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Thanks Be To God

6/9/2015

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Picture
Small wonders—a timely word, a caring touch, prayers whispered for friends who have lost ones they loved recently. A time to enjoy life, laugh and enjoy the company of friends. The recognition that we are all in this together, Life, that is. For work and rest and play with children or grandchildren. We are thankful for all of these things. The Cross, the Tomb emptied and a Savior who emptied Himself to bring us Life and the Love Relationship of a lifetime to us. The scrapes, bumps and bruises along the way. The car accidents and ambulance rides, the failed relationship and hands that no longer grip ours. For lessons learned, whether easily or repeated many times over. For pulling us close to You and the gentle way You hold us in our brokenness with broken and aching hearts. We thank You for all of this.

A friendship found; a brother and sister gained. Your Word and its Truth. The Life-Giving Water that You provide. A baby’s cry and the sounds of a new life. Another soul to nurture and care for. The beggar on the corner, who needs a hand up and prayer. The opportunity to give to him as he stands there. The least of these, beggars for help, love and their very soul’s need. The reminder that we are all beggars of your Mercy and Grace. Tattered clothes and battered hearts, Your Love is found in trifles such as these. The wounds from a friend to pierce our heart and show us a greater need than to have our ego stroked. A meal with friends, to love and to laugh. The quiet moments of desperation as we cry out for situations to change. A heart of empathy for those who hurt and sympathy for those who have lost. We thank You for all of this.

We thank you for the rain and the sunshine, the good and the bad times. Your wisdom behind the scenes, working everything for our good and for Your Glory. Your presence with us in every circumstance and Your Helper to guide us into all Truth. Our names in Your book and engraved on your hands. Our hearts that can burst forth, as You call us with Passion to follow You and do what we were Designed to do. The willingness that You grant us to seek and follow You. Your Unconditional Love to catch us when we fall. Your Patience with us as we confess again, we may have gotten out of step, but remain within Your Plan.

For loved ones who will be there to meet us on the other side. For time to let go and still love them as they die. Your Compassionate Heart as You grieve with us. Our mourning that does not go unnoticed. Your sure and Steady Hands that grant us Grace and uphold us through that cold, dark valley as the shadow of death hovers above us. We grieve deeply our losses as You welcome them Home with You. You flood our hearts with warm memories and the promise of Resurrection.

For our Faith is in vain, if you had not died.
If You had no markings on Your Hands, Feet or Side.
If You had not folded the cloth, as You rose from the tomb.
Death would be the end, and in that end only doom.
But the grave could not hold You as You rose with the shout,
of Creation singing that morning, letting the Good News out!
For we do not grieve, as those without any Hope,
for You fulfilled Your word to us that You had already wrote.
Your Compassionate Heart Loved us all along,
even while sinners and even while wrong.
You secured our pardon on the cross of wood
and gave us New Life as You promised you would.

​So for the work You have done and the work that is Finished, we thank You for that as well!


May the Lamb of God who was slain, receive the reward of His Suffering!


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