Give Thanks!

 

Backyard wild turkeys in 2019

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His mercy endures forever.   ~1 Chronicles 16:34

In America, this one nation under God, we have so much for which to be thankful.  It is my hope and prayer that each and every one of you who visit here have a most blessed Thanksgiving Day, and that you will give thanks to the Lord with every breath you take.  He is good and His mercy endures forever!

Please take a moment to reflect and leave your messages of gratitude to God in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the Letting Go

 

This poem originally appeared here one year ago.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Verdant leaf, once I was

One of many countless friends

Who waved and shouted glory

In the presence of the sun

Vibrant, filled with vigor

Waxing, no waning thoughts

In the season yet to come

Season here, my color fades

Shining green steeped in brown

There's not the strength to carry on

But in the letting go, I live

Because the promise of the One

Knows I have played my part

Amen!

Top Priority

 

Shiloh Community Church

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ~Matthew 6:33

He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only. ~C. S. Lewis

If someone asks you, what is your top priority in life, what would your answer be?  How do you think most people would respond when confronted with this inquiry?  The modern world in which we live is largely secular.  We are bombarded daily with messages from ads and commercials that we need this or that product to enhance our beauty, whiten our smiles, relieve our pain, achieve our worldly goals, get that promotion, drive the classiest car, reduce our weight, and the list could, and does, go on and on.

Christmas is right around the corner.  Sadly, instead of thoughtfully and lovingly preparing our hearts for the advent of Jesus as a babe in the manger, so many people are strung out like tangled Christmas lights as we prepare our homes for the perfect tree, perfect decorations, perfect meals, and perfect family gatherings in the offing.  We want to appear to be perfect in every way, don't we?

But the hard truth is none of us, even those deemed righteous by others, can ever be perfect.  Nor, were we meant to be.  Dare I say, we need to repeat the phrase, Jesus is the reason for the season, when life becomes hectic and we feel overwhelmed at the holidays.

The world tells us lies about who we are.  It says we're not enough.  We don't have enough.  

But God.

Our Father created us in His image.  Each one of us is unique and loved by Him.  In His gracious time, He sent His only Son not to punish, but to take all the slings and arrows we deserve upon Himself.  What does Jesus ask in return?  Place His Father at the top of our priority list, just as the tops of our Christmas trees often display a shining star symbolizing the great one that guided the wise men to Jesus so many years ago.

So, before the holidays catch you dashing and dancing around like frenzied reindeer, STOP!  Take a deep breath, or two or three.  Close your eyes.  Give prayers and praise to God for all His blessings and mercy in our lives.

If seeking God and His will is at the top of your priority list, all else will fall into place.

Amen!

Your Will Be Done

 

Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ~Matthew 6:10

Seasons come and seasons go

Beyond control of human race

Now is the time for our embrace

Of God.  We need to know

His will for us as days progress

Descend with clarity, His way

Election nigh, so now we say

To Him, we won't shirk, regress

From Your presence, gifts you've given

To Your people who pray

As it is on earth and in heaven

May it come true in the one

Who honors You, Your plan, Your will

My Lord, we pray, be done.

Amen!