Barbara's Banter

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

People want so desperately to have others truly understand them, know where they are coming from, and why they do what they do. This can be difficult because we all process life experiences differently. We cannot make others think or feel the same way we do. We cannot convince people to always understand our point of view.

Sometimes I wonder if it isn’t more important to try to understand others, than to force them to understand us. Even if we can’t totally understand them, we can validate their feelings, accept them as they are, and let them know we care. That doesn’t mean we condone everything. It just means we offer a willing heart that listens and tries to hear them.

The world can be a lonely place when we think no one understands. But to be honest, I sometimes don’t even understand myself, so how could I expect others to understand me?

That’s one reason why I’m so thankful for God. It comforts me to realize God knows and understands me. He understands you, too. God knows what emotional baggage we’re dealing with. God knows why certain events or statements trigger a negative reaction in us. God feels our pain and sorrow. God even knows what will make us happy, more than we do.

Sometimes when I feel alone and like no one understands, I read Psalm 139:1-12. If I ever doubt that God knows me, these verses make it clear that He does. He knows me—the real me, not the me I want to project to others so they will like me. He understands me. He comprehends what I do and why I do it. He is acquainted with all my ways. He knows why I say what I say. He formed me, so He knows my strengths and weaknesses. He is with me wherever I go. If I hold His hand, He will gently lead and guide me.

And here’s the best part…God knows and understands me, but loves me anyway. (1 John 3:1) I can accept that, but I find it hard to understand.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become a new person. (1 Corinthians 5:17) We forsake our old ways and embrace our new life in Christ. (Ephesians 4:22) However, this does not happen instantly. It is a life-long process which includes the renewing of our minds. (Ephesians 4:23-24) This mind renewal is a continuation of the work God began in us, so we can grow in grace and knowledge to become more like Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)

The Bible speaks a lot about renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world around us, but be transformed into the new creation by the renewing of our minds. Renewing our minds must include daily contact with God. Therefore, we must make space for God in our lives or we drift back to how we used to be. Plus, consistent contact with God is the only way we can stay spiritually strong.

A mighty oak tree only lives and thrives because its needs are being supplied. It drinks water and feeds on nutrients from the soil.  Christians can only be spiritually strong through a relationship with God, the source of everything we need. Spiritual renewal is why Paul could say, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (1 Corinthians 4:16).  

Our spiritual lives cannot be sustained without daily renewal from God. Our bodies are replenished when we stay hydrated and eat nourishing food. Our souls gain strength by continuously feeding on God’s Word. Without this renewal, we are not equipped to withstand trials and problems we face. Without this renewal, the new creation we became in Christ will weaken, waste away, and wither.  

How we approach this daily renewal can make a big difference in how effective it is. Do we look forward to reading God’s Word or consider it an arduous duty? Do we ask God for joy when we pray or just present Him with a list of what we want? Do we see God’s hand in what is all around us or take blessings for granted?

I’m thankful God has offered me an opportunity to grow closer to Him day by day. His mercies are brand new everyday. (Lamentations 3:22-23) My desire to be renewed should be brand new everyday as well. It’s the only way my relationship with God can stay fresh, alive, vibrant, and relevant. Enjoying our daily renewal time with God allows us to thrive, not just survive. 

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

How many of us have trusted salesmen but found they were untruthful, investors but found they were crooks, spouses but found out they committed adultery, evangelists but found they were preaching one way and living another, or politicians but found out they lied? It’s a disillusioning world. Yet, God is always faithful! He is the Rock of a foundation upon which we can build our lives.   

Galatians 5:22 tells us that faithfulness is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit. The Greek word for faithfulness here is “pistos” which means to be trusted, reliable, believing, firmly persuaded, and having deep conviction. Other meanings would be standing fast, steadfast, loyal, devoted, trustworthy, dependable, resolute, and honest. It also speaks of endurance and a firmness of purpose that supersedes a just “grin and bear it” attitude when the living gets tough.  

“Pistos” is a powerful little word. It’s a very positive, active attribute of character and much needed in today’s flippant, irresponsible world.

God sets the example in faithfulness. He is the source and standard of faithfulness which He has demonstrated in His dealings with the human race. Sometimes I mentally sing the great old hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” to remind me of God’s faithfulness. The lyrics ring true. All we have needed God has provided. We can count on Him to be faithful. He does not change. He doesn’t get tired, weary, or fed up with us when we make mistakes. His compassion and mercy are constantly there for us. He is not slack concerning His promises. (2 Peter 3:9) He will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  

We can’t count on much in this disillusioning world, but we can count on God. How thankful I am for God’s faithfulness! 

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord…” ~Psalm 92:1 (NKJ)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

Remember the old Mission: Impossible television series? I’m not talking about those modern crash/bang movies starring Tom Cruise. I’m referring to the original weekly series where someone like a Mr. Phelps would receive a cassette tape with a limited amount of information on it. After he listened to it only once, it would self-destruct. Then he was expected to fulfill his mission.

The person on the tape would say something like, “As always, should you or any of your Mission Impossible Team be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in ten seconds. Good luck!” Just think! He only had ten seconds to absorb what he needed to know to carry out a mission. It’s a good thing Mr. Phelps knew what he was doing. If I had received that tape, the mission would be doomed. 

Sometimes I feel like my life is a doomed mission. I feel like I don’t have near enough information to carry out my earthly duties. I’m so thankful that God is my Mission Control or I would never make it. I’m operating on a “need to know” basis, and I must rely on God to let me know what I need to know when I need to know it. In a way, I’m flying blind. Flying blind is an expression that means to fly a plane in a low visibility area, relying on the plane’s instruments. In my case, I must rely on God.

In Isaiah 42:16, God says that He will bring the blind by a way they did not know. “I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them. I will make the crooked places straight. These things will I do for them and not forsake them.” 

Each day we face new challenges. Many days we are thrust into a different, unknown territory. We feel ill equipped to navigate areas with which we are unfamiliar. However, we can step into the unknown with confidence because God, our Mission Control, our Guide, our Provider has proven Himself faithful and true in our lives. He knows what lies ahead and sees what we cannot. We can rely on Him to lead us.

I’m so thankful that no mission is impossible when God is in control. (Matthew 19:26) 

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

While in high school, our choir director had us sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah at a concert. I think that’s when I fell in love with the word hallelujah.

In college, I auditioned for the choir who was planning to sing Handel’s Messiah in the spring. When asked if I had ever sung Handel’s Messiah I said, “Yes!” When asked how much of it I sang I said, “All of it!” Perhaps this was the catalyst that got me accepted into the choir. However, imagine my surprise when they handed me this big thick book full of musical compositions which compiled the complete Handel’s Messiah. What I had sung in high school was only one small portion of this tome. Fortunately, I was a fast learner.

The word hallelujah first appeared in the Book of Psalms which dates back to the 5^th or 4^th century B.C. It is a rare word that was preserved intact when nearly every other Hebrew word in the Bible was translated first into Greek and then into Latin. So in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin it actually means the same thing—praise the Lord.

The word hallelujah is used in scriptures at least twenty-eight times. Ancient choral groups using the Psalms sang it and the great multitude gathered around the throne will cry out, “Hallelujah!” (Revelation 19:1-8) It’s like an eternal hallelujah full of perpetual praise. But praising God should not be just reserved for heavenly realms, it should encompass our daily lives.

I’m thankful for a word like hallelujah. To me, it has a lilting, melodic sound. It’s a word full of joy, exaltation, and exuberance. I love to say it throughout the day—not in a flippant way, but as a form of rejoicing. It constantly reminds me that God is worthy of all my praise. Plus, it acknowledges what God is doing in my life. I like to stay in a “hallelujah frame of mind,” one that is grateful and thankful for God’s blessings!  

Throughout the day we can praise God for His goodness, for His creation, for His mercy, for His love, for His protection, for His gift of salvation, for His wisdom, for His guidance, for His hope, for His promises, for His provision, for His joy, for His past deliverances, for His faithfulness—the list is endless.  

Each day we have an opportunity to practice praising God. Each morning we can awake and praise God. Each night we can go to sleep praising God. A hallelujah frame of mind can brighten our day and bring peace to each night.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

The first time I went to LA in the 60s for a short visit, the smog was so bad I could not see the mountains. People said, “Oh yes, there are mountains there!” I didn’t believe them. I mean, I really, really, really didn’t believe they were there. But one day it cleared up and I was amazed when I saw the mountains.   

This is when I learned a valuable lesson. Just because we can’t see or feel something doesn’t mean it’s not there. Even though there may be times we can’t feel God’s presence, that doesn’t mean He’s not there helping, guiding, and protecting us.

Some think that in order to accept something, we need to see it with our own eyes. Only then will they believe. However, with spiritual principles sometimes we need to believe, then our eyes are opened so we can see.  

There is much we can’t physically see but need to believe in. Moses understood this. He forsook Egypt, enduring the wrath of the Pharaoh because he saw God who is invisible. In other words, he knew God was there. Just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Elisha knew this. When the nation of Aram was ready to attack, Elisha’s servant could plainly see they were surrounded by Aram’s horses and chariots. He thought it was just him and Elisha against the world, so he ran to Elisha saying, “What are we going to do?” Elisha said, “Do not fear. Those that are with us are more than those who surround us.” Then Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant—the servant could then see that the mountains were full of God’s horses, an army of angels, and chariots of fire. (2 Kings 6:16-17)

We as Christians cannot afford to just rely on what we can see. That’s what the children of Israel did. They were primarily influenced by what they could see instead of trusting in the invisible, eternal God. They lived an up and down existence because their faith was dependent on their circumstances. When God delivered them, they believed. When discomfort came, they didn’t believe. (Psalm 106:12-15)

Christians who are preoccupied with external influences are destined to live an inconsistent life. Up one day, down the next. If the sun is shining, they’re happy. If it’s raining, they are sad. They are unable to see God in everything. They can’t see God behind the smog of circumstances. Just because we can’t see the mountains doesn’t mean they aren’t there. I’m so thankful God is always there.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

Years ago—before moving pictures, visual effects, and technology that constantly shocks the senses—people seemed to appreciate their surroundings more. They realized that life itself is a miracle. The whole universe is a miracle. These are not chance happenings, but actual miracles. Perhaps the following classic authors and poets were on to something…

Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miracle in the common.”

John Donne: “There is nothing that God hath established in a constant course of nature . . . but would seem a Miracle, and exercise our admiration, if it were done but once.” Donne was referring to things such as flowers blooming, the sun rising, the stars appearing in the sky, or a rainbow. Perhaps if we had seen that oak tree grow strong and tall from one little acorn in fast motion, before our very eyes, we might consider it a miracle. 

Walt Whitman: “To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle…. Every cubic inch of space is a miracle. . .”

Sometimes we are so busy looking somewhere else for a miracle we can’t see the ones before our very eyes. In Mark 8:18 (NIV), Jesus told the disciples, “Do you have eyes but fail to see…?” The same might apply to us. That was certainly the case with those who were looking for Christ to come in biblical times. Since they were looking for a Messiah descending from heaven with a flaming sword of righteousness they did not recognize the Christ child in the manger as their Savior. They missed what was right before their eyes.

How much do we miss every day? Can we see God in everyday miracles? Miracles like…

• Finding your lost car keys without having to spend all day looking for them
• Losing your Visa card with absolutely no idea of where it might be when Target unexpectedly calls to say you left it there
• A note of appreciation
• The grocery line being short when you are in a hurry
• Singing your lungs out in the car because your favorite oldies song came on the radio
• Your son from college calls to say, “I just wanted to tell you how much I love you” and doesn’t even ask for money
• All the lights being green on your way to work
• Enjoying the shade of an oak tree or the vibrant colors in a flower garden 
• A cold glass of ice water on a hot, hot day
• A healthy child being born
• Another day of life

I’m so thankful for everyday miracles. If we don’t recognize and appreciate the everyday miracles in our ordinary lives, it’s likely we won’t recognize the bigger ones when they come our way.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

The pandemic has changed the face of church as we knew it. Many churches closed their doors due to COVID-19 and never reopened. Those who did reopen found that attendance was way down and that providing some sort of online service was almost mandatory to keep functioning. Some people are still uncomfortable being in large groups. Others have grown accustomed to the convenience of a Zoom church service.

Many who choose to go back to church find it’s not the way it used to be. Church singing or choral music may be restricted. Those wonderful potlucks have scaled down quite a bit. Cookies and coffee may become the norm. Keeping everyone connected, offering support, and maintaining a spiritual bond with others is quite a challenge.

I’ve heard so many pine for the past. However, nostalgia can be a flawed idealization of what used to be. I’m not saying we didn’t have some good times, but if we are truthful, church change was in the air before the pandemic. In some ways, it just hastened what was already happening.

Yes, we had some good times! Should we lament what we think we’ve lost from the past and try to recapture those “good old days?” Or should we be thankful for what we had so those good times are not wasted? After all, they may have laid the foundation for whatever God is choosing to do now. God moves on. He is not stuck in the past. He is not tied to tradition or the way we would like things to be.

We, like so many previous church history generations, won’t really know what God is doing right now until it is done. If we knew, we wouldn’t need faith and all those spiritual attributes we learn about in the Bible—God’s Word.

I know I’ve used the example of Zerubbabel rebuilding King Solomon’s temple many times, but it really speaks to me about not looking back at the way things used to be but looking forward to what God is doing now. Rebuilding this second temple was a long, arduous project. Plus, this rebuilding seemed pitiful and small (Zechariah 4:10) compared to the grandeur and splendor that once was (Haggai 2:3). Yet, it was God’s work. Sometimes we forget that God is in charge.

Lamenting about what once was can leave us stagnant. Perhaps it’s better to work with what we have available, ask for God’s guidance, move forward, and embrace what lies ahead. I’m so thankful God is in control. We may not always know what God is doing, but we can rest assured that He has everything under control.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord…” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

Today is always the first day of the rest of your life. It is also “…the day the Lord has made…” and we are admonished to “…rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24). Just think about it! Each new day is a gift from God. So I want to spend it by rejoicing, being glad, and offering thanks. 

Here’s my little morning ritual. When I awake I immediately thank God for a few things. First, if I’ve gotten a good night’s sleep, I praise God for it. Sleep is such a precious commodity for me. I’ve always functioned best with around eight to nine hours. I can get by a few days with less, but I’m not at my optimum. I consider sleep a gift from God.

Secondly, I’ve been thanking God if my knee feels good. My right knee is tricky. It likes to “go out” but forgets to take me along. It buckles with no warning. So I try to bend it a few times in the morning and thank God that I can still do that. There may come a time when I can’t.

Even on mornings when I haven’t slept well or the knee feels tricky, I try remember to thank God for a brand new day. Each day is a day the Lord has made and we are commanded to rejoice and be glad in it, so I want be thankful for each new day. As my old cartoon pal Maxine says, “Any day on this side of the flower bed is a good day.”

Even during days that seem so busy or out of control, we can rejoice because God is with us. Each day we can ask God to help us focus on the most important things of life. God gives us what we need to make it through another day—our daily bread (Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3).  God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

Each day is an opportunity to learn more about Jesus. Each day we can ask God to fill us with His thoughts. Each day is a chance to make a difference in the world through a smile or a word of encouragement. Each day we can spread the joy of Jesus.

Today is very special. It’s not my birthday. It’s not my anniversary. I’m not on vacation. I didn’t win the lottery. It’s not Christmas or New Years. So why is it so special? Because today is a gift from God. Today is the first day of the rest of my life and with God’s help, I can rejoice and be glad in it!

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…

Some people lament that they don’t have any friends but that’s not really true if they have Jesus in their lives. Imagine getting a notification from Facebook saying: Jesus wants to be your friend. Would you press the accept icon?  We should because Jesus really does want to be our friend. I’m so thankful because as the old song goes, “What a friend we have in Jesus!”

People will always disappoint us. Even our best friends can sometimes let us down, but Jesus never will. We will never find a more faithful, loyal, or encouraging friend. He’s our cheerleader. No matter what we go through, He is with us all the way. He’ll never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  

Jesus told the disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

The disciples might have been surprised when Jesus called them friends but that’s how He felt. He walked with them, talked with them, and even washed their feet. He shared intimate details of His own relationship with God the Father and invited them to participate in that relationship.  

Jesus also said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). I guess He meant it because that’s what He did. He died for His disciples and He died for us.  

There is no better friend to have than Jesus. Just think about it. He accepts us unconditionally. He loves us when we are unlovable. He wants to spend time with us. He wants only the best for us. He rejoices with us when we accomplish something. He comforts us when we are weary. He picks us up when we fall. He stays with us when we are frightened. He cries with us when we are sad. He laughs with us when we are happy. That’s what friends do. 

As we travel life’s highway, friends can come and go. Sadly, some BFFs will drift out of our lives and become distant memories. Sometimes they move and it’s hard to stay in contact. Sometimes they get offended and no amount of apologizing can soothe the hurt. Sometimes they change and don’t want to have us in their inner circle any more. However, the friendship with Jesus can remain constant.

Jesus does not change. If our friendship with Jesus dwindles, it’s because we no longer desire to be friends with Him. We will always be welcome into that Trinitarian “in-crowd”—that inner circle of friends—Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and us.

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)