Over the Thanksgiving weekend we spent a lot of time together as a family.  It was refreshing and we all had a great time.  There were a few conversations that Hannah and I had after everyone else went to bed.  Hannah and I seem to be the night owls in our house.

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Not too long ago, Sonya’s brother’s dog, Daisy, was run over by a car.  It was pretty tragic to their family that has two daughters around 8 and 9 years old.  Apparently, one of Hannah’s cousins was sharing the story of the tragic death of Daisy.

Hannah: Dad, do you remember Daisy the dog?

Me: Yes.

Hannah: Well she died.

Me: That’s what I heard.

Hannah: She got run over by a car and she’s dead.

Me: Oh, that’s sad isn’t it?

Hannah: You know what else?  You know where she’s at?

Me: Umm…

Hannah: She’s six feet under!

Me: Excuse me?

Hannah’: She’s six feet under the ground!

Me: Who told you that?

Hannah: Grace (actually it was her cousin Chase)

Me: Um…you want a drink before we go to bed?

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Friday night, we were at the hotel and Hannah and I stayed up late.  She was watching a movie and I was working on a sermon to preach for Sunday.  I had my Bible on the desk and around midnight, Hannah walks over to me at the desk.

She rubs my arm and looks at my Bible and…

Hannah: Dad, can I use your Bible?

Me: Yes, if you promise to be careful with it.

Hannah: Oh, I will…I am going to go up there and preach with you.

Me: Really?

Hannah: Yeah, we are going to go up there together…because I’m a pastor’s daughter.

Me: You are and you can preach with me anytime, honey!

After church Sunday, I said to Hannah, “you forgot to preach with me this morning, I missed you.”

Hannah replied, “I went to the nursery instead and talked to the teacher.”

There is always alot to be thankful for.  In spite of a rough start this morning: bad travel weather, the car making funny noises, etc, we have had a great Thanksgiving.  For the first time in several years, Sonya and all of her brothers have been together at her parent’s house.  We had a great lunch at Sonya’s cousin’s house and saw relatives we haven’t seen in years.  What a blessed day!

Some things I am thankful for today:

*Salvation
*Living in freedom
*My wife who loves me for better or for worse:)
*My kids who enrich my life and make sure it is never boring (or quiet)
*My father-in-law who said 4 years ago at Thanksgiving that it would probably be his last.  He is still alive four years later.
*Today I have been virtually pain free for the first time in two weeks.  Two weeks ago today, I threw out my back.
*My church family whom I love and look forward to many years together.  Our future is bright.

I could go on an on with things I am thankful for.  God has been so good to us!  I am thankful that, as the Apostle Paul said, “He has counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry.”  Life is good because God is good!

I thought I would share this again. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Dear Lord, for your blessings I am truly thankful
Even though, when I don’t get what I want, I tend to grumble

You give me guidance, favor and unlimited grace
But I always complain when things don’t go my way

I’m in awe of the lovely flowers that bloom in spring
But I really get upset when you send us the rain

I’m thankful for such a gracious and lovely wife
But I take her for granted because she’s stuck with me for life

Oh, I can’t forget my incredible kids that you gave to me
But Lord, couldn’t you at least have given them a little less energy

I know the tendency that I’m sure all of us have
To thank you for the things we like and not for the bad

We want our lives to be perfect, without any pain
All peaches and cream, everything going our way

But God, let me now put all joking aside
Help me not be selfish and help me lay down my life

To understand that the world doesn’t revolve around me
I’m thankful for you and my wonderful family

For the blessings you have so generously bestowed
And for the children that you have given me to mold

And, one more thing, Lord, the next time I want to complain
Remind me of Jesus, who endured suffering for my gain

-Danny Cheney

Yesterday morning, I was spending time in prayer and study of the Word.  It was around 6:00am and I was enjoying my quiet time.  Out of no where I was suddenly overwhelmed with temptation.  It was a temptation that seemed foreign to me, at least when I was spending time in prayer. 

I suddenly began to crave Mrs. Baird’s Cinnamon Rolls.  I could nearly taste them and I thought I could actually smell them.  I was literally salivating thinking about getting me some of those sweet treats.  I was somewhat stunned because that was an uncommon temptation for me, however, it came at a time when it was something that would tempt me.

You see, I have been on a diet.  I have cut out sweets and I no longer can fulfill my craving for such delights as Mrs. Baird’s cinnamon rolls.  I am on a diet, not only so I can get healthy but so that I can learn to discipline my life.  To give into that temptation would have been to become undisciplined. 

Is eating a cinnamon roll bad? No! Actually it is good, but when you are trying to watch what you eat it is bad.  Though this may seem like a flippant view of temptation, it is indeed a struggle for me.  Food has been my comfort and I am trying to rely on Christ rather than comfort food. 

Many might think this is spoken in jest but really it is about temptation.  Whether it is food or another addiction, temptation is real.  DISCLAIMER: Just because we have a craving doesn’t mean it is temptation but it is an approach the enemy might use.  Our flesh craves certain things.  In fact, our flesh longs for sin.  Maybe you are not tempted by comfort foods but is there something else that draws you away?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Temptation is common in all humanity.  No one is exempt and we are all tempted with different things. The truth of this verse is that God always makes a way of escape for us.  A way to deny our flesh and to win.  A way for us to pray through the temptation that comes.  When you feel tempted to fall into sin, remember, God has made a way for you to overcome it.  It just might mean that you have to deny yourself and follow Him.

Thoughts for the Journey – Who Reigns?

I talked with my brother yesterday and he told me he took a job as a taxi driver.  I asked if he ever got nervous driving in the middle of the night.  He said no.  I sure hope he doesn’t run into this problem over the Thanksgiving holiday. (See cartoon below)

I couldn’t pass this one up either.  Apparently, this has been a crime from the beginning.  Maybe evolution holds true

Here is our Tuesday edition of Thoughts For The Journey

Reality some times smacks you in the face.  This week my age seems to be catching up with me.  #1-I threw my back out.  I pulled something the wrong way and I tweaked my back good.  Sonya says I look like I am walking crooked.  #2-Josh is going this week for his driver’s license test.  He is growing up so fast and I look back and wonder where the time is gone.  My baby boy is ready to drive.

I am feeling older, in body and in emotions.  Yet, growing older has its benefits too.  It is not something to be dreaded even though more aches and pains come your way.  Growing older is exciting.  It affords us greater opportunities to share what we have learned in life.  The older you get the more seriously people take you.  They feel like you have something that they need. 

When I started pastoring I was 24.  The people in our town called me the fifteen year old preacher because that is all I looked.  There were many challenges because I was so young.  I faced things that most older pastors do not face because my age seemed more like a handicap.  As I grow older, almost 15 years of pastoring now, people seem to take more seriously our ministry and our judgment.

As I look back on my life, I reflect on what we have accomplished with God’s help.  Are the ministries I have been in better off because I have been there?  Have I impacted people’s lives in a positive way?  Have I been instrumental in the growth of others?

For me growing older means bearing more fruit.  The older I get, the more fruit I should bear and I should be more mature spiritually as I age.  What about you?  Are you growing older and maturing as well?