Thanks for the Nothings

Philippians 4:13 is probably one of the most widely used verses in the Bible. It is the one that states:

I can do all things through Him who strengthen me

For a Bible verse it is quite ubiquitous. I have seen it on bumper stickers, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and especially during sporting events. I have seen this verse used in the Super Bowl, Olympic Events, and even in UFC caged match tournaments as the guys pummel each other.

Personally, it sticks out as a verse that was stitched in Evander Holyfield towel as he walked down to beat the mighty Mike Tyson in 1996.

Remember that one?

No, not the second one which he got his ear bit off. The first one where he won fair and square.



Now, I do not doubt God gives us the physical strength to endure pain and endurance in sporting competition but in context, I believe that it is a verse that is speaks of our ability to be thankful in times of trails and hardships.

Now, before you call me cynical lets look at the chapter in context.

Paul, who is famous for being thankful in times of despair, writes to the church in Philippi in verse 11 -12

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

During his ministry, Paul, much like our times now, learned how to continue and be thankful despite financial hardships. He did this through being content (in the Greek it was to be self sufficient) and being joyful regardless his humble means which meant minimal food, water, and shelter. Verse 13 gives us the source of his strength.

I can do all things through Him who strengthen me

In lights of recent events such as rescissions, unemployment, fires, and market crashes it is difficult to give thanks in as season where we set apart a day to do so. However, the Bible is clear not only on how we are to manifest this joy but it is also clear on where we get the strength in order to give thanks in a challenging season.

Philippians 4:13 is not just a verse that refers to the physical strength that God provides during sporting events, but also a reminder of the spiritual strength that results in thankfulness that he provides in the midst of trials.

thank you.

venice church has been my home for the past 23 years. i am indebted to the faithfulness of many who served God and showed me love and taught me God's word. i just want to thank them for their faithfulness, friendship, instruction, and love.

to:

jen villaryo - fellow missions-passionate sister.
kevin rodney chalk - greatest roomate in history
carrie castillo - hospitality and joyful giver.
the faithful friday prayer warriors - mr. sweet, nick, ruben, b.j., brian, paul, richie, ernesto, and kelly.


Wayne and Dolores Copes - faithful friends and co-laborers in Christ.

Bob and Wendy Tripp - for letting me walk over to their house everyday after school and constantly welcoming me in to hang out with Becky and Amy, and cooking food for me and sharing a contagious passion for serving God.

Pam and Randy Kirk - who have been spiritual mentors of love and compassion, inviting me to family functions, making me laugh, letting me play hairstylist and being examples of Godly parents.

Brad and Denise Jensen - for helping me as i grew up from a young boy to a teen to a young adult and relentlessly showed me the importance of the foundation of God's word, and treating me and caring for me like a son.

Craig and Amy Henson - for guiding me. for shepherding me. for correcting me. for training me. for nurturing me. for forgiving me. for loving me. for being my family.


i thank you. i love you. i will miss you.
you are my home.

as Paul told the Philippians, i want to share with you:

Philippians 1:3-5

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now"

Prayer

God, you are amazing, you are so righteous. God you are so mighty. I am so sinful. It is so awesome that you would love me. I pray that I would be glorifying to you in all I do. Please give me understanding from your word. Please God, allow me to be completely satisfied in you and you alone. God, without you I have, and am nothing. Thank you so much for loving me before I loved you. I pray that I would know nothing but Christ and him crucified.

In Jesus name, Amen

difficult prayers build character, like finishing your veggies

Dear Lord,

Thank you for my boss. Even though he is one of the most powerful and consistent sources of stress, embarrassment, confusion, and frustration in my life, I am so glad that you have put him in it.

On a day-to-day basis, my boss is condescending, demeaning, hostile, and argumentative. He is a very skilled engineer, but seems to enjoy making everyone else feel incompetent and useless by comparison. He is dismissive of others' ideas, concerns, and proposals, and he is impatient with anyone who questions his own, even gently. Working for him can be a harrowing experience, and it is likely that when I finally move on to a new job, it will be mainly as an effort to escape him.

But, Lord, I thank you for him. Thank you for my boss, and please bless him.

I know that he played a major role in hiring me in the first place, which motivated me to move back to LA in 2005. Returning to Los Angeles wasn't my favorite idea at the time, but, since then, it has become clear to me that you brought me back here for a purpose, Lord, and my boss was one of the people you used to make it happen. Without him, I would not have my job, I would not be in LA, and thus I would not have returned to Venice Church. Without my boss's help, unwitting though it might have been, I wouldn't have discovered this purpose or this direction, which I pray are your purpose and your direction.

My job is a blessing, Lord, and so my boss is a blessing, and I thank you. My job allows me to pay my bills, and gives me the hope of being a financially responsible citizen, son, brother, friend, and church member. When I was hospitalized and near death in the summer of 2006, the medical insurance provided by my company spared my family from an overwhelming burden of health care expenses. When I needed to take a medical leave of absence from work, my company was supportive, and my coworkers actually seemed to care that I take the time to heal. My job has been such a blessing, Lord. And without my boss and his work, my own work would not be possible. So, again, thank you for my boss, Lord. Thank you for using him in my life, and please bless him.

And please, Father, help me resist the temptation to hate. Please help me to love my boss, to appreciate him and to care for him. I know that he is under an extreme amount of pressure, and that he works unbelievably hard. Please help me remember that, if I were under similar strain, I might act like a jerk sometimes too. Actually, even under much less strain, I already do act like a jerk a lot of the time! I pray that you will give me the patience and the understanding to see and understand the many, complex forces that push and pull on my boss, and I pray that you will give him the strength and perseverance to survive the wrenching effects of these forces. Please help me be able to share his burden, to be able to ease the pressures put on him, to be a blessing to him in some way.

And finally, Father, please draw my boss closer to you. Please touch his heart and his life, and if he doesn't already understand his desperate need for a savior, please help him to see it. I pray that your love and grace will saturate every part of his life.

I pray this in the name of our savior Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Thank You God for this day,

And thank you Lord for being who you are. May we live out today as well as the rest of our days and then die with the sole purpose of glorifying your name. Let it be our only desire. Please sanctify us Lord, so that in the end we may live with you in your kingdom on your throne. Amen.