Obtaining Mercy

November 10, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for Hope.

 

I found that I never really thought much about Hope until the day I realized that I had lost it.

(That realization led me on a journey of discovery about Hope that is continuing still today.)

The following definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary was so thorough that I wanted to share it:

 

HOPE, n. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.

Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.

Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

 

Considering this definition, then, the following verses are very appropriate and make much sense:

 

Psalm 38:15 "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God."

Psalm 42:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

 

For us to have that expectation of obtaining good, the only safe place to put our hope is in the Lord.

 

 

November 9, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for the World Wide Web.

 

I know the internet can be cussed and discussed, praised or preached about; and I do agree that it's a gift that must be carefully managed.

If you are wise, you not only managed your time and your content on the internet, but you also manage your time and content on the television, the radio, your books, your entertainment, your friends and your hobbies.

Titus 1:15 – 16 – " Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Even a "sermon" can be used for unGodly means:

II Peter 3:16 – " As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

So, for the good that it brings into my life, I am thankful for the internet. 

• I have met and reconnected with lovely friends.
• I have learned so many new things through research on various topics.
• I have been encouraged in my spirit by the faithfulness of others.
• I have learned skills that have improved my household management.
• I have read sermons.
• I can look up new recipes for my family.
• I have listened to classical literature being read to me.
• I can quickly look up any Scripture. 
• I have printed out coupons to save money for my family budget.  
• I can send out a prayer request that literally goes around the world to my friends in England, Japan, Australia, Canada and even across town. 😉

 

The World Wide Web has truly been a blessing to me: 

It means that I can write down all the things for which I am thankful, and share them with YOU!

🙂

November 9, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for the World Wide Web.

 

I know the internet can be cussed and discussed, praised or preached about; and I do agree that it's a gift that must be carefully managed.

If you are wise, you not only managed your time and your content on the internet, but you also manage your time and content on the television, the radio, your books, your entertainment, your friends and your hobbies.

Titus 1:15 – 16 – " Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Even a "sermon" can be used for unGodly means:

II Peter 3:16 – " As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

So, for the good that it brings into my life, I am thankful for the internet. 

• I have met and reconnected with lovely friends.
• I have learned so many new things through research on various topics.
• I have been encouraged in my spirit by the faithfulness of others.
• I have learned skills that have improved my household management.
• I have read sermons.
• I can look up new recipes for my family.
• I have listened to classical literature being read to me.
• I can quickly look up any Scripture. 
• I have printed out coupons to save money for my family budget.  
• I can send out a prayer request that literally goes around the world to my friends in England, Japan, Australia, Canada and even across town. 😉

 

The World Wide Web has truly been a blessing to me: 

It means that I can write down all the things for which I am thankful, and share them with YOU!

🙂

November 8, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for the experts!

 

I'm not referring to the media or the politicians or the pollsters or even adademia.

I'm talking about those who practice their particular skill, talent or job until they know it inside and out, backwards and forwards, up and down and all the in betweens.

They are such a blessing to us aren't they?

Think about the following:

• the mechanic who you trust to do an excellent job on your vehicle, knowing the work will be thorough and the price will be reasonable.
• the hairdresser who never cuts off too much hair and always gets the color juuuuust right.
• the a/c tech who gets the compressor running in July.
• the choir leader who knows how to coax a beautiful sound out of those of us who tend to make a "joyful noise".
• the teacher who controls the classroom while teaching the students information that they retain AND understand.
• the veterinarian who helps our pets stay healthy and happy.
• the pianist who practices at home so that her public performance is beautiful and uplifting.
• the exterminator who makes sure that we never see a roach or a rat in our house.
• the architect who draws plans for buildings that cause us to catch our breath as we view their majestic presence.
• the coach who teaches his athletes teamwork and character, as well as how to play the game.
• the interpreter who makes the speaker's message clear and exact to those who cannot understand his words.
• the guardian ad litem who intercedes for the child in foster care, making sure that the needs of the child are met and that the child is as safe and comfortable as possible.
• the doctor who truly listens and then treats you as a person, not a symptom.
• the grandma who cans the perfect preserves and makes the yummiest cookies.
• the mommy who can read any storybook and convey their children on magical adventures they will remember for the rest of their lives.
• the pastor who brings the Bible to life, making the Gospel of salvation so clear that even a child can understand.

These are all experts, and I am thankful for them.

But the coolest things is that I can be an expert too.  Perhaps not in every area, but in one or two, certainly.  I don't have to do things better than everyone else does them, but I can do my best.

I can ask the Lord for direction and passion in my everyday tasks.  I can do them all for His glory.

Colossians 3:17 – "And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…"

Colossians 3:23 – "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"

That makes me an expert too! 🙂

 

What expert are YOU thankful for today?

 

November 7, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for emotion.

affection
agitation
anger
ardor
concern
desire
despair
despondency
drive
ecstasy
elation
empathy
excitability
feeling
fervor
grief
happiness
inspiration
joy
love
melancholy
passion
perturbation
pride
rage
remorse
sadness
satisfaction
shame
sorrow
sympathy
thrill
warmth
zeal

 

We only know true joy when we have experienced true sorrow.

It is from the depths of emotion that come words of beauty and devotion like this:

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go*

by George Matheson

1. O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2. O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

*Click on the hymn title to read the story behind this beautiful hymn.

It is also emotion that moves our soul when we hear these words sung to a lovely melody.

 

I will honestly say that I do not enjoy every emotion; but I am thankful for the experience of every emotion.  I must remember that my emotions are from God, they have a purpose, and are useful for His work in our lives.

November 7, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for emotion.

affection
agitation
anger
ardor
concern
desire
despair
despondency
drive
ecstasy
elation
empathy
excitability
feeling
fervor
grief
happiness
inspiration
joy
love
melancholy
passion
perturbation
pride
rage
remorse
sadness
satisfaction
shame
sorrow
sympathy
thrill
warmth
zeal

 

We only know true joy when we have experienced true sorrow.

It is from the depths of emotion that come words of beauty and devotion like this:

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go*

by George Matheson

1. O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2. O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

*Click on the hymn title to read the story behind this beautiful hymn.

It is also emotion that moves our soul when we hear these words sung to a lovely melody.

 

I will honestly say that I do not enjoy every emotion; but I am thankful for the experience of every emotion.  I must remember that my emotions are from God, they have a purpose, and are useful for His work in our lives.