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All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

In last week’s post, we discussed counting our blessings.  This week we’ll approach the same concept, only alphabetically.

For our Thanksgiving worship service way back in 200l, I enlisted the help of my three oldest sons, Christian, Craig and Caleb, to compile an alphabetical list of things we enjoy because of our generous God.  (They would have been ages 12, 10 and 8 at the time.)  I then pulled the list together into a prayer.  Here is that prayer:

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For apples, animals, and airplanes;  for the alphabet, athletics and all our abilities;  for America and for angels …. we thank you, Lord.

For buttons, blankets, bathtubs, boats and books;  for our bodies, babies, boys and brothers;  for the Bible, believers and the birth of Jesus …. we thank you, Lord.

For colors, computers, clothes and cars;  for courage and care;  for our cities and country and the clouds that float over them;  for church, Christmas and Christ …. we thank you, Lord.

For doctors and dentists;  for daylight and each new day;  for all Jesus’ disciples and true doctrine …. we thank you, Lord.

For exercise and the earth;  for our eyes, ears and everything you give us;  for Easter morning and the joys of Easter …. we thank you, Lord.

For flowers and forests;  for our flag and our freedom;  for food, friends and family;  for our forefathers, fathers and our Heavenly Father;  and for faith in our Heavenly Father …. we thank you, Lord.

For green grass and ripe grain;  for goodness and gentleness;  for grandparents, grandchildren and girls;  for God and God’s great grace …. we thank you, Lord.

For health and happiness;  for our houses and our homes;  for the Holy Spirit,  his work in our hearts, and our heavenly home …. we thank you, Lord.

For ice cream and islands;  for instruments and intelligence;  for injuries and insults that never occurred …. we thank you, Lord.

For judges and justice;  for joy and for jumping;  for Jesus and the justification he earned for us …. we thank you, Lord.

For kites, kittens and keys;  for kindness and knowledge;  and for the King of Kings …. we thank you, Lord.

For lakes and light;  for life and love;  for lips to praise our Lord …. we thank you, Lord.

For mountains, mouths, months and money;  for music, milk and memories;  for men, marriage and mothers;  for missionaries and for me …. we thank you, Lord.

For numbers and names;  for night and for neighbors …. we thank you, Lord.

For oceans and oxygen;  for obstacles through which you bring blessings;  for the open door into heaven because of our Savior …. we thank you, Lord.

For presents and pets;  for people and pastors;  for peace, praise and proper priorities;  for the Pilgrims who opened up a new land and celebrated the first thanksgiving;  for your fulfilled promises and your promises yet to be fulfilled, and for prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For quickness, questions, and quiet …. we thank you, Lord.

For radios, responsibility and reflexes;  for rain and the roofs that keep it out;  for the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrections one day …. we thank you, Lord.

For the sun, streams and sky;  for seasons and sisters;  for sight, sound and smell;  for the Sabbath Day, Sunday School, our Savior and our salvation …. we thank you, Lord.

For television, toys, trees and trains;  for turkey on the table;  for tongues to talk and to taste and teeth to chew;  for teachers and truth …. we thank you, Lord.

For umbrellas and universities;  for the United States of America and for Us …. we thank you, Lord.

For voyages and victory;  for our voices and our vision …. we thank you, Lord.

For wheels and wagons, windows and walls;  for water, waterfalls, and women;  for the world and for Washington; [editor’s note: we lived there then!] and for your watchful care …. we thank you, Lord.

For Xrays, eXcitement, and all the eXtra gifts not mentioned in this Prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For yesterday, youth and years;  for yummy things to eat;  and for You …. we thank you, Lord

For zippers, zebras and zest for the Gospel …. we thank you, Lord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

There is ONE source for our countless blessings: our gracious God!  And if we just take a moment to consider how very blessed we are by Him, there can be but one response: heartfelt and profound thanksgiving!  If we actually take the time to reflect, there are simply TWO many gifts from God to not be overwhelmed with wonder.

For example, consider the THREE persons of Trinity, and how incomprehensible, powerful, wise, wonderful and magnificent our God is in every way.  And this all-surpassing God is always present, protecting us and providing for us in every way!  Our response?  Absolute awe!

Then to consider that he loves us so much that he would actually suffer and die FOUR us … for you and me who don’t deserve it but are given it through Jesus our Savior nevertheless … there’s not nearly enough time to praise God sufficiently for his countless blessings.

Our FIVE senses provide abundant reasons alone to praise the Lord; our “SIXth sense” (our souls and the God-given faith in them) which recognize God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness show us even more and better reasons for praise!  We are forgiven and saved – made children of God and heirs of salvation through faith in Jesus!

Then there’s the Biblical number SEVEN, which represents God’s active involvement in our lives, working everything to perfection.  This was the case in the Bible, and it’s still true in our own lives!

EIGHTy years on earth isn’t sufficient time to properly praise God who is the giver of all good gifts … including the incredible NINE-fold fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  Thankfully, God is bringing us to the perfect joy and fulfillment of heaven, where we can worship him for his countless gifts forever.

Which calls to mind another Biblical number – TEN – which represents totality or completion.  When living forever in the presence of our glorious Lord and scar-marked Savior, we will finally recognize the totality of God’s goodness to us, and that his work for us and in us has been brought to perfect completion.  We are in heaven – forever saved.  Which will be the greatest blessing of all, and the culmination of all of God’s blessings.

ELEVEN trillion-trillion years will pass by there with us “bright shining as the sun,” and “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”  (John Newton – “Amazing Grace”).

The TWELVE apostles will be there, with Paul the “THIRTEENth,” as well.  Not to mention all the godly men and women of the Bible, and those faith-heroes of history and our lives as well.  How incredible to be joined together in one holy, heavenly place, united in victory through the Savior.  How astounding to share the stories of our struggle along the way, and to marvel at how God has faithfully led us there and used us along the way for his good purposes.

FOUR-TEENs, children, and adults … for young and old; male and female; rich or poor; beautiful, handsome, or “not-so-much” … for all the throng before the throne of Jesus, it will be a sight never before seen … and a sight that never grows old.

FIFTEEN-thousand boundless tiers of the colossal heavenly amphitheater filled with angels encircled around the Lord, worshiping him enthusiastically and unendingly – the countless believers from the centuries joining their song.  And everyone present will be counting their blessings from God, and praising him for them for all of eternity.

But let’s not wait until then.  Now’s a great time to thank God for his innumerable gifts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A newer song on Christian radio inspired this post.  It’s called “Counting My Blessings” and is written and sung by Seph Schlueter.  Here is the refrain and some of the words:

One, two, three – 
Up to infinity;
I’d run out of numbers
Before I could thank You for everything!

God, I’m still counting my blessings;
All that You’ve done in my life!
The more that I look in the details,
The more of Your goodness I find!
Father, on this side of Heaven
I know that I’ll run out of time.
But I will keep counting my blessings;
Knowing I can’t count that high.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Psalm 23:1,5b-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. … My cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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The Little Things

The Little Things

We are well aware of the big things.  They are frequently on our mind and seared into our consciousness.

We are very cognizant of our significant bills (mortgage, auto payments, etc.).  We know our financial picture … the money coming in and the money going out, and how those two factors relate to the other.  Health issues have a way of upending our day-to-day lives.  Strained familial, educational, occupational, congregational and social relationships impact us.  Technology goes haywire and vehicles or other mechanized conveniences break down and have to be repaired or replaced.  Big things, all.

But the big things that demand our attention aren’t always negative.  There is an abundance of positive things as well.  A visit with dear family members or friends.  A long-awaited vacation.  An unexpected windfall.  Accomplishing an unpleasant task that has hung over our heads indefinitely.  A new job begun or a financial debt resolved.  A new addition to the family.  These are also big things, but good things!

Typically we spend a lot of time focusing on the big things in our lives.  Those are the things we think about and pray about; the issues we devote our energy and personal resources toward.  Those are the matters that we seek or want resolved, and the ones that we are convinced will provide us with the greatest joy when resolved favorably.

And this point of view is normal and good.  It is also probably true.  However, the older I get the more I am learning to focus less on the big things, and reflect more upon the little ones.  I am convinced we would all be happier if we took more time to appreciate the small blessings. (Which really aren’t smaller blessings at all, even though we tend to look at them that way.)

James reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights … (James 1:17).  In other words, both the “big” blessings and the “little” blessings are wonderful blessings from our gracious God!  We would be wise to recognize this.

The list of “little blessings” is a long one!  Here are just a few that come to mind:

Another sunrise.  Blue skies punctuated with fluffy white clouds.  A lovely sunset.  Rain that waters the land and lulls us to sleep at night.  Flowers, shrubs and trees that burst into bloom.

A butterfly fluttering across the yard; a hummingbird hovering over blossoms; sparrows greeting the morning with song; an eagle gliding on wind currents; deer sighted in the distance.

A hug from a loved one.  A smile.  A kind word.  Time spent together with family and friends.

The smell of a baby; the sound of a toddler’s laughter; the sight of children playing; the feel of a young son or daughter’s (or grandson or grand-daughter’s) hand in yours; the taste of ice cream shared with youngsters.

A dog who is always happy to see us, no matter our mood.  A cat who purrs contentedly in our lap. 

A relaxing sit on the deck with an intriguing book.  Or even better, a nap in a hammock.  Naps in the recliner qualify too!

A simple task accomplished; a good meal enjoyed; a fun game played; a favorite show or ball team watched; a hobby pursued; a walk with someone dear.

A friendly card in the mail; an encouraging email; an unexpected but uplifting phone call; a warm greeting.

A memory remembered; a favorite song heard or sung; laughter and light-heartedness; the scent of your wife’s perfume.

The gift of sleep, and the gift of waking up again.  The lack of pain.  The use of our five senses.

Most would probably agree that these are “little things,” or at least things that we tend to take for granted.  But hopefully you also agree that they are big blessings as well … even if we don’t usually recognize them as such.

The Lord floods our lives with “little” blessings, and he gives us this encouragement: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In other words, recognize and treasure even the little things.  Maybe especially the little things!

I pieced together a partial list of little blessings.  What are some of the little things that bring you joy?  Please share!

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But for the Grace of God Go I

But for the Grace of God Go I

Due to the location of our church near down-town Tacoma, the congregation finds itself dealing with homeless folks and the issues they bring fairly regularly.  And there are definitely issues – many of which aren’t positive.  But not all of them are negative either.

It is not my intention with this post to mount my high horse and take a stand one way or the other on homelessness, or push a personal opinion or agenda on the matter.  Rather, I simply wish to make a few (hopefully helpful!) points to perhaps foster some healthy introspection.

I’ve had multiple conversations with folks living on the streets – usually after they have slipped into the church during a worship service or other activity.  This is one of the blessings of being in an area where the homeless inhabit.  Different congregational members and I have had many opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with folks struggling on the street, and to reflect Jesus’ love to them … many of whom don’t experience much wholesome love in their day-to-day situations.

Here’s my first observation: one cannot lump every homeless person into a generic category.  They are not all drug addicts or alcoholics.  They are not all mentally unstable.  They are not all choosing that lifestyle.  They are not all uneducated.  They are not all inconsiderate litterers.  They are not all criminals.  They are not all unbelievers.   

And they are certainly not all worthless.  (The Lord Jesus loves each one of them and died for them!  There is no higher value possible than that!)

Each individual is an individual with their own individual story. 

While transporting a soaking-wet woman to a safe place … a woman who walked in the church doors after the Christmas Day service, I asked her how she got in this situation.  She replied, “It’s a long story with many reasons, but it started with the death of my daughter.”  She also made the comment, “I wish more people asked that question instead of assuming the worst.”  Then she returned to singing along with the Christian Christmas songs playing on the radio.  She said, “I wish I would have gotten to church in time for worship this morning; I love the message of Christmas.”

The man who stepped into the Sanctuary this past Wednesday after worship had a different story.  After buying him a hot Pho meal (his choice!), he confided that he had to leave his home because of his abusive uncle.  When I asked if it was worse than living on the street, and could he go back there, he responded that if he did, his uncle would probably throw his mother out on the street.  He couldn’t live with himself if that happened.

While most who pop in end up asking for help of some kind (usually money), it is not at all uncommon for some to simply stay for worship.  The logical assumption might be that they are there because it’s a warm, dry place.  And that’s true for some, but others clearly relish the opportunity to hear God’s Word.  A gentleman who joined us recently actively participated in the service, and then afterwards asked me some theological questions that showed a clear mind and keen grasp of the Scriptures.  He never asked me for anything else.  He only wanted the Word.

While there is no doubt that many living in tent-cities are there because of significant personal issues, and a good share of them really do choose to live that way, there is also no doubt that there are some who do not.  They simply fell into it somehow, and desperately desire to crawl back out of it. 

The unfortunate reality, however, is that once one “gets down on their luck,” their “luck” is exceedingly slow to change.  Once dirty, disheveled and smelly, it’s pretty difficult to catch breaks … no matter how hard one may try.  The homeless shelters try to help, (God bless them!), but they have shortcomings as well. 

Between bites and gulps of his Vietnamese soup the other night, the homeless man in my truck confided that he had totally taken for granted the simple luxuries of life.  A hot meal.  A bed to sleep in.  A roof over his head.  A shower.  Comfort.  Safety.  He said he desperately wanted those things back, and if God gave them to him, he would never take them for granted again.

It is always sobering to have a heart-to-heart with someone on the street.  When it happens, I always find myself wishing I could do more for them, and I’m always astounded at the gratitude most have for the little I do.  It’s also impossible to fail to recognize how blessed I am … no matter my personal trials.  Furthermore, it’s impressed upon me that if a few things had gone differently in my life, I could be out on the street myself.  The same is true for you.

Which puts a whole different perspective on the matter.

But for the grace of God go I.  But for the grace of God go you. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lamentations 3:21-25
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

James 1:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Psalm 146:1-2, 5-6
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. … Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — he remains faithful forever.

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Thanks-Giving!

Thanks-Giving!

On the last Thursday of November, our nation celebrates Thanksgiving.  People travel to be with loved ones.  Hugs are given; memories are shared; laughter is heard.  Families and friends gather around huge meals. 

Afterwards, some will settle in for a comfy nap on the coach or to watch football games, or both.  Others will go for a stroll, weather-permitting, to “walk off the extra calories.”  Groups will gather for cards or boardgames, or simply for pleasant conversation.  Some will check the store fliers to plan their Black Friday expeditions.  Still others will do something altogether different.  Every family and every person has their own Thanksgiving traditions, which is wonderful.

After all, it’s Thanksgiving!  It’s a national holiday … a day to relax and refresh.

But consider for a moment the name of the holiday.  The day isn’t called “Thanks-thinking.”  It was never intended to be a day where folks take the time for some self-ruminating on how good they have it.

Nor is it named “Thanks-gathering.”  That is, a day to get together with family and friends as a polite and pleasant acknowledgement of great blessings and a general nod toward gratefulness.

Rather, the day is named “Thanks-giving.”  That’s more than just reflecting about and rejoicing in one’s blessings, isn’t it?  The very name implies giving thanks to Someone, doesn’t it?  And there’s only One who has supplied us with all of our blessings.  It’s the Lord, of course. 

I wonder how many folks actually remember to thank the Lord on Thanksgiving Day.  It is the Lord who gave us life … and family … and a home … and food to eat … and clothes to wear … and vehicles to drive … and a place to live … and every single other blessing we enjoy.  And he’s even given us a Savior—the very best gift of all! 

The Bible informs us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. … He [even!] chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:17-18)

But in order to thank the One who gave all, a person has to know who that God is.  And they have to recognize how incredibly that God has blessed them.  Thankfully, you and I recognize both!

Which can only lead to one thing: giving thanks to our gracious God!

Happy Thanks-Giving, everyone!

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An Understood, but Often Unapplied, Truth

An Understood, but Often Unapplied, Truth

A year ago on June 6, on the morning of what was supposed to be Student Confirmation Sunday at the congregation where I serve as pastor, I tumbled down the bottom steps of the stairway from the balcony to the main floor of our church.  When I tried to pick myself back up, I couldn’t. 

Consequently, I experienced my first (and hopefully last!) ride in the back of an ambulance.  I was about to learn that I had a Grade 3 (severe) quadriceps strain in both of my legs.  In laymen’s terms, I had torn the muscle fibers of my upper thighs.

Through the years, I have been drilled by line drives on the baseball field, had my forehead split open in a car accident, and been achingly sore from long days of grueling physical labor in fields and factories.  I have broken bones and even had my left kidney removed via five incisions in my stomach.  But I have never experienced such excruciating … and lingering … pain in my entire eventful life!

I literally lost the ability to move my legs without extreme pain.  (Actually, they even ached when they weren’t moving!)  I was unable to take steps or even stand without the assistance of a walker.  I wasn’t only a “prisoner” in my house, but in my bedroom for well over a week before I trepidatiously, (and with strong support from my sons), attempted to navigate down and back up the stairs to our bedroom.

A year later I am still experiencing the lingering effects of the fall.  Though much better in every regard, I’m still not fully recovered.  My legs are still weak, which is rather frustrating for someone who enjoys being active in the outdoors. 

Three weeks ago, on the day before I was to lead worship and Bible study at two different congregations, I discovered I had COVID.  Once again, I was unable to carry out my pastoral responsibilities due to physical complications.

The most significant result of the virus, besides being fairly miserable for three days and being largely shut down in regard to ministry?  I lost my sense of taste for some wonderful foods (like, for example, ham and bacon)!  Thankfully I seem to be regaining this wonderful Sense.

The point of sharing these things is not to complain.  Nor is it to solicit sympathy from anyone. Rather it is to remind you and me that we take so many things – far, far too many things! – for granted. 

Before careening down the stairs, I never once bothered to thank God for the ability to stand or walk.  Before the virus, I never considered the simple gift of taste.  I used to take these abilities completely for granted; never even thought about them.  Now I count them as profound blessings!  In fact, there hasn’t been a day since my fall that I haven’t been filled with gratitude for the capacity to take steps.

The expression, “you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone” is absolutely true.

I am certain that we all recognize this concept on an intellectual level.  But do we approach our lives embracing the realities of this principle?  I would suggest that fully appreciating our profound blessings is an understood, but usually unapplied, truth.

Frankly, I believe it is beyond our ken.  As humans impacted continuously by our sinful natures, it is not only difficult for us to do, but virtually impossible.  Until a loved one, or an ability, or an opportunity, or a possession, or whatever it may be is no longer available to us.  Then we recognize with regret what we used to have, and that we failed to properly value it.

I stated that continually rejoicing in our countless blessings is virtually impossible for sinful humans.  We tend to simply assume they will always be ours.  But that is not to say that we should abandon the fight.  Rather, a goal of building and maintaining an attitude of gratitude for everyday blessings is a goal worth pursuing! 

Certainly the Lord encouraged this approach to life.  Speaking to the Israelites as they were preparing to inhabit Canaan, the Lord urged them to remember their great gifts and the source of those gifts.

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God … Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God …  You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth …”  (Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-18).

In short, God’s message was, “You will be tempted to forget the Source of your salvation and the Source of your bounty, and to take it all for granted.  But don’t!  Because you wouldn’t have it without me.”

This is a critical message, not just for the people of Israel, but for you and me as well!  We wouldn’t have any of the boons we enjoy … even the simplest and most unappreciated ones … if God had not given them to us.  Wise ones recognize this fact and act and think toward God and about life accordingly.

Which is why the psalmist writes these encouragements:

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:2-5).

In other words, realize what you have while you have it … and Who provided these blessings to you … and give thanks to your gracious God and praise him for his goodness.  Then God’s provision becomes not only understood, but our gratefulness is properly applied!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few weeks after my fall, I shared this list on my blog.  It seemed appropriate to include it in this post as well. 

Things for which I’ll always be thankful and will never take for granted again.  (Or at least I shouldn’t!)

The guiding, blessing hands of our loving God.

The powerful protection of God’s guardian angels.

The professionalism of medical responders.

The kindness and caring of God’s people.

The blessing of gracious, giving friends.

The unselfish love of family.

The applicability of God’s Word to all situations at all times.

The significance of a little bit of human encouragement in difficult situations.

Self-sufficiency.

The blessing of everyday freedom of decisions.  This list is long and includes such things as roaming the house at will, stepping onto the deck to grill, ambling around the yard to look at the flowers, running out on a whim of an errand or attending my son’s ballgame.

The importance of leg muscles in almost everything one does, and the necessity of a strong base.

Legs that don’t constantly ache.

Walking!  Walking upright.  Walking without pain.  Walking around.  Taking a walk.  Just walking.

The ability to take stairs.  (I say this in reference to mobility, not falling down them!)

Taking a shower.

Working from my desk.  (As opposed to working from a card table.)

The capability of standing up unassisted after falling down.

The ability to get into and out of bed without help.

Sitting down, and rising back up again, without pain. 

Stooping down to put on socks or pick items up off the floor.

WIFI, television and a restroom in our remote bedroom in the house.

Godly leaders and workers who don’t hesitate to step up and into the gap for God.

Leading worship on Sunday, and the privilege of preaching God’s Word to God’s people.

The preciousness of time, and how quickly it can potentially be taken from you.

“Wake up calls” from God, teaching us lessons we should have already known.

All of which seems to be summarized beautifully by the Apostle Paul.  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

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Picking Up Pennies

Picking Up Pennies

I always pick up any pennies I see.

Technically they are not pennies, but cents.  (If you dispute this, look at the back of the coin.  There you will see clearly printed, “ONE CENT.”)  Indeed, numismatists (coin experts) will insist on the proper term, but most people still call them pennies.

Just as most people don’t care what the coins are called, most also don’t care to have them.  If the change after a purchase happens to be pennies, it’s not uncommon for customers to toss the coins in the spare change containers on the store counters, or to tell the clerks to keep them.  If a penny is dropped, many leave it where it falls.  If a penny is sighted on the ground, few will take the effort to bend over and retrieve it. 

At least, that’s my observation from years of picking up pennies in parking lots and retrieving them from the ground with my metal detector.

Why does it make sense to me to retrieve cents?  In short, picking up pennies is always a joyful reminder to me of my faithful God, and of a number of comforting spiritual truths he shares with me in his Word.

The most obvious reminder is actually cast into the coins themselves: “IN GOD WE TRUST.”  Despite an atheist petition to the Supreme Court in 2019 to have the phrase removed from our currency, as well as the current American malaise toward God, the phrase remains stamped into our cents.  (As well as our other currency.)

Yet to someone like me who does trust in God, every penny I pick up is a reminder that I have a loving Lord who takes wonderful care of me.  In fact, almost without fail as I pluck a penny off the pavement, those words flow through my mind … “IN GOD I TRUST.”

Which is a blessing to me, as the Bible attests, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7).

There are actually multiple aspects to this slogan and this concept.  I don’t reflect upon them all every time I retrieve a cent, but I am certainly aware of them.

For example, there are Jesus’ thought-provoking and comforting words, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

There is also the poignant example of the poor widow and her offering.  Mark records the event. 

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:41-44).

Did the widow trust the Lord?  Implicitly!  Did she give to God gladly and generously despite her poverty?  Absolutely!  Can we be confident the Lord provided for her?  Undoubtedly!

Will he also provide for all his people?  He already has, and he always will!  The Apostle Paul states the obvious: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31).

Furthermore, I have often recognized this simple truth: little blessings add up to great blessings.  5 pennies equal a nickel and 10 a dime.  And between scanning parking lots and retrieving buried coins while metal detecting, I’ve picked up literally thousands of pennies.  Those add up!

And some of those pennies … even many of those pennies … were worth more than 1 cent.  A few much more.  Seemingly insignificant, often disregarded “trinkets” by many sometimes might be treasures.  Some rare cents found in circulation can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  So I check my change and I pick up dropped coins.  Even pennies.

Every time I spot another cent on the sidewalk, I consider it just another blessing from God.  An unexpected reminder that God loves me and provides for me.  A beneficial reminder that “my God will meet all [our] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).  

So I pick up pennies.  Always have; always will.  They remind me that IN GOD I TRUST!  And that’s always a smile starter and a morale booster.

“Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1).

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Counting Blessings

Counting Blessings

As we approach the holiday called “Thanksgiving,” it seemed appropriate to share some thoughts on thankfulness.  I considered pulling together an extensive list of things I consider reasons for which to give thanks to God.

I’m confident I could have compiled a lengthy list, and even included a few intriguing additions.  Yet it would have been my list.  And even if many of the things mentioned would have been fairly universal, it still wouldn’t have been your list. 

So here’s the tack I’m taking instead.  I’m encouraging all of us to make our own lists.  I will make mine; you make yours.

Nor is this simply a fun and entertaining exercise.  Rather, I suggest that it might be a crucial one!

The last several years have been tough for everyone.  We’ve all had our challenges, our frustrations, our setbacks and our losses.  Stress has struck us all; anxiety become far too common; emotional and mental duress too prevalent.  We’ve all been impacted in multiple ways, and many seemingly more negative than positive.  We bear the scars of painful wounds. 

Consequently, the temptation is to dwell on the downers.  But dwelling on downers isn’t healthy.  In fact, it can become downright depressing.

If you recognize that this is the land where you’ve been living lately, then making a list of your blessings becomes more of a necessity than a meaningless exercise.  If this applies to you, I encourage you to seriously consider tackling this task.

Here are some suggestions that might be helpful:

1. Dedicate a set amount of time for compiling your list.  Give yourself as many minutes as possible!

2. Retreat to a comfortable place.  Go there when you expect to have quiet time for serious thought.

3. Physically record your blessing list.  Whether it’s pen on paper or fingers on keyboard doesn’t matter.  What does is that you have a reference point when finished.  (Of course, technically you would never finish the list of God’s blessings, but you did set a timeframe for this assignment.)

4. Begin with the significant blessings!  List as many as you can.  (Don’t neglect your spiritual ones, which are the most significant blessings of all.  And abundant too!)

5. If you can’t think of any more “big” blessings, then go back to the beginning of the list and start adding the “littler” blessings that are included in the big ones.

6. If you actually manage to complete this task in your allotted time, continue by summarizing some of the challenges in your life.  Then list the blessings that are wrapped up in those unpleasant packages.  (Trust me, there are some.  Or rather, trust God!)

Some might feel the best approach is to begin with suggestion 6 instead of suggestion 4.  If you think this would be more advantageous to you, then by all means start with 6!

Or take a hybrid approach: list 3 significant “good” blessings, then 1 “not-so-good” situation, along with the blessings resulting from it.  Do it however you deem best, but do it nonetheless.

I haven’t made my list yet, but I will offer a few speculations on the results of literally counting our blessings.

I suspect our lists will end up being significantly longer than we ever would have dreamed.  And undoubtedly our time ran out before completing them!

I also suspect that we will naturally gravitate to an attitude of supreme gratitude when we consider how very blessed we are.

So go ahead.  Count your blessings!  And after doing so, please give appropriate thanks to our good God who provided you with too many blessings to count. 

Finally, please share your observations from your count in the comments section below.  I’ll be glad to hear from you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ephesians 1:3, 7-8
3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. … 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8  that he lavished on us.

Psalm 136:1-3, 26
1  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
26  Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. 

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Never Ending

Never Ending

I had never seen it before, but I’ve seen it several times now.  Same couple; same procedure.  It’s difficult not to notice them.  They are an elderly Asian couple who take brisk walks through the park … while continually holding their arms straight up in the air.  It doesn’t matter where they walk or what they are walking over or through, their hands remain high over their heads.

I presume they are following some prescribed fitness approach.  I did a fair amount of searching on the internet, but couldn’t find anything promoting such a walk routine.  One article suggested some potential benefits from lifting one’s arms over one’s head; benefits such as releasing shoulder tension, improving posture and opening up the chest and lungs.  But the write-up was recommending lifting the arms temporarily; not maintaining that pose while walking.

Clearly the man and the woman have a reason for what they are doing, and it is undoubtedly health related.  But here’s what struck me the last time I saw them.  It appears as if they are lifting their hands in never ending praise to God.  Sunshine and blue skies – hands raised.  Rain, puddles and mud – hands still raised.  Sweet scent of flowers – hands raised.  Passing garbage containers or a dead opossum – hands stay raised.  People or cars passing by – raised.  All alone – raised.

You get the idea.  As I watched them carry on their walk while carrying their hands high, it occurred to me that this is how we as Christians should walk spiritually through life.  With our hearts (and hands?) raised in praise to our gracious God.

Whether experiencing big blessings or great challenges, seeing blue skies or storms, feeling healthy or heartsick, enduring the uncertainties of youth or the frailty of age, whether in private or in public … we are continually praising the Lord.

I’m not suggesting we go through life with our hands held physically over our heads.  But I am suggesting we continually embrace an attitude of gratitude to our God, a heart and mind overwhelming with praise for the one who loves us, cares for us, and saved us.

This concept of praising God is strewn throughout the pages of the Bible.  And how could it not be?  The Lord has literally given us everything we have – our life, our talents, our families, our friends, our every possession, our faith, our forgiveness, our peace, our joy, our future, our eternal salvation.

So the Scriptures urge us to praise our Benefactor.  Repeatedly!  Continually!  Unendingly!

Here are just a few examples of the hundreds given, as well as the reasons why we praise and some of the ways we do it:

“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2).  “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you, [O God].  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:3-4).  “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me!” (Psalm 86:12-13). 

The encouragement to praise our Savior, and praise Him constantly, appears abundantly in the Old Testament.  And especially in the psalms.  But it flows throughout the New Testament too!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4).  “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15)

And this unending praise to our God will continue without end in heaven too!  As the Apostle John witnessed: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13).

Never ending indeed!  So should it be, and so will it be!

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Who Gives It?

Who Gives It?

There’s nothing quite like being nearly completely incapacitated for two weeks to provide the opportunity for some introspection, which in turn delivers some special insights to a person.

For someone who has been able to remain almost completely independent for well over fifty years, to suddenly become almost completely dependent is jarring. I couldn’t go where I wanted to go or do what I wanted to do.  I couldn’t cook a meal or even hit the fridge for leftovers.  (Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing!  But still …)  Initially I couldn’t climb into or out of bed without assistance.  Couldn’t even put my own socks on.  (I couldn’t reach my feet!)  Walking without support (like a walker) was out of the question.  Stairs were an uncrossable barrier.  I was essentially a prisoner in my own bedroom. 

When one finds themselves in such a position, it quickly becomes evident just how very dependent upon the goodness, kindness and care of other people one is.  And I am so grateful for all who assisted me during that time!

But then there’s the bigger picture.  When independence is gone, it becomes crystal clear upon whom we are ultimately dependent, (the Lord!), and how completely dependent upon him we are.

It’s my point of view that most of us will verbally acknowledge that everything we are, have and accomplish are because of God’s blessing.  But we don’t really … I mean, really … appreciate that truth until we experience some deprival.  When we are incapacitated, when extreme hardship infects our lives, when crucial situations hang in the balance, when the realization sinks in that we actually have no control over anything, then our utter dependence upon God is highlighted in dramatic fashion.

And it shouldn’t be this way.  We should fully recognize the principle that we are completely reliant upon the Lord. The Bible emphasizes this fact throughout its pages, from God’s creation in Genesis through Christ’s redemption in the Gospels to our heavenly home in Revelation. 

We need God.  We don’t just kinda need him.  We don’t just need him a little bit, sometimes. We need him for everything all the time.  It is only because of our gracious God that we even exist and have anything good at all, much less the abundant blessings we enjoy every single day.

Who gives every good blessing, both the obvious and the oft overlooked? The Lord asks this very question in dramatic fashion throughout Scripture.  And he provides the clear-cut answer. 

Who gives us life itself, along with our wonderful bodies, our many talents, and our souls (Ps. 139:13-15)?  Who gives us our senses (Ex. 4:11), wisdom (Jms. 1:5), power, strength, wealth (Dt. 8:17-18), endurance and encouragement (Rom. 15:5)?  What about the rains, plants, seasons and harvests (Zech. 10:1, Jer. 5:24)?  Who gives us food to eat? (Ps. 136:25)?  Who gives us provision, protection (Ps. 23), prosperity, safety, future and hope (Jer. 29:11)?

Who gives us the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16)?  Who gives us his own Son and salvation through Him (John 3:16, Rom. 8:32)?  Who gives us the Holy Spirit (1 Th. 4:8), spiritual life (Rom. 4:17), faith (Eph. 2:8-9), and forgiveness (Eph. 1:7)?   Who gives “the peace of God which transcends all understanding” (Php. 4:7)?

Who gives it?  Who gives us all these things in bountiful mercy, grace and love?  Who is it that blesses us even in great difficulties?  Who infuses every single aspect of our lives with loving gifts?  Who pours extreme abundance into our already abundant lives, even though we scarcely give those treasures, or the God who provides them, a second thought? 

The One who gives it all is our God!  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …” (James 1:17).

Who gives it all?  The answer is obvious, though obviously often overlooked.  But may we bear it in mind, take it to heart and hold it fast; our God gives us everything we have.  And everything we have is quite a lot!  “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).

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