June 26, 2005

 

Mark Twain’s Favorite Word

I Thessalonians 5: 12-18

Introduction

Mark Twain was one of America’s favorite writers. He was truly a gifted man who had the ability to laugh at himself and life. How many examples do you need? When he wrote about procrastination he said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can put off until the day after tomorrow.” When writing about bad habits he said, “It’s easy to quit smoking. I have done it dozens of times.” When writing about being in good physical condition he wrote, “When I feel the urge to exercise, I sit down until the urge passes.” However, my favorite story about Mark Twain is about his favorite word.

At the height of his career Mark Twain received five dollars per word for every word that he wrote. One day he received a letter with a five dollar bill enclosed. The note accompanying the five spot simply said, “Dear Mr. Twain, Send me your favorite word. Mark Twain responded with a simple one-word letter: THANKS. That simple word became the theme of his entire life. If you had to pick a one-word theme for your life what would it be?

Body

We are instructed this morning from the fifth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. The reason he writes this letter is to encourage and instruct new converts. We heard their final instructions. Verses sixteen, seventeen and eighteen have been called the standing orders of the church. These are not recommendations. They are orders. These are things that the church is expected to do. Verse sixteen says we are expected to be joyful people. How much joy do people see in you when you come to church? Verse seventeen says we are expected to be a praying people. How much time do you spend in prayer? Verse eighteen says we are expected to be a thankful people in all circumstances. Now think about that. We are to be thankful in all circumstances. Thankful in all circumstances maybe the most difficult of the three.

It is not always easy to be thankful in this world. It is not easy to be thankful when your job disappears. It is not easy to be thankful when your kids announce they are getting a divorce. It is not easy to be thankful when you lose large amounts of money in the stock market or your health disappears. Do I have to go on? We are expected to be thankful in all circumstances. So how do you remain thankful? This morning I am going to give you three secrets on how to be thankful in all circumstances. You may not need these secrets today. You may be going through a great time in your life. I hope that is your story. However, save these secrets for a rainy day. You may need them. Are you ready for the secrets?

Secret Number One: Focus on the things you have. It is human nature to focus in on what we don’t have. It is easy to overlook what you have. Let me make a list for you. We live in a great country. Your health was good enough to get you here today. No one walked to church. You had the opportunity to eat breakfast and I am confident we are all going to each lunch. We have clean drinking water. We have families that love us and friends that support us. We have many blessings. We need to focus in on what we have, not what we don’t have.

Erma Bombeck in the October 1992 issue of Redbook reported that there are an estimated 1.5 million people living, after bouts with breast cancer. She was one of them. She said she felt bad for herself until she met an eight year old girl with cancer of the nervous system. When asked what she wanted for her birthday the little girl dropped her head and thought. She responded by saying, “I have two sticker books and a hamster. I have everything.” The kid was right. We need to focus in on what we have. We need to learn from that little girl.

Nadine Hammonds had the ability to memorize the entire New Testament. If you gave her a Bible verse, no matter how unknown, she could quote it. She would visit churches and entertain the crowds. I think that is amazing. What make it truly amazing is that Nadine is blind. She memorized those Bible verses with a Braille Bible. She wishes she could see a sunset or an ocean. She wishes she could see the leaves in the fall but she thanks God for giving her a quick mind. Her brother is an artist and decided to paint her portrait. When the work was done everyone noticed that her eyes were open. Why? “My sister sees more blind than most people with 20/20 vision. Paul says we are to thank God in all circumstances. How do you do that? The first secret is to focus in on what we have. Mark Twain’s favorite word was thanks. What is your favorite word?

Secret Number Two: Focus on the presence of God, not your present circumstances. It is easy to dwell on your problems. That is what the world does. Disciples are different. Disciples see the presence of God in all things.

The year was 1636. The place was Eilenburg, Germany. The Plague came to that walled community. History tells us that 40 to 50 people were dieing a day in that community. The only pastor in Eilenburg, Germany was forty-one year old Martin Rinkart. You do the math. In 1636 Martin Rinkart did approximately 18,000 funerals. Yet, in that same year, 1636, Martin Rinkart wrote one of the greatest hymns in the history of the church, Now Thank Thee All Our God. Now if Martin Rinkart could thank God after 18,000 funerals, couldn’t you in the midst of the troubles of your life? Secret number two says we need to focus on the presence of God. Mark Twain’s favorite word was thanks. What is your favorite word?

Secret Number Three: Focus on how to serve other people. Research tells us that people who serve other people live longer. People who think of someone other than themselves are happier. Who would have guessed it? Did you know the English word therapy comes from the Greek word “t-h-e-r-p-o-n? That word means servant. The best therapy is helping someone else and getting your mind off your own problems.

About the year 100AD the Romans built aqueducts in Spain. For generations people drank from those cool waters. They were a magnificent engineering feet and still served various communities. Considering, their age they were in good shape. Then someone got the big idea to retire the aqueducts. Cement was poured and iron pipes were laid. Within a few years people began to notice that the aqueducts began to crumble. The reason was the sun beating on the dry mortar. The timeless walls began to fall. What ages of service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. There is a story there for us. Paul says we are to give thanks in all circumstances. How do you do that? The first secret is to focus in on what you have. The second secret is to focus in on God in your troubles. The third secret is to serve other people. Mark Twain’s favorite word was thanks. What is your favorite word?

Conclusion

There is a story of a thirtieth high school reunion in West Virginia. The group had assembled and were talking about their high school days. Teachers’ names were brought up and stories were told. One who came back was a college professor. He had earned his Ph.D. in English and specialized in Tennyson. It was at that high school he first learned about Tennyson. He said, “Miss Simpson changed my life with her teaching.” Someone asked the professor if he ever thanked Miss Simpson. He said, “No. Maybe I will go home and write her.” A third person said, “It is too late. We lost her a few years ago.

Wouldn’t you like to tell someone today, “thanks!” Don’t wait until it is too late. Thanks for being my friend. Thanks for being my neighbor. Thank-you for being my hero. Thanks for being there. Thanks for that time you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Thanks for being my mom or dad. I know it wasn’t easy. Thanks for being my child. I am so proud of you. Thanks for being my spouse. You bring meaning to my life and a smile to my face. Perhaps a better question is wouldn’t you like to say thanks to God? He has given you everything! Paul says we are to give thanks in all circumstances. I am going to try to do just that. Mark Twain’s favorite word was thanks. What is yours?