Playing Tag
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Playing Tag
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Benoni Church Bulletin--041308--"Playing Tag"PLAYING T-A-GIn South Africa, children used to call the game "Last Touch." Some energetic kid would touch another one while yelling "Last Touch." He would then scamper off with his "victim" in hot pursuit. Anyone who happened to be near the touched kid would also be "fair game" for the provocative touch. This would go on until everyone was exhausted. In America, they called it "Playing Tag." In a recent sermon, I talked about "Playing Tag" spiritually. How does one do that? Keep reading! I Thessalonians 5:18 is a baffling passage. It states,"Give thanks in all circumstances [not some; not favourable ones] for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." So, what horrible/miserable/daunting thing befell you lately? Could you give thanks for it? It is easy to be thankful when we are blessed, favoured or successful, but when things go negative are we able to "grin and bear it" and "give thanks for it?" How can we be expected to do that? We have to change our thinking. We have to play T-A-G; that is, Play T-hankfulness, A-ppreciation, G-ratitude. Some of you asked for this borrowed list I used in my sermon recently. Here goes. . . SOME UNUSUAL THINGS FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire...If you
did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know...it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Ignorance gives us the drive to discover.
Be thankful for the difficult times...during those times you grow. "No
man's name is worth remembering who live a life of ease."
Be thankful for limitations...they give opportunities for improvement.
Every life needs to build an extra room--the room for improvement.
Be thankful for a new challenges...they will build strength and
character.
Be thankful for your mistakes...they will teach valuable lessons. It
teaches one what to avoid in the future.
Be thankful when you're weary...it means you've been busy and not bored.
You made a difference.
Be thankful for the mess after a party...it means you have friends.
Be thankful for the taxes you pay...it means you are gainfully employed.
In a world of unemployment, you have a job!
Be thankful for clothes that fit a little snug...it means you have
plenty to eat.
Be thankful for a shadow that watches you work...it means you are not
out in the sunshine.
Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and
gutters that need fixing...it means you have a house.
Be thankful for the spot you find at the far end of the parking lot...it
means you are capable of walking. Osteo-arthritis has not had its way
with you.
Be thankful for all the complaining you hear about our government...it
means we have freedom of speech.
Be thankful for a huge utility bill....it means you are warm in winter
and comfortable in summer.
Be thankful for the lady behind you in church service who sings off
key...It means you can hear.
Be thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing...it means your loved
ones are nearby.
Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours...it
means you're alive.
Be thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day...it
means you've been productive.
Though it's easy to be thankful for the good things, obstacles are simply stepping stones to greater achievements. Hem your blessings in with thankfulness so they don't unravel when life takes a bad turn. The Bible has other verses that see gratitude as a priority--Ephesians 5:4, 20 and Colossians 3:17. So be a real sport and play spiritual T-A-G! It will do your heart a great favour. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him and bless his name," Psalm 100:4. Remember that gratitude is a flower that grows from a deep root of humility in the fertile soil of appreciation. Thankfulness is the lubrication of life's grind! Go out and play T-A-G! Love you all, Al --"the Horne of Africa" |
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