Giving Thanks

As I sat glued to the television set this morning watching all of the devastation from the tornados that has destroyed homes and lives, I began to reflect on the value of one’s life.  Repeatedly we heard those who lost everything of monetary value, give thanks to God for life itself.  It is unbelievable to look at how the world has been plagued this past year with one disaster after another.  We have found that even in the midst of all of these issues, there are some things indestructible, and those are our hopes and trust in God.  Our prayers and our compassion are extended to each of these suffering so much and trust that God will comfort them in their distress.

In the midst of all the problems in the world, in our community or even in our own homes, we still have much for which to be thankful.  “This day and your life ... are God's gift to you, so give thanks and be joyful always!”[1]  It is so important for us to take time each day to look around and concentrate on our blessings.  If we have love, health, food, and hope, we are blessed more abundantly than many millions of people in the world.  While counting our blessings, one will realize that the problems of life will seem less significant. 

Here is a test that each of us can take to check the level of our gratitude for all the blessings we are enjoying.

• Which do you tend to talk about more, your blessings or your disappointments?
• Are you a complainer, always grumbling, always finding fault with your circumstances?
• Are you content with what you have, or always dissatisfied and wanting more?
• Do you find it easier to count your blessings, or is it easier to count your afflictions?
• Do you express thanks to others when they help you, or do you just take it as your due?
• Would others say that you are a thankful person?

We are most blessed to know that God loves us and that He is concerned about us.  Therefore, we can say as David, “I will give thanks to thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.”

I just read again a plaque that my wife has in the kitchen, “Good Morning, This is God…Today I’ll be handling all your problems and I won’t need your help.  So relax and just leave everything to me.  Love from above, God.”[2] 

If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessings working by being the source of blessing to other people.

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[1] Unknown

[2] Unknown

Happy Easter!

 “What does Easter mean?”  Ask individuals on the street, and the answers will probably surprise you; however, they will represent the thought-process of many in the world today.  One will hear: a long weekend, Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, family get-to-gathers, spring break, new Easter outfits and thank God, one will occasionally say that it represents the day that Jesus arose from the dead.  The Easter holiday may represent all of these but we must not forget the true meaning of Easter.  This represents the day when the “Son” arose that morning and that event gave us hope for life, even after death.

The darkest time in history was just three days prior to this great event.  That was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, darkness covered the earth, and all hope for new life was gone.  Looking at the natural life, all would be lost if the sun failed to shine.  Nothing could exist in its natural state; the sun brings new life.  In the spiritual sense, real life is found only in the Son. 

You may be going through situations where there are no visible signs that the sun is ever going to shine again.  Just look at the Resurrection and be reminded that the darkest hour was just a short time before the “Son”
arose.  I remember when our children were very young, it seemed as though they would always be sick during the darkest time of the night.  There was also a sense of hope because we believed that everything would be okay at sunrise.

So remember, because of Jesus’ resurrection, He brought hope to each of us that even though darkness may prevail in our life, the “Son” will rise again.  The Scripture tells us to, “Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!  Praise his holy name.  His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!  Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.[1]

What does Easter mean to you?  Only you can answer this question.  Some have answered the question as follows: “Easter is a day to fan the ashes of dead hope, a day to banish doubts and seek the slopes where the sun is rising, to revel in the faith which transports us out of ourselves and the dead past into the vast and inviting unknown.”[2]  “The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”[3] 

You may feel that you are living the life of “Good Friday,” but keep looking forward to your Easter!  “Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart!”[4]

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
 One day the stone rolled away from the door
 Then He arose, over death He had conquered
 Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
 Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
 From rising again

Chorus
 Living, He loved me
 Dying, He saved me
 Buried, He carried my sins far away
 Rising, He justified freely forever

 One day He’s coming
 Oh glorious day, oh glorious day[5]

1 Cor 15:57 “How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!” NLT

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[1] Ps 30:4-5 NLT

[2] Author unknown

[3] Robert Flatt 

[4] Susan Coolidge

[5]Mark Hall, Michael Bleaker

Passing the Baton

I have watched many relay teams in action and never cease to be amazed at the accuracy and determination necessary for passing the baton from one runner to another.  We are told that good relay teams spend hours just practicing the passing of the baton.  The runners know that dropping it always means losing the race. 

We too, are in a relay race of life.  It will be our turn one day to pass the baton to the next runner.  Therefore, like a member of a good relay team, one must develop effective strategies that will provide an opportunity for success for the one taking the baton.  This takes a lot of determination, commitment and practice.  To drop the baton is to lose the race and this is not an option.  One must take seriously the things important to pass on to the next generation.  It is so easy to take the path of least resistance and leave the next generation unprepared to take the baton and succeed.   

What are some things we want to pass on?  The baton we are carrying may represent simple things like attitude, understanding, moral values, faith in God, or a desire to serve God and others, just to name a few.  Passing the baton of faith is especially important in this generation because there are so many forces working against us, and especially, against our children and grandchildren. 

Therefore, it is important to teach our children that there are boundaries and principles that cannot be crossed. I know this is not a very popular concept.  However, we must, by our example teach them how to say “no” before it is difficult to say no, and never be willing to compromise in order to win!  The story was told about a small boy that packed his bag and told his parents he was running away from home.  After walking around the block three or four times a police officer asked what was going on.  He said, “I’m running away from home.”  Then why are you just walking around the block like this.  “You don’t understand, Sir; I’m not allowed to cross the street.”

While we are in charge of the baton, let us stay focused on winning the race.  Do not allow the baton to be dropped or handed off in an awkward fashion.  The race is won only when the finish line is crossed.  Our responsibility is to carry the baton faithfully, pass it on so the next runner has a chance, and then cheer them on for the win.

“No matter how talented, trustworthy and treasured the leaders of a generation are, the baton has to change hands one day. The old has to give way to the young. Prime time becomes past time in no time.”[1]

1 Cor 9:25-27a “All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”  NLT

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[1] Victor Yap

Cherish the Moment

I remember a song years ago entitled, “I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose.”[1]  This statement has far more meaning now that one looks back over ones life.  Its original meaning was for a young woman, but can be very meaningful for the common, everyday things of life.

Life is so fragile and yet it is easy to be caught in the “rat-race” and never take time to enjoy the beauty and significance of the present.  When God created the heavens and the earth, over and over, we read the statement, “And God saw that it was good.”[2]

Every day, there are good experiences being created all around us and it makes a tremendous difference in our life to recognize these and declare, “It is good.”  One may say, “You don’t understand; my life is in turmoil.”  Looking at the larger picture, this may be the reality; however, concentrating on the smaller increments of time and cherishing every minute of every day will make a difference in the way we build the larger picture.  There is a stanza of a poem by an unknown author that states, “Yesterday has crumbled tomorrow is today.  Just follow your heart let love lead the way.  So we reach for the stars and swallow the sun, cherish the moment when our time has come.”

Each of us can change the outcome for all the things going on in our life.  I like a quote, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”[3]  So, as we become more observant of the precious moments of time, take time to smile and the frowns will disappear; laugh aloud and peripheral noise no longer you will hear.  Show expressions of love and hate will subside, say thanks to others and the emphasis on self will no longer abide. Show appreciation to God and others, and the “God moments” will increase, express words of encouragement to others and discouragement will decrease.

When we take our immediate focus from ourselves and focus on others, we will see that the orchids in life are all around us and the orchids do not have the thorns on the stems like the rose, as beautiful as they are.  Cherish the moment; beauty is in the present and dreams are good but always in the future tense.

 “…Don't worry whether God will provide it for you.  These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.  He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”[4] 

Cherish the Moment!

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[1] Carl Story-1950

[2] Gen 1:10-11 NLT

[3] Jimmy Dean

[4] Luke 12:29-31 NLT