Tag Thanksgiving

Make a Joyful Noise: Participating in the Psalms

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Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash

A recent post about Psalm 96 said that “the writers aren’t just trying to teach about God, but they are trying to share their experience of Him.”  While that Psalm was about how to “sing to the LORD a new song” of praise, Psalm 100 is “A Psalm for giving thanks,” and like Psalm 96, spells out ideas for doing it.  Today will focus on the first three verses, and tomorrow on the last 2.

Psalm 100 begins with:

“A Psalm for giving thanks.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
            Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!
            It is he who made us, and we are his;
            we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

First, the Psalmist wants the whole earth to make a joyful noise, but notes that singing and making a joyful noise are not the only part of giving thanks.  We are encouraged to thank God by serving Him, not reluctantly, but to serve with the same gladness we have when we sing in worship.

The third verse reads like a list of things to be thankful for.  When we feel like there’s nothing to be thankful for, or no motivation to serve, consider:

“Know that the LORD, he is God!” – Our Lord is not powerless, He is God!
“It is he who made us, and we are his” – We are not accidents of a mindless nature, we are His!
“We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” – We do not have to wander aimlessly through life, not knowing where we are going, we belong to a flock and our Shepherd provides us pasture! 

Take a moment and ask Him how you might participate in the Psalms, carrying these instructions into your daily circumstances.

Goodness By Design: A Quint of Quotes

Todd R 1 Comment

Fellow travelers,

Here is another “Quint of Quotes” from my collection, on the theme of “Goodness By Design.”  I did not group these together by accident…

Photo by Leighann Blackwood on Unsplash

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes” – Sherlock Holmes, in Hound of the Baskervilles

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” – Carl Sagan

“Even if you’re an atheist, you face…the problem of good…if the world is a chance assembly of accidental phenomena, why is there so much that we want to praise and celebrate?” – NT Wright

“A moment after they have admitted that good and evil are illusions, you will find them exhorting us to work for posterity, to educate, revolutionize, liquidate, live and die for the good of the human race” – CS Lewis, in Miracles

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

Thanksgiving is Good and Fitting

Todd R 5 Comments

Since 1942, the United States have celebrated a holiday for Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of every November.  For Christians the holiday is a time to remember the source of their blessings, regardless of how large or small those blessings seem.  In Ecclesiastes 5:18-19, the Preacher recommends celebrating and enjoying our material things, and recognizing God as the Giver of them all, including the work needed to produce and prepare them:

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”

Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash

However, as the Preacher wrote, even those with good jobs and plentiful possessions may find it difficult to truly enjoy them.  It is “good and fitting”, but it is also “the gift of God” to find joy in the now instead of chasing things we don’t already have.  It does not come naturally.

For many, time and events make each Thanksgiving different.  The company around the table may have changed.  The meal may be different.  The means of providing the meal may be different.  The familiarity of tradition may have been shaken by the pandemic and other circumstances.  Much has changed, and much will change.

Therefore, focus on the Giver behind the gifts you have, and seek contentment with thankfulness that He has provided everything you need. For now, and in eternity.  You are in good company.

Sunday Share from Blogger Mama Lava – Helpful Little Hack of the Hour: Your Face

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Dear fellow travelers,

Sundays here are now “Sunday Share.”  The post below is a clever piece of advice on how to use something everyone has – their face – as a reminder to practice gratitude in everyday living.  Mama Lava has been posting daily “hacks” to encourage and entertain her readers and this is one of my favorites!

https://mamalava.wordpress.com/2022/08/26/helpful-little-hack-of-the-hour-gratitude/