Thankful for Family

Today I am so thankful for my family. My sisters and I became orphans in 2006 when our father joined our dear mother in heaven. Mama died in 1999. The years following were some of the hardest times I ever endured. But here I am. Though I will never get over the loss of my parents, I am blessed to have three sisters. Together we stand strong, holding each other up in love and in prayer.

On Saturday we gathered for our sister thanksgiving day. It has been a rough year. A sister's broken hip, another sister's knee replacement, my husband's cancer recurrence and treatments, the difficult adjustment to a nursing home by one sister and her husband, and the signs of dementia in another sister. Yet, we are able to smile as we gather together.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be," (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV).

Lord God, thank You for creating families. I am so blessed to share beginnings and history with my siblings. We can laugh and cry together without saying a word. That's the way it is with You, too. You know everything about us without us speaking a single sentence. We are Your children. We are never orphans. We are in the family of God. We thank You for the blessings You bestow. Be with us today as we walk with Jesus and praise You. Amen.

#1050

Praise Him

When I was growing up in the church one of the first songs I learned was the "Doxology". It was sung every Sunday after the offering plates were passed and presented. This was before the time of contemporary worship; services were uniform and traditional. Repetition is a great way to learn and it has been said that the "Doxology" has done more to teach the doctrine of the Trinity than all the theology books ever written.

Praising God is necessary as we maintain an attitude of thanksgiving this month, especially. The "Doxology" was written by Thomas Ken in 1709. The music was called "Old Hundredth" tune. Ken was an outspoken Anglican bishop whom King Charles II appointed as one of his chaplains. An historian said, "He came as near to the ideal of Christian perfection as human weakness permits".

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord," (Psalm 150:6 NIV)

The "Doxology" words will have many of you singing instead of just reading, and like me you probably won't need the words to follow.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Dear Father, we lift our hands in praise to You as we begin a new day. Thank you for all the blessings You present to us daily. Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear the things around us that You have given. You are so good to us! 

A Day of Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11 as a federal holiday in the United States. It honors all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. November 11, 1918 is regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars". Cease fighting of World War I went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In November 1919 President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day. The United States Congress passed a resolution in 1926 that included:

"Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;".

John's Great Grandfather was a veteran of the Civil War. John Hower Stewart enlisted as a private in Company H of the 4th Regiment Army of the Iowa Infantry and was drafted for a one-year term of service in October 1864 in Davenport, Iowa. He enlisted as a substitute for a wealthy man who paid Stewart so he could stay out of the draft.  He served in campaigns in Georgia and battles in Columbia, South Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina, and the march with General Sherman to the sea.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free," (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV).

O, God, we lift up our Veterans today and thank them for their dedicated service. We ask that You touch their lives and bring healing to their hearts today for all the horrifying things they experienced in war. Only You, Lord, can restore their wellness. Help them feel honored today, and help us show the respect they deserve. We thank You, Lord, for Your presence. Amen.

Mindful Blessings

It is the season of thankfulness. I like to start focusing on my blessings as we enter the month of Thanksgiving. I like to follow Ann Voskamp's example in her book, "One Thousand Gifts". Ann begins listing the gifts God has bestowed on her life. Starting with small things that she doesn't even realize are gifts until she writes them down. 

I can do that too. It is the perfect time to do that. Looking outside: the trees begin to bare their branches, the flowers have been frosted several times, and the ground is covered with leaves damp from the rains we have received. The beauty of fall is fading and winter is peeking around the corner.

1. The musty smell of wet leaves

2. A warm house

3. A cup of hot tea

4. The iMac on my desk that still works at 13 years old

Each morning I wake up there are gifts from God that overwhelm my heart. The little things I take for granted and don't even notice most days, I now see.

5. Hot water from a faucet

6. A toothbrush

7. Hair on my head, though thinning it seems

8. A sweet "Good morning" from John

Blessings surround us everyday. There is a beautiful contemporary Christian song by Matt Maher and Seph Schlueter called, "Counting My Blessings." The words speak to me so deeply. If you get a chance to listen to it I hope it touches your heart, too.

In the book of Joshua, the people gathered as the Covenant was renewed as Moses the servant of the Lord had instructed to bless the people of Israel.

"Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law--the blessings and the curses--just as it is written in the Book of the Law," (Joshua 8:34 NIV).

Lord and Father of all that exists, thank You for today. Help us to be mindful of our blessings throughout the day. Keep our minds on You; be our focus, our center each moment. Remind us of Your Son Jesus and His gift of Salvation. We thank You for each and every blessing You give us. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Decisions

Just two more days and the political commercials will be finished. I don't think I'm the only one who is ready to have the ads stop. Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. Many people have already voted by absentee ballot or in person at the election office in their home county. 

General election day is held the first Tuesday of November. That is a United States federal law established in 1845. Presidential elections are held every four years for all qualified voters, no matter your party affiliation, your gender or your race. Each of us has the power to elect. It is a privilege to complete one ballot for all United States citizens, 18 years old on or before election day, not convicted of a felony (unless voting rights have been reinstated), or "incompetent to vote" as deemed by a court of law.

The scripture as written by Joel prophesied to the people of Judah to turn their lives back to God and receive forgiveness for their sins. They had a life-changing decision to make.

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision," (Joel 3:14 NIV).

Our votes will not be as life-changing as the decision we make to follow Jesus. Our decision to be like Jesus is reflected in our lives, our actions, our love, our integrity, our honesty and our kindness. That is indeed life-changing. God wants us to please Him in everything we do, including every decision we make.

Dear Lord, We desire to follow Your Will for our lives. You have entrusted us with the ability to make decisions and You allow us to make mistakes. Help us, Lord, to follow You in all we do or say. Heal our broken and hurting country, and give us peace. We trust in You alone, Lord. Guide us and love us through whatever lies ahead. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. 

Like a Little Child

Goodbye October. The Trick-or-Treaters come tonight in Ankeny. It is very unusual for cities to change the day of Trick-or-Treating, but because of the storms predicted they moved it from last night. And it was a good thing. There were downpours and lightening and wind and even tornado watches last evening. Thank you, Ankeny, for protecting the children. 

As grandparents, we are to guide our grandchildren (and other children) toward Christ by our example, our words, and our actions of kindness and love. Children are so easy to love. Their innocence requires us to be accountable for teaching them about Jesus and the Word. Children are dependent upon the adults around them. Children trust the people near them. They are humble and sincere. They are a blessing to us and we are to be like them.

"Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me,"" (Matthew 18:2-5 NIV).

As the children come to our doors tonight, dressed in costumes we may not even recognize, we need to show them kindness in our words and actions, and with our treats. They will bring smiles and laughter, and riddles to solve. They will delight us with their excitement and eyes of wonder.

Dear Lord, help us be beacons of light to the children we meet today. We pray for the little ones to learn about You and to trust in us and in You. Protect the children as they are out traveling through our neighborhoods tonight. Keep them safe and shelter them from anything or anyone who might make them stumble in their faith. Lord, we pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

More Like Jesus

 I want to be more like Jesus. 

Every day I start out ready to be like Him, then I mess up somehow. I say or do the wrong thing. I know I can never be perfect but I'd sure like to be a little closer to being without defect.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me," (John 15:4 NIV).

Remain in me, Heavenly Father, lead me to do the right things and say only good words. Let the Holy Spirit work in me and lead me to righteousness. Use me to shine Your love upon the little part of the world that I touch. Show me the Way in all I do. Make me more like Jesus. Amen.

An old hymn that speaks the message I need to hear today is "More Like Jesus Would I Be" written by Fanny J. Crosby and William H. Doane in 1867. The words follow:

"More like Jesus would I be, Let my Savior dwell in me; Fill my soul with peace and love, Make me gentle as a dove; More like Jesus while I go, Pilgrim in this world below; Poor of spirit would I be; Let my Savior dwell in me. If He hears the raven's cry, If His ever watchful eye Marks the sparrows when they fall, Surely He will hear my call: He will teach me how to live, All my sinful thoughts forgive; Pure in heart I still would be; Let my Savior dwell in me. More like Jesus when I pray, More like Jesus day by day; May I rest me by His side, Where the tranquil waters glide; Born of Him, through grace renewed, By His love my will subdued, Rich in faith I still would be; Let my Savior dwell in me."

It is a new week, and a new day to follow Him and welcome Him to remain in me. I'm thankful I don't have to walk alone in this life. Remain in me, Jesus. Make me more like You.