Barbara's Banter

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

I’ve always been fascinated by the whole pregnancy/childbirth process. Having gone through it three times myself, I can think of no other experience that has reinforced the existence of God to me as much as feeling life inside my body and bringing a baby into the world. I marvel how anyone can think such a miracle is the product of evolution.

There are many arguments in today’s society for not having children. Movies make babies look all cute and cuddly, but the first few months can be grueling. Endless diaper changes, feedings, and sleepless nights take a lot of emotional and physical energy, which can intensify if a baby has health problems or the colic. Children change marriage dynamics. Priorities rearrange as spouses defer to the inconvenience of a helpless infant. Free time becomes a thing of the past.

As children grow, parents realize what a huge commitment and responsibility they are. Children do not make for an orderly lifestyle. They’re messy. They make mistakes. Parents make mistakes. It costs a lot of money to raise a child. It also takes a lot of hard work, energy, and time. Parents try various methods to communicate, educate, teach, and impart spiritual and moral values. They worry about them and hurt for them. Parents struggle watching children make choices they wouldn’t make—not always wrong choices, but different because they are not little robot versions of us. Parents wrestle with how tightly to hold on, how soon to let go.

These are valid arguments for not bringing a child into an overpopulated, evil world. In biblical times, children were considered a blessing (Psalm 127:3 NLT). Today they are considered an inconvenience—because they are. So I can understand why people choose not to have or adopt children.  

Yet, for me, I think God used my children to teach me some of the most valuable lessons of life. In spite of the sleepless nights, I thought every sigh, smile, laugh, and move they made was adorable. They opened my eyes to the creation around me by forcing me to look at sunsets, butterflies, trees, bugs, and flowers. I learned to cope with worry, doubt, frustration, and the realization that “my” way wasn’t always the best for them. I shared their joy and shared their pain. I found out there was something more important in the universe than “me.” I learned to “let go and let God!”

God calls us His children (1 John 3:1) What a bountiful blessing to be called a child of God! How thankful I am that God is willing to love and care for me in spite of how messy and inconvenient I am!  

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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…

I’m thankful for Thomas. He’s one person in the Bible I truly identify with.

Although there’s not a lot mentioned about Thomas in the Bible, I think I would like him. Also known as Didymus, meaning “twin,” he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He has been given the dubious nickname “Doubting Thomas,” but I often wonder if this wasn’t because he was the guy who said what everyone else was thinking. Here are a few examples of what I mean.

When the disciples got the word that Jesus’s dear friend Lazarus was very ill, Jesus decided to go to Judea to visit him. Some disciples tried to convince Jesus this wasn’t a good idea because the Jews there wanted to kill Him. However, Thomas said, “Let us also go so we may die with Him” (John 11:16). In other words, “Jesus is determined to go so I guess this is as good a day as any to die. Let’s follow Jesus!”

At the Last Supper, Jesus had an intimate discussion with the disciples to give them edification for the future. He spoke of preparing a place for them and said, “Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” Thomas replied, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) You can’t convince me all the other disciples fully understood everything, but Thomas had the guts to say, “Hey, I don’t think I’m totally getting this.”     

In the evening of the day Christ rose from the dead, Jesus came to the disciples. He showed them His nail scarred hands and His pierced side. Unfortunately, Thomas wasn’t there (John 20:19-23). When the disciples told Thomas that Christ had risen and they had seen Him, Thomas said, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:24-25). Jesus had already revealed His scars to the others, but not to Thomas. Personally, I’m not all that sure some of those other disciples wouldn’t have thought the same thing if they hadn’t seen Jesus with their own eyes.

Eight days later when all the disciples, including Thomas, were together, Jesus came to them again. Jesus told Thomas to touch His scars and “be not faithless, but believe.” Thomas humbly responded with, “My Lord and my God.” In fact, Thomas is the first disciple to refer to Jesus as both Lord and GOD. Jesus replied, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:26-29). I don’t think this was a rebuke or disparagement of Thomas’s faith. I see it as Jesus using an opportunity to teach a life lesson, which He so often did.

I’m thankful for Thomas. I consider him a kindred spirit. He may not have always been totally sure what Jesus was talking about, but that didn’t stop him from following. At times, he needed a little more convincing; sometimes he didn’t. I don’t know about you, but that describes my Christian journey.

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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 starts Daylight Saving Time. We move our clocks forward so we can have more hours of daylight. Some parts of the world call it Summer Time and it’s not a new concept. Benjamin Franklin suggested doing it in 1784 to conserve candle use. Although it would take many, many years for a proposal to take root, today we enjoy it—or endure it—depending on your point of view.  

You wouldn’t think that one hour this way or that would be such a volatile issue but people have very definite opinions about whether it’s a good thing or bad. Arizona and Hawaii don’t observe the time change, but the rest of us have to adapt. All in all, most people like having a little more sunshine time during the day.  

Did you know that time is a gift from God—but a limited one? We don’t know how much time we have to live (James 4:14, Psalm 39:4-5). Therefore, time is a valuable commodity (Psalm 90:12). So we are admonished to make the most of it (Colossians 4:5, Ephesians 5:15-17).

God has also appointed a time for everything in our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “To everything there is a season. And a time for every purpose under heaven.” Just like God put the sun and moon in the heavens to mark seasons (Genesis 8:23, Psalm 104:19), He has given us various seasons or times in our lives (Ecclesiastes 3:2-8). There’s a time to be born and a time to die. There is a time to plant and a time to reap…and so on.

God understands the experiences, emotions, and transitions we encounter during our time here on earth and in His wisdom, He gives us time to process them. Life is a balancing act. We won’t always be happy. We won’t always be sad. It’s okay to jump for joy and it’s okay to mourn. We have beginnings and endings. We have highs and lows. God is with us through it all and has reasons for the events in our lives.

God controls time. It doesn’t matter what time zone we’re in or if it’s Daylight Saving Time.  I’m so thankful that my time is in God’s loving hands (Psalm 31:16). And no matter what happens, God makes everything beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

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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…

I rarely watch or listen to the news anymore. It’s too depressing and often misleading. Disease, distress, and disappointment abound. So do turmoil, fake news, financial setbacks, finger-pointing, and misrepresentation. Sometimes the media is not there to inform, but to promote controversy. So they sensationalize everything that happens.

Yes, it is good to know what’s going on in the world, but to feed on murder, injustice, politics, hate, and health crises 24/7 is not healthy. Neither is looking for conspiracy theories which, if they do exist, we can do nothing about. Constantly filling our minds with bad news gives us no room for anything else. It allows negativity to creep into our lives and consume us.

Yet, in the midst of all this bad news, there is good news if we look for it! The gospel is good news!

The Greek word for gospel is euaggelion which means “good news” or sometimes “God’s good news.”  (See Strong’s Concordance #2027 and #2028.) New Testament authors used this word regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. That’s why the first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John gave us various eye witness accounts of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection (Mark 1:1).

Each of these gospels was written from that particular author’s point of view. That’s why there are things one author might mention but another might not. However, that does not weaken the message of the gospel, but reinforces it. If each of us shared our “good news” about Jesus with others, it would vary depending on our experiences but the message would remain the same.

When Christ was born the angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Paul embraced Jesus’s gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24). Jesus came to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:41). Jesus brought the gospel of salvation, a free gift for all who believe (Romans 1:16). The disciples were told to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15).

Now here’s some good news: Jesus came to earth. Jesus dwelt among people. Jesus loved us while we were sinners. Jesus died for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus lives in us. His life, death, and resurrection gives us victory over death (I Corinthians 15:55-57). The good news is that Christ gives us hope in a hopeless world.

I’m so thankful that no matter how bad today’s news is, Christ brings us good news—and that’s the gospel truth!  

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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…

I will admit that I am very enamored by technology, especially my cell phone and computer. While it’s true that I’ve had to learn new skills such as rebooting, backing up, charging, finding good internet connections, plus how to delete, save, copy, and paste, the pros far outweigh the cons.

I love my cell phone. If I need a flashlight, it’s there. If I need a calculator, it’s there. If I need a GPS, it’s there. If I need to take a picture, it’s there. If I need to kill time playing some little video game, it’s there. If I need someone’s phone number, it’s there. If I need an alarm clock, it’s there. If I need to make a phone call, it’s there. Watching old movies reminds me of how dependent we were on telephone booths which are almost nonexistent today. Even Clark Kent had to adapt or there would be no Superman. 

I love my computer. If I need reviews for service companies, it’s there. If I need to find some trivia tidbit, it’s there. If I need the yellow pages, it’s there. If I need to type a report, it’s easy. If I need to store material, I file it on the computer. In the olden days, I had to use a typewriter and make carbon copies. Computers give me access to research instantly. As a writer, I used to have to send off for a book from the Library of Congress to get certain data, but not anymore. I love having access to information at my fingertips.

It amazes me that I can love something so much but not have a clue as to how it functions. It’s unbelievable how technologically challenged I am. Yet, I know it works and that’s enough for me.  

Sometimes I feel that way about God. God has revealed some mysteries to us, but some He has not. Do I understand how God created the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1)? Not really! Do I understand God’s capacity to love me (Romans 5:8)? Not really! Do I understand how God can live in me (Colossians 1:26-27)? Not really!

God being three in one as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all working together mystifies me (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2). I believe it. I know it’s true. But do I fully understand it? Not really! Do I need to fully understand it to embrace it? I thank God that I don’t. I just know that it works and that’s enough for me.

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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…

Remember this old Teresa Brewer song? Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon, all I want is loving you and MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!

I love music! I can honestly say I like most genres of music. I enjoy opera, country, worship songs, western, pop, rock and roll, some rap, classical, musicals, jazz, the blues, old hymns, and most of whatever else is out there. I’m not saying I like every song in every genre, but I can usually find at least one or two I like.

I was listening to the car radio today and found an “oldies but goodies” station. I was so excited when they played one of my favorite songs. I know we can hear practically any song we want instantly through programs like Spotify, but it still gives me a thrill to hear an old fav unexpectedly when I’m driving down the road. I love to sing along and ponder questions like: Who wrote the Book of Love? Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp? Will you still love me tomorrow?  Where did our love go? Are you lonesome tonight? Does anyone really know what time it is? Do you know the way to San Jose?

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I do know the way to San Jose because we live in California!

God created music and it can be a powerful tool. The Psalms show us that music was used to praise and worship God, but music was used for other purposes in biblical times as well.

Music soothed the soul (1 Samuel 16:23). Music inspired (2 Chronicles 20:21-22). Music taught God’s Word (Colossians 3:16). Music could release the power of God (Acts 16:25-26). Music could etch the mighty power of God into our memories (Exodus 15). 

Songs were used throughout biblical times to express joy, triumph, grief, relief, celebration, thanks, praise, and so on. Matthew 26:30 tells us that when the last supper had ended Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn before leaving. What a powerful image!

God put something inside me that loves music and I’m so thankful. And I’m especially thankful when I unexpectedly hear one of my favorite songs. It’s as if God is saying, “Barbara, I’m thinking of you. Have a good day!”

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

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

In the book of Romans, we are asked a rhetorical question: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). Truthfully, nothing can separate us from Christ’s love, which is revealed as we read further in this passage: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).

We cannot be separated from God’s love because He loves us regardless. He loves us whether we are good or bad, whether we win or lose, or whether times are smooth or rough. Whether we believe it or not, God loves us! He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). There is no greater love than to die for someone (John 15:13). So God loves us. It’s a given. No matter what happens, God loves us.

We don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to jump through hoops. We don’t have to be pretty, smart, wise, talented, or good. He loves us when we’re good and He loves us when we’re not so good. God is love (1 John 4:8). How wise God is! He knew we would never be good enough to earn His love so He just gives it to us.

God loves everybody, but His love for me is special. God has the ability to love each one of us like we are His only child.   

God’s love is hard to fathom. It is wide and long and deep and high (Ephesians 3:17-19). Nothing can separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:35-38). It’s there if I want it. It’s there when I need it. It’s there for me all the time. I may not fully understand it, but I gladly accept and appreciate it. How thankful I am that nothing can separate me from God’s love!  

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

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

Conceptually, I understand that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus to die for it (John 3:16). His redemption was for all of us. He didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save the world (John 3:17). However, I must admit I have a difficult time comprehending God’s love for me as an individual. Academically, I know He loves me. Emotionally, I’m not always sure. After all, why would He love me?

When I look at myself, I see nothing but flaws and imperfections. I fall short of the person I want to be or the one I think God would have me be. Plus, society functions in a way that makes me feel insignificant. It’s a great big world and I am just one small cog in the wheel of life—not even a name to most, but more like an impersonal line of data entry. I have a voice but cannot be heard.

But here’s the truth… Although I may be just a number in the world, I am not with God. God knows my name (Isaiah 43:7; John 10:3). God hears my voice. God cares about what I think and how I feel (1 Peter 5:7). The hairs on my head are numbered (Matthew 10:30-32). He knows my sorrows and keeps track of my tears (Psalm 56:8). He knows my sitting down and rising up. He knows my paths. He understands my thoughts. God knows me inside and out (Psalm 139:1-6). I may not matter much to most of the world, but I matter to God.

I’m so thankful that God knows me intimately and loves me anyway. God’s love is truly remarkable! 

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

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

The world loves to keep score on how we are doing. Whether it’s the number of “likes” we get on social media or how much money we make in our careers, the world is keeping score. If we want to buy something substantial, the bank needs to check our credit score. Along with scores come records. Companies keep records on customers. Police keep records on suspected criminals. This is not necessarily a bad thing—just a part of society which unfortunately programs us for the numbers game.    

When I was in school and got into trouble, the most frightening thing to hear from a teacher was that what I did was going on my permanent record. All those who looked at this record in the future would see it. It was daunting to think I would be marked for life because I chewed gum in history class.  

Thoughts about permanent records and keeping score can creep into the Christian life.

Sometimes we like to keep score on how well we are doing as Christians. On good days, we dream about all the gold stars that will get us into heaven. On bad days, we are praying God looks to other way. This kind of philosophy makes us think we have to earn God’s love or salvation.  

This is not true! Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you have been saved by faith, not of yourselves, for it is a gift, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

So God clearly tells us that nothing we do will ever earn us salvation because salvation is a gift from Him. Nothing we do will ever make God love us anymore than He already does. Christians who perform lists of do’s and don’ts trying to get God to love them do not understand God’s grace. God’s love is freely given to us!

When we are works oriented, we begin to focus on ourselves, our performance, and our works, instead of focusing on what God has done. Here’s the deal… God loves us!  God loves us!  God loves us! We do nothing to earn this love. We do nothing to earn salvation!

Psalm 130:3 says, “If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness…”

God is not the great Scorekeeper in the Sky—and for that, I am very thankful! Because if He kept score, we would all lose.

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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…

Our nation’s trend seems to be towards godlessness. It was the same in Hosea’s time. He lived during the last twenty-five years of Israel’s existence as a nation. It was a time of political upheaval, anarchy, and bloodshed. Israel’s spiritual condition had deteriorated. They were involved in idolatry, adultery, and drunkenness. Hosea tried to bring them to their senses. He preached about God’s character, righteousness, omnipotence, and loving kindness. He reminded them of the covenant they entered into with God. 

While reading Hosea, one passage got me thinking about all God does for us. Hosea 11:1-4 says, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt…I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”

I especially love the phrase, “They knew not that I healed them…”

Although our country only experiences blessings because of God, many do not know it. On a personal level, I’m sure there are many loving acts of kindness God has done for me that I did not know about. How many times has He protected me or my loved ones that I didn’t know about? How many times has He led, strengthened, encouraged, and comforted me that I didn’t know about? How many times has He diverted my path so I could avoid pitfalls? I know not.

Just because I can’t recognize God’s involvement in my life, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. So when I thank God for the blessings I see, I want to also thank Him for all the things He does for me that I don’t know about.   

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