Where is my heart this Thanksgiving?

 

(James Tissot, The Pharisee and The Tax Collector)

Is it with the tax collector, who sees his sin and falls on his knees before you? (Luke 18)

 

Is my heart with David, full of thanks and praise for your glory? (Psalm 100)

 

Is it stubborn and independent, ignoring God and others and searching only for comfort and distraction?  (Jeremiah 17)

 

Is it satisfied in my achievements, both material and spiritual? With gratitude yes, but looking down on those whose choices and achievements are less impressive?  (Luke 18)

 

Going off of Jesus’ leper story, my heart has a one in ten chance of actually showing thanks. Not good odds, which shows the core problem.  (Luke 17)

 

My heart cannot see you, God. It cannot seek you, it cannot hold you. For it is a stone. (Ezekiel 36)

 

Before I can thank you, before I can praise you without hypocrisy, I must know your miracle to make my heart flesh.

Thinking and Responding

(Christ and the Woman of Samaria at the Well, 1640)

Art can be a way of thinking, especially when the thoughts cannot keep up with the input. When the words and the theories don't fit the experience. You know you want to say something, but you can't even think it properly.

Many people feel that in the current American experience. I know I do. 

I especially appreciate Jon Guerra, whose art (song, poetry) has captured and coalesced some of my swirling ideas. He is a thoughtful Christian artist wrestling with the words of Jesus as well as the culture and politics of today. Thank you, Jon!

Some of Jon's Songs: 

The American Gospel  (Spotify)  (Youtube Music)

Citizens  (Spotify)  (Youtube Music)

In the Beginning Was Love  (Spotify)  (Youtube Music)

Nothing to Say to the New York Times  (Spotify)  (Youtube Music)

And Russell Moore's podcast interview with Jon is also very good: (Russel Moore's site)   (Youtube Music)

Red Hill Mining Town

We'll scorch the earth

Set fire to the sky

And we stooped so low

To reach so high

                                      -U2 (Red Hill Mining Town,  
                                                                                     The Joshua Tree)

Harvest

I just love this photo my niece took in India.