Category: Thanksgiving

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A Hundred Billion Times

The last couple of nights Dave and I have spent time sitting on the porch at the fire ring. Our conversation always centers on how much God has blessed us.

The life we’ve had, our family, the experiences that have molded and shaped our lives. The friends, the breath-taking moments and the mundane, He has always been present.

Last night friends joined us and told us they will probably be going to Portugal next fall for a destination wedding. How wonderful! Since you’re there you must go to Greece. Greece for us was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Not for all the touristy reasons. It was the sense of the presence of God. I know I’ve told you before, but the most remarkable part of our trip was engaging in conversations with the locals and listening as they told the stories of the cathedrals and the godly influence of their communities.

Those are the stories that we recounted to our friends.

The presence of God – “the heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork”. (Psalm 19:1)

“ Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it. 19 When we love others, we know we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God. 20 But even if we don’t feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him. 22 He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.” I John 3:18-22 CEV

These are the words of the Apostle John. Feeling at ease in the presence of God – that is what we experienced while we were in Greece.

In the wee hours this morning, my heart began to sing.

“God of Your promise
You don’t speak in vain, no syllable empty or void
For once You have spoken
All nature and science, follow the sound of Your voice

And as You speak
A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath
Evolving in pursuit of what You said
If it all reveals Your nature, so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You say
Every painted sky, a canvas of Your grace
If creation still obeys You, so will I
So will I

If the stars were made to worship, so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence, so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness, so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high, so will I
If the wind goes where You send it, so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence, so will I
If the sum of all our praises still falls shy
Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times!” So Will I (100 Billion X)

This is a song we sing frequently in Sunday worship but when it comes rolling out of my heart at 2 a.m. it has a greater depth of meaning.

In just a few days our nation will have a celebration of Thanksgiving. The focus wasn’t football or parades, not family gatherings, or food; it was a gathering of people who had survived immeasurable hardships, and they were giving thanks to God Almighty.

Make a resolve this Thanksgiving, if all of creation will praise You, so will I!

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Starting to Give Thanks

Traditionally, I focus on giving thanks with my November blog posts. This year will be no different.

I would like to encourage you to make a gratitude list, starting today. Write down at least one thing that you are grateful for, more than one is better. Making a list keeps our focus on the good things. It keeps us centered on the blessings that God has given us in the past, is currently doing and will do in our futures.

So, be thankful.

I’m thankful for things that don’t change. The last few days there have been continuous reminders to “fall back”. Now I have to remember what time it is in Houston where my brother lives, in Idaho where my friend is and in California where our son lives…

YUK!

Here in ARIZONA, we don’t change. We are the same in Spring or Fall.

But greater than all that is this:

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t be fooled by any kind of strange teachings.” Hebrews 13:8-9a

There are always New thoughts, New ideas. New doctrines and mantras BUT only one is infallible and perfect.

JESUS NEVER CHANGES!

Can I get a big Amen?

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Anticipation & Expectation

I hope you have been encouraged in your prayer life as we’ve studied the Bible verses on prayer the last few days.

Prayer is not a “genie in a bottle” experience. It’s not even Amazon delivery. It’s better!

Prayer is bigger than that. It is bringing our needs and our heart’s desires to the Father and leaving them in His capable hands. It’s allowing God to move on our behalf; inserting His power into our circumstances.

Sometimes we are tempted to give up or take things into our own hands, trying to make them work out how we think they should. Standing and believing God requires determination and fortitude. Expectation of God’s working; anticipation of how it’s all going to come to pass.

It’s hard to wait but that’s where the excitement of anticipation comes in.

Look at Abraham, he and Sarah waited 25 years to see God’s promise come to pass.

“ The Holy Writings say, ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ This promise is good because of Who God is. He makes the dead live again. He speaks, and something is made out of nothing. 18 Abraham believed he would be the father of many nations. He had no reason to hope for this, but he had been told, ‘Your children will become many nations.’ 19 Abraham was about one hundred years old. His body was about dead, but his faith in God was not weak when he thought of his body. His faith was not weak when he thought of his wife Sarah being past the age of having children. 20 Abraham did not doubt God’s promise. His faith in God was strong, and he gave thanks to God. 21 He was sure God was able to do what He had promised.” Romans 4:17-21 NLV

I can just imagine the excitement that Sarah felt when she first learned that God had said Abraham would be a father, she would be a mother. She had been barren. Did she start making baby clothes, did she have diapers folded neatly and waiting in a hamper? The anticipation of what God was going to do had to be thrilling.

Years passed and there was no child. Sarah thought she would help God out. Maybe the Lord meant that Abraham would be a father but not that she would be a mother. She did the customary thing, she found a surrogate, her handmaid.

As we stand, waiting to see the answer to our prayers we need double dogged determination not to waiver in our faith and stay focused on God’s infallible word.

When the handmaid gave birth to a son Sarah became jealous and bitter. God protected the handmaiden and her son, forgave Sarah for her intervention in His plan and He reaffirmed His promise.

“Because Sarah had faith, she was able to have a child long after she was past the age to have children. She had faith to believe that God would do what He promised. 12 Abraham was too old to have children. But from this one man came a family with as many in it as the stars in the sky and as many as the sand by the sea.” Hebrews 11:11-12 NLV

A good lesson for us all. God’s plan is better than ours.

The verses above from Romans say that Abraham was strong in faith and gave thanks to God.

A heart filled with thanksgiving is a wonderful booster to our faith. We get up each morning and say “Thank you Lord, I am one day closer to seeing the answer to my prayer.” Personally, I remember two specific instances when Dave and I had to wait over eight years to see the final answer to our prayers. Thanking God for working kept us strong.

“So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly. 36 You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you.” Hebrews 10:35-36 ERV

Anticipate. Expect. Just don’t quit!

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Say Thank You

This morning, I was reflecting on God’s goodness and loving faithfulness.

You see eleven years ago this month I was hospitalized with some very serious health issues. God was so good, and I left the hospital seven days later – weak but with a clean bill of health. Lately, I had been experiencing a few of the early symptoms that I had back then. Yesterday, I went for an in-office procedure and was told that everything was clear and healthy.

Thank you, Lord!

We have so much to be thankful for – large and small.

Was it last night’s sunset? Maybe this morning’s sunrise; was it the smile on a child’s face or the tiny delicate fingers of your sleeping baby’s hands?

Maybe it was the blue gentle ripples on the lakes surface; the green of the forest trees; a hawk soaring on the breeze or a prairie flower in all its beauty?

Perhaps you saw love in the eyes of your spouse or child; did you hear joy in the words “you can go home tomorrow” or “it’s benign, nothing to worry about”?

Whatever it was or whatever it is, do you hear and see the love that the Lord has placed all around you? He did this just for you! He wanted you to be aware that He cares about you and His love is measureless, unconditional and free to all.

“Shout praises to the Lord! Shout the Lord’s praises in the highest heavens. 2 All of you angels, and all who serve him above, come and offer praise.

3 Sun and moon, and all of you bright stars, come and offer praise. 4 Highest heavens, and the water above the highest heavens, come and offer praise. 5 Let all things praise the name of the Lord, because they were created at his command. 6 He made them to last forever, and nothing can change what he has done. 7 All creatures on earth, you obey his commands, so come praise the Lord! 8 Sea monsters and the deep sea, fire and hail, snow and frost, and every stormy wind, come praise the Lord! 9 All mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, 10 every wild and tame animal, all reptiles and birds, come praise the Lord!

11 Every king and every ruler, all nations on earth, 12 every man and every woman, young people and old, come praise the Lord!

13 All creation, come praise the name of the Lord. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth. 14 Like a bull with mighty horns, the Lord protects his faithful nation Israel, because they belong to him.

Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 148 CEV

Enjoy what the Lord has done for you today and tell Him thank you!

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Something to Sing About

I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. One of the things it is famous for is the territorial prison. I’ve been there many times and seeing those small cells and the iron ring in the wall that prisoners were chained to always makes an impact. It helps me visualize different stories in the Bible.

Paul and SIlas had been arrested for casting a devil out of a woman. They were beaten and thrown into the inner prison. They were chained in a dirty prison cell, and they were in the dark. They knew they were being treated unfairly. They had plenty of reason to complain and bemoan their situation.

What did they do? They sang!

And not quietly, they sang loud enough for the other prisoners to hear them. Seriously. Singing at midnight in a dirty jail cell – what was there to sing about?

“Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say, ‘For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.’

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 ERV

Paul wrote these words. He and Silas were in that prison cell. He knew that he had complete victory through Christ and that nothing could separate him from God’s love. That’s what put a song in his heart.

As they were singing, God brought the victory in the form of an earthquake.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off. 27 The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!’

29 The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They said to him, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” Acts 16:25-31 ERV

Paul and Silas were free but they didn’t run to escape. They stayed to share the Good News of God’s love with their jailer!

Let me ask you, have you been badly mistreated and abused? Locked away and forgotten? Are you in a prison of your own making?

You’re not alone!

God is right there with you – nothing will separate you from His love. Let that really sink into your heart – it will cause you to sing at midnight and in singing praises to the Lord, your heart will come to a place of peace and the prison doors will open.

Rest well! God is bigger than your prison and stronger than your chains.

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Stop & Smell the Roses

or in my case, the cactus flowers.

The other day I stopped throughout the park to admire the beauty of the cacti in bloom. Everything from the smallest wildflowers to the mighty Saguaro are bursting with color. This is just one of the many things I love about living in the desert.

There are so many bees working the mesquite trees, you can hear them hum as they work. It’s at times like this that my thoughts go to Romans 1 where the Apostle Paul said that all men would have a witness of God through His creation.

“God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That’s why those people don’t have any excuse.” Romans 1:20 CEV

Looking at these resilient cacti, their brilliant blossoms and the magnificent hills that surround me, I wonder; what is it that you see each day that reminds you of God’s eternal power? Is it the way a mare cares for her newborn colt or a cow nursing a baby calf, the rush of the waves on the seashore, the majesty of the mountains, the course of travel of the clouds in the sky or the way the air smells clean after a rain? All are evidence, in nature, of the glory and power of God!

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. 3 You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.
4 But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth. The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens. 5 It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom. It begins its path across the sky like an athlete eager to run a race. 6 It starts at one end of the sky and runs all the way to the other end Nothing can hide from its heat.” Psalm 19:1-6 ERV

Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for letting the crowds line the pathways and praise Him. He gave this answer:

“Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things.’ 40 But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if my followers didn’t say them, these stones would shout them.’” Luke 19:39-40 ERV

Today I choose to sing praise to the Father – all nature gives evidence of His glory and majesty, but I want it to be my voice the Father hears giving Him praise and honor.

Father, to You belongs all honor, glory, power and praise. I love you!

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Stop and Listen

Early in the morning – this phrase is used over and over again in the Bible.

Early in the morning is a good time to start travel, fight an enemy, bring in the harvest, and it’s a good time to pray!

I have those mornings when I think I would really like to sleep a while longer, but I get up anyway. Why? Because I have learned over the years that sleeping in causes everything to get backed up.

I end up rushing to make up for the time spent sleeping. I miss the quiet, I must the sound of the meadowlarks and the cooing of the doves. I miss the beauty of the sunrise painted on the sky and I miss hearing the voice of the Father!

He meets me one-on-one, and I need to start my day in His presence. I can take in a deep breath and feel His calm fill my soul. I can look out and see the unspoiled beauty. It brings focus to my world; it brings peace.

“My God and King, listen to my prayer. 3 Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you and look to you for help. And every morning you hear my prayers.” Psalm 5:2-3 ERV

When we camp hosted in the mountains, I would have to rise early each morning and we would drive to a parking area where the cell signal would be strong enough to upload my blog. Most mornings it was right at sunrise. The morning I took this particular picture was so quiet. We had seen a few deer and some elk grazing in the meadow. The only noise was coming from our truck.

When I looked at the image later I was surprised to see the “Stop” sign. I was so enthralled with the sunrise; I hadn’t paid attention to the sign. This morning, I encourage you to stop – stop and enjoy the Father’s presence. Stop and listen to the Holy Spirit as He ministers to your heart. Or as God said it, “Be still and know that I am God”.

“16 But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. 17 I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me!” Psalm 59:16-17 ERV

Don’t be in a hurry to get through your quiet time. It’s special and to be cherished. When I was little one of my favorite hymns was In the Garden. You know it still is.

“I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

[Chorus:]

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.” Charles A Miles

Have a wonderful day! I know I will.

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Good Morning Sun

This morning Facebook reminded me of where I was three years ago and what a wonderful memory it is.

Martin Luther King weekend was a time to go camping with our oldest daughter and that year we took along two of our youngest grandchildren. There’s a great campground not far from us and it provides hiking, rock climbing and relaxation. Just what we need and enjoy.

The first morning we were there our granddaughter woke as I was having my prayer time and writing my morning blog. I could see through a crack in the blinds that the sun was rising – my favorite time of day – and I wanted her to experience it with me. So, I wrapped her in a blanket, and we quietly left the trailer and went outside to watch the sunrise.

We stood and we watched. We waited and we watched. The sky was a beautiful gold and when the sun appeared in the saddle of the mountains I said to her say, “Good morning sun – that’s how we greet the day”. She loved it and started repeating “It’s a good morning sun, a good morning sun”. I told her in language a 3-year-old could understand that each morning God blesses us with the sunrise and a beautiful new day.

Fast forward to our trip to California over Christmas, same granddaughter said to me early one morning, “Besta let’s go out and see the good morning sun”. My heart melted!

That’s how our heavenly Father wants us to be. Greeting the day with excitement and anticipation. Welcoming His presence, waiting to see His glory and feel His warmth.

Good morning Son!

“Your glorious power will be seen on the day you begin to rule. You will wear the sacred robes and shine like the morning sun in all of your strength.” Psalm 110:3 CEV

“praise the Lord for answering my prayers and saving me. 22 The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone. 23 The Lord has done this, and it is amazing to us. 24 This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.” Psalm 118:21-24 CEV

“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8 CEV

There’s a praise chorus that I love to sing. The first line goes like this – “In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You may have all this world, give me Jesus.”.

I hope you join Kristine and I as we rise and say “Good morning Son – thank you for your love”.

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Breathtaking Awe

A few nights ago, the neighbors gathered in the streets to see this beautiful Arizona sunset!

You all know how I love my sunrises and sunsets. As I was standing there, taking it all in Gail said, “God did that”! He sure did – He painted the sky with the deepest golden hues – beautiful.

This morning I waiting to see the sunrise. The skyline is cloudy gray but that’s ok too. The last couple of days we have enjoyed much-needed rain. The desert is feeling refreshed.

I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the breath I have in my lungs – clean, fresh air. Breath to praise such an awesome and almighty God but more than that – breath to talk with my loving heavenly Father and to thank Him for all He does.

Loving family, good health, a secure home, the beauty of his creation, the stillness and the peace I feel in His presence each day and the dear friends He has added to my life.

Yesterday I asked you to make a thankfulness list. I hope you did. This morning I’m asking you to follow King David’s example and enter into praise.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His holy place! Praise Him in the heavens of His power! 2 Praise Him for His great works! Praise Him for all His greatness!

3 Praise Him with the sound of a horn. Praise Him with harps. 4 Praise Him with timbrels and dancing. Praise Him with strings and horns. 5 Praise Him with loud sounds. Praise Him with loud and clear sounds. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150 NLV

Do you have breath? If you do, praise the Lord!

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My Gratitude List

Here we are just a few days before Thanksgiving. Maybe you’ve just put the finishing touches on your “on last trip to the store” list or maybe you’ve been checking the listings for the times of the parades and the football games. We all have a habit of making lists. Let me add one more list to your list of things to do.

A Gratitude List.

Maybe even make a few to share with the people you are having Thanksgiving with. Since today is the 18th try to come up with 18 items and then add one more each day until the end of the month.

At month’s end take that list and put it in your purse, wallet, Bible, locker, glove compartment – keep it handy and then on those days when you feel overrun by life take it out and read it – remind yourself of the good things God has done for you.

An old hymn came to mind today as I sat here thinking of my thanksgiving list. See if you remember it:

“When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer,

To Jesus I repair;

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised!” anonymous author 1744

Amazing – this author lived over 200 years ago but the things he writes about could be what we face today and the one thing remains the same – in times of trouble and unrest we still need to Praise the name of Jesus!

We serve a wonderful Savior. Look at Jesus’ final prayer to the Father in John 17.

“After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. 2 You gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. 3 And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. 4 I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth. 5 And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory I had with you before the world was made…I am not praying for the people in the world. But I am praying for these people you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And my glory is seen in them.'” John 17:1-10 ERV

Jesus prayed for us. He was about to go to the cross and His prayer was for us. He came to give us eternal life and that meant that we can know (become intimately acquainted with) the Father and we can know Jesus. He prayed for us who know Him because He loves us. He loves us enough to die for us.

Now say with the writer of the hymn May Jesus Christ be praised!!

I know what the first thing on my gratitude list is – it’s eternal life. How about you?

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