January 4, 2023  – Christmas +10 —  “We Should Thank G-d For Our Blessings, Often”

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever…” Psalm 136:1-3

“When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. Honour and obey your natural parents although they be poor.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 108; p. 30, Applewood Books”)

How good are you at thanking people? Do you thank the person at “Target” for checking you out – or the oil man for bringing you oil in the winter? We like to think we are in touch with gratitude all the time, but I believe we miss opportunities to say “thank you” every day. Often we believe that this or that person is just doing their job, so why do they deserve thanks. My belief is the more we say “thank you”, in all situations, the more grateful we will be when it really matters. We should especially be thankful for the blessings G-d has bestowed upon us. We would not have life if not for G-d. We would be quite the pitiful people without a G-d who has blessed us abundantly.

Many articles and books have been written about the physical and mental benefits of being grateful. The Bible is filled with prayers and stories that speak our thanks to G-d and lists the many reasons we have to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances. What people, places, things, or memories are you particularly grateful for? How can you look at some of the disappointments and challenges you’ve faced in the last few weeks from a grateful perspective?

Let us pray: Lord, thank you for all of my blessings. Help me share my gratitude with others daily. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 3, 2023  – Christmas +9 — “Comfort One Another”

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,  make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:1-4

“Never express anything unbecoming nor act against the rules moral before your inferiors.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 59; p. 21, Applewood Books”)

One of the things many people have trouble with today is determining how to comfort someone. Why do I say that? Well, with so many people worried about personal space, especially in this post-pandemic world, it is important to ask permission before approaching someone to give them comfort. It is an extra step that is required today, and often a reason people do not want to get involved emotionally. Have you ever wondered what you should do to comfort someone and worried that you might do the wrong thing? I have. But I would like to encourage you to seek that permission – because asking permission is always better than doing nothing.

Do something. Be present. Say something. Listen. Hug. It may not come out perfectly, it may not be the absolutely perfect thing, but it is something. In doing or saying or being or listening or hugging, you are telling that other person that you love them and you are in it with them.

Oh, and one more piece of advice — don’t always look to try to fix it. That is not always helpful. Just establishing a connection with another human being is something and will be comforting. We can all use a little help from our friends. It will take becoming vulnerable, opening ourselves up to opportunity, and trusting G-d. And it won’t hurt to look to the scriptures and see what G-d has to say about offering comfort to one another.

Let us pray: Lord, we read the scriptures and hear words of comfort. Help me to offer words and actions that bring comfort to others. Amen.

Pastor Dave