Count Your Blessings

Christmas on a Sunday

2011-12-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

It's happened eight times in my life: Christmas is on a Sunday. Even the Super Bowl waits until the late afternoon to take over the day, but on Christmas day, many if not most church-goers stay home to open presents and generally relax from all the commercial excess of the previous month. Sad to think we have to rest from the very season that celebrates our Lord's birth. I imagine that when we get to heaven we won't want to rest from singing his praises, but here on earth it's a different story.
"And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which were told them about this child."

2011-11-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

"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!"
He who gives me breath and will to sing, gives me quiet peace in the midst of the confusion of the world. He is worthy of all.

Waiting on the Lord

2010-09-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord."
Ps.27:14

Dispite the speed of our digital lives today, we still do a lot of waiting. And we don't like it one bit. Waiting reminds us we're not in control. When we're doing something, we have the illusion we're the ones in control of our little universe. Waiting exposes that illusion for what it is.
That's why waiting and prayer go hand in hand. They're sides of the same coin: it's His world, and he'll make of it what he wants. Prayer begins and ends with that position, "Our Father who art in Heaven...Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory for forever and ever. Amen

Silence and waiting before the Lord is a very powerful thing indeed.

I Will Lift Up My Eyes

2010-09-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

"I will lifet up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Ps. 121: 1-2.

Today I will lift up my eyes from the mundane worries of the day, from the petty thoughts, from the vain striving, for the glories of the Lord.
Look up and really see.
Then rejoice.

I'm not a stranger

2010-02-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

I was feeling like a outsider yesterday at work because my team, which is on a special project, didn't have room for me in the team room, and I had to bunk up with a different team. Even though it's a temporary situation, I felt isolated and like an outsider.
But I saw all this from a different perspective today as I reading in Ephesians, "... you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

I'm thankful to God that whatever our condition, alone in a nursing home, hospital bed, foreign country,or just feeling lonely in a cubicle at work, we are not strangers to Him, who made us members of his very household.

Snow as Metaphor for Life

2010-02-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

I'm thanking the Lord for snow today. As the northeast prepares for a "historic" snowfall of 1-2 feet, and everyone buying bread, milk, gas, and DVDs, it got me thinking. Maybe down deep we're all a little thankful for the storm, because it disrupts the routine, the treadmill parts of life. It gives us the excuse to just stop for a while and stare out the window at the awesomeness of nature. There is something calming about the snow quiet that descinds on a neighborhood when it's blanketed with snow. It's like the world gets a giant "do-over."
Like it says in the Bible, "though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.

Light

2010-01-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Today I’m thankful for upbeat people. What a terrific influence they have on us, lifting our spirits, making burdens lighter. I was just at our favorite car repair shop to get a state safety inspection. A pretty mundane chore, but it had to be done. The lady behind the counter by most accounts has a pretty mundane job: listening to car problems all day, handling complaints, explaining the bill, etc. But you would never guess that to look at her. She smiled and made her job seem important. She went out of her way to connect positively with everyone who came in. Her attitude inspired me to do the same when I got back to work. Her cheerfulness and delight in her work somehow changed my attitude too.

This got me thinking that when Jesus tells us to let our light shine so the whole world can see it, we are not just temporarily influencing the world around us, but that light is having a permanent effect. It gives hope, brightens our spirits, energizes us to action. We can’t create this light any more than we can create sunlight, but we can do our best to magnify it, and “put it on a lamp stand, so that all may see."
As we learned using a prism in grade school, light physically appears “white” to us, but it actually encompasses all the colors of the rainbow. Just because we can’t see these colors, they’re no less there. The light that Christ has given us is no less amazing, giving not just illumination, but insight as well. We can see not just where we are, but where we should be headed.
A well-known Fox broadcaster was recently criticized for sharing his belief that Christianity offered more possibility of redemption for Tiger Woods than Buddhism. He was simply sharing the light that he had received, with the hope it could help someone in trouble. He was roundly criticized in the media for his insensitivity to another faith, and told he should have left his beliefs inside the church where he worships. But the light of Christ wasn't meant for a cave, but a lighthouse, and he was only doing what he could to bring hope and redemption to a fellow traveller lost in wild storms of life.

New Years Prediction

2010-01-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Just thinking that I'm glad I don't know what's coming up in 2010. God has given me the gift of unknowing. Oh sure, if I had even a little knowledge about where the stock market was headed, I could make a little money, which wouldn't be bad. But I think of all the things that give me pleasure, such as bowl games, grandchildren smiles, and surprising sunrises, that wouldn't be the same if I had a "preview."
Tevo may be good for TV, but bad for life.
May you have a great new year, and one thing I can pretty much guarantee: it will surprise you.

Christmas

2009-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7

When I was a boy in the early 1950s, we lived near the large VA hospital in Waco, Texas. It housed hundreds of veterans from WWII, many of whom would never be well enough to leave. These men, broken in body and mind, celebrated Christmas every year with a huge Christmas display in the front lawn that always included a manger scene as the center piece. It seemed like most of the town would come out every year to admire this wonderful display.
Though the world forgot these men and the sacrifices they had made, they made sure the most important part of Christmas wasn't forgotten.
I thank the Lord for those faithful ones who came before us, who have kept the flame of faith and freedom, so we can enjoy it's light today.

The Word of Our God Stands Forever

2009-12-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:6-8

While the withering of our bodies is not a pleasant thing, it's a reminder that we are his creation, and while outwardly we are fading away, inwardly we are growing stronger in Him. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and yes, forever."

2009-12-02T17:26:00.000-08:00

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.
Psalm 103:1-2

What are these benefits? pardon, healing, lovingkindness and compassion. That's enough for me.
Thank you Lord for your love for us.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100: 4-5

Let us not be like the 9 out 10 lepers who failed to thank Jesus for healing them: let's thank him right now for saving us and making us whole in Him. Let's give him the sacrifice of a thankful heart.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

2009-11-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Apraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Gal. 3:26-30

Our Saturday Group just finished the study of Galatians, and it reminded me of a song we used to sing in church:

"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares."

I thank the Lord for brothers in Christ, who bring companionship and encouragement to life's journey.

Reconciled to God

2009-11-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconcilliation. 2 Cor. 5: 17-19.

I think I get this now. The world doesn't really think it needs reconciling to God, because it doesn't want God. Amazingly we demand justice in daily lives, and can't stand any "sinning" against us in word or deed by anyone; and we won't be reconciled to our injurerer until they've completely made amends, and even then maybe not.

But when we sin against God, we don't feel that same obligation to be reconciled with Him. Apart from Christ's sacrifice for us, we couldn't offer enough righteousness anyway to gain that reconciliation. What possible gift can a man offer to a righteous God that can gain him communion with that Almighty?

Yet another thing to be thankful for! We are reconciled to God through Christ.

Contentment

2009-11-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance...
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.
Psalm 55: 1-2,6

Thank you Lord, for making me thirsty for you. You have given to me abundantly all that I need. May I always feast at your table.

Trust and Obey

2009-11-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth. For I have said, "Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens Thou wilt establish Thy Faithfulness." Ps.89: 1-2

The Lord's nature is love, and all we have to do is simply act on that truth by trusting his word. Like the hymn, we must "trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

I am thankful today for His faithfulness and lovingkindness, that never changes throughout the years, it's forever.

Sunday October 11, 2009

2009-10-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And 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.

I cannot improve on this. I just need to live it out, to clothe myself in compassion, and do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, who after all, was the kindest person ever to walk the earth. Whoever thinks kindness and gentleness is equivalent to weakness is deceived and doesn't understand the kingdom of God. We want a world that's kind to us, and expect heaven to be that way, but find it hard to be kind to others right here on earth? Today people laugh at the idea of sitting around the campfire singing "cum by ya" and think it's pretty pointless, but it's actually an example of what the scripture is calling us to do. No excuses about not being gifted in this area. Everyone who follows Christ has this gift.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

2009-10-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. James 1:17
The "Father of lights," illumines our life and shows us the path we should take. Without his light we couldn't see the blessings he bestows everyday. Today He gave us beautiful weather, an uplifting morning Bible study, and the time to communicate with Him.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

2009-10-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm thankful for the glorious day we had in Washington, D.C. I went downtown and put a gospel brochure in various museum cafeterias. Everyone was so happy and relaxed, enjoying the day with family, and luxuriating in the blessings of a free country. Americans have so much to be thankful about, and I guess the museums and galleries in Washington testify to that fact. Some of the greatest benefits of freedom are transparent--freedom from fear, the feeling of belonging, and the knowledge that as a citizen you actually are a part owner in this experiement in democracy. Thank you Lord for giving us such a great country.

Wednesday Sept. 30, 2009

2009-09-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for the simple fact that I can talk to God. Prayer is truly the most overlooked blessing of our life in Christ, and yet the most intimate and spiritually filling. Thank you Lord for listening...

Sunday September 27, 2009

2009-09-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

It's okay to be joyful. I'm giving you official permission--a hall pass for just enjoying you life. It occurred to me that there's literally thousands of sites that just rant about what's wrong with everything in the world from politics to entertainment, but few devoted to the contentment and joy found in simply iving for Christ.
So I'm going to do something very simple. I'm going to share one joyful thought from the Bible everyday for a year. I read once about a terminally ill young boy who composed a "joy list" for his parents half a dozen sheets of paper with writing on both sides and said, "I want you to give this to my mom and dad after I die. It's a list of all the fun we had, all the times we laughed." This got me thinking about starting my own joy list of the simple good things that happen everyday.
My first one:

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. —John 15:11
Today I sat in church with my oldest daughter Anne, her husband Chris, and my mother-in-law Alva. In the nursery were my grandchildren Grace and Lily. What joy it is to be able to commune with God with your loved ones here on earth, and not have to wait til we get to heaven. I think we share a bit of God's joy with each other just being together. It's wonderful.