it’s all about the bird

So a turkey was strutting in the backyard this past spring and come to find out, strutting is the right description as that Tom was trying to attract females to mate with.

His head was also vivid white meaning he was flustered and excited. His 5,000 plus feathers were in full display. There he was puffing out his feathers, spreading his tail, and dragging his wings hoping to impress the ladies.

I had never seen this expression up so close. In fact, I am not sure I ever saw this type of fanfare outside of a zoo before either and then it was a peacock not a turkey.

Sure, art projects this time of year feature the male turkey with colorful feathers spread, but to see one up close and personal was quiet the sight.

I loved the fact that his head changes because of his mood.

I loved the fact that when our dog scared away the females, he went back to his dull unassuming self.

I loved the fact that God allowed me to catch a glimpse of this bird’s nature.

How creative is our God!

We have so much to be thankful for and as many sit down to a thanksgiving feast today eating turkey thinking it’s all about the bird; you can know it really is all about our creative God who dreamed up that bird for us to enjoy in nature or on the table. It is to Him we should give thanks.

If you are meeting up with relatives, neighbors, or friends today who don’t normally talk about things of the Lord, bring some turkey facts that you read above and gently introduce how awesome God is in His creativity.

Be bold and give a prayer of thanksgiving before you eat regardless if it is thanksgiving day or not. Even if out you eat, pray. Ask the server if there is anything you can pray for on their behalf. Always include thanking God for the hands that prepared the meal too.

Ask those who join for the meal to share things they are grateful for before grace is given. God will be honored as you extend your hands in gratitude and you will…

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when the focus becomes thanks instead of just being all about the bird.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Colossians 3.15)

and

“Pray about everything.” (Philippians 4.7)

the habit of giving thanks

So, for some 320 million tomorrow is Thanksgiving – yet even today many are out shopping or putting up Christmas decorations and perhaps forgetting about the thanks for tomorrow as Black Friday is already consuming the minds.

Perhaps, you won’t even pause to give thanks or take a moment to be thankful.

That meal you share, the food prepared, the life you live. There is always something to be thankful for. Find it and give thanks.

Let the habit of giving thanks be something that consumes you the whole year through not just one a particular day that is set apart for thanks.

Be thankful.

Be grateful.

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“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5.20

two are better than one

The following passage is self explanatory. Pictures enhance. Your character should conform. When you apply, you will…

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“Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4.9-12

Who has this passage made you think of?

Who can you partner with to do more for our Lord?

Who are you thankful to have in your life?

I am grateful for my spouse and these verses reminds me all we can be together.

We are stronger together.

Photos: Pixabay

why do we celebrate

It is one month until Christmas Day is upon us.

How do you celebrate?

Do you spend time traveling to see friends or family? Maybe you use the time for a well deserved vacation.

Why do we celebrate? What is it that we are celebrating? It really is not the birth of Christ, but rather His purpose for coming.

Now that is something to celebrate and be thankful for. God who dwelt among us to come to save us to die for us so we could live!

A perfect gift, the reason we celebrate, a great reason to give thanks.

Here’s some ways to give thanks*:

Sing your thanks.*

“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving…” Psalms 147.7 NIV

“Sing yourself into His presence…” Psalms 100.2 MSG

Singing your thanks is a mood lifter.

Feeling tired or cranky?

Sing to the Lord.

Don’t just listen to the song in the link but participate by singing. When we express with our hearts our thanksgiving in song, it is transformative.

Give thanks to God by praying.*

“Thank God. Pray to Him by name.” Psalms 105.1

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead, pray.” MSG

Be specific with your thanks. Don’t just say: “Thank You, Lord, for everything.” Make a list and name 10 things you are thankful for.

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/11/22/name-10-things/

Think of this, if you have children and they never give you thanks, you will love them but when appreciation is given, the relationship is that much more meaningful. It is the same way with our Heavenly Father. He enjoys our thanks and praise to His holy name so give some. Right now. I am serious. Go ahead, pause right now and say a prayer of thanks.

Give thanks to God by giving.*

“Sacrifice a thank offering to God…”.‭ Psalms‬ ‭50:14‬a HCSB‬‬

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A bumper sticker said: “Love Jesus? Tithe! Any fool can honk”

There is many ways to give back to God and not just with your checkbook. Thanks and giving actually go together. Think about it.

Although giving monetarily is important and an act of obedience, there are certainly other ways to give.

You can give of your time serving.

You can help out someone in need.

What other ideas can you think of? Please share so we all can be inspired to give more.

Another way to give thanks to God is by sharing your testimony.

“…make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted.” Isaiah‬ ‭12:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If you don’t tell your story, others may never know what God is doing and has done. What miracles (beyond salvation) have occurred in your life? Tell others.

In review, pause and give thanks to God with song and in prayer. Give especially to someone in need. And tell others of the marvelous things the Lord has done. And maybe, a great new tradition to add to your holiday gatherings is to tell these things around the table.

Please let me know how I can pray for you during this season.

*inspired from a recent sermon I heard

it is the little things

Can a water bottle bring joy? Read on to see if you agree with my resounding yes!

I always try to have a small 8 ounce recyclable water bottle when traveling.

One: Because I am absentminded and have lost too many in the past so I don’t want to travel with one I use for work.

Two: When filled, it won’t way me down

And Three: Mostly it is because that size is just so convenient. It can easily fit in a briefcase or travel bag. It can even go in a coat pocket. (And I know this is against the rules for most movie theaters bringing anything with you, but nice to have a drink for a long movie when soda is not desired.)

Recently, I was leaving for the airport right from a meeting and did not bring one with me. I was not expecting refreshments at the meeting, but low and behold there they were all lined up ready for the taking – small water bottles.

I just smiled as I helped myself to one knowing it really is the little things that can bring joy.

Our Heavenly Father is a good giver of gifts. He cares about the details and can often be seen in the details if we take the time to look or open ourselves to see His provision. It might not be in a water bottle for you, but look for ways that something small could be God reminding you He knows your preferences and desires to meet all them all.

Then, tell someone about it so they too can be inspired to look for His touch and presence in their own lives.

That is what I am hoping this blog post does for you.

That certainly is a practical way to…

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We should urge others on in the faith even in the little things.

Be faithful in little things then you will be faithful in the bigger ones too. (Paraphrased Luke 16.10)

it is not if you win or lose…

it is how you react to the win or loss.

I know the saying is “It is not if you win or lose but how you play the game.” I heard it said whoever said that probably lost. But, the sentiment goes deeper and it hinges on what your reaction is in the end.

There was a period (a long period like 3 years) we didn’t play games with our boys but made them play with themselves until they learned how to be a humble winner and a gracious loser. The youngest enjoyed rubbing it in that she got to play games with us and they couldn’t.

It was interesting to observe their reactions to that and to each other. Sometimes they would blame the other: “If only you didn’t gloat when you won.” Followed by: “If you were not such a poor loser we would be having family game night.” It sure is a learning process and the goal was for the long term lesson to stick.

“Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Sure we could have kept playing and dealt with that attitudes, but it was a life skill they needed to develop.

It was good for them to keep on trying, but a long period to learn the lesson.

Why is it that we take so long to learn some things?

We live in a fallen world.

We are human.

We are selfish.

We don’t want to be told what to do.

It is in our very nature to rebel.

It is taming that nature that takes patience, determination, and time – lots of it. In this case almost 3 years of it!

It really is not about if you win or how you play, but rather how you react to the win or loss.

Be a humble winner and a gracious loser. Give honor where and when it is due and take the loss in stride. For me, the goal of board games was to spend time together not end up in discontent.

Choose this day and purpose in your heart that the person playing the game is more important than the win or loss.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2.3

Our reactions show those closest to us if we are acting like Christ. And when we do, we will show others that we certainly desire to…

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Feelings saved are always more important than being right or in this case the win or loss. Remember, it is not if you win or lose; it is how you react to that win or loss.

Photo credit: Michał Parzuchowski Gdańsk, Poland on Unsplash app

name 10 things

Ready!

Set!

Go!

It is easy to quickly rattle off 10 things we are grateful for, but how quick can you make that list 100? It took me the better half of a week when I tried. I was able to get 50 in less than a day, but the next 50 really took time for contemplation.

This is a great practice to take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and keep mind positive. Bonus: Keep your list and on a down or blue day, take it out and read it to help focus your mind back to gratitude which in turn will bring peace. I promise. And reading the list in your own handwriting is impactful.

Need some help getting started? I see at least 10 things to be grateful for in this beautiful capture:

Health, shelter, food, drink, clothing for a start. Then, some specific things that are considered treats in third world communities: milk, eggs, nuts, bread, utensils not to mention the basket, napkins, table covering, and storage tin. What else do you see?

What do you see right now in the corner of your world?

Some of the modern conveniences in my eyesight are fans, a closet, multiple mirrors, more books then I have time to read, presents yet to be given, a mattress that has a bed frame, more than one set of sheets and blankets for that bed, and I seriously could go on and on for sometime still.

Yes, we have so much to be grateful for. Please share your list as you create it.

Encourage others to do the same also especially if someone you know is depressed, lonely, even grieving. We might not always want to look for things to be thankful for, but go ahead name 10 things right now and see what a difference it can begin to make in your heart and mind.

If still need help getting started listen to this song of thanks: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTmZKotTYw

Now do tell someone what you are thankful for – it is good for your soul, good for theirs, and definitely a way to…

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Image Credit: Ihtar on the pixabay app

what are you thankful for today?

His name is John. That’s it. That’s all I know. I feel like I know him though and I feel like he’s a real friend. You see, I see him and his coworkers nearly every day as construction roadwork is done around where I live. He’s the man near the detour warning and his job is to tell me to stop or go slow with the sign he holds up.

Most people I imagine are annoyed when they see him. But, today I’m thankful for John for keeping me safe and for his big smiles and waves.

I’m always using a different car and we’re juggling who’s going where when. So, he doesn’t always recognize who I am or the car. I even passed in a rental one time.

He just laughed when I rolled my window down to greet him. “I can’t keep up with you people” he said. I’ve carried drinks in my car, snacks, and offered to get him coffee. He always says he’s all set.

Honestly, I don’t blame him. Sure, it is a nice gesture on my behalf, but I wouldn’t trust me either if I were John.

Here’s the thing: today I am thankful for John. And not just this John that I see day in and day out. But, John of the Bible. I don’t know if John on the street knows Jesus in his heart or the John of the Bible, but I am hoping my interactions and smiles and offers of treats are being a practical way to show God’s love to a man that is cold and tired.

I know he gets paid and it is his job, but, if I can brighten up a moment in his mundane routine: Well, praise the Lord!

Who or what are you thankful for today?

Whose day can you make a little brighter?

When you and I do, we will…

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And I dare say, the world will be a little better because of our efforts.

This next week see how many things you can find to be grateful for and do tell in the comments as you might inspire someone to be thankful for something they had yet thought of and it will make your heart full and theirs. It might even change someone’s perspective.

“Give thanks with a grateful heart.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Look for something each day to be grateful for even in your daily routine.

continue…

Continue

by Maya Angelou

My wish for you

Is that you continue

Continue

To be who and how you are

To astonish a mean world

With your acts of kindness

Continue

To allow humor to lighten the burden

Of your tender heart

Continue

In a society dark with cruelty

To let the people hear the grandeur

Of God in the peals of your laughter

Continue

To let your eloquence

Elevate the people to heights

They had only imagined

Continue

To remind the people that

Each is as good as the other

And that no one is beneath

Nor above you

Continue

To remember your own young years

And look with favor upon the lost

And the least and the lonely

Continue

To put the mantel of your protection

Around the bodies of

The young and defenseless

Continue

To take the hand of the despised

And diseased and walk proudly with them

In the high street

Some might see you and

Be encouraged to do likewise

Continue

To plant a public kiss of concern

On the cheek of the sick

And the aged and infirm

And count that as a

Natural action to be expected

Continue

To let gratitude be the pillow

Upon which you kneel to

Say your nightly prayer

And let faith be the bridge

You build to overcome evil

And welcome good

Continue

To ignore no vision

Which comes to enlarge your range

And increase your spirit

Continue

To dare to love deeply

And risk everything

For the good thing

Continue

To float

Happily in the sea of infinite substance

Which set aside riches for you

Before you had a name

Continue

And by doing so

You and your work

Will be able to continue

Eternally

Yes, Maya, may we all continue to do the work the Lord has called us each to do and continue to inspire, love, give, serve, and have grateful hearts as we strive daily to…

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Continue down the path the Lord has set you on to do the work He has called you to do.

“Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives…” Deuteronomy 5.33

food for thought*

Before reading on, look for the lesson in this picture below.

The man doesn’t know that there is a snake underneath. The woman doesn’t know that there is a stone crushing the man. The woman thinks: “I am going to fall! And I can’t climb because the snake is going to bite me! Why can’t the man use a little more strength and pull me up!” The man thinks: “I am in so much pain! Yet I’m still pulling you as much as I can! Why don’t you try and climb a little harder!?”

The moral is: You can’t see the pressure the other person is under and the other person can’t see the pain you’re in. This is life, whether it’s with work, family, feelings or friends, we should try to understand each other. Learn to think differently, perhaps more clearly and communicate better. A little thought and patience goes a long way.

Everyone we meet is fighting their own battle. Be kind.

When we are, we will…

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“Be kind to one another.” Ephesians 4.32

Leave a comment to what you think the lesson is, what you saw in the picture, and if you agree with the above food for thought.

Here’s some links to previous posts about being kind: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/10/25/be-kind/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/11/15/kind-and-sweet/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/08/31/it-is-the-end-of-be-kind-to-humankind/

*Above is a well circulated reposted internet sensation. I do not know who the originator is or would give the due credit.