Fourth Month

      Today marks the last day of the fourth month of 2011. Here is a quick recap of my 4 goals for 2011.

• #1 Start a blog called Everyday Thankfulness to encouraging thankfulness.
• #2 Start a blog called Pupperville Ponderings where I can post all my puppet stories with some added thoughts to ponder.
• #3 Finish making the rest of my unfinished puppets.
• #4 Finish studying out the book of Revelation

     I'm still making at least some progress on each of the goals. This is where I stand as of today.

• #1 I've continued posting daily to the Everyday Thankfulness blog and have now broke the 100 posts mark. There are still so many things to be thankful for.
• #2 Pupperville Ponderings has now had 16 posts made to it.
• #3 As for my puppets - I collected clothing for the 12 puppets and was able to have to heads sewn on before the sewing machines quit working. I have two more heads pinned on to their respective clothing ready to go once the machines are running again. This project may go on hold until then
• #4 I have been working on outlining each of my subdivisions. I done with this through chapter 9

      How have you been doing on your goals...

       Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the ability to set goals to work towards
• For making progress towards fulfilling them

No More

      As this month comes to a close I could say there will be no more and that's a promise, a promise God made in the book of Revelation, a promise of no more death, no more sadness, no more crying, and no more pain.

      Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Now God’s presence is with people, and he will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.“ (NCV)

      In the mean time, there will still be death and sadness and crying and pain and I'll continue to blog about the things we can be thankful for.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the here and now

• For the future and what we can look forward to

New Heavens - New Earth

      When one listens to the news on the radio or TV or reads it on line or in the newspaper it doesn't take long before you hear news that is less than good. Some days that is all you ever get. Another violent storm, and earthquake, flooding, drought, war, someone goes off their rocker and starts shooting away, a mother drives into a river, the economy is going down hill, morality is going down hill, prices are going up, up, up. but there is hope. Someday int he future God will remove this corrupted world and replace it with something new - that is His promise.

      2 Peter 3:13 - But God made a promise to us, and we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives. (NCV)



      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For what the future holds
  

Egg Hunt

      Growing up as a child I can remember every Easter Sunday getting home from church to go on an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard. The eggs were real and when we were done with them they were turned into deviled eggs and eaten.

     Now days we use plastic eggs and often time stuff them with candy but the kids just have fun hiding them and looking for them.

     Some towns have Easter egg hunts for kids and have prizes or goodies they can try to find or get when they are done.

     Some years at are AWANA group we have an egg hunt as well using the resurrection eggs, the eggs with little trinkets inside to help remind us of Jesus and the Easter story.

     What ever you may do when it comes to Easter eggs they have the potential for great fun, something good to eat and a lesson of New Life in Christ.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the fun memories of Easter egg hunts.
• For the fun the kids can have playing with the eggs today

Eternal Life

     Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu'il ait la vie éternelle. (French)

      Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna. (Spanish)

      Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam. (Latin)

      Denn so hat Gott die Welt geliebt, daß er seinen eingeborenen Sohn gab, damit jeder, der an ihn glaubt, nicht verloren gehe, sondern ewiges Leben habe. (German)

      No matter how you say it - it's still John 3:16 and it still contains one of the Bible's great promises - Eternal Life

      "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 (ESV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the salvation you offer us

Forgiveness of Sin

      Corrie ten Boom and her family secretly housed Jews in their home during WWII. Their "illegal" activity was discovered, and Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to the German death camp Ravensbruck. There Corrie would watch many, including her sister, die.

     After the war she returned to Germany to declare the grace of Christ:

     It was 1947, and I'd come from Holland to defeated Germany with the message that God forgives. It was the truth that they needed most to hear in that bitter, bombed-out land, and I gave them my favorite mental picture. Maybe because the sea is never far from a Hollander's mind, I liked to think that that's where forgiven sins were thrown.

     "When we confess our sins," I said, "God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. And even though I cannot find a Scripture for it, I believe God then places a sign out there that says, 'NO FISHING ALLOWED.' "

     The solemn faces stared back at me, not quite daring to believe. And that's when I saw him, working his way forward against the others. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat; the next, a blue uniform and a cap with skull and crossbones. It came back with a rush— the huge room with its harsh overhead lights, the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor, the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister's frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment skin. Betsie, how thin you were! That place was Ravensbruck, and the man who was making his way forward had been a guard— one of the most cruel guards.

     Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: "A fine message, Fraulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!" And I, who had spoken so glibly of forgiveness, fumbled in my pocketbook rather than take that hand. He would not remember me, of course— how could he remember one prisoner among those thousands of women? But I remembered him. I was face-to-face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.

     "You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk," he was saying. "I was a guard there." No, he did not remember me. "But since that time," he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein,"—again the hand came out—"will you forgive me?"

     And I stood there—I whose sins had again and again to be forgiven—and could not forgive. Betsie had died in that place. Could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could have been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.

     For I had to do it— I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart.

     But forgiveness is not an emotion— I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust out my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

     "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely, as I did then. But even then, I realized it was not my love. I had tried, and did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit.

     (Citation: Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord (Berkley, 1978), pp. 53-55;) - Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion

     Forgiveness is something we all need, something we can all have. Here's the promise. - 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.(NLT)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the forgiveness You offer
• For the forgiveness You give

Resurrection Sunday

      Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. (ESV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the resurrection and the hope it brings

Crown of Life

      A tax assessor came one day to a poor minister of the gospel to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. "What do you possess?" he questioned.

"Oh, I am very wealthy," replied the minister. "List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.

The man of God replied:

• I have everlasting life
• I have a mansion in Heaven
• I have peace that passes understanding
• I have joy unspeakable
• I have divine love that never fails
• I have a faithful, pious wife
• I have healthy, happy, obedient children
• I have true, loyal friends
• I have songs in the night
• And last of all I have a crown of life awaiting

      The tax collector closed his book and said, "Truly, you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation." (Bible Illustrations)

      James 1:12 Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him. (HCSB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the crown of life that awaits us

Crucifixion

      And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." At that time two robbers were* crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. "HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' " The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words. Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah." Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. But the rest of them said, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:33-54 (NAS)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the cross

Temptation

      Some people fall into temptation, but a great many make plans for disaster ahead of time. "Son," ordered a father, "don't swim in that canal." "O.K., Dad," he answered. But he came home carrying a wet bathing suit that evening. "Where have you been?" demanded the father. "Swimming in the canal," answered the boy. "Why did you?" the father asked. "Well, Dad," the boy explained, "I had my bathing suit with me and I couldn't resist the temptation." "Why did, you take your bathing suit with you?" his father asked. "So I'd be prepared to swim, in case I was tempted," he replied.

      How many of us are like that little boy, making plans to give in to temptation? Going swimming in a canal will never be a temptation for me but temptation does come and as long as we are alive we will be tempted.

      When it comes to temptation and overcoming it we have a great promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For keeping over powering temptations from us
• For giving us ways to overcome the temptations that we do receive

Award Night

      Tonight brings a close to a year of AWANA. Starting around 6:30 this evening we will be having an awards ceremony for the kids to hand out ribbons, plaques, trophies and ice cream. The ice cream isn't actually an award but a treat for everyone that shows up.

      This year has been the first year I have actually made it to every night and now that it's done what will I do...... Some nights you may wonder why you do it but each child is important and you never know what good you may be doing.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For a year of working with the kids
• For all the helpers that have put forth their time
• For each of the kids.

Protection From Satan

     1 Peter 5:8 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NAS) Other than maybe Sampson, would any one be willing to take on a hungry lion with their bare hands? If I'm going to have to take on a hungry lion I would hope to have a loaded rifle in my hand.

      While a loaded rifle may help protect you against a hungry lion, it would be useless against the devil. To my knowledge, no weapon on earth could protect you from him Our protection against the devil comes from the Lord. See His promise in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. (HCSB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For your protection from the Satan

Divine Comfort

     A young man was an organist in a large church in Texas. He was a fine musician, but, being blind, was unable to read in the faces of his audience the great pleasure his music was giving. His caressing touch on the keyboard sent out through its great pipes the songs of his soul. People would talk to each other about the beauty and the uplifting influence of his music. Often his music sent tears down furrowed cheeks. But no one ever thought to tell the organist, who was longing to hear a word of response.

     One morning it was announced that he would not play after that service. His decision was final; another organist must be secured. After the service a woman who had enjoyed his music thoroughly went up to him, and said, very earnestly, "I am sorry you will not play for us any longer. I have enjoyed your music so much. It helped me greatly; it soothed and comforted me when I sorrowed. I have thought many times I would tell you what an inspiration I have received through your music. I thank you for it."

     The young man's voice faltered and tears rushed to his sightless eyes as he whispered, "Oh, why didn't you tell me sooner? I needed comfort and inspiration, too." - Bible Illustrations

     We may often fail to give comfort and encouragement to those around us but thankfully we have a God who doesn't fail. Check out this promise.

     2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. (HCSB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the comfort that you give

Palm Sunday

     When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. "If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, 'BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.' " The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!" - Matthew 21:1-9 (NAS)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Jesus' Triumphant entry
• That we can continue to say "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!"

Peace

     A true story: A retired couple was alarmed by the threat of nuclear war so they undertook a serious study of all the inhabited places on the globe. Their goal was to determine where in the world would be the place to be least likely affected by a nuclear war. A place of ultimate security. They studied and traveled, traveled and studied. Finally they found the place. And on Christmas they sent their pastor a card from their new home—in the Falkland Islands. However, their "paradise" was soon turned into a war zone by Great Britain and Argentina.

Illustrations Unlimited

      Peace is rare: Less than 8 percent of the time since the beginning of recorded time has the world been entirely at peace. In a total of 3,530 years, 286 have been warless. Eight thousand treaties have been broken in this time.

Personnel Journal, Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations

      John 14:27 - "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. (TLB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the peace you give

Taxes

      Today is April 15th also known as tax day in the U.S. so in honor of the day I though I give you a few one liners I found regarding taxes.

• One way to pay less tax - earn less.
• The most permanent thing in the world is a temporary tax.
• Save for a rainy day and a new tax comes along and soaks you.
• Taxation is based on supply and demand - the government demands and we supply.
• Invest your money in taxes - they're bound to go up.

Complete Book of Zingers, The

• I believe we should all pay our tax bill with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash.
• There will always be two classes of people who don't like to pay income taxes: men and women.

Phillips' Treasury of Humorous Quotations

      In Luke 20:21-25 Jesus was questioned about taxes and here is His response - So the spies asked Jesus, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is true. You pay no attention to who people are, and you always teach the truth about God’s way. Tell us, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?“ But Jesus, knowing they were trying to trick him, said, “Show me a coin. Whose image and name are on it?“ They said, “Caesar’s.“ Jesus said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.“ (NCV)

      While we may not like to pay them, and we may not like how they are used, we do use many of the things that have been provided by way of taxes. So, let's at least be thankful today for taxes.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• That we are capable of paying taxes
• For the benefits we receive as a result

Spiritual Rest

      You'll know your going to get a nice nap when the preacher brings his pillow with him to the pulpit. - Believe it or not, I actually did that once, not because I thought I might fall a sleep listening to my self but for an object lesson on rest.

      On that particular Sunday, I think I was talking about the 4th commandment and we are to rest but rest isn't always easy to come by. Maybe that's why Jesus made this promise in Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (ESV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the rest you give

Thompson Chain

      One of the few books that can be found on my desk is my Thompson Chain Reference Bible and I have to confess I don't use it very much. I use to use it a lot more before I bought my Word Search Bible program for the computer with all of the features that are found in the printed form.

      Now when I want to looks something up in the Bible I usually sit at the computer - which is almost always on - and pull up the Bible program and do a quick search and have it there in front of me ready to use in just seconds. Once I open up a Bible verse in the program, all the Thompson chain column references show up right beside it and unlike my printed Bible, all I have to do is hover over the reference or click on it and I have it, which is a lot quicker than turning pages.

      There are still times though, when I'm not home and I bring along my printed Bible and use it's tools.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Your Words - the Bible
• For the study helps in the Thompson Chain

Answered Prayer

      The story is told of a small town in which there were no liquor stores. Eventually, however, a nightclub was built right on Main Street. Members of one of the churches in the area were so disturbed that they conducted several all-night prayer meetings, and asked the Lord to burn down that den of iniquity. Lightning struck the tavern a short time later, and it was completely destroyed by fire.

       The owner, knowing how the church people had prayed, sued them for the damages. His attorney claimed that their prayers had caused the loss. The congregation, on the other hand, hired a lawyer and fought the charges. After much deliberation the judge declared, "It's the opinion of this court that wherever the guilt may lie, the tavern keeper is the one who really believes in prayer while the church members do not!" - R.W. de Haan (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations)

       When it comes to prayer, do we believe God can and will answer? Think about this promise from 1 John 5:14-15 - And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. (NLT)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• That we can ask of You in prayer
• That you are willing to answer

Direction

      Roy Regals was a lineman for the University of California in 1929 when they went up against Georgia Tech at the Rose Bowl. The game was scoreless when he picked up a fumble from the other team, and headed for the end zone— the wrong end zone. A teammate chased him and tackled him with one yard to go, but on the next play, Regals' quarterback got sacked in the end zone for a two-point safety. When the game was over, his team had lost by one point. Thus, Roy Regals has been known ever after as Wrong Way Regals.

      Regals later said he had heard his teammate behind him yelling, "You're going the wrong way," but thought, What's wrong with him? One author said of Regals: "He had instincts without direction." We're all like that. Sometimes we have the right instincts, but we go in the wrong direction, and it's dangerous. (Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion)

      One thing is for certain - if we let the Lord direct us we won't end up going the wrong way. Take a look at this promise - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For directing us on the right path

Lilies and Clothes

      A couple different times in the past couple weeks I've been at our local clothing exchange called "Care and Share" looking for clothes for my puppets. As one looks through the racks and racks of clothing one realizes you don't have to spend a fortune on clothes that look really nice. Most items at the store are only 50 cents. I've shopped there for myself on several different occasions and in fact the suit I wore when I got married came from such a place and only cost me about 2 bucks.

      Think about these words of Jesus - "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:25-33 (NAS)

      God has promised to see to it that we are clothed and he has provided a very inexpensive way for us to look nice.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the various clothing exchanges
• For the nice clothes found there

Provision for all needs

      "The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat," the housemother of the orphanage informed George Mueller. George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. "Mr. Mueller," he said, "last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in."

      Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.

      And God continues to fulfill this promise from Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For supplying all our needs

Prosperity and Success

• In 1831 he failed in business
• In 1832 he was defeated for legislature
• In 1833 he again failed in business
• In 1834 he was elected to the legislature
• IN 1835 his sweetheart died
• In 1836 he had a nervous breakdown
• In 1838 he was defeated for speaker
• In 1840 he was defeated for elector
• In 1843 he was defeated for congress
• In 1846 he was electe4d to congress
• In 1848 he was defeated for congress
• In 1855 he was defeated for senate
• in 1856 he was defeated for Vice-President
• In 1858 he was defeated for senate again
• in 1860 he was elected President

      His name was Abraham Lincoln and he said "I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so."

      Joshua 1:8 says - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV) God has promised prosperity and success to those who obey His words, but not necessarily on our time scale. Has He prospered you? Has He made you successful?

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the prosperity you have sent our way
• For the success you have given us

Puzzles

      Do you enjoy a good puzzle? While I haven't done one in quite sometime, I've always enjoyed a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. I also enjoy various word puzzles such as fill-it-ins, crosswords, cryptograms, and even word searches. Some of my math and logic puzzles including Sudoku, word arithmetic, cross sums and figure logics.

      Earlier this year I ordered a large value pack of logic and math puzzles from Penny Press and have been and will be enjoying them for years to come. One of the reasons I like these types of puzzles is they make you think and help to keep the mind sharp.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the many types of puzzles to enjoy

Protection from harm

      The British express train raced through the night, its powerful headlamp spearing the black darkness ahead. The train was carrying Queen Victoria.     

      Suddenly the engineer saw a startling sight. Revealed in the beam of the engine's headlights was a weird figure in a black cloak, standing in the middle of the tracks and waving its arms. The engineer grabbed for the brakes and brought the train to a grinding halt.

      He and his fellow trainsmen climbed out to see what had stopped them. They could find no trace of the strange figure. On a hunch, the engineer walked a few yards farther up the tracks. Suddenly he stopped and stared into the fog in horror. A bridge had been washed out and had fallen into a swollen stream. If he had not heeded the ghostly figure, the train would have plunged into the stream.

      While the bridge and tracks were being repaired, the crew made a more intensive search for the strange flagman. But not until they got to London did they solve the mystery.

      At the base of the engine's headlamp was a huge moth. The engineer looked at it for a moment, then on impulse wet its wings and pasted it to the glass of the lamp. Climbing back into his cab, he switched on the lamp and saw the "phantom flagman" in the beam. He knew what had happened: the moth had flown into the beam, seconds before the train reached the washed-out bridge. In the fog, it appeared to be a phantom figure waving its arms.

      When Queen Victoria was told of the strange happening she said, "I'm sure it was no accident. It was God's way of protecting us."

Illustrations Unlimited

      We may never know the full extant of the promise made in Psalms 34:7 which say - The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear God, and he saves them. (NCV)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For protecting us

God's Presence

Footprints

One night I had a dream--

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson

      The first of God's promises to be thankful for is that of His presence. Hebrews 13:5 reads - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (ESV) God has made us a promise to never leave us and that is something we can take comfort in when all is well and when nothing seems to go right.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the promise of Your presence

Working Van

      Last week we had our big red van into the mechanic to be worked on. While at first we thought the problem may have been with the transmission, it turned out to be a coil. Now, instead of a jerky ride we get a smooth(er) ride.

      When it comes to fixing cars, my abilities are quite limited so I thankful for those who know what they're doing and can fix them and it's sure is nice to have the van running properly again.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For mechanics
• For vehicles that work.

Standing on the promises of God

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King

Through eternal ages let His praises ring

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing

Standing on the promises of God

Standing, standing

Standing on the promises of God my Savior

Standing, standing

I'm standing on the promises of God

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail

By the living Word of God I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord

Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord

Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword

Standing on the promises of God

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall

Listening every moment to the Spirit's call

Resting in my Savior as my all in all

Standing on the promises of God

      As we enter a new month I've decided to use the promises of God as the next theme. As we look through the Bible we find many promises on which we can stand, for which we can and should be thankful for.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Your many promises
• That You always keep your promises

RZIM

      Have you ever heard of RZIM? RZIM is short for "Ravi Zacharias International Ministries" and can be found at RZIM.org. Ravi is an international author and speaker who defends the Christian faith all over the world.

      I own a few of his books and have downloaded and listened to many of his talks that are available on his web sight. If someone is looking for answers or just wanting to learn how to defend Christianity, RZIM is a great source.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Those who work to defend Christianity
• For Ravi and RZIM

April Fools

      It is the first day of April today and that means it's April Fools' Day, or All Fools' Day. In general it's a day to to play tricks on people to try and fool them and make them look a fool. Some of the tricks that get played get quite elaborate while others may be nothing more than tapping someone on the opposite shoulder to get them to look the wrong way.

     One year my wife played a joke on me and set the alarm clock ahead 1 hour. Only after I was up and dressed did I realize I still had an hour to sleep - but never did fall back to sleep.

     While playing harmless little pranks to see if we can fool somebody may be fun, the Bible reminds us that the real fools are those who say there is no God. God has left us more than enough evidence so that we may know He is and we don't have to be a fool - April 1st or any other day.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For revealing your self to us
• For giving us more than enough evidence
• That we need not be a fool