Happy Thanksgiving

 In this season when many pause to express gratitude for good things in their lives, let us as Christian folk remember to praise and thank God for His mercy and favor. 

Oops: An Update

Good morning! 

I've been remiss in failing to provide an update on MoBro (my brother from another mother).

Thanks to all our prayers (yours, too!) he recovered from the pneumonia in short order, and is doing nicely in an assisted living facility in Missouri.

I'm sure he would have nice things to say about all y'all, because I do. Thank you!

🤟👦

Saturday, 21 NOV 2020 - For My Readers

 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 KJV

Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 MSG

Veterans' Day

 THANK YOU to all my brothers and sisters who served in any branch of the military. We must continue to stand together; there may be another battle ahead.

God's Word for Friday, 5/22/2020

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:2-5 KJV

O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!

 He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

Psalm 103:2-5 MSG

Today's New Favorite Word

Benign.

There's a procedure which men of a certain age - which now includes me, darn it - must undergo. 
Hmm, that's vague. Try again: for the last six months, my doctor and I have been watching one of the results from last fall's physical. 

The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer.The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. My number was too high, so we checked it again last month. Still high.

So last week, I got to see a whole new doctor (urologist), and got a biopsy of the prostate. That's not even as much fun as it sounds. (You can look up the procedure if you want; I'd rather not relive it. :)

The results came back today: 100% benign. No need for further invasive procedures; just watch the test numbers over the next few years for any changes.

Now I'm going to go celebrate with an adult beverage. I don't do it very often, but tonight it seems like a REALLY good idea. 

God's Love and Provision in Action

I went to the store this morning and found toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues all in stock. 

We were a bit low on those things, defined as "not out, but could use some". I was able to get enough to meet the need.  

He is faithful!

God's Word for Sunday, 2/9/2020

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

2 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV

You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 MSG

The Bummer Lamb

Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.

These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken.

These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does?

He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.

But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first?

That's right: the bummer sheep. He knows the shepherd's voice intimately.

It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it.

It's not that it is loved more; it just believes it because it has experienced that love one-on-one.

So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.

We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

~ Psalm 23

THIS. This is what I'm grateful for. He loved me when I was broken, worthless, and unwanted. He loves me still, and I am His.

God's Word for Thursday, 7/5/18

Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, “Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done, spread the news of his great reputation!

Isaiah 12:3-4 MSG

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:3-4 KJV

God's Word for Wednesday, 12/27/17

With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God! Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me?

Psalm 103:1-2, The Passion Translation

Thanksgiving 2017

This is the day when Americans, above all others, should thank God for all the blessings still resting on this nation, and on us. Despite our misgivings about the government, leaders, news, scandals, terrorism, and everything else, we are still blessed.

Thank you, Lord, for all the gifts you've bestowed upon this nation. We honor you, Lord, and thank you for our lives.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

(Psalm 118:1)

God's Word for Tuesday, 11/21/17

Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 MSG

God's Word for Saturday, 7/8/17

Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

Psalm 138:2 MSG

God's Word for Saturday, 7/1/17

I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

Romans 12:3 MSG

Thanksgiving Day

Back At It

The five days off were a blessing, and a welcome relief. But we're back at work today, with varying degrees of regret.

There was a small mountain of mail awaiting my return, after only two days off, but it was duly opened, read, entered, processed, forwarded, et cetera, by 0800.

It's nice to have the experience to be able to solve problems, resolve issues, and generally make things happen. But there are more and more days wherein I'd rather not have to be the one who has to care about it. It's not that I don't care, mind; it's just that I've apparently passed That Certain Age where things which were once important, if not critical, just go by the wayside. And that bothers me.
A little bit.

But even that concern is slowly fading.

There are friends and acquaintances here who are roughly the same age, and they've all noticed it. So many things which were once of dire importance just don't seem to be all that substantial, anymore.

And there are so many things I still want to do, around the house. And my writing has been neglected for months, as we focused on the purchase of that house, plus all the projects, improvements, and so forth.

Just as an example, my bride and I were watching TV last night. That's not surprising, although I couldn't say whether either of us was paying much attention. But when the coil spring on garage door #1 decided to break in two and unwind explosively, directly underneath her recliner, it got our attention.

It's a sound I've heard before, and therefore knew exactly what it was.

So this morning we contact the home warranty company, once again being thankful that our realtor impressed upon us the importance thereof. Garage door springs are covered, you see, with only a $100 deductible.

Thank you, Cindy. :)

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers and grandmothers out there ... those who have slaved and sacrificed and given of themselves, over and over ... those who have gone without so that their children wouldn't have to ... those who love and nurture and train and teach and so much more.

For all you've done and continue to do, we honor you.

Well, That Worked - and Welcome Aboard

Yesterday I mentioned that Blogger wouldn't display the Nav Bar nor followers' icons, no matter what I tried. In comments on that post, reader Alec suggested starting Firefox in "safe mode", which disables all the add-ons.

It worked. :)

First world problems, admittedly, but still an on-going annoyance.

And now that I can see the icons on the sidebar, let me say "Welcome aboard!" to new-ish followers Ariel and Terra Dactyl.

Christmas Eve, 2014

While it may be an interesting scholastic task to determine when Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus, the Christ = "anointed one") was really born - probably in March - but that's not really the point. 

 

What's important is that we remember that He was born, and why.

Let's remember that the season is about the profound love that God expressed toward us through the remarkable and astonishing gift of His Son to us. It's about joy, peace, and forgiveness.

It’s also about friends and family gathering together to share in the traditions that have come to define us.

I am thankful every day for the blessings and kindness God has shown us all.

My friends, I wish you a very blessed and happy time. May God bless you and your families. Whether you're alone, or with those you love, may you experience the best of all that Christmas is and can be!

And to the men and women serving in uniform, at home or abroad, may God bless you & keep you safe. You have this veteran's gratitude for your ongoing sacrifices.