STRETCH

I hate pumpkin pie...

Long story short - I got food poisoning one Thanksgiving as a kid. For some reason, whenever I looked at the pumpkin pie, I would get sick again.  I'm scarred for life.  Pumpkin Pie - R.I.P

Obviously, we celebrate Thanksgiving this week.  Really, there is so much to be thankful for. But more than that, there is a principle tucked away in the Bible that once we embrace has the ability to change our lives.

I call it the 'Offering of Thanks'

It's simple and it's found in Jeremiah 33:1-11 

Jeremiah is 'confined to the courtyard of the guard' - in prison, probably wondering, 'how do I get out'? What am I going to do to get myself out of here?

God tells him, "Listen - call out to me and I will answer you. OH, and when you do...I will tell you GREAT and UNSEARCHABLE things you DO NOT KNOW."

So, what are the things that are 'unsearchable' and 'unknown'?  (*hint...they are listed in verse 6)

Here they are:

 Health

 Peace

 Security

 Freedom

Sounds like a good deal huh?  Yeah I thought so too.  So basically, God is telling Jeremiah, "Dude, you are confined in this prison and you are trying to figure out how you are gonna get out on your own. Well, you aren't gonna get out........on your own."  BUT..

"When you pray to me - I will make things happen.  Because, Jeremiah, when you pray to me - it shows me you are completely dependent upon me."

Did you know that God delights in your dependence upon Him?  But even more, he wants YOU to recognize that you are completely dependent upon Him.

See, being dependent on someone means they have something you need.  And when someone gives you something you do not have, what is the appropriate response?

Yeah, you guessed it: 'THANKS'

We thank those who give us what we do not have!  And that is what dependence upon God requires! 

'an offering of thanks'

(vs. 11) "...the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring an offering of thanks to the house of the Lord saying, 'give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever."

Quick Breakdown:  Jeremiah is in a bad spot - the city is completely destroyed and nothing is going right - when he looks around, all he sees is hopelessness. But God says this - 'when you bring me an offering of thanksgiving, I will respond in a way that that restores your situation.  I will renovate the brokenness in your life, I will refine that which is necessary and I will establish a new kingdom for you."

Pretty amazing that even though, this city didn't deserve restoration, God's grace was so great that he chose to make it new again.  Hmmm....reminds me of another story regarding his son Jesus.

Determine to bring a 'thanks offering' to God - see what areas of your life He will restore. 

Stretch yourself

Jesse

iplay on my ipod

So WHAT exactly am I listening to?  Check out what is on my ipod RIGHT now:

Phoenix

Need to Breathe

Wilco

Monsters of Folk

Play Radio Play!

Glen Hansard

Fruit Bats

Dead Man's Bones

Animal Kingdom

Living Things

Check 'em out

Jesse

Jacked up Leadership: Pt. 1

Poor leadership in good times can stay hidden, but poor leadership in bad times is a recipe for a train wreck. Why do leaders fail?  Wait, let's first define leadership.  Here you go:  an act or instance of leading, guiding or directing.  This includes parents, husbands, and wives. It includes pastors, managers and business people. If someone is under your direction, then you are in fact a leader!  So, how can you fail in your leadership?  I'll share my thoughts three at a time.

Lack energy and enthusiasm

These leaders look at new opportunities as a burden.  They rarely volunteer and get overwhelmed easily. Ever been around someone who seems to 'suck all the energy out of the room'?

Accept their own mediocre performance

These leaders make sure you know how difficult a project is so they look good when they achieve their target.  They live by the mantra "Under-promise and over-deliver.'

Lack clear vision and direction

These leaders believe their only job is to make things happen.  Like a hiker who sticks close to the trail, they're fine until they come to a fork.

There are a few to get us started.  These seem obvious, but studies show that most leaders are unaware of their behaviors.  It could be a time to take a hard look at ourselves.

Stretch yourself

Jesse