gratitude | Craig T. Owens

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Your Spiritual Patellar Reflex

November 12, 2012 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

If you’ve ever been to a doctor’s office, you have probably experienced the patellar reflex test. It might be better known as the “knee-jerk reaction.” This is when the doctor taps your knee just below the kneecap to test your body’s involuntary response. How you respond (or don’t respond) tells the doctor a lot about your nervous system’s health.

Did you know that we have a spiritual patellar reflex too?

Consider this verse—

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

How you respond spiritually to stressful things says a lot about your spiritual knee-jerk reflex.

We see this spiritual knee-jerk reflex in the well-known story of Daniel in the lion’s den. Some of the guys who were jealous of Daniel trick the king into passing a law that forbids everyone from praying to anyone other than the king. Look at Daniel’s spiritual knee-jerk reflex:

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)

Daniel’s knee-jerk reaction was to hit his knees in prayer!

This is because hitting his knees in prayer was a spiritual habit for Daniel. Check out this key phrase: he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. The verb tense here is one that means unbroken continuity. In other words, Daniel always prayed, so when anxious times came his spiritual knee-jerk reflex was to do what he always did: Pray, giving thanks to God.

It’s this lifestyle that prompted me to coin the word givingthanksgiving. Giving thanks shouldn’t just be on Thanksgiving Day. It should be a regular activity. And if it is, hitting our knees in prayer will become our spiritual knee-jerk reflex as well.

I want to do better at living this way. I want to pass the spiritual knee-jerk reflex test just like Daniel did. How about you?

Check out the other message in this two-part series series here.

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Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: anxiety, Calvary Assembly of God, Daniel, gratitude, Philippians, prayer, reflex, sermon, thanksgiving, video, worry. 4 Comments »

givingthanksgiving

November 7, 2012 — Craig T. Owens

Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching, and families are already making their travel plans, and meal plans, and football-watching plans, and Black Friday shopping plans. Whew! That’s a lot to pack into one weekend!

So what if we don’t try to pack it into just one weekend?

What if we made sure that Thanksgiving was not just a day, but every day was a day of giving thanks?

What if giving thanks was more than just Thanksgiving?

That’s what we’ll be exploring and learning about from God’s Word over the next two Sundays. I hope you will be able to join me for this eye-opening, heart-challenging two-part series called givingthanksgiving.

And if you can’t join us in person, I challenge you to take some time to answer the question for yourself: What if giving thanks was more than just Thanksgiving? If this were true, how much sweeter your life would be!

If you missed either of the messages in this series, check them out here:

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, gratitude, sermon, thanksgiving. 1 Comment »

Thursdays With Oswald—A Moral Lavatory

April 26, 2012 — Craig T. Owens

This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.

A Moral Lavatory

The Bible does not deal with sin as a disease; it does not deal with the outcome of sin, it deals with the disposition of sin itself. … We have cheapened the doctrine of sin and made the Atonement a sort of moral ‘lavatory’ in which men can come and wash themselves from sin, and then go and sin again and come back for another washing. …

All Heaven is interested in the Cross of Christ, all Hell terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning.

From Biblical Ethics

This hits me in two areas.

First, as a sinner saved by grace. I am so grateful for the gift of grace. I want to treat this gift with all of the gratitude I can. It was purchased for me with such a high price: The blood of the sinless King of kings. May my sin break my heart as much as it breaks my Heavenly Father’s heart. I’m grateful grace is there when I blow it, but I don’t want to blow it ever again.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer described cheap grace like this:

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. … Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.”

Second, as a pastor who teaches about the atonement and grace. I know that I will have to give account before God if the people who hear me teach about these gifts are ones who “ignore its meaning.” I want to do everything I can to make sure everyone who listens to me understands the inestimable value of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

In his book Costly Grace, Jon Walker writes:

“Costly grace justifies the sinner: Go and sin no more. Cheap grace justifies the sin: Everything is forgiven, so you can stay as you are.”

Grace is powerful stuff. May we always treat it that way.

Posted in Pastoring, Uncategorized. Tags: atonement, Book of James, Cross, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, grace, gratitude, Jon Walker, Oswald Chambers, quotes, sin. Leave a Comment »

God’s Gifts

November 30, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

This is the time of year for gift giving. Everyone is out looking for the perfect gift to give to a loved one, co-worker, or friend.

Can you imagine going through all of the work of finding the right gift, paying your hard-earned money for it, wrapping it up, delivering it to the recipient, and then watching them set it aside unopened?!

Or how about the one who opens the gift, but doesn’t show any gratitude at all?!

Or the one who says a sincere “Thank you!” but then puts the gift on the shelf and never touches it again?!

Christmas is the time we think about the greatest gift of all—God’s gift of His only Son. But this isn’t the only gift God gives. In fact, He is a lavish Gift Giver. So the key questions are:

Are you opening His gifts to you?
Are you showing Him how grateful you are for His gifts?
Are you using His gifts?

I’m starting a brand new series this Sunday, and going all the way until Christmas morning, looking at God’s Gifts. We’ll see what the Bible says about these gifts, including how to show our gratitude, and how to use them in a way that honors the Gift Giver.

I hope you can join us!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, Christmas, God's gift, gratitude, Jesus Christ, sermon. Leave a Comment »

Thanksgiving Leftovers

November 25, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

I read a couple of blog posts yesterday, and I wanted to share some great Thanksgiving reminders with you. After all, yesterday wasn’t the only day of the year to give thanks, right?

Dr. Tim Elmore offers a great question for determining what we’re really thankful for: What have I been talking about recently that expresses my gratitude?

“Pause for a moment and think about it. You would likely never talk to a stranger downtown in a big city—unless you lost your child and can’t find them anywhere. Suddenly, you’ll talk to anyone who will listen and help.

“You probably wouldn’t talk to a person who lived in another neighborhood that you’ve never met, unless you saw their house on fire. Suddenly, it changes everything. You would gladly find a way to intrude and warn them.

“The reason you would talk to those people is because you feel strongly about your child and about the safety of people. That is a conviction in your life. Convictions are deeper than ideas or opinions. They are strongly held beliefs that you take action for, and perhaps would even die for.”

Seth Godin suggests that the best way to show how thankful we are is to do good work.

“For every person reading this there are a thousand people (literally a thousand) in underprivileged nations and situations that would love to have your slot. Don’t waste it.”

And Mark Driscoll shares “some verses from the Bible on thankfulness for you to digest on this day of feasting.”

But the most important quote I’m focusing on is this—

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:2)

I’m determined to be a man who gives thanks every day!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Bible, Dr. Tim Elmore, gratitude, Mark Driscoll, Psalm, Seth Godin, thankfulness, thanksgiving. Leave a Comment »

Happy Thanksgiving From George Washington

November 24, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me ‘to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’

“NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

“And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

“GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.”

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: American history, blessing, George Washington, gratitude, history, prayer, thanksgiving. 1 Comment »

Calendar Update

November 11, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Great things happening around Cedar Springs again this weekend:

Veterans Day Celebration → A huge Chinook helicopter will be landing on Skinner Field at 11am, a memorial service at Veterans Memorial Park at 1pm, and a special American Legion flag raising ceremony at Metron at 3pm. Come honor our veterans.

Overflowing With Thanks → We’re kicking off a brand new series at Calvary Assembly of God, as we lead up to Thanksgiving Day. There is such a power when we live our lives focused on all of the blessings we have received. When thanksgiving is a lifestyle — not just a day — we’re living the way God intends. Join us at 10:30am on Sunday morning.

Courageous → The Cedar Springs Ministerial Association has partnered with the Kent Theatre to offer a special showing of Courageous on Monday, November 14, at 7pm. If you cannot make this one, this incredible movie will be shown throughout the weekend (check the website or Facebook page for exact times). Tickets are just $3.

I hope you have a great weekend relaxing and recharging for another productive week!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, Cedar Springs, gratitude, movie, veterans, weekend. Leave a Comment »

I Didn’t Choose This

June 8, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Hello, my name is Craig Owens and I’m a pastor. I wasn’t a PK (pastor’s kid). This isn’t the profession I chose for myself. I envisioned myself doing other things, but God had different plans for me.

He called, and I said “yes.” He called me to be a pastor and so He equipped me for the pastorate. I can relate to what the Apostle Paul wrote—

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News. (Ephesians 3:7)

Paul, too, didn’t choose be a minister telling people about Jesus Christ. But God had different plans for him.

And so, since God has called me to do this, I must do it to the best of my ability. I don’t have the natural ability for it, I simply have God’s grace and mighty power. And to that grace and power I must add my best effort—

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, AMP)

I like the counsel of Charles Spurgeon:

“Again, the theme of a minister should be Christ Jesus in opposition to mere doctrine. Some of my good brothers are always preaching doctrine. Well, they are right in so doing, but I would not care myself to have as the characteristic of my preaching doctrine only. I would rather have it said, ‘He dwelled much upon the person of Christ and seemed best pleased when he began to tell about the atonement and sacrifice. He was not ashamed of the doctrines; he was not afraid of threatening. But he seemed as if he preached the threatening with tears in his eyes, and the doctrine solemnly as God’s own Word. But when he preached of Jesus, his tongue was loosened, and his heart was at liberty.’”

I didn’t choose this, but God chose me. And for that I am extremely humbled and grateful.

Posted in Pastoring. Tags: 2 Timothy, apostle Paul, calling, Charles Spurgeon, Ephesians, equipping, God's call, gratitude, humility, lifelong learner, Pastor, pastoring, quote. Leave a Comment »

Miracle Breaths

March 9, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

In the midst of his despair, Job uttered this amazing truth about God:

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. When He passes me, I cannot see Him; when He goes by, I cannot perceive Him.

The wonders of God are all around me, His miracles occurring moment by moment; breath by breath.

Reflect for a moment on the miracle of your next breath…

Your brain coordinates nerves and muscles to aid in breathing in oxygen.
Both atriums and ventricles in your heart squeeze in perfect rhythm to circulate blood.
The valves between atriums and ventricles open and shut at the precise moment to allow blood to move forward, but not backward.
Red blood cells supercharged with hemoglobin bind to freshly inhaled oxygen molecules.
More red blood cells carrying carbon dioxide move toward the lungs, and release their passengers at the perfect time and place to be exhaled from your body.
Your brain coordinates nerves and muscles to aid in breathing out carbon dioxide.

If I’m exercising, this whole process accelerates. If I’m sleeping, this whole process slows.

This goes on breath by breath by breath throughout your entire life, all without your conscious effort.

It’s a wonder that cannot be fathomed, a miracle that cannot be counted!

This seemingly “little” miracle keeps me alive, yet when was the last time I stopped to praise God for it? I am a man of pitiful praise. I need to be more aware of God’s miracles and wonders around me. I need to become a man of perpetual praise.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: gratitude, health, job, medical science, miracles, praise, thankfulness, wonder, worship. Leave a Comment »

Home From The E.R.

January 15, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

It’s 1:35am and we just got back home from the emergency room. Brandon was sledding at a friend’s birthday party this evening and gashed open his cheek when he collided with a tree branch. Not a very fun way to end an evening with friends!