Pivotal Thankfulness
Recently I had to pivot. You know that moment when you stop dead in your tracks and know you need to head back in the other direction for various reasons.
There was a man in the Bible that did a similar thing. Luke 17:11-19; Jesus heals ten men with leprosy. He tells them to go show themselves to the priests (knowing they’d be clean and healed when they got there, the priests would verify the clean bill of health). All took off. All were healed. But one stopped. One pivoted and returned. When he got to Jesus, he threw himself at His feet thanking Him. Jesus asked, “Where are the others?” Nine were missing. Only this one man returned to thank and praise Jesus. This man’s action not only acknowledged what Jesus did, (praise). But acknowledged Who Jesus was (worship). Jesus merely gave instruction. What power! HE is worthy of the stop, worthy of the pivot, worthy of the return. Worthy of thanksgiving.
Notice too, the healing took place once the men began to walk (to the priests). Their faith, their obedience—their participation in the healing. Jesus spoke. They obeyed. They were healed. What would have happened if one mischievous guy threw his hands on his hips and defiantly declared, “What good will THAT do!” Defiance only brings delay (See 2 Kings 5). Don’t be defiant. Often simple obedience can make a world of difference.
The narrative goes on, Jesus tells the one man, “Stand up, your faith has made you well” (v19, NASB). The context conveys Jesus heals all but shares His disappointment in the others lack of thankfulness. The man returning, falling at His feet—Jesus gave him a healing, a wholeness beyond the physical the others did not receive. The one man cherished the Giver—greater than the gift. Jesus didn’t heal with the expectation (or required) response of gratitude. He healed out of love. He healed due to mission (Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing – Matthew 4:23. See also John 6:38-40, Mark 10:45, John 3:17).
There is one more thing where I want to run my finger over the text. The narrative found it important enough—JESUS too pointed it out. The returning thank-filled man was a Samaritan. In short, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. Jews thought the other were unclean and distanced themselves, the mindset and behavior conveying—unworthy. Yet. Jesus heals. The Samaritan obeys. The Samaritan returns. What a great principle: Jesus does NOT discriminate. (See too, the woman at the well, John 4).
I too pivoted the other day. Following this principle of thankfulness. I, like the one man—stopped. I went back to Jesus, threw myself (metaphorically) at His feet and thanked Him. Realizing my current circumstance is not ideal or by far even favored. BUT. What am I thankful for? What has Jesus told me to do? Am I obedient? Am I focusing on the Giver? Am I thankful for what I do have? May I not be counted among the “where are the others?”
Thankfulness.
As we step into this seasonal focus of thanksgiving, may we not make it more difficult than it is, or over think it to where we merely give up. Fall at His feet. HE is worthy of the stop, the pivot, the return. Worthy of praise-filled thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
Thankful
THANKSGIVING! I love this holiday of food – family – fun, and football – a set time to pause and ponder thankfulness. There are seasons that may be difficult to pull forward on the shelf of our life, wondering if there is something – anything to be thankful for? We may have lost a job or a loved one, or our bank account matches our emotional bucket of strength – empty. Yet there IS something to be thankful for, we indeed have the reason for thankfulness! The great Psalm of thanks opens with, “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good…” (Psalm 136) That alone is enough.
“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever…” The author found it needful to repeat ‘His love endures forever’ 26 times throughout the Psalm. This Hebrew word love is ‘hesed’ (a guttural, ‘H-said’ ) we know it biblically as mercy, goodness, loyalty, steadfast love and even grace. What a pivotal word, a pivotal attribute all rolled up and woven into one magnificent GOD! The Psalms poetically describe His lovingkindness as precious (36:7) marvelous (17:7) undeserving (103) abounding (86:5) reviving (119:159) 
satisfying (90:14) and everlasting (103:17). Are we thankful yet?
King David’s well known and beloved Psalm 23 (verse 6) “Surely goodness and MERCY (hesed) will follow me all the days of my life.” David writes this at the end of his life, he once the shepherd – has now and is being shepherded. This ‘follow’ is not a mere tag along behind, but PURSUIT! The Shepherding God’s unending – steadfast love full of mercy pursued David. That same mercy, the same goodness pursues us, pursues YOU! He is unrelenting. The divine love of God is steady – sure – persistent and FULL of refusal to let go. Aren’t you glad He does not let go! (Thankful!)
As we share around the table amongst the declarations of health and love of family, and a few glee-filled shouts of “TOUCHDOWN!” may we ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever!’
Thanksgiving.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Reason for Thanksgiving
Turkey, cranberries, dinner rolls, butter, mash potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad. “Breathe.” Dinner plates, napkins, silverware, glasses, name cards AND centerpiece. THANKSGIVING! I love this holiday, FOOD – family – fun. Ok, I will add … football. A set time to pause, consider and ponder that which we are thankful for.
Thanksgiving. There are seasons it may be difficult to pull forward on the shelves of our lives something to be thankful for. We may have lost a job, or a loved one. Or our bank account matches our emotional bucket of strength, ’empty’. Yet and yet there IS something to be thankful for. You have a REASON for thanksgiving. The great Psalm of thanks opens with, “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good.” (Ps. 136) The Hebrew language renders beautiful word pictures, “Give thanks…” offers the idea to confess or acknowledge in reverence and worship with extended hands.
“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever” The author found it needful to repeat “His love endures forever” 26 times throughout the rest of the Psalm. This Hebrew word love 
is ‘hesed’ (hay-said). It is used 248 times in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at each one (just kidding). We know it biblically as mercy, goodness, loyalty and steadfast love, even … grace. What a pivotal word. Scholars find it extremely difficult to translate into English, because there really is not an equivalent word(s).’
This merciful (undeserved) love is enveloped in personal involvement and commitment to relationship. Basically it IS relationship. God is pleased when it is reciprocated “For I delight in loyalty (hesed) rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Our Lord desires faithful love and covenantal commitment.
David’s well known and beloved Psalm 23 (verse 6) “Surely goodness and MERCY will follow me all the days of my life” (mercy – hesed) This ‘follow’ is not a mere tag along behind, but … PURSUIT. David knows the concept of pursuit. This Psalm is known to be written at the END of David’s life. He, once the shepherd, has now/is being Shepherded. God’s unending – steadfast love full of mercy pursued David, He pursues …. US! He is unrelenting. In my study, I have come to this conclusion: The divine love of God is steady – sure – persistent and FULL of refusal to let go. Aren’t you GLAD He does not let go! Reason for thanksgiving indeed. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.”
Very interesting note, (Geek alert) have you ever wondered why we call it, ‘saying grace’ when we bow our head and give thanks for our meal? Giving thanks in the Greek is ‘charizomai’ deriving from ‘charis’ meaning GRACE! Our thanksgiving is rooted in GRACE!
This week as we share around the table amongst the laughter and love the blessings of health and family, may we too take a knee, raise a hand 
and “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…” (Ps. 107:2)
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” ~ Heb. 10:24)
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Reason for Thanksgiving
Turkey, cranberries, dinner rolls, butter, mash potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad. Breathe. Dinner plates, napkins, silverware, glasses, name cards AND centerpiece. THANKSGIVING! I love this holiday, FOOD – family – fun. Ok, I will add … football. A set time to pause, consider and ponder that which we are thankful for.
Thanksgiving. There are seasons it may be difficult to pull forward on the shelves of our lives something to be thankful for. We may have lost a job, or a loved one. Or our bank account matches our emotional bucket of strength, ‘empty’. Yet and yet there IS something to be thankful for. You have a REASON for thanksgiving. The great Psalm of thanks opens with, “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good.” (Ps. 136) The Hebrew language renders beautiful word pictures, “Give thanks…” offers the idea to confess or acknowledge in reverence and worship with extended hands.
“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever” The author found it needful 
to repeat “His love endures forever” 26 times throughout the rest of the Psalm. This Hebrew word love is ‘hesed’ (hay-said). It is used 248 times in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at each one (just kidding). We know it biblically as mercy, goodness, loyalty and steadfast love, even … grace. What a pivotal word. Scholars find it extremely difficult to translate into English, because there really is not an equivalent word(s). In 1535 Myles Coverdale published the first complete modern English translation, using many of Tyndale’s work, in it he uses … ‘lovingkindness.’
This merciful (undeserved) love is enveloped in personal involvement and commitment to relationship. Basically it IS relationship. God is pleased when it is reciprocated “For I delight in loyalty (hesed) rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) Our Lord desires faithful love and covenantal commitment. With this, it is precious (Ps. 36:7) marvelous (Ps. 17:7) undeserving (Ps. 103) abounding (Ps. 86:5) reviving (Ps.119:159) satisfying (Ps. 90:14) and everlasting (Ps. 103:17). God is the God of GREAT attributes and God cannot 
change – He will ALWAYS be a God of love filled mercy.
David’s well known and beloved Psalm 23 (verse 6) “Surely goodness and MERCY will follow me all the days of my life” (mercy – hesed) This ‘follow’ is not a mere tag along behind, but … PURSUIT. David knows the concept of pursuit. This Psalm is known to be written at the END of David’s life. He, once the shepherd, has now/is being Shepherded. God’s unending – steadfast love full of mercy pursued David, He pursues …. US! He is unrelenting. In my study, I have come to this conclusion: The divine love of God is steady – sure – persistent and FULL of refusal to let go. Aren’t you GLAD He does not let go! I know for me, God is so extremely patient with this I.C.G. (Irritating Child of God) I continue to be amazed at His grace … love … mercy, not to mention His awesome sense of humor. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.”
As we prepare to share around the table amongst the laughter and love the blessings of health and family, may we too take a knee, raise a hand and “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…” (Ps. 107:2)
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” ~ Heb. 10:24)
Thankfulness at the Table
Here we are. The holidays. I know for me, they have crept stealthily up like that of cat ready to pounce. Soon we will be sitting at the family table, passing the mash potatoes, the crescent rolls and all the while eyeing the desserts waiting wrapped under foils and Tupperware lids. There will be games, laughter, football and of course someone snoozing unaware of the stares and giggles made their way.
This week is Thanksgiving. Perhaps there will be the suggested statement “Let’s share what we are thankful for…” The statements begin at the other end of the table. Phew … this will buy us time to think of all the many blessings of this year. Our responses follow the same of the one prior to us, we are thankful for our family, job and healthy kids. Blessings, yes these are! However, there is yet a fidget of spirit, the unspoken ache in our soul. Does anyone at this table really know the pain of our heart, despite the happy smile we practiced all the way here?
The answer is … YES!
The Psalmist wrote so poetically, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds … Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” (Ps. 147:3,5) Let me say that again with emphasis, “His understanding has … NO LIMIT.” God’s insight into our life is infinite. I adore how King David expressed this in Psalm 139: “O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord.” (vs 1-4)
Thankfulness is not only being able to quote a list of blessings, it is the heart awareness of God 
knowing us. In this we stop – pause and worship. Matthew Henry, the classic scholar of an earlier day, had this timeless thought, “Thanksgiving is good, but thanks-living is better.”
Jesus, He knows what we need, what we want AND the deepest longings and painful patches of our heart. We are thankful, even when they are unspoken at the Thanksgiving table.
“Thank You Jesus for our jobs, families and healthy kids. Thank You that You KNOW and understand us completely. You are an amazing God!”
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” ~ Heb. 10:24)
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