Thanksgiving...

The words of the Psalmist are so compelling. Enjoy and...a Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours.

O give thanks unto the Lord... it is a good thing to give thanks...and sing praises unto His name.

For:

He is good!
His mercy endures forever.
He is Holy.
His wondrous deeds among the people.
He delivers.
He gives.
He forgives.
He hears us!
He knows us.
He leads us.
He loves us.
He teaches us.
He saves us.
He cares for us.
He heals us.
He's coming again!!
He gives us the victory.
He causes us to triumph in Christ.
All things.

Father, thanks for the riches we know because of your Indescribable Gift. Thanks for this season where we can especially focus on Thanksgiving and remember your mercies to us all. Would you cause our lives to be characterized by thankfulness, a gratitude attitude, more and more and not just in November but every day of the year. For the Apostle Paul has said, "...Rooted and built up in Him...established, we are to abound therein with thanksgiving...giving thanks in all things, continually offering the sacrifice of praise...giving thanks to His name...."

You, Sir, are generous, we are rich and we are...

Amazed...Amen....

Love you all,

Mitch

Forgiveness

Last Sunday's message on Relationships focused a good bit on forgiving others...a difficult, yet essential step to maintain healthy connections with the people in our lives. I leave with you thoughts by Henri Nouwen on this topic.

We are all wounded people. Who wounds us? Often those whom we love and those who love us. When we feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated, or violated, it is mostly by those very close to us: our parents, our friends, our spouses, our lovers, our children, our neighbors, our teachers, our pastors. Those who love us wound us too. That's the tragedy of our lives. This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult. It is precisely our hearts that are wounded. We cry out, "You, who I expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me. How can I ever forgive you for that?"

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the name of Jesus you are forgiven."

So forgiveness means that I am continually willing to forgive the other person for...not fulfilling all my needs or satisfying me in some way. Understanding that our human companions and associates are limited and cannot fulfill my needs is helpful. Actually, that is God's job and many times we project that task onto others. Knowing that I am limited and cannot meet the needs of others helps me to be gracious toward them when they fail me, knowing that I'm just like them. It also compels us to turn more fully to God, the One who has promised to meet all of our needs. Humans cannot offer us what only God can give.

...So let's exercise this great spiritual weapon against the Evil One. For as long as we remain victims of anger and resentment, the power of darkness can continue to divide us and tempt us with endless power games. When we forgive those who threaten our lives, they lose their power over us...and we who have loved poorly will find new beginnings in our relationships and come to understand more and more that forgiveness is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak...the abundance of love which has been freely given to us and from which we freely want to give. Adapted

Indebted,

Mitch

Praise - Session 4 - An Imperative

The Scriptures clearly tell us the importance of praise, so important, that it repeatedly commands us to do so. Mankind is the apex of God's creative activity and above all the works of creation, we have the ability to do it best.

This command does not say, "praise if" things go well, or if you feel like it. The command is not conditional or needing prerequisite. It says: "Praise ye the Lord!" Let me leave with you a few of the verses that make certain that this privilege is an imperative and not an elective. And as you obey in it, may He gloriously bless and work His work in you.

Praise ye the Lord! O give thanks to His name.
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness...and wonderful works...for
who can utter...and show forth all of His praise? (In other words...is there any way
one could possibly overdo it?)
Yes, let them (us humans) exalt Him in the congregation and in the assembly of the elders.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be
praised!
All ye servants of the Lord, praise His name...bless Him from this time forth and forever...
...For He is good and singing praises is pleasant.
Praise Him for He alone is excellent and His glory is above the earth...
...The Lord takes pleasure in His people...
...A chosen generation...a priesthood, a holy nation, a unique people that should
show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkenss and into His
marvelous light!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Praise...Session 3

Praise is essentially the acknowledging of God's virtues, qualities and attributes that He uniquely possesses. The names of God reveal aspects of His person and personality and a knowledge and understanding of His names not only helps us know Him better, but provides a broader vocabulary for those who would praise Him more, and more effectively. Consider the following covenant names of God linked to your reading of Psalm 103.

Jehovah - The Self-Exixtent One Who Reveals Himself
I am the Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, says the
Lord - Rev. 1:8

Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Who Sanctifies
Bless the Lord, O my soul who pardons all your iniquities;

Jehovah Rophe - The Lord Who Heals
...Who heals all your diseases;

Jehovah Nissi - The Lord Our Banner, Our victory
...Who redeems your life from the pit;

Jehovah Shalom - The Lord Our Peace
...Who crowns your life with lovingkindness and compassion;

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Our Provider
...Who satisfies your years with good things;

Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness
...Who performs righteous deeds;

Jehovah Rohi - The Lord Our Shepherd
...Who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
lovingkindness;

Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Is Present
...Whose dominion is in all places.

Psalm 103

Selah...

Mitch