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Viewing entries posted in November 2011
On Giving Thanks
It's a good thing that as a nation we have set aside a day to give thanks. We, as a nation, have much to be thankful for. And to whom do we give that thanks? According to James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." On our CEM wilderness trips, we often end our days with "thankfuls"—a time for each person to express in a few words what things for which he/she is thankful. I've found it to be a good habit for me throughout the year. I get to the end of a busy and stressful day, and it is easy to feel all the frustrations, the disappointments, the discouragements of the day. But when I go to my heavenly Father, and start my prayer time with, "Father, thank you for this good day," and continue to list the things from the day for which I am thankful, I find His peace and joy, no matter what the day held. What are you thankful for this day? I'm thankful for stuffing, and turkey, and friends, and family. I'm thankful for rain, and snow, and the stars in the sky. I'm thankful for Jesus, redemption, salvation, peace, joy, and love. I'm thankful for new running shoes, a good book to read, a game to play with friends. I'm thankful for strawberries and chocolate, soft rugs and warm blankets. I'm thankful for challenges, for hard things in my life that draw me closer to my Father. I'm thankful for grace and forgiveness. Every good and perfect gift—no matter how big, no matter how small—is from above. No matter how hard your day, give thanks to Him for all the good things He has given you.
Righteousness and Protection
Imagine if Lot had taught a few of his neighbors in Sodom and Gomorrah to fear God, and together with members of his family, they added up to ten. Neither city would have experienced the wrath of God. But instead the quota of ten righteous which Abraham boldly bargained the Lord down to was not found.