Thanksgiving

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

As I reflect on the past year I am overwhelmed by God’s grace, faithfulness, and goodness in my life. The words from the hymn Count Your Blessing come to mind. As I begin to name the blessings -- one by one -- there is so much God has done this year. Here is what I am thankful for 2011:

The Gospel. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the good news that He came, fully God and fully man, to live a sinless life to be the perfect sacrifice through His death on the cross for mans’ sins and mine. I need the gospel daily. I need it to remind me of my utter need for Christ, salvation, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of my sins that comes through Him. Living and proclaiming the gospel gives me great joy in living. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Pain Free Hips & Ankles. Three years ago have quickly passed since the fourth and final surgery, in December 2008, to complete bi-lateral ankle replacements. God has been so gracious to allow me to generally be pain free with bi-lateral hip and ankle replacements. Swimming, biking/spinning, golfing, and walking are activities I thoroughly enjoy as part of life.

Again this year God has given me many opportunities to share and show the hope I the gospel and encourage those in

Heaven. I am thankful for Heaven: I am ready to go! What will it be like to worship Jesus without sin? I Can Only Imagine. No more anger, no more lust, no more anxiety, no more broken relationships.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

The Body of Christ—His Church. God is building His church and even the gates of hell will not prevail over it (Matthew 16:18). I am thankful to be a part of His church, His bride, in serving Him and seeing His kingdom grow for His glory (Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 19:7). I am thankful for fellow brothers and sisters who have been used in my life to encourage, challenge, and convict in my walk with Jesus. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverb 27:17).

Giving thanks to the Lord, for He is good – All the Time!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Thoughts from the Garden

“Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed” (Genesis 2:8)

This summer I have been blessed to regularly spend time early in the morning in a garden close to my home. This is no any ordinary garden. It has a fountain, Italian architecture gazebos, and brick walks. What makes this place even more special are the variety of colorful flowers that radiate God’s glory in unison with His majestic sky, clouds, and sun.

In the garden there are sweet times of reflection, prayer, worship, and meditation on God’s Word. Most of all, there is sweet communion with my Heavenly Father. There are times when I wish did not have to leave the garden, but I know there is work to be done with an anticipation to return.

Gardens play a significant role in God’s economy as one can see in Scripture.

“The Garden of Eden has symbolic meaning, as well as having been a historical reality for the first people. People still love gardens. Kings of Israel tried to cultivate them (2 Kings 21:18, 26). Persian kings fostered them (Nehemiah 3:15). The great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar majored in them, creating the fabulously lush “hanging gardens of Babylon.” When Isaiah pictures a restored Israel on Zion, her deserts are restored like “Eden” (Isaiah 51:3; 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12). Ezekiel uses the term “Garden of Eden” to describe a renewed Israel (Ezekiel 36:35; Joel 2:3). It is no wonder then that in the Song of Solomon, the Lover can describe his beloved as a “garden locked up” (Song of Songs 4:12), even a “fountain in a garden” (Song of Songs 4:15). The Lover used garden-like metaphors to describe the sensual delights of his beloved as well as her virginity and her exclusive devotion to him only, and he for her (Song of Songs 4:15, 16; 5:1; 6:2).” (Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). Holman treasury of key Bible words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew words defined and explained (67). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

Grateful for the gardens He gives to work in, learn from, and commune in with Him.

Every Day

This song, Every Day, comes to mind today. It reminds me of God's faithfulness, my dependence, and the hope in an unchanging Heavenly Father who is reliable, faithful, and whose Word I can trust Every Day no matter what comes in life.

Listening and meditating on this song reminds me of the verses penned by the psalmist and Paul...

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees" (Psalm 119:67, 72).

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Every Day

In Your grace, You know where I walk
You know when I fall
You know all my ways
In Your love, I know You allow
What I cannot grasp
To bring You praise

Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

Your great power is shown when I’m weak
You help me to see
Your love in this place
Perfect peace is filling my mind
And drawing my heart
To praise You again

In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need
To know You’re with me every day (repeat)

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)