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Intro regarding Thanksgiving lunch to leftovers “how quickly…”
Intro regarding Thanksgiving lunch to leftovers “how quickly…”
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did. I love how the meal of Thanksgiving comes together at my parents house. Everyone has a little part in the action whether it’s helping to rearrange furniture, set tables, prepare food, bring food, put ice in cups, or keep my parent’s Doberman from getting too close to the counters. As everyone is gathered throughout the house, and after all the final pieces of preparing the feast come together, my mom gathers everyone’s attention, we say grace, and the Thanksgiving feasting begins. What once was an empty plate - a blank canvas - now has become a heaping kaleidoscope of food - every square inch from edge to edge is covered.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did. I love how the meal of Thanksgiving comes together at my parents house. Everyone has a little part in the action whether it’s helping to rearrange furniture, set tables, prepare food, bring food, put ice in cups, or keep my parent’s Doberman from getting too close to the counters. As everyone is gathered throughout the house, and after all the final pieces of preparing the feast come together, my mom gathers everyone’s attention, we say grace, and the Thanksgiving feasting begins. What once was an empty plate - a blank canvas - now has become a heaping kaleidoscope of food - every square inch from edge to edge is covered.
Now I don’t know about you, but I have an eating strategy. I usually eat things in order of how I think I will like them. The most important thing is that I make sure that the last bite I have is what I hope will be the very best tasting bite. So that my mouth and my belly are happy as I make my way to the couch to let the digestive process begin while I watch football.
Now I don’t know about you, but I have an eating strategy. I usually eat things in order of how I think I will like them. The most important thing is that I make sure that the last bite I have is what I hope will be the very best tasting bite. So that my mouth and my belly are happy as I make my way to the couch to let the digestive process begin while I watch football.
One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is what happens after the feast. This is what we will call - the “after-feast feasting.” Now, since I didn’t consume any sweets as to maximize my main course intake, desserts come next.The strategy in this is it can’t happen too close to the feast to where you become miserable, but you don’t want to wait so long that the best stuff starts getting picked over.
One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is what happens after the feast. This is what we will call - the “after-feast feasting.” Now, since I didn’t consume any sweets as to maximize my main course intake, desserts come next.The strategy in this is it can’t happen too close to the feast to where you become miserable, but you don’t want to wait so long that the best stuff starts getting picked over.
It’s funny how the after-feast feasting happens. Anything can spark it. For me, it’s usually between the first game of the day and the Cowboy game. But generally for people it’s at a half-time in the football game. A Commercial break. A touchdown. Maybe, wanting to get out of a conversation you’ve been stuck in. Or you have to go to the bathroom, but since you’re already up… you might as well swing by the kitchen…
It’s funny how the after-feast feasting happens. Anything can spark it. For me, it’s usually between the first game of the day and the Cowboy game. But generally for people it’s at a half-time in the football game. A Commercial break. A touchdown. Maybe, wanting to get out of a conversation you’ve been stuck in. Or you have to go to the bathroom, but since you’re already up… you might as well swing by the kitchen…
... and then once someone has commenced the after-feast feasting… it’s almost like a sneeze.. and one by one people say.. “oh is that pie? Will you bring me a slice?” Or the more polite, “Oh, don’t worry about putting that up, dear.” Whatever the reason, the machine cranks up again and people begin to fill up with what they missed before.
... and then once someone has commenced the after-feast feasting… it’s almost like a sneeze.. and one by one people say.. “oh is that pie? Will you bring me a slice?” Or the more polite, “Oh, don’t worry about putting that up, dear.” Whatever the reason, the machine cranks up again and people begin to fill up with what they missed before.
After this point all notions of proper eating times or normal number of meals you eat in a day goes out the window. Dinner happens from 3pm to Midnight… AND IT IS AWESOME!
After this point all notions of proper eating times or normal number of meals you eat in a day goes out the window. Dinner happens from 3pm to Midnight… AND IT IS AWESOME!
Then there’s Day 2: Lunch time the next day all the food is still good and I open the kitchen door excited by all the Tupperware containers packed into the fridge.
Then there’s Day 2: Lunch time the next day all the food is still good and I open the kitchen door excited by all the Tupperware containers packed into the fridge.
However, dinner time on Day 2, I begin to get a little more selective or picky about what comes out of the fridge.
However, dinner time on Day 2, I begin to get a little more selective or picky about what comes out of the fridge.
Then Day 3 - You open the fridge thinking… do I have to?? Any leftovers at this point I’m probably not that excited about it.
Then Day 3 - You open the fridge thinking… do I have to?? Any leftovers at this point I’m probably not that excited about it.
Transition to make the point of how quickly we “retreat”
Transition to make the point of how quickly we “retreat”
48 short hours after the initial Thanksgiving feast and I look at the food and I just can’t anymore. I love thanksgiving leftovers, but there’s a point when you’re tired of them. The best meals to us lose their flavor.
48 short hours after the initial Thanksgiving feast and I look at the food and I just can’t anymore. I love thanksgiving leftovers, but there’s a point when you’re tired of them. The best meals to us lose their flavor.
How quickly our senses dull and the excitement fades. How quickly we can lose our zest.
How quickly our senses dull and the excitement fades. How quickly we can lose our zest.
It’s not just food. What about the things we buy? Our gadgets. Once the newness wears off, our boredom with them increases.
It’s not just food. What about the things we buy? Our gadgets. Once the newness wears off, our boredom with them increases.
Think about the news we watch on tv. We are hooked on the screen as a hurricane is approaching landfall, news outlets are running 24/7 to cover them, then there’s the footage of the destruction and then… the next day it’s on the latest shooting, political debate, wildfire… How quickly we go to the next thing even when people are still picking up the pieces from the last storm, earthquake, or wildfire.
Think about the news we watch on tv. We are hooked on the screen as a hurricane is approaching landfall, news outlets are running 24/7 to cover them, then there’s the footage of the destruction and then… the next day it’s on the latest shooting, political debate, wildfire… How quickly we go to the next thing even when people are still picking up the pieces from the last storm, earthquake, or wildfire.
How quickly we can lose our since of awe. A few years ago I went to Turkey to travel to many of the Roman cities Paul visited and when we first arrived we were in awe of the ancient ruins of these great cities… but after 2 week of ancient ruins… we were pretty much done.
How quickly we can lose our since of awe. A few years ago I went to Turkey to travel to many of the Roman cities Paul visited and when we first arrived we were in awe of the ancient ruins of these great cities… but after 2 week of ancient ruins… we were pretty much done.
The Apollo 11 mission was watched with excitement and wonder by millions as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. We are impressed and captivated when someone does something for the first time, but after it’s been done a few times… eh…Broadcast stations canceled the Apollo 13 telecasts… until there was trouble on board.
The Apollo 11 mission was watched with excitement and wonder by millions as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. We are impressed and captivated when someone does something for the first time, but after it’s been done a few times… eh…Broadcast stations canceled the Apollo 13 telecasts… until there was trouble on board.
How quickly we can take for granted waking up this new day and have breath in our lungs. How quickly we can take for granted the many blessings in our lives.
How quickly we forget about meaning of the holiday (holy day) of Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks to God as a nation.
How quickly we forget about meaning of Thanksgiving that it is not just about giving thanks for generally, but as a holiday (holy day) of Thanksgiving as a day established specifically to give thanks to God.
How quickly we take for granted the many blessings in our lives. How quickly we take for granted waking up this new day and have breath in our lungs.
How quickly… we lose sight. But not just us. We are not alone in this.
What about our zeal for the LORD? This church is not that old. Chartered in 2001… Have we lost that fire to sparked it?
Symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. Active. Burning. Alive. Consuming. Mesmerizing. Powerful. Untamable.
Our OT reading for today speaks to this:Judges 2 describes how Joshua had dismissed the people to settle in their allotted territories and everyone is worshipping God. Yet, when Joshua died, as did his generation… the next generation it says: “grew up after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.”It only took one generation to lose sight of a realization of God’s goodness.Or what about right after God delivered the Israelites from Egypt when Moses ascended Mt Sinai… he ascended the mountain to meet with God and is there for 40 days, yet by the time he returns the people have already started worshipping a manmade idol.Or consider the events in the Garden of Eden and how Adam and Eve lost the willpower to live as God desired.
Does the symbol of a fire adequately represent how we are experiencing the presence of God in our lives? Or has our fire lost its fury?
It’s a part of our condition. Our senses dull. Our vigilance fades. Our enthusiasm withers.
Do we forget……
So, what about right here, right now? November 25th, 2018 - Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church. How are we doing as a church? How are you personally doing? I know often my worship lacks deep enthusiasm, it lacks my whole-heart, because I make God too little. As a result my worship of God lacks authenticity. How authentic is our worship? How heartfelt is our worship? I don’t mean worship exclusively as singing… though singing can be part of our outflowing of thankfulness. Worship is anything we do, word or deed, in response to God’s steadfast love toward us. Worship is what we do as an outflowing of our thankfulness to God. How do you see the Holy Spirit working in our midst? How do you see the Holy Spirit moving in your life? Symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. Fire is Active. Burning. Alive. Consuming. Mesmerizing. Powerful. Untamable. Does the symbol of a fire adequately represent how we are experiencing the presence of God in our lives? Or has our fire lost its untamed fury?What about our zeal for the LORD? When our thanksgiving is lacking enthusiasm… When our service of God takes a backseat… When being on fire for God is stifled and replaced for the other things that we fill our time with and expend our energy doing… what are we to do?
How do we get back on track? That’s where we come to a place of seeking. But it’s important that we should not seek out gimmicks. It’s not flashy entertainment. It’s not a self-help method to success. It’s not something that makes God’s grace something cheap - as Bonhoeffer would say.
yawn at creation and all it’s wondersWe yawn at the break of each new day We yawn at going to churchWe yawn when we come to the table We yawn when we sing We yawn at forgiveness of sin We yawn at God
We seek wisdom. And this leads us to our gospel text today: . What I see in is a call to return to an attitude and experience of joyful, authentic, worship. This Psalm is a crafted work. There is no wasted word, every word in it is intentional.The subtitle my Bible gives is: “Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness”. It’s what our hearts long for and are satisfied with nothing less.
OT examples Mt SinaiVERSES where Moses is getting the 10 commandments and people start worshiping a golden calfJudges“6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the Israelites all went to their own inheritances to take possession of the land. 7 The people worshiped the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred ten years. 9 So they buried him within the bounds of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 Moreover, that whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” -10The people had just entered and conquered the promised land, they go to their designated inheritances… Joshua had just died… and the very next generation "did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel” Taking blessings of God for granted.Exile? - thinking not… too muchWhat about right here, right now? How are we doing? How are you doing? How authentic is our worship? Howe heartfelt is our worship? I know often my worship lacks zeal, enthusiasm, lacks my whole-heart. I make God too little. (- as a result worship lacks authenticity and relevance…?).I don’t mean Worship exclusively as singing… though singing can be part of our outflowing of thankfulness, worship is anything we do word or deed in response to God’s steadfast love. Worship is what we do as an outflowing of our thankfulness to God. When our thanksgiving is lacking enthusiasm. When our service of God takes a backseat. When being on fire for God is stifled and replaced for the other things that we fill our time with and expend our energy doing.How do we remember? How do we get back on track?We seek something. But it’s important that that something is not a gimmick. It’s not flashy entertainment. It’s not a self-help method to success. It’s not something that makes God’s grace something cheap as Bonhoeffer would exclaim. Let’s instead today seek wisdom.John Calvin has a quote: “True wisdom consists of 2 things: knowledge of self and knowledge of God.”We turn to ScriptureDraw attention to Psalm 103What I see in is a call to return to a place / attitude of joyful, authentic, worship. It is a crafted work. Every word is intentional. There is no wasted word.The subtitle my Bible gives it is: Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness” and it’s authentic. It’s what our hearts long for and are satisfied with nothing less.I see 3 themes emerging from David’s psalm.1) It says something honest about us. The nature of humanity. As Calvin would say… “a knowledge of self”RED“2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits”We forget3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. We have iniquity, we are diseased, our life is in the pit, youth and energy fades10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.14 For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 2) It says something about God - the nature and characteristics of God. As Calvin would put it “a knowledge of God.”GREENExodus 34:6 quoted in verse 8. 3) It gives us a way forward in which we can meet God where God already is. This is the wisdom Calvin speaks of. Wisdom is not just knowledge about. It has practical implications. There is a purpose to wisdom… not always the case with “knowledge.”Wikipedia: “Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. This implies a possession of knowledge or the seeking thereof in order to apply it to the given circumstance. This involves an understanding of people, things, events, situations, and the willingness as well as the ability to apply perception, judgement, and action in keeping with the understanding of what is the optimal course of action. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that the universal principle of reason prevails to determine one's action. In short, wisdom is a disposition to find the truth coupled with an optimum judgement as to what actions should be taken in order to deliver the correct outcome.”PURPLE
Action:
John Calvin has a quote: “true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” in its wisdom gives us an understanding of both ourselves and of God.I want to read it again… and I want you to listen for the things it says about ourselves, and the things it says about God:
Don’t let the goodness of God go flavorless
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—
Remember, feel, know, rejoice repent, Give thanks
Advent is a great time to do some honest introspection. And orient our hearts to God. As I shared in the Joel Sunday school class I taught earlier this month. The biblical notion of advent includes repentance and a commitment to return to God with sincere hearts.
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
I encourage you, if you feel like our spiritual life is dead, soffocating, unenthusiastic, etc…. Consider David’s words in .
4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Not only are they identical, the first and the last lines say it all. Before all things and after all things.“Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. And unlike thanksgiving leftovers, God’s goodness does not lose its flavor …?
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.”
1) It says something honest about us. The nature of humanity. As Calvin would say… “a knowledge of self”v. 2 instructs us to “forget not all God’s benefits” - implying that we are prone to forget and we are.v. 3, as well as verses 10 and 12 inform us that we are sinful - we have iniquities. Things that condemn us and strip us of righteousness.v. 4 describes our lives as being in a pit - grave. A helpless place to which we cannot escape on our own.vs. 5, 14, 15, 16 describes our human frailty. Our strength fades, our youth and energy dissipates, our bodies age, and we have a limited number of breathes we take in this life. Just as the grass withers and the flowers fade… so do we.
2) also says some things about God - the nature and characteristics of God. As Calvin would put it, it speaks to our “knowledge of God.”v. 1 - God’s name / reputation is holy. Set apart and deserving of reverence and honor.v. 2 - God has accomplished things that are a “benefit” for us.vs. 3-4 - God forgives us, heals us, redeems us, and even crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. All actions done by God.v. 5 - God satisfies us which renews our strength and energyv. 6 - The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.v. 7 - God has made Himself known to Moses, Israel, and us.v. 8 - The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Which is a quote of . God’s character is consistent and He is faithful.v. 9 and 10 - God is forgiving and mercifulvs. 11, 12, 13, and 17 - again describing God’s steadfast love, forgiveness, and compassionv. 19 - “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” God is God.
Okay, so now what?
This leads us to the third component. You might be saying, “Now wait, I thought you said Calvin said there were only 2 things!” There are. But those two things result in something. I’ve been helping Ella with her 3rd grade math homework and she has these word problems that she is supposed to figure out. The first thing I tell her we need to do to work the problem is try to make an equation.
So here is my John Calvin equation:
“knowledge of self” + “knowledge of God” = “true and sound wisdom”
3) Knowledge of ourselves, and a knowledge of God’s glory, gives us a way forward in which we can meet God where God already is. This is the wisdom Calvin speaks of. Wisdom is not just knowledge about something. It has practical implications. There is a purpose to wisdom.Wikipedia: “Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. This implies a possession of knowledge or the seeking thereof in order to apply it to the given circumstance… In short, wisdom is a disposition to find the truth coupled with an optimum judgement as to what actions should be taken in order to deliver the correct outcome.”Wisdom flows from a right and honest knowledge of ourselves, and a right and true knowledge of God. This wisdom has implications - it leads us to a responsive action. speaks to this wisdom to which it begins and ends the Psalm with its outflowing of thanksgiving as praise and worship to God:“1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits”
Action:
Don’t let the goodness of God go flavorless. Remember and know the goodness of God that He has redeemed our lives from the grave, forgiven our sins, He has healed us and lifted us up, and renewed our strength so that we may have new life and in the abundant life of Christ.
Advent is a great time to do some honest introspection. And orient our hearts to God. As I shared in the Joel Sunday school class I taught earlier this month. The biblical notion of advent includes repentance and a commitment to return to God with sincere hearts.
I encourage you, if you feel like our spiritual life is dead, suffocating, unenthusiastic, etc…. Consider David’s words in and rejoice in the goodness of God, repent of our failure to give our full hearts to God, and give thanks with contrite hearts that beat with in the new life of Christ.