Joel 2:25-26 (Good News Translation)
I will give you back what you lost
in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops.
It was I who sent this army against you.
26 Now you will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied.
You will praise the Lord your God,
who has done wonderful things for you.
My people will never be despised again.
In times of natural disasters and personal crisis, God will bring healing and blessing. Good can result from the summer drought, from the Sandy storm. But it is we, the people of God, working together as the hands and heart of God, who must be part of this healing and restoration. We give thanks to God for the hope that comes in his name!
1. Personal health - free from major illness or symptoms of aging
2. Ability to be Active - and the responsibility that comes to maintain this!
3. Weight Watchers - for giving me a framework for eating, help me maintain this as well, O God!
4. Physical Healing - The miracle of how our Physical Bodies are created in such a way that they heal themselves so beautifully
5. Spiritual and Emotional Health
6. Hope - in a future centered on God!
THANK YOU, God, for personal good health, and for the hope that comes in knowing your are the ultimate Great Physician. May we be filled with the hope that comes in knowing all setbacks can produce healing and restoration.
FRIDAY, November 23
Joel 2:21-22 (The Message)
Fear not, Earth! Be glad and celebrate!
God has done great things.
Ah, the focus for today at d365.org is more on the created world. Should have saved that list....but instead I'll concentrate on the "Fear Not!" I'm grateful for the FREEDOMS & OPPORTUNITIES that we enjoy living in the United States.
First on that list, then, might be...
1. Freedom from Worry! Fear Not! 2. Freedom to Worship - I do not have to fear gathering together as a faith community to freely express my beliefs.
3. Freedom of Safety - Unlike countries or families torn by strife and conflict, I do not fear physical harm on a daily basis.
4. Freedom to Travel - We have the means and the ability to move about the country, learning, exploring, serving.
5. Freedom to Learn - Education is an opportunity provided on a life-long basis!
6. Freedom to Work - I live in a land where my role as a woman is respected, I can work freely as desired.
7. Freedom of Expression - To write, to speak, to voice my opinion, to create
8. Freedom of Security - The joy that comes of loving and being loved, by others, by God.
THANK YOU, GOD, for those who serve in the armed forces to protect these freedoms and opportunities, the sacrifices made on our behalf. But may we all strive to live a life of non-violent peace that can create a world where war is not necessary, where man can live side by side as brothers and sisters, united.
THURSDAY, November 22 Happy Thanksgiving!
Matthew 6:31-33 (The Message)
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
"Steep your life in God-reality", or as the GNT puts it, "be concerned above all else with the Kingdom of God" - and all your needs will be met. What came to my mind was the article I posted last Monday on finding the Kingdom of God in the midst of 'normal' ....Included there were practical ways to 'live' out a life centered on God.
I like the line 'try not to be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.' When we worry about what WE need, we fail to realize all the ways that God is already providing. I read an article this week about a gal who was short on funds and made pecan pies to raise a little money. She unintentionally (at first) ended up giving them all away instead and suddenly realized that God had been providing for her in many small but significant ways all year! When we take the focus off ourselves, our eyes open so much wider to God at work!
And now....on to my THANKSGIVING WEEK REFLECTIONS! Today, I wish to concentrate on Friends and Family..those people who daily make a personal and profound impact on our lives, who we are, and who we will be:
1. A life-mate in Rick, who I am convinced God brought to church one day just so we could meet!
2. Two sons, Jed and Luke, of which we could not be more proud, not just of their accomplishments, but of the tender, loving men they have grown up to be.
3. Our Moms....both widowed, but both living life to the fullest and keeping the families connected.
4. The daily reminders of our fathers, their wisdom and wit, their individual quirks. (Rick has been painting in Mom's basement, and we had to laugh at my dad's Scot thriftiness as we found pegboard used for sheetrock on a hidden closet wall!)
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| Sorry today is a double publish - my error! |
6. Aunts and uncles: Edwina and Tom (Rick's)...I've lost all mine in death.
7. In-laws: Those special people God brings into our family tree through marriage and knits into each branch to strengthen the limb. (Greta, Betty, Tad, Karen, Patty, Ron, Dave, Diane, Eric, Shawn, Heather, Mike)
8. Nieces and Nephews: Children who become our own through family bonds - Jen, Tom, Kirsten, Gretchen, Doug, Michelle, Thom, Matt, Megan, Ryan, Rachael, Regan, Denise, Kevin, Kyle, Chasey, Chele, Allora, Meaghan, Tucker, Tommy, Kaila.
9. Cousins: Don, Mark, Debbie, John, Jeff, Pat, Dick, Susan, Wendy, Debbie, Mark.
10. Community friends...those who abide close to us and are there for us on a moment's notice: I shouldn't even start the list as it is impossible to include all! But especially....Cherrie & Darrell, Trisha, Rusty, Sharon, Mark & Patty, MT Nesters, .....
11. Family of Faith...friends who become 'family' through our bond of church and Christ: Pastor Katy, Ferns, Fessels, McKims, Yeoumans, Marcie, Candy, Kauths....
12. Far-Away Forever Friends...moved away but never forgotten! Midge & Cal, Shelli & Dave, Mike B, Suzanne & Steve, Judy M, Trudy.....on and on....
WOW! I am so blessed! So MANY special people God has brought into my life!
Happy Thanksgiving!
WEDNESDAY, November 21
Matthew 6:27-30 (Good News Translation)
And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!
This passage brings to my mind brand names in clothing and the image we portray by what we wear. I can't imagine Jesus being concerned about what he wore or where he shopped! Wear the GOD brand, clothed in gratitude and grace!
But more importantly, it causes us to consider the respect we give to WORRY. It's almost put on idol level - when it is really a matter of trust. Turn it over to God and have faith that he will attend or provide. So simple to say, so hard to do!
I should have left Physical Needs for today's scripture. But.... as I don't know what passages d365.org has for the rest of the week, this mentions wildflowers which often heads my list of favorites in the wonder of God's creation! So for my THANKSGIVING WEEK REFLECTIONS....
Thank you, God, for displaying your creative powers, breadth, and magnitude in the world you have made for us!
2. Butterflies and dragonflies (Such beauty in such tiny creations!)
3. Hummingbirds (How quickly they move, how deeply they probe, all garbed in such colors!)
4. Sunrise and sunset, alpenglow (Daily opportunities to see God)
5. The geometry of creation, patterns in nature (The intricacy and planning behind it all!)
6. Soaring eagles (God as a mother eagle)
7. Snowcapped mountains (Lofty goals to draw us closer to God)
8. Aspen groves (God keeps cropping up in new places)
9. Canyons, cliffs, and crags (Eternity of God over time)
10. Ocean waves (God is constant)
11. Forests (Stillness and peace, surrounded by God)
12. Rainbows (God reminders)
13. Stars & Moon in the night sky (how BIG is our universal God!)
14. Spring bulbs & flowers growing through the snow (New life!)
15. Reflections in still lakes and ponds (Do I reflect God in such a way?)
I could go on and on.....
TUESDAY, November 20 "Daily Bread"
Matthew 6:25-26 (The Message)
If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Thank you, God, that we can be like the birds: unfettered and free in your care. My physical needs for food, clothing, and shelter have been provided in abundance. So much so, that I think I often take them for granted. In the easily gained apathy that can follow, may we all be reminded of the responsibility that comes with such provision - to look around at those for whom physical needs are not met adequately. Today I say THANK YOU, GOD, for providing for my PHYSICAL NEEDS:
1. Shelter: a warm home, mortgage-free!, a trailer in which to travel and volunteer
2. Clothing: enough for winter warmth and summer coolness, to hike and work comfortably
3. Food: In abundance and the funds to buy healthy! Bountiful Baskets and our local coordinators, local farms and gardens, freedom from worry about my next meal, opportunity to share freely of our bounty.
MONDAY, November 19
Hebrews 10:15-18 (The Message) "Forever Forgiven"
The Holy Spirit confirms this:
This new plan I’m making with Israel isn’t going to be written on paper;
isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;
This time “I’m writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.”
He concludes, I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Once sins are taken care of for good, there’s no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them. |
| Power outage today meant no wireless from the neighbor! Hence the delay in posting! |
The second 'group' on my Thanksgiving Reflections shall be titled TRINITY.
1. A loving, always present, God.
2. Forgiveness ... forever through Christ.
3. The Holy Spirit within, guiding, leading, and constantly stirring up the embers of the fire to action!
SUNDAY, November 18 "Christian Heritage"
d365.org PAUSE! (Al Masters)
God continues to do amazing things for those who realize how valuable they are and seek first the kingdom of God. Take time now to seek the place where God reigns, beginning in your own heart. Then watch for the amazing things that God causes all around.
Psalm 16:5-6 (Good News Translation)
You, Lord, are all I have,
and you give me all I need;
my future is in your hands.
6 How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are!
It is Thanksgiving week: A time to reflect on all the blessings God has granted to us. Rather than take just Thanksgiving morning to "Count my blessings", I shall devote the week's scribbles!
d365 writer Al Masters starts the week with our spiritual heritage - the communion of saints who have formed us, provided a sense of belonging, and led us to a God who delights in 'hanging out' with us!
MY ANCESTORS IN THE FAITH:
1. All those from the Bible who had the courage to trust in God's call and act upon it: Abraham to Moses, Noah to Elijah. Their stories are part of our stories.
2. A long line of Scot Presbyterian ministers and leaders who built churches throughout the West and in other countries: grandparents, great grandparents, great uncles.
3. Parents who both came from families in which Christ was served, who filled our home with a God-centered love and focus, who walked the walk and preached their greatest sermons through their day by day actions.
4. Churches that have supported, nurtured, and helped me follow Christ as I grew in faith and knowledge.
5. My spouse, Rick, and I are a part of this lineage as we look to our sons and how each, in his own way, displays a walk with Christ.
THANK YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR GIFTS!
Addendum: This was a verse on the cover of Bandon's church bulletin this morning. I thought it went well with the theme for the week AND with my sermon last week.
Count your your blessings instead of your crosses
Count your gains instead of your losses
Count your joys instead of your woes
Count your friends instead of your foes
Count your smiles instead of your tears
Count your courage instead of your fears
Count your full years instead of the lean
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean
Count your health instead of your wealth
Count on God instead of yourself!
Amen!
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