Planning

The man who makes his plans without taking into account His accountability and responsibility to God will find himself wandering lost on the crooked path that leads to disaster. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." All your ways. The man who refuses to trust in God's loving, sovereign hand to guide him is a man ends up trapped on a winding path that has no direction, no meaning, and no fulfillment. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death." Frustration, failure, blindness, and empty successes are the stops along the way of the crooked path. "Your word is a lamp unto my path, and a light unto my way." To make plans without God is to have no plan at all.

Thankful for a Few of My Favorite Things

Thanksgiving Day:

Thank You, Lord, for some of my favorite things--

Brad, Ben, Mindy May, Jamie, Moira, Evie
Getting to teach teenagers--for a living no less =)
All teaching moments
Those times when the Spirit takes a passage you've read "a million times"--even taught it--and shows you a beautiful truth you've overlooked every time.
A walk in a misty rain
Stars and lightning bugs competing for the applause
Thunderstorms--sometimes competing with the lightning bugs as well
Lectures in Catonese
Cardinal baseball--baseball
Good reads--Gilead by Robinson, Scarlet Letter by Hawthorn, My Name is Asher Lev by Potok
Good poetry anthologies--Leavings by Berry, Why I Wake Early by Oliver
Breakfast for supper
My Gardening Angels giving me another surprise
Manual labor outside
Quiet, solitude, calm
The old hymns
Bird watching--though I think they may be watching me?
Sitting in the dark watching a snowfall paint the world white
Meditating on the Word
Each day

Thank You, Lord

Day 18:

Sing along with me:

"Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul; thank You, Lord, for making me whole; thank You, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free."

Thank You.

Lord.

Thankful for Simplicity

Day 17
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

An old poet has said--it was either Longfellow or Lowell talking about Longfellow (maybe both?)--"Simplicity carried to extremes is elegance." Today, the Lord gave me another elegant day. Rose early to a sky streaked with pinks. A slow walk--redundant, I know--revealed a bird feeder knocked to the ground, the calico cat roaming The Acres, the new bed that I built yesterday untouched by the varmints of The Acres. A calming, serene traverse of The Acres.
Had to leave The Acres for a short while--grocery store trip in preparation for Duck Day. Threw bird seed on the ground as I left knowing the show would begin before I returned. Read the paper as I had a little breakfast--fake waffles. Cat lapped, of course. No reading anything without making room for comments in Catonese--and some purring. She loves to watch our feathered friends as well. And she occasionally exerts her influence by going to the doorwindow and showing her face so the friends will take off. Such power!!
Just sat and watched awhile--God's creation going about its business. Read a bit of poetry. Read some more of Technopoly by Postman.
Then, it was off to "work." The day was warm--at least until three or four. Still never cold cold. Re-did two more beds. I love that the Lord has left me with at least a little strength for manual labor--to make war with the curse. Tomorrow, He'll have to give me enough to redo three more beds. One of the beds today I turned into a yellow bed. Yellow dwarf iris, yellow hyacinth, yellow/gold crocus, and the grape hyacinth that have a touch of yellow in them. Of course, when you move things around, you're not perfectly sure that you moved the right things. But I can live with the expectation of a year of yellow. Those dwarf iris even re-bloom in the fall. Will be lovely! The second bed is just a mixture of whatever I could dig up elsewhere. Going to be a year of surprise, surprise, surprise The gift of manual labor is such a marvelous thing. Oh, I"ll be sore. Arthur will complain a bit. But work is such a refreshing thing--such a beautiful gift.
Now it's time for the evening "ritual." I will read a Psalm, meditate on it for awhile, and then off to sleep. I have found that a Psalm before rest is a lovely thing. I believe the Spirit immerses my mind and soul with it throughout the nighttime. If I wake before morning and I always do a couple times, the Psalm is immediately in my thoughts. And in the morning it is still there refreshing my heart and mind.
A spectacular day? Hardly. Breakfast, walking, bird watching, lecture in Catonese, reading, sitting silently and observing the sparrows that He has His eyes on, physical labor outside, a Psalm, and a night of rest. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of simple living in a world saturated with Your Presence. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

I did.

Thankful for His Gifts to Me

Day 16
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

I am thankful for the patience of God. He never gives up on me. Patiently, even at the age of 73, He continues to transform me into His likeness.
I am thankful for the kindness of God. He daily intercedes on my behalf before our Father. His grace is greater than all my sin. His kind forgiveness everlasting.
I am thankful for the comfort of God. He fills the empty places with His presence.
I am thankful for the lovingkindness of God. His loyal love for me is such an encouragement. He disciplines when necessary. He edifies when necessary. He encourages when necessary. He bares my burdens when necessary. His lovingkindness endures forever.
I am thankful for the gentleness of God. How many times has He stooped over to lift me up, carry me when I was flat on my face in failure. Strengthless. Weak and stumbling on the journey. And I have felt His embrace, His faithfulness, His love for me as my Father and God. His rest.
I am thankful for the joy of God. In times of heartache and disappointment, He has filled me with His joy--the joy that endured the cross for me. It is the joy that enables me to daily complete the ministry He has called me to do. It is the joy that engulfs me even when the sorrow is still there--incomprehensible.
I am thankful for the peace of God. Through the power of submissive, thankful prayer in all situations, He enables me to continue to love right and think right in every circumstance. It's presence surpasses all understanding.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

Thankful By Name

Day 15
I am thankful--and amazed--that the God who created the universe--the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God knows me by name. I am His beloved child. Such a merciful, gracious, personal God.

Thankful Wonders

Day 14:
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

The nine days of Thanksgiving break have begun. Early this morning a small herd of deer came meandering through The Acres. They took the exact same path as Tom, Mom and the Seven Young Turks took all summer into fall. Slip out of the trees near the driveway up near the cave. But stay just on the edge. Move quietly across the driveway past the hickories, swing through the side yard, and slide through the trees into the meadow. Is there some kind of invisible animal "road signs" that I can't see. "Come out here from the woods." "Linger and munch for awhile but stay close to the shelter of the trees." "Cross here by the hickories. Turn left past the blackberry bush." "Enter the meadow here." Strange--but fascinating.
Nature in cahoots?
And why is it the goldfish in the pond love a thin layer of ice on the surface. When that happens "word" must get around quickly because up they come by the hundreds. They just float there under the ice--beautiful but content. Why is an ice roof so valued?
And when I feed my feathered friends in the morning, there is a natural pecking order. A few minutes of bird chatter--blue jays must be in charge of the megaphones. Then, first and always first are the hit-and-run feeders--chickadees, titmouse, nuthatches. No one else stops by and settles in until they have first made their incursions multiple times. Are they the scouts of the bird world? Do their tactics make them safer than the other birds--draw out any predators that are in the area but too slow to nab them as they flit in and quickly out again?
I do not know how it all works. But it is fascinating and beautiful. Follow your paths and road signs creatures. Bask in your cold tub of ice. Send in the scouts. Ah, the beauty of the earth and its creatures spoken into existence by the God of Creation who cares for them all. And the old man watching them!

Thankful for Reminders

Day 13

I am thankful for David's reminders of who He is:

The King of all the earth

My Rock

My Salvation

My Shield

My very present help in time of trouble

My Fortress--my Strong Tower

My Refuge

My Shepherd

The Mighty One

The Lord of Hosts

A Father to the fatherless and a judge for the widows

My Lord and my God
The Living God

I shall not fear what man can do to me.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

Thankful for the Gift of Song

Day 12
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful for the gift of music, of song. I can't sing, neither can I count the times that He has put a song in my heart as I go throughout the day. Song revives the spirit, focuses the mind on His love, encourages the soul, brightens the heart. "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." Song--touches my heart as I sing, touches the hearts of others as we sing together, and resonates in the throne room of our Lord. Powerful gift is it not?

My favorite songs:
Deeper and Deeper
When Morning Gilds the Sky
Cleanse Me
One Day
Fairest Lord Jesus
How Great Thou Art
So Will I
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Sands of Time Are Sinking
I Am His, and He Is Mine

Hope the Lord puts one of these in your heart and mind today. I'll be joyful noising some of them all day long!

Oh, and I've shared this with you before, but here's the CD I hope to own one eternal day. Drop by my room in the back of my Father's house, and we can listen to it together.

1. The Morning Stars singing together at the creation of the world. What were they singing? Genesis One, of course. "And God saw that it was good."
2. Jesus and the disciples singing as they left The Upper Room and then walked to the Garden of Gethsemane.
3. Habakkuk on his stringed instruments singing his marvelous testimony "Yet, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation"
4. David singing the Twenty-third Psalm at night, under the stars, to still the fears of the sheep.
5. The Jewish multitude singing together the Psalms of Ascent as they marched up to Jerusalem for the Feast.
6. Moses and the impromptu choir singing on the other side of the Red Sea. Think their voices might have been full of awe and joy? So much joy that it reached Miriam's feet.
7. Paul and Silas--the duet. I wonder which one was the tenor? Or maybe they both just sang the melody. Brought down the "house."
8. The angels on Christmas morning--"Glory to God in the highest!" Indeed!
9. Mary singing to her Son--the baby who was the Creator and the Savior. You don't really believe she didn't sing to Him, do you? Might that be Joseph we hear humming in the background?
10. The original Oratorio of the Messiah.being sung this very moment in the throne room of our God. I hope to, sooner rather than later, join that choir. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.to receive honor, and dominion, and glory, and power forever and ever. Amen!"

Thankful for Good Gifts

Day 11

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful for those times when my soul and spirit were weeping and even my bones ached because of deep sorrow that God gave me the strength to do physical exercise that was a catharsis for my spiritual aches.
I am thankful that on those days when the aches of aging cause my physical body to moan that God gives me the strength for a quiet walk with Him at The Acres that turns my focus to Him and restores my soul.
I am thankful that at one of those times when I needed His intervention the most He gave me a "job"--actually a number of them--in South Carolina. My parents and sisters were a great blessing to my boys and I--brothers-in-law too! In the church I was fed by great teaching. Friends were made that I will never forget. He gave abundantly.
I am thankful for His gift of great friends in Ohio. They have encouraged me, loved and prayed for my sons (still do), allowed me to use the gift of teaching in a variety of ways--iron sharpening iron.
I am thankful for His humbling. A broken heart that has placed in me a sensitivity to the needs of others around me. May it never "heal." A timid and shy spirit that reminds me every day that my teaching is His work being done through me and not my own "expertise." "Without Him you can do nothing." Nothing.
I am thankful that in His kind provision He has in my old age given me The Acres. It is the perfect gift for my need for solitude, meditation, physical work, and love for the beauty in His Creation.

Thank you, Lord, for the showers of blessing--in sunshine and in times of sorrow You have lovingly "rained on my parade," given me a deep sense of Your presence, and showered me with nothing but good gifts from my loving Father.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

Thankful for Relationships

Day 10
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful that I was raised in a home where serving Christ was spontaneous--from serving in the church, to giving, to teaching the Bible, to holding Bible classes for the children in the neighborhood, to demonstrating hospitality to so many.
I am thankful for my sons and the women that complete their lives.
I am thankful for the "kids" I get to interact with day-by-day. All of them.
I am thankful when I hear of those I have been blessed to interact with in the past who are faithfully serving Him.
I am thankful for those who labor for Him beside me day-by-day. Their dedication, joy, and devotion to Him are my inspiration--my encouragement. Sharing our labor of love makes such service a delight and not a burden.
I am thankful for those that God has brought into my life--my entire life--to model Christ for me to emulate.

Relationships--a marvelous gift from the God of relationship.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

Thankful for Taste Buds

Day 9

I'm thankful for taste buds:

Polish sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes
Lemon meringue pie
Sweet and sour chicken (or pork).
Ginger chicken
Eggs over easy with bacon, hash browns, white toast--any time of the day.
Filet mignon wrapped in bacon--medium well (baked potato)
Thin oatmeal raisin cookies
Chicken and dumplings old style (see Mom's recipe)
Duck
The dreaded green bean casserole
Broccoli, lima beans, Brussel sprouts (sorry, veggie haters)
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Macaroni and cheese with Velveeta--the fake cheese
Deviled eggs
Stew made in a crock pot
Fresh salad with Marzetti country French dressing

I hope there's lots of food in Heaven. =) Thank You, Lord, for taste buds!

Thankful for What He Has Done

Day 8
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful that I have been regenerated. Dead in my sins, the wages just, But while I was still a sinner, He died for me. I am now alive in Christ for all eternity.
I am thankful that I have been redeemed. A slave to my flesh, a slave to sin, shackled to a master who is the father of all lies and the destroyer of those he enslaves. The price for my freedom was beyond my ability to pay and growing greater by the day. But He paid the price in full. Nailed my debt to His cross. He set me free to follow and worship Him--a bond-servant of my loving Master.
I am thankful for His mercy. Justly an object of His wrath; instead He has shown me mercy and removed me from all condemnation. The wrath of God poured out on Him should have been mine. Instead the love of God is lavished on me every day of my life.
I am thankful that I have been justified. Clothed in the filthy rags of my righteousness, I could never stand in His holy presence for a second. But He has taken off my filthy rags and clothed me with His righteousness. I am a new creation. He will present me to the Father faultless.
I am thankful for His sanctification. He set me apart as one of his holy ones. Me! And when I see Him, I will be like Him for I shall see Him as He is--The Holy One.
I am thankful for His reconciliation. I was an enemy of God--the Devil's soldier vainly trying to war against God and His will. But He transferred me out of the kingdom of darkness and into His Kingdom of Light--the kingdom of the Father's Beloved. I am now a soldier of the cross, the captive of His triumph over sin, death, and the Devil. Protected by the armor of God and strengthened by the power of prayer, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me.
I am thankful for His grace. None of those things could I earn. None of those things did I deserve. Buy by His grace I have been regenerated, redeemed, received mercy, been justified, sanctified, reconciled. I have been freely given grace that is greater than all my sins.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!!

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

Thankful for Who He Is

Day 7

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful my Savior is the Living Word. He spoke the world into being, He sustains and holds together the universe with the power of His word, He has given us the written Word that we might deepen our understanding of His majesty, and He will bring everything to completion--the destruction of evil--through the power of His Word.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Water of Life. The fountain of His presence in my soul quenches my spiritual thirst.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Bread of Life. He strengthens me as I feast on His presence and His Word.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Light of the World. I have been removed from the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom on infinite light.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Resurrection and the Life. I believe, and death has lost its grip on me.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Good Shepherd. He gave His life for me. He leads me by still waters and into the green pastures. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I am thankful that my Savior is the True Vine. As I abide in Him and He abides in me, I can bear much fruit to His glory. More like Him every day.
I am thankful that my Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through Him I have come to the Father, never to be cast out. Faultless in His presence by His eternal grace.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

Day Six: Thankful for Memories

Day Six:

strange fact: The house I grew up in--6337 Chatham Avenue in Wellston, Missouri--just sold in February of this year for $4,610. They must not have known that I used to live there. Would have sold for millions no doubt. =) Looks to be in fairly good shape though nothing that used to be around it is still there. Well, it was built in 1910 or something like that. Despite the changes--brings back memories. I had a great childhood. It was a real neighborhood. Cousins lived right up the street. Chatham Bible Church was there as well. (The church building is still there!) Greatest bakery in history was at the top of the street--Krausse's or something like that. Walked or rode bikes everywhere. Played every sport imaginable in the streets and alleys. Give me three friends and we could play Indian Ball on the concrete lot by the old high school. I have no idea why they called it Indian Ball. Played basketball for hours behind my cousin Ed's house as a boy. Later played pickup games behind the Catholic school. Grandma Blackburn lived right behind us. On days home from school "sick," we would spend time playing checkers. She was a fierce competitor--no breaks for grandson. =) Developed some loves there--in addition to basketball, baseball, Cardinal baseball, sycamores, iris, Rose of Sharons for the hummingbirds, cats, bleeding hearts--get some things in your system, can't get them out. Good thing! So many memories. Thank you, Lord! Wouldn't be me without them. I suppose that's a scary thought to some people. Priorities were family, friends, playing outside 'til dark, church three times a week--at least (they gave out the best boxes of Christmas candy), coffee cake on Sunday morning. "There Is nothing more extraordinary than the ordinary."--Longfellow. So many things to be thankful in this life--brief and fast-paced as it is. Take the time to recall the blessings of your youth!

Day Five Thankful

Day Five
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

January: A lovely snow to track through under a clear blue sky. Amazing, all the creatures that were out and about the night before--tracks everywhere.
February: the first crocus peaking through a light snow--purple-blues, pale yellows, and bright yellows. The first "surprises" of the blooming season.
March--Daffodil time--thousands of blooms all over The Acres--up front, on the edge of the bog, surrounding the pond, behind the cave, everywhere in the Meadow and Wild Area. Whites, yellows, pinks, reds, even orange--they love to dance in the country breeze.
April--Hyacinths--bright colors and a beautiful scent to add to The Acres. Love the deep purples and bright yellows. Hundreds of little bluish grape hyacinth everywhere. And bleeding hearts filling up the shady area with glorious reds and pinks--even a
May--Iris time! My favorite time of the year--such matchless beauty. Every color imaginable. Dwarves, mid-size--tall and lustrous. Some will re-bloom in the fall.
June: Here come the day lilies--one day of beauty at a time. The Asian/Oriental lilies bloom as well--bright colors that last for weeks.
July: By this time the Rose of Sharon and hibiscus have made their appearances--from pure white to dark red. Huge flowers--hummingbird magnets.
August: Here come the phlox--everywhere! The Acres smells like a perfume counter at the store. Bumble bees get intoxicated on the phlox.
September: This is highlight time for The Wild Area. Flowers everywhere especially the asters and goldenrod. Waves of white, purples, and yellows. An ocean of color.
October: By this time the annuals are reaching their peak. They've been slowly sneaking up on the annuals and now is their time to shine! And shine they do until frost.
November: It depends on how soon the frost comes. Leaves turn. The goldfish return to the surface for a daily swim. Some flowers will last until frost. The monkshood waits until now to bloom. A final burst of deep bluepurple.
December: Winter is here. A landscape of black and white beautifies The Acres with touches of the green pines and spruce. God always seems to lay down a blanket of white before the really cold days.

I am thankful for life at The Acres. Color everywhere all year round. Daily strolls of beauty. Thank you, Lord. Your creativity is evident in every area--shade, sun, rain, snow, the bog, the dry Wild Area, the pond itself. Nothing escapes Your paintbrush.

(And this is just a commentary on the major bloomers each month. There is much more!)

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

Day Four Thankful

Day Four:

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

I am thankful for the promises:

He that believes in me shall never die.
I AM with you always even to the end of the age.
I will never leave you nor forsake you; even when you are faithless, I will remain faithful.
I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself so that where I AM, there you may be also.
He that abides in me will bring forth much fruit.
I will supply all your need out of My riches in glory.
Fear not! I have overcome the world.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ask and you will receive; knock and it will be opened, seek and you will find.
My Word will not return unto Me empty.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
He that has the Son has the life.
Come unto me, all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Yes, even though you walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, you need fear no evil for I will be with you. My rod and my staff will comfort you.
So shall you ever be with Me.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God."

The Good Life

I received a letter earlier this year from a former student. She was turning 21, and since she was convinced that I was "living the good life," she wanted me to send her some advice on how to live such a life. That phrase caught me by surprise: am I living the good life? Than what is that--what is the "good life?" The world, of course, would define the good life as being trouble free. The good life would mean that they had all the resources they needed to be financially secure and able to buy whatever they needed or wanted at any time.
But that is not how Jesus defined the good life. He said, "Don't lay up for yourself treasures on earth--moth and rust will take care of them " The man or woman who loves riches will live a life saturated with self-inflicted sorrow and pain. He said, "Rejoice and be glad when people persecute you because of me." James told us, "Don't be surprised by the fiery trials that come your way--all sorts of them. Count it all joy!"
How then do I live the good life Jesus promises me? The first thing I must do--and if I don't do it the good life is impossible--is make my relationship with Him my number one priority. I must make His heart the one heart I do not want to ever grieve or hurt. Then, when the trials come--and He gives me silence as an answer to my prayers--I must remain steadfastly confident that He loves me and that He is going to use the trials to glorify Himself through me. In fact, the trial itself is proof that He loves me--not that He doesn't. Next, when the answer to that prayer finally comes, I must surrender to His answer down on my knees in submission to His will. And finally, when He uses the answer to glorify Himself--make His presence and nature known to those around me--I must respond in absolute devotion to His love for me--sacrificing my best to demonstrate to the world that His heart is the one heart that I adore above all others.

And what are the gifts He gives to the one living the good life?

A deeper and deeper understanding of who He is.
A deep understanding of His love for me and His perfect will in the worst of circumstances.
Deep relationships with others who are seeking to embrace the good life found in Jesus.
The salvation of those who I have been telling about Jesus' great love--when they see His work in my life--how rich I truly am in Him--they will believe that He is everything I've been telling them that He is. And place their trust in Him.
The criticism of those who don't want the good life, or who are too afraid of what it will cost them to embrace it, or who love themselves more than they love Him, or who are the enemy of the cross.

"Take the world, but give me Jesus."--the only good life.

Thankful The Beauty of The Acres in November

Day Three

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

Thankful for the beauty of The Acres in November

Standing by the pond as the day dies watching hundreds of goldfish paint streaks of orange on the surface of the black pond.
Laughing at the calico cat as she thinks she is successfully hiding under The Last Ride. Orange and white is not exactly good camouflage against the backdrop of a black car.
Sitting in awe as the first wet snow of November crystalizes on the branches.
Creeping down the driveway in the early morning darkness under a canopy of ice covered limbs leaning over the path.
Being entertained by Homesteader's fascination with all the feathered-friends feeding on the patio.
Amazed by a baker's dozen of male cardinals ornamenting the brush by the house. Who needs a Christmas tree?
Slowing meandering through the Meadow and along the paths in the Wild Area--brisk breeze, birds flitting through the tall grass and briers, blue spruce adding their deep winter color to the browns and blacks, the red leaves of the blueberry bushes and oak trees and burning bushes competing with the sun at twilight.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God. . ."

Day Two: Thankful

Day Two:

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

I am thankful that God is a pursuer and a seeker. He seeks the wandering sheep. He pursues the rebel whether they want Him to or not. He came to seek and to save those who are lost. I can continue to pray with the confidence that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is in loving, jealous pursuit of His "prey."

I am thankful that when I wake restless and discouraged, He can and will use my obedience to do His will--and restore my soul.

I am thankful that I serve a Savior who loves me--not because of who I am but because of who He is--the God who is Love.

I am thankful that the God who promises that all things will work for my good is the one who defines what the good is.

I am thankful that for the 73 years of my life He has always given me my daily bread.

"In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

Thankful

Day One:

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

I am thankful that I grew up in a day where there were Christian men--like Pop--that modeled Christ in their daily lives. Many of those men are Home, but like Abel, their faith still lives and challenges and encourages me to so live myself. I just heard a quote from a godly Bible teacher who says one of the great tragedies in our culture today is that the pedestals are empty--there are so few men who are setting an example of what it means to be all in for Christ day-by-day. "Spirit, help me to be so empowered to say with my life and my words that I am all in for Jesus."

I am thankful that death is dead. When I close my eyes for the last time on this earth, when I take that last breath, I actually will begin to deeply live. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord." I shall begin eternity by seeing Him at last face-to face. "Whom having not seen, you love. And though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and your heart overflows with an inexpressible joy." He shall transform my old earthly body into one immortal and incorruptible. It is the incorruptible that my heart longs for the deepest. O, to no longer grief His Spirit!

I am thankful that I have been given the gift of teaching, even though I have to give up being a hermit during the school days. I love working with teenagers every day--as one of our teachers at school so wisely said this week--we are working with the church of the next generation. Sure, as Lutzer has said, when it is my time to talk and their time to listen, we don't always start and finish together. Yet, the Spirit is working. Him I trust to transform His church into His image. His Word never fails to accomplish His purpose. That's a promise I can rest on!

I am thankful that I labor together with men and women--young and younger--that daily give their hearts to touching young lives for Him. I am encouraged by their faith, their dedication, and their labor of love. Good times. Tough times. They declare in life and word that they are in love with Jesus--that He can be trusted at all times.

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

He Makes

He makes the crooked path straight. He makes the valley of deepest shadow as bright as the noon day sun. He makes the headwinds of adversity the tail winds of a victorious, soaring faith. He makes the tears of sorrow the spring of comfort and a river of joy. He makes failure the cadence of the march of the triumphant conqueror. He makes the smallest word of kindness a symphony to His glory. He makes the hardest heart--the heart of stone-- a reservoir of tenderness and kindness. He makes the blind to gasp in awe when they see Him as He is. He makes the arrogant His humblest servant. He makes the slave to sin a servant of righteousness. He makes the weakest a rock of endurance, a shoulder of strength for the weary to rest on.

Only be strong and very courageous. Today His strength is yours to lean on. You can access it on your knees.
He has all along been preparing you for today's battle. You can access His armor on your knees.

No matter your circumstances, His love for you is immeasurable, unconditional, and inescapable. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

Truth

Our nation's understanding of truth is sadly evident in the idea that if you can be louder than the one you disagree with--shout them down--that makes you right and them wrong. Intimidation is a synonym for truth?
 Only in a culture afraid of truth and desperate to suppress it.

Bond-slaves

The New Testament writers introduce themselves--identify themselves--with a status that makes modern man cringe. They declare that they are a bond-slave of Jesus Christ. What is a bond-slave? Someone that has been set free and chooses to surrender all that he or she has, all that they are, to the one who set them free. The bond-slave of Christ is declaring that all that he is, all his substance, all his dreams, all his will--everything--is surrendered to Christ. He is "all in" for Jesus Christ--nothing is held back. Nothing.
The follower of Christ who holds on to anything instead of surrendering all does not fully understand the cross. It is while we were dead in trespasses and sins that Christ died for us. It is while we were His enemies that He died for us. It is while we stood condemned to eternal death, separated from God, that He died for us. While dressed in the filthy rags of our human attempts at righteousness, He died for us. While a slave to sin and the Devil, Christ died for us. While walking in darkness and thinking we were in the light, Christ died for us.
If I truly meditate on such love, truly understand such love for me, surrendering my all as His willing bond-slave is the only reasonable choice to make. And being His bond-slave frees me to live a life that pleases Him. It imbues my relationships with His unconditional, sacrificial love It reveals the joy that is promised in my trials. It empowers me to persevere, endure, reflect my confidence in my Master's will no matter what I face. It causes me to exult in His presence as He demonstrates His grace and mercy through me. It makes my enemies the focus of my prayers. It transforms me into His likeness; and thus, makes the beauty of Jesus to be genuinely--spontaneously--be seen in me in the humdrum of daily life.
The bond-slave of Christ has willingly denied himself. daily bears His cross, continually follows in His Master's footsteps. To be anything else is to not be His disciple--but your own.