10 strange things that I am thankful for this year

When people make a list of things that they are thankful for there are normal things that hit the list. If I sit down normally and just start writing a list there is going to be: My relationship with God, my family, the Bible, my donor etc. But I have a journal method that has me coming up with 5 things I am thankful for at the end of the day. When you do something like that you start adding things that are a little more surprising. I also learn that the “little” things are important as well. Here are ten things I am thankful for today.

Multi-color pens: Right out of the gate you need to remember that I am a nerd so you will probably have cooler things on your list. But I love these pens. They especially come in handy when I am reading the Bible. If I underline something in green I know that I think of it as a blessing and something in red as something God is trying to say to me that day.

Audio learning: Since I was a kid I would listen to the Bible on audio. Now days when I am taking a ministry trip in the car there is a buffet of learning options. Along with listening to my Bible I can learn all sorts of things on audio books and podcasts. On one trip to Iowa I got through most of a Bible college class.

Goals that are difficult: Some days I may not be as thankful for this as on other days. But God keeps stretching my faith with this ministry. If He never gave me assignments that stretched me I might never grow. I also would not accomplish all that He would have for me in this life and I want to impact as many as possible.

That my father became an immigrant to the USA: 47 years ago my father got on a plane and came to the United States to go to Bible college. It was there that he met my mother. He left all of his family back in Sri Lanka to get more education to serve God. I am grateful that he left his comfort zone or I would not be here today.

Both my parents looking past cultural and racist bias of the world: Again I would not be here today if my white northern Minnesotan mother had not married a person from a totally different culture and background than her own. Not only am I here today because of that, but it has shaped the way that I look at the world.

Verse numbers in the Bible: I know that some people don’t like the numbers because it impacts the flow of the reading, but most days I love it. It helps me find things that I am looking for when I need it. It also helps me with my nerdy memorization that I have talked about elsewhere.

Hotel and Airline Miles: I have already been able to see more of the world than most people will see in their lifetime. Part of the reason for that is my hobby of hotel and airline miles. Thank you Delta Skymiles! (Note-If anyone from Delta is reading this feel free to send me some extra points for this promotion.)

Social media friendships: Although there is often a dark, sad side to social media I am grateful for connections that I am able to keep up with of people around the world. I still remember when I lived overseas as a missionary kid and it took 2 weeks to get a letter from home. While I am at it I am thankful for a nerd pastors group that I am apart of that brings a little fun to the day.

The failures I had as a pastor: I was a senior pastor for about nine years before starting this ministry back in 2005. I was pastor of three churches. Two of them closed and the other one didn’t go so well. But I am grateful for that for two reasons. First it makes me able to relate to the challenge ministry leaders face in a very real way. The other reason I am glad those didn’t go well is that I wouldn’t be in this ministry today if they had.

You: I mean it is kind of pointless to be writing if no one is reading. And if you are reading this it means that you at least skimmed the article to get down to this point and for that I am grateful. God drops all sorts of little gifts in our life as we go though the day. Let me encourage you to try to find them. And as you open them let your heart be filled with thankfulness for all, and I mean all, that He has given.

A Real Super Power That Could Change Your Life

For my mutual nerd friends, we sometimes may not feel powerful, but we like our superheroes. What if you really had a superpower?  I want you to know that thanksgiving in prayer has superpowers.

1. Thanksgiving protects you from the dreaded “Woe is me” blues Super Villain.

Our life can turn into a death spiral of despair if we are not careful. Thankfulness helps us take the turn out of the death loop and launches us to a place of victory (even if the circumstances don’t change.)

2. Thanksgiving keeps you from turning God into the mighty Mr. Prayer Request Slot Machine.

Mr. Prayer Request Slot Machine is a real threat to a fun prayer life. We become like a whiny blob when under his power. Thankfulness to God frees us to experience a broader friendship with God than just asking.

3. Thanksgiving gives you super vision to see the activity of God in your life.

In Enjoying Prayer I write about my habit of writing down 5 things I am thankful to God for everyday. These are not always big things and are normally only a few words each. But knowing that my eyes lookout for that activity. How much do we miss without the super vision of thankfulness activated?

You may never fly through the air, but being thankful really is a superpower. Don’t be afraid to use your superpower friends!

“but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Prayers

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In my first year of college I was assigned to read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It is a classic book on effectiveness in life. But the seven habits can easily be applied to an effective prayer life as well.

1. Be proactive– It is important for people of prayer to understand their role in coming to God in prayer. I often teach that whenever you have a desire to pray it is probably coming from God. The question is will we not only follow those promptings, but also proactively set aside time to pray.

2. Begin with the end in mind-This is a powerful idea when coming to God in prayer. The end is eternity and life with God in heaven. That is a great place to start our thoughts thinking as we begin our prayer time.

3. Put first things first– I love to begin my prayer time with thanksgiving and praise to God. It shifts my perspective to a healthy place right from the start.

4. Think Win/Win -Building on the habits we already developed we pray for the Lord to win in the world. Jesus encouraged us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done.” Effective people who pray understand that is a win for them as well.

5. Seek first to understand then to be understoodListening before asking creates requests that change history. Starting with Scripture creates a foundation for powerful asking. This takes our prayer to a new level.

6. Synergize– This reminds me of two parts of effectiveness in prayer. First, I am reminded of the power of agreeing together with others in prayer. Second, it reminds that after hearing from God before asking we are actually working together with God.

7. Sharpen the Saw– We can always grow in our prayer life. That is why we create our resources. What will you do to learn and develop your prayer life?

Let me encourage you to take one of these habits and build it into your prayer life in the next month. See how your effectiveness increases.