Gratitude Day 25

"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them."

 

C.S. Lewis  Mere Christianity

 

 

 

I am grateful for those people I know that live according to these thoughts ... they inspire me and cause me to want to be more and more like them.  I know that there are those of this persuasion who are literally sacrificing in this manner so that this new church can be planted in an area of great need for the influence of Jesus to be present.  I may not know exactly who this refers to but I am grateful for them just the same

gratitude day 23

post by Joanne Jacobs ... Community Facilitator for Common Table


As I sit here and think of gratitude and something I am grateful for I can't help but think of how I learned a lesson in gratitude on my first trip to Central America. I was in Guatemala helping a village to realize a dream of clean water, something I took for granted everyday. As I remember the beautiful faces of those that greeted our team with such expectation and joy it still brings tears to my eyes and a warmness to my heart. Our team members were all from of a 1st world country.....we have things like clean water, medical treatment close to us and readily available (I know there are people that don't believe that) a grocery store that we can access etc. . The village we were in had none of those things and yet they shared all they had with us. Their best went to us, the people of the first world country ...the people that had all of the above, all the time, everyday. As we worked side by side with the men of the village drilling the well and taught the women and children of the village how to use the clean water they were going to have at the end of the week, I was amazed at their gratitude; Gratitude for the hope of clean water, gratitude for the Americans that were there to help them and gratitude for the little that they had. I remember some of our team complaining about little discomforts and thinking to myself that the amazing people of this village are grateful to live here everyday. I was honored to be a part of their lives for a short week. As we said goodbye, they expressed over and over how they would never forget us and felt such gratitude in their hearts for us and I told them those same words. I still see their faces and feel the love and gratitude from them and  I am grateful I was able to learn that lesson in gratitude.

..... I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am in....  Philippians 4:10-13

Gratitude - Day 22

 

 

Todays thought comes from a blog post from a fellow Seattleite with a wonderful ministry ... so enjoy this prayer from Christine Sine

Gratitude - Day 20

" On that day they will say to Jerusalem, Do not fear Zion;  do not let your hands hang limp.  The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing"

Zephaniah 3:16-17

Gratitude - Day 18

if you've been following this series at all you will have observed that there was no post for yesterday.  There should have been one from me...so I own that.  I'd love to say that it was for good reason, and maybe there is some good in the reason, but the reason itself wasn't good.  It was decently immature to be fairly transparent.  At the time that I sat down to actually post, I wasn't feeling at all like I wanted to post something shiny and clean on being "grateful".  I wasn't feeling it.  Actually I thought that I wasn't feeling it, but the reality is that I wasn't feeling "thankful" ... I wasn't feeling "happy" ... and to be quite truthful I have been seeing all sorts of 30 day social media oriented expressions of "thanks" and "thankgiving" and I lost the focus of what I had intended this series to be.  Not to take away anything from the others who are posting thoughts of thanks and thanksgiving, but I fear, and it has come to pass in my own life, that there is a danger in confusing more subjective feelings and remembrances of thanks that can condition our present state of mind with an attitude of gratefulness that can supply a foundation of how we see ourselves, particularly in light of our Creator.
It's like the Scrooge opinion that "anything can affect the senses... a blot of mustard, a bit of under done potato"... and I was having an underdone potato kind of day.  If we at all live in the midst of relational humanity we are subject to thoughts of happiness, discouragement, anger, frustration, hurt.  If these are our foundation, our days will be as subjective as the one who sets out to row a solo voyage across the Atlantic.  We are subject to the momentary wind, waves, sun, and currents of the culture around us.  Focusing on the moment lets us experience only the moment.  When we look onto the bigger picture, the distant shore that we are rowing too, and the knowledge that we have been given all that we need to get there, it is only there that the larger picture of gratitude can be found.  It is so much bigger than a day...and lets be honest, its so much bigger than a month.  I hope that I realize this when the page on my calendar once more reads 1.

Gratitude - Day 16

To say that this day began as planned would be a bit too generous.  After nights of a hotel bed, I'm beyond ready to get home to my own ... Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the downtown Marriott.  But there's no place like home ...even if I am in Kansas.  I decide to walk a few blocks down to my morning comfort at a Starbucks that I've discovered.  It doesn't open till 8 .... Really ? No problem, it's still the United States and of course there's another one 2 blocks away ... With a sign this morning that says "cash only" ... Really?  Back to the marriott and their wonderful, "why would you go to Starbucks when you could go here" coffee bar.  So it's not that bad until 2000... Ok maybe 200, no really 2 dozen teenagers decend on a youth leader who has placed a box of " breakfast" on a table right next to me and I find myself in a reinactment of the plague of locusts.... Really ?
So I do the only thing I can do... I move. And this morning I'm writing and reflecting on gratitude ... Really?  No really, I am, grateful I mean.  I am grateful, even for all of the unexpected twists and turns of a morning so carefully crafted in my head so as to be fail proof ...except that it's not, and that's a good thing.  If I've learned one thing profitable in all of these years of pastoral artistry it's that I have no business relying on my own plans.  They are too small, they are too confining, and quite honestly they are cosmically boring.  I'm grateful to be reminded of that this morning ... And it's only 7:30.

Gratitude - Day 15

Dottie Johnson’s story is one of God’s grace and His ability to turn brokenness into blessings!  In a blended family, Dottie and her husband George just celebrated 21 years of marriage.  They have six children and seven grandchildren.  Together with George, Dottie serves the Christian Evangelistic Association, working with new churches in the Pacific Northwest.

Thankful?  Some days I feel anything but.  Days when I have more worries than hope.  More unknowns than knowns.  More heartaches than happiness.  More wrongs than rights.  And I’m supposed to be thankful for those days?

Stuff happens.  Bad stuff happens . . . to me . . . to my family . . . to people I love.  Lots of people want to explain the theological side of why bad things happen to good people but I could really care less about their reasoning.  This is what I know:  that when I walk through the darkest of days I do not walk alone.  I can feel God’s presence.  When my heart breaks so much I can hardly breathe – He gives me a breath, then another, and another.  When I cry, He holds me tight.

If given a choice, I would naturally choose to have no pain, no worries, no troubles.  But I am learning that there is a place for pain – a place for the storms in my life and the lives of those I love.  I choose to let God lift my heaviness and absorb the brokenness.  To step out into a place called faith – where I believe God is using all things for His glory.  I believe that God is not only holding me through the storms but refining me, strengthening me and walking closer to me.

And for this I am truly thankful!




BIO:

Gratitude - Day 14

I am sitting here in my parents' house, the house that when I was a child belonged to my grandmother, watching my daughter enjoy breakfast with her Nona and Papa. This house has so many memories for me, but my favorite ones are the ones that have been and continue to be created watching my daughter and her grandparents enjoy one another. I am grateful for my folks who delight so much in my little one. I know what a blessing it is to have these relationships in our lives and thank God for this. The view out the sunroom window at the bayou is just the icing on the cake.

Gratitude - Day13

Today’s post is provided by Crystal Rhone. Crystal is the wife of Josh Rhone and mother of Quinton (5yrs old) and Madison (3yrs old). Along with her family, Crystal lives and ministers in the community of Mount Union, PA. Crystal enjoys playing with her kids, spending as much time as she can with her husband and supporting him as he fulfils his desires of furthering his education and reaching out to those that others don’t think about, and entertaining in their home.

As I think of the word gratitude I can’t help but think about all that God has brought me through to bring me to where I am today. We never enjoy going through the tough times in life, but it’s those tough times that moles us into the person that God intended us to be (Romans 5:3-4). Never in my wildest dreams while growing up would I have thought that I would be a pastor’s wife, ministering in a small town in PA, that is full of drugs, guns, and a lot of despair. I often times wonder, “God, why us? What can we do to help these people who are so lost?” It’s when I ask these questions that God reminds me of everything that He’s brought me through, even though they may not be the exact some thing, but I too was just as lost as some of these in our community. All that God is asking of me is to love the people in our community and to speak out about His love whenever the opportunity presents itself. Again, I never would have picked being a pastor’s wife in Mt. Union, but I am so thankful that God has placed us here and has given us such a passion for the people in our community. I’m so thankful that God has given me my husband, Josh, who is full of not only extreme knowledge, but compassion that even when he feels that he’s not making a difference, he doesn’t give up, but he starts to look for other avenues in which to make that difference.

I am also thankful that God has chosen me to be the mother of the 2 most loving kids in the world! Who knew that a 5yr old and a 3yr old could have such a passion to help those in need in our community and who wants to see people come to know Christ? Quinton and Maddie inspire me to continue even when I feel that we are not accomplishing anything for God’s Kingdom.

In short, I am so thankful that God is using those difficult times from my life to do some good in my life, my family’s life, and in the lives of others!

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

                                    -2 Corinthians 9:15

Gratitude - Day 12

This mornings guest post is by Scott Shannon.  He and his wife Jessica are part of the prayer support of Common Table and live in West Seattle.

 

 

They say the strongest sense that is tied to memory is smell. We all have some smell that reminds us of some great memory and even of some not so great memories.  All it takes is a small waft of that scent and we can recall sharp details of that experience.  I can’t honestly remember what the smells of my childhood Thanksgivings were but the image of the space is well captured in my brain.  I can still draw for you, with decent accuracy, the layout of the house I lived in till I was three.  This is probably part of why I ended up as an architect.  I’m telling you this because what I’m grateful for are spaces and items that inspire us and bring us together.

As a child, I don’t remember sitting around the table at Thanksgiving and taking turns expressing what we were all thankful for.  I remember being with family.  I remember we ate in the basement of my Aunt’s house and the room was long with a white vinyl floor with wood paneled walls.   To the left was a sliding glass door to the back yard and to the right was a wet bar with some kind of Japanese pinball /slot machine that we’d spend hours playing.  At the end of the room there was a fire place, a sofa, some chairs, and a TV that always had the game playing.  There was one larger table and several smaller card tables all with folding chairs and nice, but paper, table cloths. 

Now I understand that by my chosen profession I’m predisposed to the appreciation for such things.  I’m certain though that it goes beyond that.  I was fortunate enough recently to take a trip to Ireland and there’s this strange little phenomenon there.  All throughout the country there are great churches and cathedrals.  No matter how small the village is they have these impressive houses of worship.  I learned that for many years Catholicism was banned in Ireland and as soon as that decree was lifted, the ‘Church’ began a massive building program.  The result was beautiful churches everywhere you go.  As an architect I know that the spaces are designed in such a way to draw your eyes up towards the ceiling and therefore heaven.  I know that while the stained-glass windows tell stories from the bible that they also create a filtered light that helps set a mood.  Even knowing all of these ‘tricks’, there is an overwhelming feeling of respect, peacefulness and humbleness that I just can’t explain.  It’s easy to feel His presence there.

Gratitude - Day 11

Today, without just jumping on the national bandwagon, I am honestly grateful for our veterans and for everyone who has chosen a life of military service.  I am grateful for their willingness to endure the unthinkable so that I can live a life that is, if I'm going to be honest, quite unthinking.  What I mean is that we enjoy a quality of life so free from the hassle and strife which most of the world endures that most of the time I honestly don't stop to consider it.  I am often oblivious and entitled.  But I have this life, these freedoms, and this home through no work of my own.  I am privileged to live here, among and because of these heroes.   It is a privilege that too many of us, myself included, take for granted to the extent that we fail to remember...we fail to appreciate.  Today, on this day, I do remember, I do appreciate,  their sacrifice and I am reminded once more of the gratitude I often fail to express.

Gratitude - Day 10

Todays post is provided by Joe Coleman.  Joe and his wife Karen are prayer partners with Common Table and live in Tampa, FL.  Some trivia about Joe ... He was a classmate of Dan and Joanne in the class of 1981 @ CW Baker High School in Baldwinsville, NY.  You do the math ...

 

 

 

 

 

Too often I find myself bogged down in the work at hand in my life – not just my day job but as a father, husband, son, brother or friend – that I don’t stop and look at the impact I have had on others.  I get caught up in the WTF’s of life.  But it is in those WTF moments that I am reminded of what is important.  In those WTF moments I rediscover the gratitude the world tried to squash.  It is indeed the WTF moments for which I am grateful.  Without those WTF moments, I would not be reminded of what is important – my relationships.  Without relationships I am nothing.  I am not a child of God, a husband, a dad or even a co-worker.  Without relationships I am a hermit. 

The world wants me to focus on the stuff I have and do not have.  The world wants me to focus on the to-do list at work.  The world wants me to focus on the bank statements.  The world wants me to focus on the WTF moments.  When I focus on them I miss God’s greatness.  Elijah had some WTF moments as well.  While God is always with us during the WTF moments, he is not in them.  God is in the whisper that our soul hears clearly.  1 Kings 19:11-12 reminds us that in the WTF moments, God will remind us he has not left us as he whispers to us, “You are never not loved.” 

I am grateful for the WTF moments in my life.

Gratitude - Day 9 "Be the one"

Today's post is provided by George Johnson.  George has led the Christian Evangelistic Association (www.theCEA.org) in starting 25 new churches across the Northwest since 2002.  He and Dottie have six children and seven grandchildren.  He is grateful for Jesus, Dottie, children, grandchildren, flyfishing and sea-kayaking – in that order

BE THE ONE

In the Gospel of Luke (17:11-19), Jesus enters a village and meets ten lepers who beg Him to heal their disease.  He tells them to go show themselves to the Priest and when they do they are examined and found to be completely healed of their leprosy.  This amazing miracle has a stunning footnote: only one healed leper returned to give thanks to Jesus!

That nine out of ten would be so utterly ungrateful and self-centered is shocking.  But if I’m honest, I have to admit that I often live more like the nine who hurried away to follow their own agenda and pursue their own priorities than the one who stopped, turned back and gave thanks and praise to Jesus for what He had done and for Who He is.

It is my prayerful purpose to be the one – the one who says “thank you”…the one who is grateful… the one who interrupts everything else going on to give thanks.  Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday or even a season.  It’s more than just a word or a deed – it is the breath of a life humbled and healed by the grace of God.  That’s the one I want to be.

Gratefully,

George Johnson

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Gratitude - Day 8

This week has been one for the books, as they say (whomever "they" are).  In many ways it quite possibly should go into the chapter labeled "days I'd rather forget".  Without going in to details, let me just comment on the irony of a week like this during the beginning of our emphasis on gratitude.  I'd don't think it coincidence...I don't believe in them anyway.  I find it rather more along the lines of what happens when one begins to pray for patience. 
At the end of the week, looking back a bit more peacefully than it began, I am realizing, with ironic gratitude, that this was "one to remember", as they say.  The reason for remembrance is the whole reason for my gratitude.  I remember, once more, the provision of a God who hears prayer and is already in front of us.  I am grateful for being able, in the midst of it, to have been reading thoroughly a great work by Brennan Manning called "Ruthless Trust" and specifically his reminder that we can base our present trust on His past provision (my translation).  In the midst of the storm(s) I remembered, trust surfaced, and one more time God provided...and one more time I am overwhelmed by gratitude.

Gratitude - Day 7

Todays post is provided by Josh Rhone.  Josh is a husband, father, pastor, and wearer of many hats. He resides and ministers in Mount Union, PA. Josh enjoys reading theology, running and roasting (and drinking) coffee. He blogs occasionally at JoshuaRhone [dot] com and has recently authored a children’s book (Who Cares?) with his daughter.

 

 

 

 

The beach has long been one of my favorite places. As a kid I would go there with my parents and siblings. At times we would be accompanied by my grandparents on my mother’s side or my uncle and his family. As a teenager, a friend would accompany me so that I would have someone my age to pal around with. In 2004, my wife, Crystal, and I made our first trip to the beach. It was our honeymoon. Two years ago, we visited a beach on the West Coast and spent a few days relaxing with friends––Dan and Joanne––that I met  while in seminary. Our (almost) yearly trips to the beach now include a whole new cast of characters: my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Maddie and Quinton (our children), and soon our yet-unborn nephew.

While I could wax on for hours (and pages) about our trips, the stories, the food, and the fun that we’ve had, I won’t. Instead, I’ll jump straightaway to the picture and why I’ve included it.

The picture represents one of my favorite places. But, to me, this picture speaks of something much more significant. In the picture are three of the people who I count as my greatest blessings in life. Crystal is an agape wife––a woman of great love, who is a model for what it means to love with no-strings-attached. She puts up with my erratic schedule and the long hours that I often work. She has stood beside me and carried much of the load as I’ve completed graduate school and have jumped headlong into a post-graduate research program. She’s graceful in her parenting and reminds me (daily) that I have a lot of room to grow in that area. Quinton and Maddie exude passion. Passion for life and an inexplicable sensitivity to others. They serve as ever-present reminders of how thoroughly adult I’ve become and how very much I need to recapture the loud and courageous beauty of childlike faith. They mean so much to me.

But as I look at that beach, littered with footprints, I’m reminded of the many others who have been a part of my life. My parents, who have been there since day one, and have taught me so much about life, faith, marriage and ministry. There are my brother and sister who, despite the fights and arguments of our childhood, have become dear friends and confidants. My grandparents who did what every good grandparent should do and spoiled usrotten. Each footprint represents a friend, Sunday School teacher, pastor, professor, congregation member, college roommate––someone whose life has intersected with my own and has in some way, shape or form affected me and left a mark. Some of those interactions have been more impactful, leaving a deeper, more recognizable mark; but each has had value and significance.

Today, I thank God, for those whose lives and stories have intersected with my own. I thank Him for the many things that I’ve learned and the way that those relationships have shaped, defined, and refined who I am (and who I am becoming). I am grateful for each person and I pray that today you can look at your life and join me in expressing gratitude to God for those who have littered your life with their footprints.

 

 

Gratitude - Day 6

Today's guest post is from Kalyn Gustafson ... "I am a wife to my best friend, Jake, and mama to a spunky 3 year old girl.  It should also be stated that I am, for better or worse, a Seattleite to the core.  I love taking advantage of all this beautiful city has to offer, being crafty, throwing parties, and probably spend too much time on Pinterest as a result.  I am so thrilled to take part in Common Table's journey from the very beginning and to see what God is going to do through us in the city I love."

 

 

 

It would be an understatement to say that my childhood wasn't ideal.  For all intents and purposes, I shouldn't have the skills to have such a loving, healthy, family as an adult- something many of those who know my story remind me of constantly.  All I ever wanted growing up was to walk through the front door knowing what to expect on the other side.  God gave me that and so very much more.  It is only through His grace and love that I was able to accept and give unconditional love in my marriage and it is only through His teaching and molding of my heart that I can be proud of the mother I have become.  God has placed so many lessons and people in my path to fill in the gaps that my early years left. I am constantly astonished and grateful that the Creator of the universe has an interest in healing my broken heart.  Not a day goes by that I am not, for a moment, in thankful awe of such tender love and greatness.

Gratitude - Day 5

Today's guest post is from Theresa Craw, a Seattle native who is a good friend, member of our prayer support team and a great softball player (in my opinion)

 

 

On the eve of my 40^th birthday I find myself the most grateful I’ve ever been.  God has blessed with a healthy baby-to-be, due just after the New Year.  He’s also blessed with me with a rock-star family and friends who are already serving as my village.  When I sometimes worry about how I can best serve this child as a single parent, God doesn’t let me worry too long before he helps me remember that I am not alone.  He is here with me and this wonderful baby is part of His plan.  More than ever, I also find myself blessed that I was fortunate enough to grow up in a church community.  From a very early age my Grandma Grace made sure I attended my church’s elementary school and Sunday school and that the word of God was part of my everyday life.  It’s a gift that I will pass on to my child – the blessing of knowing that God loves us no matter what and that when we let the grace of God shine through our words and actions, those around us are blessed.  A Bible verse has surfaced as my new favorite, and through God’s love is how I pray that I can live my life and guide my family:  Phillipians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.  Thank you Jesus, for all the blessings of my life.  Please provide me the strength and courage to follow your will and the compassion and love to live a life of humility and service of others.

Gratitude - Day 4

Today's post is by Dan Jacobs, the normal keeper of this blog.  A husband of 29 years, father of 2 great adults, papa to 2 (and one in process) incredible grand kids... Long time blogger, long time pastor, short time church planter, lover of craft beer, I am constantly amazed by grace and Gods ability to paint with broken brushes.

On a sunny Monday morning, I am blessed by the presence of my granddaughter (Princess Lily ).  She, along with her cousin (Prince Aiden), are reminders of what unconditional love looks like.  To be greeted with arms and smiles wide open, is to experience grace in all its fullness.  Nearly every encounter with them is a whisper that pierces the noise that has tends to fill my soul with self doubt and questioned worth.  On a sunny Monday, for this day, the whisper is so much louder than the noise... I feel the love so far beyond even theirs... And I'm grateful 

Gratitude - day 3

Todays thoughts on gratitude come from Common Table member Jake Gustafson who writes

 

"I am an East Coast transplant who now calls Seattle home. I get to share my life with my lovely and talented wife K and our adorable and bright 3 year-old daughter Elle. God has called our family to be part of this amazing church plant and share Christ's love with all of the people in this amazing city. My favorite past times include running, discovering new microbrews, and enjoying Seattle."

As I reflect on what I am grateful today during this journey I think about this quote by Albert Schweitzer.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

I think about the times in my life when I have had my light rekindled. I am grateful for those people, especially my beautiful and loving wife K. It was through her that God reconnected with me and started me on my journey back home. I will always be grateful for the way Jesus used my wife to be the spark in my life. As I continue on my spiritual journey I understand that God uses both the times when my light is out and when it is lit as an opportunity to work in my life.

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Gratitude - day 2

Todays guest post is offered by Joanne (pronounced Joanie) Jacobs.  Besides being my wife of 29+ years, dedicated mom to two great adult children and a loving, crazy gramma to two (with another on the way), She holds the crucial role of "Community Facilitator" for Common Table.  In this role she is able to flourish in hospitality, the culinary arts and all things that build community both inside and outside of Common Table.

 

 

 

Gratitude.... What a word, I think about what that means as I sit in a place that I never thought I would be in. I am grateful for a partner to share this journey with and for friends that have supported not just myself but the dream of a vibrant growing community of faith in South Lake Union. More people being able to find and live out the story that the author of all stories has written for them, I am grateful to be able to play a part in that. More importantly I am grateful for those that will meet him maybe for the first time and allow their story to be intertwined with his and allow their lives to forever be changed. I am feeling grateful ....grateful for so much but also grateful that I am willing to listen to that voice inside my head and heart that encourages me to be willing to allow God to continue to write me into the pages of His story. Is that as easy as it sounds? Absolutely not. Will I continue? Absolutely! Scared....excited...amazed....scared again.....but most of all grateful.

 

 



"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"             The apostle Paul writing in Philippians 1:3-6

 



Gratitude - day 1

"To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives- the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections- that requires hard spiritual work"

Henri Nouwen

 

 

Today on this first day of gratitude, I realize that all of life, not just the parts I choose, go into my formation.  I am grateful that, with an investment in the work of gratitude for these 30 days, I can look forward to an altered heart and rejuvenated spirit.