Thursday, June 4, 2009

Tumultous Times

I recently listened a cd about being thankful. Although I am usually upbeat, even zany, this teaching convicted me. I need to be more thankful to the Lord for all we have, or don’t have! I need to wake up in the morning praising God for my health, my job, my family and my mind that works (most of the time!). I especially thank Jesus for buying me a place in Heaven, and a sweet relationship with my loving Heavenly Father.

So we don’t own our own home, we live in a parsonage—but it’s a lovely house in the country surrounded by great neighbors and few noises, apart from birdsong and cricket opera. We have no smog; we witness crimson and lavender sunsets and delight to see bunnies prance across our lawn.

So our church is comparatively small—the people love, support and pray for each other. Some even tell us how grateful they are to have Kevin pastor them. I benefit from the wisdom and kindness of the ladies in my Sunday school class and prayer group, and Kevin gets to preach every week.

Let's refuse to allow the news media to manipulate us into thinking the world is on the verge of collapse just because the economy has taken a nosedive. God is not dependent on the stock market, the government, or your paycheck to meet your needs. According to the Apostle Paul, He will supply our needs by to His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19). Believing that helps me overcome the fear of lack, because my Father’s riches will never run out!

This world will be here until He says not. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for. Let’s focus on the good in our lives, and make God smile.

7 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have a wonderful community and that God has really blessed you! It's easy to start feeling negative with all of the nay-saying in our economy today. Thanks for the reminder to look at all of the blessings, especially the bunnies and sunsets!

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  2. I am just following Jody around today and ditto-ing all her comments! :) I love that you find the blessings in the little things, though a job, a church, and friends are no small things. Thank you for that reminder!

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  3. What a sweet message, Jeannette. I, too, look for the everyday blessings. Last night I said a heartfelt thanks for my incredibly soft and comforting pillow. Some might say it's indulgent or wrong to pray for such a simple thing, but I don't.

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  4. Jeannette, today I am thankful for those who teach me. I'm thankful I have an open heart and mind to learn.
    ~ Wendy

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  5. Jen, you caught me with the parsonage. I had to think of what that was for a moment. Around here we call the pastors homes owned by the Church manses, I beleive.

    Your home sounds delightful. I love seeing wild bunnies trapse through our yard as well!
    God is very giving and does provide in abundance if we just stop to see.

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  6. Oooh, a parsonage is lovely. There is always something to be thankful for. And I'm thankful that God does that, gives us reasons to be content, if we look for them.
    Great post!

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  7. That touched me! I will give thanks all day just to make my Lord smile!

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