Count Your Blessings
What do we have to be thankful for? As I ponder that question, many people are in the kitchen preparing our annual Thanksgiving day dinner. Last year we had over 800 people show up and we are expecting even more this year. I am thankful for all of you who make up the Champion Center family. This dinner is one way we show our appreciation for your commitment, faithfulness and love. It’s a time for the church family to relax, eat and enjoy each other’s company. I am thankful for family. However, this will be the first Thanksgiving without my mother. Even with that great loss, I am still thankful. I am reminded of the original Thanksgiving in 1621. The pilgrims had suffered the death of 1/2 of their numbers and yet they were still thankful. Although they had obviously lost many loved ones, they were convinced that their family members were with their Savior, Jesus Christ. With that knowledge I too can celebrate the Thanksgiving season. Many years ago I learned a song that said “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” So here goes: I am thankful for, Jesus, salvation, turkey, pumpkin pie, my children, good children, my wife, marriage, the Champion Center, love, heaven, second chances, basketball, etc.
How’s your vision?
Over the last few years my vision has been getting worse. I need readers in the evening, I am overly sensative to the sun, and my eyes are always dry. I yearn for my old 20/20 vision. But as my physical eyes dim, my spiritual eyes grow keener. What I am talking about is the ability to see life from God’s perspective. Most people view life through the inspection lens. They see things the way they are. These people might be described as realists. They can be negative, cynical, and often depressed about their life. Other people view life through the lens of imagination. They see things how they could be. They use their imagination to paint a picture of a preferred future. This can lead to invention and innovation. Although imagination is a great characteristic, I believe it still falls short of the ultimate vision which is inspiration. The lens of inspiration allows you to see things the way God sees them. In Isaiah 43:19 God says ”See, I am doing a new thing.” Then he asks the all important question. “Do you not perceive it?” In other words do you see what God sees. Inspiration comes as you fill your mind with thoughts of God. Inspiration comes as you look to God’s word for wisdom and guidance. Inspiration comes as you see God high and lifted up in regular praise and worship.
