Monthly Archives: November 2013

Give Thanks with Knowledge of the Holy

A cold, rainy, sleeting Monday morning, and I sit by the fire reading Tozer’s, “The Knowledge of the Holy,” Chapter 6, “THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD.”

Powerful insight and powerfully true…

I was struck by the truth of it, as it raised my eyes to the hills, to my Help, the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth. And it pointed out vividly to me some truth espoused in my recent book, and truth revealed to me as I’ve journaled the last two years, about God and about our times.

Thank You Father for your very present help and closeness to those who seek You and Your ways. You certainly are “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Help us to seek. Help us to find. Help us to live while we do. You are what we need.

“for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28)

Perhaps it’s time to pause for some Thanksgiving. I am. I encourage you to do so as well.

Enjoy the national holiday! Enjoy your friends and family. Enjoy the air you breath, and everything good in your life. He’s given them all to you.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

I just finished a blog article I entitled “America Bless God.” And I recall David, the sweet poet of Israel, the warrior king of Israel, and the “man after God’s own heart” prayed like this:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;” (Psalm 103:1–2)

You choose! You always do.

Matt Redman’s famous, beautiful song also comes to mind, “Ten Thousand Reasons.”

His grace to you all, and Happy Thanksgiving!

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”” (Acts 17:26–31)[Bolding my own.]

I leave you with that excerpt from one of the most famous sermons in history, Paul the Apostle to the men of Athens, in a day of spiritual blindness, perhaps like our day.

Choose life. Choose wisely. Choose thanksgiving. Choose to see God as He Is, not what we’ve perhaps imagined Him to be. He’s adorable. Choose thanksgiving and adoration, today. By our seeking, and His revelation, may He grant us “THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY.”

[Photos by Mark B., neighbor and friend, Europe 2013]

America Bless God

My Father and My Son on my Birthday 2013… Lot's to be thankful for….

My Father and My Son on my Birthday 2013… Thank You Father of Good Gifts

In dark times with many challenges our forefathers paused to give thanks to God for his help and goodness, from their hearts. That’s good advice for us today. Let’s pause privately to do so where we are, and then in families and corporately wherever we can.

The roots of Thanksgiving as celebrated in the United States were recently spelled out to me beautifully by one of my best friends and spiritual mentors Charles Angel. You can read his article here.

Some historical insights he brings to light will warm your heart and refresh your mind as to God’s help in America’s rise to greatness, greatness we have enjoyed and enjoy today. Reflect and give thanks!

“As Thanksgiving approaches, which begins the Christmas season celebration, I think it remains relevant to remember those who braved a sixty-six day arduous voyage on the Mayflower to establish Plymouth in 1620 and set up the foundations for the God-given right of freedom for this Nation’s future generations. These Pilgrims chose to stand for the truth without compromise and for the hope that they and their posterity could experience liberty under God. It cost them everything to lay the groundwork of the most prosperous and free nation in history.

Their significant document, The Mayflower Compact, placed in the hands of the people the right to create laws and constitutions under God’s direction. This document became a basis for more than eighty colonial charters and covenants that laid the foundation for America’s Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It set the direction for this Nation, reading in part:

“…having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith...”

Then about 150 years later…

…That congressional resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who issued the first federal Thanksgiving proclamation, declaring in part:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789 . . . that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection.”

Then about 70 years later…

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving proclamation setting aside the last Thursday of that November. Despite the difficult circumstances, Lincoln called Americans to prayer with an air of positive optimism and genuine thankfulness, noting:

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. . . . No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, Who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

So, in light of the above-noted statements and deeds that laid out the course of action and standards for America, what say you regarding how this great Republic is measuring up in 2013? Is Almighty God glorified by the actions of this nation? Is the Christian faith being advanced by the administrative, legislative and judicial branches of government at the federal, state and local levels? Is the Church significantly influencing secular society? To say that there seem to be a few “chinks in the armor’s integrity” would certainly be an understatement!

However, if we only look at the results of mankind’s efforts to meet the lofty goals set by our founders, despair will set in and thankfulness will diminish. Maybe our wise founding fathers knew that erosion along the way would be caused by our old sin nature, which cannot be redeemed by man’s laws, rules and regulations. To keep hope alive, it appears that their primary reasoning for the establishment of Thanksgiving was to redirect mankind’s focus away from individual circumstances and toward the Creator of heaven and earth.

Let us remember Him, now as then, and offer a prayer of heart-felt thanksgiving.

The Book Makes Fall Friends

“Life is a daring adventure or it’s nothing.” Helen Keller

The book is making new friends, the pace at just the right speed, steady as the Spirit leads. Slow enough to meet people, get involved in their lives to some degree, look into their eyes and journeys, pray over issues spoken and unspoken, enjoy their gifts, their lives, their characters, their personalities and their human being. Yet steady enough to get the book known in new circles of friends and keep me somewhat occupied with it’s mission in the world, without it becoming a burden or chore.

Pastor Patrick Kimberland with Dwayne

On a rainy Saturday morning, October 5th, I spoke to the Butterfield AOG men’s group about the book, our times, and issues facing men — also about the preeminence of Jesus and us deepening our relationship with Him through the disciplines. Many thanks to good friend Jeff Beauchamp who arranged this meeting with some excellent brothers.

Librarian introduces authors

On the beautiful Sunday afternoon of October 27th, I participated at a book signing and “Meet Our New Author’s Event” at the Van Buren, AR, Public Library, along with about ten other area authors and area citizens who came to listen, learn, buy signed copies, and ask questions about our books. Several books were sold and signed while making new and interesting friends.

On October 31st, Halloween Night, I was asked to speak at a church in Yates Center, KS, after a member read my book and recommended me to the pastor for their Hallelujah Night event. This was a great experience with some very loving, genuine people who live in community

Doug and I leave the house for a day spent together

and worship the King. A very nice extra benefit for me was getting to spend two nights and days with a long-time friend, former fighter pilot, and squadron mate Doug Lamb, reconnecting with his family due to the fact he lives only thirty miles away.

Marsha and the Ladies serve up a great meal for Hallelujah night!

Ummm Hmmmm…

Sarah Lamb Stockebrand, a princess to me, and a friend of the King.

Ahhh! The Country Life …

By the way, this Tuesday night, November 19th, I’ll be at the Harrison, Arkansas, Public Library for a book signing event. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there! The journey continues!

A Friend of the King

David and His Mighty Men

Monthly Archives: November 2013

Give Thanks with Knowledge of the Holy

America Bless God

The Book Makes Fall Friends