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Thank Ahead

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Promises, God's Provision, Hope, Patience, Perseverance, Praise, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, Worry, Worship, tagged , , , , , , on August 20, 2026| 39 Comments »

No, that’s not a typo in the title, although I can see why you’d think so. We’re much more accustomed to the reminder, “think ahead.”

But recently I came across that title-phrase in Debora M. Coty’s book, Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate [1].

She suggests we turn hindsight—for all God’s previous provision, guidance, and blessing—into foresight and trust his care for us in the future, to thank him ahead of time for what he’s going to do (pp. 115-116).

A doubter might say, “That seems a bit presumptuous. Everybody knows God doesn’t always give us what we want. Thanking him ahead of time for what we may not receive doesn’t make much sense.”

Our doubter is partially right: God doesn’t cater to our every desire, no matter how fervently we pray. But that’s a good thing. Surely all of us can think of a deeply held desire that seemed within God’s will, and we repeatedly asked him to supply it, only to be disappointed.

We’d do well to remember what Puritan minister John Flavel wrote long ago:

We might begin to thank ahead by expressing gratitude for such blessings as deeper confidence in God as we cling to him in trust, greater strength of character that’s growing within, and important life-lessons learned as we wait [2].

But that’s not all.

To thank ahead is a step of faith in what we know.

For example: God turns all things to good for those who love him. We may not see what that good is until we get to heaven, but we know our perfect God always works things out perfectly, in his perfect timing [3].

To thank ahead prepares the heart for what God will do.

Let’s say we need a new car. It would be quite impudent to expect a new Corvette ZR1X and thank God for it ahead of time. But we can be grateful he’ll supply our need of transportation and give us the patience to wait, if necessary, until his chosen moment for provision [4].

To thank ahead turns our minds from worthless worry to uplifting truth.

Why is it our minds love to whirl around anxious thoughts? The act of faith-fueled gratitude shifts our focus from our concerns and problems to God’s attributes and promises.

Psalm 145:7-8 offers a list of attributes to get us started:

Let’s celebrate, not agitate!

Many of you know of George Mueller . . .

. . . who built and superintended orphanages in Bristol, England during the 1800s. Over the sixty years of his ministry, thousands of children received loving care within those facilities and learned about Jesus.

Muller was known for his devotion to prayer. He never asked for funding or borrowed to meet expenses.

One morning there was nothing to feed the children. George instructed the housemother to seat the children in the dining room as usual. He then thanked God for the food–and waited. George knew God would not let the children go hungry.

Soon a baker appeared at the door. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he explained. “And somehow I knew you’d need bread this morning. So I got up and baked three batches for you. I’ll bring it in!”

Minutes later a milkman knocked at the door. “My cart has broken down here on your street, Mr. Mueller. It’ll spoil by the time we get the wheel fixed. Could you use some free milk?”

And the ten cans of milk provided just enough for the 300 children.[5]

Notice: In this case, George did nothing to solve the problem. He simply trusted and waited.

George knew:

By thanking ahead, we’ll grow such unwavering trust in our own hearts.

[1] Another thrift store find, published by Barbour, 2013.

[2] Hebrews 12:11

[3] Romans 8:28; Ecclesiastes 3:11

[4] Philippians 4:19; Lamentations 3:25

[5] https://www.georgemuller.org/devotional/a-famous-story-about-mullers-faith).

Image credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.canva.com (3); http://www.flickr.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net.

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Food for Thought This Independence Day

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Faith, Generosity, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, Independence Day, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on July 2, 2026| 34 Comments »

Ask a number of people what we celebrate on July 4th, and many will surely mention FREEDOM or LIBERTY.

Rightly so.

They’ll likely agree with Rev. Robert J. McCracken (1904-1973) who wrote:

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.

–Rev. Robert J. McCracken (1904-1973)

But, we need to remember, with FREEDOM comes responsibility.

Freedom is like a coin. It has the word privilege on one side and responsibility on the other. It does not have privilege on both sides. There are too many today who want everything involved in privilege but refuse to accept anything that approaches the sense of responsibility.

–Joseph R. Sizoo (1884-1966), pastor and professor at George Washington University

And former chaplain for the U. S. Senate, Peter Marshall, (1902-1949) would have us understand:

Even though Christianity is not as prevalent in our society as it once was, most Americans have a sense of what’s right, naming these qualities as important to them: respect, trustworthiness, kindness, integrity, and fairness [1].

Would some be surprised to know all of those qualities are set forth in the New Testament? In fact, since the founding of our nation in 1776, FAITH in God and respect for his commandments has provided a strong foundation for our nation’s ideals.

The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.

—Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States

Imagine a country where most people couldn’t be trusted, kindness was rare, and hardly anyone treated others with integrity and fairness. Such circumstances would severely limit “the pursuit of happiness,” and the opportunity for prosperity.

Now consider America, where most of us (!) show respect to others most of the time. We can be trusted to stop at red lights, for example, and stay on the right side of the road. (If you’ve visited a third-world country, you’ve likely witnessed disrespectful driving.)

In America, it’s not unusual for strangers to kindly help someone in trouble. And we’re still among the most generous nations in the world [2], with our time and resources.

Volunteers help with clean-up after a tornado

In America, most of us pay our taxes, because it’s the right thing to do. And in America, most jury-members seek fair decisions in the cases they hear.

Yes, America has its flaws and problems, but she’s still a great place to live. Just ask the enthusiastic Europeans visiting here for the World Cup!

America is worthy of our PATRITOSIM.

Patriotism is not about blind loyalty, but about recognizing the greatness and potential of your country.

–Charlie Kirk

As for the flaws and problems, it’s been asserted that Christianity is part of the solution to our difficulties—by a man well-known for his wisdom and discernment:

As Lincoln walked the streets of Richmond (the capital of the Confederacy) shortly after it was captured by Union troops, a slave ran to meet him and fell to his knees before the president.

“Don’t kneel to me,” Lincoln responded. “Kneel to God only, and thank Him for the liberty you will enjoy hereafter” [3].

We’d do well to do the same, and to pray for God’s holy protection of our nation.

“Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;

And this be our motto: In God is our trust.”

(Francis Scott Key, from the fourth verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner”)

[1]  https://news.gallup.com/poll/691964/family-top-value-americans.aspx_, April 2025.

[2] https://johnsoncitypress.com/news/73107/americans-are-the-most-generous-people-on-earth/

[3] https://www.deseret.com/2015/5/4/20563998/lincoln-saved-a-nation-but-deflected-credit-to-a-greater-power/

Image credits: http://www.printerval.com (Letitia Grasshopper); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.picryl.com (George Armstrong); http://www.pickpik.com.

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How to Jump-Start Your Joy

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Provision, God's Salvation, Joy, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on June 25, 2026| 34 Comments »

Most of you who read this blog accept the Bible as truth. You’ve considered the evidence, including:

  • thousands of archaeological discoveries, giving evidence of the people, places, and ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible. Nothing has been found to disprove scripture.
  • such ancient manuscripts as the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating back to 150 BC to 68 AD, that include at least excerpts from every Old Testament book except Esther.

These factors and others support your Christian faith. As a result, you’ve accepted the reality of such scripture as John 3:16:

You’ve believed in Jesus and accepted him into your life. You love him for what he’s done for you and continues to do, including forgiving your sins, encouraging your spirit, granting peace of mind, as well as providing the gift-of-all-gifts, eternal life.

Yet sometimes the joy Jesus promised (John 15:11) seems elusive.

Perhaps you’re overworked and underpaid by your employer. Tension within the extended family causes constant stress, or your teenager argues against every boundary like a relentless, prosecuting attorney.

Each of us needs to jump-start our joy some days—to defy the discouraging circumstances we face.

But how do we do that? Three simple actions can begin the turn from upset to uplift.

You’re no doubt familiar with them, but:

See if these three actions seem good to you:

REFLECT ON GOD’S GOODNESS

Joy starts to percolate when we identify the gifts and favors God continually bestows, as a result of his holy character. For example, we might see:

  • His devoted care (Psalm 145:20a), expressed through the compassion and support of family and/or friends
  • His undying hope, as the sun breaks through thick clouds, reminding us that he specializes in turning darkness into light (2 Samuel 22:29)
  • His loving attentiveness (Psalm 34:15), in the kindness of a stranger who “pays it forward” at the coffee-shop drive-thru
  • His incomparable strength (Psalm 27:14 ISV), enabling us to wait with faith for his perfect plan to unfold
  • His tender encouragement, often bestowed through such scriptures as Psalm 118:6a; 7a:

REST IN GOD’S PROMISES

Perhaps like me, God has led you to a perfect Bible promise during a season of challenge.

I remember fighting heavy fatigue when our third baby seemed perfectly content with intermittent power naps–even at night. The promise of Isaiah 40:29 became especially meaningful: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

However, God didn’t infuse me with miraculous energy. Neither did our youngest begin sleeping from sunset to sunrise.

God’s way was to give me just enough strength for each day. His promise held, and in the process I learned deeper reliance on him and greater perseverance.

REJOICE IN HIS BLESSINGS

Spurgeon’s statement above raises the question, how many blessings do you suppose we’ve missed because we’re distracted by our dilemmas?

Author John Eldredge would have us “drink in beauty wherever we can get it—in music, in nature, in art, in a great meal shared. These are all gifts to us from God’s generous heart. Friends, those things are not decorations to a life, they bring us life” (from Wild at Heart).

So drink in the blessing of that worship song, that majestic tree, that inspired painting, those delightful moments at the family dinner table, chattering and laughing together.

These represent just a smattering of gifts that God bestows every day, demonstrating his goodness which he promised long ago:

And by reflecting on that goodness, resting in such promises, and rejoicing in God’s blessings, we can surely energize our spirits and jump-start our joy!

What joy-starters work for you? Please share in the comment section below!

(Image credits: http://www.worldhisotry.org (Keven Eng); http://www.canva.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (Paul Morris).

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Choosing to Remember

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, Hope, Meditation, Obedience, Peace, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on May 28, 2026| 46 Comments »

Mom, Dad, and great-granddaughter, about 2011

As he got older, my dad would occasionally quip, “My memory is so good I can remember things that didn’t even happen!”

Actually, Dad remembered accurately many past events, numerous jokes, a plethora of interesting trivia, and an impressive amount of Bible knowledge—well into old age.

Some years ago I happened to recall a fun song from my childhood, but a few lines of lyrics had escaped my memory. Dad was in his upper-eighties by this time, but I asked anyway.

“Do you happen to remember the lyrics to “Cheer Up, Cheer Up?”

He remembered them perfectly, and we enjoyed reminiscing about the Scottish pastor who’d taught us to sing the chorus with a Scottish accent.

Delightful memories are one of the joys of getting older.

In fact:

But God designed our memory-capacity for more than just enjoyment. He had in mind important purpose as we use this ability to foster our relationship with him.

For example:

Remembering God’s interventions contributes to our hope.

Looking back over our lives, we all can remember how God has brought us through challenging times, miraculously supplied urgent needs, and guided us in difficult decisions.

As a result, we can affirm: if he took care of those situations then, he can certainly take care of this situation now. And we find hope beginning to bloom.

Remembering God’s mighty deeds bolsters our faith.

Like the psalmist Asaph wrote: “I will ponder all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” (Psalm 77:12-13).

Remembering is a form of worship. And as we rehearse with him the miracles we’ve witnessed and experienced, our fears subside, doubts shrink, strength increases, and our confidence in God expands.

Remembering God’s faithfulness fosters gratitude and peace.

Brain research has confirmed that “engaging in gratitude rewires neural-pathways, combating anxiety.” 

That means, with every remembrance of God’s faithfulness, we’re taking advantage of the ability he’s given us, to calm our stress and hard-wire pathways to peace. *

Remembering the past encourages personal and spiritual growth.

We find wisdom for the present from the lessons learned in the past.

One lesson I’ve learned along the way was actually proclaimed eons ago by a Greek playwright, Aeschylus: “Happiness is a choice.” 

I can choose negativity and spiral downward into discouragement, or I can look for the blessings in my life and give my heart a good dose of cheer (Proverbs 17:22).

I’d rather do the latter.

Remembering the past contributes to obedience.

  • As we consider how God has provided throughout our lives, we’re more able to obey the instructions:
  • As we praise God for what he’s accomplished in the past, we’ll sidestep complaining about a difficulty in the present.
  • As we remember the joy of liberal generosity (Acts 20:35), we’ll avoid tight-fisted possessiveness.
  • And as we strengthen our faith by remembering God’s amazing deeds, we fight against spiritual complacency.

With the psalmist we can affirm:

We have no need for wishful thinking, remembering things that didn’t even happen. Pondering all the wonders God has performed for us will keep us happily occupied into eternity.

* https://cfc.sebts.edu/faith-and-culture/why-remembering-matters-and-how-it-shapes-our-lives-and-our-brains/

 Image credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.easy-peasy.ai; http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com.

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Sacred Hands Behind the Scenes

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Provision, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on April 23, 2026| 40 Comments »

Just for fun, I pulled my God Is Faithful journal off the shelf and flipped the pages to several decades ago—years when Steve served in the pastorate, our three children still lived at home, and I was a stay-at-home mom, then teacher.

God certainly worked behind the scenes for our family and created magnificent poetry. Here are a few examples:

THE POETRY OF ANSWERED PRAYER

11-11-85 I prayed with N. concerning a worrisome visit with her disagreeable aunt that afternoon. The next day N. told me the visit went beautifully. No doubt God not only worked through N., but prepared her aunt’s heart also.

9-27-89 I’d been praying God would affirm Steve during a difficult season. On this date he received a kind and supportive note from a parishioner.

11-7-89 The books my students had ordered from Scholastic Books were long past due for arrival. I’d forgotten to xerox the order form and checks before sending them snail mail, and now had no proof-of-purchase. (This was before online ordering.)

That night I prayed for God to intervene for me. When I arrived at school the next morning, there was the book-order box on my desk.

THE POETRY OF GOD’S FAVOR 

6-18-86 A man came to our door with my wallet in his hand. He’d found it on the sidewalk several blocks away, where I’d somehow dropped it while returning home from an errand. (I’d walked in order to incorporate exercise into the day.)

I hadn’t even realized yet my wallet was missing!

1-13-88  I didn’t set the alarm properly, but awoke anyway the next morning—out of a sound sleep—at 5:15 on the dot, just when I was supposed to get up.

12-26-92 During our family Christmas Brunch (just the five of us—no visiting family), Steve asked the children what God had done for them in 1992.

E. said God had helped him become more focused and motivated at school. H. said he’d helped her feel better about herself and she’d been happier since the mission trip that summer. J. said he was thankful to go to a good school. 

We enjoyed a great time of family togetherness, focusing on God and his participation in our lives.   

THE POETRY OF GOD’S INTERVENTION

3 -25-88 I made it to Spring Break! In spite of 1,000 things to do in an impossible time frame, God brought me through. Actually, what He did was remove about 900 of those tasks!

I couldn’t believe how one thing after another took care of itself or was postponed. God worked out everything superbly.

6-1-89 I drove H. to ballet class in Steve’s new stick-shift Colt, so pleased that muscle-memory kicked in and we arrived with no mishaps or “frogging.” But after parking the car, I mistakenly left it in neutral.

When I came out of the school the car was not where I’d left it, but had rolled across the aisle into the matching spot on the other side, as if I’d parked there instead.

(Sometimes I feel like such a toddler in God’s family—he has to watch over me every minute!)

10-9-90 A contentious issue in our church came to a vote. We heard rumblings that some unhappy people were urging a “no” vote. But the discussion proceeded smoothly with a prevailing spirit of unity, and in the end a strong majority voted “yes.”

God had worked in people’s hearts; Steve felt as though we’d turned a corner.

5-29-92 I was registered to attend a week-long class, held at a hotel. When I arrived the desk clerk said the class had been canceled. Just then, another attendee, Ruth, approached the desk. We deliberated about what to do.

Though it was early evening on a Friday and the offices of the host school would likely be closed, we decided to call anyway. 

A woman just happened to be there who told us the location had been changed to another hotel. Ruth and I were among those who’d registered early, before the change, and somehow had never been notified.

*     *     *

God’s sacred hands do indeed weave poetry into our lives! And . . .

You’ve no doubt experienced episodes of God’s goodness similar to those described above. Please share an example in the comments below.

Your illustration of God-woven poetry may be just what someone else needs to read!

Image credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pickpik; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.needpix.com.

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Surprise!

Posted in Appreciation, Encouragement, Faith, God's Grace, God's Power, God's Provision, God's Strength, Maturity, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 12, 2026| 44 Comments »

Our daughter-in-law’s alarm sounded at 4:00 a.m. a few Sundays ago. She needed to work on writing a grant, assigned to her on Friday and due the following Wednesday.

Of course, no time during the work-day had been provided. (How can bosses consider such directives appropriate?)

H. intended to accomplish several hours of work before church. But when she opened her laptop, a message proclaimed that a key code was needed.

WHAT key code?

H. checked her list of passwords; no code. And nothing she tried allowed her access. Finally she woke our son E., who’s quite computer-savvy. But he too was stymied.

H. got dressed and drove to her office to work there, frustrated by the time lost. E. continued his efforts to unlock the computer. He called Apple, but they couldn’t help without the code.

E. texted us to pray, then kept searching for a solution. About twenty minutes later he found what he called a back door, but still needed a password not on their lists.

“Lord, what might we have set as a password?” he prayed.

He sat for a few quiet moments, and suddenly, a scene from the first Ghostbusters movie popped into his head, when one of the characters used a password. E. typed it in:

And H.’s computer came back to life.

No doubt you tell stories of happy-surprises within your family, illustrating God’s attentiveness, generosity, power, and more.

But not all surprises fall into the “happy” category. 

UNHAPPY SURPRISES

They also come in the form of cancer diagnoses, family members announcing a divorce, or the company’s decision to relocate you across the country.

Doubts of God’s attentiveness and power begin to fester. What then? Debbie Macomber would challenge us to:

And Charles Spurgeon offers this nourishing faith food:

“We have gone through many trials. They have never been to our detriment but always to our advantage . . . He who has been with us in six troubles will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God proves that he will keep us to the end.”

MIXED-BAG SURPRISES

A third category of surprises includes those that cause delight and doubt. 

For example:

L. had invited our family over for dinner a few weeks before we’d be moving across-state.

With her gift for interior design and crafting abilities, L. had created an inviting home. She showed me her guest room, recently refurbished and exuding a warm welcome, given the restful color-scheme, well-coordinated furniture, and attractive linens.

I oohed and aahed over L.’s surprise-display of her handiwork, truly happy for her success and the wherewithal to make it happen.

But I did wonder why she didn’t ask, “Nancy, are you feeling all right? You look a little green!”

Surely my face betrayed the envy in my heart for that beautiful room.

You see, we’d recently visited the parsonage* that our family of five would soon be living in—small, sorely lacking storage, with long-outdated furniture, and no color-scheme at all.

Not only was I struggling to say good-bye to a loving congregation, but also to the pleasant, new-to-us parsonage the current church had purchased and furnished just three years previously.  

Perhaps you too have struggled, when others enjoy circumstances you desire.  Again, the question arises:

What then? 

Since that night in L.’s home I’ve learned:

That would include prayer for the person we envy, that they might flourish. No doubt you’ve heard “prayer changes things.” That includes the person praying.

In addition, we can be attentive to what God has supplied and express gratitude for all he is and all he does—like the unknown Puritan did who wrote this prayer:

“When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding every moment of happiness.”

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I praise you, God, for the numerous happy surprises you provide.  And for those times when surprise comes through difficulty, I praise you for your ministering presence, providing wisdom, grace, and strength. May I be faithful to avail myself of your enablement. 

*A home provided by a church for their pastor and family, sometimes furnished.

Image credits: http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (Enieda Nieves); http://www.ropbymhome.com (Pierce Martin); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net.

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Dust on the Balance Scale

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Power, Joy, Perseverance, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on March 5, 2026| 35 Comments »

Many of us memorized 1 Peter 5:7 as children:

Did you ever wonder how we cast our anxiety?

After all, our concerns aren’t jammed into heavy backpacks we can physically heave onto God’s back. We’re talking in the abstract–about nagging problems, physical ailments, troubling situations.

And in spite of God’s capacity and willingness to be our Burden-Bearer (Psalm 68:19), we find anxiety and fear niggling among our thoughts just the same. It’s difficult to get rid of them.

We know gratitude and praise to God can be effective burden-lifters, but worries can linger on the periphery, waiting for the first opportunity to return. Is that a sign of failure?

Here’s what I’ve learned; maybe you have too.

First, ‘remember learning math facts in school?

Mastery required practice because that’s how God made our brains to work. We learn by making neural connections, called synapses. For most of us, it takes a good deal of repetition for synapse-connections to become hard-wired (1).

Second, it makes sense that the advanced skill of controlling our thinking is also going to require practice. It’s a sign of wisdom to keep turning our minds back to God–a hundred times a day if necessary.

Third, I also know this: God appreciates progress; he doesn’t withhold his delight in us until we’re perfect. 

Consider God’s message through the prophet Zechariah: 

So, when a concern wants front-and-center attention in our minds, let’s implement:

Strategy #1: Keep turning the mind to gratitude and praise.

Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator of the 1600s had his wallet stolen one day. But instead of fretting about it, he wrote this in his journal:

“I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.”

Henry’s reasons for gratitude surely helped to shift the burden of anxiety from his own shoulders to the formidable shoulders of God. Just reading his entry lifts my spirit. 

Strategy #2: Affirm that God can turn burdens into blessings.  

God achieves purpose, even in our suffering. One purpose: to expand the joy in our lives (James 1:2).

For twenty-six years I taught elementary school. One difficult year, the problems and resulting tension intensified. And yet, as I got in the car each morning, I strongly sensed God’s presence with me, as if he sat in the passenger seat! 

His presence gave me joy–to the point of happy tears sometimes–while also offering reassurance and strength. Without the increased stress, I would not have experienced that singular blessedness.

Strategy #3:  Remember who God is.

For God to be our Burden-Bearer, we have to trust him, and trust grows as we remember:     

He’s our Father of compassion, our ever-present help in trouble, our King of power and glory, our loving and faithful God, our strong deliverer, and more (3). He can handle any load of trouble.

In fact, what seems to us a crushing burden is as inconsequential to him as a speck of dust on a balance scale (4).

*     *     *     *     *     *     * 

Lord, help me remember: You are the one with the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and the wisdom for every decision (5). To worry is to forget Who’s in charge. May I joyfully rest in you.   

Notes:

  1. https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/early-years/early-learning-at-home/read-and-count/the-power-of-repetition
  2. Karol Ladd, Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 54-55.
  3. Psalm 103:13; 46:1;1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 57:10; 18:2.
  4. Based on a Charles Spurgeon quote from Morning by Morning, 8.
  5. Kay Arthur, His Imprint, My Expression, 36.

Image credits: dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com (Jimmie Quick); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org.

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Awed Adoration

Posted in Appreciation, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God, God's Goodness, God's Power, Holiness, Joy, Obedience, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on January 22, 2026| 53 Comments »

 

Do you know . . . 

. . . the approximate number of stars in the sky? 

  • “Astronomers estimate that the universe could contain up to one septillion stars – that’s a one followed by 24 zeros (1) !”

. . . about the “Goldilocks Zone?” 

  • That’s what scientists call our perfect position in the galaxy, where Earth doesn’t get too hot or too cold. The distance is “just right” to sustain life (2).

. . . how ocean currents are important to our survival? 

  • They help regulate Earth’s climate by distributing heat around the globe. They also transport nutrients and oxygen to deep-sea ecosystems (3).

. . . where the tallest mountain is located? 

  • It’s not Mount Everest—it’s Mauna Kea, part of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount range. It rises 13,800 feet above the Pacific Ocean and extends down to the ocean floor another 19,700 feet, for a total of 33,500 feet—more than a mile higher than Mount Everest (4). 

. . . how trees in a forest can stay healthy for centuries without human intervention? 

  • An underground fungus network connects plants together, allowing for transfer of water and nutrients (5). 

I can’t speak for you, but such facts astound me and prompt awed adoration for the Creator of all things.

My amazement expands even further as I read in scripture:

  • God knows all those septillion of stars by name (Isaiah 40:26).
  • He is the One who set the earth on its [invisible] foundations; it can never be moved (Psalm 104:5).
  • God inspired David to include “the paths of the sea” in one of his songs (Psalm 8:8), long before Matthew Maury studied those currents and charted them.
  • He covered the earth with enough water to stand above the tallest mountains (Psalm 104:6).
  • God has made sure his trees in the deepest forests have been well-watered and nourished since time began (Psalm 104:16).

Photo taken by Paul Saad in the “Cedars of God” nature preserve in Lebanon.

Some trees are well over 1,000 years old, a few even 2,000 and 3,000 years old.

Who is like our God?!

Because of his incomparable power, he could do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Yet his actions are always guided by absolute love, wisdom, and goodness. 

But of course, God’s magnificence isn’t limited to his creative genius and immense power to accomplish every good work.

Consider his holiness—his separateness from all else, his perfections above everyone else.

He’s the Only One who:

  • can create out of nothing
  • has the capacity to rule and sustain the universe
  • knows all things, all truth
  • can provide eternal life to those who come to him (6)

We see his holiness in:

  • the numerous, already-fulfilled prophecies of scripture, brought about with 100% accuracy
  • his promises, kept with 100% reliability
  • his flawless attributes, at work 100% of the time (7)

Think of all his blessings lavished upon us, the answers to prayer, the difficulties overcome, the miracles bestowed. Your life and mine offer proof of God’s holy faithfulness and lovingkindness.

In fact:

Not since Adam stood up on the earth has God failed a single man or woman who trusted him.

—A. W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous, 44.

Again, my heart responds with awed adoration.

Yet there’s more.

This astounding, wonderful, and perfect God invites us to be holy too.

“Now why would we want to do that?” the skeptic will ask. “Holiness sounds dull and boring!”

In actuality, the process of becoming holy is the pathway to happiness. Yes it is.

Every time God says, “Don’t,” he’s indicating, “Don’t hurt yourself.” When we choose to sin, we’re choosing to suffer (9).

Now why would we want to do THAT?

Some will argue, “But holiness is so hard to achieve.”

That’s where awed adoration comes in, for the magnificence of God’s deeds and the perfections of his character, just as we’ve done in this post.

Why? 

The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration.

—J. I. Packer (quoted by Ann Voskamp in 1000 Gifts, 111).

So let’s plant our roots and grow! 

Greater happiness awaits.

Endnotes:

  1. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/
  2. https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/what-is-the-habitable-zone-or-goldilocks-zone/
  3. https://oceanblueproject.org/ocean-currents-map/
  4. https://www.mos.org/blog/the-earth-around-us/Why-Hawaii
  5. https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/underground-mycorrhizal-network
  6.  Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:17; 1 John 3:20c; John 3:16
  7. Isaiah 46:10-11; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 18:30
  8. James MacDonald, Gripped by the Greatness of God, 36-37.

Image credits: http://www.commonswikimedia.org (2); http://www.flickr (Paul Saad); http://www.picryl.com; http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.canva.com.

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A Prayer God Will Answer

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, God's Goodness, God's Power, God's Promises, God's Provision, God's Strength, God's Will, God's Wisdom, Maturity, Meditation, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Praise, Prayer, Suffering, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2026| 35 Comments »

Black coffee steamed, a fir-scented candle glowed as I began to journal a prayer from Colossians 1:9-12, in response to a Bible study prompt. What follows is the result, with recent additions and revisions.

Perhaps you’d like to pray along?

Thank you, Father, for including many exemplary prayers in the Bible. Moses showed us how to intercede for others, David, how to praise, and Daniel, how to pray using scripture (1).

You’ve also provided promises, assuring our prayers will be answered–for those who believe in you, seek to live your ways, and pray according to your will (2). 

With these assurances in mind, I appropriate for me Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians (1:9-12), desiring to experience the same realities in my life: knowledge of your will, obedience worthy of you, power to endure, and joyful gratitude for the promised inheritance in your kingdom.

I too pray to be filled with the knowledge of your will (v.9)—for small matters and major decisions alike. I know that fulfillment of your purpose will result in prosperity of soul (3).

I pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding (v. 9), “to recognize truth and discern reality from your point of view.” Many want to make truth relative to fit their world view apart from you. But “ignorance of spiritual realities is the constant source of error, instability, and sorrow” (4).

In contrast, knowledge of your divine truth brings helpful instruction, guidance, comfort, and more. For me to live by your truth is what you deserve, as my all-wise, loving Father. It also brings you honor and allows me to enjoy “life in all its fullness.” How lavish you are in your goodness, O Lord (6)! 

May my life “be the kind that brings credit to [your] grace” (7). One way to do that is to bear fruit (v. 10); to be your instrument of mercy to others with my words and actions. But to do that I need your power, Father, your enablement to carry out what you ask. 

I also need your power to persevere, equipping me to even triumph through trials. Eugene Peterson called it “glory-strength—strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy” (v. 11 MSG). Such an incredible gift!

I praise you for your supply of endurance. Millions of martyrs who’ve gone before have proved: no circumstance in life can ever defeat . . . no event can ever vanquish (8).

How many, Lord, were tortured and maimed, killed by lions in the Roman Colosseum, burned alive, or tied inside a burlap sack and thrown in a river to drown?

The Christian Martyrs’ Last Prayer by Jean-Leon Gerome, 1883

And yet as death drew near, they spoke and sang words of joy, because of their love for you and their confidence of heaven with you. You made it possible for them, you’ll make it possible for me to deal triumphantly with whatever life delivers.

You also provide patience to withstand unpleasant, even malicious people. You make it possible to set aside bitterness, despair, and exasperation and focus instead on the joyful conclusion ahead, just as Christ did.

Help me to do so, Father. May I remember to take encouragement from your promise that even out of evil, you bring good (9).

Your most mature saints exemplify “giving joyful thanks” (v. 12), even as they suffer. Amy Carmichael, missionary to India, offered a perfect example.

She was often in pain from neuralgia, sometimes bedridden for weeks at a time, yet served faithfully for fifty-five years, even writing thirty-five inspiring books.

Amy Carmichael

“Joy is not gush, ” she wrote. “Joy is not mere jolliness. Joy is perfect acquiescence ~ acceptance, rest ~ in God’s will, whatever comes.”

I know she’s right. 

Thank you, O God, for your willingness to bestow all these life-enhancing entities: knowledge of and compliance with your will that leads to satisfaction, strength and power to endure, and joy–especially in the glorious inheritance you’ve provided in your kingdom of light!

Help me do your bidding, Lord, joyfully leaving the outcome to you.

Notes:

  1. Exodus 32; Psalm 145 among many, Daniel 9.
  2. 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15.
  3. Psalm 40:8.
  4. 4. J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, Colossians 1:9; Charles Spurgeon, http://www.preceptaustin.org.
  5. Psalm 119:14, 105, 52.
  6. John 10:10 GNT; Psalm 31:19.
  7. http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org.
  8. William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible, The Lettters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, 131.
  9. Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:15.

Image credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (2).

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A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, Meditation, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2025| 40 Comments »

On this cloud-shrouded, Thanksgiving morning,

I pause in the candlelight to thank and praise You, O Lord–

for family and friends, food and clothing,

a cozy home and delightful blessings

we never even thought to ask for.

These are benevolences we see, touch, and hear.

One blessing we never thought to ask for: a trip to Israel in 1994, travel and lodging expenses paid for.

But I also want to thank you for those gifts

that only the senses of the heart can perceive—

blessings that include your eternal faithfulness,

as expansive and enduring as the skies,

and your loving devotion, as measureless as

the far reaches of the cosmos.

I thank you for your alert attentiveness,

keeping watch over me as I come and go,

for your abundant goodness which you store up

for those who fear you and take refuge in you,

for your wisdom that knows what to accomplish and when,

what to give and what to withhold.

I thank you for your compassionate mercy

that offers a fresh start each day,

your transforming grace that takes the sand of troubles

and creates pearls of lustrous steadfastness and stability.

I praise you for your strength that “turns my mush into might.”

When I’m weary in spirit, you prop me up and propel me forward.

 I thank you for your Word that instructs in the ways of abundant living,

guiding me along the right path as I internalize your truths.

I thank you for its encouragement when my spirit falters,

providing hope through the promises that cannot fail

and in the knowledge of who you are, our holy and perfect Father.

Your Word is “an anchor of truth in a sea of lies.”

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to you O God, for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12)!

* * * * *

Now it’s your turn! What would you add to this gratitude list that specifically celebrates God? Add your praise in the comment section below!

Scriptures and other sources:

  • Verse 2: Psalm 36:5; 108:4
  • Verse 3: Psalm 121:8 NLT; 31:19; Proverbs 2:6
  • Verse 4: Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 5:3-5; Anita Donihue, When I’m in His Presence, 52; Isaiah 40:29-31

Image credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (Sheila Brown); http://www.commonswikipedia.org (Edmund Nigel Gail); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net (2); commonswikipedia.org (Marcus Bengtsson).

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