BEING THANKFUL

Just A Personal Reflection – BEING THANKFUL.

A few thoughts from God’s Word: Lamentations 3:22-23, 25 - - -

“The Lord’s…compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness…The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

How can I say thanks?

Why should I give thanks?

November 2017 was a momentous time in my life. I was having difficulty swallowing and breathing. I sought medical assistance but the diagnoses was far from accurate – ranging from ear infection to strep throat, and even regurgitation. An Ear, Nose and Throat specialist checked me and sounded a very serious alarm. I was referred to a specialist who stated I had a condition that would require the removal of my tongue and voice box. I rejected that procedure. Another specialist diagnosed me with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The PET Scan indicated it was evident throughout my body – one gland very close to my spine and another very near the brain. He assured me that he would treat it and it would be successful. This meant weeks and months of Chemo-Therapy and related medications. For a while, I was unable to speak and had to communicate by using a white board. I also had a tracheotomy and insertion of a PEG Tube (for feeding) – all of which had some difficulty.

Why should I give thanks?

In the midst of my treatments and concerns, a Baptist Minister whom I did not know and had never met contacted me at a very low point in my life. It was like a Barnabas visit in my life. His notes of encouragement indicated that he had the same diagnoses as mine and he was now in his fifth year of remission. Sadly, in his sixth year of remission, my Barnabas (Steve S.) is having to cope with the pain and treatment inasmuch as his cancer has returned.

Why should I give thanks?

My concern was being able to speak again. My family (and others) prayed the Lord would be gracious and restore my voice so I could preach once more. With Thanksgiving, I can state that the Lord granted that request. I had been used to singing the Hymns with gusto – but – scar tissue has limited my singing range to just 5 or 6 notes. One of my children said: “Dad – you asked us to pray that you could speak and preach again – not that you could sing! So – don’t complain.”

Why should I give thanks?

After the Chemo was completed and the Scans were done once again, the Doctor indicated I was now in remission. During my two year maintenance period, at the 18 month examination and tests, the Doctor indicated I was still in remission. My next checkup will be in March 2020.

Why should I give thanks?

When my voice would not allow me to continue a sermon I was preaching, I had to stop just after I had read these words from Colossians 4:12, “Epaphras…is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” During these two years, these words have resonated with me many times – “to stand firm and fully assured in all the will of God.”

I thank the Lord that He has kept me alive and permits me to regularly declare His Word. How can YOU say thanks? Why should YOU give thanks?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

ENJOYMENT

Just A Thought Or Two About – ENJOYMENT.

There are many expressions about time and aging. Some indicate that “time seems to fly.” Others express: “It’s later than you think.” A secular song from years ago contained the lyric: “Enjoy yourself; It’s later than you think! Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink. The years go by as quickly as a wink – Enjoy yourself…it’s later than you think.” This lyric conjures up all kinds of possibilities for the secular minded person. It usually leads one into pleasure-seeking as a fulfillment factor for their life and whatever enjoyment they can momentarily experience.

In his Answers column, Billy Graham was asked about pleasure and sin. He replied:  “The Bible declares that there can be pleasure in sin. We know this from our own experience. But the Bible also says that sin’s pleasure is only for a season (Hebrews 11:25). Then it’s over, leaving us bitter, and finally destroying us. A day of reckoning always comes. The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).”

The spiritual factor the Biblical Christian should consider is manifold. Psalm 100:2 (ESV) states one should: “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Some translations interchange “worship” with/for the word “serve.” After the completion of building the wall and Ezra had read the Law to the people, they were grieving and weeping about their neglect of a God who loved them. Nehemiah 8:9-11 encouraged the people with these words; ”Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

The JOY of the Lord must be present. There is a Hymn written by Oswald J. Smith (1931) that expresses these various truths from God’s Word regarding JOY. “There is joy in serving Jesus As I journey on my way; Joy that fills my heart with praises Every hour and every day.” A subsequent stanza shares: “There is joy in serving Jesus, Joy amid the darkest night For I've learned the wondrous secret And I'm walking in the light.” The Refrain echoes this emphasis: “There is joy, joy, Joy in serving Jesus; Joy that throbs within my heart Every moment, every hour As I draw upon His power - There is joy, joy, Joy that never shall depart.”

What is The Source for continuous Joy? John 15:10-11, Jesus said to His disciples: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that MY JOY may be in you, and that YOUR JOY may be full.”

In your life and walk with the Lord, is the JOY of the Lord your source of strength?  With the gifts and abilities He has given you, are you serving the Lord with GLADNESS? Do you daily come into the Lord’s presence with SINGING? This is what He has instructed us to be and do. Why are we so often hesitant and reluctant to do it?

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me – and – ENJOY the Lord and Praise him while you have time and breath to do so.

ALONENESS

Just Some Thoughts To Think About – ALONENESS.

An old song contained these lyrics: “Have you ever been lonely; have you ever been blue…If you knew what I've been through Then you'd know why I ask you -Have you ever been lonely; Have you ever been blue?” Another song written by Rodgers and Hammerstein contains the lyric: When you walk through a storm hold your head up high…Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone, You'll never walk alone. For many years, Jerry Lewis anchored a Labor Day Weekend Telethon to raise funds in behalf of those with Muscular Dystrophy. At the end of the long telecast, He would always sing the above lyrics to: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Today’s Blog is a little bit different in that it will contain a couple of disjointed true stories. When I was a Freshman in College, I was invited to be part of a Trumpet Trio that consisted of a Graduate Student, a College Senior and me. When he graduated, the lead Trumpeter wrote me a note: “Be sure to toot your own horn – no one else will toot it for you.” Later on, after completing graduate studies, a colleague whose Uncle was Director of a large Mission Board and whose Father, who had been a successful businessman and who served as Vice-President of the Graduate School said to me: “You’re making a mistake by not befriending making contact with those who can assist you to advance – you are friendly with those who cannot help you in that way.”

Most of the above references are expanded upon in some of the books I have written, such as: Realizing Significance and My Incredible Journey. The significance book was based upon Mark 4:23 and “the other little boats” who were endangered by a storm at sea. The disciples awaken Jesus to have Him assist them to survive – but – no mention and no concern is mentioned about the other little boats who were facing greater danger of perishing.

As we approach a Thanksgiving Holiday, my mind goes out toward those who through no choice of their own – essentially other little boats – who are alone. A couple of weeks ago a man came to our home and asked me for help. I have known him for several years – I’ll call him “Willy.” He is a black man who seemed desperate for funds to meet some need. He asked for a specific amount and I gave him what I could. But – it bothered me that I didn’t do more for “Willy.” My wife and I drove to the section where I thought he lived and a neighbor directed us to his Trailer – but it seemed to be deserted. We returned a couple of more times and my wife went up to a man and asked him about “Willy.” We had intended to give him a Turkey for Thanksgiving but “Willy” wasn’t home – he is very sick in a Hospital.

It brings home to me the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 when He speaks of the separating of the sheep from the goats. Jesus was looking at people – not on the basis of racial or financial status; not on the basis of what a “Willy” could do for someone – but the heart-commitment of the sheep versus the goats. In Matthew 25:34-36, Jesus said (to the sheep): “Come...I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Jesus wants us to know that the focus is not us and positions we attain – but – the down-trodden and lonely – and how we reached out to them.  There are a lot of people just like “Willy” who need a friend and/or a helping hand. They are alone and they need to feel the touch of The Master’s Hand by means of your reaching out to them.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.