Thanks + Giving + [Always?]

Sun shining; house cozy warm from the heat of the oven, which contains a 12-pound turkey; smell of apple cider and cinnamon candles; husband peeling potatoes and me kneading dough; table set and awaiting guests.

It's Thanksgiving. Autumn is here - my favorite time of the year!

 

There's no way to exactly duplicate a tradition, but we took joy in the newness of Thanksgiving and our first time celebrating it in Germany was a success!  I even managed to come up with a maple leaf - Canadian Pride! :)

Funny how memories are triggered. Memories of family members showing up at our house, of board games, of kids, of lots and lots and lots of (great) food, of getting to use the "special" plates and glasses, of the "go-around-the-table-and-everybody-say-one-thing-they're-thankful-for" round.

Giving Thanks. Because so much has been given to us; it's the least we can do in return. 

But Thanksgiving is more than a day; it's a lifestyle. 

If we only choose joy when we have a full plate, a full stomach, and a full house, are we really giving thanks?

This year my husband and I were confronted with the biblical mandate to REJOICE ALWAYS.

Three days before Thanksgiving, his mom took a fall outside, was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that she had a complicated wrist and elbow break, had an emergency operation and likely has to remain in the hospital for 3 weeks now.

That wasn't exactly part of the plan. Or at least our plan.

For awhile, I felt guilty for excitedly anticipating food and fellowship, but then the Holy Spirit reminded me, "It's perfect timing to celebrate Thanksgiving." If not now, then when? 

 

The Lord called us here to help bring restoration. And it looked like restoration was happening - my mom-in-law was overcoming the effects of her stroke and was beginning to ride a bike again, re-learning how to write, and becoming more engaged in activities and conversation. And now? She's laying in a hospital bed with metal plates in her arm and can't remember what happened or why she's there.

What does giving thanks look like in this situation? I read a quote from Ann Voskamp the other day which made me think:

"My lips may have said YES to God's grace of a Messiah - 

but my life has said NO to God's gift of this moment."

How is it that we so easily receive God's GIFT of grace, His GIFT of salvation, His GIFT of a Savior...but so often reject His GIFT of each new day? What makes us think we can pick and choose what we get to give thanks for?

And so, in the middle of hospital visits, short nights, telephone calls to family, and conversations with the doctors and nurses, we choose joy.

• We're thankful that in a matter of minutes after calling emergency, we had 5 medical personnel at our doorstep.
• We're thankful for hospital staff working the night shift, so she could receive immediate care.
• We're thankful for friends and family who have stopped in to visit. 
• We're thankful for a praying community of brothers and sisters in the Lord.
• We're thankful that none of this is a surprise to God. 
• We're thankful that God redeemed the situation - my mom-in-law's "room mate" gave her life to the Lord after my husband had a conversation with her about Jesus!

And although the reality of the situation isn't nice, we're allowed to celebrate.

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is something deeper than circumstances. Receiving each moment with thanksgiving is what allows us to live in joy.

There is another quote that says: "Hope is hearing the music of tomorrow. Faith is dancing to it."

So we "turned up the music" yesterday and enjoyed a feast, knowing God is in control of the end of the story. We're still working on the dancing part, but we believe that God is good and that He's worthy of receiving our thanksgiving. Always.

P.S. Would you pray with us, please? For a quick, miraculous healing, for peace for us as a family, especially my husband's dad, and for the strength to dance? Thank you.

Joy Dare

A Challenge from Ann Voskamp to "Count 1,000 Gifts" throughout the year. I started in April, and here are a few on my list so far:


For April 9: "A Gift Held"

Surprise roses...from my father-in-law! So thoughtful of him :)

For April 10: "3 Gifts Opened Up"
 

 

The sky opening up after a morning of rain.

 

 

Opening the pages of the Word of God...gifts of wisdom, encouragement, love!

Opening our fridge and being reminded of God's provision...His abundant goodness!

Where can you witness God's glory in the details of your life this day?

Join the Joy Dare: http://www.aholyexperience.com/joy-dares/

What has inspired me this week...

These quotes are what I've been pondering this last week as I've walked through my own personal "Easter Journey" and been reminded of my weakness, and God's Grace.

 

 Jesus died so I could be made whole, live a life of fullness, receive forgiveness, and have peace. What hit me as I watched "The Passion" with a group of people on Good Friday was that Jesus didn't defend Himself. The people who mocked Him were right - He could have called down angel armies and been delivered. But He didn't.

 He could have performed miracles and made everyone standing near "oohh" and "ahhh." But He didn't.

He didn't try to reason, didn't try to stand up for Himself. He knew the final Victory was His anyway! And now, raised back to life and seated at the right hand of God, He is interceding for us (Romans 8:34). We have a Defender! And if God is for us, who can be against us? He stands behind us and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

 

There are days when I'm aware of my need for Him, my need for His grace, my need for healing. And there are other days where my default seems to be trying to do things on my own. Then I get frustrated, because I mess up, I'm not perfect, and I don't have answers.

 

  ("overflow with thanksgiving" - Colossians 2:7)

And, I'm discovering, the key to everything is simply being thankful. 

God's Grace is there if I would just receive it and acknowledge Christ's sacrifice for me. He doesn't condemn my imperfection or judge me for my need! His Grace is simply sufficient. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This month I've begun Ann Voskamp's "Joy Dare" and have decided that every now and again here on my blog I will record my findings of discovering God in the ordinary and acknowledging His gifts.

Yesterday the challenge was "3 Gifts Surprisingly Found." My eyes wandered to the beautiful flower my husband brought home for me. "Just because" - my favorite :) 

Later on I was trying to plan a meal and contemplating whether to make a trip to the bakery, in walks my father-in-law with a loaf of fresh bread for us! Surprise Gift #2!

And the day ended with a reminder of grace. As I serve my mother-in-law there are times when we disagree, times when I have to be stern, and times when she doesn't want to do what I ask her to, although it would aid in her healing. I was surprised that even her short-term memory loss can be a gift, in that after a little clash she quickly returns to being so forgiving, so trusting, and so open again. 

Thankful that Jesus paid it all!

A New Citizenship

Today I received my Immigration Card for Deutschland!

This means that I can enter the country as a resident, not a tourist, that I can live here as long as I want, and that I am allowed to work. Woo hoo! Now that the paperwork and everything has gone through, I am also able to take a German "Integration" course for free. It will be about 600 hours, and will cover everything from the language to German politics and traffic laws, etc. So the next year will be full of a lot of learning! It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm thankful that the authorities want to help me integrate into this culture and equip me for life here.

 

This whole process has brought to my mind the reality of another citizenship I have. Actually, a citizenship that you have too:

 {"Our citizenship is in heaven."} 

Philippians 3:20

It's a biblical principle that this earth is not actually our home! If we belong to Christ and are following Him, we are only here visiting :-) In the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews chapter 11, the author writes that these heroes of the faith "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth" (Hebrews 11:13). It's hard to live in this reality, because this world can be pretty deceiving and it's easy to feel at home in it. But the fact is - we were created for something more. We have heavenly DNA, and one day even our physical bodies will be transformed to match our new identity.

But even as we are living as strangers in this world - a country not our own - we should be adhering to the principles of the heavenly land where our citizenship actually lies. Just as my immigration in Germany includes both special privileges and responsibilities, so our heavenly citizenship implies that we live and act a certain way. We have the hope of eternal life in our heavenly home, but we also have a life that needs to be lived out here as "aliens" on this earth. An alien doesn't fit. An alien stands out. An alien doesn't belong. And our lives should be like that too. We must be different.

Peter wrote to his friends, "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). There are desires that we need to fight against, which are not part of our real identity. We ought to to adhere to a heavenly, higher spiritual standard.

But it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, right? Like when I'm driving here in Germany, and go to turn right at a red light (after stopping, of course!) But that's not allowed here. I need to wait for the green turning arrow. But in the only life I've ever known beforehand (Canada), I learned that it was okay to do so (and that other drivers behind you actually get angry if you block the lane by not doing so!) In a similar way, our "old life", our sinful flesh, teaches us that it's fine to be selfish. It's okay to lust (everybody else does it!) You need to lie sometimes. It's impossible to actually love everybody. Self-pity is okay.

But that's why we're told, in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"! Our old ways of thinking and our old patterns of behavior have to go once we accept Jesus as Lord of our life and receive citizenship in heaven. Spiritual guidelines and principles apply instead of earthly standards.

And what are these new responsibilities and privileges? They involve love, not apathy. Peace, not worry. Joy, not discouragement. Patience, not frustration. Kindness, not selfishness. Self-control, not self-indulgence. Mutual submission, not discord. Preferring others, not controlling others. A spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not a spirit of timidity. A spirit which cries out to God, "Abba, Father!" not a spirit of fear. The power to overcome evil with good, not to be overcome with evil. The authority to live in the abundance that Jesus died to offer, not allowing Satan to steal, kill, and destroy in your life. The strength to rejoice in suffering, because we have a hope beyond this world.

These are the rules and rights of our heavenly citizenship! Sure, it takes learning and adjusting. It takes the "putting to death" of our old ways. It may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable. It may involve more cost in the short-term. But it's worth it in the long term! The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, our Counselor, our Guide, ready to train us in how to live in this new spiritual reality.

Are you living to the full potential of what your heavenly citizenship implies?

Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so thankful for the gift of Christ, and that we can celebrate Him all year 'round, but be especially reminded of Him at this time.

Mogi and I are in Kentucky this week, visiting my sister and her family. It's been a great trip so far! Sledding (we really had a white Christmas, which was a treat for the Americans!), baking German cookies, singing carols, playing games. We decided not to exchange presents this year; instead, we gave the gift of presence. We were challenged by the Advent Conspiracy to: 

Our visit was a surprise for our nieces and nephews. It was precious to see their faces when we came downstairs the first morning...shock mixed with excitement. I think time really is the best gift. We don't need any more stuff, and we want to strengthen these family relationships and take advantage of the time we have to spend together. Be inspired by the promo video from the Advent Conspiracy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=related

As I have said before, the Lord has laid on my heart the word joy this month. I was reading the popular 'Christmas passage' from Isaiah 9:1-7, and this theme jumped out at me again. Look at the promises that this son who was prophesied to be born fulfills: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you...you have shattered 
the yoke that burdens them...he will be called 

       Wonderful Counselor, 

                  Mighty God, 

                  Everlasting Father,

                    Prince of Peace."

This is the God we serve! The God that became flesh and made his dwelling among us to show us his love. He is the one that offers true joy. This year may you choose anew the light of his presence; may he increase your joy; may the things that burden you be shattered, and my you come to know this Jesus in an even more personal way as your Counselor, the One who is mighty, your Father, and our Prince of Peace. 

Christmas blessings!

-The Moglers

JOY

One word the Lord has put on my heart this month is joy. 

Christmas-time is a season where we should be experiencing joy, but many people don't. "The holidays" are often filled with the most family tensions, the most suicides, the most discontentment. It's the end of a semester in schools, and there is the stress of papers and finals. There are travel arrangements to be made, presents to be bought, and events to organize. Many factors can contribute to lack of joy!

But Christ said he came to bring life...and life to the full (John 10:10). We sing "Joy to the World!" but do we really know that "the Lord has come?" What does it mean that our Lord has come? Isn't that the whole meaning of Christmas?

This Lord, our Lord, is called Immanuel, which means "God with us." Did you catch that? God...with...us. This is the only true source of joy!

"You made him glad with the joy of your presence." (Psalm 21:6)
"You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)


It is only in the presence of God that we can find true joy! Not happiness based on circumstances, but the joy of communion with the Creator of the universe and the peace that only he can give. 


We can announce joy to the world because the Lord has come, making it possible for us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence." No more barriers! No more limitations! We have direct access to the presence of God. 


I see myself so often still neglecting the presence of God, even though he abides in me. In my heart I want nothing more than to walk intimately with him, but I seem to constantly face sin and distractions. It is when I succumb to these things that I lose my joy, because I am living for myself again. 


But my prayer, for myself and for you, is that this month we may recover the JOY of walking with Christ, daily in his presence. That we won't be pressured by the world's empty celebrations, but that we would deny ourselves and help "every heart prepare him room." That we would be agents of joy to our lost and hurting friends and families. 


Celebrating God-with-us,
Kristyn