Friday, November 21, 2008

Give Thanks~


Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices
Who wondrous things hath done,
In Whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven--
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav'n adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

by Martin Rinkart, c. 1636
Devotional:
"Give thanks in all circumstances…" 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The preacher went to his pulpit and one hundred faces looked up, and in those faces the entire world was captured. As he began to speak, he smiled the smile of those who see but do not understand.

"Let us give thanks." And one hundred voices murmured, "Amen." But there was no joy in their response.

"Let us give thanks for our bodies: for legs that run, for ears that hear songs, for eyes that see beauty, for arms that hug and hands that hold."

Sadly, without a word, ten people left the service: those who were blind or deaf or crippled or paralyzed or without a limb or who lived in constant pain or with a crippling disease.

"Let us give thanks for the comforts of this world and for the rivers of wealth that have flowed on us."

And another ten left: those suffering from malnutrition, those who saw their children die of starvation and those without adequate resources to protect against the winter cold. But the preacher saw none of this.

"Let us give thanks for our wonderful minds through which we understand art and science and with which we probe the mysteries of the universe."

And several people of average intelligence blushed and a mentally impaired boy looked bewildered and a brain damaged girl stared blankly. But another ten walked to the door.

And the preacher continued thanking God for friends, for beauty and health of the worshipper’s bodies, for their correct behavior, for peace, for justice and for family.

And ten by ten they left: those who knew they were less than virtuous; those who were the victims of injustice and war, the lonely, those alienated from family.

Then the preacher looked at the congregation and saw that no one was left. "O Lord, where have they?"

"You have exalted what I never promised. When did I promise friendships, perfect health, justice and peace? Remember my servant Job. Remember my Son, Jesus."


"Then Lord, what do you give us?

"Myself."

And the preacher ran to the doorway of the church and there sitting outside, in the shadows, were the one hundred.

"Oh my friends, I have deceived you. We may have health, we may have friends, we may have justice, but all we really have is God. It was said by Job: ‘Though He slay me, yet will it trust Him.’ For this is all that is certain: God gives to us—Himself."

Reaching for each other’s hands, they all came back inside.

Once again the preacher came to the pulpit. "Let us give thanks that God himself is with us, world without end."

And one hundred voices shouted "Amen!" And there was joy in heaven!

An anonymous reading

God will never leave us or forsake us.If you have nothing left in your life but God "He is all you'll ever need. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Stay warm!

8 comments:

TO BECOME said...

A wonderful touching post, Lisa. Thank you. connie

Hope you have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND YOUR FAMILY. connie

Debbie said...

So easy to get our eyes on the blessings and not the Blesser!

Susan said...

A very good message.Have a great weekend.

Nonnas News said...

So beautiful! Thanks for sharing that!Perfect for Thanksgiving and everyday!

All My Blessings said...

I've heard this before and it still is one of those that I like. Thanx....Kae

The Tiquehunters Wife said...

To God be the Glory!
Thanks for sharing the right message Lisa! Truth matters!
A very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Blessings to You!
Claudia O.

Mississippi Songbird said...

That's a beautiful post. Thanks for posting. Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda said...

Another Great Message Lisa..
Thank you so much!
Where do you get your beautiful pictures?
Hugs