Saturday, November 30, 2002
I wrote this poem for a seventeen-year-old who was questioning the reason for her existence. Have you ever just taken time to thank God for making you, you. A unique individual, warts and all? God created you for a reason, you are not an accident you were designed by the creator of the universe to be you – nobody else but you. Revel in it! Rejoice in it! God didn’t trust anyone else to be you, only you were entrusted with that noble task.
WHY AM I ME?
Why am I me?
This isn’t the first time and won’t be the last time but I wonder,
“Why am I me?”
Of all the people I could be and the places I could have been born,
“Why am I me?”
I could have been born to rich parents who could give me everything!
“Why am I me?”
More attractive is what I would have picked, talented too!
“Why am I me?”
Taller, thinner, smarter, stronger, wiser by far,
“Why am I me?”
Happier, healthier, quieter, the list goes on,
“Why am I me?”
Looking at the outside of me I don’t see much hope,
“Why am I me?”
Looking at the inside of me I see even less hope,
“Why am I me?”
Then the still small voice brings hope in answer to my question,
“Why am I me?”
The answer is short and sweet,
“You are the you I designed you to be!”
-John Roe
Friday, November 29, 2002
In early fall of 1789, a joint committee of Congress sent a request to President George Washington to declare “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God.” Responding to this request, President Washington dedicated November 26, 1789 “to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Thus took place the first Thanksgiving of the American nation.
Recently a federal judge declared unconstitutional the placing of the Ten Commandments
in the lobby of the Alabama Supreme Court.
The same Congress that declared Thanksgiving as a day of acknowledgement of the blessings of God also enacted the First Amendment. If a governmentally declared day of prayer and recognition of the goodness of God is compatible with the Establishment Clause, so is Judge Moore’s monument. The courts are to interpret the Constitution to reflect the intent of its authors, not to impose their own values upon it.
Let us be thankful that this country arose out of a vigorous and unashamed Christian culture. Without that heritage, there would be no national day of thanksgiving to “the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
-Martin Wishnatsky
Thursday, November 28, 2002
Thanksgiving Day, here at last. Due to the emphasis of the Thought for the Day I have been more aware of Thanksgiving this year than I have been for a long time. With each writer emphasizing his or her memories and personal perspectives on thankfulness I have found new and deeper ways to appreciate the things around me.
Memories of the Thanksgiving days of my youth, either going to my grandparent’s house or having them come to ours. Now being a grandfather myself I more fully appreciate the prayers of my grandfather as the whole family gathered around the tables. Oh, the thrill when finally a place was set at the adult table for me, instead of the kid’s table. The turkey, the mashed potatoes and gravy, the sweet potatoes and the cranberry sauce, the dressing and the hot rolls, each one prepared to perfection graced the table. Only a mother or grandmother could appreciate how much work goes into the perfect Thanksgiving dinner.
This year you may not have the perfect dinner, you may not have an intact family, you may even be alone and hurting, but you still have many things to be thankful for. Your mother may no longer be a part of your life but she gave you life. Your father may not be around and maybe he wasn’t much of a dad when he was around, but maybe he did all that he could do given the circumstances. Thank God for them and the gift of life that was afforded you.
Thankfulness is part of the gift of appreciation. When something appreciates it grows in value. As you appreciate the things around you they will grow in value to you. Your children become more valuable to you as you appreciate them, as do your parents, your siblings and your friends.
Things can be appreciated but they don’t last. The people in your life are the things that count the most. Relationships need to be celebrated and nurtured. On this Thanksgiving Day call someone that you appreciate and let them know. Call someone that you barely know and let them know that someone is thinking about them. If you have a troubled relationship use this day to begin rebuilding by looking for something to be thankful for in that person and then letting them know.
God bless you as you celebrate His blessings.
Be ye thankful!!!!
-John Roe
Wednesday, November 27, 2002
Once in awhile a company selling telescopes in our neighborhood takes out their computer-tracking telescopes and our family gets to view the planets, moons and objects far beyond the naked eye. We always thank them for the gesture.
David wrote: Ps.69:30 “I will magnify God with Thanksgiving.” To magnify can mean to make things appear larger than they are, as with a microscope. Or it can mean to make something appear to be as great as it really is, as our telescopes only begin to do. We are not called to be “pitchmen” but to be telescopes, to magnify our Lord.
On this Thanksgiving Eve, when we give thanks to Him from our hearts, God is truly magnified. Gratitude glorifies God. I just love David. He preaches to himself, seldom grumbling, most often thanking and praising God.
-Bob Espeseth
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
A favorite Thanksgiving Day activity in our family is to tack a large sheet of tag board, titled, “I am thankful for….” on the wall of our hunting shack, (that is where this family spends Thanksgiving). One of our grandchildren writes as we take turns going around the table each giving three things we are thankful for during the past year.
Always included are God’s love, Jesus, family and friends. The younger children may say toys, treats or pumpkin pie! Soon the tag board is covered with reasons to give thanks. This sheet of tag board stays up until the next Thanksgiving as a visual reminder to all who enter of God’s many blessings. This year will be extra special as our family thanks God for His love and comfort as my Husband and I went through our bout with cancer. Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, only this moment is ours. Spend this moment giving thanks.
“Count your Blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done!”
-Donna Wishowski
-1 Chronicles 16:11-12
Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
Monday, November 25, 2002
This week a lot of people will be sharing thoughts of thanksgiving with family and friends. Many will say they are thankful for their family, their home, job and other things possessed or enjoyed. However, we really can’t be thankful unless we have someone to be thankful to. Therefore, “give thanks where thanks is due.” Give thanks to God.
-Ps 69:30 NIV
I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 24, 2002
The other day I was watching a video and was truly blessed. It was a video recording of an evening of praise and worship. The sports stadium was filled with people of all ages, worshipping their Lord. I thought of what a blessing it was to be able to join in through the video and how I wish I could share it with so many people, but that few would enjoy it because it was in Spanish. As I thought over the music that was done and the words that were spoken, I realized that we should be very grateful that we live in a country where we can still openly worship our God. I know that many of our religious freedoms are being stripped away, and there are those who want to take away more from us, but still, we live in a country where we can worship without fear of losing our lives. The video was filmed in Mexico City, which I believe is still the largest city in the world. It gave me such joy to see the number of worshippers in that city. But I do understand that this is not the case in many parts of the world. There are those countries where Christians are being tortured and killed for their faith. There are other countries that appear to be “Christian” nations, but in reality, there is little room for faith. There are people, who call themselves Christians, but there is no evidence of true Christianity in their lives, and those who are attempting to preach the Gospel are meeting with much apathy.
As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, let us remember those who suffer for the cause of Christ and let us also remember the faithful pastors and missionaries that are preaching the Gospel in some very hard places. Oh, and also, thank God for your pastor and his/her family. Maybe now would be a good time to let them know how much you appreciate them and that you are praying for them. Most of all, spend time thanking God for the work of Calvary.
I am closing with the words to one of the songs on the video.
Gracias (Thank You)
Marcos Witt
1995 CanZion Producciones
You have taken me in your arms
And you have given me salvation
You have poured out your love in my heart
I don’t know how to thank you
For what you have done for me
I can only give you now my heart
Thank you, Thank you Lord
Thank you my Lord Jesus.
On the cross You gave Your life
You gave everything there
You gave eternal life through Your death
By Your blood I have access
To Your celestial throne
I can enter with confidence before Your presence.
Thank you, Thank you Lord
Thank you my Lord Jesus.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Saturday November 23, 2002
There are many Thanksgiving traditions. One that I have been doing with my family over the years is something you might have heard of before. It’s a great way to share with family gathered around the table as to what you are thankful for in your life.
Place three kernels of field corn by each plate and an empty bowl in the center of the table. Start with mom or dad putting a kernel of corn in the bowl and have them say one thing they are thankful for God doing in their lives this past year, then everyone else around the table take a turn. Now go around again and have them drop their kernel in and say one thing about their family they are thankful for. Finally, drop the third kernel in and say one thing they are thankful for about the individual to their right or left. Get the point? Don’t just dive into that turkey without stopping to thank God for the blessings and not just the “dressings” in your life. Why not start a tradition of sharing how thankful you are with your family this Thanksgiving.
-Garrett Novak
-Mark 5:19-20 NIV
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
-Col 2:6-7 NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Friday, November 22, 2002
Thanksgiving Reflections
This Thanksgiving I thank God for the gift of life.
Twelve years ago I sat down in front of Planned Parenthood in lower Manhattan with 300 other pro-lifers. I saw the mouth of a young woman drop open in astonishment as she arrived for an abortion appointment, only to be met with an impenetrable sea of pro-lifers covering the sidewalk and spilling out into the street around the large granite building which housed the infant termination center.
As I sat there, I was overcome with gratitude to my mother for giving birth to me and raising me. I had always taken it for granted. Not any longer. The inalienable right to life since 1973 has been transformed into an inalienable maternal right to kill her child before birth.
Those who escape the exercise of this fatal constitutional entitlement have much reason to express gratitude to God for sparing them the humiliation of being squashed like a bug before ever breathing air.
The attack on life is really an attack upon God, the author of life, who created man in his own image and likeness. When life is devalued, so is the Creator of Life who commands us not to kill one another.
When troubles arise and ungrateful thoughts spring up in my heart, I remember that I have experienced 58 years of the dignity of life, and now 25 years of the presence of the Holy One. I was not executed before birth. And I feel for those who are.
-Martin Wishnatsky
Thursday, November 21, 2002
What sets you apart from the unbelievers in your family?
Looking seriously at this question can change your life and your perspective. Do you respond the same way that everyone else does in a crisis situation? Do panic and fear dictate your actions or is there a difference in your attitude that sets you apart?
As we are exploring thankfulness in the month of November we need to remember that we are told in scripture that we are to give thanks in all things, not just the things that we like and understand. We don’t know what God has in mind in a situation but we can thank Him that we can trust Him to take us through whatever life throws at us.
Thank God for the fact that He is bigger than all of the problems in your life and that alone will set you apart from unbelievers. While others are wringing their hands and crying that the sky is falling you can have the steadfast assurance that you are safe in the father’s hand.
-John Roe
-1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
“Be very careful, then how you live…making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Eph.5:15,20).
Some people ask me why Sue (my wife) and I team teach 5th grade boys Sunday School?
What a privilege it is. With a class of 11 or 12 boys, our prayer is that 8 to 10 of them will someday be in full time Christian work.
Is that unrealistic to pray that? My answer is no. Consider two people who have influenced my life and maybe yours. Their testimonies are quite similar. The first is Billy Graham… Because a shoe salesman couldn’t get a class in his church he went out and brought back his own boys. One of those boys was Dwight Moody, who led Billy Sunday to Christ, who led Billy Graham, and who led me. Wow! I can trace my Christian roots to that shoe salesman.
The other is quite similar…Scholar and teacher Howard Hendricks. A sixth-grade educated man named Walt was told they had no opening for him to teach. So Walt out and found his own class of 13 boys. Eleven of the thirteen are now in full time vocational Christian work, because he loved them for Christ’s sake. Look for Howard’s name when you are in the book stores.
We have been richly blessed, and the most important blessing we have is our Savior Jesus Christ. There are so many things to be thankful for. We should be particularly thankful to God and the people He leads to further His kingdom. Let us thank the Lord for the people who teach our children from God’s Word and love them and especially those who are in full-time Christian work.
-Bob Espeseth
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
My husband, Lee, is also battling cancer. He and I sat side-by-side receiving our chemotherapy treatments. During this period of treatments we ‘happened’ to catch a concert on PBS by Danny O’Donnell. His closing song was Psalm 137 “By the Rivers of Babylon” a song about the Israelites in captivity and the difficulty they had praising God in this strange land.
This song became our theme song during our treatments. We were in a strange land being held captive by cancer and chemotherapy. How could we praise God?
Danny O’Donnell ends the song by going into a praise chorus. “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O God.”
Once more we were reminded that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We may feel held captive my circumstances in our lives, it may not feel like we can praise God. But God is not limited by ‘circumstances’. It is knowing Him, trusting Him and seeing life from His perspective that gives us reason to sing praises.
This Thanksgiving season I am thankful for individuals who use their musical talents to share God’s message of love to each of us.
-Donna Wishowski
-Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
Monday, November 18, 2002
Thankfulness is really something that is determined and beheld in the eyes of the beholder. For some the “thankfulness meter” registers high because of what they own, houses, cars, land, money, etc. For others the “thankfulness meter” goes through the roof because of position or power. Still others “thankfulness meter” elevates because of family or friends. Then there are those who register their “thankfulness meter” on their relationship with Christ. And I realize that being thankful is really in the eyes of the beholder’s priorities.
However, you can be thankful for more than one thing. In fact, you can and should be thankful for all things. But too often our “thankfulness meter” is not even turned on to the basics of thanksgiving.
Last Sunday in church I asked one of our praise team members, Jack, who was sitting in the front row what he was thankful for. He answered without hesitation, “I’m thankful to be alive!” The congregation did not seem too moved by his answer until I told them something they didn’t know. Jack has a pacemaker and his heart function is something like 15%. Immediately the congregation seemed to grasp the message that life itself is a very precious gift and the basis of thanksgiving. Our perspective of the thanksgiving must change from “the things” to “the thing.”
What is it again that registers high on your “thankfulness meter?”
-Phil 4:4-7 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sunday, November 17, 2002
The holidays tend to be a time when families get together and stories are told about years past. I tend to be the focus of one story—I personally have no recollection of the incident, but my mother, brother and sister tell me (and everyone else) that it happened.
When I was growing up, my father worked in the cities and came home on weekends, wanting to see his kids raised on the farm and not in the city. One Thanksgiving, we had a really big turkey and as it happened, my dad had to work on Thanksgiving Day. But he said he would feast on leftovers on Saturday and Sunday. After dinner, my mom, brother and sister had to go to the barn to do chores, so they told me to clear the table. (I was maybe 6 years old, if that.) According to their story, I cleared the table, and our rat terrier got the turkey.
Now, I can dispute that story all I want, but it’s three against one. My children love that story. It is fun to tell stories of the years that have gone by, but how many times do we forget to tell of God’s many blessings throughout the years.
As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let’s tell the stories. But let’s also tell how faithful God has been. What would be the effect in our families, towns, and even nation, if we started telling of the many times that God has been faithful in the hard times and how we have learned to depend on Him for everything we have.
–Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 78:1-4
O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-
what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD ,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
Saturday November 16th, 2002
The apostle Paul has a positive mental attitude! No matter what his circumstance, he is always thanking God for someone or something. In Philippians he is thanking God for the work of the believers in the church in Philippi. In the book of Colossians he thanks God for the faithful brothers of the church of Colosse and their love for their fellow man. In 1st Thessalonians there he is again thanking God for the labor of love by the workers in the Thessalonican church. Keep reading through the New Testament and see what I mean.
In our busy lives, how often do we thank God for those around us? Have we thanked those who have prayed for us in our time of need? Have we thanked those who have gone before us to pave a way for where we are today? When was the last time we thanked God for his free gift of salvation?
During this month of Thanksgiving, stop and thank God for all he’s done in your life. Thank him for your spouse and children, your pastor, and your friends. Most importantly, thank him for taking on your sin and guilt upon his shoulders on a cruel hillside and paying your debt once and for all over two thousand years ago.
Thank you Lord for saving my soul,
Thank you Lord for making me whole,
Thank you Lord for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
-Garrett Novak
-Rom 1:16-17 NIV
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Friday, November 15, 2002
Sarah Hale was the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, an influential 19th century woman’s magazine. She is credited with persuading Abraham Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. In 1848 she wrote a poem of gratitude for the heavenly influence of a godly sister on a brother. A woman’s greatest good for heaven, even while a child, may arise from her example in the home. Anyone who has a godly sister has cause to give thanks to God for the gift.
“The Sister”
Wild as a cold, o’er prairies bounding free,
The wakened spirit of the Boy doth spring,
Spurning the rein authority would fling,
And striving with his peers for mastery;
But in the household gathering let him see
His Sister’s winning smile, and it will bring
A change o’er all his nature; patiently,
As cagéd bird, that never used its wing,
He turns him to the tasks that she doth share-
His better feelings kindle by her side-
Visions of angel beauty fill the air,-
And she may summon such to be his guide:-
Our Saviour listened to a Sister’s prayer,
When, “Lazarus, from the tomb come forth!” he cried.
by Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879)
-Martin Wishnatsky
Thursday, November 14, 2002
What upsets you? What is it that doesn’t seem to bother others but just drives you up the wall? I think that the thing that drives God crazy is how hard we work to earn the free gift that He has provided. Receiving gifts, even when they are from God, is very hard for some people.
I don’t know what it is like in your family but when my wife and I buy presents for her parents, especially her father, he just shakes his head and says, “You kids shouldn’t do that. You know that we don’t need anything, you shouldn’t have gotten us anything.” I caught my wife doing the same thing to my son when he bought us presents. I also saw the hurt look on his face when he was made to feel like he had done the wrong thing by getting us a present. It was the same look that my wife had when her dad says that.
I explained to my wife and to her dad that, although I am sure that they didn’t mean to, they made others feel bad when they didn’t receive their gifts in a thankful, gracious manner. Being openly thankful for gifts, especially when the giver had to sacrifice to make the gift, brings closeness between giver and recipient.
When we think that we need to pay God (by working harder, being better, reading the Word more, etc) for the gifts He has freely given, we lessen the value of the gift and the sacrifice. Be gracious in all that you do and give thanks.
-John Roe
-Rev 22:17 NIV
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
The Bible often uses pretty strong language. “A fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,'” (Psalm 14:1). Is it true? Can anyone prove that there is no God? We doubt it. The evidence suggests just the opposite. “The heavens are declaring the glory of God,” (Psalm 19:1).
Since Abraham Lincoln’s declaration our nation has celebrated Thanksgiving to give thanks to God. Unfortunately, many like myself, have picked up on the growing tendency to call it “Turkey Day.” Years ago a friend of mine referred to it as just that and I’ve been using it ever since. My guess is that it refers to the growing alienation from our religious roots. We may not deny God, but we do act as though He does not exist. In essence, we give thanks to ourselves. The Bible says of us, “Though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks…Professing to be wise, they became fools,” (Romans 1:21-22).
Even though in fun, the point is that Thanksgiving is a time to turn to God and to give Him the thanks due His Name. We ought not act as if “there is no God.” We have enough Thanksgiving foolishness. My children now have another word to add to the list. If I use “Jeez,” or “Gosh,” and the like, and they catch me, it cost me $5.00. We’ve added “Turkey Day” to that list, to show more honor and respect and give thanks to God.
-Bob Espeseth
Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Last week I told you about God’s grace and peace that carried my through breast cancer surgery. As the days of recuperating from surgery and making decisions about treatments came a new set of anxieties encompassed me. Psalms 22:1 became very real. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” I could relate to David’s cry as he searched for God in his world of confusion. As I kept reading in Psalms, I came to Psalm 23:4-5, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Cancer is walking in the valley of the shadow of death. But once more I found strength in God’s word. It goes on to say, fear no evil, God’s rod and God’s staff will comfort me. I went on to read Psalm 24 and 25, WOW!!
Psalm 24:7 told me to ‘lift up my head, that the King of Glory may come in.’ Psalm 25:1 told me to ‘lift up my soul, to trust in God.’ Psalm 25 gave me the instructions I needed to face the future.
This Thanksgiving let’s give thanks for the written word, the Bible. It is a living, love letter from the hand of God to each one of us. No matter what you may be facing, you are not alone, His rod and His staff are there to comfort you.
-Donna Wishowski
Monday, November 11, 2002
It’s hard to be thankful for things you have never seen. Often we ignore the reality of our faith, blinded by the desires of this world or, at best, our spiritual vision clouded by self-induced “spiritual cataracts.”
Or we walk through life with our focus on all kinds of things, good and bad. But unless we look at life through the lens of eternity with Christ, we lose our focus. And I know that when you take a picture with a camera that is out of focus, you get a fuzzy picture. Or if you’ve ever tried to watch a movie or a slide projector that is out of focus you can actually become nauseated.
We have many, many Christians today living their lives out of focus. If we are focused on eternity in Christ we will experience life with a new set of desires and thanksgiving. Today, many people around the world have nothing except the hope of eternity to be thankful for. And many people around the world today have everything except the hope to eternity to be thankful for.
If you had to choose, which would you be?
Start seeing life through the lens of eternity with Christ and you will see Thanksgiving clearly!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 Peter 1:3-9 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Sunday, November 10, 2002
The story of the ten lepers has always amazed me. I always wondered how 90% of them didn’t even take the time to thank Jesus for their healing. I suppose that they felt they had to hurry to the priests and be declared clean. But, in my mind, I think that being healed of leprosy, which forced them to be separate from all of society, would cause such gratitude to overtake them that they would hurry to thank their healer. But they didn’t. They went on their way, never giving thanks to their deliverer.
As Christians, we have the best deliverance one can have. Jesus has delivered us from sin and from a life apart from Him. Yet it is easy to take this deliverance for granted, forgetting the sweet daily communion we can have with Him and even grumble when problems come into our lives.
Salvation is a much more dramatic miracle than any healing. It may not be as visible, but it is much more crucial in our lives. So, as we approach another Thanksgiving, let’s be full of gratitude for the greatest miracle ever, our salvation. And I am going to try to be less hard on the 90% of the lepers.
-Ardis Rivera
-2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Saturday November 9, 2002
As I approach my mid-30’s I have been taking more and more stock of my life. Things I’ve done, accolades from my professions through the years, and people I’ve touched. I am asking question like: Have I spent enough time with my wife and children? Am I too crabby after a hard day at work? Do I show enough of Jesus to them with my actions and my life? Another question that keeps coming up is “am I thankful for me?”
When I was younger, I wanted to be older. Now that I’m getting older, I wish I were younger again. My neighbor drives a nicer car than mine (why isn’t his rusting like mine anyway)? His house is bigger, his lawn is better manicured, his salary is higher than mine and he can afford the “good” things in life. It’s the “grass is always greener on the other side” theory. But am I thankful for where God has me, the blessings that he’s given me?
While praying the other day a song from my childhood came to mind, one I haven’t sung for over twenty five years. The song talks about how thankful I am for God and how he created me. I just had to smile as I remembered God’s promises to me and how thankful I am that he created me the way I am. It’s simple, and you might not remember the tune, but let the words touch your heart as you become “thankful” for how God made you.
“Oh you gave me a heart, and you gave me a smile—
You gave me Lord Jesus and you made me your child,
And I just thank you father for making me—-me”
Where are you today? Are you thankful that God made you special? He made you– YOU! No one else is like you was created for the specific purpose he has for you.
It doesn’t matter what kind of house you live in, if your neighbor has seven cars in his drive and you have only a rusty caravan in your yard. Be thankful that you have a vehicle. Don’t be jealous of your neighbor’s house or job. Be Thankful that you have a roof over your head and a paycheck. We spend so much time majoring on the minors instead of showing God a thankful heart. Everything else is temporary. This earth isn’t really even our home; we’re just “passing through” it.
What are you thankful for today? Are you thankful for God making you—YOU?
-Garrett Novak
-Ps 139:13-14 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb; I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Friday, November 8, 2002
Look for the silver lining
Whenever clouds appear in the blue
You know that up there
The Son is shining
So let Him shine for you.
A heart filled with joy and laughter
Will always banish
Sadness and strife.
So just look for the silver lining
And you’ll be on the sunny side of life.
–written by Jerome Kern
An attitude of gratitude rather than of complaining (“murmuring”) is
definitely scriptural.
-Martin Wishnatsky
-Phillipians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Thursday, November 7, 2002
A couple of years ago one of our retreat speakers used a version of the Bible that I was not familiar with called THE MESSAGE. Since that time I purchased a copy of this Bible that was edited by Eugene Peterson. THE MESSAGE is a modern day translation that says things the way people talk today, without the worn out spiritual phrases that are meaningless to this un-churched generation.
The first part of Psalm 9 reads:
I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart.
I’m writing the book on your wonders.
I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy:
I’m singing your song, High God.
What a great picture of thanksgiving! Whistling, laughing, jumping for joy over the things that God has done. Are you thankful? Are you excited about the things that God is doing or are you worrying over the fact that He doesn’t seem to be doing enough?
In November, take time to look at the things that God has done, even take time to write them down in a book of wonders that God has performed for you. You will find that you heart will be full and you will feel like shouting it from the rooftops.
-John Roe
Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Many of us voted yesterday with passion and hope for the future. Who will control the US Senate is a big deal this year. We in Minnesota have been through an emotional roller coaster. But as we await the results, I wonder if our emotions are not misdirected.
Shouldn’t we rather be in prayer for the winners? The Bible says, “Pray… for kings and all those in authority that we may live a quiet and peaceful life,” (1 Tim. 2:2).
Let me share with you a little humor from the writer of Ecclesiastes on the philosophy of life, “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The heart of the wise inclines to the RIGHT, but the heart of the fool to the LEFT,” (Eccl. 10:1-2), emphasis mine.
I share that with my liberal friends and they have verses to back their position, but in the sphere of life, let us all give thanks for those in office and pray for wisdom in their decisions
-Bob Espeseth
Prov. 2:6
Tuesday, November 5, 2002
I am a planner! I not only schedule my workweek, but I have schedules for the weekend to accomplish EVERYTHING that I want to get done! Proverbs 19:12 became very real for me in 2002. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
In January I learned that I had breast cancer. I was suddenly thrown into a world I had NO CONTROL over. As I was being wheeled into surgery, fear and panic overwhelmed me. NO WAY did I want to go through this! As I groped for strength and courage I cried out to God. Immediately I was reminded that I belong to Him. Nothing happens to me without his permission. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
A peace that passes understanding began to penetrate through my mind and body. My thoughts were, “If this is part of your plan for my life Lord, I surrender”. A song began to play in my mind, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.” The song played on to all the verses. I fell to sleep and woke to find out the hospital staff was amazed I was so relaxed that I went to sleep before any medications were given!
As we approach this Thanksgiving Season I will be giving special thanks for God’s word and spiritual songs. As we study the Bible and sing songs in church we are renewing our minds and hearts with the tools we need to face whatever life brings us.
-Donna Wishowski
-Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Monday, November 4, 2002
Tomorrow people across the nation will be going to the polls to cast their ballot for the “candidate of their choice.” We base our vote on a variety of political positions that affect each of us. I encourage a simple thing before you go to vote, pray and ask God to show to you the “candidate of His choice”.
-Rom 13:1 NIV
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
Sunday, November 3, 2002
This is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving. With the hard economic times, I’m sure that there are many people that feel they have nothing for which to be thankful. We have heard of many companies letting people go in this year and many are feeling the effects of the multiple layoffs.
However, I don’t remember reading any Scriptures that tell us to be thankful only when things go well. It appears that we are to praise God and be thankful in the hard times as well as in the good times.
Each person has periods when things look really dark. I remember hearing a saying once that the darkest part of the night comes right before the dawn. But even if the dawn never comes, we need to live with a thankful heart.
As we enter into the season when we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s make it a lifestyle, not just for the month of November, but for the entire year. I encourage you to think of all the blessings that God has poured out and to be truly thankful.
Remember the words of an old song—Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
-Ardis Rivera
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
“…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Saturday November 2, 2002
My job requires me to meet with individuals in their homes, and I never know what to expect. Just the other day I had a meeting set with a man in his “50’s, we’ll call him “Charles.”
From the moment I stepped into his “home,” I knew that this was a bachelor pad. Piles of junk strewn around and a mess only ”Charles” could figure out. As I walked in my mind started whirring, “What kind of man lives in this kind of mess I thought.” Our conversation focused on my line of work and I presented my information to him, and as I always do, I pulled out my ministry card and offered him one, telling him of how my heart’s desire is ministry. At once, this rough and tough man melted, and shared a story of how many years ago on a battle field in Vietnam, he too admitted he couldn’t do it alone, and asked Jesus Christ into his life. There in a foxhole in a foreign country, when nothing else made sense, Jesus did!
He shared about how his body had been beaten during the war, how he had asbestos poisoning (common to many Vietnam vets), and was on so many medications daily that his countertop was filled with pill bottles. The Depression issues and loneliness (he never married), and the attitudes of people towards him after the war were almost more than he could handle. Yet, after all he went through, he was thankful to be alive, thankful to be in America, thankful to serve his country, and thankful to have the assurance of heaven waiting for him.
The world would say that “Charles” had been given a rough deal in his life, but he would say nothing of the sort, being thankful for all he has, and all God has given to him. I learned more from “Charles” in one hour about being thankful for what we have been given, than I have in a long time.
During this month of Thanksgiving, take time to thank God for all the things in your life, may I suggest starting a list this weekend, adding something to it everyday (in fact encourage your family to do that same). Then, while gathered around the table for your Thanksgiving meal, share some of your “thankfuls” with those around you.
-Garrett Novak
-Col 3:15-17 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Friday, November 1, 2002
Thanksgiving is a condition of the heart. Being grateful is not something we learn, it is something we are. People are concerned about who we are but God is concerned about who we are becoming. And we should be “becoming thankful.”
To help us focus and grow together this Thanksgiving and Christmas, the ChurchMouse Chronicles “Thought For The Day” will be written by a team of writers. Each day of the week there will be someone different. As the founder of the ChurchMouse Chronicles I am delighted to share these months with such wonderful people of the faith. Here is a schedule and some information about the writers.
Sunday
Ardis Riveras – Ardis is no stranger to the ChurchMouse Chronicles as she has been writing on the weekends for the past few months. Ardis volunteers in the Pine City Community Church office and is the translator for the Spanish version of our website. She also is our interpreter for Home and Away Ministries missions trips to Mexico. Ardis is a former missionary to Mexico and a high School Spanish teacher. She lives on the family farm in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. She has two sons and two daughters.
Mondays
Lyn Sahr – Yes, I will be writing the Monday “Thought For The Day.”
Tuesdays (November)
Donna Wishowski – Donna is the director of Rusk County Kinship in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, a position she has held for over 20 years. She also serves on the national Kinship Board of Directors. She has dedicated her life to working with kids, many who come out of very difficult homes. She is very active in the Ladysmith Church of Christ where she has attended for the past fifteen years. Donna and husband Lee have two children and three grandchildren.
Tuesdays (December)
Jeannie Johnson – Jeannie is the office administrator of the Pine City Evangelical Free Church, where she has attended her entire life. She comes from a family with a wonderful Christian heritage that has helped her be a vibrant part of the ministry of the church. She is married to her husband Lonnie and they have five children, four boys and one girl. They also have a two-week-old grandson so she is a new grandma!
Wednesdays
Robert Espeseth – Bob is a former United Methodist pastor who is now a business owner in Minneapolis. He is a graduate of Bethel Seminary with an emphasis on pastoral counseling and chaplain. He and his wife Sure reside in the Twin Cities where they are very active in an Evangelical Free Church where Bob teaches a children’s Sunday School class. They have five children and three grandchildren.
Thursdays
John Roe – John is a former Assemblies of God pastor who is now a businessman in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He is co-founder and serves on the board of directors of Men of Integrity in the Waupaca area, which is now known as Waupaca Family Ministries (wfministries.org). Their annual men’s retreat in January has been a special blessing for many years to those attending. John and his wife Brenda have been active in their local church for years where they play in the praise band. Today they attend Faith Community Church in Waupaca. They have one son, three grandchildren and three foster children.
Friday
Martin Wishnatsky – Martin is a graduate of Harvard University and a former Wall Street financial analyst. He is presently a employed by Family Life Credit Services, a Christian credit-counseling agency in Fargo, North Dakota. Martin is also an active pro-life voice nationally and has a website at goodmorals.com. Martin is single and has Roman Catholic roots but attends and speaks at a variety of churches.
Saturday
Garrett Novak – Garrett is a former rock n’ roll DJ and Christian radio show host. Today Garrett is in the insurance business. He plays a trombone and sings in the Christian band “Sequoia.” He has four children and his wife Andrea just gave birth a daughter. He has also been a youth director in a local church. Today he attends Jacob’s Well in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a Baptist General Conference Church.
These writers are all people that I have known and have had ministry experience with. They have hearts of “God.” I am confident that their heartfelt “Thoughts For The Day” will truly bless you.
-Lyn Sahr
