rest... in thanks giving...

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever...

Psalm s 136:1-9 ESV

Today a day... to rest... in thanks giving...

Finding rest in giving thanks for His great wonders...

all motivated by His steadfast love... which endures forever...

Give thanks to Him...

find rest...

Note...

I thank Him for those of you He's led to this table to read...

it is a great wonder... anyone comes...

have a blessed day of thanks giving...

wait on Him... 2 Peter 3:13-14...

But according to his promise we are waiting for

new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these,

be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish,

and at peace.

2 Peter 3:13-14 ESV

We are waiting...

in a dark... broken... corrupt... world...

for the promised coming...

of new heavens... and new earth...

in which dwell only righteousness...

While we wait in the dark...

for Him to turn on all the lights...

we have His light in us...

shining as brightly as we will let Him...

He calls us to be diligent in our waiting...

serving Him... staying near Him...

so we may be without a smudge...

and at peace...

Only in Him...

can we be spotless...

seeking His Way...

being quick to confess... repent...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

Only in Him...

can we be at peace...

resting in Him...

trusting in Him...

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,

which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:5-7 ESV

Confession... forgiveness...

supplication... thanksgiving...

the way we wait for Him to bring Light...

to this dark world...

examen...

A challenge in Bible study...
a spiritual discipline...
the Daily Examen...

The Daily Examen is a technique of prayer reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God's presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God's hand at work in our whole experience.

---Ignatian Spirituality, The Daily Examen 

The process is generally five steps...
Ask the Spirit to make His presence known...
Review the day with thanksgiving...
Consider when you felt closest to God during the day...
And then when you felt the farthest...
The final step... respond...

On the drive home...
in the quiet of the car...
I walked through examen...

The surprise... the time I felt closest to Him... was as He revealed the points of the day I was the farthest away...

In conviction... I felt His presence...
not cold and hard...
but tender... forgiving...

"... And when [the Helper] comes, he will convict the world

concerning sin and righteousness and judgment...

John 16:8 ESV

In response...
confession...
repentance...
thanksgiving...

giving thanks... for those who've gone before...

I started a book this week... The Pilgrim Chronicles...

Reminded afresh... the pilgrims made the way for freedom... religious... and otherwise...

Because of them... we can freely be... followers of Him...

And I finished a book this week... Unbroken... the story of Louis Zamparini... and World War II...

Reminded afresh... of those who fought for freedom... and His presence... in and through...

Because of their sacrifice... and willingness to fight evil... freedom remains...

Because of those who've gone before... I am thank-full...

A truth of His comes to mind...

For you were called to freedom, brothers.

Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,

but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 ESV

His freedom... inspires... love... service... sacrifice...

Today... giving thanks... for those who've gone before...

their love... service... sacrifice...

and hoping... I might do the same...

Father God... thank You for all who've gone before... in Your Way...

making the way for me... to know You...

Help me... to follow You... in true freedom...

Thank You... Thank You... Thank You...