Countin' Blessings...

When upon life's billows, you are tempest tossed

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost

Count your many blessings name them one by one'

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your blessings see what God has done

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your many blessings See what God has done

Are you ever burdened with a load of care

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear

Count your many blessings every doubt will fly

And you will be singing as the days go by

Wednesday I was blessed to take 40 minutes out of my workday at the church office to share in our church's monthly service at one of our local nursing homes. Since it was the day before Thanksgiving I thought it appropriate to share some thoughts I had been personally processing in regards to the holiday at hand.

We sang the song, "Count Your Blessings". The residents all seemed to know that old favorite and sang and whistled along to the best of their abilities. It's a song that for me brings warm memories of my growing up years back in our small church in Michigan. I loved singing that song because of the fun melody, the lighthearted rhythm, and the 4 part harmony that was such a rich part of my heritage.

But even as a child, the concept of 'counting my blessings' was one that I could grasp and consider, even when at times things in my childish world did not always seem just or fair. I knew that in spite of it all, I had many blessings that I could literally think about and 'count'. And even as a child I knew that this honored God.

Now as an adult, those words still challenge me to right thinking. Philippians 4:4-9 speaks about these things:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

We are admonished to cultivate right thinking or Thankfulness by this passage. Cultivating implies working. Randy has finished his fall tillage or cultivation of the soil. He does that to prepare the soil to be able to receive the seed in the spring and for optimal growth to happen. So, too, we can cultivate our hearts by such a simple exercise as counting our blessings...no matter what.

Later in the same chapter the Apostle Paul speaks from his own personal experience in Philippians 4:11-12:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

We are to learn contentment. Learning is a choice, just as cultivating our hearts is a choice...not the natural way we tend to operate. So, just as I shared the above thoughts with the dear folks at the nursing home Wednesday, I continue to consider them for myself and seek to commit to cultivating a heart that gives thanks in the midst of trials and is learning contentment with the help of God's Spirit speaking these truths into my heart and mind.

Thanksgiving here was blessed. Food abounded and fellowship with family was sweet. We do have much to give thanks for in a world that is full of trouble and trials. God is still in control..our HOPE rests in Him.

Be Still

The glory of the Autumn leaves comes upon us quietly, gradually, but with splendor and beauty that is unequaled in its ability to take our breath away with awe. Friday I was able to have a brief moment in time to drink deeply of the fall specter of the changing and falling leaves in the midst of a too full schedule.

I was traveling home from presenting my first MMA assembly in Eastern Indiana (near Cincinnati OH) early Friday afternoon. Since Randy & Steve were still harvesting the crops I was enlisted to go and show the assembly for a wonderful Middle School. The MMA shows are loud, compelling and non-stop action and narration which grabs the attention of young people through their music, movies and language. That is wonderful and great as clearly the students responded by applauding, laughing, singing along, and then becoming silent during the emotionally charged parts of the show.

As I left the school, however, my soul longed for quiet. There was much to process, much to think about and much to pray about. The sun seemed to illuminate a deep and glorious beauty everywhere I looked as I drove on the Indiana interstate. I had a thought...why not truly enjoy the beauty of the day, and not drive by at 70 MPH (yes, that's the speed limit in IN on some stretches of I74). I set the GPS for Shades State Park which was on my way home.

The last time we had been at Shades State Park was October 1991. Steve & Greg were 6 years old. We spent a weekend hiking at Shades and Turkey Run Park as well as checking out the Covered Bridges that pepper the region. It was special that I was able to go back Friday, soak up the beauty of the leaves, and spend much time in quiet reflective meditation and prayer. The afternoon was not about conquering 3 trails, or taking prize winning photos (I did not have my camera). The afternoon was instead a very precious gift from God's hand to my very soul. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

The day began loudly and exuberantly with the MMA assembly, VOICES, but the afternoon was a soothing symphony of God's majestic, artistic touch in a small corner of IN. I was renewed and refreshed spiritually by my detour. I savored my time alone with my Lord and again acknowledged that He alone is sovereign in all things...even in decreeing the number of days He has ordained in advance for each one of His own. I rested also in the fact that some day He indeed will be exalted among the nations. That truth enlarges my perspective, especially in light of the upcoming election Tuesday.

So, 'Be Still...' enjoy the sunshine, celebrate the change of seasons, and know that God is indeed GOD.