Cousin Eddie

 

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—  even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 ESV).

 

One of the traditions for me between Thanksgiving and Christmas is viewing the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The Griswold’s march their way through their own family traditions with tongue and cheek humor that is altogether too close to the truth in many of our families. One of my favorite characters is Cousin Eddie. He is the relative no one wants to be around for any length of time and yet seems to be stuck dealing with him throughout one of the most important of family gatherings. You never know what they might say or do; however, you know it will be an embarrassing moment. Almost every family has a “Cousin Eddie.”  

 

Our reading today comes from the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. We don’t know a lot about the people to whom Paul was writing in the ancient city of Corinth. But we do know that the people struggled sometimes with getting along. Much like the Griswold’s they seem to have had lots of problems in their gathering together. That shouldn’t surprise us. If you belong to some kind of community of faith, whether it’s a family, small group, house church, or large congregation, you know there is sometimes discord and disagreement. That happens in all kinds of groups and gatherings.

 

Paul’s greeting to the church in Corinth gives a helpful perspective. First, Paul affirms that living out our faith in community with one another is God’s intent for us. The Bible from beginning to end makes clear that God blesses and lives among the family or community of faith that he is gathering together. Second, Paul identifies the glue that gathers God’s people together and keeps them united to one another. That glue is God’s grace. God’s grace not only covers all our sins and unites us to Christ as individuals; it also helps us see others as people for whom Christ was willing to die. When we see others through God’s grace-filled eyes, our bonds with one another are strengthened. This requires the hard work of dying to our own preferences and egos and giving thanks to God for his grace that brings us all together. Use that truth in your gatherings this season. It is a part of being thankful!

 

Grief and Gratitude

 

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44 ESV).

 

Our reading today presents the striking miracle of Jesus when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Perhaps the most unusual detail about Jesus’ miracle the intimacy of this story. Jesus’ human connection of friendship, caring, and grief with Mary and Martha over Lazarus’s death shows that Jesus is like us. Jesus built friendships. He expressed feelings and emotions. He experienced sorrow and empathy. Further, I believe that when Jesus cried out for Lazarus to come from the tomb, that cry rose from a grief not only for his friend but also for all humanity stuck in death’s grip. As he stood before that tomb of death, Jesus’ heart broke (cf. v. 35).

 

But death and grief don’t win the day here. They don’t have the last word. God is the one whose breath animates every living thing. And Jesus the Son is so intimately connected to the Father that there’s no doubt about the Father hearing his prayers. Jesus prays aloud for the benefit of those around him: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”

 

Then Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. With the power of God, Jesus looks death square in the face without fear, though he knows how frightened we are by it. Jesus can stand at the graveside with gratitude because he knows God’s plan to bring us life through his own death. And today he wants you and me to know it too. Believe the good news. Celebrate the incredible miracle of Jesus’ work on our behalf to insure eternal life. This is the foundation of all gratitude.

 

What Are You Thankful For?

 

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29 ESV).

 

One of my favorite memories of service during my years in Tennessee was the time I was able to volunteer to serve meals at the Nashville Rescue Mission. I have been able to do similar things in other places, though the times I went to the NRM I was always surprised at the numbers of people that were served. This was especially true during the holidays. I also was privileged to spend a bit of time with the people who were served after everyone was fed.

 

I remember one particular group I sat with as they finished their meal. An older man looked at me and asked, “What are you thankful for brother?” I wasn’t shocked or taken aback at all. As I began to tell him about my family I noticed everyone at the table had stopped eating and was really listening. As I stopped a younger woman, perhaps in her twenties, looked at me and said, “I wish I had a dad like you.” Only God could’ve given me my next words as I said, “You can have the best Dad in the world if you will believe in Jesus.” As tears began to slowly flow down her cheeks, she said, “I want to.” And then, the most marvelo9us thing happened. The older man took her hand and began to pray for her.

 

As I reflect on today’s reading, I wonder what Jesus was giving thanks for at this moment. He knew he would soon be betrayed by Judas. He had told his disciples that he would soon be crucified. In the coming day he would also be abandoned by his followers, denied by Peter, sentenced by the religious leaders, beaten and mocked by Roman soldiers, and hung on a cross to die. But in this moment Jesus gave thanks. Maybe he did it as an example, reminding his disciples and us of the importance of regularly giving thanks to God for our daily bread.

 

Or, perhaps He was giving thanks for His heavenly Father and the new family members He was about to welcome into the greatest relationship anyone could possibly imagine, all of this made possible by His sacrificial work of grace and mercy. That causes me to be thankful today. I hope it does the same for you!

Forgiven Much... Love Much

 

And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:40-47 ESV).

 

True happiness is always bundled up with gratitude. Gratitude is always a response. Gratitude depends not on ignoring what’s going on in our lives, but in choosing to see and accept the deepest reality about our existence. Jesus’ encounter with the woman “who lived a sinful life” demonstrates this beautifully in our reading today. You see, the Pharisee had swept all of his sins under the rug of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. He chose to ignore the truth of his brokenness and his deep need for forgiveness. His ingratitude produced a toxic bitterness that caused him to completely miss the fact that the Savior of the world and of his soul was standing right in front of him.

 

The woman didn’t miss that. There could be no sweeping of sins under the rug for her. Everyone seemed to know about them anyway. So, acknowledging her brokenness and receiving the forgiveness Jesus offers, her heart and her hands poured out her gratitude.

 

It’s too easy to think of ourselves as being “pretty good.” After all, we’ve never really done anything as bad as some folks. “They” are a lot worse than we are… aren’t they? God simply doesn’t measure our sin. It is all destructive to our relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul reminds us we are all sinners and have earned death as a result (cf. Romans 6:23). Just that truth alone ought to humble us enough to cry out our praise and thanksgiving to Him. Continue today to express your gratitude. While we were once unforgiven, we now have eternal life through Him!

 

In All Things, Small or Large

 

Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! (Psalm 147:1-7 ESV).

Last month I went in to our doctor for my regular annual check-up. He asked if I’d like to get my flu shot while I was there. I said, “Sure, but can I have one of those cool superhero band aids also?” They know me very well and laughed along with my little frivolity. We all have known the same feeling though, especially when our young children scraped a knee or elbow, they’d cry for a bandage whether they needed one or not if they were imprinted with their favorite cartoon character. It is surprising how much comfort could come from a small adhesive strip. That’s probably because the tiny bandage represented much more than a wound covering. Perhaps the comfort also came from the application from people who also gave comfort and love with the first aid.

 

Throughout the Bible we can see that God uses small things to bring hope and healing to the world. God chose the small nation of Israel and charged them to be a blessing to all other nations. Through this group of people, preserved and cared for by God’s faithful hands, the Savior, Jesus Christ, came into the world. And the Savior himself came in a tiny package: a baby born of a teenage peasant girl. Who would imagine that such a child would heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds?

 

Psalm 147 uses words that echo throughout the Bible and were made visible as Jesus went about his compassionate healing ministry. What’s more, Jesus promises to forgive all our sins and to be with us always to bring comfort and hope far beyond words printed on a page.

 

Let’s give thanks that God works in small ways. Ask him to help you see today how his faithful hands are tending your wounded heart.

 

When Your World Flips

 

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:10-19 ESV).

 

“But… Don, you don’t understand how hard it is.” I’ve heard those words (or some very similar to those) many times when encouraging others to look beyond this moment to a day God is even now preparing for each of us. I must confess that I don’t know exactly what you may be experiencing in this moment of your journey. However, I want to share one experience that may be an encouragement to you at this time.

 

It was during the days before the Pandemic of 2020 that Mary and I traveled to Ft. Worth for a routine procedure for Mary. All was good. The procedure was more of a precautionary measure just making sure her cancer has not spread and was under control as much as the blood work seemed to indicate. Well… it turned out to be anything but routine. After a while I was called back to recovery since the procedure required some sedation. After a few moments the doctor came into the room and informed me that EMT’s and an ambulance had been called to transport Mary for emergency surgery to repair a tear he had made in her colon.

 

My world was flipped in a moment. Thankfully Kyle was able to meet me immediately at the hospital. Later he would tell me how much of a “basket case” I was. The surgeons came in to tell us what needed to be done. It was in that moment that I realized how fragile and fleeting life is. The surgery was successfully completed about 1:30 am. Fortunately I was able to stay with Mary in the room. The nights were long and surprisingly quiet, interrupted only by the nurses and doctors who came to check on her. During those quiet interludes I was reminded of the words in our reading today. They are both simple and haunting: “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone.” Though these words may give us pause, they must not lead us to despair, for we can also be sure that “from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.” God’s love is with us and will not let anything separate us from him (cf. Romans 8:38-39). That is the foundation for real gratitude!

 

Pasture Living

 

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Psalm 95:1-7 ESV).

 

If you are a parent with adult children then you undoubtedly have experienced some of the same nostalgia that I have, especially during the holidays. We have a digital picture frame with over 1,200 pictures loaded into the perpetual loop. This morning as I was drinking a cup of coffee and aimlessly watching the picture I’ve attached came into view. It was taken over 20 years ago (almost to the day) at a deer lease I shared with some of my friends near Abilene, Texas. David was home from college and wanted to go deer hunting. My dear friend, Jaime McClain, was with us and we decided the best way to get David a deer was to go out to a spot where there was a clear field of view and “rattle one up.” Jaime and I were positioned a bit away from David who was concealed in some brush so he would have a good angle on the likely approach of a buck. Sure enough after a bit of horn rattling a nice 8-point came in. After a few anxious moments, David took the shot and ended up with a very nice trophy and a freezer full of tasty meat.

 

Since this was the first really good buck that he had taken with this method of hunting, it was very exciting. And, while he posed for the inescapable pictures, I couldn’t have been more happy and proud of being able to share that moment. This is what I call “pasture living.” Those moments have been scattered throughout the years. They are a delight to recall. It reminds me of all the moments God has given me through the years and calls me to gratitude.

 

In God’s pasture, there is no scarcity of goodness. God’s gifts of his Spirit to us and of faith, hope, and love do not diminish when they’re given to others as well. These things simply multiply; there’s always more than enough! I encourage you to recall the moments of joy, grace, protection, and provision God has lavished on you, even during those hard times.