Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

In just a few weeks, we'll be celebrating one of my favorite holiday... Thanksgiving Day.  There are lots of reasons I enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday:  family, feasting, and football.  I also enjoy the day because it doesn't come with all the commercialism associated with our other big holidays, like Easter & Christmas.  Thanksgiving Day has remained relatively simple.

But there's another reason why I like Thanksgiving so much.  It's a day in which we make the extra effort to reflect on all of the blessings in our lives and give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow... our great and gracious Heavenly Father.

I've often thought, "Why is it that we only stop once a year to say "thank you" to God for all of His blessings?"  I suppose one could argue that if it weren't for this one specially designated day, we might never stop and to give thanks.

Shouldn't everyday be a day of thanksgiving?  Charles Dickens once said that we Americans have it backwards.  Instead of just one day in which to give thanks, we should have 364; with the one day reserved for complaining.

Here's what I want to suggest to you... make every day, especially between now and November 22, a Thanksgiving day.  Stop and consider the blessings you enjoy and say "Thank You" to God for all He has done for you.

Below are some of the things for which I am most thankful.  Please feel free to add your own to the list.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 I AM THANKFUL FOR...
   - My loving & support wife
   - My children & grandchildren
   - My health
   - My church
   - My friends
   - My Savior, Jesus Christ

Accountability & Encouragement

Most Saturday mornings, I get up early and drive into Rochester (about 45 minutes) to do my long distance runs with a great group of people at Fleet Feet Sports.  I've done this for a couple of years now.  

I'm often asked, "Why do you travel so far to go running?  Aren't there any roads where you live?"  Well, there are a few roads out here in South Alabama, NY.  And, yes, they ARE paved.  In fact, I do sometimes run out here, and it's a very beautiful area for running.

The reason I make the trek into Rochester is simple.  I enjoy the camaraderie and encouragement of others who share a similar passion.  

I need the encouragement and accountability that comes from running with others.  There are days I'd rather sleep in.  Knowing others will be running helps me to get up and get going.  There are times I think I've reached my limit.  My group pushes me to go farther and faster than I would on my own.  

This was especially true when I first started running.  Like any new discipline, running is hard.  I needed LOTS of encouragement to stick with it.  But with the encouragement and support of others, I was able to progress from running a 1/2 mile to running marathons.

But there's more to be found in running with a group than just encouragement.  I've also made some very good friends.  We look forward to seeing each other on Saturday mornings.  We cheer for each other at our races.  We connect throughout the week to offer advice, encouragement (there's that word again!), and support... along with a few laughs.

Having been on the receiving end for some time, I recently took on the role of being a pace leader for one of the groups.  Now I get to provide encouragement and support to others as they push themselves to new levels in their running.  It's exciting to hear someone in the group say, "I've never run that far before."  

One of my favorite Bible verses is found in Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."



Regardless of the journey you're on, we all need encouragement.  Life isn't always easy or fair.  Sometimes you reach the top of one hill only to discover there are several longer & steeper hills ahead (think Mendon Ponds here).  A little encouragement goes a long way.  A smile, a kind word, a little advice, perhaps even some needed correction.  

Do you need some encouragement in your life?  Link up with some others who will help you in your walk today.  Have you been encouraged by others?  Then share that encouragement with someone else.  You'll both be glad you did!

BTW... our group has been training for the past few months to run the MVP Half and Full Marathon in Rochester this Sunday morning.  I'll be leading one of the pace groups for the marathon.  I'm excited to know that we'll be there to support & encourage each other to the finish line.

Mexico Mission Trip 2012 Oakfield-Alabama, Elba, and Lockport Churches

Gaining New Confidence

A comment I hear frequently when I mention that I'm training for another marathon is, "I could never do that!"  And my response is typically the same, "Neither could I when I first started running."

In fact, when I first started running, I was lucky if I could run around the block without gasping for air.  I used to secretly pray that my shoe would come untied so I could take a break!
  
Running a marathon isn't something you decide to do one morning and then sign up for a race the next weekend.  Rather, you start out small and then, over the course of time, you push yourself further and further... a few 5K races, then a 10K, and then a half-marathon (13.1 miles) or two.

Soon you discover that the initial pains of running have passed and you actually look forward to getting out on the road again.  One of the people in our running group posted this week that she found herself smiling while running!  That's when you know you're hooked.

Recently, I've been helping other runners prepare for their first half and full marathon by being a pace leader on our Saturday longs.  I love running with these people.  It's great to hear them say, "I've never run 10 miles before!" and then see them smile when we finish our run.  They're finding for themselves something I discovered since becoming a runner... a new found sense of confidence.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength."  I often repeat this verse to myself while running or when I find myself in a new or uncomfortable situation.

Distance running has given me the confidence I need when facing difficult challenges, knowing that God will give me the strength I need to push my way on to the finish line.

No Fear

On Wednesday I'll be leading a mission trip to Mexico.  There are 10 people (including myself) that will be going to work at Resplandor de Vida, a children's home located near Juarez.  We will be holding Bible classes & activities for about 110 children, distributing food in a nearby colonia, worshiping in a local church, and doing some light construction work at the mission compound.

All of us are excited to be going.  And most of those we know are excited for us.  But there have been some unexpected responses.  On more than one occasion I have heard something like, "What?  Are you crazy?  Don't you know how dangerous it is for Americans in Mexico???"  Such statements have come from well-meaning church members, concerned parents, and other pastors & leaders.


So, here's my response to those concerns...

1. Yes, I know about the dangers that exist in the Juarez, Mexico area.  Dangers exist all around us, even in what we normally consider to be safe areas.  The recent shooting spree in Aurora,  Colorado reminds us of this.
2. We will show proper care to follow the directions of those who know the area best.  We will be there for one week; they live with these dangers constantly.
3. Our God is bigger than any of the difficult or dangerous situation we may face, and we will trust in His care.

Here are two Bible verses that I think of frequently: 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:28,38-39, NIV)

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

We do not need to fear.  There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from God's love.

Here is what God will do for us, whether we are in Juarez, Aurora or anywhere else... he will protect us from all harm, he will sustain us through our difficulties, or he'll take us to our eternal home.  He may even choose to do all three! 

Oh yeah, there's one more thing God will do...  He will use us to honor & glorify Him.  And that's better than anything else we could desire.

For more information about Resplandor de Vida, visit www.harvesthandsministries.org

"Take Five" Friday

It's been a scorcher of a week here in WNY, as it has been in many parts of our country.  This has led many people to seek ways to stay cool.  Here are some ideas you may not have thought about... until now.

Feel free to give them a try and let us know how you make out or share a few of your own suggestions.

5 Unusual Ways to Beat the Summer Heat...

1.  Having a picnic lunch in your bank's lobby.

2.  Standing in an appliance store with all the refrigerator and freezer doors open.

3.  Volunteering to inventory the grocery store's frozen food department.

4.  Posing as a statue in the park's fountain.

5.  Wrapping your body in freeze pops.

A Tribute to Andy

Today we lost an American legend... Andy Griffith.  Like thousands of others, I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show.  His role as Sheriff Andy Taylor gave us a glimpse of the man he truly was:  gracious & fair, loving & firm, a man of rock solid convictions, and one whose faith was genuine.

Before pursuing a degree in music, Andy prayerfully considered becoming a preacher.  I am so glad he chose the path he did.  I have to believe he touched more lives by the roles he portrayed than he ever would have from a pulpit.

"Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord," his wife, Cindi Griffith, said in the statement issued through the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina. (CNN)


Andy, your presence & influence will be greatly missed. 

  

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psalm 116:15