A Blessed Thanksgiving 2024

Wishing a blessed Thanksgiving to all the believers who are taking this day to remember God's great lovingkindness and many benefits.

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

Thoughts from the Past – Sing Unto the Lord

Source unknown.

Here is another old post from the past as we will be observing Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
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Feb. 4, 2006
Sing Unto the Lord
(Edited.)


Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

In his hymn "Come, We That Love the Lord" Isaac Watts wrote the words:

"Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God;
But children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad."

There are various excuses given for not singing in the assembly of the saints. There are people who excuse themselves with, "I can't sing" and refuse to participate. Some “don’t know the songs”.  (Well, if you don’t sing them, you never will.) Some consider singing boring.

Years ago my family met an evangelist and pastor who appeared to hate singing whenever Christians were gathered together. He declared it a waste of time and didn't want more than one hymn, or so, to be sung at any service where he was speaking so that he could get on with his preaching. To him, what he had to say, even in private conversation, was obviously much more important than praising and singing unto our God. Not knowing his attitude, we suggested that our families get together sometime in a home for hymn singing. He was absolutely struck dumb and couldn't even answer us - quite a feat for him, truthfully. Others of his family had to explain to us that he had no use for that. The question arose in our minds later as to whether a man with that kind of an attitude toward praising and worshiping God could even be saved. Only the Lord knows if he is. He surely doesn't show it by his obedience to the word in that area. (In retrospect I am inclined to think the man a narcissist, which would account for the self-importance at the expense of praising God.)

As the verse above states, singing praise to our God is pleasant and comely. His saints should find it enjoyable. I've known many saved folks who loved to sing praise to the Lord. Some of them "couldn't sing" either, but they growled or droned or hopped up and down the scale in spite of that and seemed to be have the greatest time - a pleasant time - singing unto the Lord!

Isaac Watts' comment "Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God..." somehow crystallizes the thought here. When people who profess to follow Christ have no desire, no pleasure, no joy in singing praise to Him and His Father, it may be that they "never knew our God." I understand that some people really cannot sing for some physical reason, and sometimes for some emotional reason. I'm not talking about that. But what of those who refuse to sing, and who refuse to be blessed in listening to others sing?

The best we can say for them is that they are saved but not filled with the Spirit nor the word of Christ.

Ephesians 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The "natural" outflow of being filled with the Spirit and the word of Christ is to sing! Have you ever pondered that? Even if it's "only" in our hearts, it's the reaction that God desires. Obviously it is not a proof of salvation or filling of the Spirit since there are those who can fake this quite well. But, God intends for us to minister to each other through music! He desires our sung praise. In the Old Testament we are told that He inhabited the praises of Israel! (Psalm 22:3)

How is it with you? Do you sing as you go about our work? Do you sing in the assembly of the believers - sing as if you meant it and had someone worth singing about? Those who don't have the greatest voices can hum or whistle as they work. We can all make melody in our hearts to the Lord.

A friend of mine who suffered from years of depression was so thankful when she could again wake up in the morning with a spiritual song or hymn going through her mind. She had prayed for a restoration of that from the Lord, and as she recovered from the depression it came back.

One young man my family knew whistled hymns on his job. A coworker recognized him as a fellow believer and they took turns whistling hymns as they worked together. They were ministering to each other even in the midst of the ungodly! (Psalm 23:5)

These are things to ponder. How can we include music and singing praise to the Lord more in our daily lives? Ask the Lord to show you. He will always aid us in doing His will as revealed in His word.

Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

(First published here 8/7/2011.)
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Click here for more "Thoughts from Hymns".

Word of the Day - Thanksgiving

 

THANKSGIV'ING, ppr. Rendering thanks for good received.

THANKSGIV'ING, n. The act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies.

- Webster’s American Dictionary… 1828

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Thanksgiving n.s. [thanks and give.] Celebration of mercy.

{Example 3} We should acknowledge our obligations to God for the many favours we receive, by continual praises and thanksgivings.

Tillotson’s  Sermons.

- Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language

Psalm 26:6-7 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

See, in the woodland, the leaves turning crimson;
Hark, how they rustle and fall to the ground.
Autumn, bright autumn is smiling and glowing,
Showing the treasures that now may be found.

Praise the Creator who giveth us richly
All His good bounty to use and enjoy;
Lift up your hearts and your voices in singing,
Joyful thanksgiving the days should employ.

Julia H. Johnston

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Count Your Blessings

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 

Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 

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Evening Song - Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessings On Me

1 Timothy 6:7-8 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

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A Blessed Thanksgiving

Thanks to God

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

August L. Storm

Psalm 117:1-2 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. 

The Blessings that Remain - A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

Many people have lost loved ones over the last few years. This poem is a timely reminder to be thankful for those things that remain. God is still good. He still sends us blessings and comforts. He also recognizes that thanksgiving is sometimes a sacrifice. 

The Blessings that Remain

There are loved ones who are missing
From the fireside and the feast;
There are faces that have vanished,
There are voices that have ceased;
But we know they passed forever
From our mortal grief and pain,
And we thank Thee, O our Father,
For the blessings that remain.

Thanksgiving, oh, Thanksgiving,
That their love once blessed us here,
That so long they walked beside us,
Sharing every smile and tear;
For the joy the past has brought us,
But can never take away,
For the sweet and gracious memories
Growing dearer every day,

For the faith that keeps us patient
Looking at the things unseen,
Knowing Spring shall follow Winter
And the earth again be green,
For the hope of that glad meeting
Far from mortal grief and pain -
We thank Thee, Oh our Father,
For the blessings that remain.

For the love that still is left us,
For the friends who hold us dear,
For the lives that yet may need us
For their guidance and their cheer,
For the work that waits our doing,
For the help we can bestow,
For the care that watches o'er us
Wheresoe'er our steps my go.

For the simple joys of living,
For the sunshine and the breeze,
For the beauty of the flowers
And the laden orchard trees,
For the night and for the starlight,
For the rainbow and the rain -
Thanksgiving, O our Father,
For the blessings that remain.

- Annie Johnsons Flint

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Memories of Great Meals - One Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 103:1-5 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

Thanks We Give - A Poem

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Thanks We Give

O Thou Giver of each blessing,

That Thy children here enjoy,

We would bring our humble tribute,

And our powers of praise employ;

Thou art good and Thou art gracious,

Full of mercy and of love,

Every perfect blessing cometh

Down from Thee in Heav’n above.

Thanks we give to Thee, our Father,

In the name of Christ, Thy Son,

For the bounties we are sharing—

Thou hast given every one.

Thou hast led us, Thou hast fed us,

Thou hast given homes so dear,

And the friends who freely love us,

Whose bright smiles our pathway cheer.

More than all we thank and praise Thee

For the Bible—precious boon—

For the boundless love unfolded

In the gift of Thy dear Son.

For the hope of life immortal—

That the blest shall live with Thee,

In the land where death comes never,

Through the vast eternity.

- G.T. Wilson -

Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 

Evening Song - All Thanks to Christ Our Sacrifice

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Galatians 3:2-3 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 

Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

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FREE Scripture Printable for Thanksgiving - Paper Crafts

I realize this is a little bit late, but I wanted to share these graphics with you for use in paper crafting or card making. They are autumn themed and would be good for Thanksgiving greetings or name place cards or autumn décor or for other greeting cards. These graphics are all made with my original photography and my graphic design.

The sheet of graphics to download from my graphics site is a little smaller than 8x10 inches so that you should be able to print it with a program that offers 8x10 as an option. My program printed it just fine, although I did have to try more than one program to get the coloring to turn out the way I wanted it. You may have to tinker with the settings on yours to get good color.

Download the printable size graphic here.

Click the download icon on the left. It is the arrow pointing down.

Here are a couple examples of cards I made with two of the images. 

The background of this card was stamped with a bubble envelope and a foam leaf sticker. I placed the scripture graphic on a blue background and added a leaf sticker with some gold highlights to give it a little sparkle. 

The photo is crooked, but also, no, my lines are not perfectly straight. Because this is an imperfect world and I don't cut straighter with my paper cutter than I do with scissors in some situations, so I let things be what they are. I learned this quote from a YouTube crafter: "Don't be too hard on yourself." Yup. That is good advice in many situations where perfection isn't likely to happen - from paper crafting to cleaning up the kitchen. ;-) 

This card also has a background made with the bubble envelope (I'll try to put up another post about that soon - I hope.) I used some glitter paper behind the scripture graphic and some leaf stickers. It was really quite simple.

The glitter paper is more red in real life than in the photos. I usually would use it more sparingly as I tend to try to stretch my more expensive stuff, but I've had this awhile and I just decided to go with it. :-)

Twenty Years of Pain...and Thankfulness - By Martha Snell Nicholson

 

Twenty Years of Pain...
and Thankfulness

by Martha Snell Nicholson
[lightly edited]

I am looking back over more than twenty years of illness and thanking God for them. Does that sound strange? Ah, but they have brought me gifts, those weary years. I do not enjoy sickness nor suffering, nor the nervous agony and exhaustion that are harder to bear than physical pain. And an invalid must bury so many dear dreams which have death struggles and refuse to die decently and quietly. But God has a way of taking away our toys, and after we have cried for awhile like disappointed children, He fills our hands with jewels which “cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.” [Job 28:6]

And what friends He has given me! Are there more loyal friends than those who stand by the sick through the years? My family and friends have prayed for me, encouraged me, quietly sacrificed for me, washed my dishes, rubbed my aching head, offered me everything from new books to their very life-blood for blood transfusions. I should like to speak of a very devoted and tender husband, but that is a matter too personal.

Continue Reading.

Merry Autumn - A Poem

Merry Autumn

by Laurance Dunbar

It's all a farce, — these tales they tell

About the breezes sighing,

And moans astir o'er field and dell,

Because the year is dying.

Such principles are most absurd, —

I care not who first taught 'em;

There's nothing known to beast or bird

To make a solemn autumn.

In solemn times, when grief holds sway

With countenance distressing,

You'll note the more of black and gray

Will then be used in dressing.

Now purple tints are all around;

The sky is blue and mellow;

And e'en the grasses turn the ground

From modest green to yellow.

The seed burrs all with laughter crack

On featherweed and jimson;

And leaves that should be dressed in black

Are all decked out in crimson.

A butterfly goes winging by;

A singing bird comes after;

And Nature, all from earth to sky,

Is bubbling o'er with laughter.

The ripples wimple on the rills,

Like sparkling little lasses;

The sunlight runs along the hills,

And laughs among the grasses.

The earth is just so full of fun

It really can't contain it;

And streams of mirth so freely run

The heavens seem to rain it.

Don't talk to me of solemn days

In autumn's time of splendor,

Because the sun shows fewer rays,

And these grow slant and slender.

Why, it's the climax of the year,—

The highest time of living!—

Till naturally its bursting cheer

Just melts into thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Greeting 2021 and A Poem

May God's grace and goodness satisfy the hearts of all those who worship Him in spirit and in truth as we give thanks to Him today. It has been a hard year for many, but His faithfulness and love have not faltered,, even when we sometimes did.

A Thanksgiving

For all Thy blessings given there are many to thank Thee, Lord,
But for the gifts withholden I fain would add my word.

For good things I desired that barred me from the best,
The peace at the price of honour, the sloth of a shameful rest;

The poisonous sweets I longed for to my hungering heart denied,
The staff that broke and failed me when I walked in the way of pride;

The tinsel joys withheld that so content might still be mine,
The help refused that might have made me loose my hand from Thine;

The light withdrawn that I might not see the dangers of my way;
For what Thou hast not given, I thank Thee, Lord today.

Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give
grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Listening to God's Voice with Your Feet In Motion - Guest Post

Here is a thought from my dad, Stephen Van Nattan, about listening for God's leading. Often times we have to be moving before we hear His voice telling us which way to go.

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THAT VOICE 

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Scott McNealy — a co-founder of Sun Microsystems said this about decision making: "It’s important to make good decisions. But I spend much less time and energy worrying about 'making the right decision' and much more time and energy ensuring that any decision I make turns out right."

In Isaiah above, we see that there are times we "turn" to the right or left. So, how do we make sure that, when we "turn," we end up making a decision that, as McNealy said, "turns out right?"

1. Do not stop your progress in life by standing still..... take a turn and keep in motion. The captain of a ship cannot steer a ship that is not in motion. You will not hear the voice behind you if you are dead in the water.

2. But, be very alert to hear if a voice tells you to go another way. That is how to make sure your decisions turn out right. Scott McNealy seems to be alone in the task of making sure his decisions are the right ones. You are never alone with Jesus Christ. 

So, in terms of knowledge, do not hide in a corner and shut out everything around you. That will get you no knowledge upon which to act in wisdom. Keep looking for knowledge, BUT, listen for the voice behind you that says, "Click out of there my son, that knowledge is rubbish and will only destroy your peace and fellowship with me."

We had to leave our work with Sudan Interior Mission in Ethiopia in 1974 because of a Marxist coup. Christian Ethiopians were being accused of being the friends of Imperialists, and the mission decided to quickly downsize from 300 missionaries to 12. National Christians should not have to suffer persecution for being the friends of Americans. Only for being the friends of Jesus Christ. 

We were among the first to leave. We did everything to get ready, sold most of our possessions, and moved to the mission headquarters to wait for a flight back to the USA. But, we could also move on to join another mission somewhere else in the world and continue being missionaries. We were in motion but also wondering if we might hear the voice of God behind us.

The word got to George Machamer of Gospel Furthering Fellowship in Kenya, the next nation south of Ethiopia. My wife and I had grown up in Kenya as kids when our parents were missionaries in the region. George Machamer took it upon himself to send us a letter inviting us to join the GFF at once and move to Kenya to help in the work. 

There was that voice, and it came in the mail like a voice out of the blue. We then moved to Kenya and became part of the work of the GFF.

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My comment:

As many of us focus on giving thanks to God this week, consider some ways that He has led you in directions that were a surprise - maybe they even seemed scary or disappointing at the time. Can you look back, as my dad does, and thank Him for taking you away from something and to something else? We don't always know the reasons this side of Heaven, but we can often know that it was definitely the Lord who led us. 

Maybe you are stuck in your life at the moment and don't know where to go next. How can you start to move forward? By doing even the most basic right things commanded to Christians in scripture. This will open up the way for God to direct your steps to where He wants you to go, or perhaps to something He wants you to do right where you are.

Psalm 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. 

Even though we sometimes feel like we have no idea what we should be doing or where we should be going, with His voice behind us and His righteousness setting us in His steps, we have a great deal of guidance. As it has been said, if you don't know what God's will is for you, do the things that you can clearly see from scripture are God's will - pray, study His word, testify of the gospel, be part of a local church fellowship, grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, do good to all men, etc. And keep moving forward, even if it's "only" in these most basic things. The voice of the Lord will lead you in the bigger matters as you go. 

As we have some big decisions looming ourselves at the moment, I'm saying this to myself as much as anyone.

And just in case we forget how powerful God's voice is:

Psalm 29 

A Psalm of David. 

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

Evening Song - Beautiful Savior

Revelation 4:9-11 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Revelation 5:11-14 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 

Although this is not a traditional "Thanksgiving" hymn, it seemed appropriate to me going into this next week. As we think about giving thanks for many things, let's remember that without the salvation we have through our Lord Jesus Christ, none of these blessings of this life would have the same meaning for us. It is only through relationship to Him that life is filled with the beauty and loveliness that only He can give - simply by His presence with and in us. Though He adds many blessings to our lives and much hope and grace, the loveliness of Himself is beyond our comprehension. This sweet meditation in song is a good reminder to focus on Him, and not just the physical things He gives us.

Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

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Count It Done - A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

Count It Done

A father wrote to his son,
Who was faraway from home;
“I have sent you a beautiful gift,
It may be delayed, but ‘twill come; 

It is what you have wanted most,
And have asked for many days;”
And before the child received the gift
He voiced his thanks and praise. 

Our Father saith unto us:
“Your need shall be supplied;
Ask and receive that your joy be filled,
And My joy in you abide.” 

Shall we wait to thank till we see
The answer to every prayer?
Forbear to praise till we feel
The lifted pressure of care? 

Nay, let us trust His word
And know that the thing is done,
For His promise is just as sure
As a father’s to his son. 

Annie Johnson Flint

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Planning NOT to Buy Too Much

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

This is an interesting video that explains what is called "the Diderot Effect." This is the odd tendency that people have that leads to chain purchase. By that I mean, you buy something and then need something else to go with it, and something else to go with that, and so forth till you've made a whole string of purchases based on that first purchase. The first purchase may actually be needed, but often the following purchases are not. At the end, Becker suggests that instead of trying to impress people with things, you should try to impress them with how you live. I understand why he says that, but in the biblical worldview that isn't what Christians should be trying to do either. We should be living to glorify God. Keeping the excessive and unnecessary consumption and purchase of things under control is one way that we can glorify God. Learning to be content with what God has given us is one way to achieve that.

It seemed especially appropriate to post this now as so many people are focusing on buying at this time of year. Please consider your purchases prayerfully. Truthfully, folks, using Jesus' birth as an excuse to fill your homes (or "stockings") with junk is at the very least tacky. At worst it is dishonoring to the name that you claim to honor. Don't let yourself be caught up in the covetousness and hyper-consumerism of the season.  [For further reading: Spend Less, Don't Buy Stuff, Plan Ahead]

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A Blessed Thanksgiving!

Psalm 107:21-22 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

How blessèd to enjoy the gift,

To taste of mercy here below;

In humble thankfulness to lift

Our hearts to Him whom now we know.

To know His love, how great it is,

To own and feel that we are His.

T. Kelly

Lord of glory, we adore Thee!

Christ of God, ascended high!

Heart and soul we bow before Thee,

Glorious now beyond the sky:

Thee we worship,

Thee we praise—

Excellent in all Thy ways.

Richard Holden

Worth Repeating - A Thanksgiving Meditation by Martha Snell Nicholson

THANKSGIVING MEDITATION

Since man apart from God is but an abnormal creature, our greatest joys, our deepest satisfactions, come in our relationship to Him. So I thank Him this Thanksgiving season for sins forgiven, for a great High Priest touched with a feeling of my infirmities, for the privilege of being a tool in His mighty hand, for His guidance, for His ear that hears my prayers, for His arm on which to lean, for His precious Word in which He speaks to us explicitly, and for the blessed, blessed hope of His soon coming!

I thank Him, more than all else, for utter safety. In the past I have known what it was to be afraid, but now I know that I am entirely and perfectly secure. I feel that I have come into a safe harbor. Nothing, absolutely nothing, not my own deeds nor those of others, not the works of devils, not circumstances, not so-called fate -- nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Pain, sorrow and bereavement can come, shattered nerves and body can be my lot, death can even put my body in the grave; but whatever comes, it passes first through His tender hands, and so I can love it because it comes from Him!

Nothing can keep me out of heaven. I am as safe now as though I were already there. Just these few hard years to live, these few burdens to bear, and then to be forever with Him, our daily portion glory beyond infinite glory! Thankful? My cheeks are wet with happy tears. Why He gives all this to a poor creature like me I do not know -- but I know that I shall need all eternity in which to thank Him for it!

by Martha Snell Nicholson 

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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First published here Nov. 2015