Thank You! Happy Thanksgiving

In the winter of 1620 the Pilgrims that had settled in Plymouth were preparing to nestle in for a cold winter. In a short exchange of life and death, no muskets were fired, no natives were slain, nor had any arrows struck the new settlers. Only disease had been the killer the first winter. The Pilgrims lived on the edge of survival during the first winter after having 66 days of Wild Ocean’s rampage. Only 104 Pilgrims survived and made it to the new land including what seemed a miracle at sea. (This miracle being a new baby that was born, Oceanus.) "Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land," wrote Governor William Bradford, "they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element."

After only a short four months of being in a new world, the diseases set in. Scurvy, pneumonia, and a virulent strain of tuberculosis had slain whole families. No sympathy was given as the storm plagued the lives of the Pilgrims. Out of only 104 pilgrims, there were only six or seven people able to tend the sick and comfort those that were dying. Six died in December, then eight in January, seventeen in February. Of March, Bradford wrote, "This month thirteen of our number die ... scarce fifty remain, the living scarce able to bury the dead." Of eighteen married women, only three remained. Baby Oceanus died. April was a month of a new birth for the new settlers. It was time to put in gardens, the Indians whom they feared came to their aid. The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims where to trap eels and how to plant corn. The Pilgrims, who had pilfered Indian corn the previous December, may not have been deserving, but this unexpected help made the difference for them between survival and starvation.

Settler Edward Winslow described it in this way: "We set the last spring some twenty acres of Indian corn, and sowed some six acres of barley and peas, and according to the manner of the Indians, we manured our ground with herrings or rather shads, which we have in great abundance, and take with great ease at our doors. Our corn did prove well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and our barley indifferent good, but our peas not worth the gathering, for we feared they were too late sown, they came up very well, and blossomed, but the sun parched them in the blossom." Nevertheless, the harvest was good and the Pilgrims' food ration increased substantially. By fall, eleven houses lined the street of Plymouth Colony, seven private homes and four common buildings. The dying had stopped, and trade had begun with the Indians.

To celebrate, the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to a harvest festival. It was a three-day feast of venison, roast duck, roast goose, clams and other shellfish, corn bread, -- all enjoyed with wine newly made from grapes that grew wild in the forest. It was a feast of thanksgiving, of thankfulness to God. Edward Winslow wrote to friends in December, "Although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." The goodness of God was often on their minds. Though the Pilgrims had suffered great loss and hardship, they also were aware of God's great blessing: the produce of the land, peace with the natives, the joy of life, and homes snug for winter.

As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ""Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'' When He saw them, He said to them, "" Go and show yourselves to the priests.'' And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ""Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine where are they? "" Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?'' And He said to him, ""Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.'' Luke 17:13-19

Amazing isn’t it? Does this story remind you of anything? Read that passage again. Do you notice anything? Only one person came back and thanked Christ. Notice what Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well”. What about the other nine? They were cleansed but notice what the passage says. He was a Samaritan. Samaritans were a mixed breed of people. The Jewish community considered them low lives and minorities. They were not a pure race and yet he came and thanked Christ. Not only was his physical dilemma healed but also his faith healed him emotionally. Even though I am a Christian, too often I find myself going about my daily praying asking God for THINGS.

On the other hand, I want people to sympathize with me, so when something is going wrong, -- and when doesn't it? -- I begin to complain. Not enough money…. My Dallas Cowboys are having a bad season again… The morals of our nation are terrible…My job is not satisfying to me. Normal complaining comes all too easily to my lips when things seem not to go MY WAY. If you will notice, we seem to complain when we focus on MY WAY. When things do go MY WAY, do I stop and thank others for the things they have done in my life? I didn’t used to until God humbled me in many different areas in my life. One day, I read Colossians 2:6-7. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” One phrase stuck in my mind like being stuck in the mud. “Overflowing with thankfulness." It began to repeat itself over and over in my mind. It’s almost like singing a tune that’s stuck in your head from hearing it earlier in the day. Overflowing in some translations brings the mental picture of the Thanksgiving spilling out an abundant harvest blessing. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What is in my heart? Complaining? Selfishness? Pride? -- or Thanksgiving?”

Thanksgiving should be the mark of a Christian. Thanksgiving is an outward giving of myself and it blesses God the Father while my complaining points only back to me and feeds my pride and dissatisfaction. Thanksgiving towards God and man fits the Great Commandment like a glove, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. What better instrument than thankfulness to express love? Thanksgiving Day has always been a time of people and families coming together. The Pilgrims could have complained but they were thankful for the bountiful blessings God bestowed upon them. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5)

When you gather together for the holiday of Thanksgiving be thankful. Some do not have enough to eat. Some do not have houses. Some do not have families. The next time you take a bite of turkey, ask yourself this question: Am I being a turkey for not thanking others for what they have done for me? Life is too short! It will gobble your time away if you don’t take time to roost and to think about the blessings you have encountered.

God, Thank you for my wonderful friend, playmate, lover, and soul mate Tanya. Thank you for my wonderful children, Amber, Jon, Krista and Daniel. Thank you for my adopted mom and dad Jim and Wanda Crownover in Lubbock, Texas. Thank you for my grandmothers, Granny and Mama. Thank you for bringing me through tough times. Thank you for Jason Thornton who has helped me to see you and put you as Lord in savior of my life as I was baptized. What a life Father. It is a wonderful life. Much to be thankful. I can't wait to hug you! Amen.

So, be stuffed and overflowing with thanksgiving and be glad. Jesus died for you in order for you to live this Thanksgiving Day! Happy Thanksgiving!

A Veteran to Remember

Veteran's day preserves the historical date but also to help Americans focus on the importance of honoring those that have served our country through their patriotism and their willingness to sacrifice for America's Freedom. Every year the President of the United States urges all Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies. It is an honor after serving 8 years for the United States Army, to know America does remember those who have fought and served to protect the freedom of America. Those that have entered our life and have placed a footprint into our souls are also veterans.

Darkness overpowers the land like a blanket covering your face at night. It is totally dark and not one sound can be heard, except the heavy breathing of dying men. Nothing seems to break the hypnotic breathing that pierces your soul like the nails that have pierced the hands and feet. Sweat drops mingled in blood that falls to the ground like a slow dripping faucet. Darker clouds roll in as to cover the eyes of God from seeing the pain and misery of his son. If you were to listen intently, you can hear the rhythmic sounds blended together. Gasp and a slow outlet of airflows from the lips of a man accused of a crime and yet innocent and pure. Out of the darkness Then you hear a man's gasping voice, "Woman, behold, your son!'' John 19:26 Can you imagine the three words from a child in pain and agony as the child comes near to death?

Do we ever remember the great or small things done by others in our lives? People come and go in our lives leaving the footprints in our souls. Some we sometimes want to forget and then there are those that seem as angels we cannot forget. I wonder what went on in the mind of Simon. Combining the scriptures together the story is told: When they led Him away, and as they were coming out, they found a passer-by coming from the country of Cyrene named Simon (the father of Alexander and Rufus), whom they pressed into service and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-27). No thoughts were recorded but if you had been there, would it not be a memory to always remember?

Memories are the "Kodak" moments of life. Whether it is Veteran's day when we remember our loved ones who have fought for our freedom, or those that have come into our lives who have affected us in a special way. We must never forget those footprints left behind in our souls. Those feelings are the footprints left in our souls as we remember their presence in our lives.

We must always remember the one true veteran who was wounded for our transgressions, the one veteran who has fought the battle for us and has won! Jesus is our war veteran. He took our sins to the cross. This is the memorial we are to remember for generations to come. The great news is that the War is over and He won and through him we are made more than conquerors. Remember those who have given up their lives so we can have freedom in America but most of all; let us never forget the price that Christ paid so that we too may have freedom through Him. He is the one and true veteran that is not placed in the grave but is alive and is preparing a place for us to live with Him.

Signs---- Where's your sign?

Do you see signs? Moreover, do you pay attention to signs?Some signs are obvious. They convey information or provide direction. For example: Stop, Yield, Wrong Way, One Way, Do Not Enter, Push, Pull, or Open Here. Every public building and retail store is filled with signs posting prices, directing us to the locations of certain offices, or even just saying the name of the building.Some information or direction signs use humor, which makes the message more memorable. A grocery store sign: "Snickers, 5 for $1.00 (limit 4)". At one of our local cemeteries there’s a big sign: "DRIVE CAREFULLY- WE CAN WAIT!" I have heard of a sign posted on a repair shop's door: "We can repair anything. (Please knock hard on the door - the bell doesn't work)"

Have you ever had someone not see something so obvious that you wanted to write out a sign stating the obvious, hand it to the person, and say “Here’s your sign, you seem to need it”? Sometimes there are signs that one might over look. For example: A person might comment about how others take him or her for granted, or that if that person were not around, others would find that they miss this person. These are casual signs that could indicate a suicidal intent. If such signs are overlooked, the person “holding” the signs may take their own life.

Sometimes, there are visible signs are even overlooked. For example, a child might act out in school. It could be a sign that there is something terrible happening at home. Maybe the parents fight often, maybe a parent is an alcoholic, and maybe one of a hundred other dysfunctions is occurring. Same is with God. He provides signs, so that we can have faith. Do you see the signs in all of these examples?

He replied, "When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away. (Matthew 16:2-4)

Sometimes when one prays one wants an answer through a sign. I have prayed asking God that if such and such a thing is what He desires, would He please show me a sign. Sometimes the sign is obvious and I have my answer. Sometimes there is not an answer. Stop. Wait. There is a sign. Sometimes I do not see the sign. Sometimes I did see it, but I did not recognize it as a sign that answered my prayer. Sometimes I refuse to see the signs that I know are there, because the sign means God’s answer to my prayer is no. Sometimes, there is no sign because God hasn’t answered me yet.Where are the signs? Sometimes God desires one to develop their faith without having a sign placed in their life. One is to grow in spirit and in trusting Him and to lean upon Him for direction, not always having to see a sign.

If one is truly looking for a sign, then here is the answer: “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” (John 14:21). One must be careful when looking for the signs lest Satan uses them for his purpose. 2 Corinthians 11: No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

When one loses oneself in Christ and looks to Christ in everything, then the signs will appear, and your need for signs decreases. If one is truly in Christ, then one’s answers come through trust, through faith in Him. One then knows and trusts that things happen not in our time, but in God’s time. One stops and considers the signs around, the obvious ones and the silent ones, and trusts that God is in control. Have you read the signs in your life lately?

Serendipity------ Eureka!

Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? Job 11:7 Discover can be serendipity. SERENDIPITY (from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 3rd Edition) means: The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. We are indebted to the English author Horace Walpole for coining the word serendipity. In one of his 3,000 or more letters, and specifically in a letter of January 28, 1754, Walpole says, "This discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word."

Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained the name was part of a fairy tale title, called The Three Princes of Serendip. In the story the princes traveled, always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things, which they were not in search of from the beginning. One of the most remarkable instances of this accidental sagacity was of my Lard Shaftsbury, who happening to dine at Lord Chancellor Claredon's, found out the marriage of the Duke of York and Mrs. Hyde, by the respect with which her mother treated her at the table."

Have you noticed in your life the things taking place happen for a specific reason? Is it possible the attack on America is for serendipity to take place? Meaning for us to discover God and to pray to Him and look to Him for help. Many people were focused on material things. Taking life for granted. Some walked out of the house for the last time and didn’t tell someone they loved them or how much they mean to them in their life.

How often do we go through life walking aimlessly in our little world and don’t notice the beauty that surrounds us until something happens to awaken us. We need to be like Columbus in the effect of becoming courageous people and allowing the effects of serendipity to take place. When is the last time you have discovered God being in your life? Have you sat still for a moment or are you to busy to ignore the issues in your life? Why turn to the alcohol? Why turn to drugs? Why turn to work and allow everyday atrocities to blind the discovery of peace. It’s time to focus on the signs around us. It’s time to be still. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10.

Let us begin to discover the blessing in Christ. When one loses oneself in Christ and looks to Christ in everything, then the signs will appear, and your need for signs decreases. If one is truly in Christ, then one’s answers come through trust, through faith in Him. One then knows and trusts that things happen not in our time, but in God’s time.

One stops and considers the signs around, the obvious ones and the silent ones, and trusts that God is in control. Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Matthew 16:24-28

Let’s discover the love of God (We have come to know and have believed the love, which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16) and let’s begin a life of peace and from the serendipitous life with God, he will never let you down. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and {such} we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1

It is amazing. How do you build your faith? You have to keep discovering the paths of God. He will show you what he desires. You do not need a light to find your path for his word is His light for our path.

In the water.......

What have I learned in this past week: amazing, strengthening relationship with my Father? My Rock! My Fortress! My Salvation! My Creator! It is easy for us to develop relationships with others. What about when things go wrong? We can go to Worship and praise and pray to God with our lips. How does our heart fair when we walk out the doors of the building?

The following was taken from Matthew 14: What a day Jesus and His disciples had. John the Baptist was murdered. Jesus wanted to withdraw and it is normal for anyone who has lost family. Jesus started to withdraw until the crowds gathered around Him. I wondered what His thoughts were when He wanted to withdraw and possibly say a prayer. Yet, His compassion was on healing those who were sick.

Evening was drawing close and they were in a remote place. The disciples wanted the crowds to disperse, to get something to eat and Jesus said no. “Don’t send them away but you can feed them” He said. They replied all we have is five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took them and gave thanks and broke the bread to give to the people. This fed over 5,000 people.

While He was dismissing the crowds, Jesus sent his disciples in a boat to go to the other side. When Jesus was alone, He went onto the mountain side to pray. It would be nice to know the thoughts of His prayer. It wasn’t until the fourth watch, which is before dawn breaks that He began to walk on the water towards the disciples.

I want to take a break and bring all this into perspective. The disciples were in panic mode of excitement with the death of John. They ran to the savior to report all which was going on. Jesus wanted to withdraw. I don’t blame Him. If I loose a family member, I want to withdraw and reflect. Yet, God provides ways of not withdrawing, but reaching out to others who are in need. Sometimes, what we want is not necessarily in the game plan. Through helping others our pains tend to heal themselves. We have to take a step back out of the situation and dwell on something else.

Notice the comment that Jesus expressed to the disciples, “You feed them”. Jesus equips us with more than you can imagine. You just can’t allow stress to get in the way of what you have been blessed. The little can accomplish much. The little food did great things. The disciples gave what they had and Jesus made it work with what they had. Sometimes we begin to doubt when we only have the little and we see the stress of much to accomplish.

Finally, Jesus was left alone to pray. We have to realize, when we give, we have to replenish our souls. Often times we allow the stress to be the boss and dictate how to live. We may begin to focus on others and often forget to nourish ourselves. Jesus sent the crowds’ away and spent time in building the relationship with His Father.

Paul Harvey would say in his daily radio broadcast, “Now, the rest of the story.” Jesus came walking on the water and appeared to the disciples. You would think they would recognize the voice of Jesus. Yet, they were afraid because they thought it was a ghost. Peter being bold said, “Lord, if it is you command me to come to meet you on the water.” “Come.” Peter went and met Him, but the wind scared Peter and he began to sink. Jesus helped him up out of the water.

How does all this come to play with what I have learned this week? I must not react to situations which will take my focus off my relationship. Keep things into perspective. Focus on others and continue to help those in need. My Father is in control. To take what I have been blessed with and not to stress. My Father will take the little things and to His glory will multiply them to benefit others. If I profess faith, then I must be willing act on faith and be convicted in knowing He will allow it. I can’t allow outside forces take my focus off the relationship with my Father.

I must include others when my heart is in Gethsemane. When others pray there is a mustard strength of faith and an overwhelming peace. Be humble when problems exist and allow your Christian siblings to pray and to console you. I must build my faith. Activate my faith. Work in my faith. Proclaim my faith. Jesus will provide the rest and everything works out to the best.

No matter how bad the odds stack up against you. God does not forget who His children are. I’ve been through a lot but this time it has strengthened my faith in knowing, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Just keep the focus on Him. Don’t worry about the wind of troubles which seem to smell of terror. It is the rain of blessing which smell like He is coming. It's all water under the bridge. Think about it!