Alternative thoughts on thankfulness

A few weeks ago, I wrote that all good things come from God and that we should be thankful for them. I emphasized "all". I still believe that. However, too many folks hijack the good things, abuse them, misuse them, and, by those actions, cheapen that which God has called good. Sex, laughter, strength, pleasure, etc., are not bad in themselves.  They are given by God.  Language, used appropriately, can bless, inspire, encourage, direct, help, teach, etc.  However, even language, when used inappropriately, can be degrading, even painful.  See, good things can be perverted and thereby cheapened and made less than God originally intended. Sex is a wonderful activity intended to bring two people into a pleasurable intimate relationship.  Yet, when the actual activity becomes the focus and we adopt an animalistic mental focus we destroy the original intent.  I really get frustrated with society's take on sex.  They have provided all sorts of "definitions" that allow for anything you want to do, taking away consequences by saying that those acting on their animal instincts only are doing what comes natural and so should be excused.  The adulterer is just doing what comes natural. Never mind the consequences.  What happens when the woman in that tryst becomes pregnant?  No problem.  We'll get rid of the evidence, because, after all, it's her body and she can do with it what she wants.  The homosexual is being (in the sex act?) "real".  Really?  The pedophile, masochist, sadist, etc., are excused because they are just doing what comes naturally.  Come off it!!!  We have been made "a little lower than the angels" (Psalms 8:5) and have been given the intelligence and emotional abilities to control that which "comes natural" to act in the realm of what is socially, morally, and ethically right.  Preacher or ball player, church member or not, we have the ability and have been given by our Creator the expectation to control ALL of our urges to be used appropriately.  The context of that verse in Psalms is really quite interesting.  The Psalmist writes, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."  We are God's crowning achievement in creation.  Everything else is below humanity in hierarchy.  Not the other way around.  Therefore, a man or woman who acts purely on the basis of their instincts are denying their own intelligence and God-given abilities.  I guess it just goes back to the premise of this whole blog - people ARE weird!  It's not even a matter of keeping things private.  Privacy doesn't change the act.  Whether in private or in public, bad behavior that is excused on the basis of our nature is misguided and damning.  By denying the Creator and us, as His creation, we think we give ourselves license to be and do anything we want.  Not so.  But, that's for another post at another time.