Once again, I’m sending my thankfulness list, and I hope some of you will send yours also. The above quote (in the subject line) is a verse from Psalm 145:21, and it goes on to say, “ . . . and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.” The list isn’t consistently weekly, but I’ve gotten into such a habit of doing it that often through the week I become aware of things that I want to put on it. The Lord is good! “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits”. (Ps. 103:1, 2)
Last week we were in the Smoky Mountains, where we had signed up for a Gaither Family Fest. We enjoyed parts of it very much, but often the volume was just amped up too high for old folks like us. Many of the older singers are no longer with us, and some of the younger groups and singers have been using what I call “boogie” arrangements, which I don’t care for. There was a lot of audience participation, and having all of our voices from all across our nation, and some even from Canada, join together in the old hymns, was encouraging. Even with the arms lifted and waving overhead, which I’m not used to, it was still a good experience. Most notably, Bill Gaither “dedicated” the weekend to our Veterans and Servicemen who have and are fighting for freedom. We all sang “God Bless America” together lustily. I’m thankful for the experience, and the safety coming and going on the trip. We stayed in downtown Gatlinburg, so were able to walk to and from the Concert venue, and I got some walking in although we didn’t hit a single trail while we were there, and I regret that but there just wasn’t time.
One night we met some old friends, who live in Sevierville, for dinner. Joe and Nan Kitchens are former members at Grace PBC in Pearl, Mississippi (formerly Jackson Primitive Baptist Church, which is our “home” church), and we usually try to get together when we’re in the area. We enjoy very much their company and their friendship. I’m thankful that this trip we were able to be together, since we had not been able to our last trip there.
Several years ago, I came across some lyrics that Gloria Gaither had written, and which was set to the music from Jean Sibelius’s composition “Finlandia” (which is the tune we use for “Be Still, My Soul”). Gaither Resources had affixed the lyrics to a magnet, and I have had it on my refrigerator for some time. I was able to order enough of the lyric magnets to send one with each Bible reading schedule that will go out for the july readings. They arrived before we even got home, and I was thankful to have that taken care of. The lyrics are as follows:
I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother.
The law of love I gladly will obey.
I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving, too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.
Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The bread of life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Amen
On Saturday, at the Gaither Family Fest, Dr. Ravi Zacharias spoke to a very attentive group of hundreds, and as usual we learned from the Godly man. One thing that he said that just struck me forcefully . . . I already knew it, but with his usual eloquence Dr. Zacharias brought it home to the mind and heart. I can’t remember the words he used, but basically what he said was that the word that applies to each of the Ten Commandments is the word “Sacred”. God is sacred, His creation is sacred, we as his creatures are sacred . . . we have purpose, significance, security, identity. And others are included, so we don’t lie, steal, murder, and so on because it would be violating the sacredness of God’s commandments, creation, purposes for us. Although I know all this, I appreciated his bringing it before us in such a dynamic analysis. This was also a much more worshipful time, with mostly hymns and audience participation on the hymns. And a “quieter” time . . .
One other thing I’m very thankful for, although I’m running out of space and time for this list, but I wanted to mention it because I have touched on this before. My son has been continuing his search of the things of God, and because of a very gentle older Christian man that he knows he now is convinced that the KJV is the preferred translation. Actually, there’s more to be said about his search and some of his conclusions, but the most notable thing to me was the gentle kindness with which his friend convinced him of the KJV’s superiority to other translations. The friend was never didactic, rude, or petty in his analysis, and was quite knowledgeable about the facts, and therefore my son could actually see the issues involved. I may write more on this later, but must start to end this soon. Company’s comin’ . . .
I have received information from a PBC Sister in Huntsville, Alabama about some reservations for the True Woman Conference to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana in September. This conference is under the auspices of Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s Revive Our Hearts ministry. This Sister from Huntsville has reserved a block of rooms at reduced rates, and it seems that there is a group of PB Sisters who will be attending this conference. I’m looking forward to meeting some new sisters, and reuniting with some old friends during the days we will be there. Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, and distributes, a monthly pamphlet titled “Daily Reflections”, and today’s entry contained this:
”Does it really matter if we actually verbalize our thanks, as long as we’re thankful in our heart? / I believe it does matter and that thankful thoughts need to be translated into thankful words. My mind goes to many psalms that exhort us to speak words of praise to God in the presence of others. Take a look at the highlighted words in these selected verses from Psalm 145:
“One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts. . . . They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. . . . ”
“Convinced? Spoken words of praise and thanks have power to dissipate that spirit of heaviness that sometimes weighs us down and clings to us like a wet blanket. And they have power to do the same for others. Further, I believe that spoken (and sung) worship and thanks-giving can be instrumental in overcoming the lies and schemes of the Enemy. In my own life, doubt, fear, confusion, and anxiety have often been displaced and my spirit supernaturally lifted and strengthened as I have spoken words of gratitude and praise.”
Copyrighted material by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The above is what prompted me to get this list off today. Although it isn’t verbally spoken, it is my communication of thanks to the Lord for these and so many more blessings this week.
Last week we were in the Smoky Mountains, where we had signed up for a Gaither Family Fest. We enjoyed parts of it very much, but often the volume was just amped up too high for old folks like us. Many of the older singers are no longer with us, and some of the younger groups and singers have been using what I call “boogie” arrangements, which I don’t care for. There was a lot of audience participation, and having all of our voices from all across our nation, and some even from Canada, join together in the old hymns, was encouraging. Even with the arms lifted and waving overhead, which I’m not used to, it was still a good experience. Most notably, Bill Gaither “dedicated” the weekend to our Veterans and Servicemen who have and are fighting for freedom. We all sang “God Bless America” together lustily. I’m thankful for the experience, and the safety coming and going on the trip. We stayed in downtown Gatlinburg, so were able to walk to and from the Concert venue, and I got some walking in although we didn’t hit a single trail while we were there, and I regret that but there just wasn’t time.
One night we met some old friends, who live in Sevierville, for dinner. Joe and Nan Kitchens are former members at Grace PBC in Pearl, Mississippi (formerly Jackson Primitive Baptist Church, which is our “home” church), and we usually try to get together when we’re in the area. We enjoy very much their company and their friendship. I’m thankful that this trip we were able to be together, since we had not been able to our last trip there.
Several years ago, I came across some lyrics that Gloria Gaither had written, and which was set to the music from Jean Sibelius’s composition “Finlandia” (which is the tune we use for “Be Still, My Soul”). Gaither Resources had affixed the lyrics to a magnet, and I have had it on my refrigerator for some time. I was able to order enough of the lyric magnets to send one with each Bible reading schedule that will go out for the july readings. They arrived before we even got home, and I was thankful to have that taken care of. The lyrics are as follows:
I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother.
The law of love I gladly will obey.
I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving, too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.
Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The bread of life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Amen
On Saturday, at the Gaither Family Fest, Dr. Ravi Zacharias spoke to a very attentive group of hundreds, and as usual we learned from the Godly man. One thing that he said that just struck me forcefully . . . I already knew it, but with his usual eloquence Dr. Zacharias brought it home to the mind and heart. I can’t remember the words he used, but basically what he said was that the word that applies to each of the Ten Commandments is the word “Sacred”. God is sacred, His creation is sacred, we as his creatures are sacred . . . we have purpose, significance, security, identity. And others are included, so we don’t lie, steal, murder, and so on because it would be violating the sacredness of God’s commandments, creation, purposes for us. Although I know all this, I appreciated his bringing it before us in such a dynamic analysis. This was also a much more worshipful time, with mostly hymns and audience participation on the hymns. And a “quieter” time . . .
One other thing I’m very thankful for, although I’m running out of space and time for this list, but I wanted to mention it because I have touched on this before. My son has been continuing his search of the things of God, and because of a very gentle older Christian man that he knows he now is convinced that the KJV is the preferred translation. Actually, there’s more to be said about his search and some of his conclusions, but the most notable thing to me was the gentle kindness with which his friend convinced him of the KJV’s superiority to other translations. The friend was never didactic, rude, or petty in his analysis, and was quite knowledgeable about the facts, and therefore my son could actually see the issues involved. I may write more on this later, but must start to end this soon. Company’s comin’ . . .
I have received information from a PBC Sister in Huntsville, Alabama about some reservations for the True Woman Conference to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana in September. This conference is under the auspices of Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s Revive Our Hearts ministry. This Sister from Huntsville has reserved a block of rooms at reduced rates, and it seems that there is a group of PB Sisters who will be attending this conference. I’m looking forward to meeting some new sisters, and reuniting with some old friends during the days we will be there. Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, and distributes, a monthly pamphlet titled “Daily Reflections”, and today’s entry contained this:
”Does it really matter if we actually verbalize our thanks, as long as we’re thankful in our heart? / I believe it does matter and that thankful thoughts need to be translated into thankful words. My mind goes to many psalms that exhort us to speak words of praise to God in the presence of others. Take a look at the highlighted words in these selected verses from Psalm 145:
“One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts. . . . They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. . . . ”
“Convinced? Spoken words of praise and thanks have power to dissipate that spirit of heaviness that sometimes weighs us down and clings to us like a wet blanket. And they have power to do the same for others. Further, I believe that spoken (and sung) worship and thanks-giving can be instrumental in overcoming the lies and schemes of the Enemy. In my own life, doubt, fear, confusion, and anxiety have often been displaced and my spirit supernaturally lifted and strengthened as I have spoken words of gratitude and praise.”
Copyrighted material by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The above is what prompted me to get this list off today. Although it isn’t verbally spoken, it is my communication of thanks to the Lord for these and so many more blessings this week.
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