Friday, Black Friday (A Repost)

This is that crazy day when Americans seem to forget everything they thought or said yesterday about gratitude, and instead take delight in pushing and shoving their way through malls and shops in order to save a few dollars. The older I get, the less I enjoy shopping in crowded stores. Shopping, yes. Crowds, not so much. I prefer to leisurely work my way through the mall. So on this Black Friday, I have no plans to be anywhere near a mall or a store! 

On this Friday morning my thoughts have turned to another Friday some two thousand years ago. And as I reflect on that particular Friday, I'm remembering an Easter musical from years past entitled "Then Came Sunday" which chronicled the week between what we now know as Palm Sunday and Easter. From Hosanna to He Is Risen. On this Friday morning, I can almost hear the narrator speak the lines "Friday. Dark Friday." Truly that was a "black Friday".

"And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.........And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.......And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit,' and having said this, He breathed His last." (Luke 23:33,44-46 NASB)

The good news is......that isn't the end of the story! Then came Sunday!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 23:1-3 NASB)

As I look forward to being in Israel again in just a few weeks, one of the places I look forward to visiting again is the Garden Tomb, the site many Christians believe is the place where Jesus was buried following His crucifixion.

There are also those who believe He was buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While we cannot know with absolute certainty, in my mind it really doesn't matter. In either case, the tomb is empty! And that is reason for Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving......a Time for Remembering

This has been a busy week. Lots to do to get ready for family coming to visit. Lists. Grocery shopping. Cleaning. Baking. Busy, busy, busy.

And now the day is here.

It's a busy morning. The final baking. Preparing The Meal. Busy, busy, busy.

But not too busy to take some time for remembering.

Remembering all the ways I've been blessed this year. Friends. Family. New places I've visited. Places I've revisited. Answered prayers.

Remembering Thanksgivings past. And the people I shared them with.

Remembering my parents, both gone for several years now. Mother in the kitchen, wearing her apron, bustling around trying to get the meal ready on time. Daddy, hovering in the kitchen, pretty much getting in the way, since it wasn't a particularly large kitchen. He was waiting to be told it was time to carve the turkey, and hoping to be called on to be a taste-tester!

Remembering my Grandmother Neil and my Uncle JB, who always shared our Thanksgiving meal. I particularly remember the year Grandmother bit down on the cream-cheese-stuffed celery (always a part of our Thanksgiving meal) and broke her false teeth. I think the teeth may have already been cracked. In any event, it gave us all a good laugh. She may not have thought it quite as funny as the rest of us, but she laughed any way.....and went without teeth for several weeks while new ones were made!

Remembering my cousins Anne and Richard Sevier. They were always at our Thanksgiving table. Anne always brought a relish tray. Daddy always said it was because she couldn't cook.

On a side note, I have another funny memory of Anne's lack of cooking ability. We (my parents, my brother, and I) once had dinner with Anne and Richard. Anne had prepared (or attempted to prepare) beef burdundy. On the way back to our house after dinner, Daddy remarked, without cracking a smile, "That woman can ruin a perfectly good piece of meat."

During the earlier years of our marriage, before we started moving all around the country, we always had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. Occasionally, as I and they got older, and as I became a better cook, we would sometimes have Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

But because we moved around the country so much, it wasn't always possible to be back in South Carolina for Thanksgiving. On those occasions, we shared the Thanksgiving meal with friends. One year with the Kaisers and the Rodgers in Connecticut. One year with the Eyes in Colorado. One year in Minnesota with the Gresses. Other Minnesota Thanksgivings with the Biggers.

Precious memories indeed. At this season of Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for so many things. And especially grateful for memories of Thanksgivings gone by, and for the special people I shared those days with.

"I thank my God always when I remember you." (Philemon 4 ESV)

Thanksgiving Flashbacks

The day before Thanksgiving.  I'm watching the snow fall and feeling very thankful for my warm home.  I'm feeling a little nostalgic this morning, remembering previous holidays. 

The snow this morning has given me flashbacks to Thanksgivings and Christmases when we lived in other parts of the country and were among the frazzled travelers trying to make it home for the holiday.  I remember lots of snowy travel days, leaving from the old Stapleton Airport in Denver, flying to Chicago and then south from there.  Long lines.  Lots of delays.  So, on this day before Thanksgiving, I'm counting my blessings, thankful that I don't have to do that this year!  And, although there's a lot of driving involved, I'm thankful that my family won't be doing that either.  I'm praying for their safety as they are on the highways with all the other people who are trying to get somewhere today!  And realizing, of course, that their drive will be a bit more complicated once they encounter the snow. 

Lots to pray about this morning.  And lots to be thankful for.  As I've been counting my blessings, among them are precious memories of previous Thanksgivings.

A few of my favorite memories...

• when Brian was in kindergarten, his class made pilgrim hats and collars for their Thanksgiving feast. When he got home, he found construction paper, glue and scissors, and made a set for his little brother so that Brandon would have the same thing he had.
• when Brandon was in kindergarten, his class made similar hats and collars, and as they sat around the table for their feast, they recited this prayer together: "For food and all the gifts of love, we give Thee thanks and praise. Look down, O Father, from above, and bless us all our days." That prayer has stuck in my memory ever since.
• remembering Thanksgiving dinners from my childhood.......Mother would set the table with the "good" china that only got used on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would crowd around the dining room table (also rarely used!).......Grndmother Neil, Uncle JB, Daddy's cousins Anne and Richard (brother and sister, neither of whom ever married),and the four of us.
• day-after-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping in Spartanburg with Mother. When we got home from that all-day adventure, we wrapped gifts together.
• the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace. The fireplace (which was rarely used) was in the living room (also rarely used), and we typically only had a fire on Thanksgiving and Christmas.......no matter how hot it was......and sometimes in SC, Thanksgiving Day is not exactly build-a-fire kind of weather! But we did it anyway.  I miss that smell.  (We have gas logs in our fireplace.)

Wonderful memories of Thanksgivings past.  Anticipation of Thanksgivings future.  And so much excitement about Thanksgiving present.  Sharing this holiday weekend with my family.  Acknowledging God's goodness.  Reflecting on how very blessed we are.

Giving thanks.  For a warm home.  For family.  For time together.  For good food in abundance. 

Giving thanks.  For all things.  Even for snow!

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Holiday Habits

Here we go again.  Crazy weather.  Ice last night.  Rain this morning, with the forecast for it to be heavy during the day, and perhaps as much as 3 inches.  Before it turns to snow.  Which is forecast to be heavy.  Along with blustery winds and perhaps blizzard-like conditions.

With all this crazy weather, it must be a holiday and time for the family to get together!  I was sitting here thinking about that this morning.  For the last several holiday gatherings, the weather has been lousy.  And usually involved some white stuff!  In fact, one Christmas (about 3 years ago, I think) it snowed so much that people stayed longer than they had planned, and weren't even sure they could get down the mountain on the day they left!  Thankfully, everyone made it home safely.

I guess crazy weather is one of our holiday habits.  Although snow for Thanksgiving is a bit unusual in this part of the world.  Yes, I live in the mountains.  But these are southern mountains!

All this has me thinking about holiday habits.  I'm sure your family has them as well.  Things that are always part of a particular holiday celebration.

Football has always been part of our Thanksgiving Day.  Years ago, when we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents, our boys would be out in the afternoon playing football under the pecan trees.  These days (and especially if it's snowing!), the football will be watched on TV.  Or maybe played on a video game.

We eat turkey.  And sweet potatoes.  And pumpkin pie.  We watch parades on television.  We nap.  All that is part of our Thanksgiving Day.

I've noticed lots of other holiday habits as well.  People listing their thanks on Facebook.  A lot of blog posts about being thankful.  Many people have begun keeping gratitude journals.

Sadly, the thankful attitude doesn't seem to extend much beyond that.  There's not much evidence of grateful hearts walking through the mall.  Or on the highway.  Or in the grocery store.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if gratitude became more than just a "holiday thing"?  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all lived every day with an "attitude of gratitude"?  Wouldn't it be wonderful if gratitude became a lifestyle?  Not just something to do on Thanksgiving.


"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness at night."                   (Psalm 92:1-2 ESV)

Great Anticipation

It's finally here.....Thanksgiving week!  As the week begins, I'm looking forward with anticipation, and also looking back, reflecting on the blessings of this year, the many reasons I have for thanks-giving, and also remembering previous Thanksgivings.

The list of reasons for giving thanks is very long indeed, much too long to list out here.  I am a very blessed woman.  And some of my blessings will be here later this week, which is one of the things I'm so looking forward to.

In just a couple of days, the house will be full of love and laughter.  The sounds of family.  Football.  Board games.  Silly jokes.  This is always such a special blessings, since the times when we are all in the same place at the same time are all too few.  So, I'm looking forward with great anticipation.  I've made my lists, checked them more than twice, and am beginning the preparations today with some grocery shopping.  Then the baking will begin!

This morning, I'm also anticipating an event four weeks from today, when I will board a flight to Israel.  Having traveled to Israel is one of the great blessings of my life, and I'm looking forward with great anticipation to this next trip.

As I follow events in the news, and as I read and study the Scriptures, there's another event I'm looking forward to as well.  The difference is that I don't know the "when".  Yet it is with a sense of expectation and great anticipation that I join the hymnwriter in asking, "O Lord Jesus, how long?  How long 'til we shout the glad song?  Christ returneth!" 


"looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."  (Titus 2:13 KJV)

How?

"How can a young person live a clean life?

By carefully reading the map of Your Word.

I'm single-minded in pursuit of You;

don't let me miss the road signs You've posted.

I've banked Your promises in the vault of my heart

so I won't sin myself bankrupt.

Be blessed, God;

train me in Your ways of wise living."

(Psalm 119:9-12, The Message)

 

 

I first became acquainted with this passage of Scripture when I was a child. Back then it sounded a little different. Back then we used the King James Version of the Bible, and the passage read like this:

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9 KJV)

 

 

I love the KJV. It's a part of the fabric of my growing up years. But most of us in 21st century America don't use words like "wherewithal" or phrases like "taking heed thereto" in our daily conversation. In that respect, the reading from The Message is more understandable. The words are different, but the truth is the same, no matter which translation or paraphrase you read it from.

 

 

How do we live out the Christian life? How can we make sense of life? How do we face the challenges of daily living in a way that honors God?

 

 

The answer is clear in this passage: "by taking heed", "by carefully reading". The NIV renders this passage this way: "by living according to your word."

 

 

And how do we live according to God's Word? We must first know what it says. And how do we know what it says? We must "carefully read it."

 

 

The passage refers to a young person ("young man" in the KJV). But I would submit to you that this is good advice for all people, men and women, young and old, in whatever season of life.

 

 

How am I going to live as God desires me to live? How am I going to honor Him in my daily living? How am I going to know how to make good choices? How am I going to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [I] have been called?" (Ephesians 4:1, ESV).

The answer is clear. The passage asks a question....."how"......and then gives the answer. Our challenge is to "take heed."

"How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes."

(Psalm 119:9-12, NASB, emphasis mine)





What a Week!

This has been a busy week.  A crazy week.  So much to do.  So many appointments.  Doctors and dentists.  And because we live where we do, none of that is a quick trip.  Which means lots of time in the car.  Which means a single appointment can take hours, or most of the day as was the case Tuesday when I went to the rheumatologist.

My rheumatologist is in Kingsport, TN, which is about an hour and a half drive from here, each way.  That's three hours in the car just to get there and back.  And they were very busy on Tuesday, which meant I spent about two hours in the office.  That pretty much filled up my day, by the time I got some lunch and made a Wal-mart stop.  We don't have Wal-mart here in our county, so a stop at Wal-mart is pretty much part of every trip to the rheumatologist!

Yesterday I went to the dentist.  That's also over in Tennessee, but much closer, only about 40 minutes away.  But it was the first time I had seen this dentist, so it was a long appointment.  Teeth cleaning, x-rays, consultation.  All that took some time.  That pretty much filled up my afternoon.

Meanwhile, in between all these appointments all the regular stuff of life needs to be dealt with.  Laundry.  Grocery shopping.  And extra grocery shopping, because next week is Thanksgiving.  All the family will be here, which I am very excited about, but having all the family here means more groceries than are needed when it's just two of us.  And more planning.  So that means lots of lists.  And trying to get organized.  And so far, I'm not doing a very good job of that.

I'm also trying to finish the Christmas shopping, so I can send gifts home with everybody after Thanksgiving, since we won't be together for Christmas this year.  That means more lists.  And more trying to be organized.  And in this instance, as with the grocery lists, I don't think I'm doing a very good job.

On top of it all, I have discovered that I am a wolf.  I gained this important piece of information last night when I was scrolling through Facebook and took one of those personality tests.  I think this one was called "What's Your Animal Personality?", or something like that.  It's supposedly based on the Myers-Briggs personality test (which determines that I'm an "INFJ", whatever that means).  Wolves are apparently "value-driven individuals who tend to remain mysterious and complex even after you’ve become close to one. They are often creative and inspired individuals. They are good at perceiving emotions and are sensitive to the feelings of others, but they are not very prone to revealing much of themselves until they trust someone completely. That said, they are intensely interested in the well-being of others and are often seen as protectors as well as natural leaders."

I'm not sure that I like being described as a wolf.  Although I have to admit that the description is pretty accurate.  So maybe being a wolf isn't such a bad thing!  In any event, I am who I am!

I've had a busy week.  I've learned a little about myself, for what it's worth.  And the week isn't over.   Still more to do.  Still more lists to make.  And in the middle of it all, still much to be thankful for!

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  (Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)

In Training

In just six more weeks I will once again travel to Israel. I am getting so excited as the time draws near. As I anticipate the trip, I'm trying to get ready. Part of the preparation is physical. Last time we were there we walked about 60 miles! Since that is far beyond what I normally do in a two-week period, I'm "in training". Doing a lot of walking to get ready.

The area where I live in many ways replicates what I'll experience when I get to Israel. Uneven terrain. Lots of hills. So, when the weather permits, I'm doing my training outdoors, right here in my own driveway.

I began by walking up and down the driveway, increasing the repetitions each week.

Then I added this road above our house.

 

So far I've made it halfway up and back, just beyond the curve in the road that you see there. I'm pretty impressed with myself that I've managed this, with a fused ankle and a bum knee! By the end of the week I'm hoping to make it to the top of this hill.  When that happens, I'll be sure to take another photo!

After that, I'll be adding this hill to the regimen:

 

Some days I don't mind the walking. But some days it's drudgery. Some days it's hard. And some days it hurts! However, when I get to Israel, I'll be very glad I disciplined myself to do all this walking. When I'm at Masada. Or Jericho. Or Meggido. Or on the Mount of Olives. Or walking through the Old City. On those days, I'll be very glad indeed!

But physical training isn't the only preparation for a trip like this. This will be, after all, a spiritual pilgrimage. So I'm reading all the materials supplied by our pastor and our tour company. I'm spending time in the Gospels reading about the events that took place at some of the places we'll visit, and I'm praying for our trip and for the group of people we'll be traveling with.

It's all part of getting ready to visit the land of the Bible. Certainly for a person who's as physically out of shape as I am, the physical training is an important part of the preparation. But I've learned from my previous journeys to Israel that physical preparation is not all that's needed. Spiritual preparation is equally important, perhaps even more important.

Because traveling to Israel is much more than just sight-seeing. It's much more than just a vacation. It's not just about the land of the Bible, but about a fresh encounter with the One who walked there.

"Train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life, but also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 ESV)

God Is Good. All the Time.

We hear that a lot......God is good, all the time, and all the time God is good.  You may have even said it yourself.  I know I certainly have.

God is good.  And He is good all the time.  I don't dispute that at all.

But I am sometimes bothered by that expression.  Not because it isn't true, because I believe that it is.  What bothers me so much is that it only seems to be used when something good has happened.  It is far more rare to hear someone utter that mantra when things are going badly.  And that bothers me.

We are very quick to give God credit when things go well.  We are very quick to acknowledge His goodness in the middle of our mountaintop experiences, when all of life around us is good.

We are far less quick to acknowledge God's goodness in the valleys.  When times are tough.  When we're struggling financially.  When there's been a car accident or sickness or some other setback.

And I'm really bothered by that.  Because He's the same God!  Because He is good.  All the time.  He is not changed by circumstances.  Because He is God.  Because He does not change.  ("For I the Lord do not change."  Malachi 3:6 ESV)

If we really believe the Bible to be true, and if we really believe every word, then we must acknowledge that God is good not because of our circumstances, but often in spite of our circumstances.  If God is good all the time.....and He is......and if He causes all things to work together for our good.....and He does, according to Romans 8:28.......then we will praise Him in all the circumstances of our lives.  We will utter the phrase "God is good all the time" not only in the good times, such as when we get a good report from our doctor or when someone is miraculously healed.  We will also say "God is good all the time" when we get a bad report from the doctor, when our dear friend loses the battle with disease, when there's not enough money to fix the roof. 

In all things and in all circumstances, God is good.  Because He is God.  Because goodness is part of His nature.  Because He does not change.  And in all things and in all circumstances, He is working for our good because that is His purpose.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son."  (Romans 8:28-29 ESV)

Today, whatever the circumstances of your life, rest in that truth, and be encouraged.  Because God is good all the time.  And all the time God is good.

:Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever."              (Psalm 106:1 NKJV)

Overwhelmed

It's a busy week.  One full of appointments and stuff that needs to be done.  Al and I both are on the run all week.  He had a doctor appointment yesterday and has a dental appointment today.  I have an appointment with my rheumatologist today and see the dentist on Thursday.  In between, there's lots of other stuff that needs doing.  It's all a bit overwhelming, really.

As I was thinking through the to-do list this morning, trying to be certain that all our lists are in order, that we're going to the right place at the right time, that nothing gets forgotten, I found myself overwhelmed.  But not by the schedule.

This morning I find myself overwhelmed by the goodness of God.  By His great love.  By His mercy.  And His grace.  Overwhelmed to know that even when I can't seem to keep everything organized, He has it all under control.  Overwhelmed to know that there's really no need for me to worry about anything.  Overwhelmed by all His blessings. 

Just overwhelmed.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 ESV)

A Favorite Phrase

One of my favorite words in the English language is the little word "but".  It is also one of my least favorite words.  I've written about this before.  You can read the earlier post here:  http://susanssittingroom.blogspot.com/2011/10/but.html

I most love that little word "but" when we put it together with another word to form a particular phrase......but God.

It's that particular two-word phrase that I've been pondering this morning.  But God.  The little word "but" used alone can be so negative, but the connotation changes completely when you put the two words together.

Consider it this way:

Ephesians 2:1 tells us this:  "You were dead in trespasses and sins."  That's pretty negative, isn't it?  Sounds pretty hopeless.  However, there's more to the story!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved."  (Ephesians 2:4 ESV, emphasis mine)

That should brighten your Monday!

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)

The Best Part......

You know the commercial....."the best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup."

Well, I'm here to take issue with that statement! For starters, I drink a different brand of coffee. And plenty of it! I'm not here to take issue with beginning the day with a cup of coffee.  If you know me at all, or if you've been a reader here for a while, then you know that I love my morning coffee. And my afternoon coffee. And my evening coffee.

My focus is on the "best part of waking up" part of that jingle. My morning routine goes pretty much the same way every day, unless I'm traveling, which brings a few minor adjustments to the routine.

The first thing each morning is that trip to the bathroom to take care of business. Then I let Molly out to take care of her business. While she's busy with that, I refill her bowls with food and fresh water, and when she comes back in, I dispense her daily glucosamine tablet. (She is, after all, an old dog!) After that, I pour the first cup of coffee. Coffee which, I must point out, was made for me by my non-coffee-drinking husband. Unless, of course, he's out of town and then, hopefully, I remembered to make it the night before and set the timer. Otherwise, that has to be dealt with.

Once that cup of coffee is poured, I sit in my chair (which I frequently have to share with Molly!) and check the Bible app on my phone. There I get the "verse of the day", which I usually share with Facebook. (Unless I'm having a particularly foggy morning and forget!) After that, I check the Bible app for the day's reading in the Bible reading plan I'm following this year.

And then comes "the best part of waking up".......my daily time in God's Word......something I look forward to every morning!

I've been reading in the Gospel of Luke for several days now. Here are some of the nuggets I feasted on this morning:

"One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15 ESV)

"Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing." (Luke 12:22 ESV)

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34 ESV)

"You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."        (Luke 12:40 ESV)

Starting the day feasting on God's Word and spending time with Him in prayer. Truly that is the very best part of waking up!

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

Get Ready!

This morning I read a story on the Facebook page of the ABC-affiliate TV station in Asheville.  This is what I read:

"Google's Motorola Mobility filed a patent for an electronic skin tattoo that would work as a microphone for your cellphone.  It cancels noise to make calls clearer.  The tattoo would also work as a lie detector because it picks up on skin responses." 

You can read the full story at www.wlos.com.

The station then asked what people thought about that.  Is it "cool"  or "creepy".  The overwhelming number of responses I read went for "creepy."

Some commenters went, as I did when I read the story, to the Book of Revelation and to the mark of the beast  (Revelation 12:16-17).  In fact, when I read the story, my first thought was "people get ready, Jesus is coming."

You may recognize that as a line from a song.  You can hear the full song on YouTube at this link:  http://youtu.be/5sc1z9arhe0

I can remember back, not so very many years ago, when we would read some of the prophecies in Revelation, like the one concerning the mark of the beast, and it would be hard to comprehend how anything like that could really happen.  But in recent years, we have less and less difficulty understanding it.  Back in my childhood (way back in the "stone age"!), credit cards and debit cards were unheard of.  But now they're the most common way to pay for merchandise.  Back then when we read in Scripture that "every eye would see Him", that was beyond the realm of our understanding.  But now, with satellites and internet and modern technology that allows us to see what's happening on the other side of the world almost as it happens, it's no longer quite so difficult to imagine.

I don't know exactly how all the events of Revelation will unfold.  I don't know exactly what the mark of the beast will be.

But I do know that when I read news accounts like this one, I realize that we are not so far removed from these prophecies being fulfilled.

And the line from that song becomes more important than ever.  "People, get ready.  Jesus is coming."

Are you ready?

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify for himself a people for his own possession."  (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)

More Than Enough

As you read that title, you may have thought I was referring to yesterday's snow.  And although I didn't have that snow on my mind as I began this post, the flurries and snow showers we had yesterday are, in fact, more than enough for me at this not-yet-winter point in time!

But I have been actually sitting here reflecting on that phrase.....more than enough.....and on lyrics from Chris Tomlin's song Enough:

All of You is more than enough for all of me.
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love,
And all I have in You is more than enough.

 

 

More than enough.  So very blessed, as are most of us who live in this country.  On this very cold morning, I have a roof over my head, warm clothes, plenty of heat and coffee and afghans to snuggle in.  I have more than enough food in my pantry.  While I may get hungry at some time during the day, I am in no way hungry in the way much of the world's population is hungry.  I may grumble because I have run out of my favorite food and need to make a trip to the grocery store, but I'm able to do that.  I have a car full of fuel to take me there, abundant choices when I get there, I am physically able to do my own shopping, and I have the funds to pay for what I want to purchase.  I have more than enough.  Truly I am blessed.

 

As we approach the holiday season, might we be more mindful of those around us who are less blessed.  Who struggle to pay the bills.  Who are stressed over how they are going to provide Christmas gifts for their children.  Whose homes aren't as warm.

 

Take a few minutes to consider all the ways you are blessed, remembering that all our blessings aren't reflected in our bank accounts or our pantries.  There's the sweet smile of a child.  A hug just when you needed it.  A special song you heard on the radio or in Sunday's church service.  A verse that especially touched your heart as you read your Bible this morning.

 

Count your blessings today. And as you are remembering how blessed you are, don't forget to be a blessing to others.

 

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40 ESV)

 



May We Never Forget

Yesterday we observed Veteran's Day, a day when we remember and honor those men and women who have served in our nation's military.  I'm glad there is a day set aside for this purpose, but I also think it's sad that we don't remember them more often.  That we don't think about and honor those men and women, and their families, who sacrifice so much on our behalf.  Who pay the price so we don't have to.  We must never forget that freedom isn't free, and that many have sacrificed much on our behalf.

Freedom comes at a price.  A great price.  And not only the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens, but the our freedom in Christ as well.  May we never forget the great price that our Savior paid that we might be free from sin.  May we never forget what it cost Him.  May we never take it for granted.

We so often take our freedoms as Americans for granted.  Shame on us!  And shame on us when we treat our freedom in Christ that casually as well.

May we live this day, and every day, with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus.  May we never forget what it cost.

"For you were bought with a price."  (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV)

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  For he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)

Be Strong and Courageous

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

This verse was a part of our Life Group lesson yesterday, as we continued our journey through The Story.  Yesterday our journey had us at that point in the history of the Hebrew people where they were crossing into the Promised Land.  As they were moving forward to claim the land, it was important for them to remember to "be strong and courageous".

Yesterday's lesson covered the entire book of Joshua in the Old Testament.  That's quite a lot to cover in one lesson period!  As we looked at God's instructions to Joshua and the people, at His promises to them, and at the events that transpired, we learned several lessons that we can apply to our own lives.

We need to be people of the Word.  The Lord said to Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it."  (Joshua 1:8 ESV)  We need to take that instruction to heart.  If we're going to live as God's people in a world that increasingly is turning its back on Him, we need to know the Word.  We need to spend time in the Word.  We need to obey the Word.  We need to be people of the Word.

We need to be people of prayer.  There's an episode in Joshua 9 where Joshua made an alliance with the Gibeonites.  This turned out to be a bad alliance; the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelites.  How did that happen?  Because, according to verse 14 of that chapter, "they did not ask counsel from the LORD."  Just like Joshua, we can get ourselves into some trouble when we fail to pray.

We need to be identified with God.  For the Hebrew people, that mark of identification was circumcision.  For us today, we identify with God through baptism, through church membership, through the relationships and associations we cultivate, through the choices we make.

We need to be strong and courageous.  That was God's instruction to Joshua and the Hebrew people.  It's an instruction repeated throughout the book of Joshua.  And, in various forms, it's an instruction repeated throughout the Bible......."fear not"!

How do we live this way?  How do we live strong and courageous lives?  By remembering!  Remembering who God is.  Remembering what He has done.  Remembering His promises. 

When the Hebrew people had crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, they erected 12 memorial stones.  These stones served as reminders to the people and to generations to come of what God had done for them.

As we face our challenges in life, whatever they may be - whether illness or job loss or financial strain or some other challenge - we need to remember.  We may not have erected stones as reminders, but as life's challenges come - and they will - we can look back and remember.  Remember God's promises.  Remember His provision.  Remember all the times and all the ways He has provided.  Has there ever been even one time when God didn't provide for you?  Has there ever been even one time when He didn't care?  Has there ever been even one time that He forgot about you?  No!  Then trust Him!

If we are willing to trust Him with our eternity, can we not also trust Him with our today?

"When your children ask their fathers in time to come, what do these stones mean, you shall let your children know, Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.  For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."  (Joshua 4:21-24 ESV)

Snack Attack

Yesterday I had the "munchies".  I wanted something salty, so I grabbed a handful of potato chips.  Then I wanted something sweet, so I grabbed some candy.  I pretty much snacked my way right through the day.  Do you ever have days like that, or am I the only one?

Days like that are not a good thing.  Not good for my waistline or for my nutrition.

Unfortunately, there are many people who approach God's Word in that same way, with a "snacking mentality."  Just grabbing a snack here or there, but never sitting down for a full meal.  They have a quick verse here or a devotional thought there.  And just as a quick snack is not good for proper nutrition of the physical body, neither is a quick snack of Scripture adequate for proper nutrition for the spirit.

If my body's nourishment comes only from snacks, I will be malnourished.  How much more this is for spiritual nourishment!

When was the last time you sat down for a good "meal" of Scripture?

"I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."  (Job 23:12 NASB)

My Hope

Today is Billy Graham's 95th birthday.  It's hard to even begin to comprehend how many people have heard the truth of the gospel because of his faithful preaching of the gospel message. 

One of the ways this milestone birthday is being celebrated is with one more message, perhaps his last.  This huge evangelistic effort is not being conducted in stadiums or auditoriums, as so many previous crusades were.  This week the venues are homes and offices and coffee shops across America as the "My Hope America" videos will be shared over and over again, and as once again the simple message of the cross will proclaimed.

"My Hope America" is a powerful video, a marvel of modern technology, combining previous messages Mr. Graham has preached with a message he delivers from his home here in the mountains.  Although technology has certainly changed since those early crusades and tent revivals, the message this precious man of God delivers has not changed.  It's still about the cross.  It's still about the love of God.  It's still the unchanging truth that God loves you and me and all peoples of the world so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on a cruel cross to save us from the penalty of our sin.

That's my hope.  That's your hope.  That's the hope for America.  And for the world. 

Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16 ESV)

In Everything

"In everything give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)

In everything.  In all things.  However, you want to phrase it...

No exceptions.  There are none of those phrases we want to add to the end of the verse.

It doesn't say  in everything except.......

Except cancer.

Except when I lose my job.

Except when I run out of money.

Except politicians.  Or government-run health care.  Or when I don't like election results.

Except when my friend or my spouse or my son or my daughter or my best friend hurts my feelings.

Except any of the other things you might be able to think of. There are no clarifying phrases at the end of that sentence.

In everything.

Everything means everything.

It's pretty clear.

Note that the verse doesn't say anything about feeling thankful.  This is not about an emotional response to circumstances.  The verse says to give thanks.  That involves the will.  A deliberate choice to give thanks, not because I feel like it but in spite of the fact that sometimes I don't.

Give thanks.  In everything.

Today might be a good day to start.

"If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes." (from the movie "Facing the Giants")

"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."                           (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)

If My People

This morning Al and I read Psalm 80 in our morning devotions.  And then we read this commentary (which might actually make more sense to you if you take a minute to read Psalm 80):

"This Psalm is a picture of America to me.  God had brought Israel out of Egypt, driven out the nations, and planted them as a vine in the Promised Land.  He prospered them with blessings that were so abundant they overshadowed the mountains and extended to the sea!  But the hedges were broken down.  They no longer had the respect of other nations.  Their produce was pilfered by others, and their power decimated.  They did not have the joy and blessings that came from honoring God and humbly acknowledging that He was the source of their success.  Our forefathers came from other lands for the sake of religious freedom, and our nation was founded on principles that honored God......Yet we have become despised by the nations, our economy is in disarray, and the most basic moral values are being rejected."  (from In The Secret Place, a Pilgrimage Through the Psalms by Jerry Rankin, p. 173)

As I've continued to mull over this paragraph this morning, it seems to me that Dr. Rankin has stated the obvious, and stated it very well.  Our country is in a mess.  We have forgotten where we have come from and turned our backs on the very principles that once made us a great nation.

And so the question then becomes, is there any hope?  What will it take to turn things around?  Can anything make a difference? 

For the answer, we turn to the Scriptures.  To a familiar passage in the Old Testament. 

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Is there hope for America?  Yes.  If God's people humble themselves.  If God's people will pray.  If God's people will seek His face.  If God's people will turn from their wicked ways.  Then  God has promised to hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. 

Note that the verse does not say that if all heathen and wicked and pagan and evil people will humble themselves.  What it does say is that if God's people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, then God will answer.

We have the instruction.  We know what to do.  And we have the promise of what will happen when we do. 

So, what is holding us back? 

"Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!"  (Psalm 80:3 ESV)

Prone to Complain

Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;  Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

  Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.

(words-Robert Richardson, music- Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music)

This is one of my favorite hymns.  Perhaps it's one of your favorites as well.
I was thinking about this hymn this morning, particularly a line in the third verse.  That line says, "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.  Prone to leave the God I love."

Yesterday our life group lesson was about the time the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness, after they had left Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land.  This line from the hymn came to mind as we studied that lesson.  We're often "prone" to critize the Israelites for their wanderings, yet we often "wander" as well, don't we?  We're not always prompt in our obedience to what the Lord tells us to do, which can leave us wandering pretty aimlessly through life.

But as I have been thinking about that lesson from yesterday, and about that line from the hymn, I've been thinking we could rewrite the line as "prone to complain".    The Israelites complained a lot on their journey through the wilderness.  They complained about the food.  Or more accurately, the lack of all the good food they had enjoyed in Egypt.  (I guess they forgot the part about being slaves!)  They complained about the dust.  And about having no water.  Complain, complain, complain.

It's the American way, isn't it?  Complain about everything!  This week many are complaining - and I count myself in that number - about the time change.  We don't like having to adjust our clocks.  We wish it would just stay the same, one way or the other.

We complain about all sorts of things.  I know I find myself often doing that. Complaining instead of being grateful.  Shame on us. We're such whiners!

Learning to be content.....that's what Paul talked about.  We aren't born with a "contentment gene".  Contentment is a learned behavior.  Paul didn't say "I am content."  He said, " I have learned to be content." 

And how do we learn that?  In the same way as we learn anything else.  By practice.  By repetition.  By focus.  Focusing on the reasons we have to be content, to be grateful, rather than on the reasons we have for complaining.

This month, this season of Thanksgiving, this very day, is a good time to start.  If you haven't already, start a gratitude journal, listing all the things you have to be thankful for.  Join in the "days of gratitude" activity on Facebook, every day posting something you're thankful for.  Make a conscious effort not to complain.

It's a good beginning.  A good way to change your focus away from complaining and toward contentment.

Why not begin learning today?

"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content......In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

My Hymn of Grateful Praise

Welcome to November! A new month. A clean page on the calendar. (Although, if your calendar looks anything like mine, it's already pretty full!)

Welcome to the season of thanksgiving.

Today I'm singing a favorite old hymn. It's my hymn of grateful praise. I'm focusing my thoughts this morning on "the beauty of the earth".

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

(words - Folliott S. Pierpont; music - Conrad Kocher)

 

I'm thankful today for the beauty of the world around me. Thankful that I get to live in a place that looks like this:
 



 

And sometimes looks like this:

 

But sometimes looks like this:

 

Or this:

 

And sometimes this:

 

 

A world that is always, in all seasons, beautiful. How blessed I am!
 

"I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations, for your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! (Psalm 108:3-5 ESV)