Revitalize Your Church

During the Great Pestilence of 1637, Martin Rinkart, age 31, found himself in a distressing situation as the only clergyperson in Eilenburg, Germany. The plague had broken out in this war torn community, and all of the other clergymen had either died or departed.   Left alone to meet the vast spiritual needs of the entire community, Rinkart officiated 4480 funerals (40-50 per day) including that of his first wife.   A severe famine followed the epidemic, and the good pastor rose to this challenge, working with town leaders to provide relief and organize assistance. He also led negotiations to secure peace with their enemies. In the darkest hours of the epidemic, young Pastor Rinkart served as a beacon of light and hope for others. It was during this time that he wrote the beloved hymn "Nun dankket alle Gott" ( Now Thank We All our God ), which is now often sung in Thanksgiving worship services around the world. Now thank we all our God, with heart and h...

Reflecting on the old Thanksgiving hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth   , I am truly grateful. . .  1) For the Beauty of the Earth Those of us living near the beautiful South Carolina mountains have a front row seat to the grandeur of God's creation.   2) For the Wonder of Each Hour Our days, hours and moments are precious.  I am grateful for each one. 3) For Thy Church  In worship (holy hands above) and service (pure sacrifice of love). . . I am grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. 4) For the Joy of Human Love    Brother, sister, parent, child --  I am thankful for each member of my beautiful family. 5) For Thyself – Best Gift Divine.  God has been my source of strength and comfort. I find that fellowship with Him is sweeter as the years go by. In my daily quiet time, He gives me the spiritual motivation and strength to face whatever comes throughout the day.

“It doesn’t have to be blue iris, it can be weeds in a vacant lot. Just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate. This isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks. A silence in which another voice may speak.”  - Mary Oliver, Praying

Thanksgiving is not a holiday -- it's an attitude! If it's just a holiday for us, then we let ourselves off the hook. "I'll celebrate Thanksgiving one day a year, and be a grouch the other 364!" Actually, Thanksgiving Day is simply a reminder of how we should live every moment.  It is a special day to celebrate what we are called to be all year long! Thanksgiving is "Thanks-living!" Did you know that thankfulness and mental health go together? Counting your blessings brings healing, inner strength and emotional well-being. Everything goes downhill with negativism and self pity. How does a person cultivate a thankful heart? 1. Go hunting for small blessings. Your life is packed with millions of small treasures! Sometimes, petty annoyances distract us from the abundance of joy. 2. Focus on what you have rather than what you wish you had. Perhaps you don't have everything you'd like -- Is this really the end of the worl...

Be thankful for the pile of dishes in the sink, because it means you had plenty to eat. Be thankful for the dog hair on the carpet, because it means you have a loyal friend who shows unconditional love.  Be thankful for the messes, because it means some living is happening in your home.  Be thankful for the difficult conversations you have with your spouse, because they mean  you have a partner who cares.  Be thankful for the annoyances at work, because they mean you have a job.  Be thankful for paperwork, because it means you have been trusted with responsibility.  Be thankful for the light bulb that needs replacing, because it means you have electricity.  Be thankful for the leaves that need raking, because it means you have beautiful trees.  Be thankful for clutter in the living room, because it means you have a family.  Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, because it means you have yard. ...

Strong winds blew down a swath of trees -- leaving jagged trunks jutting from the earth.   Driving by a few days later, we shook our heads and sadly recalled how beautiful the land used to  be.   I grumbled against the wind.   Good hearted loggers tried to clean it up a bit -- by clearing some of the windfall. Their honest efforts,  however, seemed more an invasion of nature than a healing. Their cuttings left deep scars, cold and  stark.   I drove by, shook my head, and grumbled against the loggers.   The burning followed. How the fire started is still a puzzle -- perhaps a lightening strike, an engine  spark, or a careless cigarette. Regardless of the start, it took the firefighting volunteers a full effort for  the finish. Acres of charred stubble marred the landscape.   I grumbled against the fire.   But passing time has a way of healing scarred soil and human hearts. From blackened ground, new ...

Many morning, before climbing out of bed, I repeat Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!”  I do this especially on days when there are major challenges before me. This simple little practice, is like hitting a spiritual/emotional reset button, and has  proven to be a helpful “faith lift." THIS IS THE DAY  -- It reminds me that today really counts. In fact, it’s the only day I have.  I don’t have yesterday. It’s already gone. There’s no guarantee about tomorrow. But I do have this golden opportunity called today! It’s important to treasure and make the most of it! John Wesley encourages us to “redeem the time, for that’s the stuff life is made of!” Moments are precious. Every breath we take is a special gift. This is the day to live! Some folks live in the memories of the past. Others live in the anticipation and fear of the future. But, we are called to live today! Make it count! Make it count! THE LORD HAS MADE  -- ...

An insightful post from my friend, Jim Watkins:  Top Ten Reasons to Give Thanks When You Think You Don't Have Any.

Alexander Whyte, the Scottish preacher, always began every prayer with praise. One brutally cold Sunday, his people filed into the church, wondering what the preacher could possibly find to praise God for on such a miserable day. Alexander Whyte stood, bowed his head and prayed, "O Lord, we thank Thee that it is not always like this."

"The best gift I can give to the people in my life is to find a way to live with deep contentment, confidence, and joy in my daily experience of life with God." John Ortberg

We thank Thee, Lord, for pilgrim days, Across the desert sand, For there we learned to know and praise Our Father's guiding hand. We thank Thee, Lord, for loneliness, Beneath the desert sky; For there we learned Thy ways to trace; As silent stars swept by. We thank Thee, Lord, for midnight fear, For wilderness alarm; For there we learned that Thou art near, When aught Thy saints would harm. We thank Thee, Lord, for lack of bread, For pillows made of stone; For then we were by manna fed, And slept beneath Thy throne. We thank Thee, Lord, for parching thirst, When desert wells were dry; For there we saw the fountain, Christ, That gave us full supply. --D. W. Whittle in Jonathan: And Other Poems