A Good Memory for Good Things
Thanksgiving requires a cultivated memory. Forgetfulness is the fuel for ingratitude. Remembering the ways and works of God in our lives excites profound gratitude and authentic faith. Genuine gratitude spans beyond the immediate sight of food on the table or even the review of a decent year of life. A thankful heart is captured by the active goodness of God the in the entire course of one’s life – and throughout the history of the generations.
When Adults Forget – Children Suffer
Recently I meditated on Psalm 78, which tells the story of Israel’s history with the express purpose of counteracting spiritual rebellion and ingratitude. The Psalmist reviews the profound punctuation of God’s patience, mercy and goodness to a fickle and disobedient people. The Psalmist writes, “We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, aand His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.” (v. 4). The passion of the Psalm is to stimulate a good memory of God’s works so that many generations to come would be grateful and faithful to God.
As the writer goes on to recount the detailed history of God’s goodness, he describes his purpose in these words:
“That the generation to come might know them; the children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children; That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, stubborn and rebellious generation; A generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. “(Psalm 78:6-8)
Later in the Psalm, the writer describes these ungrateful ancestors by noting that they, “forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them” (v. 11) and “They did not remember His power” (v. 42).
Forgetfulness Fosters a Faithless Heart
Clearly, forgetfulness fosters a faithless heart. Psalm 106 presents a similar account of Israel’s history and the perils of forgetfulness. Psalm 106:13 notes, “They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel,” while v.21 reiterates “They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, “
I have often wondered about the ten lepers Jesus healed as described in Luke 17:11-19. Only one Samaritan returned and fell down on his face at the feet of Jesus to give thanks. What happened to the other nine? Were they completely ungrateful for the miracle Jesus accomplished in their bodies? On the other hand, were they just forgetful in the midst of the excitement of their newly endowed health? I suppose they were both forgetful and ungrateful. They tend to go together. Jesus said of the one who returned, “Your faith has made you well.” What could be said of the other nine? We might conclude that in the midst of their miracle -- forgetfulness resulted in faithlessness.
Cultivating Thanksgiving Memories
Every Thanksgiving we go around the table and do a fun exercise called “Alphabet Thanks.” We each take a successive letter of the alphabet and name something that starts with that letter, expressing thanks for that person or blessing. Sometimes the expressions are very thoughtful, often a bit silly – depending on the letter. This Thanksgiving, I would like to work harder on a more meaningful exercise of real remembrance of God’s goodness.
Here are some conversation starters for this year’s Thanksgiving gatherings as we reflect beyond the turkey, parades and football games:
• What stories have you heard about God’s goodness to your parents and grandparents?
• Early in your life, how did you see God’s goodness and faithfulness to you?
• In the last ten years, what highlights to you recall as you think about God’s faithfulness to you?
• In the past year, what has God done to demonstrate His care and provision?
• When you think about other family members or friends, what stories come to mind about God’s goodness?
And the BIG QUESTION:
• How has Jesus Christ changed your life and been faithful to you as you have followed Him?
Keep Remembering
Psalm 103:2 tells us, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” All His benefits. That exercise will cultivate a lot of gratitude. This Thanksgiving, ask the Lord for a healthy, holy sense of memory. Let that commitment spark rich gratitude for all the Lord has done.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Epistle of First Twitter
The Epistle of First Twitter
“Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
First Twitter, written in 2009 by Pastor Daniel Henderson, is not inspired Scripture, although the author borrows heavily from the Bible. Penned from seat 4b at 25,000 feet during a recent Delta Airlines flight, the epistle is short and eclectic, reflecting many familiar biblical themes. The purpose of the book is to evoke fresh, heartfelt evaluation of the growing social networking tool known as Twitter.
The author acknowledges that Twitter is a very positive and powerful means for sharing updates and prayer requests. He claims no particular expertise on the subject but expresses a concern for pure motives and Christ honoring messages among the current barrage of “tweets.” Since its creation, the epistle has not seen widespread circulation. The author simply wrote it with the intent of creating a tool to evaluate his own heart and helping others do the same.
SPECIAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EPISTLE
As you read this short epistle it is important that the application remain personal and not serve as a means by which to judge the tweets of others. As one verse in the epistle says, “Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.”
INTERPRETIVE GUIDELINES
Theologians and critics (including only Henderson so far) who have evaluated this somewhat controversial epistle offer the following questions as a guideline for interpreting and applying the message of the Epistle of 1st Twitter.
• What messages are my tweets conveying?
• Why do I want to convey them?
• What impact will they have?
• What praise or reward am I seeking?
Finally, for those unfamiliar with the terms used in this epistle, we offer the following:
• Twitter = A social networking tool to keep family, friends, and coworkers up-to-date on what an individual is doing by using an instant messenger service, the web, as well as mobile texting, plus other venues. Messages are limited to 140 characters, which is just enough for a quick update.
• Tweet = a short message sent on Twitter
• RT = a “retweet” when someone reposts a tweet sent by another person, passing it on to their followers as well
• Twitpic = a photograph of a person or event that is attached to a tweet and sent to followers
THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
Tweetverbs for Today
Do not send boastful tweets about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own tweets; a stranger, and not your own mobile device. (Adapted from Proverbs 27:1-2)
Every tweet of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. (Adapted from Proverbs 21:2)
Twitter on the Mount
Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not tweet to all of your followers as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to tweet their prayers to all of their followers that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, sent a private text message to your friend as you pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Adapted from Matthew 6:1-6)
The Pastor and Backslider
Two men picked up their mobile devices to tweet, one a pastor and the other a backslidden Baptist. The pastor composed a message and wrote thus with himself, “Praise God that I am not like other men — boring, inarticulate, and not well-travelled or even as this backslider. I post twitpics twice a day; I give blessings to all those who follow me.” And the backslider, hardly able to type, would not so much as post a pic, but trembled as he held his Blackberry, saying, “God, be merciful to me a boring person.” I tell you, this man went down to his office justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Adapted from Luke 18:10-14)
Rewards
But he is a Christian who is one inwardly; with messages that remain of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the Twitter world; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Adapted from Romans 2:29)
For we are God's fellow social networkers; you are God's followers (and ours), you are God's network. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise social networker I have birthed the idea, and another comments on it. But let each one take heed how he comments. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone responds to my tweets it may be gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's tweets will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's content, of what sort it is. If anyone's tweets endure, he will receive a reward. If anyone's tweets are burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
Do Not Judge
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any social network. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 4:3-5)
Comparing and Commending
Do we begin again to commend ourselves on Twitter? Or do we need, as some others, RT’s of commendation to you or RT’s of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, created not by tweets but by the Spirit of the living God, not on screens of mobile devices but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)
For we dare not count our Twitter followers or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 10:12 & 18)
“Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
First Twitter, written in 2009 by Pastor Daniel Henderson, is not inspired Scripture, although the author borrows heavily from the Bible. Penned from seat 4b at 25,000 feet during a recent Delta Airlines flight, the epistle is short and eclectic, reflecting many familiar biblical themes. The purpose of the book is to evoke fresh, heartfelt evaluation of the growing social networking tool known as Twitter.
The author acknowledges that Twitter is a very positive and powerful means for sharing updates and prayer requests. He claims no particular expertise on the subject but expresses a concern for pure motives and Christ honoring messages among the current barrage of “tweets.” Since its creation, the epistle has not seen widespread circulation. The author simply wrote it with the intent of creating a tool to evaluate his own heart and helping others do the same.
SPECIAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE EPISTLE
As you read this short epistle it is important that the application remain personal and not serve as a means by which to judge the tweets of others. As one verse in the epistle says, “Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.”
INTERPRETIVE GUIDELINES
Theologians and critics (including only Henderson so far) who have evaluated this somewhat controversial epistle offer the following questions as a guideline for interpreting and applying the message of the Epistle of 1st Twitter.
• What messages are my tweets conveying?
• Why do I want to convey them?
• What impact will they have?
• What praise or reward am I seeking?
Finally, for those unfamiliar with the terms used in this epistle, we offer the following:
• Twitter = A social networking tool to keep family, friends, and coworkers up-to-date on what an individual is doing by using an instant messenger service, the web, as well as mobile texting, plus other venues. Messages are limited to 140 characters, which is just enough for a quick update.
• Tweet = a short message sent on Twitter
• RT = a “retweet” when someone reposts a tweet sent by another person, passing it on to their followers as well
• Twitpic = a photograph of a person or event that is attached to a tweet and sent to followers
THE BOOK OF FIRST TWITTER
Tweetverbs for Today
Do not send boastful tweets about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own tweets; a stranger, and not your own mobile device. (Adapted from Proverbs 27:1-2)
Every tweet of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. (Adapted from Proverbs 21:2)
Twitter on the Mount
Take heed that you do not tweet your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not tweet to all of your followers as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to tweet their prayers to all of their followers that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, sent a private text message to your friend as you pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Adapted from Matthew 6:1-6)
The Pastor and Backslider
Two men picked up their mobile devices to tweet, one a pastor and the other a backslidden Baptist. The pastor composed a message and wrote thus with himself, “Praise God that I am not like other men — boring, inarticulate, and not well-travelled or even as this backslider. I post twitpics twice a day; I give blessings to all those who follow me.” And the backslider, hardly able to type, would not so much as post a pic, but trembled as he held his Blackberry, saying, “God, be merciful to me a boring person.” I tell you, this man went down to his office justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Adapted from Luke 18:10-14)
Rewards
But he is a Christian who is one inwardly; with messages that remain of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the Twitter world; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Adapted from Romans 2:29)
For we are God's fellow social networkers; you are God's followers (and ours), you are God's network. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise social networker I have birthed the idea, and another comments on it. But let each one take heed how he comments. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone responds to my tweets it may be gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's tweets will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's content, of what sort it is. If anyone's tweets endure, he will receive a reward. If anyone's tweets are burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
Do Not Judge
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any social network. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge no tweets before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 4:3-5)
Comparing and Commending
Do we begin again to commend ourselves on Twitter? Or do we need, as some others, RT’s of commendation to you or RT’s of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, created not by tweets but by the Spirit of the living God, not on screens of mobile devices but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)
For we dare not count our Twitter followers or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (Adapted from 2 Corinthians 10:12 & 18)
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