Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.
From Matthew 4:8-10: “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””
This poem was originally posted in November, 2018. The text was revised and republished one year later. The verses capture my own memories of Thanksgiving during my youth when my extended family gathered at my maternal grandmother’s house. Blessings to all!
Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com
Remembering annual family gatherings from years past
Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last
Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far
Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars
Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground
Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around
Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal
Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal
Catching up on life from several corners of the state
Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date
Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house
Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!
Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats
Tasting each will make today an awesome feast
Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care
Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there
Providing for extra places to eat in the living room
Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon
Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done
Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun
Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes
Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes
Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies
Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!
Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football
Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”
Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives
Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive
Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love
Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above
Thanksgiving is thanks living.
From Psalm 107:21: “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind.”
From Luke 23:44-46: “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed his last.”
Darkness surrounds solemn ground
Bloodied cross witnesses death
Son of Man’s reign ending now
His journey, now out of breath
Heartless enemy praises
Night sky covers grave of death
Disciples fleeing . . . hiding
But grace, never out of breath
Son of God shall rise, be seen
Morning light erases death
Praising over vacant tomb
Alleluia fills each breath
Called to march with our Savior
Love forever conquers death
Crown beloved Christ, our King
Mercy’s everlasting breath
From Matthew 28:5-6: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.'”
We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him.
From John 16:29-31: “His disciples said, ‘Yes, now You are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that You know all things and do not need to have anyone question You; by this we believe that You came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?'”
Deepest emotions
Hidden in life’s tallest grass—
Embrace heartfelt love
Asked to explain love
Filled with honest reflections—
Sharing sweetest thoughts
Marriage joins as one
Love’s odyssey of blessings—
Always one more dance
Everything we do, then, as teachers, has moral overtones.
It still amazes me that we insist on teaching algebra to all students when only about 20 percent will ever us it and fail to teach anything about parenting when the vast majority of our students will become parents.
Nel Noddings (1929-2022) was an American educator and philosopher. Her teaching career included 17 years as an elementary and high school teacher along with serving in administrative positions. Before retiring in 1998, her career moved into teaching and administrative positions at Stanford, Columbia, and Colgate universities.
Dear Lord
Make me a man
Of fervent prayer
God’s Holy Word
Commands me to pray
Without ceasing
Encourage me
To bring everything
To you my Lord
When discouraged
Let me pray
You are my refuge
When joyful
Let me offer
Prayers of thanksgiving
In all things
Great and small
At all times
Whether happy or sad
Let me seek
Your wisdom and grace
Amen
Today, may God bring you the courage to ask him for guidance. Ask Him to lead you to a “right” place.
Originally published on June, 2019.
It is not by accident, I believe, that the Bible opens with the thunderous acclaim: “In the beginning God.” I tell you with all the conviction of which I am capable: If God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus.
From Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) was a Welsh-born Christian minister and author. One of his best known works was the daily devotional EVERY DAY WITH JESUS.
From Psalm 98:1: “O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have gotten Him victory.”
Praising God in Heaven
Faith’s new song
Singing of His goodness
Always strong
Revealing steadfast love
Mercy rings
Sharing faith’s victory
Christ, our King
Marking each joyful note
Faith sings out
Resounding with trumpets
Grace shall shout
Hearing all oceans roar
Faith claps hands
Coming of our Savior
As God planned
Breathing with His delight
Spirit sings
Shepherding every lamb
Faith’s wellspring
From Psalm 98:3: “He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.”
Big Sky Buckeye 