No Holiday in this Inn:

I've read through Luke 2:1-7 several times this week.  I've been looking at what some others, modern and ancient, have to say about Luke's brief account.  I can say for sure that the word "Holiday" does not belong in front of "Inn."  Beyond that questions abound:

Does kataluma  (Greek) refer to some kind of a public accomodation, to a guest room (see same word in Luke 22:11), or simply a house?  Was the young family heartlessly turned away, or warmly welcomed by relatives who graciously made room?

If they were welcomed it was a very local event--very local.  though his budget of words is limited--I actually managed to read them all in one breath--Luke uses up several of them to tell us about emperors, governors, a census, and taxes.  The powers-that-were took no notice of this momentous event.  God came to earth in human form, and remarkably His coming accommodated the affairs of state.  "The government will be on His shoulders" but not yet.  Luke makes clear, almost certainly reporting something that Mary had "treasured in her heart," that the accommodations for the new born  Savior were not plan A.  His first bed was a feeding trough for animals, "because there was no room. . . . ."

It was the beginning of a pattern.  "He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."  (Isaiah 53:3) "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him."  (John 1:11)  Later He made clear that those who follow Him should not expect to be treated any better.  (John15:20) 

Christmas is a joyous occasion, and I hate to be a downer, but for those of us who follow the Christ of Christmas, the Holiday provides a reminder that we are in territory that is held by the enemy.  

Let us not be discouraged, though, because we follow the One who overcame and overcomes.

 

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

   

With a wish for the best of Christmases,

it's Something To Think About,

from the Covington Bible Church.

Was Mary Afraid?

As a pastor I have had quite a bit of involvement with newly-weds.  When a man and a woman come togetherhaving maintained their purity--Yes, Virginia, there are such people--there is always an element of fear.  Excitement, Joy?  Definitely, but certainly a measure of fear.  The honeymoon is a time of marvelous joy, but also incredible adjustment.  One can see the wisdom of the regulation given to ancient Israel: "When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken."   (Deuteronomy 24:5)

In Mary's case something was taking place that was unique in all history.  Mary was chaste, yet was bearing a child.  The blasphemous theories and accusations about how Mary came to be pregnant that are found in the various "discovering Jesus" (as if He were lost) books and documentaries are only a shadow of what must have been circulating in Nazareth once Mary's condition had become known.

Everything associated with being a new wife.

The concerns about being a first-time mother.

The social isolation and pain.

The horribly inconvenient requirement of the trip to Bethlehem.

All that, plus, the incomprehensible truth, that had to weigh on Mary's mind,  "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God."  (Luke 1:35)

I Can't see how Mary could not have been fearful.  In that regard she modeled a virtue--one of many that we see in her--that is sorely needed in our day.  Mary refused to be controlled by emotion, rather she did what was right.  Her incredible obedience and trust are captured in her reply to Gabriel, really, it was her reply to the Lord.  "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."  (Luke 1:38)

 

Mary is likely the most sculpted and painted woman in history.  I pray that the character she exhibited would be reproduced in our hearts.  More Sunday.

 

With a wish for the best of Christmases,

it's Something To Think About,

from the Covington Bible Church.

 

I want to know more:

A couple of events, totally unrelated have been parked side by side in the parking lot of my mind.  One is the birth of Christ, the other is the tragic death of a young friend.  Why would two events, seperated by two millennia, and about as opposite as two happenings can be separated by just a white line one graypavement that passes for my brain?

Beside the fact that my friend died near Christmas, surrounding both events I can hear cries for more information.  It is said that nature abhors a vacuum.  Make a container strong enough, give it a sufficient seal, and keep little boys with screw-drivers away, and a near vacuum can be maintained in the world of nature.  It is much more difficult in the realm of ideas.  Luke 2:1-7 gives the story of Christ's birth.  In the translation I read, one-hundred-forty words.  How can such a momentous event be recorded so sparsely?  In the case of my friend's death little is known.  In Luke's case, since his primary source is the third person of Trinity, everything is known.

Why are we not told the precise location of the Messiah's birth?  

Just why was their no room?

How many shepherds came?

Were animals present?

 What song did the little drummer boy play?

Etc, etc. etc.?

One can hear the air of information, so-called, rushing in.  For hundreds of years artists, writers, preachers, Sunday School program directors, and others have filled the blanks with speculation, conjecture, culturally incorrect conclusions, and fancy.  

In the case of my friend, at least for now, I have to come to peace with the information that I have.  With the birth of my Savior I conclude that I have been given what I need to know.  The Holy Spirit's plan was not to give me a complete guide to setting up a historically accurate creche.  It is, in the words of the angel, to tell me there is "good news of great joy . . .  there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2:10-11)

 

That is enough!

 

With a wish for the best of Christmases,

it's Something To Think About,

from the Covington Bible Church.

  

 

This will be my first Christmas without my mom.  Mom made hundreds of  little angels, like the one on the left.  They are literally around the world.  I don't have any handwork for you, but on our website, covingtonbblechurch.com, you can find recordings of messages, including some recent messages on thanksgiving, and there is a lot of information about the One Who came to earth to be our Savior,covingtonbiblechurch.com.  Click on "Life's most important question."

Joseph, A Man with Wood-shavings at His Feet:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT I feel a certain kinship with Joseph.  From time to time I make things with wood.  Wood has a character of it's own.  Everyone who has worked with wood knows that pine is much softer than oak.  Since I don't know how long ago, tool makers have realized that the long, straight, strong fibers that make up the "grain" in hickory make it ideal for tool handles.  With the power tools that I From an article by Rev. Jack Barr use, I can make a cut, or drill a hole, in less than a minute that would have taken Joseph hours to accomplish.  Even with modern tools, though, one must respect the wood.  I can think of a few projects I've worked on, where I was not merely working on the wood but with it.  There is a sense of partnering with God.  God made that tree.  He created its kind.  He is the giver and sustainer of the life that allowed the seed to become the log.  The marks of falleness--the universal condition in this world-are embedded in the wood.  Drought effected the rate of growth and therefore the pattern of the grain, rot leaves its mark, and the tunnels of invading insects reminds the worker that life is not safe.  Evil is not only out there; through Adam it invaded us all.  Now it is my privilege--it's not to much to say it is my responsibility to take this which my Lord has provided and make something useful of it.  Joseph had to be a man of great patience.  A beam for the flat roof of a house had to be formed from a tree that he might cut down himself.  His handsaw was likely not as sharp as mine.  Converting round to square was accomplished by muscle and skill.  To make a yoke that is easy (pleasant or comfortable) requires that one not only consider the nature of the wood, but the needs of the one who would bear the yoke.   We often speak of reading between the lines.  In the case of Joseph, there is a lot of space between the few lines that are written about him.  I'm not sure we can fill those spaces--certainly not with the kind of authoritative words that are in the lines themselves--but it is worth some time spent thinking. On the Sunday before Christmas we'll be looking at Joseph.  I hope you'll join us, if not in person then by recording.   With a wish for the best of Christmases, it's Something To Think About, from the Covington Bible Church.

Herod's ilk lives on:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT There is a noble attempt to focus all the Christmas  energy that has erupted around us in lights and greenery, back on the real story of Christmas--the incarnation of Christ.  I am heartily in favor of the effort.  Our just completed Live Nativity at CBC is one such effort. Thirty-two years after His birth Jesus said that He had come to seek and save the Lost.  (Luke 19:10)  This morning I was reminded that both then and now  "the lost" are in abundance.  The ugly stain on the Christmas story is Herod's murder of all the little boys in Bethlehem.  Scholars argue about the numbers.  Suffice to say that Bethlehem was just a small town, but I hasten to add the death of any innocent children is a tragedy.  (Matthew 2:16-23)  Herod's murder of the innocents was totally in character.  Brother-in-laws, sons, and wives, were all victims of Herod's murderous, suspicious, jealous rage. It has been reported that Uncle Jang Song Thaek was executed for "corruption, drug use, gambling, womanizing and leading a 'dissolute and depraved life.'"  Not likely.  Somehow he found himself in the way of his beloved nephew's ambitions.      His ilk lives on. Dennis Rodman's buddy, Kim Jung Un, just had his Uncle killed.  The North Korean dictator saw some threat in Uncle Jang Song Thaek.  The Herod's, Stalins, Hitlers, Saddam Husseins,  and Uns of the world know how to deal with competition--real or imagined--eliminate it.   Because there are more of us, and because news travels farther and faster in our day than in Herod's, we hear about more evil.   Murderous leaders still plot and kill. Innocent babies are still killed for no good reason. Populations still cower in fear under the sandal, boot, or elevator shoe of cruel tyrants.   More than ever this world needs Jesus! With a wish for the best of Christmases, it's Something To Think About, from the Covington Bible Church.

The Answer is a Child:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT Alex, C. J., & McGuire are ready to play their roles in the Live Nativity.  CBC is preparing them to be World-changers! The news is full of political conflict.  The Democrat leadership in the Senate, butting heads with the Republican forces in the House has become daily news.  Add to that threatened vetoes and the periodic racket various special interests make, throw in some international posturing for good measure, and we have quite a spectacle.  What ought to really concern us, however, is what has become all too mundane in the seats of power.  Granted the scandalous does serve to give us a magnified view of what goes on everyday, but too often the titillating headlines divert our attention from--even make us calloused to--the day by day operation of government, which far too often would be seen as scandalous, if we weren't so used to it.  On a human level, I recommend integrity over over charm, and honesty over image, but looking higher, I am reminded of a promise that came to ancient Judah, at a time of corruption in the seat of power.  ". . . a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. . . . [He will] uphold it with justice and righteousness. . . ." (Isaiah 9:6-7, NASB95) Ultimately the answer is a child! With a wish for the best of Christmases, it's Something To Think About, from the Covington Bible Church.          This will be my first Christmas without my mom.  Mom made hundreds of  little angels, like the one on the left.  They are literally around the world.  I don't have any handwork for you, but on our website, covingtonbblechurch.com, you can find recordings of messages, including some recent messages on thanksgiving, and there is a lot of information about the One Who came to earth to be our Savior,covingtonbiblechurch.com.  Click on "Life's most important question."

In The Fullness of Time:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT Galatians 4:4 says when the time was full Christ came.  He didn't come before, because it was not yet, "the fullness of time."  To delay was impossible because the time was right for God the Son to take on human flesh.  God does not rush, and He is never late.  He acts when the time is right.   Out of all the things that we do at Covington Bible Church, the one event that comes nearest to involving everyone in our congregation--the nail drivers, recruiters, goat wranglers, cookie bakers, costume sewers, advertisers, organizers, cd labelers, scene setter-uppers, "go-fers," wire and light stringers, greeters, teachers, actors, hosts, and (breathe deep) many more--is the Live Nativity.  Most of the work to make the Live Nativity happen has already taken place.  Now we are waiting on the weather.  We are scheduled to have three nights of visitors at our event.  I can't remember the last time I have seen a "100% chance of rain" prediction.  That's the forecast I just saw fortomorrow night.   When does God send rain, and when does He bless little churches with totally gorgeous weather like we had for last year's Live Nativity?  I think those things happen at the same time as Christ came, in the fullness of time.   I'm not nearly arrogant or foolish enough to try to explain why God does things, when He does.  Reading the end of Romans 11 will kind of humble you that way  I do know that several conversations that I have had, including a couple with myself, have already revealed that working on the Live Nativity has been a great blessing.  We have been motivated to pray.  We have been able to offer a love-gift to our Lord.  I continue to pray that God will grant us the opportunity to share the message of the incarnation with our community.  There is absolutely a 100% chance that God will remain in control over the next seventy-two hours.  I confess, some of the conversations I have had with myself have been about trying to treat God like a Divine pop-machine--deposit my change in prayer, and demand the result I want.  The problem is, this Live Nativity is all about the coming of the One Who said "Pray like this: . . . Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  He followed that example when He prayed, ". . . nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."   Lord, I'll be honest with you.  I don't want it to rain.  I want us to be able to take guests through our Live Nativity event.  But, Lord, thank You for helping me to be honest with me.  You do things in the fullness of time.  I'm 100% sure that whatever the time is full for You to do will be best.  So even more than I want good weather, I want a good heart--a heart good enough to yield to You. Amen With a wish for the best of Christmases, it's Something To Think About from the Covington Bible Church.

Thinking About Christmas:

Last night at Prayer Meeting, our prayer list was populated by a lot of bad news--cancer, death, just plain meanness, and family breakdown.  Magnifying that view of badness was news this morning, that someone had done some minor vandalism on the set-up for our Live Nativity.  If we aren't careful the parade of the ugly will make us calloused to the pain out there in our world and the impact it has on us.  We'll just settle into the "It's always like that." syndrome.  We'll thicken our skins, keep our heads down, lock our doors, trudge on, and, worst of all, conclude that those responses--wise though they may be--constitute the answer.

  

Thinking of the Christmas story, I am reminded of a promise that came to ancient Judah, at a time when there were a lot of things wrong, and the King of Judah was trying all kinds of things to provide protection.  The Prophet Isaiah came with a message.

"Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.. . . a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. . . .  [He will] uphold it with justice and righteousness. . . ." (Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6-7)

 

Ultimately the answer to the evil in this world is a child!

 

With a wish for the best of Christmases,

it's Something To Think About

from the Covington Bible Church.

 

 

  

 

This will be my first Christmas without my mom.  Mom made hundreds of  little angels, like the one on the left.  They are literally around the world.  I don't have any handwork for you, but on our website, covingtonbblechurch.com, you can find recordings of messages, including some recent messages on thanksgiving, and there is a lot of information about the One Who came to earth to be our Savior,covingtonbiblechurch.com.  Click on "Life's most important question."

Give Me Christmas!

A friend of mine tells about the Christmas celebration in a country where he used to live.  "Give me Christmas!"  people will say.  They are requesting a bag of cookies--usually Animal Crackers, with, maybe, a few pieces of candy thrown in.

Before we get our noses out of alignment, looking down them, let's think about the typical American Christmas.  I've been listening to an online Christmas radio station for the past thirty minutes.  If I were to determine what Christmas is based on what I've heard in the last half-an-hour, I'd likely come to about the same conclusion as my friend's former neighbors.  Of course, my bag would be bigger and its contents would cost more.  Christmas is stuff, and a magical mood, both of which our retailers are glad to sell us.

 

While I was listening to the "Christmas" station I was also working on a cd that we'll give to the visitors at our Live Nativity this weekend.  It features the words of Mary Magdalene, as imagined and portrayed by Erika Daly.  In one scene as she stands before the stable and the manger, she says, "This is Christmas."

Indeed.

God has already given us Christmas.  Have you received His greatest of all gifts?

Merry Christmas!

It's STTA.

  

 

 

This will be my first Christmas without my mom.  Mom made hundreds of  little angels, like the one on the left.  They are literally around the world.  I don't have any handwork for you, but on our website, covingtonbblechurch.com, you can find recordings of messages, including some recent messages on thanksgiving, and there is a lot of information about the One Who came to earth to be our Savior,covingtonbiblechurch.com.  Click on "Life's most important question."

Beginning Christmas:

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT When I say, "Beginning Christmas," for some of us it is already too late.  You have a closet full of Christmas gifts and maybe a few scars from Black Friday.  You've already started decorating.   For those of us who wanted Thanksgiving to not be only, "Christmas the beginning," we didn't have much time this year.  For me, in particular,Thursday was Thanksgiving, and then just a few days later it was the first Sunday in December--time to be doing the Christmas music, and preaching on a Christmas theme at Covington Bible Church.  Across the top of all my plans for this week, there is a one word reminder--"CHRISTMAS." Whether you started Christmas-ing back in July, or, like me, are working to get up to Yule-speed, let me encourage you to join us for what has become for me an important, and probably favorite part of the Christmas season.  Each year the Covington Bible Church presents a Live Nativity.  You can see pictures and get the detailshere.    I'm inviting you to join us in this Christmas opportunity.  Here are some ways you can participate: Attend.  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you are invited to come to Jackson River Sport Complex, between 6:00 and 8:00, and experience the true meaning of Christmas. Participate.  A large portion of the STTA audience is the CBC family.  If you are not already plugged in to the Live Nativity, drop me a line and we'll get you involved. Pray.  Even those of you many miles away from Covington VA, can be an important part of this event.  Last year 1,000 people experienced the true meaning of Christmas with us.  Pray that this event will touch hearts. Give.  I'm not asking for money for us.  We present the Live Nativity as our gift to our community.  I hope the generosity of the CBC family in giving of their time and resources to make this event a reality, will motivate you to give through one of the agencies that is doing good work this time of year.  I'd encourage you to put your church at the top of that list. One way or another, CBC's Live Nativity is a great way to start, or continue, the Christmas Season. Merry Christmas! It's STTA.

Giving Thanks Even When I Can't See

Thanksgiving, like prayer, is rooted in God's power and sovereignty.  The last eleven verses of Psalm 107, one of the great hymns of thanks in the Old Testament, makes plain that God is in control.  He does what He wants, when He wants, how He wants to do it, and to whom He wants.  Those of us who try to put to use our mother's admonition to say, "Please," and, "Thank you,"  sometimes find ourselves expressing gratitude in situations where it really makes no sense.  The person on the "help-line" was really no help, but I say, "Thanks." anyhow.  There is no such dissonance, though, when I offer thanks to my Heavenly Father.  

Picking up on the words of James, the writer of the Doxology proclaims, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow."

When I offer thanks to God, I am not only interacting withHis all-power; I need to be aware of the fact that He is all-knowing.  That takes my thanksgiving to an entirely new level.  It is relatively easy to give thanks like the child with one eye open praying at the Thanksgiving table.  The prayer is a survey of all that is seen.  It is good to give thanks for what we see to be good, but if God is great and God is good, then even when I can't see the good in my situation I ought to offer thanks.  That is the message of Psalm 107.  For those who have turned to the Lord, even the bad times are fodder for thanks to my Lord.  He uses the hard things to compel me to seek Him.

Give thanks, certainly for what you see--it is a gift from God's bounty--but beyond that for what you don't see.  Give thanks based on your faith in Him.

It's STTA.

Read the Instructions. They Work.

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT

It's one of those times when we follow the instructions and have the great surprise of, "What-a-ya-know, it works!"    I just watched a report on an innovative probation program that the state of Hawaii is using.  "Hope Probation " was developed by Judge Steven Alm.  One of the chief differences between Hope and other probation programs is the immediacy of the consequences for violations of probation.  Typically those on probation are able "to get by with" a series of deviations from their probation requirements before their negative behavior overcomes the inertia of the system, or wears out the patience of the judge and/or probation officers.  Then they are thrown in jail for a significant length of time.  Under Alm's program violators may only be jailed for a couple of days, but the goal is to make sure it happens after--soon after--the first deviation.   Three millennia ago Solomon said,   "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil."  (Ecclesiastes 8:11)     Apparently the experiment, though it has its critics, is working.  For at least some participants in the program, the timely administration of appropriate consequences has led to an increase in accountability and personal responsibility.     I suggest that we study the manual some more.  The Creator of humans, knows how we operate.   It's STTA.   The News Hour article I watched can be seen here.

Counting Thanks:

All over the internet I find people doing a thanks a day.  I find it very encouraging to read these words of gratitude.  Reading one, recently, I was surprised to see my name in the list of that for which the writer is grateful.  One virtue of the exercise is it forces us to get past the "easy" thanks that we all too flippantly offer.  For God's people thanks needs to be offered in a way consistent with the idea that the "best things aren't things at all."  There is plenty of work to be done in the area of gratitude for food, clothing, shelter, and toys--too many of us routinely take these things for granted--but robust thanksgiving needs to go beyond the seen to matters of the heart.  A friend, for instance says, "I am thankful for the quality of friends that I have. Friends who pray for me, who encourage me, who make me laugh, who hold me when I need to cry. . . ."  A couple of people offer thanks for the neighborhoods where they live.  Another offers thanks for the beauty of creation.  Sundaywe will focus on giving thanks for God's unspeakable, indescribable gift, Jesus Christ.   

My hope is that this Thanksgiving we'll get beyond the thanks of the little kid who prayed with his eyes open--not a bad idea in itself--offering thanks for everything he saw on the table.  Let's offer thanks for what we see with the eyes of faith.  Let's put some buckle shoes and a cockel hat on Habakkuk and invite him to Thanksgiving dinner.  I'm asking him to start my meal with the words he used to finish his book.

 

'Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord! 

 I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! 

He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."

AMEN

 

I invite you to join us Sunday, 11/17, as we give thanks for God's "indescribable gift."  Our service will include communion, eucharist, which comes from the word "thanks."

 

 

 

It's STTA.

Working on Gratitude

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT   I'm working on being more thankful.  You would think by now that I'd have it down, but it seems that there are more barriers between me and true gratefulness than one might think. For one thing there are people who don't treat me right, or who I don't think treat me the way I think I so richly deserve to be treated.  For example unhelpful people who answer "help-lines," but who offer no help at all, instead wasting vast quantities of "my" time, with which I would no doubt do great things if only. . . .  That is a rather benign, self-deprecating example.  I would imagine that with very little thought you could identify people who have hurt you deeply.  Mischaracterizations are piled high onmisunderstandings, and the whole heap is sprinkled with just plain meanness. What I've been working on is to keep those kinds of things from stopping up the line through which the pure sweet water of thanksgiving flows.  We might be able to help each other.  Right now I'm trying to apply the Apostle Paul's counsel to my relationships:   ". . . 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."  Philippians 4:8    Lord, I know I can't just write people off because they have hurt me--that's hurtful in itself--but help me, Lord, to remember those who enrich my life with their generosity and kindness.  As my thanksgiving flows, I pray that I'll find grace to give thanks for those who who have treated me in ways I'm not thankful for. AMEN   BTW, I invite you to join us Sunday, 11/17, as we give thanks for God's "indescribable gift."   It's STTA.       On our website, covingtonbblechurch.com, you can find recordings of messages, including (as soon as it is posted) yesterday's message on thanksgiving from Psalm 100.     : There is lots of information about the one Who died so that we could have life at our webpage, covingtonbiblechurch.com.  Click on "Life's most important question."

Thankful for giblet gravy:

A couple of years ago I sent out an email:  "When you think of Thanksgiving, what picture comes to mind?"   One fellow answered, "Mom's turkey giblet gravy over mashed potatoes."  Giblet gravy is one of those foods that brings strong responses.  Some think that

all--I emphasize "ALL" the stuff that comes from the inside of a turkey ought to be thrown out.  Others are like my friend--pour it on!  

What hit me, though, when I read the old email was my friends next line.  "It only comes around once a year."  It is fine to have a special food that is only put on the table  once a year.  I suspect that most of our Thanksgiving tables will contain at least one such specialty.  My concern is, for many, not only does Thanksgiving come but once a year, but the giving of thanks is an annual formality.    I have been present at Thanksgiving tables where there was an awkward pause before the bounty started making its way round the table.  It was clear no one knew what to do.  If one distills the paralyzing angst the essence is:

 

I know I should give thanks,

but I don't really know how.

It seems hypocritical to offer thanks

on this day, when the rest of my days, pass 

without gratitude.

 

I'm glad to say my friend is a man of gratitude.  The level of thanksgiving in his life challenges and inspires me.  I feel confident he would join me in saying, "Don't wait for Thanksgiving to offer thanks.  Start now.  Then when you sit down at the table--whether it contains giblet gravy or not--you will be in practice.

 

BTW,

I invite you to join us Sunday, 11/17, as we give thanks for God's "indescribable gift."

 

It's STTA.