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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 gratitude is a discipline....
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...
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....
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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....
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
