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

Things Above - These are a few of my favorite things!

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Paul tells us to set our minds on things above, as new creatures in Christ. (See Col. 3:1-4.) I became a Christian when I was nine years old but always felt I wasn't showing any great changes in my character -- other than a new habit of Bible study and prayer thanks to a wonderful family, church, and Sunday School teacher. Then I went through a time in college where God showed me what the Holy Spirit has accomplished in my life.

Since then, I take the time to remember what God has done and what He is doing and what he will do. It is in those moments I treasure the gifts of love, mercy, family, children, the Bible, and a healthy church. It is also a time of thanksgiving. God is very gracious. He mercies are new every morning.

Today is a day that I treasure the good things. This blog is two years old and it is one of the things that has taken my relationship with God to a new level. It has also allowed me to meet and discover God's word in a new way with new people . . . you! Join me in never forgetting the great things God has done!

You know I love ya, Don

Giving Thanks!

Brenda Gordon of Aberdeeneshire, Scotland wrote,

"I sent a check to a young friend who was struggling to cope on her meager wages. Because it was a modest amount I didn't expect a lot of excitement, but I hoped for at least a thank you! Hearing nothing, I wondered if she had received the gift. Then, two months later, I bumped into her in town. She offered a casual "thanks" in answer to my query and said she hadn't had time to deposit the money yet. I felt that my gift was unappreciated, and I wondered whether I would be as open-handed in the future.

Back home I knelt in God's presence, forgiving my friend and confessing my hard feelings. I'm grateful that God is much more gracious than we are. God continues to give to us though we too often forget to return thanks. First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

God doesn't need our thanks to be happy and content. But our gratitude pleases God; and when we thank our friends and neighbors, we promote their well-being and ours."

I am taking this to heart and thank you, Lord, for all the blessings on this day! You are one of those blessing to me - Don

His Love endures forever!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

This phrase appears in the bible over 25 times. It is a reoccurring theme. It usually is attached with these words preceding it, "Give Thanks to the Lord." I am on a Thanksgiving theme the last week or so because it is the Thanksgiving time of the year. We are in the End of November and the beginning of the Christmas Season. In the United States, we set aside time to give thanks to the Lord.

This phrase caught my eye with the words, "His LOVE endures forever." How appropriate that God's love is enduring. The definition of "enduring" is to be lasting; continuing; durable, long-suffering; patient. WOW! I am glad God's love is lasting, continuing, durable, long-suffering and patient.

So, I have another thing to add to my Thanksgiving list this year....I am thankful for God's love and that HIS LOVE endures through my biases, temptations, and foolishness. He loves me....He loves you, too. I guess you have something to be thankful for as well.

Giving thanks is a wonderful thing...give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever.

You know I love ya - Don

Getting Ready!

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
- Psalm 63:4 NIV

If you have ever watched a weightlifting competition on television, you can describe the scene. A muscle-bound contestant resembling Hercules strides onto the stage wearing a body suit. As he prepares to reach down for the massive weights, his face takes on a certain aura. The lifter’s eyes are closed. It’s as if he is praying. Actually he is lost in deep concentration. As he collects his thoughts, he is marshaling all his strength for what is about to take place. And then after several moments of personal preparation, the athlete quickly jerks the bar up and pushes it over his head.

What a great parallel for the person who prepares to worship the Lord we love. The worshiper prepares to declare to all the nations that Jehovah God is the highest worth in all their life. In order to lift up the name of Jesus, we must thoughtfully prepare for what we are about to do. We need to focus out thoughts on the One we desire to worship. Closing our eyes to better concentrate, we may feel the need to confess wrong attitudes or sinful behavior. We no doubt will want to rehearse in our heads how the Lord has demonstrated His strength in the midst of our weakness. Much like the weightlifter who must mentally prepare himself for that which tests his limits, the awesome task of lifting the name of Jesus higher and higher requires us to go through a series of warm-up preparations and follow through actions.

As we embark on another Holiday Season, let us join together in clearing our minds and opening our eyes to the vision God has for the world and his desire for service. Join me in concentrating and preparing our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths to worship Him!

Looking forward to Thanksgiving – You know I love ya - Don