Our friends and family who have died this past year and whom we remember in this All Saints Service, are a living part of our past. The Apostle Paul encourages us to believe with confidence that they will be in our future. He says, “Let us not grieve about them as people who have no hope, for Christ who died and rose again, will bring them to be with him."
So we live by encouraged New Testament hope.
When my brother died, now four years ago, it was a long, hard process, the victim of soft tissue carcinoma-cancer. We talked about a lot of things in that closing down year. We speculated about what life after death would be like. I even asked that if there was anyway to communicate with me after his death, to let me know. He said he would be in touch. We had done some crazy things over our teen years, so this didn't seem to be beyond the reach of other shenanigans in which we had been involved over the years. Let me know what it is like.
In the book, Children's Letters To God, a little boy wrote, "Dear God, What is it like when a person dies? Nobody will tell me. I just want to know, I don't want to do it. Your friend, Mike."
When I was a kid, there had been a traveling preacher who had preached in our church who had a pretty impressive flip chart of heaven and hell showing the various levels of each. He explained to our congregation exactly what would happen when they died. I was a kid, but he sure had my attention. I have often thought, man if I could get my hands on those flip charts. The truth is, the traveling preacher with his flip charts have long ago gone the way of all human things, and I have never been inclined to such speculation.
Jesus very clearly said to the repentant thief who died on the cross beside him, "Today you will be with me in paradise" and that has been enough for me! I have believed that when we die, we enter into the nearer presence of God, and that we are not warehoused somewhere until some future time. At times I have even thought like the Philosopher Whitehead belief, that "If" after death, I am only in the memory of God, then that will be enough. Either way, when we die the New Testament teaches, we immediately go to our reward whatever and wherever that may be. Whether it be like the greedy rich man in Jesus' story, Dives, who went to hell, or like the repentant criminal on the cross who went to Paradise. We go at once to the place toward which we have been traveling all our lives.
In l996, Scott Peck, who is most famous for his classic "The Road Less Traveled", wrote a novel entitled "In Heaven as on Earth" in which he dealt with this subject of what happens after our death. In this novel he speculates in an engaging manner on what he thinks life will be like for us in the next world. The novel should be read as we read all other speculative writings about such deep mysteries. You should not take the details literally, but consider the overall concept that when we cross the river Jordan, when we die, life will go on. The death of the body does not destroy the essence of who we are. When we die, we leave all that we own, all that we have possessed, and take with us all that we have become. The main trust of the book is a celebration of the triumph of the mind and the spirit.
Summary: People of every age have speculated about what happens when we die, but remember that it is speculation. Whether it be the speculation of the Dante' Middle Ages, Whitehead’s Process philosophy, or Scott Peck's fiction, or the traveling preacher with his flip charts, it is mere speculation, for it is a mystery which is in the hands of God.
Haynes Johnson is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and the author of the rather interesting new book entitled "The Best of Times” which is an analysis of the boom and bust years of the l990s in America. As I worked my way through this rather challenging book, I began to think about "What determines the present moment as the best of times or the worst of times” and to speculate on whether life after death would be for us the best of times or the worst of times.
I have concluded, that right now is all that we have.
By faith we confidently hope for eternal life, but that is in God's hands, not ours. We have the supportive evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus and his immortal statement: "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. I go and prepare a place for you, so that where I am you may be also." And Paul's encouragement "We do not grieve about those who have died, as those who have no hope, for Christ died and rose again and it will be the same for those who die in Jesus."
But what we have is not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today. This present, slimy, slippery, exciting, sad, immediate moment and we can view it as the best of times or the worst of times, and our view will shape, if not determine, it’s reality.
In Thornton Wilder's classic play, Our Town, there is this poignant scene where Emily dies. After her death she goes to the graveyard. There she is told that she can return to her home to witness one day in her life. She excitedly chooses a day when she was so happy, her twelfth birthday. All the people in the graveyard say, "Emily, don't do it, don't do it Emily." But she wants to see her mother and father again and chooses that particular day. The scene in the play switches and there she is 12 years old and she comes down the stairs of her home in a pretty dress. But her mother is so busy making the cake for her birthday and cannot stop long enough to look at her. She says, "Mama, look at me. I'm the birthday girl." But her mother ignores her and says curtly "Fine birthday girl, sit down and have your breakfast.” And Emily stands there and says; "Mama, look at me, but her mother doesn't look.
Her father comes in, but he's too busy working to make money for she and the family that he never looks at her either, and neither does her brother. The scene ends with her standing in the middle of the stage saying: "Please somebody, just look at me. I don't need the cake or the money. Please just look at me." And nobody does. She turns to her mother and once more says: "Please mama" and then she turns sorrowfully to the stage manager and says, "Take me away. I've forgotten what it was like to be human. Nobody looks at anybody. Nobody cares anymore, do they?"
Well, actually, we do care. But sometimes we forget. Sometimes we get so busy, or tied up with past regrets, or wrapped up with future anxieties that we forget to take time to love.
But no longer. Let us claim God's forgiveness for past hurts.
And Let us commit ourselves to Jesus Christ and his ways and not worry about tomorrow. Let us seize this day and live life to our Christian best, as this is the best of times!
Let us take time to look and love those closest to us, but also every person with whom we come into contact. That kind of love can redeem the world and determine our place in God's coming kingdom.
God has gifted the Church with a vision of His Kingdom and charged us with the responsibility of its realization! A vision of a Kingdom where people are free of the fears which tie them up and hold them back and push them down. A Vision of a Kingdom, which knows no boundaries and where the doors are wide open and inviting and encouraging and welcoming.
A Vision where Jesus Christ is Lord of all. This vision is often obscured by the darkness of this world, the horrors which surround us, and the inherent evil selfishness of human kind; yet, thanks and praise be unto God for his Church, which has kept the vision alive. The Church has kept its lamps trimmed and burning in expectation of the realization of God's Kingdom, in the midst of a foolish, dark world.
Henry David Thoreau described not only his time, but ours as well, when he observed: "We are still being born and have as yet but a dim vision." Our vision is at times very dim partly because the playing field of the culture in which we live and are in ministry for Jesus Christ, keeps changing. This year we have known darkness and confusion. The September 11, 2001, syndrome is still with us and has placed suspicion in our mind toward strangers. The old places of security are hard to find. The lack of our ability to trust elected officials, business, and church leaders, and the breakdown of the traditional family has turned the lights off for many in this troubled world.
Thank heavens the police in the Washington, D.C. area have captured those crazy fellows who were driving around suburbia shooting and killing innocent, unsuspecting citizens. Thank heavens they are off the streets, but surely you don't believe that is the end of that kind of craziness.
We used to think the family was the place where we could find security, but that has radically changed. When Jane and I married, now 40 years ago in the 1960's, 45% of the American Families were the comforting image of the traditional Norman Rockwell Family, two parents and a couple of children. In l980 such families had dropped sharply to 30% and the 2000 census has told us that an even greater shift has occurred as only 23.5% of US households consist of married couples with children. At the same time 5.5 million couples live together out of wedlock, and more than 49% of our marriages end in divorce.
We live in the uncertainty of a dark and foreboding culture of rapid change and anxiety. We are surrounded by a people desperately in need for security.
Yet, I have a heart filled with gratitude today when I consider God's goodness to this His church and to we His people.
Our church represents God’s love and supportive presence.
Here we sing our faith, and Charles Wesley's great hymn is often on our lips:
”And are we yet alive, and see each other's face? Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace!
What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fighting's without, and fears within, since we assembled last!
Yet out of all, the Lord hath brought us by his love; and still he doth his help afford, and hides our life above.”Our Church's members participate in record numbers in worship and activities, which encourage spiritual growth, service, and prayer and praise to the Eternal God.
The Church continues to receive new members who chose to make this place home, and this family theirs.
The Church now has 500 children, 200 youth in our care, and 270 persons over the age of 75. I know we are not yet where we need to be in our ministry with the children, the youth, nor the elderly, but still we are in the arena, fighting and struggling and representing the best of society in regard to such issues as justice and love and kindness. The vision is dim, but the church keeps the vision before us.
While there are many in this crazy world who give their money to the merchants of the world who provide an illusion of security, thank God that there are places like this church that can still be found today where there are people who give their money…
to tell the news of God's eternal
love,
to print Christian literature for Russians, Jamaicans, Africans, and Eskimos,
to organize healthy play and learning opportunities for children,
to provide food and shelter for teenagers and transients who have no place to
call home,
to provide opportunities to study God's Word,
to learn new parenting skills,
to teach the Christian way of human sexuality and love in the covenant of
marriage,
to teach how to do justice, to love kindness, and how to walk humbly with your
God.
Yes, I am thankful that there are those like you who, though the vision is dim, keep the vision of God ever before us-a vision of God’s desires, God's intentions for his creation.
A vision of a Kingdom where people are free of the crushing weight of sin.
A Vision of a Kingdom without fear where the children don't go to bed crying.
A Vision of a Kingdom of Peace, where the lion and the lamb lie down together.
A Vision of a Church where Doors are opened wide and inviting and welcoming to all.
A Vision where the covenants of brotherhood and of marriage are ones you can count on.
When I go by my daughter's house to visit with our grandchildren, I turn off of Spanish Trail on a street named Hope! Thank God that the Church still proclaims with confidence that there are streets named Hope, and Faith, and Love.
Our Church in many ways encourages healthy living. We have a program called Prism which teaches a healthy respect of the body and proper diet for healthy living. We encourage participants in the Run for Missions, an event of Health and Help!
A couple of weeks ago, some of us ran what was called by Sacred Heart School on 12th Avenue, "The Pumpkin Run." How thankful I am that I can run again, not quite as fast as the past, but run, nevertheless. One of the many delights of this recent race was that Pat Judd was running along with all of these kids, coaching them and encouraging them and teaching them how to run. Understand, Pat runs these 50-mile races so a 3.1 mile race is like eating a snack. So he runs along with first one kid and then another encouraging first one and then another. Saying things like "Looking good" "Hills make you stronger", "Hang in there", "You're almost home", "Don't get in the bucket.” Sometimes you don't understand what he is saying, when you are busy trying to breath, but you are always encouraged. I know this because I'm one of his kids whom he coaches and encourages. He says to me: "Keep your head up, breath deep, keep your head up, looking good! If you run slumped over with your head down, you will cut your air supply off, so keep your shoulders back, head up!"
Isn't it great to have a church filled with Christian friends who tell you to "Keep your head up!" "Lift up your heads" "Stand tall, you are a child of the King!" "Hills Make you Stronger" Things like: "Rejoice in suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope."
The Christian’s race in a troubled world is not a casual jog, but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. If you have ever run or walked one of these community runs in our area, you have noticed that many times there are young navy officers who will run in cadence. They are so strong and so young, but when, for what ever reason, one has to pull out and stop or start walking, the group goes on, but one of his or her buddies will drop out and walk along with him until they are able to run again or someone picks them up. Never left alone. When the church is at its best, we never leave a wounded friend alone. Thank God, that there is an institution in the world that is placed there by God, not for its own self benefit, but to encourage people by saying things like: “Keep your head up!” And when you can no longer run the race set before you, a Christian friend pulls out of the race and sits beside you. Thank God for the church which when it is at its best, never leaves its wounded alone.
Summary: Well, here we are entering another season of thanksgiving, and there is a great deal to be thankful for:
Thank heavens for a nation where the flag still stands. Where the voters are still free to choose their leaders. Thank heavens for a nation where soldiers still are willing to die for the human rights of others even on foreign soil. Thank heavens for a church, which still teaches God's way to confused world. The vision may be dim, but the church keeps it before us.
Thank heavens for Christian people who sing their faith and share the privilege and responsibility of keeping the good news of God's love voiced in the world, of keeping the light of God glowing in a darken world, of keeping the vision alive.
Here in the sanctuary, the acolytes bring the flame for the altar candles representing the coming of the presence of God into the sanctuary. This light as a quiet symbol of God’s presence which dispels the darkness. These acolytes then take the light out at the conclusion of our worship, representing that God's presence goes before us into the world where he will be present with us in the darkness that is out there.
Our Jewish friends keep a light burning all the time in their synagogues and temples, representing the constant presence of God in his Holy Temple. There were in the original temple in Jerusalem, an entire line of priests who were charged with keeping oil in the lamp. To overcome the need for candles or oil in lamps, most Synagogues and Temples today have gone to a small electric light bulb, with an emergency battery pack, maybe an "Eveready Drummer” battery.
Interestingly enough, we also have gone from candles, which use to spray candle wax everywhere and was quiet expensive, to oil in these candle holders. It seems to work nicely, at least when we remember to keep the oil in the candles.
Thank you for your gifts given to the church to keep oil in the lamps in God's house. The oil you provide keeps the light of God glowing in a dark world. The oil you provide keeps the knowledge of God proclaimed to a confused world. The oil you provide will construct new streets called Hope, Faith, Love in the cities of each new generation. The oil you provide is but another gift, which God has given to us to share with one another to make sure that his light will never go out.
Life is an interesting experience as so much of it is unpredictable. A letter in the mail, a phone call, and life is different. Surprise, Surprise!
At times these surprises come as a wonderful gift and at other times they come in the form of pain and suffering, like a "thief in the night.
Roy Smith once told the odd case of an Australian youth who suffered a concussion while serving with the armed forces in Korea. At the time of his injury he was only 5 feet 4 inches tall. The blow started a strange reaction within his body and he began to grow to the point that he became 6 feet 3 inches tall. Now to those of you who might want to be taller, don't go out and bump your head, but listen to what Dr. Smith says about this rather interesting phenomena. Says he: "There are innumerable instances of people who never grow to reach their full intellectual and spiritual stature until after they suffer some terrible blow."
I think that might be why the apostle Paul wrote: "Rejoice in your suffering for suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope." In Thessalonians he wrote: "Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances." In all circumstances…
In the 25th chapter of the gospel of Matthew, the writer recalled three parables or stories of Jesus. The wise bridesmaids who kept their lamps trimmed and burning in anticipation of the arrival of the bridegroom; the wise servants who used their talents in anticipation of the arrival of the owner of the land; and the final judgment where the "good and faithful stewards" help the poor and needy and receive eternal life. These "stories" of Jesus all focus on the importance of seizing the moment of opportunity, which is before us before it escapes us, before the moment of possibility is gone. These are parables of the "Coming Kingdom."
The wise bridesmaids, the hardworking talented servants and the compassionate ones, were all rewarded because they did not miss their opportunity. The reason I focus on these particular characters in these stories is because as Paul said in Thessalonians 5:9 "God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
But I would not serve you well if I did not point out to you that there are also other characters in these stories:
There are the foolish bridesmaids who did not prepare in advance and found when they got their act together and their lamps trimmed and burned, that it was to late and that the door was permanently locked.
There was the fearful servant who buried his one talent was cast into outer darkness where men will weep and gnash their teeth.
And also there were those who did not help the needy who "went away into eternal punishment."
The message is clear. Let us not miss the opportunities, which come to us. Let us reach our full potential by using the gifts and opportunities, which are presented to us while there is time, while there is energy, while there are resources, while there is a need. Today is the day! Carpe Diem-Seize this moment.
The lessons of these parables are clear:
1. The Scripture about the servants who received these talents or resources, tells us that we will be held accountable for the "stewardship" of what has been entrusted to us during our lives. We are given much and it is expected that we will manage these resources well.
John Wesley in his sermon on "The Right Use of Money" wrote,"Ask your self, in spending your money, am I behaving as though I owned it or as though I were managing it for God?"
Most of the time we connect the word "stewardship" to the wise management of our money. You might think the minister is talking about your church pledge or the lack of it, at this time of the year, and he probably is. But think bigger than this. Don't think small, you are not small. God has blessed us with infinitely more resources than just our time and money, as important as those may be. He calls upon us to be wise and generous stewards of our intellect, our compassion, our life experience, our influence, and our relationships. In this parable before us today, we are called to invest our lives in such a way that we see a rich return.
A few years ago, the Black Colleges of America used an advertising slogan, which I thought, was great: "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Waste."
Jesus is saying to us you have been given oil in your lamps so let your light shine. You have been gifted by one and some multiple talents. Dream great dreams. Make your life count for something!
It is expected of us to be "good and faithful" stewards and this doesn't mean that we are to passively wait for the Kingdom of God, but rather it demands active responsibility that takes initiative and risk.
If you chose to fool around in school and not tend to your business of studying, then you will probably be miserable and you will never know the power and excitement of dreaming great dreams.
When I was a kid I would call a friend and ask: "What are you doing?" And if they said: "Nothing". I would say, "Well, I'm coming over." But somewhere in late high school, I begin to realize that I didn't want to waste my time with a bunch of guys who were doing nothing and going nowhere." Some of them are still sitting around Marengo County, "doing nothing and going nowhere". Be careful who you are hanging around. For you will find yourself going where they are going and amounting to what they are amounting to.
Someone has written: "It is possible to evade a multitude of sorrows by the cultivation of an insignificant life." If that is what you want, then that's what you are going to get it. And before long, you will find the door to opportunity locked. And you will find that the oil in your lamps is all used up. And you will find that your time has run out.
Mickey Mantle was not unlike another player for the New York Yankees, whose name is Darrel Strawberry. Both of these individuals were super baseball players for a time.
But both finished badly. Strawberry finished in jail because he couldn't get off of drugs. And Mickey Mantle died at the age of 63 of alcohol related liver disease. Not long before his death, he said to someone: "You talk about a role model? Here is a role model: Don't be like me. God gave me the ability to play baseball and I wasted it. I was given so much and I blew it. I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up. I want to start giving something back."
2. First of all, be good stewards, managers of the Master’s gifts, and secondly, know that if you do not use your gifts you will lose what little you have been given. Use it or lose it.
3. Thirdly, God wants you to succeed. The first and second servants trusted their master's commands and when he had left, they used well what they had been given. The third servant, fearing that the master was a hard, and demanding man, out of fear, did not use what had been given to him and thus lost what little he had. God is not a cosmic police officer; he is not a threat over you. He has made you in his own image and He who is a creator has made you to be a creator. But if you don't use your gifts you lose them and no one is to blame but yourself.
God wants you to use what has come to you. He wants you to be pleased with your success. You work hard and you play hard and you use your money and your influence to make a difference in the church and the community in which you live.
When our girls were young and growing up with their cousins, my brothers' three girls; there was a TV Program entitled, “The Hulk.” When the hulk got mad, his eyes would grow big and turn green and he would break out of his clothes popping buttons and reaping out of his tee shirt, so I started playing with the kids by taking an old rotten tee shirt and tearing it and running after them like a giant monster. They would run and hide, but one of them figured out pretty quickly that I was just going to hug them when I found them, so she said one day when I had ripped another tee shirt and said to her, “you had better run:” "Oh Uncle Henry, I'm not going to run, because you won't hurt us you will just hug us. Come on I'll help you find the rest of them."
God is big, he is real big, but he's not out to hurt us. He isn't a monster. He is our heavenly father. And the father has provided well for you, generously for you, abundantly for you and you can trust his love and his mercy. Your achieving your full potential begins with your view of God and he's on your side.
4. Finally, Jesus is teaching in this story that what we do here in our life has eternal significance. Our influence stretches on for many generations, long after we are gone and even into eternity.
This week will give you certain opportunities that may never occur again. I hope for you that when you are given the choice to dance or to sit it out, that you will chose to dance.
Thanksgiving is a season of time when we are reminded of proper manners and the importance of saying, "Thank You." It is a time when we recall that the important things in our life have come to us as a gift, and that the only proper response is gratitude.
I am reminded of Scott Cairns poem, Imperative, which I share with you:
The thing to
remember is how tentative all of this really is.
You could wake up dead.
Or the woman you love could decide you're ugly.
Maybe she'll finally give up trying to ignore the way you floss your teeth as
you watch television.
All I'm saying is that there are no sure things here.
I mean, you'll probably wake up alive,
And she'll probably keep putting off any actual decision about your looks.
Could be she'll be glad your teeth are so clean.
The morning could be full of all the love and kindness you need.
Just don't go thinking you deserve any of it.
As a child your parent encourages you to say "thank you," or at least my parents did and I see most of you doing the same. My parents were quick to encourage me to say thank you, if not too quick as it would come, but sometimes I would just be a little slow. Well I see a lot of folks today who are a little slow and frankly, young and old alike in the ranks of the middle and upper middle class need a remedial course in thanksgiving.
When someone does something for you, say "Thank you". It will not cost you anything, and it really means a lot to the person who has gone out of the way to do something for you.
I have a book, which someone gave me, and they put a note in the front and for the life of me I can't read their name, and it is killing me not to be able to say "thank you". So if you are here, "thank you."
I was also taught to say to an older person, "Yes sir" or "Yes Mam;" as it is a way of showing respect and honor.
In the season of Thanksgiving, to thank God and one another for blessings received is a way of showing respect and honor and gratitude. Thank you!
As you make your list of the many ways God has blessed your life and for which you are grateful and as you celebrate this season of thanks--giving, I would suggest consideration for the following:
1. Common blessings, commonly overlooked.
2. Special blessing of sacred gifts, which came just in the nick of time this year.
3. Finally, as Paul says: "His Indescribable Gift in Jesus Christ".
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.
Here he was teaching us how to live without fear and according to a more excellent way. With Jesus in your life you will be different. He will clean up your language and behavior.
When I look at this dark world which all of its difficulties, through the eyes of Jesus, I sense hope and see a light.
When I feel the sensation of his changing my own stubborn nature and using me and guiding me by his Holy Spirit, I know what he can do for all people, even you.
1. There are so very many common blessings, commonly overlooked.
Citizenship in this great nation where homeland security is a given and unexpected terrorist attacks are the exception.
We fly in our planes with confidence.
We drink from our public water fountains with no fear.
We shop in stores which are filled with unbelievable products, some agricultural, some home improvement materials, and clothing choices beyond the indignation of most of the people in other parts of the world.
I have watched with much interest, the number of female students who have entered schools in Afghanistan, since the end of the Taliban Rule. A common blessing, which we assume for all of our students in America. Today more than 50% of the new students in all of our professional schools in America are female-the new lawyers, doctors, dentists, ministers, more than half of these professionals are female-as is Dr. Beasley whose baby was baptized today.
And don’t overlook the common blessings of our church. In another week, First Church will celebrate its 181st birthday and begin its ministry for the 182nd year of ministry. Oh no, don't forget the church and all of the lay volunteers and professionals who give their time and energy and money for our spiritual growth and pastoral care.
This old building is in every season filled with the sound of music and the laughter of children—Do you think that all of this just happens? Do you think that all that you see and feel when you are in this place just occurs? Somebody dreams, prepares, trains, prays, works hard, — somebody sacrifices—and then it just happens. And thank God it happens!
Michael Williams, a storyteller from Nashville, Tenn. Has a series of stories about old Dr. Crow who was in his church where he grew up. Old Dr. Crow was asked once if he were a Christian to which he answered: "Well, I guess so, like all the rest of them, I cuss when I'm mad and pray when I'm scared." Old Dr. Crow also observed: "Church is the only place I know where you can give two bucks for the Kingdom of Heaven and raise a million dollars worth of hell." He said a lot of other things, but they go down from here so it is best not repeated, but thank God we can belong to a place where the old Dr. Crows of the world can come to pray and worship and participate in the work of the Kingdom of God.
I'm thankful for the church that taught me such things as:
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"Judge not that you be not judged."
"Jesus loves all the children of the world".
Let's not overlook our Sunday School teachers and Secretaries and Stephen Ministers and custodians in the church that keep us going year after year.
Nor shall this Thanksgiving, we overlook those in public service: politicians, policemen, and commissioners and committee members who endure unending meetings and a barrage of criticism and little thanks to work for the common good, and yet work they do.
One of our teachers asked her class to list the Seven
Wonders of the World and on most of the lists there appeared: The Grand
Canyon, Egypt's Pyramids, World Trade Center, St. Peter's Basilica, China's
Great Wall. But on one list their appeared this statement: I think the Seven
Wonders of the World are
To touch, To taste,
To see, To hear,
To Feel, To laugh. To Love,
2. Common blessings commonly overlooked, and Secondly,
Special Blessings Which Have Been Given To Us In Response To Specific Needs.
Ruel Howe has written a book entitled "Man's Need, God's Action". In which he affirms that God's action are always in response to our greatest needs. The Needs Of Our Lives Is Where God Has Taken Action! The need for security, for feelings of belonging and confidence, and the need to be loved.
During this year, many of you have encountered life-changing events. Some of those events have been pleasant and enjoyable while others have been like a frightening walk in a midnight swamp. Life is no easy matter for most of us to figure out, but as Kieergard observed," life is not a problem to be figured out, but a reality to be experienced".
God answers the great needs of our lives: A gift of a baby, a course passed, a job found, a love discovered, a touch or smile of recognition and affirmation.
There were special
times this year when God has stepped into our lives
Look on the surface and deep within your being in these days of thanksgiving,
and be thankful. Give thanks for common blessings commonly overlooked
And for special blessings for specific problems,
And for the supreme blessing in Jesus Christ.
As Moses taught the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey, agricultural products and goat milk, Less You Forget That It Is God Who Has Delivered You From Egypt And The Hard Years Of The Wilderness.
Lest you forget…give thanks for common blessings, special blessings and God’s indescribable gifts.