Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! In celebration of the holiday, I chose a song by 33 Miles called - of all things -"Thank You" - oddly appropriate, I gathered.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to select these songs, to choose the artwork and to write these weekly commentaries - moreover, I'm especially thankful for all of you, who follow along, send comments and enjoy my "hobby."

As we celebrate with family and friends, I offer a few of my favorite Thanksgiving quotes:

"Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness." -Robert Casper Lintner

"Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends." -Courtland Milloy

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." -Gerald Good

I wish you relaxation, laughter, good food and safe travels. Peace, Mark

That's Perfect

The opening lines of this weeks song just blow me away. "and if I had to tell you the truth... ...I feel like less than I was meant to be." I've certainly been there before. "What Life Would Be Like" by Big Daddy Weave is Mike Weaver's brutally honest self-assesment. Its also his message of comfort - we all struggle with the sense that we need to measure up to God's perfection. In truth we do well by opening our hearts to His spirit, not by trying to "get it right".

The words to this song strike me on so many levels. Fixing myself to become a different, "better off" person. How many times do our New Years Resolutions or Lenten promises follow this formula? Its about taking God in, not doing things better. "It's when I'm at my weakest I can truly see." When I drop all the obstacles: clutter and noise; emotion, vanity and pride; then I am left with what is real. By lowering my guard, I allow genuine insight. "What if we let Jesus live through you and me?" His power is limitless, his healing all encompassing. Wouldn't that provide the passion and the meaning that we've been yearning for?

I identify with virtually every premise and each pitfall in this song. Its not the pursuit of perfection, its accepting, embracing and following. Smack me in the head with the obvious, I need it sometimes.

Do Something

Faith without works is dead... This weeks selection "Follow You" by Leeland (with special guest Brandon Heath) is a call to action. Inspired by a Bono speech - "God is with the poor and the needy and if we want to be with God, we need to folllow him to the poor..."

As we continue to struggle with our own shrinking economics its important to note that God is with the weary and weak, in the homes that are broken, where his love and assurances are deeply needed. No doubt we may be scared and uncomfortable, but we are called to be the hands and feet of God. To follow him into the world. To be with God and to work with him.

Sometimes Its What We Don't Get

How many times have we been disappointed because we didn't get something that we thought would make our life better? A promotion, a new house, a different job, the perfect car, a promising business opportunity - familiar ground for each of us.

This week I came accross a unique blend of traditional and modern music - "It Is Well" by Kutless - the Title track from their new CD. The original Hymn, written in the 1870's, shares a message that holds true today. Regardless of what happens around me - it is well with my soul - God loves me and I am alright. The author, Horatio Spafford, had experienced several faith-challenging events which inspired the song. (Story here) A lesser person may have simply tuned away from God.

When a few things didn't go quite the way I'd hoped for, this song helped me see that life is still unfolding as God has planned. Those "missed opportunities" often turn into tremendous blessings. My faith remains - It is well....