Thanks Giving

O give thanks unto the Lord; 

call upon his name:

make known his deeds among the people. 

Psalm 105:1

In light of current world events, we are surrounded by people who are deeply disheartened and fearful. The political climate is hostile, the social atmosphere is antagonistic and culturally we are way outside the box of our forefathers' world. 

And now, in the middle of the chaos, many will gather next Thursday to commemorate an earlier time in history.  And sometimes those gatherings can turn into disagreeable and tense discussions sadly lacking in the hoped-for climate of peace and thankfulness. 

The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of life, survival, harvest, provision, protection, a new start in a new land in the midst of hardship and suffering.  But today, what is there to celebrate? 

Thanksgiving is and always was God's idea. These words of the Psalmist give an outline for a truly wonderful Thanksgiving Day agenda. 

1. "Give thanks unto the Lord."

Thank him for his presence and his provision.

If you're stuck for ideas try making an A-Z list.

And be grateful!

2. Pray  - "Call upon His name"  

Prayer has become unpopular - even forbidden in some venues. Yet what greater way to have a thankful heart than to go to the Giver of life in prayer!

3. Tell - "Make known his deeds among the people."
So, what has He done? 

Who can you tell?

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, help steer the course of conversation toward thankfulness. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

It's a beautiful day here in Kansas this morning. 

Birds are hopping around the bird feeder on the deck 

and I just picked these from my garden in the front yard.  

I have a steaming cup of coffee in front of me,

made with my favorite creamer, coconut, of course.

  

 The sun is streaming through the glass of the patio doors 

and the Christmas Cactus is getting ready to bloom.

I just got off a good long phone call with my daughter-in-law (so fun to chat with her)

and am looking forward to some Skype time with my daughter and family in Austria. 

Hardly feels like November in Kansas - especially as the weather man 

just predicted snow in some neighboring areas.

It's easy to find my heart rejoicing on a day like this. 

But what about later, 

when the ice and snow hits, 

health fails, and the energy wanes?

How will I feel when relationships struggle or bad news arrives?

Will I be grateful and rejoicing then? 

I hope so. But just in case, I'm going to post something to help me remember. This is what the prophet Habakkuk said about rejoicing in the down times:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

So, today, a gorgeous fall day here in Kansas, I rejoice. 

And later when winter hits, I'll choose joy. 

How about you?