Gratitude

Count your Blessings

Hymn History: Count Your Blessings

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” - Psalm...
2209-30 What Jesus Taught About the Holy Spirit SLIDE_16x9

Recapturing the Hallelujah

My memory is still vivid of the first time I heard the Hallelujah Chorus given in a pubic meeting. I remember watching that vast crowd of people stand in honor of the...
Thank We All Our God -300x300

Hymn History: Now Thank We All Our God

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 We are thrilled to share a series of brief...
roman-kraft-7sPg5OLfExc-unsplash

A Word to 3rd Generation Christians

There is nothing quite like the excitement of being with first generation Christians! They do not use all of the cliches or know the church culture. But neither do they...
2111-18AllSpiritualBlessingsSLIDE_16x9

Now on ETJ: “All Spiritual Blessings”

This week, people across our nation will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Around tables filled with food, many will pause to say a word of thanks for...
equity-2355700_960_720-2

Stop Trying to Be An “Equal Opportunity” Servant!

There is a great deal of debate in our world about what is commonly called "equal opportunity." The term is generally accepted as meaning that people are to be treated...
olia-gozha-rcQ20ZndQ5U-unsplash

A Divine Preservative

I love preserves...grape, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry...yes, I like them all! The preservative principle is that some substance is used to prevent something whole and fresh from decaying. God provides divine...
carolyn-v-dbD-7BQDMJk-unsplash-768x512

When We Are Blessed…

Blessed people often become the most rebellious. If you don't believe me, look at God's chosen people, the nation of Israel. When we are full of good things it is...
wilhelm-gunkel-L04Kczg_Jvs-unsplash-768x512

How To Say “Thank You”

Several years ago I had the joy of speaking to a large group of children on the subject of thanksgiving. In preparation I learned how to say thank you in...
2010-17-Thankful-In-Difficult-Days-SLIDE-768x492

Thankful In Difficult Days

Thankful In Difficult Days God’s people are commanded to give thanks at all times and in all circumstances - not when we feel like it. Praise is a choice and...
priscilla-du-preez-bJPn27RFg0Y-unsplash-768x512

Thanksgiving Meditations

Through the years I have written a number of brief articles on the subject of gratitude. From time to time we all must be reminded how good God has been...
pro-church-media-441073-unsplash

Grateful People Are Always In The Minority

All month on Enjoying the Journey we have been studying the life of thankfulness. Around many tables today people will share a list of things for which they are grateful....
IMG_1945-e1532575381494-768x1024

“Thank You, God, For 13 Years”

Today is my son's 13th birthday. We have had a wonderful time celebrating this week as a family. How could we have three teenagers?! I asked Grant to lead us...
1-768x768 (10)

A Self-Made Man?

Society is full of people who speak as though they made themselves what they are. Churches are too. It is so easy to think that it was our own effort...
etj-logo

Taken For Granted

We take family for granted…until they are gone. We take health for granted…until it is broken. We take sleep for granted…until it refuses to come. We take children for granted…until...
wpid-give_thanks_with_a_grateful_heart-768x576

Thursday’s Thought: “FOR THANKSGIVING DAY”

I must be getting more sentimental in my old age. Over the last few years I have developed a great love for poetry. In so many ways it expresses the...
Small-Square_Enjoying-the-Journey-768x738 (6)

Wednesday’s Thanksgiving Thought: Why I Am Grateful For What I Never Got

Families will gather around tables this week and briefly mention the many blessings for which they are grateful to God. For most of us the emphasis will be on the...
Gospel-ICON_cross

Tuesday’s Thanksgiving Thought: “God’s Greatest Provision”

Over the last few days we have been building a list in our home. We live by lists! Grocery lists, to do lists, special event lists. This one is different....
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Monday’s Thanksgiving Thought

Gratitude begins vertical and becomes horizontal. As we offer thanks to the Source of every good gift, we are reminded of the many channels that He uses to deliver them....
1701-21-Main-Slide_Tools-768x492 (1)

30 Days of Thanksgiving

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, "When gratitude dies on the altar of a man's heart he is well-nigh gone." There is no way to underestimate the power of...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

An Item for Praise and Prayer

Yesterday I had the privilege to speak to a group of pastoral staff men in the church where I am preaching. It was a joy to share with them truths...
How to Keep Yourself Stirred, spiritual stirring, How to stay stirred

How to Keep Yourself Stirred

How to Keep Yourself Stirred One of the hardest things in serving the Lord is keeping your own heart stirred about the work you have been given to do. We...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

What’s On Your List?

Some time ago my wife challenged each member of our family to share three things for which we were grateful each night as we went to bed. It is easy...
unknown (2)

Daily Thanksgiving (Daily Living – Part 3)

I love Thanksgiving. (And, yes, I know this is not November!) For too many of us thanksgiving is a day of the year instead of a way of life. We...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Why I Thank God for My 6th Grade Teacher

Teachers are powerful people.  This month thousands of teachers will be recognized.  Few will be appreciated as they deserve. As I think over my elementary, junior high, high school, college,...
joseph-gonzalez-E-EEQSjDdck-unsplash

Will You Thank God Tomorrow?

Recently, an ad on the front page of the USA Today read, "WHO are you thankful for?" When most of us list the things for which we are most grateful...
priscilla-du-preez-bJPn27RFg0Y-unsplash

My Thanksgiving List in One Sentence

Early this morning, I woke up with one phrase on my mind.  It is repeated often in the Scripture - a familiar refrain.  One psalm in particular uses this powerful...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Thanks for Taking Time to Read

One of God's priceless gifts is friendship.  Through the years I have begun to learn the lasting value of a true friend.  This week I was talking on the phone...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Thank God for My Pastor

For the last two decades I have had the joy of being under the same faithful pastor.  Recently I spent some time reflecting on what a joy it is just...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Top of the List: Why Was Jesus Thankful?

Like most of you, I try to make a list each Thanksgiving of reasons for which I am grateful to God.  Obviously, it is never complete because the blessings never...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Forward On The Journey!

Walking with God is a life long journey.  I am very grateful that along the way there are people who come along side to encourage us.  So many distractions would...