Thankfulness

In Between the Holidays

DrJayCook Christmas, Thanksgiving , , , ,

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Technically, it is not Christmas yet.  We are in the in-between time, and what a wonderful time it is.

Two verses come to my mind about this wonderful time.  Psalm 106:1 states: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.”  And John 3:16 states: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  Those two verses remind us of what we should be thinking about: that God deserves our thanks for His love, and that love gave us Jesus.

We are in between the holidays, but we are on the other side of what they celebrate.  God has blessed all of us.  He deserves our thanks.  God has given us Jesus.  He deserves our devotion.

It is one thing to celebrate what the holidays represent and another thing to celebrate the celebration.  I hope you will not get wrapped up in the celebrating and not honor the reason for the celebration.

How about giving thanks?

Sometimes our thanks is based on the “stuff” we have.  But “stuff” gets old, goes out of style, goes out of date, and breaks.  We instead should focus on the amazing gifts that God gives: His faithful love, His presence, His salvation, family, friends…

How about focusing on the reason?

It is easy to get excited about sales and parties, but it is more important to get excited about what God has done for us, is doing for us, and has in store for us.  For those of us who are Christians, we must share the hope that was given to us.  For those of us with the money to have cell phones and frequents drive-through trips, we must share the financial blessings we have with others and especially with our churches.

How about praying to show the same love?

We are surrounded by people who are hurting.  We are connected with many who are struggling.  We could turn a blind eye, or we could ask God to help us see the needs around us and know how we can bless them.

The in-between time gives us a month to enjoy.  The in-between time could give us a month to spread joy.  I hope you will choose to make a difference.

Check out the following resource to prepare your heart (and mind) for Christmas. Click the picture to find out more…

Veterans Day 2023

DrJayCook Patriotism, Veterans Day , , , , ,

World War 1 ended on November 11, 1918.  They thought it was going to be the war to end all wars.  On the anniversary of that day, our nation remembered.  And that eventually turned into the national holiday known as Veterans Day.

Everyone seems to know that Memorial Day is for remembering those who died in service to our country, and we should remember.  However, it seems like few really think about the sacrifices made and memories held by those who faced the harshness of war and live to tell about it.

But we should.

The Bible makes it clear that we should give honor to whom honor is due.  And those who put their lives on the line for us deserve honor.  They deserve our thanks.

We may not agree with certain military actions that politicians have put into motion.  But our men and women who serve in the armed forces do not make those decisions.  They decided to protect us.  They decided to put their lives on the line for us.  They decided to take a road that many of us have not walked.

I still remember (as a child) standing on the square in Oxford when the veterans of World War 1 marched by.  My great-grandfather was one of them.  Each year that number dwindled until there were no more.  They (and other veterans) faced atrocities that we cannot imagine.  They saw the worst side of humanity.  They saw what happens when Jesus is not the center.

Today, we seldom hear the unvarnished accounts of our soldiers.  One political side or the other tends to slant things to benefit themselves rather than just give the facts.  Perhaps that is why the “honor” often seems missing amongst us.  Perhaps that is why many people will not even think about what November 11 is.

I am grateful to live in a country where opportunities abound.  I am grateful to live in a country where we enjoy freedoms that so many others do not experience.  I am grateful that many of our citizens are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure those freedoms.

Our veterans deserve our thanks.  They deserve our honor.  They deserve to be remembered on November 11.

I urge you to remember – to thank – to give honor.  And be sure to thank God for those willing to stand for us.