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Living In Grace

A Christ inspired work dealing with American Christian Culture in the New Century.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thankful?

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends
.
                                    --Ralph Waldo Emerson


Psalm 30:12
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

How often do we truly give thanks to God for all He has done?  How many mornings are we grumbling as our feet hit the floor instead of praising the Lord of Heaven for a new day in which to serve Him and tell of His glory?  Are we complaining about our job, our boss, our coworkers when possibly millions of people would gladly have the same to fret about?  Do we complain about what God seemingly has not given us while neglecting to remember what He Has?

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting


Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior you are already blessed beyond measure.  You are already blessed with every spiritual blessing that God has to give.  Does this mean that our hurts go away, our hearts stop aching, or that every want is fulfilled?  Not in the least.  But it does mean that God has already equipped us to meet every challenge that we may face and do it with thanksgiving.

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.


Ephesians 5:19-21 (New American Standard Bible)
 19(A)speaking to one another in (B)psalms and (C)hymns and spiritual (D)songs, (E)singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
 20(F)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to (G)God, even the Father

Did you read that?  We will suffer trials, temptations, hurts, and distress in this life but God as promised us that it will not even compare to what He has in store for us.  So as we sit down this week with family and friends, eating whatever the Lord has provided let us sing and make melody in our hearts giving thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Bless His name this week and every week and remember to give thanks for the Lord is good and His mercy does endure forever.

This is a few of the things I am thankful for this week:

     That God would save a wretch like me.

     That He kept me, and still does, through my own wrong thinking.

     That He is faithful even when I am not.

     A family that loves and supports me.

     A Godly wife that keeps me in check.

     Three wonderful and energetic boys.

     A church family that truly is a family with all our warts.

     That I live in a country that I can express these views without  repercussions.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, the food is good, your house is warm, and your company does not overstay their welcome.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Living Stone: The Politics of Repentance

Living Stone: The Politics of Repentance: "  We are a democracy, or as some would say a democratic republic, which allows us the privilege as citizens to be active participants in th..."

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