Today’s blog is a reminder to give thanks to our great God of hope. Let’s be thankful everyday not just one day each year as we celebrate a national holiday. If we Americans ever doubt there’s much for which to be thankful, then let’s consider the following.
We will eat more today than most people in this world will eat this week. We drive our air conditioned or heated vehicles while billions will never own a car.
We will sleep tonight in our heated or cooled bedrooms while most of the world will sleep shivering or sweating.
If we have more health than sickness today, then we are more blessed than the one million who will die this week.
If today we aren’t facing dangers of battle, loneliness of imprisonment, suffering of torture, or hunger pains of starvation, then we are better off than 500 million people.
If today we are not afraid of being harassed, arrested, tortured, or killed, then we have it better than 3 billion people.
If we have food in our refrigerator, clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads, and a place to sleep, then we are richer than 75% in our world.
If we have any money in the bank or even spare change in our pocket, then we are in the top 8 percent of the richest people in the world.
If we can read a paragraph in a book or sign our names, then we are better off than 775 million who can neither read nor write.
Dare we doubt that God has blessed us? Do we have any reason to thank Him everyday? He deserves our thanks, and He wants it. What will our thanksgiving do for God?
Pastor James Merritt stated eloquently, “Thanksgiving is the music that brightens the face of God. It is the spark that warms the heart of God. It is the love that kisses the hand of God.”
Let’s communicate with God today, but let’s not ask Him to bless us. Instead let’s give Him thanks and bless Him; He deserves it. The Bible instructs, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”(Psalm 100:4)
I want to thank James Merritt for the reminder to give thanks to God everyday and for the numerical info that I gleaned from one of his messages. He is Pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Atlanta, Georgia. For years I have been blessed by his televised sermons.
Visit the website @ touchinglives.org for info about a ministry that is truly touching lives… including mine.
A favorite patriotic song of many Americans was written by Irving Berlin in 1918. Yet “God Bless America” wasn’t introduced publically until 1938 when sung by Kate Smith on a radio program on Armistice Day (now Veterans Day). It was — and still is — an expression of deep love for our great and beautiful land. Perhaps more importantly it expresses hope in God’s blessings for America. Berlin didn’t want to personally profit from his patriotism so assigned royalties from the song to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
“God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.”
(Irving Berlin)
Remember to thank a vet today! Celebrate Veterans Day, and be thankful for the brave military men and women to whom we owe so much. God bless America and our heroes both past and present!
If you know much about national sports, then you may agree that Tim Tebow is a sports icon. He was a two-time national college football champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, ESPN contributor, and is now a professional baseball outfielder with the New York Mets.
You may not know Tim is an author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller SHAKEN that was named 2017 Book of the Year by Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
Despite Tim’s many activities and achievements he began his most important work in 2010 when he created the Tim Tebow Foundation.
The foundation’s mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. This mission is accomplished through several individual ministries.
Two of the ministries are Orphan Care and Adoption Aid. Through such ministries thousands of deserving children around the world are served by the foundation.
Others share Tim’s passion to bring more faith, hope, and love to the world. Tim shows his heart in his response to donors who contribute to these worthwhile ministries.
“What you’re doing with us matters. It matters because people matter, and together we can celebrate and love people who need it most. We can share Faith, Hope and Love, and that is one of the biggest things we can do in life… help someone else. So thank you for partnering with us to help us fight for those who can’t fight for themselves!”
It gives me hope to know there are others who believe in Tim’s cause enough to join him. The Tebow “team” is making the world a brighter place for everyone not just those in their darkest hour of need.
Somehow it seems appropriate to end with some “grand slam home run” excitement. Go, Tim! Go Team Tebow! Bring it on — faith, hope, and love — and score big for the planet!
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” Phillipians 2:4
“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Visit the website @ Timtebowfoundation.org to learn more about how a Christian young man is making the world a better place and touching lives as he shares faith, hope, and love.
Austin Perine is a hero, who brings hope to the homeless every week along with the usual chicken sandwiches and his advice to “show love!” He seems to be a natural at showing the love for which he so frequently advises.
The people Austin helps will often return his kindness and optimism with genuine smiles even in the midst of dire circumstances. Many in need are reaping the benefits of his presence in their lives. Those accepting his chicken sandwiches also receive love and hope.
Their gain from a positive connection with Austin is more than just physical. The amazing change in their countenance is evidence of a deeper emotional change. The difference is visible; their look becomes less depressed and more hopeful as if Austin’s joy and optimism are infectious.
Maybe such a change is to be expected when one experiences a real hero, especially a self-proclaimed “Super Hero” with super powers and wearing his own cape! Maybe that’s not really surprising when you realize he’s only four years old!
Austin’s parents have my respect. They are doing something right in their parenting roles. May God bless them as they continue to guide him. May Austin always use his special gift to help others. May the rest of us learn by his example to show love!
Psalm 146:7: “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry….”
Visit Austin’s website @ presidentaustin.org to learn more about this great American super hero in Alabama who plans to run for President when he’s old enough. Until then he’s getting used to the sound of “President Austin Perine” and often uses the alias. I think it has a nice sound to it!
Ciao, Bella!!!
Happy birthday with love to my precious granddaughter! How perfect that Bella in Italian means “beautiful.” I totally agree that you are — even if we’re not Italian!
Remember that it’s more important to be beautiful on the inside than on the outside. It’s better to be kind and good and loving than just to look pretty. Follow God everyday to become truly beautiful in your heart!
Remember that it’s more important to be wise than just smart. It’s better to be wise enough to make right choices and think good thoughts than to be smart enough to be a clever fool. Learn God’s ways to grow in His wisdom to live right!
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. He will be with you ALWAYS! Remember one of our favorite verses: “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!” (Phillipians 4:13)
I remember your birth brought hope for your future, prayers, and excitement! The first time I met you as a beautiful bundle of baby I unleashed a load of love and released tears of joy. It was a moment I will always cherish and never forget.
You, granddaughter, are a gift from heaven, and I am blessed beyond measure to be your grandparent! To your parents: THANK YOU for your part in the Beautiful Bella miracle!
To God, the Creator of Life: Thank You for this amazing gift of a granddaughter! May her life be filled with Faith, Hope, and Love. May she walk Your Way, believe Your Truth, and live Life according to Your plan. Thank You for her time now on earth, and thank You even more for her eternal life to come in heaven that will never end, because her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.” Psalm 127:3
The Precious Moments Chapel near Carthage, Missouri, is a unique place. It offers visitors an opportunity to experience a moving message from the heart of an artist. It is a message of love, hope, and inspiration. The results of Sam Butcher’s dream that originated almost 40 years ago has blessed many lives since the Precious Moments Chapel opened almost 30 years ago.
I hope you will visit online at preciousmomentschapel.org to see photos, to learn about the artist, and to understand the history of this special place. Even better, visit in person to experience firsthand the chapel, the museum, and the beautiful grounds. Enjoy the figurines, murals, fountains, statues, and more. Go, and allow your heart to feel loved, hopeful, and inspired.
Sharing more than his dream and artwork, Sam Butcher shared his faith and this prayer: “It is my prayer that through my work in the Chapel, I might share my faith with others and that the Spirit of God might touch the visitors’ hearts and bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
I am thankful for Sam’s beautiful testament that is a place where precious moments truly abound.
Even the most talented artists don’t always lead charmed lives. Sometimes the extraordinary beauty of their artwork that blesses us most comes after great suffering.
Sam Butcher is an American artist who has experienced the painful loss of 2 sons by death and has faced struggles that included bi-polar disorder, depression, anger, and excessive alcohol. Yet his artwork carrying the name, “Precious Moments,” brings hope, peace, and beauty to multitudes.
I plan to share more on Sam’s art and legacy in a future blog and will end today’s post with a poetic explanation of how he ultimately faced his struggles. Do you doubt that precious moments and hope can follow profound pain and suffering in one’s life? Read the poem below to understand how Sam Butcher found personal hope and peace he desperately needed.
“The sad loss of a loved one Can be so hard at times; I understand, because I lost Two precious sons of mine. I lost my way and wandered In a valley of despair, Because my heavy burden Was too much for me to bear. But then I heard a still small voice So warm and tender; It was the voice of Him, who said I’m here, just trust in me. Then all at once, I felt a touch. It was the hand of God So gentle, warm, and soothing Like a balm in Gilead. We need not be afraid, my friend, When sorrow comes, because The Lord will bless us and keep us By the power of His love.”
(Samuel J. Butcher)
Today’s blog is dedicated to my husband on our anniversary. You’re still the one! ♥
We began our marriage as two imperfect people with hope for a love that would last. We’re still imperfect, we’re still hopeful for love that will last, and we’re both learning that the presence of the Author of marriage Himself is essential to a lasting (and happy) marriage.
Thankfully God’s unconditional love and amazing grace has made the difference to bless our marriage and allow it to last these past 31 years.
Here’s what the Bible says about love….
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
(I Corinthians 13: 4 – 7, 13)
I watched 1971 TV to see Colonel James Irwin, fourth man on the moon and first to explore by Lunar Rover. It was history-in-the-making to us earthlings and especially meaningful to Jim. His experiences totally changed his life and future direction.
“When I looked out and saw the earth about as big as a little marble, I thought, ‘How big am I?’
I am just a speck of dust — if that big — compared to the universe. Yet this little speck has the capacity to know God! To know the One Who holds the universe, to know His love and have His direction.
For the first time I saw, felt God’s love for the earth…. I realized then that God loved that little blue marble, that little blue planet.
He loved all the billions of people on it, and He loved me! I realized at that moment that my relationship with Jesus Christ was the most precious thing I had.” (Jim Irwin)
The following year Jim resigned from a career he loved to follow his higher calling and to fulfill his purpose. He founded High Flight Foundation and devoted the rest of his life to spread a message of God’s love and to share his own relationship with Jesus Christ. By faith Jim understood, “God walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon.”
Jim had followed his dream since he was a kid and had prepared for years for his lunar experience. He may not have anticipated his personal encounter with the Creator as he viewed planet earth from such a vantage point, but it was planned before either that planet called Earth or a baby named James Irwin was formed.
Jim Irwin had enough hope in His Creator to trust God’s guidance to change his own life’s direction and to enjoy God’s great love that he knew he was meant to share. The same hope is available for us. We may never view the earth from the moon, but we can see God’s glory as we look up at the night sky when we open our eyes and hearts for hope to know our Creator.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
For more of Jim’s hopeful story, please read MORE THAN EARTHLINGS: AN ASTRONAUT’S THOUGHTS FOR CHRIST-CENTERED LIVING and other books by Jim Irwin.
There’s a beautiful prayer that holds much meaning for many hearts. The Serenity Prayer is believed to be written by Reinhold Niebuhr. I remember when I first discovered it, and even then as a child I knew it was meaningful.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.” (Reinhold Niebuhr)
Through the years the Serenity Prayer has been prayed by countless people, including members of Alcoholics Anonymous and other such programs. There are multiple versions, and a more recent “people” version is used by CoDependents Anonymous.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,
Courage to change the person I can,
And the wisdom to know that person is me.” (Origin unknown)
I believe both prayers are full of hope. If you have hope enough to pray, then perhaps you have faith enough to move mountains. Consider the small size of a mustard seed….
Jesus said, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17:20)
Now that gives me hope….
God, grant me the HOPE to pray, the FAITH to move mountains, and the LOVE to share that hope and faith. Amen.
