why do we say ‘thank you’*

Why do we say “thank you?”

Usually it’s because someone did something nice for us or gave us something we wanted. It’s a nice way to let them know we appreciate what they did!

But how often do we say “thank you” to God? God has given us so much: A family that loves us, friends to laugh with, food to eat, and bodies that run all day without us reminding the heart to beat or the lungs to breathe. Even on the bad days, there is a lot to be thankful for!

What’s one gift that you are thankful for today?

I am thankful for walks and sights in nature.

If you didn’t see yesterday’s post, check it out to see some other awesome nature captures: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/11/17/take-a-hike/

Now, read the following story about a young girl named Serah. Serah didn’t have an easy life. But even when she didn’t have much, she had a secret weapon: being grateful.

Serah is a young girl who lives in a small town in Kenya. She comes from a big family – seven brothers and sisters! They all live in a small, single room house. She loves her brothers and sisters, but with so many kids, sometimes it’s hard for her parents to buy enough food to eat, clothes to wear, or other things they need!

One day her father got sick and couldn’t go to work anymore. That meant they had even less money to buy what they needed, and it meant they couldn’t pay for Serah and her brothers and sisters to go to school anymore. This was really hard for Serah because she loves learning and wants to be a doctor when she gets older.

What was Serah’s response?

Instead of becoming angry and complaining, she kept working hard and being thankful for what she did have, like her family and her friends.

But Serah’s story wasn’t over! A few workers from a school nearby heard about Serah and her dream to be a doctor. They invited her to come to their school and continue to learn about math, science, and everything she would need to become a doctor someday. She was so excited to go back to school, get good lunches every day, and get medicine if she wasn’t feeling well.

Serah knew that God was with her, even when it was hard. Knowing this gave her the courage to be grateful and trust that He would give her what she needed. Now Serah wants to use this gift to help her family and other people.

Now she has even more to be thankful for!

What hard things happened to Serah?

How would you respond if those hard things happened to you? Or if they have happened, share how you kept positive.

How did Serah respond?

Why is it important to be thankful? What difference does it make?

Continue making a list of everything you are thankful for! Put it up so you can see it all the time and share it with others!

What’s another thing you are grateful for today?

Try the rest of this month or at least till Thanksgiving fil this sentence everyday:

Today I am grateful for…

Write out the following and

recite each morning and each night:

Give thanks in all circumstances

Having a grateful heart, looking for things to be thankful for, and reciting the above will help you not only have a more positive outlook on life and train your mind in the right direction, but you will…

be.the.church

Here is the whole verse that is above to work on memorizing: “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5.14

Another version says it this way: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 MSG

And an easy memorizing version:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV

Expounding version:

“Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 AMP

*from missions of hope international family activity guide

take a hike

Today is Take a Hike day!

Yup, it is a thing and I say something to be celebrated.

Getting out in nature can always cheer you up.

For some though, hearing the words ‘take a hike‘ might conjure up ill will. When I was young, my siblings often told me to go take a hike. It was hurtful to hear since all I craved was presence. I was also much younger so I that they didn’t want to drag around the baby of the family, but if words could have been a wee bit kinder, I am sure I would not have minded being alone as much.

“Gentle words bring life…”. Proverbs 15.4

and

“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.” Proverbs 11.17

Be careful with the words you choose to say.

So, how about today grab a snack, some water, put on some good shoes, and take a hike!

It is always better to go with a friend, so who can you call to take a hike with you? And as you go, remember to choose your words wisely seasoning them with salt and kindness.

And if you can’t get out today, plan for next weekend or one day soon. There are plenty of trails to find and explore so get out there and enjoy.

Did you know there are over 60,000 ‘official’ trail miles in the 50 United States? There is also over 1,500 different trails in Canada ranging from .6 – 250 miles, 25,000 miles of ancient Inca trails in South America, and the list can go on and on including the long trail, the Appalachian trail, the way of the gods, The Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington, the way of St.James (Camino de Santiago), and Kungsladen (Sweden). What am I missing and what is a must hike you have been on?

When you get out there and reach the mountain top, let this verse inspire you: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms 121.1-2

He will help you on that trail, He will help you on the path He has set you on, and He will help you…

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have you ever seen a cuter picture

How adorable is this guy? Have you seen a cuter picture?

When we visited Yellowstone National Park a few years back (Actually almost a decade ago now, wow how time flies!), I could have sat and watched the yellow belly marmots for hours.

Well, I literally did. I waited for the perfect picture opportunity and took it. It is now on canvas hanging up. So, I applaud this photographer for his patience and diligence in waiting to get this picture perfect shot.

We often have to wait on things to come out right.

Think of your spiritual walk, it is not instantaneous maturity. Walking and growing with the Lord takes time, but it also takes persistence and diligence on our part to continue growing.

Waiting on the Lord means you need to be still to learn to hear His voice (Psalms 46.10).

Growing in faith means you need to be diligent in reading and memorizing The Word (Psalms 119.11).

Staying connected to the body (Hebrews 10.25) and serving (Galatians 5.13) takes us all doing our part (I Corinthians 12.12-27).

Apply the above and strive to grow each day so you will live out loudly, boldly and in turn all will see you…

be.the.church

Photo credit: Dick van Duijn a Dutch photographer who took this picture in Austria. Check out his Facebook or instagram pages for more beautifully captured images. I do pray he doesn’t mind that I posted his image here. I saw it in an article like this: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7430683/Always-time-smell-flowers-youre-squirrel.html

kind and sweet

I did a lesson once about being kind then gave out KIND bars to the hearers. It got me thinking how it is good to have reminders to self regulate and bring you back to the simple place of just being kind and sweet. I suggest stocking your pantry with some KIND bars if you need to remind yourself to be kind.

The old saying: ‘you get more with sugar than salt’ is so true.

I have simply said: sugar gets you more than vinegar. In other words, being kind and sweet will take you farther than being mean and un-agreeable.

Of course, I am sure there are many more idioms* with similar wording but all with the same meaning. Not only can you persuade others by being kind but the world just needs more politeness.

So often people want to argue for argument’s sake or just have a disagreeable countenance as they come across confrontational to get their points across. Is it really necessary? Of course not! But often accepted and expected especially when people feel it is the only way to get ahead in the world.

As a society, we are moving more and more away from kindness and politeness. Many believe to get ahead you must have a brash, no nonsense attitude. I disagree.

When a conflict does arise a better approach then forcing the ‘I am right and you are wrong’ viewpoint is to let others ideas be heard. I would even go farther and say you be the last to speak. Take in all the opinions and ideas and gently reveal yours as impartial and impersonal as possible. And although it has been said: ‘oil and water don’t mix’, working together even compromising if need be, will achieve more and you might even be able to be in sync with others even if you don’t completely agree. This will breed balance and harmony within groups. I guarantee it. Sure at times some constructive criticism may be needed but being kind and sweet I believe will yield more positive results than hammering out your opposite position on any particular matter.

I have said it before and will say it again: Feelings saved are always more important than being right. And if you can yield your rights using a little sweetness, I think that will go a long way in relationship building and keeping.

The saying: ‘don’t mix oil with vinegar’ I interpret to mean that sometimes you might just need to remove yourself from disagreeable individuals or resolve to agree to disagree but all the while without being rude or demanding.

Just be kind and sweet. Checking the rudeness at the door helps too.

Benjamin Franklin said it this way: “Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.” So even if you are asking someone to do something they might not like or want to do, being kind and sweet requesting politely maybe even offering to do something in return will yield more positive results than demanding rudely.

If you approach life being nice; people may help when you need it. If you are not, why would they want to bother!

Bottom line is just as simply as the title of this entry: be kind and sweet and apply the golden rule which says: Treat others as you want to be treated. Now that is a maxim* worth following especially as it is found in the Bible –

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12

When you do, you will…

be.the.church

Look back at this post and enjoy reading some acronyms with the word kind: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/10/25/be-kind/

*a maxim motivates (example is the Bibical rule shared above but interesting to note that it is more often known as the ‘golden rule’ and although it is found in many religions and cultures in some form, it is not always connected as a command of God but rather just a way to live in harmony with others)

An idiom, on the other hand, expresses an idea that might not be fully grasped from the words used (example: “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar”)

it is time

Forgiveness is more about you than the one you are forgiving. So if you have some forgiving to do, it is time.

There is freedom in forgiveness for forgiveness equals freedom.

The solution to bitterness is forgiveness. We are to live victoriously not as a victim and it might mean to do so, we need to forgive.

Here’s a good rule of thumb as far as forgiveness is concerned: Forgive till you no longer need to forgive!

Again, let me remind you: Forgiveness is primarily for our benefit!

Live victoriously!

Forgive immeasurably.

Love as Christ first loved you.

“And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4.32 NASB

What sticks out to you in the above verse? Please take a moment to comment on that or what it is you need to do to forgive or who you have to forgive. Confessing and seeking others to pray for you and with you is a good part of the healing process of forgiving.

Also, take note of this: His forgiveness to you becomes forgiveness in you which flows out of you to other people as you…

be.the.church

If you need to forgive, it is time.

If you need help doing so, ask God to show you how and help you forgive.

Some of the above comes from material by Scope Ministries called Be Transformed

all the volumes in the world

To know Jesus and to make Him know. That is our one goal, our one mission, our one purpose, our one way we can be like minded as we let the whole world know of His love, His grace, and His sacrifice. As we talk about the many miracles He performed while here on earth, we are reminded that there are not enough books to write them all in.

Just contemplate this today: “There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.” John 21.25

What a thought.

What a picture.

What a way to…

be.the.church

simply by sharing our journey to faith with others knowing all the volumes in the world could not contain all Jesus is and did.

Photo Credit: ninocare @ pixabay

Take a close look. Not only are the books stacked all around intriguing, the door does not have a handle. It reminds me of the fact that Christ is a gentlemen and He waits for us to open the door of our hearts to let Him in. I do hope and pray you have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. If not, ask Him into your heart today. He will forgive you and is the key to eternity. Don’t delay with your decision as we never know the day or hour we will meet The Creator face to face. Be ready to meet your Maker.

be a sunflower (yearn for the light)

“Sunflowers are flowers that yearn for light. They are a nature example for us on what we should do and how we should live symbolizing health, happiness and vitality.”*

We should be reaching for The Light of the Son. He will keep us healthy, happy, and full of vitality. Our job is to seek Him.

The Word says in Jeremiah 29.13: “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

Be like the sunflower and seek the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul.

Then, worship Him knowing He is always with you and will keep The Light of His Son shining down on you.

Be a sunflower.

Be a light.

be.the.church

*saw this quote on a website selling sunflower products

what is today

After World War II, today was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. This date was chosen since the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was when the armistice with Germany in World War I was put in effect.

British Commonwealth countries now call the holiday Remembrance Day. Some countries still refer to Veterans or Remembrance Day as Armistice Day. Armistice means a truce or temporary suspension of hostilities between warring parties.

Armistice day is recognized in Belgium, St. Barts, France, French Guiana, Guam, Martinique, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Serbia, Wallis and Futuna, and Mayotte.

Today is also National Education Day in India which commemorates the birth of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was the first education minister of independent India.

Some countries celebrate their independence today as Poland, Angola, and Columbia.

There are water festivals in Cambodia, celebration of the state flag in Azerbaijan, and it is Republic Day in the Maldives. It is also a fun holiday in Japan. Origami Day celebrates the ancient craft of paper folding.

But the favored celebration in my book is called St. Martin’s Day which is recognized in some European countries like Germany and Austria. It is like American thanksgiving and reminds children and adults alike to provide for the poor.

Legend has it that Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier, once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save him from the cold. That night, he dreamt of Jesus wearing the half-cloak and saying: “Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is now baptised; he has clothed me.” Do you recall the scripture that says: …whenever you do something to the least (someone overlooked or ignored) you have done it to Me. (Matthew 25.40 paraphrase)

Martin died on November 8, 397, and was buried on November 11, 397. So, this date is not just a celebration and reminder to have compassion but serves as a memorial service each year too.

And that is what Veterans Day should prompt us to do: remember those who served and sacrificed. Any day you see a vet salute, thank, and take a moment of to walk down memory lane with them. Be grateful for the freedoms that others fought on your behalf. The greatest freedom is to be free from sin. So grateful Christ came and paid the price. Such love. Such wondrous love.

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” Winston S. Churchill

Be ready to meet your maker.

Be prepared to share the good news.

be.the.church

in action and deed.

10 ways to pray

Last Sunday was the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church.

Here are 10 ways to pray our persecuted family will:

1) Sense God’s presence

“...for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

2) Know we are praying for them

“…I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

3) Experience God’s comfort

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

4) See God open doors to evangelism

“At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison,” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

5) Boldly share the gospel

“And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness,” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

6) Mature in their faith

“We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:28-29‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

7) Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work

“After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:23-25‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

8) Remain joyful amid suffering

“Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:41‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

9) Forgive and love their persecutors

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:44‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

10) Be rooted in God’s Word

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

10 ways to pray will help you

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and pray for the church.

Thank for joining me today in prayer.

For weekly prayer updates, visit https://www.icommittopray.com

can men and women be friends

I know I will get some flack here, but I believe typically friendships with the opposite sex should not flourish. If you are married and have sets of couples you do life with – well, that is another story. But, be forewarned, don’t let a friendship with the opposite sex flourish too much unless you are in the market to get married for if you do temptation may show its ugly head.

And in my opinion, some male/female friendships should not exist. For example, a married man with a single woman or vice versa, marrieds with other marrieds doing things without spouse that is not the wife or husband, and singles you be careful too.

People think when we break up and say: “Let’s be friends” that it will actually happen. No! No! No! Not possible and should not be considered.

As in any relationship, weigh the costs and set up appropriate boundaries. Ask yourself: Is this relationship going to strengthen my relationship with God?

And for the love of Pete, just don’t put yourself in a compromising situation.

Don’t be alone with the opposite sex especially with someone not your spouse or who is married! Meet in public spaces, keep office doors open, and no private texting or emailing. Disclose temptation so you and your spouse or close confidant can battle together. Confessing and being accountable is half the battle! And whatever you do, no complaining about your spouse to another of the opposite sex! That is a big no-no!

Set up those boundaries, clearly communicate, and ask God to be in the center of each and every relationship you share with another human.

Be cautious.

Be clear.

be.the.church

by choosing God-honoring relationships.

Through this scriptural lens, consider each relationship. I Corinthians 10.23 says: “I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive.” ‭‭

Be careful with all relationships, but especially with those you have with the opposite sex.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, yes! But, friendship with the opposite sex is usually not the best of ideas as the best of intentions can end in regret.

Safeguard your life, your marriage, and all your relationships.

With God at the center of every relationship, you can’t go wrong.

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:12b‬ ‭NIV‬‬