Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. As I look forward to hosting Thanksgiving at my house, I am grateful for the little things that make Thanksgiving possible for someone like me. I’m willing to host Thanksgiving and try to cook dinner, but I really don’t have a clue about what I’m doing. So, despite my lack of cooking experience, I will give thanks for:
• Sam’s Club’s pre-made mashed potatoes and stuffing
• Plastic bags to self-baste the turkey
• Those little packets to help make gravy
• My mother-in-law who is making the pumpkin pies
• The gift of a Wii which will keep the kids entertained in the basement
• My dear friend who helped me make my grocery list
• A double oven (that reminds me – I should probably clean out the mess from our frozen pizzas)
• My health so that I can even make this attempt at Thanksgiving dinner
• Family and the grace they will need to eat the dinner set before them
While I am about as far from Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray as they come, somehow on Thanksgiving Day there will be dinner on the table and most if it will be edible. (Most likely it will be the food I buy from Sam’s!)
In all seriousness, I am truly thankful for the many blessings God has given me. I live in a country where I can vote for my government leaders and I can worship God without persecution. I have food to eat and a beautiful home. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends.
My inability to cook seems to pale in comparison to the many blessings in my life. When Thursday rolls around, I will remember the words from Psalm 92:2. I will proclaim God’s love in the morning and His faithfulness at night – no matter how the day (and the meal) turns out!
Scripture: Psalm 92
Prayer: Lord, it is good to praise You and to make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts! Thank you for the many blessings in my life.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Don’t Look at Me!
I read an interesting story today in the book of Daniel. In the story, King Nebuchadnezzar (let’s call him King Neb for short) had a strange dream. He saw an enormous tree whose branches touched the sky. This tree was full of fruit, gave shelter to the beasts of the field and the birds of the air flocked to its branches. Sounds like quite the tree!
King Neb saw a “holy one” come down from heaven and order the tree chopped down to the stump. The holy one ordered the stump to be drenched with dew and bound with iron and bronze. He then commanded that the tree’s mind be changed from that of a man to that of an animal for seven years.
What a strange dream! Only Daniel knew what it meant, and he was pretty sure King Neb did not want to know the answer. After some deliberation, Daniel uttered the fateful words, “You, O king are that tree!” It must have taken some courage and maybe a little stuttering to get those words out!
Daniel warned the king that unless he turned from his sins and acknowledged God, this dream would become a reality for him. Do you think he was smart enough to listen to Daniel and change his prideful ways? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
One year later, the king was walking on his roof at the palace and if you can believe it, these are the words that came out of his mouth, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Have you ever heard so many “I’s” and “my’s”?
The words were still on his lips when a voice from heaven announced that King Neb was being stripped of his royal authority. He was driven out to the middle of nowhere and he actually ate grass like a cow. His body was drenched with dew, his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. It sounds like Grizzly Adams had nothing on him!
When the seven years were over, King Neb came to his senses and honored the Lord. He praised and glorified and exalted the King of heaven. He came to the realization that everything he had came from God. He also admitted, “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”
This story is a good reminder that all good things come from God. We’d be wise to remember this and to give praise where praise is due! If there is anything good is our lives, if we have any talents or skills, if we’ve been blessed in any way, then we need to give the glory to God. In other words, we should say, “Don’t look at me; look at God!”
If only King Neb would have stood on his roof and said, “Look at God, for He has blessed me,” instead of “Look at me and all the great things I’ve done,” he would have saved himself seven years of living like a wet, deranged cow.
Scripture: Daniel 4
Prayer: God, You alone give me what I need. Sometimes You give me more than I need and I want to thank you for Your many blessings. I realize that You have given me everything good in my life and that all blessings are from You. I want to praise, exalt and glorify You, the King of heaven, because everything you do is right and all Your ways are just.
King Neb saw a “holy one” come down from heaven and order the tree chopped down to the stump. The holy one ordered the stump to be drenched with dew and bound with iron and bronze. He then commanded that the tree’s mind be changed from that of a man to that of an animal for seven years.
What a strange dream! Only Daniel knew what it meant, and he was pretty sure King Neb did not want to know the answer. After some deliberation, Daniel uttered the fateful words, “You, O king are that tree!” It must have taken some courage and maybe a little stuttering to get those words out!
Daniel warned the king that unless he turned from his sins and acknowledged God, this dream would become a reality for him. Do you think he was smart enough to listen to Daniel and change his prideful ways? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
One year later, the king was walking on his roof at the palace and if you can believe it, these are the words that came out of his mouth, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Have you ever heard so many “I’s” and “my’s”?
The words were still on his lips when a voice from heaven announced that King Neb was being stripped of his royal authority. He was driven out to the middle of nowhere and he actually ate grass like a cow. His body was drenched with dew, his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. It sounds like Grizzly Adams had nothing on him!
When the seven years were over, King Neb came to his senses and honored the Lord. He praised and glorified and exalted the King of heaven. He came to the realization that everything he had came from God. He also admitted, “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”
This story is a good reminder that all good things come from God. We’d be wise to remember this and to give praise where praise is due! If there is anything good is our lives, if we have any talents or skills, if we’ve been blessed in any way, then we need to give the glory to God. In other words, we should say, “Don’t look at me; look at God!”
If only King Neb would have stood on his roof and said, “Look at God, for He has blessed me,” instead of “Look at me and all the great things I’ve done,” he would have saved himself seven years of living like a wet, deranged cow.
Scripture: Daniel 4
Prayer: God, You alone give me what I need. Sometimes You give me more than I need and I want to thank you for Your many blessings. I realize that You have given me everything good in my life and that all blessings are from You. I want to praise, exalt and glorify You, the King of heaven, because everything you do is right and all Your ways are just.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pick Me!
My husband and I just got back from a company trip to Miami Beach, Florida. This was not my first choice for a “vacation location,” however, we were thankful for the chance get away.
After we arrived, we learned that our hotel housed one of the premier night clubs in the area. We are not “clubbers,” but one night we decided to hang out in the hotel lobby and watch the action from a distance.
What we saw was a world apart from the night life we’re used to in rural Minnesota! We were surrounded by micro-mini skirts, tight tops and perfectly made-up faces. They were all trying to be beautiful for one reason – to gain access to the club. We watched as they waited in line for a chance to get in. A chance to pay a $200 cover charge and $300 for drinks! I also heard that $800 would pay for the right to sit on a couch.
I think I paid less than $800 for the couch in my living room – and I get to keep it!
What made me even more sad than watching people spend crazy amounts of money on short-lived entertainment was watching how they got in to the club. “Scouts” would walk around the hotel lobby, searching for “beautiful people.” If someone caught their eye, the scout would tap them on the shoulder and they were “in.” He would lead them to the front of the line and into the club.
As I watched this scene unfold, a thought entered my mind. I envisioned God as one of those scouts walking around the room. I pictured Him searching the room, stopping next to me and then tapping me on the shoulder. He picked me! Then I pictured Him tapping everyone in the room, giving them all access to the greatest club in the world – heaven!
I’m so glad that God accepts me for who I am. He accepts you, too. He doesn’t care about what we look like or what we’ve done.
Jesus already paid our cover charge when He died on the cross. He’s tapped every one of us on the shoulder and offered us not just one night with Him, but a lifetime with Him. All we have to do is follow Him to the front of the line. The price has been paid.
Scripture: I Cor. 6:19-20, John 1:12
Prayer: Lord, thank you for accepting us for who we are and not for outward appearance. Thank you for looking at our hearts. Thank you for paying our debt when You sent Your Son to die on the cross. In the words of a beautiful hymn, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
Optional prayer to accept the gift of Jesus: Dear God, I believe in You and want to be Your child. I am sorry for my sins and want to ask Your forgiveness. I believe that You sent Your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Please take control of my life, as I realize that You can do a better job than I can! I promise to get to know You better as I seek You each day.
After we arrived, we learned that our hotel housed one of the premier night clubs in the area. We are not “clubbers,” but one night we decided to hang out in the hotel lobby and watch the action from a distance.
What we saw was a world apart from the night life we’re used to in rural Minnesota! We were surrounded by micro-mini skirts, tight tops and perfectly made-up faces. They were all trying to be beautiful for one reason – to gain access to the club. We watched as they waited in line for a chance to get in. A chance to pay a $200 cover charge and $300 for drinks! I also heard that $800 would pay for the right to sit on a couch.
I think I paid less than $800 for the couch in my living room – and I get to keep it!
What made me even more sad than watching people spend crazy amounts of money on short-lived entertainment was watching how they got in to the club. “Scouts” would walk around the hotel lobby, searching for “beautiful people.” If someone caught their eye, the scout would tap them on the shoulder and they were “in.” He would lead them to the front of the line and into the club.
As I watched this scene unfold, a thought entered my mind. I envisioned God as one of those scouts walking around the room. I pictured Him searching the room, stopping next to me and then tapping me on the shoulder. He picked me! Then I pictured Him tapping everyone in the room, giving them all access to the greatest club in the world – heaven!
I’m so glad that God accepts me for who I am. He accepts you, too. He doesn’t care about what we look like or what we’ve done.
Jesus already paid our cover charge when He died on the cross. He’s tapped every one of us on the shoulder and offered us not just one night with Him, but a lifetime with Him. All we have to do is follow Him to the front of the line. The price has been paid.
Scripture: I Cor. 6:19-20, John 1:12
Prayer: Lord, thank you for accepting us for who we are and not for outward appearance. Thank you for looking at our hearts. Thank you for paying our debt when You sent Your Son to die on the cross. In the words of a beautiful hymn, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
Optional prayer to accept the gift of Jesus: Dear God, I believe in You and want to be Your child. I am sorry for my sins and want to ask Your forgiveness. I believe that You sent Your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Please take control of my life, as I realize that You can do a better job than I can! I promise to get to know You better as I seek You each day.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
What Did I Forget?
Maybe I have a weird sense of humor. Ok, I'll admit it - I do have a weird sense of humor! That will explain why something I read today in the Bible struck me as funny.
In a letter to the church of Corinth, Paul says something that made me laugh. He said, "Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else."
Does that strike anyone else as funny? I think it's great that Paul can't remember who he baptized because it helps me relate to him on a new level. It would seem that forgetfulness can happen to anyone.
Sometimes I walk over to my pantry and can't remember what I'm looking for. I can usually remember someone's name for about 30 seconds, then it's mysteriously erased from my brain. If I don't write something down, I can be certain that it will be forgotten, so I keep lists everywhere. The older I get, the worse my memory becomes! Can you relate?
Paul was talking about the church in Corinth and the fact that they weren't getting along. Some of them said they followed Paul, some Apollos, some Cephas and still others said they followed Christ. Paul wanted to let them know the only One they should be following was Christ.
Paul asked them, "Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Was Paul crucified for you?" Paul goes on to say that he's thankful he did not baptize any of them so no one could say they were baptized in his name.
Paul then told the church to focus on Christ; not any other person. Paul told the church that his priority was to preach the gospel so that the cross was not emptied of its power. Basically, he was telling them not to look to anyone other than Christ for wisdom, power and strength.
When we look to other people instead of Christ, we lessen the gift Christ gave us when He died on the cross. That's one thing we shouldn't forget, no matter how poor our brains may be. Even though Paul couldn't remember all the names of the people he baptized, we'll cut him some slack because he definitely had his priorities straight.
Scripture: I Cor. 1:10-17
Prayer: Jesus, I don't want to ever put anyone in front of You. You died on the cross for me, and I am so grateful. Thank you for the gift of salvation. I never want to forget what You've sacrificed for me.
In a letter to the church of Corinth, Paul says something that made me laugh. He said, "Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else."
Does that strike anyone else as funny? I think it's great that Paul can't remember who he baptized because it helps me relate to him on a new level. It would seem that forgetfulness can happen to anyone.
Sometimes I walk over to my pantry and can't remember what I'm looking for. I can usually remember someone's name for about 30 seconds, then it's mysteriously erased from my brain. If I don't write something down, I can be certain that it will be forgotten, so I keep lists everywhere. The older I get, the worse my memory becomes! Can you relate?
Paul was talking about the church in Corinth and the fact that they weren't getting along. Some of them said they followed Paul, some Apollos, some Cephas and still others said they followed Christ. Paul wanted to let them know the only One they should be following was Christ.
Paul asked them, "Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Was Paul crucified for you?" Paul goes on to say that he's thankful he did not baptize any of them so no one could say they were baptized in his name.
Paul then told the church to focus on Christ; not any other person. Paul told the church that his priority was to preach the gospel so that the cross was not emptied of its power. Basically, he was telling them not to look to anyone other than Christ for wisdom, power and strength.
When we look to other people instead of Christ, we lessen the gift Christ gave us when He died on the cross. That's one thing we shouldn't forget, no matter how poor our brains may be. Even though Paul couldn't remember all the names of the people he baptized, we'll cut him some slack because he definitely had his priorities straight.
Scripture: I Cor. 1:10-17
Prayer: Jesus, I don't want to ever put anyone in front of You. You died on the cross for me, and I am so grateful. Thank you for the gift of salvation. I never want to forget what You've sacrificed for me.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Wake up to Tomorrow
The other day my third grade daughter came home from school crying. Her bad day got even worse when she made poor choices at home and I sent to her room without an after school snack. I told her she could come out of her room when she was ready to have a good attitude. When she didn’t come out for quite a while, I decided to check on her.
I opened her bedroom door noticed her room was dark. As my eyes searched for her in the darkness, I finally found her laying under her the covers in her bed. I slowly crawled under the covers with her and asked her what was wrong. She replied, “I just want to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow when it’s a new day.”
Amen sister!
I can relate, can you? I’ve had days when all I wanted to do is lay in bed under the covers, fall asleep and wake up tomorrow.
Maybe Jeremiah felt the same way. In Lamentations, he says that every day can have a new beginning, which makes me think he also had days when he wanted to crawl under the covers and hide out until morning!
He says, “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.”
Amen brother!
Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-26
*For an extra boost, repeat these verses out loud and claim them as your own. Speaking the words out loud helps to brand them on our hearts and gives them power in our lives. Each time you speak these verses, emphasize different words and phrases and they will give you a vision for God’s love, compassion and hope.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that our hope is in You and not in the things of this world. Your compassions are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness!
I opened her bedroom door noticed her room was dark. As my eyes searched for her in the darkness, I finally found her laying under her the covers in her bed. I slowly crawled under the covers with her and asked her what was wrong. She replied, “I just want to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow when it’s a new day.”
Amen sister!
I can relate, can you? I’ve had days when all I wanted to do is lay in bed under the covers, fall asleep and wake up tomorrow.
Maybe Jeremiah felt the same way. In Lamentations, he says that every day can have a new beginning, which makes me think he also had days when he wanted to crawl under the covers and hide out until morning!
He says, “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.”
Amen brother!
Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-26
*For an extra boost, repeat these verses out loud and claim them as your own. Speaking the words out loud helps to brand them on our hearts and gives them power in our lives. Each time you speak these verses, emphasize different words and phrases and they will give you a vision for God’s love, compassion and hope.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that our hope is in You and not in the things of this world. Your compassions are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness!
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