Three things make us happy in our communities, according to Richard Florida(1). First is living in a physically beautiful place. Next is the ease of meeting others, followed by social diversity with equality of opportunity. The land that Moses describes certainly has the first attribute. It was a land that could make you happy and economically successful.
Success, this passage seems to say, is a gratitude test.
Read More trust, provision, gratitudeImagine being at the river on the day that Israel crossed over? What must it have looked like, sounded like, and smelled like that day! And then there were the battles for land – triumph, defeat and repentance. They had come out of Egypt in a hurry. They were driven away in scorn and fear. This was a story to celebrate down the ages.
Now fast forward to a humble birth in Bethlehem.
Read More celebration, gratitude
We live at a time where the spirit of entitlement seems to be pervasive and the spirit of gratitude is easily ignored. This story takes place in the house of a Pharisee. What might have been just another social time soon includes a memorable moment. Jesus is reclining at the table, with his feet tucked in behind him. And then “a woman of the city, who was a sinner” comes on the scene. Weeping she takes her alabaster flask of ointment and lavishes it on the feet of Jesus.
Read More forgiveness, gratitude, entitlement
Nothing new under the sun . . . people still enjoy being around success, money, gifts, and receiving public recognition. What strikes us, by contrast, in this reading is the bond between friends and riches.
It’s easy to have lots of friends when you shower them with presents, goodies, trips, privileges and advantages of all sorts! Easy to be surrounded with ‟bought” friendship. But honestly, what kind of friendship is this? If the number of your friends depends on what you give them, then the rich would get more and the poor would lose them.
Read More friendship, gratitude, sincerity
Years ago in England, I had a delightful demonstration of authority being used to protect the vulnerable. Picture with me a policeman standing in the traffic circle in front of Buckingham Palace holding up his hand against the flow of traffic. As every vehicle came to a stop, we watched with smiling faces as a mother duck confidently led her brood of young ones across the street in safety. One simple hand signal was all it took to save their lives.
Read More gratitude, protection, praise
Read Reflect So here’s the climax of all this interpersonal Heartbook stuff: they are as keen to see Paul as he is to see them. Why not? He has brought them life in Christ. No wonder they love him to bits and want to see him again. “We live if you are standing fast in […]
Read More fellowship, love, encouragement, gratitude, investment in peoplePaul summarizes his thoughts so far in his letter to the Colossians. We are to have an attitude of gratitude to God at all times for the great gift of Jesus in our lives. As in daily life, our inner attitude finds its way out in verbal and practical expression.
We are God’s covenant people, and when we gladly accept this role, it has practical implications.
Read More Holy Spirit, love, gratitude
