Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a woman whose inner beauty, strength, ingenuity, wisdom and dignity were so exceptional that she put all others to shame. Her name? Mrs. Proverbs 31. And she is the subject of today's scripture passages which are chapters 30 and 31 of this book of wisdom.
I read about her, this portrait of feminine excellence, and I am bewildered by the chasm that exists between the description of her and the one that would accurately define me. So what am I to do with this specific chapter of scripture? And how can I escape the penitentiary of guilt that my failure to measure up to this ideal imposes?
In attempting to answer my own questions, I'm reminded that guilt, in and of itself, has gotten a bad rap. The truth is, guilt can be good. I fear, though, that we've confused guilt with shame, resulting in elimination of necessary guilt. So rather than allowing it to do its beneficial work within us, we're tempted to embrace the "always have positive self-esteem" philosophy that is pervasive in our culture. The danger of this surfaces when possession of positive self-esteem is unmerited by one's actions or attitudes. Recognition of our guilt is what motivates us to confess and repent, which may explain why this seems to be a subject you don't hear much about any more.
As I write these words, I realize that what I'm trying to convey is not a typical response to such beautiful chapters, but I want you to understand that although it is important for you to have healthy self esteem, it's equally important that you understand one of scripture's clear teachings: We are not good apart from God, and are in fact, guilty. We are unworthy of salvation. We deserve punishment and judgment. And yet...God offers us just the opposite when we acknowledge the truth about ourselves.
So what is the truth? I think Romans 3 sums it up nicely:
10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
We're all pretty much messes. And despite the fact that some women are probably a lot closer to a bonafide Proverbs 31 lady than I'll ever be, they are just as needy and lacking as I am in the eyes of God. And just as we're told that we have no righteousness apart from Him, we are also told that He so loved the world (that includes us) that He gave His only Son to be righteous for us.
In Jesus Christ alone we are made new and good and worthy. And because of Him we can ALL share in the glorious truth of the final verses of Proverbs 31:
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Father, please help us have hope and health in terms of the way we view ourselves as women (and men) so that we never fail to recognize our dependency on you and our depravity apart from you. May the praise of your name be on our lips because of your great love and mercy as long as we have breath. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
For Queens and other Seekers...
"Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?" This sarcastic question has been asked of me (hopefully in jest) before. Most of us have probably heard of her if not in that same way, then maybe from having read today's passages, 1 Kings 10-11 and 2 Chronicles 9.
This Queen, who was no small potato herself, paid a visit to Solomon to see if all that she'd heard about him was true. Take a look at her reaction to what she saw:
7 "I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told....9 Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness.”
Miss Q.o.S. was very impressed, wasn't she? So much so that she made a curious statement referencing her praise of Solomon's Lord God. But there is not a shred of evidence that any of this persuaded her to place her own trust or faith in Him.
Reading this account reminds me that we often fail to remember that there is nothing "WE" possess, no wisdom, no wealth, no impressive possession or position that will draw someone in to a personal place of surrender to God as Lord.
All of our striving is in vain if we think we can cleverly, wisely argue someone to believing faith. All of our human effort to establish ourselves as admired, reputable spokesmen and women is futile when we are counting in any way upon those things as convincing accoutrements in our witnessing "arsenal". Only God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, draws anyone to Himself. We are reminded to always be prepared and willing to be used, but the great mistake we would make is assuming that we are ever able to conjure enough credentials or credibility on our own to "impress" someone into believing the Word of God.
The Queen of Sheba was apparently "seeking," but despite having been impressed with all the splendor of his facilities, organization and maybe even his programs and personal brilliance, it wasn't enough. This passage reminded me of the need to pray for our churches as we also pray for ourselves so that we remember the critical truth of Romans 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
It is Christ alone who saves. As His ambassadors, we must hide His Word in our hearts because it alone has the power to save.
Father, help us commit your Word to memory so that we are ready and able to give the reason for our great hope when you send seekers our way, and may we never forget that it is by hearing your Word, not being impressed by our wit or wisdom, that anyone comes to faith. Forgive me for forgetting that. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
This Queen, who was no small potato herself, paid a visit to Solomon to see if all that she'd heard about him was true. Take a look at her reaction to what she saw:
7 "I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told....9 Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness.”
Miss Q.o.S. was very impressed, wasn't she? So much so that she made a curious statement referencing her praise of Solomon's Lord God. But there is not a shred of evidence that any of this persuaded her to place her own trust or faith in Him.
Reading this account reminds me that we often fail to remember that there is nothing "WE" possess, no wisdom, no wealth, no impressive possession or position that will draw someone in to a personal place of surrender to God as Lord.
All of our striving is in vain if we think we can cleverly, wisely argue someone to believing faith. All of our human effort to establish ourselves as admired, reputable spokesmen and women is futile when we are counting in any way upon those things as convincing accoutrements in our witnessing "arsenal". Only God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, draws anyone to Himself. We are reminded to always be prepared and willing to be used, but the great mistake we would make is assuming that we are ever able to conjure enough credentials or credibility on our own to "impress" someone into believing the Word of God.
The Queen of Sheba was apparently "seeking," but despite having been impressed with all the splendor of his facilities, organization and maybe even his programs and personal brilliance, it wasn't enough. This passage reminded me of the need to pray for our churches as we also pray for ourselves so that we remember the critical truth of Romans 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
It is Christ alone who saves. As His ambassadors, we must hide His Word in our hearts because it alone has the power to save.
Father, help us commit your Word to memory so that we are ready and able to give the reason for our great hope when you send seekers our way, and may we never forget that it is by hearing your Word, not being impressed by our wit or wisdom, that anyone comes to faith. Forgive me for forgetting that. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Nothing is New...
If you haven't read Ecclesiastes before, today's scripture reading includes the entire book--which may seem confusing, alarming, frustrating and disconcerting upon first read. And that's just for starters! As I begin to try to explain a little of what is so great and so difficult about the book, let me encourage you to read and study it for yourself.
Written by Solomon, Ecclesiastes is a compilation of his thoughts about life and the futility and frustration associated with human, earthly existence. At first glance and without a little deeper digging, it seems that he is basically saying everything is pointless, so eat, drink and be merry because you are going to die eventually and take nothing with you. He seems to be warning us that we are nothing more than animals with benefits.
That's why it is important to note that Solomon's book is not dealing with the "spiritual" man, it is dealing with the "natural" man and his search for life's purpose. In these chapters, the wise king is not speaking of God as Jehovah God, instead he is referencing God in much the same way a lost, worldly person views him--something akin to a force or higher power as in the Star Wars movies.
In his great wisdom, Solomon recognized that the search for meaning in life is futile apart from personally experiencing God in a way that transcends the superficial, artificial manner that relegates him to a place of distance or merely a force of power beyond our realm and consciousness.
Throughout theses chapters, there are hidden gems of truth that must be acknowledged though--and because I would not attempt to improve upon or better convey these thoughts, I have selected these verses as worthy of contemplation. Think on these things as you join me in giving thanks to God for allowing us to have lives of purpose because of our personal relationships with Him through Christ, His Son.
Ecclesiastes:
2:9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
3:11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
7:4 A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.
10:2 A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
12:13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Written by Solomon, Ecclesiastes is a compilation of his thoughts about life and the futility and frustration associated with human, earthly existence. At first glance and without a little deeper digging, it seems that he is basically saying everything is pointless, so eat, drink and be merry because you are going to die eventually and take nothing with you. He seems to be warning us that we are nothing more than animals with benefits.
That's why it is important to note that Solomon's book is not dealing with the "spiritual" man, it is dealing with the "natural" man and his search for life's purpose. In these chapters, the wise king is not speaking of God as Jehovah God, instead he is referencing God in much the same way a lost, worldly person views him--something akin to a force or higher power as in the Star Wars movies.
In his great wisdom, Solomon recognized that the search for meaning in life is futile apart from personally experiencing God in a way that transcends the superficial, artificial manner that relegates him to a place of distance or merely a force of power beyond our realm and consciousness.
Throughout theses chapters, there are hidden gems of truth that must be acknowledged though--and because I would not attempt to improve upon or better convey these thoughts, I have selected these verses as worthy of contemplation. Think on these things as you join me in giving thanks to God for allowing us to have lives of purpose because of our personal relationships with Him through Christ, His Son.
Ecclesiastes:
2:9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
3:11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
7:4 A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.
10:2 A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
12:13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Monday, August 24, 2009
One Part Integrity and Godliness and Two Parts Humility...
This morning, when I realized how long it has been since I last wrote about my daily scripture reading, I was amazed. The old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun," couldn't be more fitting. We enjoyed a wonderful break as a result of our family vacation, then returned to a very challenging bunch of deadlines at work that required long days and mentally tiring concentration. Having said that, I hope now to resume my daily posts and get back on track with the chronological journey through God's Word--which by the way never fails to fascinate me! So...let's dive in!
1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8 and Proverbs 25 through 29 is where we pick up this morning and the opening text jumped off the page as I read what God told Solomon after he met with him a second time to discuss the temple.
Take a look at what The Lord said beginning in verse 3:
“I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. 4 “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 5 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever.
God didn't say, "Way to go, Solomon! You've done good, son! You can rest on these laurels for the remainder of your days on earth and all will be well with you and your family."
Instead, He qualified his continued blessing by saying "IF" you follow me "WITH INTEGRITY and GODLINESS," and "OBEY me," then I will establish your throne.
I had to pause right there. I need to think about my own life and the lives of leaders I've served with and under. What does it look like to demonstrate integrity and godliness? Are there really people today who don't cave in to the temptation to bend a little--to seek a little easier, faster route to the perceived place of blessing by doing a little cheating, a little short-cut taking, a little sin-minimizing and/or dismissing? I've heard it said that integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching, and if that's the case, do I always demonstrate integrity? These are questions worthy of pause and consideration.
I've had close relationships with a few individuals who have modeled what I consider genuine integrity. Did you note the word "few" in that last sentence? This world almost makes it seem reasonable to do the easy thing instead of the right thing. I'm afraid that it is so common place nowadays that it's actually often accepted as necessary--even within the church and specifically God's family.
Well before this gets depressing, let me say that while it may be the exception rather than the rule to witness genuine integrity today, it is not something that is less meaningful, less of a goal to strive toward, or less of a wonderful attribute to possess. And I would also suggest that it's not something that is elusive. It is achievable and attainable--not by our own strength but in and through Christ who gives us our strength. (Phil. 4:13)
Proverbs 27:2 and 21 are verses worth noting because possibly one of the fastest derailments we might encounter on the track toward integrity is the pride and praise that may be awarded to us if we actually demonstrate this admirable character trait. Here's what Solomon had to say:
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.
21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.
When no one is looking, do what is right anyway. When no one praises you, know that God is watching--that He sees--and He takes note. And when someone does notice and praises you, be on guard against the pride that might make you feel the slightest bit superior, because that is the perfect opportunity for our enemy (the devil) to knock us off of our "character" high horse and throw us into the crater of compromise.
Father, make us men and women of integrity and godliness. Teach us your ways and order our steps so that we do not stray from the path that leads to your blessing for our lives. We love and thank you for forgiving our sins and we ask that you help us as we attempt to walk in purity and integrity when no one but you is watching. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8 and Proverbs 25 through 29 is where we pick up this morning and the opening text jumped off the page as I read what God told Solomon after he met with him a second time to discuss the temple.
Take a look at what The Lord said beginning in verse 3:
“I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. 4 “As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 5 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever.
God didn't say, "Way to go, Solomon! You've done good, son! You can rest on these laurels for the remainder of your days on earth and all will be well with you and your family."
Instead, He qualified his continued blessing by saying "IF" you follow me "WITH INTEGRITY and GODLINESS," and "OBEY me," then I will establish your throne.
I had to pause right there. I need to think about my own life and the lives of leaders I've served with and under. What does it look like to demonstrate integrity and godliness? Are there really people today who don't cave in to the temptation to bend a little--to seek a little easier, faster route to the perceived place of blessing by doing a little cheating, a little short-cut taking, a little sin-minimizing and/or dismissing? I've heard it said that integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching, and if that's the case, do I always demonstrate integrity? These are questions worthy of pause and consideration.
I've had close relationships with a few individuals who have modeled what I consider genuine integrity. Did you note the word "few" in that last sentence? This world almost makes it seem reasonable to do the easy thing instead of the right thing. I'm afraid that it is so common place nowadays that it's actually often accepted as necessary--even within the church and specifically God's family.
Well before this gets depressing, let me say that while it may be the exception rather than the rule to witness genuine integrity today, it is not something that is less meaningful, less of a goal to strive toward, or less of a wonderful attribute to possess. And I would also suggest that it's not something that is elusive. It is achievable and attainable--not by our own strength but in and through Christ who gives us our strength. (Phil. 4:13)
Proverbs 27:2 and 21 are verses worth noting because possibly one of the fastest derailments we might encounter on the track toward integrity is the pride and praise that may be awarded to us if we actually demonstrate this admirable character trait. Here's what Solomon had to say:
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.
21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.
When no one is looking, do what is right anyway. When no one praises you, know that God is watching--that He sees--and He takes note. And when someone does notice and praises you, be on guard against the pride that might make you feel the slightest bit superior, because that is the perfect opportunity for our enemy (the devil) to knock us off of our "character" high horse and throw us into the crater of compromise.
Father, make us men and women of integrity and godliness. Teach us your ways and order our steps so that we do not stray from the path that leads to your blessing for our lives. We love and thank you for forgiving our sins and we ask that you help us as we attempt to walk in purity and integrity when no one but you is watching. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Praise The Lord!
Have you ever wondered why there are repeated admonitions in the Psalms and other scriptures encouraging us to praise God? Why does He need our praise? He created the earth and everything in it--surely He knows He is great. So why would any words of praise that we might offer matter to Him?
Today's passages, Psalm 134, 146, 147, 148 and 149 are filled with reminders of God's worthiness to receive our praise, but still, the question remains, why? What difference do our words and songs of praise make to our Maker?
C.S.Lewis struggled at one time with why God requires the praise of man. In his Reflections on the Psalms, Lewis writes:
We all despise the man who demands continued assurance of his own virtue, intelligence or delightfulness; we despise still more the crowd of people round every dictator, every millionaire, every celebrity, who gratify that demand. Thus a picture, at once ludicrous and horrible, both of God and His worshippers, threatened to appear in my mind. The Psalms were especially troublesome in this way – ‘Praise the Lord,' 'O praise the Lord with me,' 'Praise Him.' . . .
Lewis writes that he eventually reconciled this struggle when he realized that praise is the spontaneous response to whatever is praise-worthy:
...the most obvious fact about praise – whether of God or anything – strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honour. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise...
What a beautiful, simple, obvious truth. When we come to know Him, His greatness and goodness, His magnificence and majesty, it is impossible NOT to praise Him! The result of knowing The Lord is enjoyment of a precious relationship that is life altering and praise producing. It's inevitable, inescapable and unavoidable.
Simply put,
Praise erupts
It can't be contained
when by God's Son, Christ,
a heart has been changed.
And so I will with the Psalmist sing:
1 Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Psalm 146
Today's passages, Psalm 134, 146, 147, 148 and 149 are filled with reminders of God's worthiness to receive our praise, but still, the question remains, why? What difference do our words and songs of praise make to our Maker?
C.S.Lewis struggled at one time with why God requires the praise of man. In his Reflections on the Psalms, Lewis writes:
We all despise the man who demands continued assurance of his own virtue, intelligence or delightfulness; we despise still more the crowd of people round every dictator, every millionaire, every celebrity, who gratify that demand. Thus a picture, at once ludicrous and horrible, both of God and His worshippers, threatened to appear in my mind. The Psalms were especially troublesome in this way – ‘Praise the Lord,' 'O praise the Lord with me,' 'Praise Him.' . . .
Lewis writes that he eventually reconciled this struggle when he realized that praise is the spontaneous response to whatever is praise-worthy:
...the most obvious fact about praise – whether of God or anything – strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honour. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise...
What a beautiful, simple, obvious truth. When we come to know Him, His greatness and goodness, His magnificence and majesty, it is impossible NOT to praise Him! The result of knowing The Lord is enjoyment of a precious relationship that is life altering and praise producing. It's inevitable, inescapable and unavoidable.
Simply put,
Praise erupts
It can't be contained
when by God's Son, Christ,
a heart has been changed.
And so I will with the Psalmist sing:
1 Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Psalm 146
Monday, August 3, 2009
Enduring Love...
Enduring Love. Just the sound of those two words can arouse fantasies of romance and passion. Sadly though, as we are enlightened by real life disappointments and real world disillusionment, we often conclude that genuine, enduring love is merely the product of fiction, not anything real that we'll ever actually experience.
The dictionary defines the word "endure," as something that lasts or continues in the same state. No wonder we are skeptical. People throw in the towel and give up on love rather than staying the course these days. Over half of all couples divorce as the song says "after the love is gone". So cynical are we, that many don't even bother with marriage, choosing instead to live together outside of God's boundaries until the "feelings" of love have faded and greener pastures beckon.
I have been fortunate to witness a few examples of enduring love--the kind of self-sacrificing, devoted love that keeps on keeping on even after "love's receiver" can offer nothing in return. As she lingers helplessly, bed-ridden, requiring that the "love giver" provide for her every need, her lover evolves into a picture of what I believe today's scripture passages portray our Heavenly Father to be--an enduring lover.
2 Chronicles 6-7 and Psalm 136 continue this fascinating chronological journey through God's Word with a detailed account of Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple, God's response, and then a beautiful song written to express the Psalmist's gratitude for The Lord's enduring love.
In a world full of quitters and giver-uppers, we can be certain that there is One whose love will endure forever. There will never be a moment when God's love for us stops. Others will fail us, and it may seem as if enduring love is merely the stuff of romance novels, but don't fall prey to that misconception. When you are disappointed by life's evidences of failed, flawed lovers, remember these words from Psalm 136:
4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
Thank you Father, for your faithful, enduring love. Amen.
The dictionary defines the word "endure," as something that lasts or continues in the same state. No wonder we are skeptical. People throw in the towel and give up on love rather than staying the course these days. Over half of all couples divorce as the song says "after the love is gone". So cynical are we, that many don't even bother with marriage, choosing instead to live together outside of God's boundaries until the "feelings" of love have faded and greener pastures beckon.
I have been fortunate to witness a few examples of enduring love--the kind of self-sacrificing, devoted love that keeps on keeping on even after "love's receiver" can offer nothing in return. As she lingers helplessly, bed-ridden, requiring that the "love giver" provide for her every need, her lover evolves into a picture of what I believe today's scripture passages portray our Heavenly Father to be--an enduring lover.
2 Chronicles 6-7 and Psalm 136 continue this fascinating chronological journey through God's Word with a detailed account of Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple, God's response, and then a beautiful song written to express the Psalmist's gratitude for The Lord's enduring love.
In a world full of quitters and giver-uppers, we can be certain that there is One whose love will endure forever. There will never be a moment when God's love for us stops. Others will fail us, and it may seem as if enduring love is merely the stuff of romance novels, but don't fall prey to that misconception. When you are disappointed by life's evidences of failed, flawed lovers, remember these words from Psalm 136:
4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
Thank you Father, for your faithful, enduring love. Amen.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Free Yard Sale Update!
For all who wonder, the free yard sale went pretty well. We weren't successful at finding a new home for all of our "treasures," but we did manage to place a good deal of it!
In a few weeks, we may do this again, so stay tuned!
The most rewarding aspect of the morning is that I can report that almost $100.00 was raised for this couple ! Team Thompson continues to do great work in Africa and I am happy to be able to support their efforts, even if in a small way.
The other exciting events of the day included an impromptu swim party featuring Chloe, Emmi and Orry Haun. Orry, the tiny Boston Terrier, chased a pink ball right into the pool, but Chloe and Emmi discovered that their little bundle of howling, shivering, ball chasing fur is a pretty good dog paddler. A celebration of his survival was held on the screened porch, catered by Bojangles. Umm umm good.
To each of you who stopped by, called or donated, thank you! It was fun, and hopefully, the first of many future efforts to clean out and help a deserving cause in the process.
In a few weeks, we may do this again, so stay tuned!
The most rewarding aspect of the morning is that I can report that almost $100.00 was raised for this couple ! Team Thompson continues to do great work in Africa and I am happy to be able to support their efforts, even if in a small way.
The other exciting events of the day included an impromptu swim party featuring Chloe, Emmi and Orry Haun. Orry, the tiny Boston Terrier, chased a pink ball right into the pool, but Chloe and Emmi discovered that their little bundle of howling, shivering, ball chasing fur is a pretty good dog paddler. A celebration of his survival was held on the screened porch, catered by Bojangles. Umm umm good.
To each of you who stopped by, called or donated, thank you! It was fun, and hopefully, the first of many future efforts to clean out and help a deserving cause in the process.
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