Last evening I was reflecting on this practice of giving thanks daily. My post yesterday was on preaching, a topic I have written on before but from different angles. I have attempted to be unique every day, to not repeat a specific thanksgiving. That self-imposed requirement has in some ways skewed my reporting. There are some things for which I am very thankful on most of the days of my life, yet I have only written about them once. Similarly, the writings might include indications of the intensity of my thanksgiving but I suspect in most cases it is not clear how thankful I really am.
What would this series of thanksgivings look like if I reported every day on the things for which I was most thankful? I suspect a handful of relationships, memories and experiences would be repeated over and over with a few special entries for surprise blessings. What if the list included those thanksgivings I am not comfortable sharing with others? There are some things that are just too deep and personal to post on a blog. There are things I enjoy that others might consider odd or even childish, beneath the dignity of a Ph.D.
There are some blessings that would be profaned by a public display of gratitude, gifts of grace the giver prefers hidden. Perhaps it is those unmentionable thanksgivings that most shape my disposition toward thanks, those private and intimate exchanges that define my innermost being. These gifts overwhelm and humble, demanding gratitude beyond words or actions. They call forth a thanksgiving that is pure and true, inexpressible yet fully communicable between the receiver and the giver. These are gifts that flow from soul to soul, the gifts by which we know and are known. Combined they create one of the greatest of gifts, intimacy, and intimacy cannot be given away; it must be shared within the boundaries of the givers united in love.
And so this bond is indestructible, as long as the knowers cherish it. No one can steel it, or break it. It can be harmed only by neglect and abandonment. And when it is cherished it bears fruit. “I am the vine and you are the branches.” For this knowing, I am thankful beyond expression.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 31, 2010
JDJ
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
I am Thankful for the Grace to Preach
I am an extemporaneous preacher. I would prefer to be a good manuscript preacher. I would like to have every word carefully chosen in advance. My presentation would be more fluid and consistent. My arguments would be tight. Every point would have an appropriate illustration. I would be more effective, or so I dream.
I cannot be a manuscript preacher because I must maintain eye contact. I am driven toward a perception being heard and understood. I must have visual confirmation of that. For me preaching is more than proclamation; it is communion with the saints and the Word of God. My compulsion is to bring people and God together in a shared attention to the Scriptures. I have seen great manuscript preachers accomplish this divine/human koinonia. Hollis Gause is of course the premier of the list with Cheryl close behind. I lack the gifts needed.
Never-the-less, I am blessed to preach by the grace of God. There have been a few times I have preached as if in a Godless vacuum and God has worked in spite of my mental void. But most often I sense God’s presence and favor when I preach. Many times I have been lost in a valley of desperation, abandoned by any sense of God’s favor until I step to the pulpit. By His grace He meets me there and keeps His promise given so long ago, “If you will take up the burden, I will anoint you.”
Whatever else I am, whatever else I may become, I am a preacher of the Gospel. I suspect that puts me way down on the list for Heavenly rewards. It does keep me in a state of thanksgiving, not to be a preacher, but to know I serve the Lord in the role to which He called me. And He smiles on me there.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 30, 2010
JDJ
I cannot be a manuscript preacher because I must maintain eye contact. I am driven toward a perception being heard and understood. I must have visual confirmation of that. For me preaching is more than proclamation; it is communion with the saints and the Word of God. My compulsion is to bring people and God together in a shared attention to the Scriptures. I have seen great manuscript preachers accomplish this divine/human koinonia. Hollis Gause is of course the premier of the list with Cheryl close behind. I lack the gifts needed.
Never-the-less, I am blessed to preach by the grace of God. There have been a few times I have preached as if in a Godless vacuum and God has worked in spite of my mental void. But most often I sense God’s presence and favor when I preach. Many times I have been lost in a valley of desperation, abandoned by any sense of God’s favor until I step to the pulpit. By His grace He meets me there and keeps His promise given so long ago, “If you will take up the burden, I will anoint you.”
Whatever else I am, whatever else I may become, I am a preacher of the Gospel. I suspect that puts me way down on the list for Heavenly rewards. It does keep me in a state of thanksgiving, not to be a preacher, but to know I serve the Lord in the role to which He called me. And He smiles on me there.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 30, 2010
JDJ
Sunday, August 29, 2010
I am Thankful for the Atonement (Part II)
The atonement is more than a legal action on our behalf. Justification is more than a declaration by God of His forgiveness of our sins. The atonement of Christ is the eighth day of creation. In Him God started creating again. In the resurrection Jesus, Son of God, Son of man, the second Adam, began making all things new. And it all centers on humanity. In the incarnation God became human. In the resurrection humanity is invited into a new order of creation, the incarnation itself. Having conquered death, Hell, and the grave, Jesus welcomes believers into His body. In Him we are joined to God and destined to fill His very image and stature.
Thus, Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins, reconciles us to the Father, imputes righteousness, imparts holiness, making us righteous and plants in our hearts the hope of glory. That glory hidden in our earthen vessels will be revealed on the day of our final redemption, the day of our transfiguration when His glory in us breaks forth to shine from everlasting to everlasting. In Him I share in this whole new order of creation. It does not yet appear what I shall be, but what I shall be I am in Him. I know this by the Holy Spirit who dwells in me the first fruit, down payment and guarantee of my destiny. Oh what love the Father, Son, and Spirit have for us. I am thankful.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 29, 2010
JDJ
Thus, Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins, reconciles us to the Father, imputes righteousness, imparts holiness, making us righteous and plants in our hearts the hope of glory. That glory hidden in our earthen vessels will be revealed on the day of our final redemption, the day of our transfiguration when His glory in us breaks forth to shine from everlasting to everlasting. In Him I share in this whole new order of creation. It does not yet appear what I shall be, but what I shall be I am in Him. I know this by the Holy Spirit who dwells in me the first fruit, down payment and guarantee of my destiny. Oh what love the Father, Son, and Spirit have for us. I am thankful.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 29, 2010
JDJ
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I am Thankful for the Atonement
How does one begin to give thanks for the atonement of Christ? The incarnation, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of the Only Begotten Son of God constitute the single most significant set of events (which are theologically one event) in the history of creation. It is by the atonement that eternal life is provided for the elect. It is through the atonement that all of creation is being recreated, healed of the presence and influence of sin. By His blood we are bought out of depravity and into heavenly citizenship; by His stripes we are healed; by His suffering we are being perfected; by the mystery of His incarnation we are made to be the body of Christ.
I choose tonight to give thanks for His suffering. Christ suffered at the hand of humanity and the hand of God. In His suffering He was perfected as our redeemer. In His suffering He fulfilled His identification with us and made possible our identification with Him. Peddlers of cheap grace move quickly beyond the atonement trying to shift the focus away from the humiliation, suffering, and death and onto the resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ.
Herein is the offense of the gospel, Christ suffered and died. This is an offense not just because it reveals a God who suffers but because we have been called to follow Him into suffering and death. If you would live you too must choose to suffer and die. It is through suffering we are made to conform to His image and likeness, through suffering we are perfected in righteousness, through suffering we are transformed into His bride and body.
Thus, the irony of the atonement is made evident. It is only through suffering that healing comes. By His stripes we were healed. In His suffering He has made provision for the healing of creation. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ the Day of the Lord has broken forth. What shall be already is; the old is passing away. In the words of the Church of God, “Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.” This is not a triumphalistic statement denying the realities of life between the times; the old is not yet gone and the new is not yet fully here.
God does heal; healing is carried in the wings of our Savior. It is a sign Jesus has indeed risen and conquered death, hell and the grave. It is normative in the presence of God and thus should be normative in the life of the church. I believe it is not normative because we refuse to identify with the sufferings of Christ. Life comes to those joined to His death; healing comes to those joined to His suffering.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 28, 2010
JDJ
I choose tonight to give thanks for His suffering. Christ suffered at the hand of humanity and the hand of God. In His suffering He was perfected as our redeemer. In His suffering He fulfilled His identification with us and made possible our identification with Him. Peddlers of cheap grace move quickly beyond the atonement trying to shift the focus away from the humiliation, suffering, and death and onto the resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ.
Herein is the offense of the gospel, Christ suffered and died. This is an offense not just because it reveals a God who suffers but because we have been called to follow Him into suffering and death. If you would live you too must choose to suffer and die. It is through suffering we are made to conform to His image and likeness, through suffering we are perfected in righteousness, through suffering we are transformed into His bride and body.
Thus, the irony of the atonement is made evident. It is only through suffering that healing comes. By His stripes we were healed. In His suffering He has made provision for the healing of creation. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ the Day of the Lord has broken forth. What shall be already is; the old is passing away. In the words of the Church of God, “Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.” This is not a triumphalistic statement denying the realities of life between the times; the old is not yet gone and the new is not yet fully here.
God does heal; healing is carried in the wings of our Savior. It is a sign Jesus has indeed risen and conquered death, hell and the grave. It is normative in the presence of God and thus should be normative in the life of the church. I believe it is not normative because we refuse to identify with the sufferings of Christ. Life comes to those joined to His death; healing comes to those joined to His suffering.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 28, 2010
JDJ
Friday, August 27, 2010
I am Thankful for Thelma’s 94th Birthday Party
Cheryl and I drove over to Fountain Inn, South Carolina for her mother’s 94th birthday celebration. [See Family Johns for photos.] It was a long but good day. When we first arrived there was a long meeting with the care team at the nursing home reviewing Thelma’s current status and recent history. In general she is doing well but she had a “step-down" episode last week, probably another mild stroke.
She has regained her strength, was alert, upright, and looked good. However, there was a noticeable decline in her mental acuity. She was non-conversant and more engaged with things than with people. On the other hand, she seemed more relaxed and happy than I have ever seen her. There was a smile on her face most of the time and when I could get her attention there was good eye contact and a real sense of connection.
She never used my name or Cheryl’s, although she did introduce Cheryl to a staff person as her daughter. I spent a lot of time close to her trying to communicate; I got a lot of smiles and a couple of chuckles. Once she reached over and took my chin in her hand and said, “We’re getting older, but we’re getting wiser.” She repeated, “Your getting wiser.” I’ll take it.
Later on she took my face in both of her hands, looked deep into my eyes, and smiled. It was the most tender expression I have ever seen from her with anyone. I’m not certain what was going on during these exchanges or even if she knew who I was. It was very good to see her serene and reaching out to another human with gentleness.
She said one other cogent thing to me. With an intense look into my eyes she stated, “I’m angry with God.” I asked what she was angry about and she responded, “He can’t make up His mind.” I probed but got no further explanation. I wondered if she was referring to her health and coming demise.
I think the day was stressful for Cheryl: the family conference, challenges with Medicare and her mother’s bill, etc. It was also difficult for Cheryl and her sisters to realize they were slipping out of their mother’s consciousness, although no one stated it that way. I believe the long good-by has settled heavy upon the family.
I am thankful Thelma is receiving good care and is in a pleasant environment. I am pleased Cheryl’s sisters are in harmony with her about their mother’s care. I am thankful for a pleasant time together. It is always encouraging to talk with Josh about his ministry and passion for the work of God.
It was a long, but a good day.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 27, 2010
JDJ
She has regained her strength, was alert, upright, and looked good. However, there was a noticeable decline in her mental acuity. She was non-conversant and more engaged with things than with people. On the other hand, she seemed more relaxed and happy than I have ever seen her. There was a smile on her face most of the time and when I could get her attention there was good eye contact and a real sense of connection.
She never used my name or Cheryl’s, although she did introduce Cheryl to a staff person as her daughter. I spent a lot of time close to her trying to communicate; I got a lot of smiles and a couple of chuckles. Once she reached over and took my chin in her hand and said, “We’re getting older, but we’re getting wiser.” She repeated, “Your getting wiser.” I’ll take it.
Later on she took my face in both of her hands, looked deep into my eyes, and smiled. It was the most tender expression I have ever seen from her with anyone. I’m not certain what was going on during these exchanges or even if she knew who I was. It was very good to see her serene and reaching out to another human with gentleness.
She said one other cogent thing to me. With an intense look into my eyes she stated, “I’m angry with God.” I asked what she was angry about and she responded, “He can’t make up His mind.” I probed but got no further explanation. I wondered if she was referring to her health and coming demise.
I think the day was stressful for Cheryl: the family conference, challenges with Medicare and her mother’s bill, etc. It was also difficult for Cheryl and her sisters to realize they were slipping out of their mother’s consciousness, although no one stated it that way. I believe the long good-by has settled heavy upon the family.
I am thankful Thelma is receiving good care and is in a pleasant environment. I am pleased Cheryl’s sisters are in harmony with her about their mother’s care. I am thankful for a pleasant time together. It is always encouraging to talk with Josh about his ministry and passion for the work of God.
It was a long, but a good day.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 27, 2010
JDJ
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I am Thankful for Routine
My life is full of the unexpected. You just can’t schedule your own crises, much less the unexpected traumas of others. Pastors are specialists in facing crises, keeping in mind that facing them seldom requires solving them. It is often enough to just be present with the wounded as a reminder of God’s presence with them. But the ministry of presence is most significant when the need is most unexpected. Crises erupt at the most inopportune times.
Education operates on cyclical time. School years are divided into semesters and breaks of varying lengths tied to holidays and a forgotten agrarian calendar. Like the seasons of the year the world of education cycles forward in predictable pulses and lunges. There is a routine to the cycle that ensures repetition and progress. As I noted in an earlier post, the beginning of the fall semester is a season of renewal and excitement for me.
I find routine very comforting, the routine of recurring seasonal cycles, the routine of a linier work schedules, and the routine of daily events. My routine extends to what I order at local restaurants: chicken and dumplings at Cracker Barrel, chimichanga at any Mexican restaurant, etc..
Stated in the negative, I don’t like interruptions. I guess that’s the reason I married Cheryl; if I would have been left to myself I would have drifted into the doldrums of meaningless existence. As it is I am joined to one who’s idea of routine ends with having one egg for breakfast. Beyond that, everything is up for grabs. The one thing that tops the comfort of normative routine is the routine of the unexpected. Every day I get to shoot the rapids and ride in the draft of a supersonic transport. I’ve learned to anticipate the unexpected and therein to shape my own sense (delusion) of routine. Just, please, don’t make plans and change them at the last minute.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 25, 2010
JDJ
Education operates on cyclical time. School years are divided into semesters and breaks of varying lengths tied to holidays and a forgotten agrarian calendar. Like the seasons of the year the world of education cycles forward in predictable pulses and lunges. There is a routine to the cycle that ensures repetition and progress. As I noted in an earlier post, the beginning of the fall semester is a season of renewal and excitement for me.
I find routine very comforting, the routine of recurring seasonal cycles, the routine of a linier work schedules, and the routine of daily events. My routine extends to what I order at local restaurants: chicken and dumplings at Cracker Barrel, chimichanga at any Mexican restaurant, etc..
Stated in the negative, I don’t like interruptions. I guess that’s the reason I married Cheryl; if I would have been left to myself I would have drifted into the doldrums of meaningless existence. As it is I am joined to one who’s idea of routine ends with having one egg for breakfast. Beyond that, everything is up for grabs. The one thing that tops the comfort of normative routine is the routine of the unexpected. Every day I get to shoot the rapids and ride in the draft of a supersonic transport. I’ve learned to anticipate the unexpected and therein to shape my own sense (delusion) of routine. Just, please, don’t make plans and change them at the last minute.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 25, 2010
JDJ
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I am Thankful for Completed Projects
Over the weekend I completed an article for the Church of God Evangel. It was due last Friday; I emailed it yesterday (Monday). I sent in a minor revision today (two words added to one sentence). I am not satisfied with it and I am pleased at the same time. Overall, I think it is well written for the intended audience; it is clear, tight and covers some heavy concepts without unnecessary verbiage. There are some transitions that could be clearer. I am most frustrated with the summary conclusions; they lack the practical punch they needed. I could keep working on it for some time and never be entirely satisfied. I went over my word limit but could have used a couple of hundred more to smooth out the argument and add a few details. Perfectionism is a heavy burden to bear.
And yet it is such a good feeling to be finished with a project even if it seems imperfect and incomplete. I am not certain the extent to which this feeling is common to the human race and the extent it is a product of my upbringing. I am just thankful for it. It is especially rich when the project will potentially be a blessing to others. Writing is a ministry. I often feel God’s pleasure when I do it.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 24, 2010
JDJ
And yet it is such a good feeling to be finished with a project even if it seems imperfect and incomplete. I am not certain the extent to which this feeling is common to the human race and the extent it is a product of my upbringing. I am just thankful for it. It is especially rich when the project will potentially be a blessing to others. Writing is a ministry. I often feel God’s pleasure when I do it.
Cleveland, Tennessee
August 24, 2010
JDJ
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