Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Thanks
by Tom Goodman
November 25, 2009

Rudyard Kipling was being interviewed by a somewhat cynical reporter. "I understand that the money you make from your writings amounts to over one hundred dollars a word."

Mr.Kipling responded with surprise. "Really, I had no idea."

"Here's a one hundred dollar bill," the newspaperman retorted. "Give me one of your hundred dollar words."

Kipling took the hundred dollar bill, quietly folded it up, said, "Thanks," and walked away.

Yep, gratitude is precious. This Thursday is a good time to remember that.

In this chapter of our family story, as Diane recovers from surgery, we give thanks for friends and extended family members for praying for us, checking on us, and assisting us. Looking above, we are grateful for God's faithfulness, demonstrated new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

What a difference a heart of gratitude can make, not only for your life but the lives of those around you. Ellen Vaughn recalls an incident on the Washington subway system in which a crowded train stalled on an underground track. Groans and outbursts from the stressed commuters began immediately. Accusations were hurled against anyone and everyone they could blame for this added hassle to their already-harried lives.

And then something changed. Somewhere in that crowd a woman dropped one of her bulky packages, and a bottle of perfume shattered. As the luxurious fragrance wafted throughout the car, people smiled, relaxed, and started laughing with each other. Vaughn wrote:

Followers of Jesus have the opportunity, in life's crowded moments when people feel stuck, to be the fragrance of Christ. We don't need to be annoying Pollyannas (who would be thrown right off the Metro anyway), but free spirits who can lead and turn the tide, rather than follow along on the lazy downward spiral of negativity. What it takes is a purposeful, daily decision on our part to be the one. Then follows the creative question in the bad situation, a smile, compassion, a little humor that suggests that we need not take our small selves so seriously -- a look upward and outward, where the vistas of God's great love call us to come and enjoy him, now and forever.

This week, let the day of Thanksgiving return you to a life of thanksgiving. It makes all the difference in your heart and your witness.

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for...

Song of the Week, posted every Sunday.
Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

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Thanks by Tom Goodman November 25, 2009 Rudyard Kipling was being interviewed by a somewhat cynical reporter. "I understand that the money you make from your writings amounts to over one hundred dollars a word." Mr.Kipling responded with surprise. "Really, I had no idea." "Here's a one hundred dollar bill," the newspaperman retorted. "Give me one of your hundred dollar words." Kipling took the hundred dollar bill, quietly folded it up, said, "Thanks," and walked away. Yep, gratitude is precious. This Thursday is a good time to remember that. In this chapter of our family story, as Diane recovers from surgery, we give thanks for friends and extended family members for praying for us, checking on us, and assisting us. Looking above, we are grateful for God's faithfulness, demonstrated new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). What a difference a heart of gratitude can make, not only for your life but the lives of those around you. Ellen Vaughn recalls an incident on the Washington subway system in which a crowded train stalled on an underground track. Groans and outbursts from the stressed commuters began immediately. Accusations were hurled against anyone and everyone they could blame for this added hassle to their already-harried lives. And then something changed. Somewhere in that crowd a woman dropped one of her bulky packages, and a bottle of perfume shattered. As the luxurious fragrance wafted throughout the car, people smiled, relaxed, and started laughing with each other. Vaughn wrote: Followers of Jesus have the opportunity, in life's crowded moments when people feel stuck, to be the fragrance of Christ. We don't need to be annoying Pollyannas (who would be thrown right off the Metro anyway), but free spirits who can lead and turn the tide, rather than follow along on the lazy downward spiral of negativity. What it takes is a purposeful, daily decision on our part to be the one. Then follows the creative question in the bad situation, a smile, compassion, a little humor that suggests that we need not take our small selves so seriously -- a look upward and outward, where the vistas of God's great love call us to come and enjoy him, now and forever. This week, let the day of Thanksgiving return you to a life of thanksgiving. It makes all the difference in your heart and your witness. --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for... Song of the Week, posted every Sunday. Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.