Monthly Archives: May 2014

I realize “how” we show our gratitude can be a personal matter, but permit me to suggest some basic disciplines that can benefit us all.  I hope you find them helpful. Serve the needy. Benevolence toward others who are struggling … Continue reading →

The Habit of Gratitude  If counting our blessings helps us concentrate on God’s goodness, we can assume our entire outlook on life is subject to transformation.  This doesn’t mean listing our blessings, or some other activity,  will instantly alter our personalities.  There … Continue reading →

In noting the role people, timing and material blessings play in our lives, I realize I run the risk of overlooking some obvious reasons for thanksgiving.  We praise God for all kinds of answered prayers, including those offered for health, … Continue reading →

The third category of material blessings might seem ill-advised, since we know all of our possessions will ultimately come to nothing.  However, God has placed us in a material world and given us the ability to fashion our resources in … Continue reading →

We should also feel blessed by God’s timing.  I realize it is God’s timing that most often trips us up on our journey, since it is easier to accept a plan if it unfolds as expected.  But in our better … Continue reading →

Who are the people who have been a blessing in your life?  Are they family members, co-workers or childhood friends?  Have you found the strong sense of community God designed into His church?  This one thing I know: I could not … Continue reading →

Just recently a young boy in the congregation I serve had surgery for a burst appendix.  Although his ordeal was painful and frightening, it was also cause for great thanksgiving.  His loving parents recognized his symptoms and rushed him to … Continue reading →

Count Your Blessings As a kid, one of my favorite church hymns was “Count Your Blessings.”  We only sang hymns in worship, and this one had some pep along with a catchy phrase, “Name them one by one.”  Since that … Continue reading →

From yesterday – If there is any truth to this perception, then the key to increasing our praise for God is to become more invested in life’s simple blessings, and show care not to take them for granted.  “Let everything … Continue reading →

Perspective and Celebration We are emotional people, and at the risk of commenting on a science in which I have no formal training, I think our celebratory behavior might have a physiological angle.  It seems to me both our tears … Continue reading →