Thanksgiving as a solution to life’s problems

I was in a meeting with some friends and one of them commented that fantasy was the opposite of gratitude. When we have a fantasy about anything – More Money, A Better Car or Motorcycle, That Woman at the office, Etc. we are in effect saying that reality is not enough and that God’s provision is not sufficient. This kind of thinking always leads to comparison of ourselves and others or our stuff and their stuff and then to resentment towards others, God and ourselves.

Thanksgiving on the other hand is based in reality as we focus on the blessing in our life we are saying I have enough. Cultivating an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude makes it possible to stop looking at other for what we can get from them or for reasons to resent them for what they have. Instead, it allows us to look at others and ask “what can I give?” It is an attitude that says with David in Psalm 23 “I shall not want” or I shall not be left wanting for any good thing because God is my shepherd and he is really good at being a shepherd so much so that he knows more about what I need than I ever will.

God is a giver… He gave His son while we were his mortal enemies. He gives life, sunshine, rain, good soil and crops. Since we are made in His image we too are designed to be givers. Gratitude makes giving possible as compared to ingratitude which turns our hearts to focus on taking.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving but one day a year is not enough because without thanksgiving my heart and soul wither in the muck of self seeking and self will and in that diminished state I am little more than a mean spirited greedy old man. When I practice gratitude as a daily discipline my heart grows and I live in peace and joy looking for opportunity to give of myself to others knowing God will always care for me.

I hope this Thanksgiving Day is filled with joy for you and is a start to a life filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Simple Joys

This week two things happened that caused me to thing about this BLOG and the way I write. First I got an e-mail from a friend who I worked with about 4 ½ years ago and he commented on the BLOG saying that I think deeply about things. The second was something my wife said at a reading and book signing she had at a local tea room after being published as a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover’s Soul. She was talking about simple pleasures and mentioned that for me riding the motorcycle was one of my simple pleasures.

So with that in mind I will focus on the simple pleasure of having a two days of great weather on the third weekend in November in Denver which is an unexpected gift so for the whole weekend if I have anywhere to go I went on the motorcycle.

Saturday was two rides with my son who has taken to riding like a fish to water. His only negative comment was with the end of the ride we were in the mountains and it got dark and this time of year when the sun goes down it gets cold fast. The cold wind was blowing up his pant leg and was not fun. We decided that on our next ride he would try his snow boots rather than his tennis shoes so he would have an extra layer on his ankle.

Sunday he and I rode for donuts and then to church, after church I met my brother-in-law and one of his friends and we rode to and through the mountains for an hour and a half before stopping for gas and to visit. They both had plans and decided to head home so I rode on alone for another two and a half hours and saw several deer, elk and even a buffalo. The ride topped off with a spectacular sunset. Sure beats watching the Chargers lose.

I have noticed that I am repeating rides on the same roads over and over again. Granted they are beautiful rides and I can only go so far into the mountains before encountering the snow line but it got me thinking about the big trip next summer. The plan is to take a week off and to travel for seven or eight days while avoiding interstates starting and ending in Denver. Beyond that nothing is planned so if you have any favorite spots to see or favorite roads please share them with me as the trip plans are being made. If you have ever wanted to tell me where to go this is you chance laterally.

So no deep insight on how to have a better relationship with God this week, just the joy of simple pleasures, I hope you are experiencing them in your life.

Integrity and Motives

First weekend in November and the weather was great in the Denver Area. My wife was at a retreat so my son and did everything on the bike. Saturday was the first playoff game for the Hawks, my nephew’s football team and they won so the season continues for at least one more week. Sunday we rode to church and I gave him the option of coming on a ride scheduled later with my brother-in-law but he wanted to get some video game tips from his cousin. So Phil and I were solo on our bikes as we rode on Sunday afternoon. The only problem with the ride was it got dark too soon (Why couldn’t they have held off on the time change until the weather was too bad to ride?)

This ride had a first for me since my return to riding, so far every ride I have been alone or someone I was riding with was leading the ride. But this time I had an idea where we could go and was leading the ride. On the surface leading a group ride is much like riding alone, you decide where to go, when to stop and how fast to ride. The only obvious addition to check you mirrors to be sure the other rider(s) are with you at each intersection and turn.

After the win Saturday the coaches were debriefing the team on what went well and what to work on for next week. The subject of heart and character came up and they defined character as “doing the right thing even when no one is watching” which is great advice. In the Bible Numbers 32:23b says “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” which is a promise I have never heard anyone “Claim” In short if you don’t do the right thing because you believe no one will see you, you are wrong because in the end everything will be seen on earth or before God.

I noticed on the Ride Sunday that I was not riding the same as I would if I were alone. I was riding a little faster and charging deeper into turns before slowing. And I started to think about integrity. If a lack of integrity is changing my behavior when I am alone, what is it that causes me to change behavior when I am being observed? I realized it was motive that can shape what I do. Motive is tricky thing because it is not obvious to others and we can so easily lie to ourselves. I am not 100% sure what motivated me to behave this way but hear are some possibilities.

1. I wanted Phil to enjoy the ride and he has more experience then me

The problem with this motive is that it is based on comparison, as long as I am comparing or measuring myself with anyone it is a loosing proposition.

2. I wanted to prove my riding abilities and get his approval as a rider and a man

3. I would like to do some waawG rides next year and want Phil to see me as a capable leader

The problem with these motives is they are based in getting the approval of men when need to be looking to the Father for approval and identity.
4. Adventure is a good thing and I have seen these roads before and it is safe and reasonable to push a little harder to test myself as a man and a rider

This is a great motive for what I did and I wish I could say that this was the only reason for my behavior but I suspect it was a blend of all four which is the great thing about adventure. In one day I can have a great ride with a good friend and at the same time my Father who always has good will towards me can speak to my heart in a loving a kind way to grow me into a man who is after His own heart.

Take a bike or leave it home but take the risk of adventure your Father has great things to show you if you will listen.