A Song of Thanksgiving

"Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

To God the Creator triumphantly raise,

Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

Who guideth us on to the end of our days.

His banners are o'er us, His light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

'Til shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,

As forward we travel from light into light.

His law He enforces, the stars in their courses,

The sun in His orbit, obediently shine.

The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,

The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him Divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing,

With glad adoration a song let us raise,

'Til all things now living unite in thanksgiving

To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!

                                                                              -Katherine K. Davis

Those are the words to a hymn titled "Let All Things Now Living", written by Katherine K. Davis and typically sung to a traditional Welsh melody.  It's one of those hymns we don't sing in church any more, and that makes me sad.  And before you get ready to jump all over me, I'm not trying to make some blanket anti-new-music kind of statement. I'm not anti-new-music as much as I am anti- ignoring older music! Much of what we hear and sing in our churches these days that would be classified as "new" or "contemporary" is music that I like very much.  But not all of it is good.  Some of it is just new.  Some of it I don't like.  It's a personal-preference-thing.  But that isn't my point.

Also, before you jump me for bringing up the wrong holiday, be assured that the title of this post was deliberately chosen.  In part, because it's the lyric of the song.  In part, because I don't acknowledge the "celebrations" going on today.  I hate this "holiday" and refuse to participate.  But it isn't my intent to make a big deal about that.  Just to make you aware of my position!

This song has been ringing in my ears, running through my brain over and over for several days now.  Not because we have sung it recently; we haven't.  We sing some wonderful music in our church.......new songs, old songs, the great hymns of our faith.  But this particular one hasn't been sung lately.  Rather, it has been called up from deep in the recesses of my memory.  It's a catchy tune, but it's the text that has my attention.

I am becoming more and more aware of how much I take for granted.  How often I forget to say "thank you". It's not that I'm ungrateful.  Forgetful, yes.  A little scatter-brained sometimes.  Distracted.  But not ungrateful. 

I have so many reasons for thanksgiving this morning.  The beauty of the world around me.  That I can SEE the world around me....and the computer.....and the TV......and the dust on the table......all without any glasses!!!  I'm so grateful for a successful eye surgery last week.  So grateful for the skill of my surgeon.  For the nurses who cared for me pre- and post-op.  For the prayers of so many friends throughout the procedure and during this healing time. 

I'm convinced that it was those prayers that kept me so calm throughout the whole thing.  That's very un-Susan-like.  I typically don't do real well with medical procedures.  Just the thought sends me over the edge.

On the drive over to Morganton, and as we sat in the surgery center waiting room and the pre-op room, Al kept asking if I was OK.  And I was.  It really was amazing!  So thanks to all of you who have been praying!

I'm so thankful for dear friends. For the best husband ever!! For my family.  For my new church family.  For my pastor.  For good health. 

And I am beyond grateful for a Sovereign Lord.  One who knows me best and loves me most.

So to Him today I am singing a song of thanksgiving!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Psalm 103:1 NASB) 

A Big Heart

A few days ago we became aware that our little "fur person" had some serious health issues.  Our precious little dachsund, who looks and acts like she has not a problem in the world, had some blood work done prior to a scheduled teeth-cleaning procedure, and her blood counts were off the charts.  So, more tests were done, and yesterday we got the results from the vet.  When he called yesterday morning, he said Molly has a "big heart".  At first I thought that he was just talking about what we all think about her personality.  She is one of the most loving, lovable, friendly, cuddly dogs (I could go on and on here!!) I have ever known.  To say she has a big heart perfectly describes her temperament.  But that isn't what he meant.  When he said she has a big heart, he meant it literally.  She has a big heart.  A heart that is much larger than normal.  A heart that is too big for her chest.  That is crowding out her lungs so that oxygen is not flowing through her blood stream as it should.  So her blood is too thick.  And her heart is overcompensating by producing excess red blood cells.  Which makes her blood thicker.  Which makes her heart overcompensate some more.  And the cycle continues.  She is not yet in congestive heart failure, which is a good thing.  The vet doesn't really know why this has happened.  He has some theories, but we don't know the "why", and in fact we may never know.  Molly will be having a cardiac ultrasound next week, and then we'll be able to make decisions about the best medications and best course of treatment.  In the meantime, she has a big heart, in more ways than one!

As I thought about that yesterday, once I got over the initial shock, I realized what a beautiful descriptor that is.  Not in the physical sense.  Having an enlarged heart muscle, whether you are human or canine, is not a good thing.  But in terms of personality, to be described as a person with a big heart is a wonderful thing!  And in spiritual terms as well, how wonderful to be considered big-hearted! 

When we describe a person has having a big heart, what do we mean?  I think of kindness.  Of generosity.  Of love and compassion.  Of gentleness.  Of joy.  And peace.  And patience.  And goodness. 

Does that list seem familiar?  If you look into Galatians chapter 5, you'll see these qualities in the list of the fruit of the Spirit.  Those qualities of God's Spirit produced in our own lives could well lead others to describe us has having a big heart.

Ultimately, when I think of a big heart, I think of a heart overflowing with love.  A heart that loves so much that it gives.  When I think of a big heart, I think of God, who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us......not because we deserved it, but in spite of the fact that we didn't.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8  NASB)

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

If you read yesterday's post, you became acquainted with Molly, our beloved dachsund.  Although I admit to a somewhat biased (!!!!) opinion, Molly is a beautiful dog.  She has quite a sparkling personality, and even as she is entering her senior years maintains a high energy level.  So I was quite surprised by a phone call from the vet this morning.

We dropped Molly off at the vet's office late yesterday afternoon for a teeth-cleaning procedure early this morning.  Prior to the cleaning, the vet did some blood work, which is standard procedure.  The results were not at all what he expected.  Prior to the blood work, he noticed some signs of dehydration.  The blood work revealed a pretty serious blood condition.  I'm relieved that this procedure was scheduled so that the unknown problem could be diagnosed, and I'm obviously concerned about Molly's health.  The vet assures me that the problem has been caught in time, that I should not worry, and that Molly will be fine.

I'm comforted by his assurances and looking forward to having Molly back home either tonight or tomorrow, depending on how well and how quickly she responds to the treatment.  At the same time, I'm concerned.  When a dog......or a person for that matter......shows no outward sign of a health issue, how are we who are responsible for their care supposed to know that there is a problem?  Molly eats well, gets appropriate amounts of exercise, has all her shots, sees the vet regularly, etc. etc. etc.  Yet in spite of doing all the right things and in spite of appearances to the contrary, there's a serious problem with our little doggie.

And that makes me think about how many people we see every day who, by all appearances, are just fine. And I'm not so much talking about physical condition, but about spiritual condition. They are doing all the right things. They may even be saying all the right things. They appear to be just fine.  But on the inside there is a serious, unseen problem. 

Reminds me of an old spiritual......"Everybody talkin' 'bout heaven ain't goin' there."

And that's a cause for concern. 

Something to think about.......

Molly and the Hawk

When I first began this blog, I began with the purpose of sharing what God was teaching me through the events of my everyday life.  Over time, the blog has also been a place of on-line Bible studies, and a place to share some of the funny (and sometimes the not-so-funny) happenings here on our mountaintop.  It remains a place for me to journal what I'm learning about God and His ways, and what He's teaching me about living life His way.

You may be wondering what this has to do with Molly and a hawk.  In fact, unless you know me personally or have been reading this blog for a while, you may be wondering who in the world this Molly is!  Molly is my slightly overweight 8 year old dachsund.  (I think being at least slightly overweight must be a requirement for being part of this household!!)  Molly has always been a very social dog, unlike previous dachsunds who have been part of our family.  Molly loves people, unlike her predecessor Max, who only tolerated humans, particularly in his old age!

When we first moved to this mountain, we continued to use a leash when we took Molly outside.  She was a city dog, after all, and being young and curious, we weren't sure exactly how she would respond to the freedom of being let outside on her own.  That changed a couple of years ago when I had my ankle fusion surgery.  Because Al travels a lot for his job, Molly and I were home alone.  I could manage pretty well in the house with my walker and my wheelchair, but there was no way I could manuver out the back door onto a snowy, icy carport.  So we began to let her out on her own, and most of the time she was, and continues to be, good about taking care of business and then returning to the back door to be let in.  There are occasional "wanderings", and sometimes a good bit of yelling (on my part, not hers!) to get her back where she belongs.  But mostly, things have worked out well.

Sometimes Molly gets really focused on the scent of a squirrel or a chipmunk.  Then she is completely oblivious to anything else around her.  Sometimes (I call these her "blonde" moments!!), she just seems to be wandering aimlessly about in her own little world. 

And this brings me to the hawk.  A hawk has been spotted circling overhead several times recently when Molly has been outside.  A very large hawk.  And remember that Molly, slightly overweight though she may be, is a small dog.  That hawk could have Molly for lunch!  (Or breakfast.  Or dinner.  Or a snack.)  But dear Molly remains completely oblivious to the danger.  She just wanders around.  Looking for the perfect spot to do her business.  Or sniffing for squirrels and chipmunks.  Or lying in the sun.  Yet, all the while, danger is lurking overhead.  And so Al and I go outside with her, always alert for that hawk.

I share that story because I'm concerned that many Christians in today's world are much like Molly.......completely oblivious to the dangers that surround us.  In our culture.  In our schools.  In the workplace.  In the movies we watch and the music we listen to and the books we read.  Even in our churches.  There aren't hawks literally flying over our heads.  But there is danger, nonetheless, and we need to be alert.

The time to blindly accept everything we see or hear as truth is long past.  We need to be alert to the lies and half-truths that are surrounding us.  We need to compare everything we are told, everything we read or hear, to the plumbline of God's Word.  Even what we read from the Christian bookstore or hear in church.  Perhaps especially from those sources!  We need to be careful that what is being presented as truth is, in fact, truth!  The enemy of our souls knows that his time is short, and he will use any and every means available to achieve his goals. 

"Be on the alert!  Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.  Resist him, firm in the faith."  ( 1 Peter 5:8-9  HCSB)

"Be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of the immoral and fall from your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and to the days of eternity.  Amen."           (2 Peter 3:17-18 HCSB)

Thursday Thoughts

I read an interesting article this morning (you can find the entire article at this link: http://standupforthetruth.com/2011/10/are-christians-prepared-if-ch...) that really has me thinking.  Here's a snippet......"Where does our heart and hope lie—in God or things of this world? Are we genuine Christians who love the Lord our God through thick and thin? Or are we façade Christians who love and trust him as long as things are going our way?"

I have also been watching news reports about events in Libya.  And one commentator's assessment has me thinking as well.  I don't remember who the commentator was, but this is a summary of what he said......Libyan rebels were willing to die for what they believed in, but military personnel had repeatedly commented that one of the biggest problems in Iraq and Afghanistan has been a lack of willingness to fully commit, to be willing to die for their cause.

So, here's something to ponder today.  Are we as Christians, specifically as American Christians, really committed to what we say we believe?  Are we......are you......am I.....genuine in our faith, or are we "facade Christians"?  I think the time is coming, and perhaps is here now, when we really need to answer that question.  Are we genuine in our faith?  Are we just going through the motions?  Are we "talking the talk but not walking the walk"?

If you are a student of the Bible, or even just a reader of the Bible, you may be familiar with this passage:

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power."  (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB)

Although those words were written in the first century, they sound very much like a description of the twenty-first century!  Wouldn't you agree with me that we are living in difficult times.  Difficult because of the descriptors in these verses.  Difficult because of financial difficulties.  Because of unemployment.  Because of sickness.  Because of war.  Difficult in so many ways. 

And I would submit to you that life is made more difficult when we try to straddle the fence.  When we don't stand firm for what we profess to believe.

Does living a genuine Christian life mean life will be without hardship, without difficulty?  Certainly not.  In fact, the Bible says the opposite:  "in this world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33, emphasis mine).  But is fear of tribulation, fear of difficulty, reason for not living out the faith we profess?  I think not.

The question then becomes, why are we not living genuine Christian lives?  Why are there so many "facade Christians"?  And the question for self-examination is......which one am I?  If we are not living "genuine" Christian lives, why not?  What are our priorities?  Where are we placing our trust?

The hymn writer said "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.......On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand."

Are you standing on the Solid Rock today?  Or on the "sinking sand" of the world?


"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)

The View Out The Window

It's raining this morning, and for that I am so very thankful!  And it's quite a windy morning.  Most of the trees here are dressed in their beautiful fall colors, but the wind is blowing those red and gold leaves all over the place.  Some of the leaves just turn brown.  Brown leaves on their own are not all that attractive, but when you see all the colors together, it's quite a sight to behold!

We were out of town for a few days, and apparently it was quite windy while we were gone.  There are a lot of leaves on the ground.  Our carport, which is really more like our "back door wind tunnel", is covered in leaves.  We had a tarp neatly folded and placed with some other things under the front porch.  I say "had", because it is now halfway up the driveway!  I guess I need to go retrieve it, or who knows where it will end up!

But I think the most distinctive feature of this morning is the fog.  In spite of the wind, there's a very thick fog hanging over the mountains today.  I'm missing out on some of the fall colors because the view of the valley below and the mountains across the way is obstructed by that thick fog.  And that brings to mind a verse from Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church.......

"For now we see through a glass dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."  (I Corinthians 13:12)

And that's what I'm thinking about this morning.

But.......

Such a tiny word.  Only three letters.  Yet such an annoying word!

Some examples.......

It's raining today.  I love that it is raining.  I am so thankful for the rain.  BUT......I'm not loving the aches and pains that come with it.  Some of you may understand what I mean.

I love the view from our front porch.  I love looking out the front windows and seeing the fall colors.  I love the beauty of the mountains around me.  BUT......I don't love the isolation.  I don't love the very steep gravel road we must come up to get home.  I know we chose to live here.  If we could have a do-over, we would probably make a different choice, for a number of reasons.  BUT.....we don't get a do-over. 

I love my grandchildren (and their parents!).  I love being a grandmother far more than I ever thought I would!  BUT......I don't love that I see those grandchildren (and their parents!) so seldom.  I don't love that we are so far apart......separated by miles as well as by busy schedules.  I don't love that I am a "part-time" grandparent.  BUT......that's just the way it is right now.

I love ice cream.  I particularly love Blue Bell Ice Cream!!!  BUT......I don't love the pounds it packs on my hips, or what it does to my cholesterol levels.

However, occasionally I come across that little word and I love it!  There are certain Scriptures that bring delight to my heart.  That are such an encouragement!

A few of my favorite examples:

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  (Psalm 73:26 NASB)

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8 NASB)

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."  (Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB)

Puts that little word into a different perspective, doesn't it?!  In that context.......BUT GOD......it becomes one of my favorite words!

Counting My Blessings

Monday is laundry day around here.  And recently, laundry day has been a big cause for concern. We haven't had much rain, and the mountain spring that supplies water to our house has not been producing adequate water.

For the last several days, we've been doing some serious praying about this problem.  Our life group has been praying.  Our church family is praying for us. 

In the past, we have focused on finding a long-term solution to this water problem.  But we have changed our focus a bit.

As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God provided manna for them to eat.  They were told to gather enough for each day.  No more.  Just a day's supply.  And whatever they gathered was enough.  If they gathered extra, it spoiled. 

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He taught them to pray "give us this day our daily bread" (emphasis mine).

Hmmmmm.......

So, today I prayed very specifically that God would provide the water we needed for THIS day.  And He has!  The laundry is done.  The water pressure is better than it has been in quite some time.  We don't have rain yet, but I've been asking for that, too!!  I can wash my face and brush my teeth and make dinner and do all the things that require water......that commodity that we Americans take so for granted. 

I'm afraid we take many of God's blessings for granted.  I'm giving thanks today for the water.  And I'm asking God to forgive me for all the times I have taken His provision for granted.  Probably more times than I could even count.

And I'm praising God because of His goodness!  Because He is a faithful God!  Because He answers prayer!  What an awesome God He is!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever."  (Ephesians 3:20 NASB)

Little Foxes

Yesterday in my Bible reading it was time for the Song of Songs (also sometimes referred to as Song of Solomon).  Let me start with a confession.  This is not one of my favorite books of the Bible.  But because it's part of the Bible, I'm sure it's there for a reason.  And so I read it.  The verse that jumped out at me (and came back to me at 3am.....more about that to come) was in chapter 2......"Catch the foxes for us - the little foxes that ruin the vineyards."

Now we don't have a vineyard here on this mountain.  And there may or may not be foxes out in the woods.....I don't know.  There are numerous other "critters" around here.  Chipmunks.  Squirrels.  Coyotes.  Deer.  Possums.  Bears.  And raccoons.  Ugh.....raccoons are the bane of my existence!

Because of those pesky raccoons, every night we must bring in our birdfeeders.  Otherwise, the raccoons come to visit and make an absolute mess!  I've lost count of how many feeders those creatures have destroyed or how much bird seed they have eaten.  So......every night, the feeders must come in.  Sometimes we forget.  Like last night.  And then.....you guessed it.....raccoons came to visit.  At 3am I heard them on the porch.  Fortunately, I woke and got out to the porch before they had done any damage.  The largest feeder was swinging back and forth when I got there......a sure sign that I had scared those pesky varmints away before they were able to have a feast of sunflower seeds!!

And so, at 3am as I went back to bed, I remembered this verse!  A verse about little foxes that ruin the vineyard.  I think the lesson for us here is much more than foxes and vineyards.  Or raccoons and birdfeeders.  I believe the lesson is about dealing with the "little things" before they become "big things".  Little things......a little word spoken thoughtlessly, a miscommunication or misunderstanding......can have big consequences.  In personal relationships.  In marriages.  In families.  In friendships.  In churches.  So I think the lesson for all of us here is to deal with the little things before they become "big things".

"Catch the foxes for us - the little foxes that ruin the vineyards - for our vineyards are in bloom."  (Song of Songs 2:15 HCSB)

Lessons from Dust Bunnies

As I was doing a little housework this morning, I finally got around to some much-needed dusting.  And as I was dealing with the dust bunnies, I started thinking about my upcoming cataract surgery.  It occurred to me that once the surgery is over, I will be able to see so much better as I go about my daily tasks.  And then it occurred to me that I will probably go into some freak-out mode once I see how dusty this house actually is!!  Right now the dust doesn't bother me so much.  After all, if I can't see it, then it isn't there!!  My foggy vision makes it much easier to ignore the obvious.

I think there may be a spiritual lesson here.  Perhaps several.  About ignoring the obvious.  About cloudy vision.  About a reality check.

Just as I have been ignoring the dust on tables and bookshelves - even though I couldn't see it as well as I once did, I clearly knew it was there - I think many times we also ignore our bad attitudes, our bad behaviors, the things we should have done but didn't do.  And once ignored long enough, they no longer get our attention at all.

Or perhaps we view circumstances, behaviors, attitudes through a cloudy lens.  That's what a cataract is - a cloudy lens.  Like looking at everything through fog.

So maybe it's time for a spiritual reality check.  Just as the dust bunnies around the house need to be dealt with or they take over, we need some spiritual housecleaning as well. 

It's time to stop and do a reality check.  Time to do some spiritual housecleaning.  Time to get rid of our spiritual cataracts.  Time for a vision check. 

Where are our eyes focused?  Fixed on Jesus?  If not, it's time for a change.
How are we spending our time?  Are we using it wisely?  If not, it's time for a change.
What about attitudes?  Are they God-honoring?  Or are they self-serving?  If the latter, then it's time for a change.

I'm looking forward to my cataract surgery.  I'm looking forward to seeing clearly again.  Even if it means I see all the dust bunnies.  Especially if it means I see all the dust bunnies.  Then I can deal with them.  And I'm praying that God will give me clear spiritual vision as well, so that I can see what needs changing and deal with it as He leads me.

"Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB)

In the Footsteps of Jesus

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus: A Journey through the Lands and Lessons of Christ by Wayne Stiles has made its way to my list of favorite books.  I came across this book several months ago when I was searching Amazon.com for another book.  It came up on that list of "other people who ordered this book also ordered....." and the title intrigued me, so I added it to my order.  And I'm so glad I did.

It has taken me a while to get through this book.  Not because it's a long book; it isn't.  There are less than 200 pages.  A book of that length is something I could normally read in a day's time.  But this isn't one that I wanted to breeze through or skim over.  I found it to be a book I wanted to read slowly, savoring each section.

This book is part travelogue, and part Bible study.  It is a compilation of Stiles' travels to the Holy Land.  He brings the land and the teachings of Jesus to life as we become armchair travelers with him.  There are serious moments and humorous ones as well, such as the account of his first experience in the Tel Aviv airport.  If you have ever arrived at a destination only to find that your luggage made a different trip, you will relate!

If you have ever traveled to Israel, you will find your memory stirred as he writes of places you have visited yourself.  If you have only dreamed of going there, Stiles will take you with him on his travels in such a way that you could almost believe you were there.  And through it all you will find your heart stirred and challenged as he walks with you through the land and teachings of Jesus.

Part travel guide.  Part memoir.  Part biblical commentary.  That's how one reviewer described the book.  And I would agree.  But however it's described, this is a book I will return to over and over again.  Some books are read and forgotten.  Some are read and then placed on a shelf to collect dust.  Some - like this one - have a lasting impact.

Here are a few words from the last chapter to whet your appetite:

"I don't think it's enough to come to the lands of the Bible - or to the Bible itself - just to ask questions or to walk where Jesus walked.  Questions about faith should never be simply rhetorical.  They must have answers, and the answers must reveal themselves in a changed life........My life must grow to where all I do flows from a love and an affection for Jesus, who died and rose and will return - out of love for me.  What an unspeakable privilege to walk in His footsteps every day."

What an unspeakable privilege indeed!  And what a blessing to have come across this book.  I highly recommend it to you.