Category: Grateful

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Good Reception

This past summer our communication, both cell and internet, greatly improved. Those of you that spend most of your time in the city probably don’t understand not being able to communicate efficiently but it’s very frustrating.

But no more. We purchased the Starlin link system and things started coming in without interruption. We finally had good reception.

More important than advancements in technology is my ability to communicate with the Father. He has provided each and everyone of us with our own “heaven-link”. The band width is massive and the upload and down speed top the charts.

“‘Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

When I think about God’s goodness one of the things that I appreciate is His ability and desire to communicate with us. He walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He wrote His laws on tablets of stone, He came in visions and dreams to men like Joseph and Daniel and He used men to write His love letter, the Bible, for generations of people to read.

The communication lines with heaven are always open. Never any down time.

“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” Psalm 3:4

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” Psalm 18:6

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” Psalm 30:2

“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6

“I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:5

I think of Dave’s relationship with our kids. There was never a time when they cried out “Daddy, I need you” that he didn’t respond. He was there for them, and our Father is here for us too.

The writer of Hebrews told us to come BOLDLY to the throne of God’s grace and find help in time of trouble. (Hebrews 4:16)

And Jesus said for all those who are weary and weighted down to come to Him and find rest! (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus invited ALL to come so that includes well…everyone! He’s there to help!

Our Father is the master communicator, and His reception is always good! For that I am grateful.

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Grateful for God’s Love

I hope you are looking forward to these morning blogs as we continue to focus on “God is Good”!

This morning I have a couple more verses I want us to learn from but before that let me tell you a story about our kids when they were little.

We didn’t want them growing up to be critical or judgmental. We tried to teach them that every person had value and purpose. After all, God is the giver of all life. We might not like what someone does but that doesn’t give us reason to become bitter, resentful or critical.

We told them they needed to look for something good or nice to say about everyone, even if all they could find to say was “they have clean fingernails”. And then we would laugh. Yes, that’s an obscure quality but at least it was something positive and it got them looking for the good in people.

“God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. 10 Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other. 12  No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts.” I John 4:9-12 CEV

Each person we meet or deal with on a daily basis was created and loved by God. In God’s sight, they are no less lovable than you or I. As the verses above say real love, true love, isn’t our love for God but His love for us.

God’s love for us is unconditional. Even in our sin He loved us and made provision for our salvation. His desire is to have all people, everywhere reconciled to Himself. We may all be surprised when we get to heaven and see someone that we didn’t expect to see but no one will be there because of our efforts. We will all enter heaven because we accept the sacrifice of Jesus and receive the love and grace that He gives.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.” Romans 5:6-10 CEV

God’s love, His unconditional, never-ending love has brought us to a place of peace. I am grateful that He loves me!

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Good Day for Gratitude

I woke up this morning singing a little chorus that we used to sing at church:

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord

and to sing praises to the Lord most High.”

It is a good day for gratitude. That little chorus came from the words of Psalm 92.

“It is good to praise the Lord.  God Most High, it is good to praise your name. 2 It is good to sing about your love in the morning and about your faithfulness at night. 3 It is good to play for you on the ten-stringed instrument and lyre and to add the soft sounds of the harp to my praise. 4 Lord, you make us very happy because of what you did. I gladly sing about it.
5 Lord, you did such great things. Your thoughts are too hard for us to understand.” Psalm 92:1-5 ERV

Some think there has to be a grandiose reason for being grateful to the Father. Things like being saved from a near death experience or a huge financial windfall but what about all the small things that add value to our daily lives.

There’s a brisk wind gusting this morning and I can enjoy the breeze coming through the windows but I’m grateful that I’m not in a tent, that would be less pleasurable. Of course, you always know that I’m grateful for a hot cup of coffee first thing each morning and the quiet time that I spend with the Father, enjoying His presence.

I’m especially thankful for technology advancements. Our granddaughter was married yesterday, and we were able to view the full ceremony last night because it had been saved to YouTube.

Those of you who are younger may think something like that is silly, but I remember the days when the only phone in the house was on the kitchen wall and the only time we talked to someone outside our local area was on Sunday afternoon/evening when the rates were low. There was no streaming, no cell phones, no texting – yes, it was the dark ages.

We have so much to be grateful for: grocery stores with stocked shelves, free schools (many countries still allow boys to go to school free but girls are charged tuition). Most of us live within a few miles of medical attention, we don’t have to drive hundreds of miles to a doctor or hospital. We have clean water to drink. The ability to travel from place to place without restriction. We are still free to worship God as we please.

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! 2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. 3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.” Psalm 96:1-3 NLT

This is a good day to declare the news that Jesus saves!

“The Lord made this happen, and we think it is wonderful! 24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today. 25 The people say, “Praise the Lord! The Lord saved us!” Psalm 118:23-25 ERV

There are so many things to be thankful for, as my good friend Winnie the Pooh says, “today’s my favorite day”!

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Jesus Does a “Good” Job

Today, we’ll look at Jesus and the good works He did while He was on earth.

“ For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 NLT

It all started with the angels’ message to the shepherds. “Peace on earth, good will to men”.

Jesus birth was the beginning of His mission. It was the entrance of God’s good will to men through the life of His Son. The long-awaited Messiah or Savior was born. Men’s lives would be radically changed, they would see and experience miracles. They would see the goodness of God first hand.

Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding. I really like this. Today our granddaughter is getting married. I can imagine Jesus coming to that wedding. He came as an invited guest but had no place of prominence. However, his mother found out that they were running low on wine. She came to Jesus and asked him to do something about it, she didn’t want to wedding host to be ridiculed for lack of preparation.

So Jesus did a good thing, He turned the water into wine. After that we know that He healed many, many people – the blind, the lame, those with fevers, the crippled, the lepers, those with defects from birth.

He healed those with mental illness and demoniacs. He brought forgiveness to the outcasts – the tax collectors and prostitutes.

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 NLT

For all the good He did He was hated by the religious zealots. They despised Him for His good deeds and plotted His death. Even then they couldn’t destroy Him, He rose from the dead and continued to preach the message of good will, reconciliation, from God, the Father.

The works of the Father, His good will, and the works of Jesus continue today.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT

This means that Jesus is working good in our lives as well. Just like those in the Bible who came to Him for healing and deliverance, those who needed a miracle, we can come to Him and find that He is willing to work things out for good for us also.

Jesus is still doing good. He is still the miracle worker!

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God Is Good

Generally, I devote the month of November to gratitude. But this year I feel I need to start a bit early.

Gratitude. Grateful. Thankful. Thanksgiving. Humbled. Awe-struck.

All of these words express my hearts deepest thoughts. My first thoughts focus on the Father’s love and His goodness but I am also grateful and thankful for each of you who read this blog every morning.

Give God credit and praise for all the good things in your life. Express your gratitude for His goodness.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34 NLT

I’m asking you to make a list – a list of things you are grateful for each day from now until Thanksgiving. Keep the list in your phone notepad or in a journal, write them on a chalkboard or a pumpkin.

Yes, a pumpkin. Several years ago I saw something on a craft page. It was one of those pumpkins you buy at the craft stores and the idea was to have everyone at Thanksgiving dinner write something they were thankful for and then use the pumpkin as part of the centerpiece on the Thanksgiving table. I liked that idea but why not do a slight variation? Get the pumpkin now and each day write something you’re thankful for on it.

“How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! 6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. 7 Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.” Psalm 116:5-7 NLT

I don’t think there was anyone better at giving praise to the Lord than King David. He started writing psalms and giving praise when he was a young man and he praised God until his death. He was a man committed to praise.

It’s so easy to be overcome by stress and worry. It’s so easy to look at the problems instead of the Problem Solver. Let’s make a concerted effort to establish an attitude of praise.

“ He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from. 36 God has spoken to the people of Israel. He sent them the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all people.” Acts 10:35-37 ERV

Let’s start this first day of gratitude by thanking God for the Good News, the gospel of peace, that we have because of Jesus.

Yes, God is good!

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Looking for Eagles

All summer long I have been waiting to hike a knoll near the campground. One morning early in the season, we drove to the parking area below the hill, enthusiastic about our climb, only to be turned back.

There was a posted sign, “Eagle Nesting Area”, and it went on to say that no one should be in that area from February 1 to August 31. It was a protected area. We turned back, disappointed, and found another knoll for that day’s hike.

Now, here it is mid-September and we are making it back to do some exploring. We were looking for the eagle’s nest.

I refrain from calling it a mountain hike only because we are on a mountain, surrounded by taller mountains, like Mt. Baldy. But to call it a hill or knoll diminishes the challenging terrain. We had to watch every step – there were downed trees, stinging nettle, and big logs to climb over.

We were always looking up, scanning the treetops, searching for the eagle’s nest. Much to my chagrin we never located it. What we did find were vultures! Yes, vultures. The standing dead trees provided them with the perfect setting to roost. They would leave the branch and with two or three flaps of their massive wings they would soar above the landscape looking for food far below. Then back to their resting place.

I’m sure you’re wondering what great Biblical truth came to mind during our exploration. The only one I have is an absolute awareness of the greatness of God. Here we were in a thicket of trees. Vultures were soaring, scanning the earth below to look for food and found none.

God’s vision is much more acute than that of a vulture or an eagle. There in that mesh of living and dead trees, we were not lost to the sight of our loving Father. He knew right where we were. And He was there.

“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong. ” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV

Even in the most obscure places we are never alone. God is there to protect and provide.

“You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. 6 I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand. 7 Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.” Psalm 139:5-7 ERV

The view from the top was beautiful, even though we didn’t find the eagle’s nest. What we did find was much greater – we found another day of adventure with the Father.

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Under the Weather

There are two phrases I have heard used quite frequently that are little disconcerting to me. In fact, in my prayer time this morning I used one as I was talking to the Father. I told Him I was feeling under the weather – I didn’t sleep well, I am achy in all my joints and there’s the tummy upset and indigestion.

I felt a prompting to ask you all to pray for me so that my body would be strengthened and I would have the energy I need for today.

I went to look for a picture to use with the blog today and was drawn to the one I took last night. Then it struck me how appropriate this image is.

It had been lightly raining most of the afternoon. The clouds were heavy and the wind currents had positioned them right over our campground. The sky was dark because the clouds were thick and blocked the sun’s light.

The Son is never gone, only briefly out of sight.

The other phrase that annoys me is “under the circumstances”. Have you ever asked someone how they’re doing and the answer comes back “pretty good under the circumstances”? I always want to ask “why are you under your circumstances”.

God’s word promises us that we have been made overcomers. That is a position of victory, a place that is over our circumstances.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4 ESV

Paul tells us this in Romans 8: “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:37-39 CEV

We are overcomers and we are victorious in Christ.

If we are under anything let’s be under the shadow of the Almighty and under His wings of protection.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God,
and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Never let the circumstances or the weather put you under.

The Father has set us as overcomers, living under His protection, in a place of security.


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Showers of Blessing

I slept so well last night and when I woke, later than usual, this morning I asked the Lord what I could share.

Gratitude, praise, thanksgiving – those were the words that came to mind.

We have had rain nearly every day for almost 6 weeks. That’s summer in the mountains! When our campers come, they always comment on how green the mountains and the meadows are. Even now, I look out my window and see a camper who has come to look across a meadow, as the morning fog is rising and take in the beauty of the beginning of the day.

Oh, there are some who want to complain about the afternoon showers and “it would be nice to have ONE day without any rain” but those are also the same ones who complain when we have fire restrictions in place because the forest and meadows are too dry.

It’s better to sing in the rain than grumble in a tent!

“ I will bless the sheep and the places around my hill. I will cause the rains to fall at the right time and will shower them with blessings. 27 And the trees growing in the field will produce their fruit. The earth will give its harvest, so the sheep will be safe on their land. I will break the yokes on them and save them from the power of the people who made them slaves. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 24:26-27 ERV

Shower them with blessings!

Look around you right now. What blessings do you see? Quickly, pick five and thank God for them. He is the One who brings the blessings.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

Ultimately it is the Father who gave you the favor you needed to secure your job. He is the one who blessed you with wisdom and creative ideas. You may have gone to the store and purchased a new item or even the house you live in, but it is gift of the Father’s provision.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiahs 29:11-13 ERV

The Father has planned for us to have hope and a good future. When we ask, He listens, when we search, we find. Knowing that fills my heart with gratitude!

Instead of grumbling about the rain, let’s go out and dance as the showers of blessing fall all around us!

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Thanks Dad!

Each morning when I walk to work, it’s right across the road, I stop to take in the beauty of the day and I say thank you Father. And when I work the afternoons/evenings, I do the same before I walk back home.

My focus is on my Father and all the beauty He has set for my enjoyment. It reminds me to keep things in a proper perspective.

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through tough times and times of contentment. If we begin to look to closely at the difficult situations, they can be overwhelming. In times of success, we can begin to depend on our own efforts and take credit for what God has done. We need to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The Israelites saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

King Nebuchadnezzar took pride in his accomplishments and his world-wide fame, forgetting about God. He ended up eating grass in a field like an animal. King Fetus took credit for being one who spoke as “God”, and he was destroyed by his pride.

Fear and pride are destructive forces but staying focused on the goodness and provision of the Father keeps all of life’s circumstances in the proper perspective. It is the Father who blesses us with all good things.

“ Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

It is the Father who is standing at the ready to help us in any difficult situation.

“ Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

Our Father sees us, His children, and is ready to come to our aid. He has promised us victory, comfort and strength. He has promised peace in the midst of the storm and He gives grace to the humble.

Everything we need comes from Him – take time to be grateful.

Thanks Dad!

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Thankfulness

Set the right tone for your day, be thankful.

Thankful for what? The coffee’s hot, the house is cool. There’s a beautiful sunrise outside, the birds are singing, the kids are still sleeping. The electric bill is paid and there’s food in the fridge. A call from a friend, a kindness shown.

Be thankful.

There are some absolutes in the Word of God, they use the phrase “in everything” or “always” and that’s pretty much an absolute in my book.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Notice this verse doesn’t say “for everything” give thanks but “in everything” give thanks. It is always God’s will that we give thanks because there is power in praise and thanksgiving. I know you’ve all heard it before but giving thanks in a bad situation is focusing on God’s deliverance and not on the circumstances. Giving thanks is our way of saying “Father, I know you have a solution when all I can see it the problem”.

Giving thanks is telling our problem how big our God is instead of telling God how big our problem is. Daniel gave thanks that he was worthy of being persecuted for his stand for God. Paul and Silas gave thanks by singing at midnight after they had been beaten and thrown in the prison – praising God for who He is and that they had the privilege to proclaim the gospel.

Paul wrote these words: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

To be careful means to be “full of care” or worry or anxious. And Jesus told the disciples that the “cares of this world” would choke out the Word of God.

Today I encourage you to apply an “in everything” attitude to your life. Thankful for the good, the blessings that the Lord gives and thankful that He has made us victorious over evil.

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

ALWAYS BE THANKFUL!

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