Because of eternal life I give thanks in the meantime. Yesterday I gave thanks for steady rain that watered the earth without flooding. I was also thankful to live in a solid building that kept me dry throughout the lengthy showers. I thanked God for the breeze that rang the wind chimes He allowed me to
“The gift of God is eternal life.” This short phrase, made of such simple words, ought to energize leaps for joy. However, it’s entirely possible we overlook their impact. In fact, during these times, we might fall into cynicism, and ask why we would want eternal life. Sometimes we get shortsighted. There’s a secular song
The Music of Spring: That Doesn’t Say Spring The graphics department proposed shots of Greek ruins, photographed through color filters. All of us shuddered at the sight of the Parthenon beneath a salmon pink sky. “No, that isn’t even the right temple. If it were Delphi, or Parnassus, it still wouldn’t work. The picture has
Giving thanks for promises that will be kept effectively raises our awareness of God’s character. Isaiah 32 contains several promises that you might not have noticed in your studies before. “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a
This week, we’ve reached God’s reassuring gift of kept promises. Another word to characterize this gift is consistency. Some people have counted over 7000 kept promises in the Bible.If you’re much like me, the prospect of spending time with someone inconsistent or unreliable isn’t appealing. All the cultures surrounding Israel and Judah practiced polytheism, worshiping
The Music of Spring: Spell That Wilson’s uncle gave ‘Spring’ its first recording contract, and me my first business headache. “I need your names for the liner notes,” he announced. “Speak up.” The Ferguson triplets told their names, and he scribbled on a notepad. He took the flutist’s name and the trumpeters’ too. Slapping his
We adopt thankful behaviors for God is our reward . These are positive, practical, and beneficial for both believers and non-believers. Let’s concentrate on four things: hospitality, mercy, generosity, and kindness. Not surprisingly, they echo or embody the fruit of the Spirit. Matthew 10:41 pairs hospitality and reward. “Anyone who receives a prophet because he
God our great reward brings His rewards with Him. For the past seven months, the focus of this blog has been God’s gifts. It’s time to pause a moment, and be sure our focus isn’t missing the Giver. Don’t boast that overlooking God is impossible, because Adam and Eve had contact with God himself every
The Music of Spring: Wilson’s Uncle He shrugged off the vest and settled it on my shoulders. “Heavy, isn’t it?” he said. The weight did surprise me, but I refused to let him see. “Pass the mallets, would you?” He pulled four from behind his back, and twirled them in a blur. When he relinquished
How should we give thanks for victory? At first glance that looks like a really stupid question. Of course we should give thanks for victory. Who wouldn’t? Could it be possible that some ways might be wiser than others? Scripture is full of options. We can pray our thanks to God as Solomon did when