God in a Box

Do you prefer Jesus to be radical or comfortable?  The Jesus we encounter in the gospels is one who really challenges the status quo.  Folks who were a part of the religious establishment had real issues with Jesus.  When one considers the entire witness of the scriptures, one must conclude that often encountering God disrupts the status quo.  The God present in the scriptures leads us into uncharted territory; He calls us to adventure.  One of Jesus’ most consistent commands is not, “Don’t doubt,” but “Fear not.”  The implication is that when we really hear God, fear might be a natural response.

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Thanksgiving

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.  Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

Know that the LORD is God.  It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name.  For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  Psalm 100

Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give thanks to God except this foreigner?”  Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:17-19

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in America.  This distinctively north American holiday is one in which we engage this week.  Families gather, a moment of gratitude is shared and the feasting begins.  In the midst of uncertain economic times there may be a damper on some of our feasting.  We may spend a little time complaining how the price of the meal has gone up this year.  But what we really need is a solid dose of what this celebration was about from the beginning, gratitude to God.