Thanksgiving and Junior Asparagus

I think every year about this time, I write about Thanksgiving. Its without a doubt one of the highlights of this season for me. We normally have a couple family gatherings during this time of year, and often we have a third Thanksgiving meal/gathering composed of friends and/or people to whom we minister (see picture).


My favorite tradition during our Thanksgiving meals, is what we call "Thankful Time." After we have stuffed ourselves with all kinds of delicious food (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, and various pies), a bowl of candy corn is passed around. Each person takes five pieces representing the five things for which we are most thankful from the past year. Then, one by one, around the room we share.

The first time everyone shares, we get around the room pretty quickly, maybe 10 minutes. The second time takes about 20 minutes, as people begin to elaborate on the things they share. By the time we get to the final candy corn, a round of sharing lasts at least an hour, and is usually paired with a lot of happy tears and perhaps a third piece of pumpkin pie.

This is why I like thankful time:


1. Watching spiritual progress and maturing in the lives of my nephews and nieces. I remember when they participated in their first Thankful times 14+ years ago. They would share about things kids care about, like Mom and Dad and special toys (which consequently are the type of things my kids share about now!). As they grew older and began to realize how fortunate they were, they began to share about other physical realities like having a nice house, a loving family, and a good school. Finally, about the time they graduate from High School, the things they are most grateful for change to abstract realities like "the gospel", and the way God has been shaping them. 


2. It helps me see God's work in my life. It is the perfect opposing pair to New Years Eve. On New Year's Eve we "look-forward." It is a time of dreaming, hoping, and planning. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is a time of "looking-backward" to recognize God's movement in accomplished plans, unexpected surprises, and dream progress. Perhaps another way of saying the same thing is that gratefulness bolsters my faith in a faithful God. Faith is forward looking. It is a daily depending on God for provision in every facet of life. Gratitude acts as a witness to God's providing in the past, which reinforces his promise to provide for me in the future.

3.  "Thankful time," makes my heart happy. In the words of Junior Asparagus (from Veggie Tales), "a thankful heart is a happy heart." Why does it make me happy? I think when we reflect on a year with gratefulness in our hearts, it is as if we are taking a look at the balance sheet of all God's intangible deposits in our lives. Deposits that he makes daily and in great quantity, but somewhat unnoticed. It reminds me that I have everything I need, that I am greatly known and loved, and that I have reasons for great hope. This makes me happy.

I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving also. If not, I hope you will take some time today to think about things for which you can be thankful..... and go rent/borrow VeggieTales "Madam Blueberry" and learn the song of Junior Asparagus.

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!

For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
Thats an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Morning prayer

This a picture of Caleb, my assistant, and Ben, a staff member in the community here. One of my favorite parts of our rhythm here is morning prayer in lakeside chapel. Our community meets everyday at 8:30am for a brief time of reflection on scripture and prayer together. I love starting the day in a way that places God as the priority in every action. It serves as a reminder of psalm 127:1. "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

Idea Generation and Human Nature

I've been wrestling recently with ways to get more productivity out of my time.  I feel like a work a lot!!  However, the list of things to do seems to grow faster than I can complete them.  To complicate the matter, being a good husband and father (and other roles) also requires a significant amount of time.  This article has me reconsidering my perception of what it means to "work hard."  Here is the link:  Idea Generation and Human Nature.  Thanks @mattperman.

Pilgrimage

I thought this was interesting - http://www.neticons.net/music_life/.

Thanks to Topher and Andy.

Our third baby is on its way!!!!

The baby is due May 9th.  Here are the first sonogram pictures.  I really like the last one.  You can see his/her fingers.