"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18) Our aim at the Hendrickson household is to gather with a grateful heart, both at Thanksgiving and throughout the year. I am continually amazed by the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord Jesus, despite the cultural tide that seems bent on changing the shoreline. I am convinced that even in these turbulent times of moral shifting, God is still on His throne and nothing is outside His control.
As a believer, I need to be willing to stand for what is godly, even when doing so causes me personal loss or reproach. He calls us to holiness, to be set apart and separated for Him. Holy living, not perfect living --- living in Christ's grace each day and recognizing my own weakness. It's not easy to pursue a life of transformation when so many are clamoring for everything and anything but that reality. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, even if it means I will suffer for following Him. That's not pleasant to say, and many days I am afraid of the fallout --- I am bothered by the picture painted of Christianity in our culture at large. It is so different from the faith I experience and yet I believe I can understand why many see it the way they do (Rom. 1:18-32). Jesus calls us to live right-side-up in an upside-down world, and so to that end I am fixing my eyes on Him!
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
Amen...
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