Thanksgiving

Hello, November

/ Gail Johnson / 22 Comments

November is a sense-ational month. Every morning the world takes on a new look, sound, smell, or feel.

In my world, gold, orange, and crimson paint the landscape. Now mind you, I have to search for it. 😊 Distant sounds are louder due to the falling leaves. Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves fill the air.  And soft fleece blankets are my new companions.

This month is also a time of harvests, homecomings, and Thanksgiving. A time to spend with family and friends. It is also a time to give thanks for our bountiful blessings whether our baskets are brimming or lacking earthly treasures. The truth is we are blessed if we have Christ.

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered (Romans 4:7 KJV).

Blessed is a reason to give thanks. Don’t you think?

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103: 2-5 KJV).

Without giving it much thought, what benefits come to mind when reading Psalm 103? How many can you add after thinking about it?

Why not take a moment and count your blessings as Johnson Oatman Jr. encouraged folks to do in 1897?

Count Your 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 hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897 Public Domain

Photos courtesy of Tama66 (Pixabay), jplenio (Pixabay), Ragabz (Pixabay), and LenaKivak(Pexels)

Let the People Rejoice!

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Psalm 147:1-20

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 
He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 
He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Rejoicing and Reflection

According to The Pulpit Commentary and F. B. Myer’s Through the Bible Day by Day, this psalm was written in Nehemiah’s day for the dedication of the wall. When I read Psalm 147, I hear rejoicing and reflection as the writer remembers all that God has done and is doing, still.

Those acquainted with the story know the heartaches, delays, and challenges they faced while rebuilding the wall. At one point, they had to work with a sword in their hand!

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows (Nehemiah 4:13).

BUT GOD…

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days (Nehemiah 6:15).

Jacob’s children did not allow their circumstances to dictate their lives. They fought and worked until the job was finished. They gave thanks and rejoiced for the great things He had done. So should we!

Giving Thanks

I awoke with praise on my lips and the following chorus playing in my heart. I had to laugh because I’m not a fan of the music. Curiosity sent me to my hymn book for the verses. After reading the song, I searched for a video containing the words to share with you. I hope it puts joy in your heart too!

I love that Crosby took the focus off the singer and placed it on the One worthy of all praise and glory.

To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
Let the earth hear His voice! 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
Let the people rejoice! 
O come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son, 
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done. 
Words by Fannie J. Crosby. Music by William H. Doane

Give Thanks

/ Gail Johnson / 13 Comments

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV).

When giving thanks for blessings this week, let us be thankful for one another.

I am thankful for you, dear reader. Praying you have a happy Thanksgiving!