November 2012

22 Nov

Posted at 13:22h in Devotionals
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"In everything give thanks. . ." 1st Thessalonians 5:18 It's hard to imagine many things which would be more difficult than the simple command that Paul gives in this first letter to the Thessalonians.  Is he saying that I am to thank God for everything?  Am I to thank God when I am diagnosed with cancer? Am I supposed to thank Him when a loved one dies?  Am I supposed to be thankful when I am hurt, facing financial ruin or just dealing with the daily drudgery of life?  I do believe that there will come a day when I will thank Him - that is an act of faith.  But am I to turn that faith into fruition?  Am I commanded to celebrate the victory before the battle?  Must I raise my hands at the funeral of my friend and say, "Thank you Lord for taking the life of my friend?"  Is that even possible?  Is it human?  Is that even something that we would or should desire?

19 Nov

Posted at 12:37h in Devotionals
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"It is good to give thanks to the LORD..." Psalm 92:1 The Psalmist says that gratitude, giving thanks, is a "good thing." It is a blessing and benefit to the mind of man which helps to prevent some dreadful diseases.  For example, thanksgiving helps with the pain of a remorseful memory.  Don't confuse this with a remorseful conscience because that comes from having done something wrong.  A remorseful memory isn't the pain that comes from a failure to do right, but rather it is pain that comes from the failure of enjoying the blessings of life.

16 Nov

Posted at 09:06h in Fridays Are For Family
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It's that time of year again. Time for those long, family road trips, "over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house..."  Or, to the house of another family member or friend. I don't think that I ever really thought much about long trips before we had our first child. "B.C.", (Before Children) Kim and I would just throw a small duffel bag in the back of the car, jump in and go.  We wouldn't stop except when we needed to gas up the car. The "end" justified any of the "means" that we had to endure to make it through a long-distance trip as fast as possible.