Comments on: Blessed For a Reason http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Patty http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11558 Patty Tue, 16 May 2006 06:12:15 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11558 There's a flower shop in town that I drive by about once a week. Their signboard reads, DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU AND LIFE WILL BE WONDERFUL I always cringe when I read it. As if the only reason we turn to God is so he can make all our problems go away. How incredibly selfish. It's the same issue I have with the Prayer of Jabez and other Health and Wealth theology. It's true that life in God is wonderful, but it is not true that he works everything out for my personal comfort and happiness. You just have to visit Africa or Venzuela or Cambodia to see that God doesn't always give material wealth, or health, or long life to his people. I think we've been given an immense responsibility to be conduits of God's mercy, not merely reservoirs. There’s a flower shop in town that I drive by about once a week. Their signboard reads,

DRAW NEAR TO GOD
AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU
AND LIFE WILL BE WONDERFUL

I always cringe when I read it. As if the only reason we turn to God is so he can make all our problems go away. How incredibly selfish.

It’s the same issue I have with the Prayer of Jabez and other Health and Wealth theology. It’s true that life in God is wonderful, but it is not true that he works everything out for my personal comfort and happiness. You just have to visit Africa or Venzuela or Cambodia to see that God doesn’t always give material wealth, or health, or long life to his people.

I think we’ve been given an immense responsibility to be conduits of God’s mercy, not merely reservoirs.

]]> By: Joyce http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11557 Joyce Mon, 15 May 2006 20:24:35 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11557 It kinda goes around full circle when you pass the blessing on to others - because that in and of itself is a blessing as well. How much we miss when we stop at soaking up the blessings for ourselves and not passing them on! It kinda goes around full circle when you pass the blessing on to others - because that in and of itself is a blessing as well. How much we miss when we stop at soaking up the blessings for ourselves and not passing them on!

]]> By: Jim Davis http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11556 Jim Davis Mon, 15 May 2006 20:24:22 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11556 I'll never forget my first Zoe conference. They invited a messianic jew, a Rabbi, if I'm not mistaken, to speak. He gave a very inpirational talk about Israel and the church. The part that made it so memorable was at the end when everyone stood up and blessed him by singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" as he stood there with his eyes closed, arms raised and soaked it all in. I’ll never forget my first Zoe conference. They invited a messianic jew, a Rabbi, if I’m not mistaken, to speak. He gave a very inpirational talk about Israel and the church. The part that made it so memorable was at the end when everyone stood up and blessed him by singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” as he stood there with his eyes closed, arms raised and soaked it all in.

]]> By: Franklin Wood http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11555 Franklin Wood Mon, 15 May 2006 19:17:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11555 I love the priestly blessing. I think we all should start using it! What do you all think when people say, "We bless you, Lord?" That just sounds weird to me. I think, "Do I even have the ability to bless Him?" I dunno, just a random thought! I love the priestly blessing. I think we all should start using it!
What do you all think when people say, “We bless you, Lord?”
That just sounds weird to me. I think, “Do I even have the ability to bless Him?” I dunno, just a random thought!

]]> By: Greg http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11554 Greg Mon, 15 May 2006 19:01:50 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11554 In recent years, I've learned that blessings come in strange packages sometimes. With the diagnosis of breast cancer several years ago, my wife and I went through some of the most anxious, scary and sprirtually enriching times of our lives. We experienced love from God thru people and circumstances that I could not have predicted, honestly. After surgery and 5 years of meds, she is well and she is now a children's minister at our church, something she was not trained for but for which she felt called after all the medical stuff. Since then, she has had the opportunity to share her story with several others who have struggled with the same disease. I am, by nature, and probably by genetics, a very selfish person. But this experience has served to open my eyes more fully to those around me. My wife and I have had several discussions revolving around this biblical precept of being blessed to bless. It continues to be a daily journey of discovery and challenge. He has blessed us in so many ways since that diagnosis(and if the true were known) since i was born but I was too focused on self to notice. And I have recently noticed that (sometimes) with great blessings either physically or spiritually, there seems to be so many opportunities to bless:) In recent years, I’ve learned that blessings come in strange packages sometimes. With the diagnosis of breast cancer several years ago, my wife and I went through some of the most anxious, scary and sprirtually enriching times of our lives. We experienced love from God thru people and circumstances that I could not have predicted, honestly. After surgery and 5 years of meds, she is well and she is now a children’s minister at our church, something she was not trained for but for which she felt called after all the medical stuff. Since then, she has had the opportunity to share her story with several others who have struggled with the same disease. I am, by nature, and probably by genetics, a very selfish person. But this experience has served to open my eyes more fully to those around me. My wife and I have had several discussions revolving around this biblical precept of being blessed to bless. It continues to be a daily journey of discovery and challenge. He has blessed us in so many ways since that diagnosis(and if the true were known) since i was born but I was too focused on self to notice. And I have recently noticed that (sometimes) with great blessings either physically or spiritually, there seems to be so many opportunities to bless:)

]]> By: Carl McLendon http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11553 Carl McLendon Mon, 15 May 2006 18:48:17 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11553 and may our children see this in us so that they may bless others in ways would could never begin to imagine... shalom and may our children see this in us so that they may bless others in ways would could never begin to imagine…

shalom

]]> By: Jody http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11552 Jody Mon, 15 May 2006 18:32:22 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11552 And sometimes God's graciousness to us doesn't fit our preconceived notions, either... but it is SO THAT... Thanks. And sometimes God’s graciousness to us doesn’t fit our preconceived notions, either…
but it is SO THAT…
Thanks.

]]> By: Joel G.Quile http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11551 Joel G.Quile Mon, 15 May 2006 16:53:05 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11551 Thanks for convicting me to open my summer home in Morrocco up for others to use. Oh wait, I don't have a summer home in Morrocco. Dang it. Okay, thanks for convicting me to use whatever time, treasure or talents that I've received from God for the purposes of blessing others. FYI: All the time, treasure, and talents that I created on my own, I will be keeping for myself. Thanks for convicting me to open my summer home in Morrocco up for others to use.

Oh wait, I don’t have a summer home in Morrocco. Dang it.

Okay, thanks for convicting me to use whatever time, treasure or talents that I’ve received from God for the purposes of blessing others.

FYI: All the time, treasure, and talents that I created on my own, I will be keeping for myself.

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11550 Dee Andrews Mon, 15 May 2006 16:50:24 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11550 "MAY" we always walk this earth with heavenly love in our hearts . . . “MAY” we always walk this earth with heavenly love in our hearts . . .

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11549 Dee Andrews Mon, 15 May 2006 16:46:39 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11549 I've not felt well at all the past several days (and have been confined at home longer than that, unfortunately, again) and so when I just now read the first few words of your post here I felt blessed, Mike. Thank you. We just moved in a small rental while we build a new home, so don't have our speaker system hooked up (and won't), but Tom unpacked most of our CDs yesterday and I (blessedly?!) just found my ACU Alumni Choral Reunion! 1989 CD with "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and am listening to it on my computer speakers here over and over as I write. Such beautiful music, magnificent four part harmony and glorious amens. Harking back to last week's posts, this is a cappella singing at its finest and truest. (And I'll give you another example below.) As for the Numbers 6 blessing (and all the others), I've always thought of it more in the context of us bringing God's blessings and trying to be a blessing to others because of God's blessings upon us. For that reason, when our dad died in 1996 in Abilene and we planned his funeral (at Highland), we choose (the ACU alumni singing) "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" as the "benediction" as those gathered left. It was in appreciation for them being there to remember with us our dad and that they might be blessed as they went on their way. Last fall right after Katrina, the husband of one of Tom's employees was killed helping a neighbor cut damaged trees down. They hadn't gone to church anywhere for a long time, although she had been raised Baptist. She didn't have anyone to be with her or to help her, so I went and stayed with her, planned the funeral with her, helped her pick scripture, picked the music and even spoke at the funeral in remembrance of her husband. I took some CDs with a cappella hymns and songs by Harding chorus that we listened to and chose some to play for about 20 minutes prior to the service (in the funeral home chapel). We then picked a few other selections for the service itself. At the end of that service, too, we had the minister read the Numbers 6 blessing and we played the ACU "Lord Bless You and Keep You" as the service was over. Everyone there was very moved by the a cappella singing and felt blessed in their presence there. Many people commented on the music and asked about it. THOSE are the kind of things we need to be about in this life. Practicing "practical" Christianity toward all others rather than sitting around waiting for OUR next blessings to be bestowed upon US, you know? I'm now listening to the ACU alumni singing "In Heavenly Love Abiding." May it ever be so and we we always walk this earth with heavenly love in our hearts toward each other and all we meet. Thanks for the reminder, Mike. I’ve not felt well at all the past several days (and have been confined at home longer than that, unfortunately, again) and so when I just now read the first few words of your post here I felt blessed, Mike. Thank you.

We just moved in a small rental while we build a new home, so don’t have our speaker system hooked up (and won’t), but Tom unpacked most of our CDs yesterday and I (blessedly?!) just found my ACU Alumni Choral Reunion! 1989 CD with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” and am listening to it on my computer speakers here over and over as I write. Such beautiful music, magnificent four part harmony and glorious amens.

Harking back to last week’s posts, this is a cappella singing at its finest and truest. (And I’ll give you another example below.)

As for the Numbers 6 blessing (and all the others), I’ve always thought of it more in the context of us bringing God’s blessings and trying to be a blessing to others because of God’s blessings upon us.

For that reason, when our dad died in 1996 in Abilene and we planned his funeral (at Highland), we choose (the ACU alumni singing) “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” as the “benediction” as those gathered left. It was in appreciation for them being there to remember with us our dad and that they might be blessed as they went on their way.

Last fall right after Katrina, the husband of one of Tom’s employees was killed helping a neighbor cut damaged trees down. They hadn’t gone to church anywhere for a long time, although she had been raised Baptist. She didn’t have anyone to be with her or to help her, so I went and stayed with her, planned the funeral with her, helped her pick scripture, picked the music and even spoke at the funeral in remembrance of her husband.

I took some CDs with a cappella hymns and songs by Harding chorus that we listened to and chose some to play for about 20 minutes prior to the service (in the funeral home chapel). We then picked a few other selections for the service itself. At the end of that service, too, we had the minister read the Numbers 6 blessing and we played the ACU “Lord Bless You and Keep You” as the service was over.

Everyone there was very moved by the a cappella singing and felt blessed in their presence there. Many people commented on the music and asked about it.

THOSE are the kind of things we need to be about in this life. Practicing “practical” Christianity toward all others rather than sitting around waiting for OUR next blessings to be bestowed upon US, you know?

I’m now listening to the ACU alumni singing “In Heavenly Love Abiding.” May it ever be so and we we always walk this earth with heavenly love in our hearts toward each other and all we meet.

Thanks for the reminder, Mike.

]]> By: russkirby http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11548 russkirby Mon, 15 May 2006 16:37:58 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11548 The congregation repeated that blessing to my wife and I at the end of our wedding ceremony. As I couple, my hope is that with every blessing we will be able to see and be the "so that." That's why I like collects so much. b blessed russ The congregation repeated that blessing to my wife and I at the end of our wedding ceremony. As I couple, my hope is that with every blessing we will be able to see and be the “so that.”

That’s why I like collects so much.

b blessed
russ

]]> By: Tim http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11547 Tim Mon, 15 May 2006 16:33:33 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11547 Makes me think of Genesis 11 and the tower of babel. I always thought God scattered them because of their desire to make a name for themselves until my wife showed me that it was also because of their desire not to be scattered. That flew in the face of God's plan that they fill the earth. I sometimes want to stay where I'm comfortable in place of being scattered. Another note... Mike, I've been wanting to thank you for your comment the other day about why Jesus came... to die for sins or to reveal God's kingdom. That comment just keeps coming to mind and continues to frame my goals and ministry. Thank you. Makes me think of Genesis 11 and the tower of babel. I always thought God scattered them because of their desire to make a name for themselves until my wife showed me that it was also because of their desire not to be scattered. That flew in the face of God’s plan that they fill the earth. I sometimes want to stay where I’m comfortable in place of being scattered.

Another note… Mike, I’ve been wanting to thank you for your comment the other day about why Jesus came… to die for sins or to reveal God’s kingdom. That comment just keeps coming to mind and continues to frame my goals and ministry. Thank you.

]]> By: Scott Simpson http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11546 Scott Simpson Mon, 15 May 2006 16:17:55 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11546 One other "so that" that has always struck me as important (though often overlooked) is in Hebrews... How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14 It seems the point of being washed clean--and especially the cleaning of my conscience-- isn't really about me either, it is "so that" I can serve the living God! Can I really serve God with a conscience full of guilt? Maybe not... at least not to the degree that God desires. Christ's blood helps me let it go "so that" I can be of eternal use to God and of eternal benefit to others! One other “so that” that has always struck me as important (though often overlooked) is in Hebrews…

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14

It seems the point of being washed clean–and especially the cleaning of my conscience– isn’t really about me either, it is “so that” I can serve the living God!

Can I really serve God with a conscience full of guilt? Maybe not… at least not to the degree that God desires. Christ’s blood helps me let it go “so that” I can be of eternal use to God and of eternal benefit to others!

]]> By: Thurman8er http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11545 Thurman8er Mon, 15 May 2006 16:14:48 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11545 OH, the Old Testament is so rich in language and texture and so meaningful in our ultimate understanding of the Father and His will for us. We are blessed to bless. Too bad that so many miss out on the blessings by making so many things about themselves. Too bad that I do it so often too. OH, the Old Testament is so rich in language and texture and so meaningful in our ultimate understanding of the Father and His will for us. We are blessed to bless. Too bad that so many miss out on the blessings by making so many things about themselves. Too bad that I do it so often too.

]]> By: clintL http://preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11544 clintL Mon, 15 May 2006 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/05/15/blessed-for-a-reason#comment-11544 What do you mean, it's not all about me me me? I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. What do you mean, it’s not all about me me me?
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.

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