Where did November go? I'm in awe of how fast time goes by as I get older. I've also come to realize that I waste way too much time. So as we prepare to enter a new month I feel over-stressed by the things that should get done. How was it that I was able to get ready for Christmas when I was working lots of hours?
I'm swallowed up in a to-do list that only I think is important. I have a pile of unwritten Christmas cards, addressed and stamped. My office and our closet are heaped with boxes and bags of gifts that wait to be wrapped. There are three red and green tubs in the middle of our living room, calling for me to take out the decorations and set up my nativity collection. John even put up the outside lights and our shepherd and sheep display for me. One of the first times ever that I didn't do it.
Even the preparations and Thanksgiving didn't feel right this year. I needed time with family all seated around me telling of their busy lives and sharing what is important to them. Instead I feel overcome and rushed by the details.
All of a sudden I feel the same sadness that clouded the Christmases of the past. It came rushing back as if it never left. How can that be? I'm missing my mother and father; I'm angry with myself for not making time to call my sister; I'm missing my childhood church and church family; I'm missing what can't be ever again.
I'm tired of hearing about the mess our country is in; the big mess. I wonder what in the world we have done to our country and what our grandchildren will inherit. There are missiles flying overhead and elected officials fighting and men degrading women in the news.
Instead of focusing on the important stuff: the scriptures that remind me of how Christ came to this earth, and all the prophesies that He fulfilled; and the wonderful truth that must be told in this season.
"I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear," (2 Timothy 4:1b-3 NIV).
Goodbye, November. I'm sad to see you go. Hello, December. Bring us news of a new baby born in Bethlehem, coming to save the world.
Oh, Lord, how badly we need Your good news. Heal us with Your nail-pierced hands. Love us with Your gracious heart. Guide us with Your living Word, each day; we pray. Amen.
SDG
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Monday, November 27, 2017
Still Thankful
Thanksgiving is past but our thanks-giving shouldn't stop now. We may feel we are all "prayed up" as far as giving thanks to God goes, but we are so far behind that I doubt we can ever catch up or be even. Everything in our lives is from God, created by God, and/or because of God alone.
In every moment we could give thanks for the blessings that fill our lives: for the breath of air that fills our lungs, for the beating of our heart that moves blood through our veins, for the powerful tool of our brain that tells us to move and thinks somewhere between 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day (this is highly debated on the Internet so choose your own number), for the recognition of sounds, and the ability to see the words on this computer or phone screen. And that just scratches the surface of what our physical bodies do for us! Think about it.
"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds," (Psalm 75:1 NIV).
(First, apologies to my Catholic friends, I do not intend to offend you.) Yesterday our pastor completed a sermon series on the Five Solas of the Reformation, corresponding with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 1517 nailing of the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Church door. The five issues that are considered nonnegotiable in the reformed church are: "sola Scripture: Scripture alone; sola gratis: grace alone, sola fide: faith alone; solus Christus: Christ alone; and soli Deo gloria: to the glory of God alone. On this we stake our lives and our eternity," (Rescuing The Gospel, last paragraph of Chapter 16 by Erwin W. Lutzer.
Pastor Adam showed a picture of a musical score by Johann Bach that revealed Bach signed each piece of music with the letters: SDG - soli Deo gloria - to the glory of God. Isn't that how we, too, should sign everything that we do in life? Should not every cookie we make be the best it can be; every sales call we make be as good as we can do it; every moment we spend with our children be filled with love and understanding; every leaf we rake be to the glory of God?
Truly it is to be our goal in all of life, to strive for perfection - or as close as we individually can get. Not all of us can achieve the perfection that Johann Bach reached in writing music; or that Michelangelo did in art; or Bill Gates reached in software architecture; or Albert Einstein achieved in physics; or whomever you consider the top of any category. However, we have our own gifts that we (me and God) polish and shine each day that we work at or use the gift.
I am still thankful, each day, for the blessings God places in my life. I'm thankful for the gift of writing; it is what God is molding and shaping me each day. I'm thankful I enjoy writing and I'm thankful I have the desire to grow and learn and be better and bring glory to God with each message I pen or type.
You can also read Psalm 136 whenever you seek to give thanks to the Lord God Almighty.
"Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen," (Psalms 72:18-19 NIV).
SDG soi Deo gloria - Glory of God alone!
In every moment we could give thanks for the blessings that fill our lives: for the breath of air that fills our lungs, for the beating of our heart that moves blood through our veins, for the powerful tool of our brain that tells us to move and thinks somewhere between 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day (this is highly debated on the Internet so choose your own number), for the recognition of sounds, and the ability to see the words on this computer or phone screen. And that just scratches the surface of what our physical bodies do for us! Think about it.
"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds," (Psalm 75:1 NIV).
(First, apologies to my Catholic friends, I do not intend to offend you.) Yesterday our pastor completed a sermon series on the Five Solas of the Reformation, corresponding with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 1517 nailing of the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Church door. The five issues that are considered nonnegotiable in the reformed church are: "sola Scripture: Scripture alone; sola gratis: grace alone, sola fide: faith alone; solus Christus: Christ alone; and soli Deo gloria: to the glory of God alone. On this we stake our lives and our eternity," (Rescuing The Gospel, last paragraph of Chapter 16 by Erwin W. Lutzer.
Pastor Adam showed a picture of a musical score by Johann Bach that revealed Bach signed each piece of music with the letters: SDG - soli Deo gloria - to the glory of God. Isn't that how we, too, should sign everything that we do in life? Should not every cookie we make be the best it can be; every sales call we make be as good as we can do it; every moment we spend with our children be filled with love and understanding; every leaf we rake be to the glory of God?
Truly it is to be our goal in all of life, to strive for perfection - or as close as we individually can get. Not all of us can achieve the perfection that Johann Bach reached in writing music; or that Michelangelo did in art; or Bill Gates reached in software architecture; or Albert Einstein achieved in physics; or whomever you consider the top of any category. However, we have our own gifts that we (me and God) polish and shine each day that we work at or use the gift.
I am still thankful, each day, for the blessings God places in my life. I'm thankful for the gift of writing; it is what God is molding and shaping me each day. I'm thankful I enjoy writing and I'm thankful I have the desire to grow and learn and be better and bring glory to God with each message I pen or type.
You can also read Psalm 136 whenever you seek to give thanks to the Lord God Almighty.
"Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen," (Psalms 72:18-19 NIV).
SDG soi Deo gloria - Glory of God alone!
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thankful For Jesus Christ
Blessings of Thanksgiving to you all!
A wonderful tradition at many Thanksgiving tables is for each individual to share one thing he/she is thankful for. Most often we hear "family" and "friends", "my job" or "retirement", or "our home". And these are all excellent answers. But of course there is so much more if we get down to the details. I've done some of that in my other November blogs. But today, instead of focusing on enumerating my blessings, I've chosen to pull back and take a big picture view and I saw Jesus Christ over the whole of my life.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Truly, it is God's will that we dwell in Christ Jesus our Savior. Jesus came to earth as God in human form. As a child he studied and lived among man. He was baptized, taught, performed miracles, healed the sick and even brought the dead back to life. Jesus became a friend to all and showed His love to all, yet there were those who rejected Him. They sent Him, wounded and beaten, to the cross where they crowned Him with a crown of thorns to mock Him. Yet, Jesus knew the cross was His to bear and He took His place for you and me so that our sins could forever be forgiven and so we could once again come into a relationship with our loving God. Jesus Christ's blood wiped away our sins and made us clean again. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song," (Psalm 95:2 NIV).
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name," (Psalm 100:4 NIV).
Today, I give thanks to God for my Savior, Jesus Christ. For without Him, my life is worthless and empty of joy. May our thanksgiving be pleasing to His ears today, in all the blessings we share.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).
Thank you Jesus Christ for giving Your perfect life as a sacrifice for my sinful one. You are my blessed Savior and I give thanks for You today and every day. Amen.
A wonderful tradition at many Thanksgiving tables is for each individual to share one thing he/she is thankful for. Most often we hear "family" and "friends", "my job" or "retirement", or "our home". And these are all excellent answers. But of course there is so much more if we get down to the details. I've done some of that in my other November blogs. But today, instead of focusing on enumerating my blessings, I've chosen to pull back and take a big picture view and I saw Jesus Christ over the whole of my life.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Truly, it is God's will that we dwell in Christ Jesus our Savior. Jesus came to earth as God in human form. As a child he studied and lived among man. He was baptized, taught, performed miracles, healed the sick and even brought the dead back to life. Jesus became a friend to all and showed His love to all, yet there were those who rejected Him. They sent Him, wounded and beaten, to the cross where they crowned Him with a crown of thorns to mock Him. Yet, Jesus knew the cross was His to bear and He took His place for you and me so that our sins could forever be forgiven and so we could once again come into a relationship with our loving God. Jesus Christ's blood wiped away our sins and made us clean again. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song," (Psalm 95:2 NIV).
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name," (Psalm 100:4 NIV).
Today, I give thanks to God for my Savior, Jesus Christ. For without Him, my life is worthless and empty of joy. May our thanksgiving be pleasing to His ears today, in all the blessings we share.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).
Thank you Jesus Christ for giving Your perfect life as a sacrifice for my sinful one. You are my blessed Savior and I give thanks for You today and every day. Amen.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Four Steps of Thankfulness
The week of Thanksgiving has arrived and as we approach Thanksgiving Day, between the thawing of the turkey, the baking of pumpkin pies, the setting of tables, and the stirring of gravy, we need to schedule some time to contemplate our thankfulness.
My Life Application Study Bible offers four "Elements of Thanksgiving" that I'd like to share in this blog. "1. Remembering what God has done, 2. Telling others about it, 3. Showing God's glory to others, and 4. Offering gifts of self, time, and resources". Thanksgiving Day can be a perfect example of these steps.
1. What has happened in 2017 that you are grateful for?
John, my husband, retired! What a blessing that has been. We had time for our granddaughters' basketball games, and a drive to Oklahoma to pick up a sheep. We were able to babysit for Piper and Graham a little more often and enjoyed Payton playing the flute in band, the violin in orchestra, and Bailey playing her cello, and Piper dancing in her first recital. Calvin showed the Grand Champion sheep in Central City and there were many more shows to follow. Paige graduated from Ogden High School and she has nearly completed her first semester at Iowa Central Community College. There was a Springer reunion, and the Boone County Fair. Then the Polk County Fair and on to the Iowa State Fair. The grandchildren excelled in our eyes. We visited a new church and joined the Lakeside Fellowship Starting Point group, and their Bible studies and Growth Groups; gaining new friends and Bible knowledge that keeps growing. There was a vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savana, Georgia. We enjoyed learning about rodeo in North Platte, NE, then more in Fort Dodge and at Iowa State as we proudly watched our granddaughter Paige compete. We found a new doctor in Ankeny, and have successfully passed all the old age tests, so far. That is just a scratch on the surface of a great year of blessings. There are so many more I could share.
2. I told you about the top things I am thankful for above.
3. I'm so thankful that God has allowed us to share another year with our family. We thank God for the gift of time to visit with friends and family; to play the Snoopy Dog House game with Piper; to go bowling with Graham; to experience the wonderful way our grandchildren are growing up with talents and good health. Thank you God for allowing us these gifts of joy. We give you the glory for all of these blessings, for we know they all come from You.
4. Finally, we are able to share our gifts when John helps set up for church and I help with childcare; I can cook up lamb and turkey, potatoes and gravy, and home-frozen corn, and pumpkin pies for our family gathering; and occasional ham balls, pies, cookies, and cakes for those in need. John helps Brady with chores to try and lighten his load, or when he is away. I give blood as often as I am able. We can babysit so family members get a break, and I write letters, and blogs, hoping to bring joy or comfort, and love to those I care about.
Perhaps you can walk through these four steps of thankfulness this week. May you realize just how blessed your life is and that all of your gifts come from God.
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done...Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced...Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens...Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever," (1 Chronicles 16:8, 12, 23-26, 34 NIV).
Amen.
My Life Application Study Bible offers four "Elements of Thanksgiving" that I'd like to share in this blog. "1. Remembering what God has done, 2. Telling others about it, 3. Showing God's glory to others, and 4. Offering gifts of self, time, and resources". Thanksgiving Day can be a perfect example of these steps.
1. What has happened in 2017 that you are grateful for?
John, my husband, retired! What a blessing that has been. We had time for our granddaughters' basketball games, and a drive to Oklahoma to pick up a sheep. We were able to babysit for Piper and Graham a little more often and enjoyed Payton playing the flute in band, the violin in orchestra, and Bailey playing her cello, and Piper dancing in her first recital. Calvin showed the Grand Champion sheep in Central City and there were many more shows to follow. Paige graduated from Ogden High School and she has nearly completed her first semester at Iowa Central Community College. There was a Springer reunion, and the Boone County Fair. Then the Polk County Fair and on to the Iowa State Fair. The grandchildren excelled in our eyes. We visited a new church and joined the Lakeside Fellowship Starting Point group, and their Bible studies and Growth Groups; gaining new friends and Bible knowledge that keeps growing. There was a vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina and Savana, Georgia. We enjoyed learning about rodeo in North Platte, NE, then more in Fort Dodge and at Iowa State as we proudly watched our granddaughter Paige compete. We found a new doctor in Ankeny, and have successfully passed all the old age tests, so far. That is just a scratch on the surface of a great year of blessings. There are so many more I could share.
2. I told you about the top things I am thankful for above.
3. I'm so thankful that God has allowed us to share another year with our family. We thank God for the gift of time to visit with friends and family; to play the Snoopy Dog House game with Piper; to go bowling with Graham; to experience the wonderful way our grandchildren are growing up with talents and good health. Thank you God for allowing us these gifts of joy. We give you the glory for all of these blessings, for we know they all come from You.
4. Finally, we are able to share our gifts when John helps set up for church and I help with childcare; I can cook up lamb and turkey, potatoes and gravy, and home-frozen corn, and pumpkin pies for our family gathering; and occasional ham balls, pies, cookies, and cakes for those in need. John helps Brady with chores to try and lighten his load, or when he is away. I give blood as often as I am able. We can babysit so family members get a break, and I write letters, and blogs, hoping to bring joy or comfort, and love to those I care about.
Perhaps you can walk through these four steps of thankfulness this week. May you realize just how blessed your life is and that all of your gifts come from God.
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done...Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced...Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens...Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever," (1 Chronicles 16:8, 12, 23-26, 34 NIV).
Amen.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Thankful For Family
During this month of thankfulness I cannot help but make note of family. I am blessed with a wonderful family: my husband; my three sisters, their husbands and their children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; two sons and their wives; six grandchildren ages 4 to 19; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law; two aunts; and many cousins. How can I want for family?
Well, at this season of holidays, especially, I mourn the absence of our parents. I'm so thankful for the years we had with them but I still long to sit with them again. I long to hear those often repeated stories once more, and I wish I could ask the long list of questions I've thought of since their passing. I want to tell them the latest antics and successes of our grandchildren. I want to hear their words of encouragement. And bow down to embrace them and never let go.
I didn't intend to go that direction today, but perhaps God is reminding me to focus on the value and blessing of the family members I have. And I am so thankful for each person who has joined our family, through birth or marriage, because each person has brought a unique blessing to our family. I cherish memories we share and look forward to making more.
But most of all, I pray for each member of our family to establish their own relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. Because I want to be with them eternally. I want us all to be together in the presence of Jesus, sharing His joy, unlike anything we can imagine. What a day that will be!
Paul's prayer written to the Ephesians, is my prayer for members of my family and for my extended family of God, of which I include you:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God," (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV).
Amen.
Well, at this season of holidays, especially, I mourn the absence of our parents. I'm so thankful for the years we had with them but I still long to sit with them again. I long to hear those often repeated stories once more, and I wish I could ask the long list of questions I've thought of since their passing. I want to tell them the latest antics and successes of our grandchildren. I want to hear their words of encouragement. And bow down to embrace them and never let go.
I didn't intend to go that direction today, but perhaps God is reminding me to focus on the value and blessing of the family members I have. And I am so thankful for each person who has joined our family, through birth or marriage, because each person has brought a unique blessing to our family. I cherish memories we share and look forward to making more.
But most of all, I pray for each member of our family to establish their own relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior. Because I want to be with them eternally. I want us all to be together in the presence of Jesus, sharing His joy, unlike anything we can imagine. What a day that will be!
Paul's prayer written to the Ephesians, is my prayer for members of my family and for my extended family of God, of which I include you:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God," (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV).
Amen.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Thankful for God's Word
Today I am reminded of an image of my Grandmother Springer sitting at her desk with her Bible and her journal. I have that white, King James Version Bible on my bookshelf. Grandma has a notation inside that she purchased the Bible at a book sale at church and that "it goes to Gloria," dated Nov. 25, 1970. Though I don't use it, I pulled it out today to see if, by chance, she had any markings in Psalm 119. She did not, however, she had marked with parenthesis Psalm 118:29, the verse just ahead of 119. "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever," (KJV). Perfectly appropriate for this blog.
"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word," (Psalm 119:15-16 NIV).
I have nearly 20 Bibles on that book shelf in numerous versions that I have studied through the years. I always have mixed emotions when I switch to a new Bible because I lose whatever notations I've made in the previous version. It would be fun to be able to compare them all and see what scriptures stood out to me at different times in my life.
"Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word," (Psalm 119:33-37 NIV).
I grew up using a Revised Standard translation, and in youth group we used a Good News For Modern Man New Testament. Then I received a Living Bible translation that I used when I first joined a neighborhood Bible study group as a young adult.
"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103 NIV).
In 1993 I switched to a red-letter edition, NIV Women's Devotional Bible that is very well used. In 1997, I got The New Oxford Annotated Bible NRSV. I believe this was purchased for a college course I was taking and when I got to Iowa State, one of my religion courses required using the same Bible only with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, so I had to get another. The second Bible shows lots of wear and reflection through many of the books.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path," (Psalm 119:105 NIV).
In 2006 I purchased a Life Application Study Bible NIV, and I have read it through twice and used it for many different studies. It is the one I use now.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures," (Psalm 119:89-90 NIV).
No matter which Bible I use, the Word speaks to me as a message from God. I love that God's Word will stand for generations. I am so thankful that the Word of God connects me to my Heavenly Father and provides me wisdom and guidance for every day of my life.
"May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight," (Psalm 119:171-174 NIV).
May the Word of God speak to you today and guide you and bless you all the days of your life.
Thank you, Lord, for your Word. Amen.
"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word," (Psalm 119:15-16 NIV).
I have nearly 20 Bibles on that book shelf in numerous versions that I have studied through the years. I always have mixed emotions when I switch to a new Bible because I lose whatever notations I've made in the previous version. It would be fun to be able to compare them all and see what scriptures stood out to me at different times in my life.
"Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word," (Psalm 119:33-37 NIV).
I grew up using a Revised Standard translation, and in youth group we used a Good News For Modern Man New Testament. Then I received a Living Bible translation that I used when I first joined a neighborhood Bible study group as a young adult.
"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103 NIV).
In 1993 I switched to a red-letter edition, NIV Women's Devotional Bible that is very well used. In 1997, I got The New Oxford Annotated Bible NRSV. I believe this was purchased for a college course I was taking and when I got to Iowa State, one of my religion courses required using the same Bible only with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, so I had to get another. The second Bible shows lots of wear and reflection through many of the books.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path," (Psalm 119:105 NIV).
In 2006 I purchased a Life Application Study Bible NIV, and I have read it through twice and used it for many different studies. It is the one I use now.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures," (Psalm 119:89-90 NIV).
No matter which Bible I use, the Word speaks to me as a message from God. I love that God's Word will stand for generations. I am so thankful that the Word of God connects me to my Heavenly Father and provides me wisdom and guidance for every day of my life.
"May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight," (Psalm 119:171-174 NIV).
May the Word of God speak to you today and guide you and bless you all the days of your life.
Thank you, Lord, for your Word. Amen.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Thankful for Friends
I am so thankful for friends. I have been blessed by many friends, some I have know since grade school, others I got to know as co-workers, some I met in college. Some friends I got to know because our kids went to school together, others from organizations I belonged to, and others became friends through church or Bible studies. Throughout my life, friends have been my supporters, encouragers, mentors, confidants, and prayer warriors.
"A friend loves at all times," (Proverbs 17:17a NIV).
My friends have shown love to me in so many ways. But those friends I share my faith with are the closest friends. There is a special bond that draws believers together and that is knowing Jesus. It occurs to me that I don't have many pictures with my friends. During this age of technology and selfies, I really need to make a point of taking a picture when I'm with friends. I'm going to make that a goal in the future.
The picture I'm sharing is so precious to me. Lavon and I drove to Illinois to visit our close friend Garla in September 2012. We lost our dear friend on Feb. 27, 2013. I met Garla in a Friendship Bible Coffee when our sons were in preschool together. We shared countless hours together in prayer, sitting on hard bleachers during baseball, football and basketball games, in the car, in a volunteer group at our boys' elementary school, and especially in our neighborhood Bible studies.
When I was so depressed that I couldn't live my life any more, Garla prayed for me without ceasing and called me every day. Even when I couldn't speak and all I did was cry, she would encourage me with her love and her faith. When I was in the hospital for weeks, she sent cards and letters to me. She didn't reject me or shun me. She stood at my side and helped me re-enter the world.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you," (John 15:13 NIV).
Lord, please watch over each of my friends today. I am so thankful for the friends you have placed in my life and I am thankful for the faith that we share and for the love of Jesus Christ that we have in common. Amen.
"A friend loves at all times," (Proverbs 17:17a NIV).
 |
| Lavon, Gloria and Garla - Friends Forever |
My friends have shown love to me in so many ways. But those friends I share my faith with are the closest friends. There is a special bond that draws believers together and that is knowing Jesus. It occurs to me that I don't have many pictures with my friends. During this age of technology and selfies, I really need to make a point of taking a picture when I'm with friends. I'm going to make that a goal in the future.
The picture I'm sharing is so precious to me. Lavon and I drove to Illinois to visit our close friend Garla in September 2012. We lost our dear friend on Feb. 27, 2013. I met Garla in a Friendship Bible Coffee when our sons were in preschool together. We shared countless hours together in prayer, sitting on hard bleachers during baseball, football and basketball games, in the car, in a volunteer group at our boys' elementary school, and especially in our neighborhood Bible studies.
When I was so depressed that I couldn't live my life any more, Garla prayed for me without ceasing and called me every day. Even when I couldn't speak and all I did was cry, she would encourage me with her love and her faith. When I was in the hospital for weeks, she sent cards and letters to me. She didn't reject me or shun me. She stood at my side and helped me re-enter the world.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you," (John 15:13 NIV).
Lord, please watch over each of my friends today. I am so thankful for the friends you have placed in my life and I am thankful for the faith that we share and for the love of Jesus Christ that we have in common. Amen.
Monday, November 6, 2017
Thankful for Music
I added thirty items of thanksgiving to my notebook list of blessings since my blog on Thursday. There is so much that I tend to take for granted in this life. Journaling my blessings helps me develop a mindset of thankfulness. I'm so glad I started this practice again during this Thanksgiving month.
Yesterday at church I was reminded how much I am touched by Christian music. The worship and praise team led us in several of my favorite songs. The words were so uplifting and beautiful. I was especially touched by the song O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship. The words state a message I wish I could share with everyone I meet. The words lead the hearer to Jesus. Let me share just a few stanzas:
O Come to the Altar
Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling. Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well? Jesus is calling. O come to the altar. The Father's arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Leave behind your regrets and mistakes. Come today there's no reason to wait. Jesus is calling. Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy. From the ashes a new life is born. Jesus is calling. By songwriters: Christopher Brown / Wade Joye / Steven Furtick / Mack Brock.
I just love the promises given in this song. They are the promises revealed in scripture about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what He alone has done for us. For me and you! What a blessing and gift it is for someone to be able to put together the words and music and create such a beautiful message! I am so often amazed. I even have chills or goosebumps when I listen to the gift that God has given the author and musicians.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness," (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV).
One modern song that touches me especially during the Thanksgiving season is simply called, "Give Thanks" by Don Moen. This song states so simply the life as we should live it: thankfully. I will close with some of the stanzas and if you know it, may it repeatedly run through your mind all day long.
Give Thanks
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say, "I am strong". Let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us". Give thanks. We give thanks to You." By songwriters: Kenneth Paul Barker / Andy Cloninger / Clairer D. Cloninger / Henry Smith.
We give thanks. Amen.
Yesterday at church I was reminded how much I am touched by Christian music. The worship and praise team led us in several of my favorite songs. The words were so uplifting and beautiful. I was especially touched by the song O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship. The words state a message I wish I could share with everyone I meet. The words lead the hearer to Jesus. Let me share just a few stanzas:
O Come to the Altar
Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling. Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well? Jesus is calling. O come to the altar. The Father's arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Leave behind your regrets and mistakes. Come today there's no reason to wait. Jesus is calling. Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy. From the ashes a new life is born. Jesus is calling. By songwriters: Christopher Brown / Wade Joye / Steven Furtick / Mack Brock.
I just love the promises given in this song. They are the promises revealed in scripture about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what He alone has done for us. For me and you! What a blessing and gift it is for someone to be able to put together the words and music and create such a beautiful message! I am so often amazed. I even have chills or goosebumps when I listen to the gift that God has given the author and musicians.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness," (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV).
One modern song that touches me especially during the Thanksgiving season is simply called, "Give Thanks" by Don Moen. This song states so simply the life as we should live it: thankfully. I will close with some of the stanzas and if you know it, may it repeatedly run through your mind all day long.
Give Thanks
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say, "I am strong". Let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us". Give thanks. We give thanks to You." By songwriters: Kenneth Paul Barker / Andy Cloninger / Clairer D. Cloninger / Henry Smith.
We give thanks. Amen.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Practice Being Thankful
November is a month for giving thanks and what better time to count your blessings and start a gratitude journal. Several years ago my Bible study group read Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts" where she was challenged by a friend to write a list of one thousand blessings. We, too, began our own lists of blessings or gifts that we were thankful for. I started my list in January 2012 and continued it through our study and occasionally beyond. Mine surpassed 1000 and it is at 1,145 today with room to continue in my composition book.
I think I will continue my list this month. Voskamp introduced me to the word Eucharisteo which means thanksgiving. Jesus initiated the Eucharist, the Christian symbol of remembering Jesus' body and blood that was given for our sins so we could freely come to God in a personal relationship. How can we reflect on this greatest gift, given for our salvation, without being thankful?
David wrote in a psalm of thanks: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done," (1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV). My Life Application Study Bible says this song offers four elements that are common to thanksgiving: 1 - Remember what God has done for you. 2 - Tell others what God has done for you. 3 - Show God's glory to others. 4 - Offering your gifts to others. If we are truly thankful, others will notice it in our lives.
Another interesting correlation Voskamp makes with thanksgiving is that throughout the Bible, thanksgiving always preceded a miracle. One example is the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from death in John 11:41-44 NIV: "So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go.""
It is a good practice, to practice giving thanks. And November is a good month to begin. What are you thankful for today? Write down three things you are thankful for right now. I am thankful for my husband, the fragrance of leftovers being warmed in the microwave, and for God's guidance in writing this blog. I never really know what I am going to write about until I pray for God's direction.
Thank you, Lord, for being our God, for loving us so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. Fill our hearts today with gratitude for the many blessings you have placed in our lives. Open our eyes and ears to be alert and aware of just how many ways you bless our days. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, God!
I think I will continue my list this month. Voskamp introduced me to the word Eucharisteo which means thanksgiving. Jesus initiated the Eucharist, the Christian symbol of remembering Jesus' body and blood that was given for our sins so we could freely come to God in a personal relationship. How can we reflect on this greatest gift, given for our salvation, without being thankful?
David wrote in a psalm of thanks: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done," (1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV). My Life Application Study Bible says this song offers four elements that are common to thanksgiving: 1 - Remember what God has done for you. 2 - Tell others what God has done for you. 3 - Show God's glory to others. 4 - Offering your gifts to others. If we are truly thankful, others will notice it in our lives.
Another interesting correlation Voskamp makes with thanksgiving is that throughout the Bible, thanksgiving always preceded a miracle. One example is the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from death in John 11:41-44 NIV: "So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go.""
It is a good practice, to practice giving thanks. And November is a good month to begin. What are you thankful for today? Write down three things you are thankful for right now. I am thankful for my husband, the fragrance of leftovers being warmed in the microwave, and for God's guidance in writing this blog. I never really know what I am going to write about until I pray for God's direction.
Thank you, Lord, for being our God, for loving us so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. Fill our hearts today with gratitude for the many blessings you have placed in our lives. Open our eyes and ears to be alert and aware of just how many ways you bless our days. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, God!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)