Let’s be clear, Kwanzaa is a cultural and not religious holiday created by an African American. However, the principles of Kwanzaa (from Swahili) can be found in scripture and can build and enhance families and communities and elevate the political dialogue on issues of importance to all. Hence, 7 days before the start of the year, I offer this Kwanzaa perspective for Christians, as it relates to the Seven Principles of the first fruits (kwanza).
Principle 1. Unity/Umoja: Psalms 133:1. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. This bible verse reinforces the unity principle of togetherness and harmony and instructs that our speech, strategies, and behaviour should be directed toward bringing people together as opposed to the divide and conquer, demonize, and dominate approach that is all too present in our social relations and politics.
Politicians seem to thrive on division. Income brackets separate communities into one side of the tracks or the other. Even people who share the same beliefs bicker about how to live out those beliefs. Unity may seem far-fetched, but unity is what Christ prayed for before going to the cross. More than anything, His desire was for the church to be one because their uncommon unity would be a powerful witness of God’s love. (John 17:23).
Today Umoja (unity) teaches us with so much division in our world, Christians’ ability to be unified, even when we’re not the same, is what will set us apart. This kind of unity doesn’t happen naturally. It comes from God. As we experience God’s love for us, it leads us to love others with pure, unselfish motives. We stop trying to push ourselves to the top and begin submitting to God and one another. Just as God is unified, we are to be unified to bring God glory. We are His plan to reconcile people with Him. But reconciliation must start with us. When believers live in harmony, people take notice and get a glimpse of Christ’s love
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity (Psalms 133:1).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, when I think of places lacking in unity, the church is not the first thing I imagine. Yet today the church is full of division. Father, whether the topic is racial, same-sex relations, abortion or others, churches are not on the same page. God, how can we be of the same body but cling to so many different beliefs? We read the same text and have drastically different takeaways? Are we interpreting the Bible the way we want or are we genuinely confused? Whatever the answer, I pray that you would help the church find unity on various salvific issues. Please give us clarity on issues of culture or politics. I ask that you help us to be clear about what is most important to You in Christ’s Name, Amen!
In Reflection
When you look at your relationships, how much unity do you see at home, at work, or at school?
What is one practical way you can build unity in the church and your community?
When is the last time you prayed for the church? Take a moment to follow Jesus’ example in praying for your church family. Pray that we would experience the same unity that Jesus had with God and the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes sunsets make me pull over and take pictures, and I often see others who do the same too. People tend to stop what they are doing to enjoy the beautiful view. Have you ever wondered why people are so amazed by the setting of the sun? The Psalms offer a clue. The psalmist wrote of God ordering the sun to praise its Creator. And wherever the rays shine across the earth, people are moved to praise God for the awesome, spectacular sight.
The beauty of nature speaks to our souls as few things do. It not only has the capacity to stop us in our tracks and captivate our attention, but it also has the power to turn our focus to the maker of this beauty, our lord and savior.
Today, the wonder of God’s vast creation can cause us to pause and remember what’s truly important. Ultimately, it reminds us that there is a Creator behind the stunning sunsets, colourful flowers, and the entrance and sunset of the day. One who so loved the world He made that He entered it to redeem and restore it. Hallelujah!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Psalm 148:3
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for your wonderful creation. Father, I enjoy the world you have created with its variety and colours. You and what You have made are awesome, Lord thanks so much for creating beauty like the sunset, the colourful flowers and man’s diversity amid chaos. In Christ’ name Amen
We pray because we want something to change in our lives. Every day, we are attacked by many different circumstances — financial insecurities, health problems, or even relationship issues.
Most of us find prayer “a remedy” to these problems. But what if the answer is different from what we expected?
That’s probably why God used many people in the Bible about prayers being answered. These faithful heroes begged God to intervene in their troubled lives, which He reasonably did.
As you read along, observe these two things:
The reason why that person prayed (intention and attitude)
How has God powerfully answered the prayer
And who knows? It may also change the way you pray and receive God’s answer.
The Heroes Who Prayed
Hannah
In Bible times, when a woman is barren, it brings deep shame to the family. This is because children are seen as God’s gift, and being infertile is a challenging situation.
Like Hannah, you may be in a position where everything is hopeless. You may have already questioned God why you feel that “deep shame”.
But, recorded in 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV) is Hannah’s prayer of faith.
She said, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
As you see, Hannah already claimed that God would fulfill His promise in her life even before she was pregnant. Sure enough, Samuel went down in history as Israel’s greatest prophet.
Just like Hannah, you can manifest God’s promise in your life and let Him be God.
Daniel
Imagine being in a place where no one knows you, and you’re being kept as a slave. You might have questioned God and blamed Him for your circumstance.
But Daniel reacted otherwise.
He knew God and how to communicate with and listen to God. Also, he made God his Friend in a country where he knew no one. Daniel 2:27-28 (ESV) describes Daniel as one great man.
It says, Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:”
Daniel was successful because He gave God all the credit. And because of that, he became chief administrator of the whole Medo-Persian kingdom!
Daniel might have become proud and arrogant. But, he understood that he was just a servant in the hands of an omnipotent God.
And that understanding came from his personal connection with God through prayer.
Jairus
Let’s talk about something more serious—death.
Jairus had a dying daughter. According to Mark 5:23 (NIV), he pleaded earnestly with Jesus, saying, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put Your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
All of us are desperate for healing, especially when it is our loved ones who are at stake. We tend to pray and bargain with God to heal them from whatever they’re suffering.
In this story of Jairus, maybe God is just testing our faith. His daughter already died before Jesus arrived at his home!
But Jesus had more than a cure in mind when He urged Jairus to believe. When Jesus entered the house, He resurrected the girl from the dead.
Jesus wants to go above and beyond our expectations—He wants to revive our faith!
Elisha
Have you ever been in a situation where you are responsible for something yet don’t know what to do next?
Elisha did. God gave Elisha prophetic skills and abilities, and these threatened the king. He sent a troop to encircle Elisha’s city and initiate an assault. This news caused Elisha’s servant to panic.
There may be moments when God entrusts us with something, and along with it are circumstances that can harm us.
Instead of panicking, Elisha told his servant. “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16, NIV)
God answered Elisha’s prayer by blinding the opposing army. He then led his people out of the city.
You will also have the confidence to accomplish anything God asks of you. This is possible if we seek His protection surrounding us, knowing that our circumstances are blind to His might!
Joseph
The slave who turned into one of the best leaders in Egypt.
The Bible states that Joseph had a close relationship with God, and this is because of his prayer life. Because of this, even his master saw how close he was to God and found favor in him.
Genesis 39:2-4 (ESV) describes how Joseph is with his relationship with God.
It says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.”
Because of his faithful prayer life, God used him to govern Egypt and deliver them out of famine.
You might relate to Joseph in a way. Your business is not doing good, you have failing grades at school, or a really good friend betrayed you.
Regardless of how bad your situation is, remember that the God who led Joseph from rags to riches will definitely give you a way out, too. Just pray.
David
David was known to be the man after God’s own heart. But, how did he become one?
What does his prayer life look like? David was just like any of us. He committed mistakes, and he admits that he has deeply sinned against God.
But what made David successful was how he acknowledged his mistake and confessed to God. Psalms 51:10 (ESV) says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
After having heartfelt repentance and a deep talk with God, he felt a sense of peace in his heart and accepted that God already forgave him.
In our journey to success, we might experience a lot of temptations and stumbling blocks along the way. But, our persistent surrender to God will make us successful in our day-to-day battle with trials.
Jesus
Really? The Man who saved the world from sin prayed, too?
Yes. Jesus was not exempted from the benefits of this ultimate secret. As recorded in the Scriptures, He spent many, many hours in prayer.
Jesus could’ve just skipped the prayer part and went on to save the world.
But, no.
Every day, in the early hours of the morning, He kneeled and prayed to God the Father for protection and guidance.
“But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray,” according to Luke 5:16 (ESV). By spending time with his Father regularly, Jesus stayed in touch with His desire and purpose.
Why did Jesus do this?
Because He wants to be an example of how powerful prayer is.
Even before He was crucified, He prayed and pleaded to God to let the circumstance pass. But He was willing to submit Himself for God’s leading and will, and that was how the most extraordinary love story started.
There is Power in Prayer
Prayer has worked wonders in the lives of people in the Bible, and it can work for you, too!
It will help you to:
Acquire peace of mind
Be patient
Become the person God wants you to become
God’s Word is transparent in how great heroes in the Bible are and how dependent they are on God. He wants us to be comforted that He always provides the best answers only if we allow His power to influence our lives.
Author Bio
Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.
We are just a few weeks into spring – the time of year when many people sow their seeds. The Scripture talks about seasons of sowing and reaping in your life. In Psalms, it talks about sowing in tears and reaping in joy. That verse is saying that the sowing seasons are usually the most difficult.
At times, it’s difficult to keep a good attitude when it seems like all your friends are being blessed, but you’re not. You may feel like they don’t work as hard as you do. You may feel like they don’t give like you do, or don’t deserve the blessing. That’s a time of testing. It’s hard to go through disappointments and stay positive and hopeful. These are seasons of sowing. If you’ll do the right thing even when it’s hard, when you sow in tears you will always reap in joy!
Today, have a new attitude towards what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God still has a plan to bring it to pass. Don’t give up. Your time is coming. It’s never too late! God is saying, “This is your season, your spring. Keep your faith stirred up.” Keep sowing because in due season, you will reap the bountiful harvest with a song of joy in your heart! Hallelujah!
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for another season to serve You and sow into the lives of those around me. Father, I ask for Your strength today to do Your will, and keep a good attitude during the unpredictable time of spring. God, please help me in my season of sowing so that I can be ready in the time of harvest. Lord, I love You and bless Your Holy Name today. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
With many of our youth today growing up without a father-figure in their lives, it becomes hard for them to trust God and love God. Unlike David, who despite lives challenges, he chose to put his life in the hands of the Lord. In Psalms 31:15, He says, “I trust You, God, because I know You are good, my times are in Your hands.” Are you willing, despite an absent father-figure, poor relationships or trust issues, to release every area of your life to the Father who will never abandon you or let you down? Are you willing to trust Him with every time and season of your life?
Today, you may be in a situation that you don’t fully understand, but take heart God is a good God, you can trust Him. He is working on your behalf. If you’ll keep your heart surrendered to Him, you’ll begin to see things change in your favour. As you continue to trust Him, He’ll open doors for you. God, will take what the enemy meant for evil in your life, and He’ll turn it around for your good. Keep standing, keep believing, and trust Him. Your times are in His hands!
“My times are in Your hands…” (Psalm 31:15, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for being there for me, today I choose to trust You. Father, I trust that You are working on my behalf. God, I trust You with my whole life, my times are in Your hands. Please help me to stay close to You today, so that I can hear Your voice. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
Looking at the world’s current situation, it’s hard to believe at times that God desires that you be blessed and prosperous. But it’s true, He wants you to have so much peace, joy and victory that it spills over onto those around you. He desires that you be so blessed that you can turn around and be a blessing everywhere you go.
In the Psalms, David said, “My cup runs over.” He was saying, “I’m so full of God, I’m overflowing!” So don’t settle for a barely-get-by-mentality. Jesus came so that you can live an abundant life. That means an abundance of joy, an abundance of peace, an abundance of health, an abundance of finances. An abundance in every area of your life.
Today, you may not see your abundance or prosperity. You may not feel like things are going your way, but don’t get complacent and just settle where you are. Get a vision from God’s Word for your future! Get a vision of God’s purpose for your life, and remember He delights in your prosperity!
“…Let them say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.’ ” (Psalm 35:27, NASB)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of blessing on my life. Father, help me develop a vision for the abundant life You have in store for me. God, please show me how to be a blessing to You and all those around me, and increase my prosperity so that You can be glorified, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
As we come towards the end a year of uncertainty, one person that is certain is God! We serve a great and mighty God who is in control despite the chaos! He is the Creator of the universe, the one who spoke the worlds into existence. Scripture says He is the Great I AM, and He’s saying today, “I am everything you need. I am your strength. I am your wisdom. I am your protection. I am your provider. I am your way maker. I am your problem solver. I am your dream giver. I am your victory!” Hallelujah!
In the Psalms David says, “Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will bring me safely through. Your fist is clenched against my enemies. Your power will save me.” Maybe you feel like David today.
Today, you may be surrounded by all kinds of difficulties. You’re tempted to just settle right where you are. No, it’s time to get your fire back! Instead of focusing on how big your problems are, focus on how big your God is! He is everything you need. He is the Great I AM, and He is the one leading and guiding you into victory!
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for being my certainty in the midst of all this uncertainty. Father, I declare today that I will focus on Your greatness. God, thank You for the reminder that You are in control – my I AM – my everything that I need to live the life of victory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
A new year is a time for making plans, setting goals, writing visions, making resolutions, getting a fresh start and having a new beginning. But, the best “new start” is through Jesus Christ, for the Bible says, “if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come.” (2 Cor 15:17)
Today, if you need a new beginning in any area of your life, allow Christ to make you a new creation, and the old will pass away! He will put a new and right spirit within you when you call on His name! This year, make your relationship with Him your number one priority. As you develop an intimacy with Him through daily prayer and the study of His Word, you will experience the joy of newness of life!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10, ESV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, as I’m about to enter into a new year, I choose to make You my first priority. Father, please wipe the slate clean as I develop a deeper personal relationship with You. Thank You for renewing a right spirit in me and making me a new creation. God, I receive Your new beginning today as I walk with You, in Christ’ name! Amen.
These days with our world in turmoil with a pandemic, it’s hard to be happy. It’s very easy to come up with excuses as to why we are not happy. All the time I hear things like, “as soon as I get out of debt, I’ll be happy.” Or “as soon as I lose weight”…”as soon as I get promoted…”as soon as my children start behaving…” No, if you don’t put your foot down and decide to be happy right now, there will always be something to keep you from being happy. Let’s get rid of the excuses and make the decision to enjoy life right now, beginning today!
Today is when God wants you to be happy, not tomorrow. That’s why David said in the Psalms, “this is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it.” He was saying, “this is the day to be happy; not tomorrow, not when the weather clears up. Not next week, when I don’t have to work so hard. Not next month, when I make it through these difficult times.” No, choose to honour the Lord right now by choosing to enjoy your life. This is the day that the Lord has made!
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for this day. Thank You that yesterday has gone with its worry, stress and sadness. Father, thank You for another day, another opportunity to praise and rejoice for Your kind mercy towards us. God, I choose to set my mind and heart on You and not on my problems, so I will be happy despite the situation. Almighty, this day I will rejoice and be glad, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
It is often in the very toughest of times and trials that God brings us to a crisis of faith, and it’s through that experience that we begin to pray. I’ve heard it said that, “when you’re swept off your feet, get on your knees.” Whatever broken conditions you are facing today – in your marriage, your home, your family, through a child that’s wandered away, or the collapse of a career?
]How many times through our pain do we discover our purpose? How many times through our pain do we discover power?
“It is so often pain that drives us to dependence upon God.”
Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect through our weaknesses. With God all of your cares will be cared for. All that is His will be yours. Through prayer you can experience the delightful nearness of God and lean into His warm embrace.
Today, kneel before God in prayer until He communicates with your spirit. Surrender your weaknesses to Him and exchange them for supernatural strength. Pray this day for the power of Jesus Christ in your life to deliver you and the ones you love from temptation.
Trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalms 62:8 NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
It’s so interesting how easy it is to procrastinate (put things off). We plan on doing something and we have good intentions, but we just keep on putting it off till later. We say, “one day, I’m going to start exercising. One day, I’m going to get my finances in order. One day, I’m going to forgive that person who hurt me.” The problem with this kind of thinking is that “one day” never comes. There will always be some reason to keep delaying it.
Right now, is there something in your heart that you know you need to do? Maybe God has been dealing with you on a particular issue, and you keep putting it off. You think, “as soon as I get through this busy season, then I’ll spend more time with my family. As soon as the price of gas goes down, then I’ll start tithing. As soon as my child gets out of diapers, then I’m going to get my family back in church. As soon as I stop doing bad stuff I’ll get baptised.”
Today, I want to remind us all, good intentions don’t equal obedience. Someone once said the road to destruction is paved with good intentions. The quicker you do what you feel down in your spirit, the happier you’re going to be. Don’t let unfinished business keep you from God’s best. Step out, obey His voice, and walk in the blessings He has for you!
“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”
(Psalm 119:60, NKJV)
Pray With Us Yahweh, thank You for Your patience and grace towards me. Father, today I rebuke procrastination in my life. Search my heart, show me the way to go. Let my obedience overtake my good intentions. God, I choose to obey Your voice quickly, and honour You in all that I do, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick
Worship is in an extremely important component of the Christian life. As Christians, our whole lives should be a living sacrifice of worship to God, but undoubtedly, praise and thanksgiving through song play a big role (just look at Psalms). With the rise of Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) in the last 50 years or so, the previous popular choice for corporate worship time, hymns, have become less prominent in some circles.
The best Southern gospel songs are among the most beloved and enduring tunes in all of gospel music. You don’t have to be religious to be affected by the power of gospel music. After all, it influenced soul and R&B music – along with rock’n’roll legends the likes of Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones – and even Bob Dylan tried his hand at writing bona fide gospel songs.
What we need in the churches is the Holy Ghost and fire. We need what the old time saints had. That old time religion. More than anything else they had a dedication to God. When they prayed you knew that God was there.
There have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
Follow our Forever Gospel playlist for more of the most uplifting music you’ll ever hear.
“Come, ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin.”
If there is one hymn that I associate with Thanksgiving, it is “Come Ye Thankful People, Come”. The poem was written in 1810 by Henry Alford. Six years later, it was set to music by George Elvey.
I guess I should mention that this hymn has been singing in my head off and on during this month of Gratitude to Our Lord of Harvest. Growing up, we sang hymns, and this one was one that was requested often. You see, in our church, we had Sundays when people would be invited to shout out the page numbers of their favorite hymns. Sometimes we sang Joy to the World on him hottest day of the summer. Sometimes, we sang the spirituals that were not in the “official” hymn book like Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Sometimes, we sang older hymns that weren’t played often, like Sweet Hour of Prayer. It was a song fest, and boy did I loved those Sundays.
If Mom wasn’t in the choir loft and Dad wasn’t fishing in his favorite “church”, I got to feel how it felt to sing in a small choir. Altos. Sopranos. Tenors. Basses. The voices of families and people who would see me grow up surrounding me as the voices of those melodious words buried themselves in my heart.
“God, our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied. Come to God’s own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest home.”
Our minister mentioned this week that everyone is pretty good about calling out their thankfulness. I agree. I’ve seen it everywhere – even on storefronts. From sportscasters to social media to schools to – gasp – politicians, but – – as our preacher reminded us – – in all this thankfulness there is something missing.
While people, in general, mention how thankful they are, these same people seldom mention TO WHOM they are expressing thanks for all these blessings. They may thank the people close to them or thank their lucky stars or thank heavens or thank goodness, but somehow – the name behind all these phrases is ignored.
“All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield, Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown.”
I think that is one of the reasons those old hymns still sing through my soul. Sometimes singing me to sleep. Sometimes waking me up. Sometimes comforting me. Sometimes dancing in joy with me. They leave no doubt TO WHOM all thankfulness should be given, and they remind me OF WHOM I need to express my thankfulness.
No cliches. No lies of omission. No slight of hand or should I say…..mouth.
It is not enough to be thankful just because it is November. The Native American and the Pilgrims did sit down to eat together. How it came to happen and what existed in the hearts of both groups of people, we can never know.
Today’s “truth” in man’s wisdom is ever fluctuating.
What we do know, from Wampanoag and Pilgrim traditions, is that there was a 3-day feast. A 3 day period of time when two very different groups of people were able to set aside their differences and break bread together. 3 days. Amazing things have been accomplished in 3 days. It all depends on the sower of seeds.
“First the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear. LORD OF THE HARVEST, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.”
My hope is that as we enter these last few days before Thanksgiving 2017, more and more people – different groups of people – will find a way to lay aside their differences and offer their thankfulness. Thankfulness not just directed to impress or influence the people around them, but as a gift – a hymn/a psalm of praise – to the One who is the source of all blessings. A true Gratitude Attitude.
A song to the LORD who provided the seed – the LORD who provides the living water and dust of the earth in which the seed grows – the LORD who multiples the seed many times over for the one who sowed it – the LORD of the Harvest who was and is and is to come. Amen.
I have absolutely no idea what to write about since there are tons of things running around in my mind that I am so thankful to have in my life. Yesterday, there was no doubt. Devotions led me deeper into the WORD, and that put it front and center.
So a list of random thankfulness that have flittered through my scattered brain tonight seems rather appropriate.
Mom’s voice waking me up this morning singing, “When the red, red robin”¦”
Off-beat Christmas music that pulls at my spirit even more than Perry Como or Nat King Cole or Andy Williams or Carpenters. (I never would have believe it was possible – but it’s true.)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”~1 Chron 16:34
Two random ladies blessing me at church with their words and thoughts.
A wise man’s words about defeating the ‘obs-tackles’ that the evil one places in our path of our God given vision for our life. (Still thinking about this one, but I need to go back and read a few chapters in Nehemiah again)
The quiet of a morning walk after church with the girls.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”~Col 4:2
An early afternoon nap while Sunday dinner cooked (I am really not cut out for early morning risings anymore).
Roast chicken, potatoes and gravy. Yum!!!!
Devotions and taking time to write a note of Thanksgiving to one of my former teachers. A teacher who was one of the ones to help me see what a teacher could be in a classroom of crazy kids with Senior-itis.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”~Ps 100:4
Hallmark, DVD’s, Christmas movies that inspire the Spirit.
Pine tree smells that can blossom in my home even without a live tree. (sniff, sniff – can’t talk Hubby into one).
A silly kitten that runs into a wall as she tries to turn the corner into her room when I am bringing her supper. (I hope she doesn’t hurt herself – I can’t afford any new vet bills)
A few teacher-preachers on TV.
God’s vision for my life.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'”~Heb 12:28-29
As I re-read these Gratitude Attitudes, I began to see a pattern of my day. A pattern that points to the vision. Still a little blurry. Still a little ways off in the distance. Time for prayer. Time for clarity. Time to kick the ‘obs-tackles’ (don’t you love a Southern accent?) to the curb. If Nehemiah could do it, so can I.
