This morning, as I was thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I remembered a particular Thanksgiving from many years ago. But to set up the memories of that Thanksgiving past, I must begin with Easter.

A Thanksgiving Story that Began on Easter

When my brother and I were just kids, our folks bought us little baby chicks one Easter. They were really cute, soft and fun to play with. We put them in a cardboard box with a lamp overhead for warmth. With sawdust on the floor of the box, some water and feed to nourish them, I guess we thought they had it pretty nice.

Of course it didn’t take long for them to grow, become a little less cute and quite frankly, more of a burden than a blessing. We finally put up a little chicken wire fence in the back yard and our visits to the chickens were more a duty than a pleasure.

Finally one day my dad said, “Boys, let’s take these chickens down to Ray and Jane’s where they can be cared for better.” My Uncle Ray and Aunt Jane lived on some acreage down near the Mississippi River. They had lots of geese and chickens, so it was a perfect situation.

Now, fast-forward to the Thanksgiving past to which I referred earlier.

Some of my best memories are of family gatherings, especially down at Uncle Ray and Aunt Jane’s. Uncle Ray was my mom’s oldest brother. My mom also had a sister and another brother. All her siblings were married with children so we really were one big happy family. All our cousins along with my brother and I would enjoy running around their woods, chasing the geese or canoeing up the river.

But this one particular Thanksgiving, with all our family gathered together around Ray and Jane’s table, offers up only one clear and lasting memory.

Yes, we had turkey and dressing, cranberries and sweet potatoes (which I hated as a kid). But Aunt Jane made the best fried chicken in the world and would always have some available.

Somewhere into about my second piece of chicken, my one cousin (Ray and Jane’s youngest boy) asked, “Hey, how do ya like that chicken?” I said it was great. I hoped that was the right answer ‘cause I feared he might beat me up or something if it wasn’t! ‘

He said, “It ought to be great, you guys raised it!”

Suddenly it began to settle into brother’s and my mind that we were eating the Easter baby chicks!

My Uncle Ray yelled out in his deep, loud Marine Corps voice, “Judas Priest!! Don’t tell that to your cousins!”

But it was too late, we had been told and suddenly Aunt Jane’s chicken didn’t seem quite as good as other times.

All of That to Say This

So, what’s the application of this story at this time and this Thanksgiving?

I’m not sure. It’s just a vivid memory. I can clearly see my grandparent’s faces, all my uncles, aunts and cousins. I still don’t know who or what Judas Priest is and I still love good fried chicken.

I think it’s all about the memories. My grandparents, my uncles and my aunts who gathered around the table that memorable Thanksgiving have all passed. Only my mom remains, at the age of 96.

In just a short time our family will gather together around the Thanksgiving table. Linda and I will be the grandparents. Our children and their spouses will be the uncles and aunts. And our grandchildren will be the cousins who will be running around, playing and making memories.

I have nothing but good memories attached to every Thanksgiving holiday in my life. Only once was the chicken a little sub-par, but even that only enhanced the memory of a great family time.

This Thanksgiving, slow down just a little. It’s really not all about the food, the football and all the fuss. It’s about family, fun and finding new memories.

Take it all in, every face and every moment. Become like a great HD video camera, recording everything for future reference.

Of all the effort that’s put forth to create a great day of Thanksgiving, let’s make sure the greatest effort is to create wonderful and lasting memories!

If in all of life’s journey, the smooth stretches as well as the rough, we could assess and conclude it’s God’s will; what peace, joy and comfort we would possess!

Unfortunately, we have too often been taught or influenced to believe that God is in the “good” and the “easy” but not so much in the “difficult” and “trying.”

However, one thorough reading of the story of Job will assure us that all his circumstances, both tragic and triumphant, were under the absolute control and dominion of God Almighty.

I know through the years I have often quoted Oswald Chambers. Perhaps some of you think My Utmost for His Highest is the only book, aside from the Bible, that I’ve read. I assure you, though I’ve read that classic book many times, I have read many others by various authors.

But once again, I find one of his quotes so timely and pertinent to the occasion of this letter.

“There is a distinct period in our experience when we cease to say – ‘Lord, show me thy will,’ and realization begins to dawn that we are God’s will, and He can do with us what He likes. We wake up to the knowledge that we have the privilege of giving ourselves over to God’s will. It is a question of being yielded to God.” (O.Chambers)

A thorough grasp of the essence of this quote could and should bring such peace and simplicity to our lives.

When scripture says, “Fret not thyself for tomorrow…” (Matthew 6:34) it actually means just that! When Paul writes to the church at Philippi, “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6) he is encouraging believers to trust that their prayers offered in thanksgiving, minus anxiousness, will produce “The peace of God which surpasses all comprehension…” (Philippians 4:7).

Put simply, all we really have any control over is our relationship to Jesus. And if we are rightly related to Him, then wherever we are is where He has us. If we only feel we’re in God’s will when things are going “smoothly” then perhaps we might determine that we’re not in God’s will much of the time.

I don’t know about you, but it seems to me much of life is challenging, as scripture assures us it will be. Again, let’s look at Matthew 6:34. Some translations say: “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NAS)

Wow, what encouraging words! Every day will have trouble! Try to get an audience for that message on the average Christian TV station. If that’s true, (and God’s Word says it is) then believing that trouble or difficulty can’t be part of God’s will, could only lead one to believe that every day we will be out of God’s will, at least to some extent.

How troublesome a concept!

Or we can believe that no matter what befalls us, as long as we are rightly related to Him we are not only realizing God’s will but as Chambers puts it, “We ARE God’s will.”

In Paul’s concluding remarks to the church at Philippi, he writes: “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; and in every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (Philippians 4:12)

Then from the confinement of a Roman prison, guarded and restricted, he writes: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

To those who may have questioned the journey and circumstances of Paul’s life and ministry, and to those who may question the journey and circumstances of our lives and ministries, may it be clearly stated: It’s God’s Will!

“This is from Me,” the Saviour said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
“For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Tho’, why perchance you cannot see-
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.”

Then, looking through my tears, I plead.
“Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
“Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread,
Each path before me here below.
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing, “Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.’”

Author Unknown

In Christ,

Dallas

P.S. Linda continues to improve though it’s a slow, steady process. Please continue to remember us as well as our ministry in your prayers. We love you and appreciate you so much. May God bless you richly!

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
(John 15:13)

In this one verse we gain a biblical perspective of the very essence of love. True love is sacrificial, even unto death. We know God’s greatest demonstration of love is Christ’s sacrificial death at Calvary.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16)

I repeat, real love has at it’s core the sense of sacrifice; sacrifice even unto death. Now let’s look for a moment at how we’ve trivialized the word. I love those shoes…I love that show…I love my car…and on and on it goes. Really? You love any of the aforementioned and much much more to the extent you’d be willing to die to affirm the assurance of your love for such items?

Now I know, some of you are perhaps thinking, “Man, it’s Valentines Day; ease up on the love thing!” Believe me, I understand the “Day” incites feelings, words and memories of love. I remember all the way back to first grade, hoping Pam or Mary would put a Valentines card in my little decorated shoe box receptacle, that had some fuzzy stuff on the heart or animal adorning the front of the card. Everyone knew (even at the age of six) that the “special” cards meant a special affection.

I just want on this Valentines Day, as we express our love to a husband, a wife, a child or anyone else deserving of our love, that we understand and remember the greater implications of our expressed love. When I tell Linda, “I love you,” I want her to know it’s a love at any cost, even unto death. When I tell my children and grandchildren of my love, I want to be sure that my life demonstrates the love that scripture presents. The Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, articulates the priority of love.

“But now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
(I Cor. 13:13)

Happy Valentines Day!

The holiday season has once again swiftly come upon us. By the time you read this post, we will have already observed the traditional Thanksgiving celebration and Christmas is just around the corner.

Last year at this time we vowed we would be better prepared and not let the season sneak up on us as it has so often. But alas, most of us once again find ourselves with more to do than time to do it.

Living in Anxious Times

This leads me to have us consider the scripture that begins by saying, “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6)

We live in “anxious” times! I’m writing this post the day after the 2016 presidential election. Extreme anxiety has been the daily portion for many in the months leading up to the election and it seems as though such anxiousness will continue for many, regardless of the election’s outcome.

But what of the Christians? What about we true believers? Someone said recently, “It’s natural for us to worry about our present circumstances when so much is at stake.” I disagree! Our “natural” response should be unwavering trust in a sovereign God who rules and reigns over every aspect of the universe and the most minute details of our lives.

Ultimately, it comes down, as it always does, to whether or not we believe God’s Word.

Our True Authority

“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

Remember, this was written to Christians who lived under the rule of the Roman Empire; the same Roman Empire which would soon declare “open season” on Christians and eventually remove Paul’s head!

Paul went on to write, “Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:2)

Any questions? Seems pretty clear and straightforward, doesn’t it?

Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers

Many are worried because of a President elect and leadership that seem to have a resume of unrighteousness.

May I remind all of us, at this point, that we each have a similar resume and apart from the grace of God we would all stand condemned and doomed!

Paul didn’t’ write, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities…” if they’re good, righteous, likeable or any number of other qualifiers. In fact, the same Holy Spirit who inspired the Apostle Paul to write the verses we have just considered, also inspired the Psalmist David to write centuries before, “Do not fret because of evildoers…” (Psalm 37:1)

It’s interesting and noteworthy that only a few verses later he writes, “Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.” (Psalm 37:8)

Think of it! Fretting about evil doers will lead you to become the very thing you were fretting about, “evil doing.”

I don’t know President-elect Trump and I’ll bet you don’t either. I do know God the Father, His Son Jesus and the precious Holy Spirit.

Scripture highlights throughout the centuries how the Triune Godhead can take men or women and save them, redeem them and call them for His purposes.

The Apostle Paul is one of the greatest examples of this. A persecutor of the early church, a killer of Christians and a zealot for the organized religious system of his day becomes a humble servant of the Most High God!

A Prayer Request

So…here’s a Prayer Request. There are many important and pressing issues facing our new President and administration, but I would like to offer a list of three things to pray for. I believe that if God will move and have His will and way in these three areas, all other concerns will be addressed wisely and properly.

1. Pray that President elect Trump will be drawn to and humbled before a Holy God now and each day going foreword.“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
2. Pray that President elect Trump will assemble a wise council of leaders. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
3. Pray that President elect Trump will appoint Supreme Court justices who will properly interpret and uphold the constitution of the United States. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” (Proverbs 29:2)

At the beginning of this post we looked at the first part of a verse in Philippians. Now let’s read the rest.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Remember: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12)

At Praise Ministries we meet every Monday morning at 9:00am to start the week with prayer. We pray for the suffering
church around the world, for missionaries everywhere, for the prayer requests you send in and for our own personal needs.

May I invite you to join us wherever you are at 9:00am CST in prayer for our President, our leaders and our nation?

Let’s focus in and pray especially for the three requests I have listed, and believe God to guide, direct and bless our nation so that we might bless and honor Him.

Only God knows what can be accomplished when in fervor and persistence, His people respond to A Prayer Request.

Arrogant. Dishonest. Immoral. Profane. Unkind. How’s that for a list of very unflattering words? Not only do those words bespeak a lack of character, integrity and morality, they are the words used daily, both in public and in private, to describe our two 2016 candidates for President of these United States.

In fairness, some of those words and perhaps all could be used to describe us at points in our lives. Hopefully those points would be in our “pre-surrender to Christ” days.

However, we must confess we all have sinned and continue to do so, thus prompting repentance and requests for forgiveness.

It is shocking, however, and greatly concerning to me and apparently many others, that high praise for spiritual and moral character seems to be in short supply for our presidential candidates.

If it was just a matter of words, that would be one thing. But the arrogance is astounding, profanity regularly punctuates primary speeches, dishonesty has been documented, immorality has been illuminated, and unkind could be the word best used to describe the whole spectacle of the presidential debates.

Early on President Obama said, “America is not a Christian nation.” One has to ask if that is an observation or a prophetic insight.

Prayer in the Capitol Building

Linda and I spent time early on in 2016 visiting Washington DC. We had a wonderful trip and were privileged to minister in our nation’s capital.

Some dear friends of ours moved to DC a couple years earlier to minister in our capital city. Through a series of events, relationships and God’s favor, they were able to secure a room within the Capitol building itself for a Wednesday evening Bible study/prayer meeting.

To give a little context, this was the first time in over one hundred and forty years that a regularly scheduled, on going prayer service was being held in the Capitol building.

So when I say Linda and I were privileged to minister in our nation’s capital, I mean in our nation’s Capitol!

More and more congress men and women are attending this service. Our friends are having regular times of private prayer and fellowship with our congressional leaders.

God is moving in the hearts and lives of many of our elected officials and for this we should all be thankful and encouraged.

After our time of ministry through singing and preaching, we were privileged to take a special tour of the Capitol building. Our local representative from East Texas, Louie Gohmert, was our guide. Louie is a good friend, a true conservative and a wonderful Christian brother. He took us places and showed us things the normal daily tours miss. There are probably very few more qualified to speak about our nation’s history than Louie. He loves to talk about our founding fathers, the price of freedom and the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

God was in, through and above all that birthed this nation. That is simply undeniable.

But my, how far we’ve come! We’ve kicked God out of our schools, banned prayer and the Ten Commandments whenever and wherever possible, made same-sex marriage the law of the land, made the killing of millions of innocent babies for convenience legal, and now can no longer define what constitutes a man or a woman.

Christianity is being attacked and marginalized before our very eyes.

A “Civilized Nation”

While we were in DC we went to the Holocaust Museum. I had been to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Dachau, Germany back in the early seventies. In the mid-eighties Linda and I visited Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

Each time I was struck by the absolutely insane brutality visited on the Jewish people and others, by a “civilized nation” under the arrogant, dishonest, immoral, profane and unkind leadership of an individual.

Now while some of you are catching your breath, wondering if I am likening the state of our nation to Nazi Germany or our leaders to Hitler, let me say this: We’re not to that point and I pray we never will be, but any and all arrogance, dishonesty, immorality, profanity and unkindness is the absolute antithesis of humility, truthfulness, morality, holiness and goodness.

And when these Godly qualities are absent, ungodliness wins the day.

I’m not what you would call an overly political person. Like Chuck Colson said, “The Kingdom of God is not going to arrive on Air Force One.”

However, if Christians aren’t willing to speak up, take action, fight for our rights, defend the innocent, denounce injustice and cast our vote, not for a person or a party, but for a nation “Under God,” what then should we expect?

The Lesser of Two Evils?

During the 2016 race many said, “It looks like the upcoming election will be about ‘the lesser of two evils.’” My friend said, “It’s always been about the lesser of two evils unless Jesus Christ was on the ballot.”

Well said! The system has its flaws and people are imperfect, but God is in control and He still saves.

If Saul, the great persecutor of the early Church, can be knocked to the ground to be humbled by a Holy God and blinded so he might see clearly the way of truth and righteousness, then there is hope for any and all who might aspire to lead this nation.

One Nation Under God?

Join with me to commit to complain less and pray more. Let’s not just hope someone does something to protect the innocent unborn, but let us rejoin the fight and find what we can do.

We must guard against a cynicism that suggests all our leaders are corrupt. Let’s pray for those in authority (which is our scriptural mandate) and be encouraged by the many in offices of governmental leadership who love Jesus.

Don’t we benefit from those who tell us they appreciate us, love us and pray for us?

I would imagine our congress men and women would be blessed likewise by a letter or phone call letting them know we appreciate their service to our nation and we are praying for them.

Our nation, no matter what its present condition, is in the hands of God. “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1).

This is one of those oft-debated portions of scripture. But the debate only ensues because of a lack of willingness to understand and accept God’s sovereign rule and reign over everything.

The question we should be asking ourselves is, “Is this nation in our hands or have we dropped the ball?”

In a very real sense, this nation and where it goes is largely dependent on our actions, our hearts and our prayers.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. The King’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, but his anger is towards him who acts shamefully” (Proverbs 14:34-35).

Let’s be wise – let’s pursue righteousness and in so doing let’s remove the question mark from One Nation Under God!

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