Pure Religion

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 6: Today, I am grateful for pure religion.

Pure religion. It sounds clean and simple, but this world can be complicated. 

I love complimentary verses! Look at this pair:

"Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." -Isaiah 1:16-17

And now, the New Testament companion scripture. James wrote beautifully. His intended audience were the Jews. Sometimes, it is good to know the intended audience. 

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." -James 1:27   

When caring for others, it is hard to get the balance right sometimes. Sometimes, we blow it. I am grateful for these verses that clearly direct our intentions.  

Thank goodness, tomorrow is another day to try again. This is the kind of love that will change the world. 

Today, I am grateful for pure religion.

Clear Directions

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 5: Today, I am grateful for clear directions.

Did anyone have projects this Christmas with "some assembly required".  Those are not my favorites. I like pictures, step-by-step or a video for clear directions. The Love of my Life is our chief of some assembly required. He has a chest full of tools and he knows how to use them. How I adore that man! 

Randy did not have much of a tool box when we first married. He would buy tools as he needed them for projects. My guy is a fast learner and really smart, so he has mastered many of the home fix-it projects with the help of some good friends, YouTube and PBS in the early days.  

Randy started tool boxes for our boys when they were little. They received them before they left home. I hope they smile and think of their Dad many years from now, when they reach for the tools he gathered for them over the course of almost 20 years.  

He didn't just give them the tools, he explained each one and how it was used. I have some of the sweetest pictures of both of them "helping" their Dad. He would give directions and show them how. They would do their best to follow his lead and imitate his behaviors. 

My Bible reading for today was Matthew 5, which includes what we know as "The Beatitudes." It is chock full of teaching!  I like to think of them as the "Be Attitudes." They teach us how to be,  behave, and act as believers. 

Jesus was not loud like John the Baptist. Jesus  went up to the mountain and sat down to teach.  Jesus did not sugar coat his teachings, but his tone was that of a teacher and not a preacher. He clearly taught spiritual truth to anyone who would listen. Yet, in his rhythmic presentation, there is a gentleness. 

This is a passage worth memorizing: 

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.  God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." - Matthew 5:3-10 (NLT)

We could spend a week in Matthew 5 and still not glean all of the wisdom to be  harvested. 

Our God does not change with the wind. His expectations are clear. 

Today, I am grateful for clear directions.

Clear Intentions

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 4: Today, I am grateful when intentions are clear. 

Are there times when you are unsure of someone's intentions? It is a confusing place to be. There is "the talk" that eventually happens when couples are dating. At some point, it is important to know how the other person perceives the relationship. Is it for fun or is it forever? Clear intentions make for better relationships. 

When Satan went into the desert to tempt Jesus, he waited until he believed Jesus would be at his weakest. Hungry, hot and tired is not how you want to be found when  your nemesis shows up. 

Satan knew Jesus was really hungry. Urging Jesus to turn stones into bread was a brilliant temptation. Jesus could do it. They both knew it. Satan tempted him to be prideful in showing off his power. Satan tempted him to put his physical needs before his spiritual ones. Jesus endured and prevailed. 

"But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" -Matthew 4:4

Jesus knew the Word of God and he knew how to use it. Sharper than a double edged sword! Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy:

" Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." -Deuteronomy 8:3

Every word. Not just the ones we like. Every word. 

Note that in both passages there are moments when we are allowed to go hungry. Difficult seasons when we feel weak. In those moments, we learn to feed on His word and rely on His strength. 

Satan's intentions are to deceive and destroy. Jesus came to rescue and restore. 

Today, I am grateful when intentions are clear. 

John The Baptist

 

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 3: Today, I am grateful for the example of John the Baptist. 

Some people are trendsetters. Some march to their own drumbeat. Some stand out. Some stand apart. Some live with intention, uninhibited by  the world's opinions... like John the Baptist. 

I have not spent much time focusing on John the Baptist. When I have, it is usually about his relationship with Jesus.  My Bible Study passage today was Matthew 3. I usually focus on John baptizing Jesus, but today the very intentional way John lived jumped off the page.  

Isaiah 40:3 foreshadowed the ministry of John the Baptist. He sought truth and led others.

"The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey." -Matthew 3:3-4 

Things are not always as they seem. John the Baptist, cousin to Jesus, was kind of an odd duck by society's standards. He lived off the land, most comfortable in wilderness places. He literally would shout his message. 

Now, John rocked the modern "capsule closet." With his unique wardrobe, he didn't worry about clothes. His diet was pretty simple, too. Not exactly what I would choose, but a foraged diet of locust and honey worked for John.  It allowed him to not be distracted by questions I find important, like "What's for lunch?" 

I love a leather belt, but the coarse camel hair tunic would not be my first choice. It was simple and a bit bold. Nothing fancy. It fit his message. John was known for bold declaration that people needed to "Prepare the way for the Lord's coming!" He didn't have time for clothing that was fussy or needed gentle care. 

John's mission was set. He lived with intention. Nothing distracted him. He knew his role in the mission. He was not easily distracted. 

I can learn a lot from John. 

Today, I am grateful for the example of John the Baptist. 

A Comfortable Pair of Shoes

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 2: Today, I am grateful for a comfortable pair of shoes. 

I basically have two shoe seasons. Sandals and Boots. I prefer barefoot, but most businesses are funny about you showing up barefoot. At work, if I am working in my office, I often kick off my shoes. 

My feet are happier barefoot. Many years ago, Dr. Hake observed that I have "freakishly high arches". I still laugh at the memory. Faith, his wife and his nurse, couldn't help herself. "Ron!!!", she exclaimed. I giggled. There was plenty of relationship. I was not offended and he gave some good advice about footwear. My foot health improved. 

How many days do your feet suffer because shoes are new or worn out? Our feet carry us everywhere. We should be good to them. 

The Love of My Life, my Jill and Laurie Jean (my college roommate) have been the people in my life to force me to give us old favorite shoes and boots. Oh, and the owner at "Fred's Shoe Repair" in Peoria who has gently but firmly told me "No." when a favorite pair of shoes could no longer be repaired. Randy has always appreciated Fred's, too. He didn't have to be the bad guy. 

In college, Laurie and I once had a little "good-bye" service at the garbage shoot before my favorite pair of Black Capezio flats went to wherever the good shoes go when the are done with their service to humans. I did not give them up without a protest. Laurie was loving but firm. They had given all they could give. The brick quad at Olivet ate dress shoes, especially those with any wood on them and it was the 80's. I spent years trying to replace those little black Capezio's. 

We choose comfortable shoes with intention. We know they will make our days better. We can do cute shoes for a few hours, but real life requires real shoes. 

As we begin 2023, I could not help reflecting on the comfort in the practice. We can choose gratitude like a favorite pare of shoes. It is new at first, but then it becomes more comfortable. When we practice the process of being intentionally grateful, our gratitude grows and starts to fit like a favorite pair of shoes. 

I invite anyone to join me for a week, a month or even a year. It is not too late to start. One sentence is all it takes. Even one word or phrase can be the beginning of something new that adds sunshine to your days. Be sure to share if you start the journey. 

I am grateful for Jesus who chose to wear "skin" that didn't really fit in His desire to be with us, to understand us and to walk in our shoes. Then, he wore our sins, like ill fitting, uncomfortable shoes, all the way to the cross.  They wore them anyway, so we did not have to suffer the price of our sins. 

In fact, His act of love and mercy opened the door for us to be sons, daughters and joint-heirs,   fully adopted into the family of God. I am so grateful His love was greater than all that might have tempted him to call it and return to heaven without finishing the job. 

"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.  Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." -James 1:17-19

We have so much to be grateful for. 

Today, I am grateful for a comfortable pair of shoes. 

 

Intention

Daily Gratitude Year Eleven- Day 1: Today, I am grateful for intention.

It is a time to do something "old" and begin something "new". Both, with intention. Daily Gratitude is an old practice.  As I mentioned a few days ago, my OLW... my one little word... for 2023 is "intention."  Sometimes, I am scrambling for a new word, but not this year. Intention found me. 

"Be intentional."  "Act with intention." Intention means to act deliberately and on purpose. All variations of the word will be considered and explored. I am always excited to see where the focus leads. 

This scripture is about intentional rejoicing. Do not get lazy about praising! 

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,  rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. (Philippians 3:1)

I love this scripture about intentional praise in all circumstances. Whatever happens... rejoice!  Why? Because intentional praise and gratitude help to "safeguard our faith." 

Life has so many distractions. So many things that  can cause us to stray off course. When we act with intention, it is a sign we are paying attention. When we pause to praise, we refocus on The One who is worthy of our praise. 

Our fur-baby, Daisy Mae, is head over heels about the Love-of-My-Life. Daisy Mae wants to be as close to Randy as she can possibly be. She definitely wants to be between us... but she doesn't want there to be any space between him and her. She prefers to lay on top of him like a blanket, so she doesn't miss a move he makes. She is his 70lb weighted blanket much of the time. She loves me, but she worships him. 

On a spiritual level, I can learn from her unabashed devotion. Do I intentionally seek out time with the Lord? Is my desire to be as close to Him as I can possibly be? We are instructed to seek Him with a purpose. 

As 2023 begins, we have choices to make.

Today, I am grateful for intention.

The Gift of Another Day

 

Daily Gratitude Year 10-Day 365: Today, I am grateful for the gift of another day to choose gratitude.

This is the time of  year I have to decide if I am done with posting "Daily Gratitude". It takes time. It requires being intentional. Ten years is complete. 3,652 (two Leap Years in the mix)"Daily Gratitude" posts  made on Facebook. Do we go another year? 

Losing Donna (Emma's Mom and one of my dearest friends) was a reminder to be more intentional with the time we have. I miss her wisdom in my world. She was the best of the best. 

A decade seemed a good place to stop, although I will continue the practice privately ( because gratitude really does change everything). Then, in August and September, two very special people who walked in gratitude with me went to heaven. 

Jeff Hanson made the frame around my writing desk out of wood. He has been a part of our extended family since 1993 when my brother married his sister. Every single day I write, I sit surrounded by something beautiful Jeff handcrafted just for our family. He sanded the wood, applied the stain and nailed every nail. His attention to detail was evident in everything he did. 

Our shared niece was married in August. It was the last time I saw Jeff. We had the best conversation.  He mentioned "Daily Gratitude" and I told him I thought a decade might be a good place to stop. He said, "No. I don't always comment, but I do read it. Don't stop."  His final breath was just a couple of weeks later. 

Another... one of my oldest friends and biggest encouragers, cheerleaders and willing editors (if I would ever put these in a book)... was Sally. Sally has been a part of my world since 5th grade. We have never lost touch. She married a Rosenboom... and the Rosenbooms are like extended family to the Lindgrens... which was all the sweeter. I knew life would never separate us for long.  

I can't tell you how many times Sally would share something that would inspire a gratitude post or a deeper look at a scripture. She would send a verse, a thought or a quote... or we would share a conversation. She found a personal relationship with Jesus... she chased Him and his heart.  She was a smart girl who loved to dig deeper in the scriptures. I already miss the exchanges and promises of the next shared cup of coffee.  She introduced me to "Andrew Peterson" and the book series "Every Moment Holy". I've prayer for "her people" and she has prayed for "mine".  

Then in October, Randy's cousin Becky lost her granddaughter, Cait.  It was unexpected. We have no words or understanding, as she was only ten.  Our hearts ache and break for them. Still, I see her parents and family looking for the tiniest reasons to be grateful through the pain. 

Year eleven the focus will be on being intentional. We will see where it goes. 

I am truly grateful for  all who take the time to read and walk with me. I am grateful for you.

I am grateful for the gift of another day to choose gratitude.