Happy Thanksgiving ... thoughts to ponder

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:15

Thanksgiving prayers were first uttered by God's people in the Old Testament and God ordained a specific sacrificial offering for thanksgiving. David, the psalmist, wrote many Thanksgiving devotions and Paul the apostle taught that we are to always pray and give thanks to God in all circumstances. When we use the Bible for devotions and for prayers, we are following after the hearts of men and women who led exemplary ideals for worshiping God. This Thanksgiving, if you are looking for good lessons to share with family or for prayers to pray during the day, turn to the Bible and find inspiration that turns a heart towards gratitude and finds the peace that much of the holiday season is promoting.

It's interesting that during the very seasons that Christians celebrate gratitude and the birth of Christ, our lives get the busiest and we are often so overloaded with schedules and shopping lists (turkeys to cook and potatoes to smash) we experience extreme stress and time seems to slip out of our grasps. This is actually the perfect time to stop all activities and reflect upon worshipful Thanksgiving devotions.

God ordained many traditions and specific rituals to teach His people proper responses to His love and mercy. "And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the Lord. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil...." Jesus fulfilled the law of the Old Testament, and because of His ultimate sacrifice, we no longer must practice the laws that were in place to teach us of our shortcomings. But, Christ clearly promoted special times of giving thanks, and the teachings of Paul include turning our attitudes constantly towards gratitude.

Gratitude is a choice. When Nicholas died in January of this year, Karen and I made a choice to praise God even in the hardest time of our life. This Thanksgiving is a blessing because of the two new ones in our family, but it still just as hard because one is missing. Nicholas' absence is the new reality and the normal we will live on this side of heaven. The choice to praise and give thanks is the strength granted by God to live the journey. So, we give thanks and we turn to God's word for sustaining grace in everyday life.

Giving thanks for a great family and for a very special little boy that made last year's Thanksgiving one that I will never forget. You know I love ya and have a great Thanksgiving! Don

Desperation leads to compromise!

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.

Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake. - Psalm 79:8-9

Desperation often leads to things that don't minister life to us. People who are desperate to make more money can get caught in the trap of compromising their conscience. I wonder how many young girls have gotten into pornography because they had a dream to be a model, but would not wait for God to open doors of positive opportunity. Another, is young men that will compromise their integrity so that they might move up the financial ladder.

Everyone of us needs to work on making decisions when we are calm and sound...not when we feel desperate. Desperate choices lead to poor consequences. If you are emotionally distraught, wait 24 hours and pray for God's direction and leading.

I once heard a story about a desert nomad who awoke in his tent one night feeling extremely hungry. He sat up, turned on the light, looked around his tent, and saw a bag of dates in the corner. He reached in to the bag, took one, and bit into it, only to discover there was worm in it. He spit it out and took a second one, but he found another worm. He tried one more time and all he had in his mouth was worm. Because his hunger was so intense, he pondered a moment what he should do. He turned off the light, reached into the bag, and proceeded to eat all the dates.

At times people turn out the lights of their conscience and do things in desperation, trying to fill the intense longing in their hearts. They are willing to bear the consequences of their sin in exchange for a moment of happiness. God's will is not that we have a moment, but rather a lifetime of happiness, adventure, romance, and fulfillment.

I am choosing to wait on God - in this desperate time in America, won't you join me. - You know I love ya, Don