the tongue (18:21).
• Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (12:25).

Sometimes we fail to appreciate the power of showing appreciation. Leo Buscaglia captured this concept when he said: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

When he wrote to the Thessalonians, Paul gave clear instructions to, “encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing (I Thess. 5:11).” Paul knew the value of invigorating friendships. He had been:

• Encouraged by Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6)
• Refreshed by Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
• Strengthened by his reception at Rome: “When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage (Acts 28:15).”

When Paul was blessed by acts of kindness, he was careful to express his appreciation. It is important that we follow his example because to appreciate is to add value to something.

Are you an appreciating or depreciating factor in the life of your friends? Remember what Solomon said: Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (12:25).

Show your appreciation to someone today with kind words of goodness and gladness.

Three Cheers for the Nihilarians

/ insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

A nihilarian (nick-el-arian) is a person who deals with things lacking importance.  I thank God for the people who are willing to do the tasks that may seem to be insignificant.

Unless you are an avid golfer, you might place caddies in the nihilarian category.  You could have the mistaken notion that all a caddy does is carry a bag full of clubs.  A good caddy is beneficial to the golfer because he knows the course; he can give advice; and, he can help with the mental aspect of the game.

I think most people fail to see the importance of nihilarians.  Because they are willing to attend to the small details of life they keep them from mushrooming into big problems.

This is the case with Robert.  He is willing to stay behind, so others can go ahead.  Each Sunday, he checks to make sure the lights are out, the doors are locked, and only then does he leave the building.

Then, there is the significant role of the ladies who come early to prepare communion and the ladies who work in the nursery–far too often people like these go unnoticed.  I say three cheers for the nihilarians.  Without you, my job would be much more difficult.

Romans 16 contains a list that names people who played this type of a role in the life of the Apostle Paul.  If not for the fact that Paul wanted to express his gratitude for these people, they would be anonymous to  history.

The profound importance of nihilarian-like gifts was emphasized in the teaching of Paul.  He wrote in I Corinthians 12 that  those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.  These gifts and these people are indispensable, necessary and an essential to the health of any church or organization.

Here’s a thought to keep you thinking:  Who is it that makes your life a little easier, and when was the last time you expressed your appreciation to him or to her?  Let the nihilarians in your life know that they’ve been noticed.