Here in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving on Monday. Usually it is viewed as a wonderful family time, complete with too much turkey and stuffing. The American painter, Normal Rockwell, offers a famous work where it seems like everyone at the table is getting along and enjoying each others company. Sometimes it does look like that is true - at least from the outside. But often there are underlying tensions and relational conflicts that make any holiday more painful than joyful. David Mathis offers some wise counsel, inspired by Randy Newman’s book Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well. Here’s an outline: 1. Pray ahead. 2. Listen and ask questions. 3. Raise the gospel flag early. 4. Take the long view and cultivate patience. 5. Beware the self-righteous older brother in you. 6. Tell it slant. 7. Be real about the gospel. 8. Consider the conversational context. 9. Know your particular family situation. 10. Be hopeful. To that I would only also add, Be helpful. The gospel is seen in service. See Thanksgiving time like Jesus would have - not as an opportunity to be served, but to serve. For more information about that outline above, see: desiringgod.org/blog/posts/making-the-most-of-turkey-time-thanksgiving-on-mission--2
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:56:37 +0000
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