COME YE THANKFUL

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my
whole heart, I will shew forth all
thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee.
I will sing praise to thy name,
O thou most High.
Psalm 9:1,2

It was two days before Thanksgiving. I was in the fifth grade at the time and remember a holiday was far from my mind. My dad was in the hospital at the time, and hadn't been able to work for awhile. Food-wise, it had been “slim pickins.” We didn't talk to anyone about it and just lived day to day. It hadn't always been that way, but was that year. Looking toward Thanksgiving in a couple of days, there wouldn't be the usual meal, but we were grateful for Thanksgiving whatever we had.

About 9:30, those two nights prior to THE big day, there was a rustling on our front porch. Mother went to the door and found no one there. However, there on our porch were two good sized boxes that were full of food. The items weren't just for Thanksgiving dinner, but a lot of extras in the way of staples to get us through for awhile.

We sat down to Thanksgiving that year with such a new look at the holiday. Being only in the fifth grade, we had colored all the pictures of turkeys and pilgrims. I had accepted Christ as my Savior early in November so for the first time, I began to realize what being thankful to the Lord and to others really meant.

We all have our Thanksgiving stories...some are highlights and others not the best. Through the years, we all have experienced both. For we who are children of God, He is the main thread that winds around Thanksgiving Day and other days. Despite circumstances, He is our constant and our presence everyday We may not eat turkey and dressing every day, but each day we live and breathe should be times of thanksgiving for we are a blessed people.

As the verses above suggest, David teaches us down through the years what we can do to be grateful and thankful people, lessons that should be a part of us to matter the special days.

David used “I will” four times in those brief verses. This indicates we must determine to be people of praise. What does thanksgiving look like to David?

*praise in singing
*praise with our whole hearts
*praise that is obvious
*praise with gladness and rejoicing

Our Heavenly Father is more than deserving of our praise and thanks despite any circumstances we are facing. He is our presence, provider and true love.

Thank You Father for all You are in our lives every day of every year. Thank You for Jesus and for Your Holy Spirit guidance. Your love is all-consuming, the root of all goodness toward us. We love You this and every day. In Jesus' name...Amen

IN THE SHADOWS

 

He that dwelleth in the secret place
of the Most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1

My red bicycle awaited me by our Christmas tree. I may have been about eight years old. I knew it was a used bike but my dad had a friend paint it, adding a new basket to make it all really special. There was enough snow on the ground that riding a bike at that time was out of the question. In fact, I didn't get to ride it until the warmth of Spring made it's appearance.On one of those days, I got to go outside and ride my bike to my heart's content. However, I had to go to the next block down from our house in order to have a smooth, concrete street to ride on. 

 Mother told me to stay just in that block and I did. Kids rode bikes in the street all the time with safety. I had a great time that late afternoon riding back and forth keeping to the right side of the street.

Soon two BIG boys made an appearance...Richard and Jerry. They both lived in corner houses of that block. They were really BIG boys...probably about 12 years old. They stopped me and told me they had called the police to come for me because it was illegal for me to be riding on their block. One guarded one end of the block and the other the same on the other end. I couldn't even go home, as they blocked me. This went on for what seemed forever.

Sooner than I expected my Daddy called my name. He had walked from our house into the block where I was “captive.” The boys scattered and Daddy said nothing to them. He just took my bike and told me to walk in front of him on the sidewalk to our house. He had gotten home for supper and I guess saw what was going on. We never did talk about the incident.

However, I was left with something I've carried through life. Behind my Daddy was the sun. It was lowering toward evening. For some reason, I immediately, looking ahead and at times down on the sidewalk, noticed I was walking in Daddy's shadow. That told me that he was right behind me and no one was going to “get me” while I was in that shadow. I almost made a game of staying right in that shadow.

Through the years I've learned some things about shadows. In themselves, they can't hurt anyone. Sometimes, one can hide in shadows if there is danger. Shadows come as a result of a light shining behind a person or thing. We have the assurance from Hebrews 13:5 that Jesus will never leave or forsake us. Even though we can't see Him physically, He casts His shadow all around us. He makes His presence known in so many ways in each of our lives. Would I like to see Jesus in person? Sure would, but for now, that is reserved for another time.

Meanwhile, we will rejoice in the privilege of hiding under the shadow of our loving Heavenly Father. He is quite capable of scattering any bullies that may come our way.

Dear Father, thank You for the security of knowing You are always with us in any circumstances. May we be willing to stay hidden in Your loving shadow where we know Your warmth and care. Thank You for Your presence in our lives. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

CLIMATE CHANGE

In the beginning God created the
heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

Perhaps you, like me, are tired of all the talk about changing our climate. The nerve and audacity of even such a suggestion is beyond stupidity. It is discussed across the world as if mere man can change our weather patterns. Of course, the thought is that all can change if only enough people put enough money politicians coffers for such massive changes to come about.

Lest we ignore the facts, the Bible mentions just about every weather and season phenomenon most people wouldn't be able to name. It doesn't take much research to find climate terminology that includes: rain, fire, hail, snow, storms, floods, whirlwinds (tornadoes), droughts and probably more. God, their Creator, has those tools to use as He sees fit for what may be for good or for judgmental purposes.

Brian and I watched a documentary several days ago that featured two major forest fires in our country. One started with just a touch of lightening on the top of one tree. From that, the wind took over spreading live embers for miles causing devastation that was incredible. Lives were lost and homes totally destroyed in less than several minutes. Okay, you clever “changers”, what is your plan for such an incident? When a tornado develops and moves toward a town, do you call the police or fire department? What about the National Guard? What do you do about that tornado? I'll tell you what you do, you run for cover and hope to be alive after it passes.

With all that is involved with climate, we must consider the creative process God planned for there to be seasons.....a time for planting and reaping. Even His created sun and moon have their influence on our seasons. All of God's creation is beyond wonder, even beyond those brilliant folks who seem to have everything about weather, climate and “green” figured out.

There is another climate change that is much more needed. Climate doesn't just refer to weather conditions. Climate can indicate one's mood or spirit. As critical as we might be regarding natural weather misinformation, our own personal climate of spirit or mood is also more than important. We may not be able to do anything about tornadoes and storms, but we do have something to say about our own spiritual condition and relationship with our Lord. In all of the culture wars going on around us, the fact is that it is in Jesus we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28a.) It is our own spiritual climate we can do something about as we maintain our focus on THE One who is most important and Creator of all.

What a glorious place Heaven will be where the climate will never need changing, where Jesus is the light and all will be perfect. There will be no need for debating about anything, all because of God and God alone.

Help us in these days, Father, to stay focused on You knowing You are sovereign and are in control of everything at all times. You never have to scratch Your head in wonder about anything. Thank You for Your provision of love and security for we,Your children. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

ROCKS GALORE

...for they (Israelites in the wilderness)
drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them: and that Rock
was Christ.
I Corinthians 10:4

Where I live, there are rocks. In size they can be as small as a pebble, but can also be as large as a mountain. They can be found in various sizes along trails, sitting in rivers, streams and waterfalls. Many people use them in their yards for landscaping. Rocks can cause stumbling or can be a kind of defense. Our river would look pretty plain without the rocks that grace those waters.

For close to a year, I kept a small rock on my chair-side table. It was given to me by one of my grandsons. He and his siblings when they visit, love going to my “place” that is near a small cascading water area. He and I used to go near a place there where we would throw pebbles into the stream. That small, lonely rock sat on my table with the promise that after I got over my knee replacement surgery, he and I would go back to that place and again throw our rocks into that rapid stream. It was a reminder to me to get well and to keep a promise. We recently got to throw our rocks in that river...on the count of three. When their family left, guess what? I found another rock on my table. I don't know who left it there, but nevertheless, it encourages me.

Scripture is full of “rocks” mentioned for one reason or another. When Moses met God on Mt. Sinai, God carved out a cleft in the rock for him to take shelter in as God passed by. Moses was also told on one occasion to smite a rock for receiving water. Further into Scripture God Himself is proclaimed to be the Rock. It was even declared that there is no Rock like our God. Scripture also tells us that God is our rock as in fortress and security.

There are other “rocks” I can recall from time past. Those rocks are people I have known who in the direst of circumstances have been strong and firm in it all. I'm thinking of friends and some family who have gone through the dregs of cancer. There are folks in our day I know who have suffered greatly from Covid but their faith remains in place and growing. The answer to that strength is Jesus the true Rock. That Rock stays with us and gives us a firm foundation on which to stand. We sing: “On Christ the solid rock we stand...all other ground is sinking sand.” That goes a long way when life seems to cave in on us

I'm so grateful that the greatest power even beyond the knowledge of man is with me no matter my circumstances. All other sources of security the world presents is temporary at best. In our river here, one thing rocks do is provide a beauty camera lovers strive to capture. There is a beauty in one in Christ who stands firm on Jesus THE Rock.

Thank You Father for the loving security You provide us in every circumstance. May we knowingly accept Jesus as that Rock of security we need in every circumstance of our lives.. Thank You for Your loving provision that meets our every need. In Jesus' name....Amen 

THAT'S THE BOOK FOR ME

 

For this cause also thank we God
ceasing, because when
ye received the word of God
which ye heard of us,
ye received it not as the
word of men, but, as it is in
truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you
that believe.
I Thessalonians 2:13

In Sunday schools earliest days, we sang:

The B-I- B-L-E.
Yes that's the Book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E.

That was good preaching in song whether at the time, we knew it or not.

Apostle Paul loved the Thessalonian people. His words to them were encouraging. He spent time encouraging new believers to grow in the Lord. He encouraged the people to live lives of holiness. Paul also encouraged them regarding the Lord's coming. Both I and II Thessalonians are wonderful books to spend time in. Paul wasn't just speaking to them, but the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our dy from these very same words.

I parked on the above verse not too long ago as Paul addressed those folks and their acceptance of God's Word. It reminded me of how I should be reviewing my own regard of God's Word.

They accepted it as being truth.

Those folks had received the Word as from God, and
were allowing the Word to really work in their own lives.

My personal view of this was to ask myself if I approach the Word of God fully as they did. So often, I take the Bible for granted. After all, the Bible has been a part of us and our country from it's foundation. However, the Bible isn't a relic or souvenir of some sort. It's a love letter and tool for our use in developing in the Lord for His glory. Our Bible is very practical in it's guidance and direction. We don't have to have a seminary degree to understand it. All believers have the blessed advantage of having the same teacher...God's own Holy Spirit.

My mind goes back to that simple song we sang so long ago. Do we still stand alone on the B-I-B-L-E? It's an old song but with a fresh message for today.

Thank You, Father, for Your Word. What a wonderful gift You have left in our hands. Through it we know of Your love, direction and truth to stand on. May be never leave it sitting idle on a table unattended or ignore what we read. Forgive when we are negligent in reading and obeying what it teaches. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

FILL IN THE BLANK

She was the prettiest high school girl I had ever seen, a distant relative I had never met before. Jesus just radiated from her life and I had the privilege of spending a few days around her. This was the first peer-age person I had ever just sat and talked with about spiritual things. She gave me a senior picture and wrote a nice message on the back. In the corner she wrote the Bible reference I'm dealing with today. I made it my verse at the time and for a few years after that, but did I have the right perspective regarding that verse?

A few weeks ago, Brian and I had the privilege of being back at the Billy Graham Training Center for a seminar led by Dr. Jerry Vines. He led a study on the book of Philippians which was a very timely thing for me. The first of September, our Sunday school literature would begin a study in Philippians. I was looking for additional information on the subject as I would be teaching part time during the quarter. Little did I expect how I would be convicted in a personal way.

All Dr. Vines had to teach was wonderful, but he seemed to “circle the field” on one particular verse. It was a verse that took me back many years as I had kind of adopted it for myself even signing it to notes and letters. I have loved the verse, but was shocked to learn those weeks back to the seminar, how wrong I had been in adopting that verse. It's a wonderful verse, one anyone can claim if it is treated in a spiritually accurate way. That verse reads:

For me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

That was Paul's testimony and rightly so. That was his life in every way. But it is different for for the rest of us whose testimony might not be that up to par.

Dr. Vines pointed out two places in that verse where there are two blanks. One blank is where we see the word “Christ” and the other is where is seen the word “gain.” Paul's verse was accurate from his own personal life. However, for me to live is what? What would we put in that blank...family, money, job, etc. or could we put Jesus' name in that blank?

The last blank has only two possibilities depending on what we put in the first blank...it is either “gain” or “loss”. If we put “Jesus” in that first blank, then “gain” is the appropriate word. Anything else in the first blank means “less” that would be appropriate for the last blank.

I pondered that during our time there and have since thought often of it probably on a daily basis. I want to be able to write that verse as Paul did. My goal is having Jesus first, my all in all and eventually it will be gain, gain, gain. It should be the same for us all. With Holy Spirit help, I'm working to that end.

Father, thank You for Your word and how clearly it speaks to us in every way. Thank You too for Your convicting power through Your Holy Spirit who teaches us and corrects us. I want my life to always radiate Jesus...Who I love and Whose name is above all names...Amen.

BETWEEN HERE AND THERE

Being confident of this very thing
that he which hath begun a good
in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

A major event in our family life when I was little was Monday wash day. My Mother rarely missed doing that. Monday evening she “sprinkled” the newly clean clothes that needed ironing the next day. Usually nothing else was done on those two days. With a move to another house, clotheslines had to be put up in our back yard.

My Daddy's huge contribution to all of that busyness had been to plant support poles that would hold clothes lines. One was put on one side of the yard and the other on the opposite side. He had a man weld two sturdy metal pipes with a cross beam on the top of each one. There was a huge hole dug, poles planted with lots of concrete poured in the hole to secure the poles. There were four hearty clothes line ropes pulled between those two posts. He would also make some tall wooden props with a notch at the top of them that could be put on a sagging rope holding clothes that would raise the clothes higher in the air as if raising a flag.

I never knew a week when something wasn't hanging on one or more of those ropes. In the time during spring cleaning, rugs would be taken out, thrown on a clothes line or two and then with metal rug beaters would be used until it would seem there couldn't be an ounce of dust left in them. There were times when my sister Kay and I were allowed to make tents by throwing a large, long cover across a clothes line to make a tent to play in. We didn't get to do that often, but when we did, it was more fun than most kids in our day will ever know in a lifetime.

What do clothes lines have to do with anything spiritual in nature? I look at our spiritual experience with regard to those clothes lines. One pole to me represents our beginning with the Lord...that time when we came to know Him as personal Savior. The other reminds me of our end...our journey to Heaven...beginning and end...those support poles stand ready to do their jobs from our spiritual beginning until Heaven.

However, for many Christians they seem to feel that the beginning and end is all there is to the Christian life. Some accept Jesus as Savior and don't consider there's a lot of rope between the beginning and the end. However, most of us know there's a lot to be done from beginning to end. There's a lot to be hung on those lines through our years of living with and for Jesus. We hopefully will come to know Jesus better, a devotional life to be developed so we can know Him better, and there's service for others needed that we do in Jesus name...there's a world that needs Jesus. God knows how He wants to use us but we must be available to His leadership

There's a lot to hang on those ropes in our lives. It's vital we realize our responsibility in it all and not just lope along through life having never hung out anything for Jesus on those ropes of our lives. Rain may bring anxiety, storms may bring problems, and birds may fly over our clothes lines dropping their private drops of ugliness, but negatives will come. Despite the set backs, we are to tend our spiritual clothes lines. We don't even have to take the things off the lines of our lives...Jesus will gather all of those things and then will let us in on it all when we see Him in glory.

Thank You Father not just for Jesus and Heaven to come but for everything You give us the privilege of doing for You. Strengthen us for the tasks You call us to and we will give you the glory. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

DOOR OF WELCOME

Behold, I stand at the door and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will
sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

For years, in church classrooms and even in the homes of Christian people, one could find the picture of Jesus knocking on a door. Jesus is seen holding a lantern in his left hand standing at a door with His hand in knocking position, hoping to be invited to enter. A house itself is not prominent but the door is enough to give the impression of a building. For many years, I didn't really notice one of the most important parts of that picture. As the lantern's light glowed against the door, it seemed to reflect the shape of a heart. The real evident thing about the door is that there is no door knob or handle on the outside. The door in the picture has to opened from the inside.

I've heard evangelists refer to this picture that Jesus was knocking on the door of the heart of an unsaved person. However, the above verse is found where God is speaking to the seven churches in Revelation. In fact, God is speaking to the church at Laodicea, a church satisfied with their lives and yet was a lukewarm church at best.

Prior to the above verse in verse 19, we find not just a rebuke but an invitation is extended. It's a verse that moves right into verse 20 where God says:

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:
be zealous therefore, and repent.

Have you ever gone to someone's house for whatever reason where you knocked on the door but there was no response? You knew someone was home. but they just didn't answer the door. We have a picture of a very loving Savior knocking on the door of one's heart. Jesus will never force Himself on us. His promise to us is if we open the door of our hearts to Him, He will enter where He can fellowship with us and we with Him. His fellowship with us is one on one, very personal.

I've asked myself when the last time was that I opened my Bible and prayerfully asked Jesus to enter through His Holy Spirit and then to give Him unlimited time for us to be together in close fellowship. How often do I leave Him outside knocking on the door of my heart, trying to draw me to Himself but I'm just too busy or spiritual numb. May He never have to knock twice when He calls on any of us.

Dear Jesus, no one has come close to do for me all You have done. You continue to love me despite my spiritual slackness at times. Forgive me for those times I have left You standing outside the door of my heart. May I consistently desire more times of fellowship with You. In Your precious name....Amen

LOOKING BACK

Be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

There are times when someone does something for us in secret and they have no way of knowing at the moment what it means to us. This last weekend is one of those times when a friend couldn't have known the impact of leaving a precious gift at my front door.

I grew up with the greatest of neighbors. I often went to the house of Mr. & Mrs. Rennie. They lived two doors down from us. We referred to them as Old Mr. Rennie and Old Mrs. Rennie. Our parents always referred to them as “Old”. They were probably in their mid sixties...they weren't just old. They were very old....OLD. I loved them and often went to their house. Old Mr. Rennie's entire backyard was a garden. Many people in those WWII days had gardens, but he grew about anything you could think about.

In the summer I learned to walk through our neighbors back yard to Old Mr. Rennie's back door. He would come to the door and I would tell him I wanted to eat a tomato. He had taught me how to pick one that was ripe and the right size. We would sit on his back steps, each eating a tomato. He would bring a salt shaker and we would both indulge. I knew I had to sit on that step until I ate all of my tomato leaving only the stem part. There just was no taste like Old Mr. Rennie's tomatoes.

I have spent my life loving tomatoes and really looking for just one tomato that tasted like those tomato's I ate on those concrete steps with and OLD friend. I've sought that taste and although most tomatoes have been very good, there has just been something missing.

Sunday, a friend left four gorgeous tomatoes on my front porch. I don't know who did it but brought them in anticipating eating one when I got home after church. I couldn't wait to dig in and did so after grabbing my salt shaker. I took my first Bite. I just sat there chewing on that goodness. All I was thinking was “Old Mr Rennie.” I couldn't believe that after 78 years, THE tomato had finally made it's appearance in my life. Sounds strange I know but that's the way it was.

All of that for this....we never know when we show a kindness in another's life what that might mean to that person. I've done those things and it's kind of fun pulling off a secret on someone. At the same time, on the other end and in many cases, we may not know until Heaven what that act of kindness meant to one who was perhaps going through a hard time and an “Old Mr Rennie: memory may be stirred in that person's mind and are blessed. How fun to be that kind of encouragement. A person need not be going through a tough time for such thoughtfulness. We can all use an extra smile at anytime.

As Christians, we're called to be people-conscience whether they be saved or unsaved friends. Maybe that “tomato” could be a seed sown in an unsaved heart that would draw that person to seek and find. Perhaps a Christian who is discouraged with life would feel a warmth that someone thought of them in a special way and they were blessed. Often just such a thing can encourage our own hearts as givers knowing that for a moment, we took our eyes off of our own problems and thought of someone else.

It may mean a phone call, a card, or a word of kindness...even a tomato We live in a needy world and are still called to be “Jesus with sin on.” Let's not be weary in well doing. Too many people need us.

Thank You, Father for the people You have brought into my life through the years who have blessed me in so many ways. Thank You for the notes, church friends, teachers, green beans, squash and yes, tomatoes that have brought me through some tough times. Thank You mostly for Jesus Who is my all in all. In His precious name....Amen 

UNDER THE FEATHERS

 

He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou
trust: his truth shall be thy
shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4

Anyone who gets a card from me knows that in the inside bottom right corner of that card, I print “Ps 91.” The “Ps” doesn't refer to “public school” as it has in the past, but refers to the book of Psalms. For several years, it has been a Psalm I read often, especially in a time when I need a warm hug from God. It's a Psalm of strength, comfort, security and love, among other wonderful benefits. Through all those things, I've come to know God so much better and it reinforces my trust and faith.

The entire Psalm is precious, but there are qualities I see sprinkled through this Psalm that remind me of who God is, such as:

*Most High -1
*Almighty-1
*Lord-2
*Refuge-2
*Fortress-2
*My God-2
*Feathers and wings-4
*Shield and buckler-4
*Angels on duty-11

There is so much more in all the verses of that Psalm that connect it all. Verse 4 is one I have on a plaque and even on a necklace I wear often. In that verse I see the warmth and tender care of the Father as expressed as a mother bird would protect and provide for her little ones. In that warmth and tender care, security and trust is built up.

The story is told of a prairie fire that occurred many years ago. A family had to forsake their homestead because of the fire. When all was over, the family returned to find total devastation. However they found the charred body of a hen. The man just kicked it over and from there three or four little chicks scurried from under the mother hen's charred body. She had extended her wings pulling her chicks down and under her wings for protection.

As I look at the above verse, I am reminded of that mother hen, providing love and life for her chicks. In that verse is not only the protection and warmth under His wings, but we see a God armed for battle...shield and buckler. He's prepared in every way to be our defense. A shield is a large item that would cover most of a soldiers body,. The buckler was a smaller round shield with a strap the soldier could hold on the forearm while holding a sword in the other hand. It was used for closeup skirmishes. All of this is a way to describe our God, our protector and defender from the evil one.

All in all, this Psalm spells for me L-O-V-E as only God can show and feel for me. I'm not worthy of one moment of His attention, but that is just who He is in my and your life as well. In these days, we need to read over and over who God is in our lives. Jesus gave His all on this earth that we might know this wonderful love and care only God can provide. He is as near as the breath we breath. Under His feathers we find comfort, help, security, love and so much more. Join me...under His feathers

Dear Father God, how we thank You for all You are in our lives. We can't begin to make the list of Your times of protection, provision and peace You have extended to us all because of Your love for us. May Your Holy Spirit continue to guide and teach us. Help us to walk in obedience and grow in You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen