- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
Last
night one of my sons called. It felt good to hear his voice and to
talk with him but what I enjoyed the most was that he and his family
are looking forward to coming to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I love the holidays as they remind us of many special events.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember all that we have to be thankful
for and we have much. However, this Thanksgiving I am most happy
that my family wants to be together on this day and other special
days.
I
often forget how much my family means to me. I sometimes forget how
they have been there for me and have helped me through some difficult
moments. I also forget the many moments we have shared a laugh and
found strength in just being together. So, this thanksgiving count
your blessing and you will be SURPRISED at how blessed you are.
Last
night one of my sons called. It felt good to hear his voice and to
talk with him but what I enjoyed the most was that he and his family
are looking forward to coming to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I love the holidays as they remind us of many special events.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember all that we have to be thankful
for and we have much. However, this Thanksgiving I am most happy
that my family wants to be together on this day and other special
days.
I
often forget how much my family means to me. I sometimes forget how
they have been there for me and have helped me through some difficult
moments. I also forget the many moments we have shared a laugh and
found strength in just being together. So, this thanksgiving count
your blessing and you will be SURPRISED at how blessed you are.
Yesterday
started out as a normal Church day for me. I preached and ate lunch.
After lunch I learned that a tornado had hit Washington, Illinois.
I pastored for five years in that community. I still keep in contact
with several friends in that area. But what surprised me the most
was the one of my friends in O’Fallon has a lovely daughter and
family in Washington and their house was completely destroyed. I
know Greg and Helen. They have gone through so much in life. They
had a son born with some very serious medical issues. He is now a
growing busy young man and I rejoice in that fact.
So,
last night I spoke to Helen and Greg. They are staying at a friend’s
house. What impressed me the most was their faith. I am sure they
are in pain but they know that God will bring them through it and are
confident all will be well. I called them to see if I could help and
found out they helped me. What an amazing God we serve. I ask you
to pray for all who are today finding their lives on a different path
than they ever imagined and may we all learn from those whose faith
carries them through the many challenges of life.
Let
me share something I read recently:
True
Understanding
WE
DO NOT UNDERSTAND;
Joy…..until
we face sorrow.
Faith….until
it is tested.
Peace….until
faced with conflict.
Trust…until
we are betrayed.
Love…until
it is lost.
Hope…until confronted with doubts.
Author
unknown
This
past weekend my spouse and I went biking in Southern Illinois. We
took our time getting there and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors.
The trees were really in full color and we not only looked at them
but even took pictures. But we knew that the pictures would never be
able to convey the true beauty of the fall season. We rode our bikes
on a trail where we could experience the beauty of nature up close
and personal. What a great time is this season of the year.
Sometimes
I have trouble understanding how anyone could deny a Creator when it
seems obvious that all of this beauty and fragile existence is held
together by more than just chance. So, I like to think that the
trees are showing us God’s handiwork at its finest. I will continue
to let my mouth hang open at all the beauty of nature and let my
heart be thankful for a Creator who made it all.