Contagious Thanks

"Dear Jesus,

Thank you for my mommy and daddy. Thank you for my baby. Thank you for my toys. Thank you for my food. Thank you for my Bible. Thank you for firetrucks.

Amen."

A sweet three-year-old in my Sunday school class was full of thanks yesterday when it was his turn to pray. I couldn't help but think that he had learned how to talk to Jesus and to be thankful from his parents. 

Our attitude of thanks is contagious, but even more so our verbalization of it. I often feel grateful for gifts, acts of kindness, encouraging words, and "stuff." My intentions to thank people are huge...but my follow-through is lacking. If a child is going to mimic me, I want it to be my thankfulness that is emulated.

So, here are just a few things that I am thankful for this morning:

• friends who pray for me
• parents who love me
• grandparents who are still working hard at age 90
• sisters who include me in their lives from great distances
• brothers-in-law who love God and love my sisters and nieces and nephews immensely
• a church family who consistently affirms and encourages me
• "Lighthouse kids" who keep me laughing...and dancing...or both at the same time
• My Bible and the many resources available to help me learn and understand more
• And, of course, firetrucks...what an important role they play in our community

Finally, I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow from my sweet, young Sunday school class. While it's a role I didn't expect to be filling, it's been a pure joy to be around these precious children every Sunday morning! Their thankfulness is contagious!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Rebecca Phillips

Pull the Trigger!

Have you heard the news? Scientists have determined that "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls is the number one catchiest song. Don't fret if you don't know it. They aren't saying it's especially wonderful--just hard to get out of your head. We've all had days when a song or line of poetry--well, maybe not all of us on the poetry, but a song for sure!--just keeps looping in the brain.  What possible good can come of that?  How about using it as a trigger to pray?

There are songs that I associate with certain people or places: "Above All" reminds me of Togo.  "Blessed be the Name" makes me think of Rebecca Phillips. On Sunday morning when we sang "Grace Alone," I'll bet I wasn't the only one to think of Carol Kilpatrick. I've tried to train myself to pray for these people--or for those who miss them--when I get that musical reminder.  

This strategy can work with more than songs.  A few years ago, we had a mini women's conference, and I got this tip from our own Laura Welsh.  She said that whenever she sees a squirrel, she prays for Vesma Sandberg. She gave us other examples of prayer triggers: using a crock pot we got for a gift can remind us to pray for the giver; hanging up towels in the bathroom can nudge me to pray for the one who used the towel.  It was a practical suggestion that I have learned to use myself. Whenever I pass a stand of pampas grass on my way to school, I often pray for Andy Pappas because I remember Carol writing about the beautiful tassels on the grass in her yard. No doubt, there are similar sights and sounds in your day that bring to mind those in our midst who need prayer.

James tells us that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man" is effective and powerful (5:16). That goes for us women as well. The reminder on Sunday to pray for the persecuted church was sobering, but it's encouraging to know that prayer is something that can never be taken away from us.

On more than one occasion, I've asked Pastor Euler to pray for something and seen him bow his head right there and talk to God about my request. We all need prayer, and we need each other. Let's be sure we don't just say, "I'll pray for you," but actually do it!

What prayer triggers work for you? Share in the comments.

--Sherry Poff

Summertime in My Heart

“To everything there is a season…”

…except, of course, for flip-flops. I’m pretty sure even Solomon would have agreed. I mean, didn’t he wear sandals year-round?

It’s so hard to say goodbye to summer…some years harder than others. It’s not that I don’t love other seasons. I love the Fall colors, crisp air, pumpkins, and crunchy leaves. I even love a good Winter snow…if I don’t have to drive in it or shovel it.

But, I miss the sun shining in the mornings urging me to start the day with a smile.

So how do I get through the darker days? I remind myself that I have been given the Son…eternal, bright, and glorious.

Every day the enemy tempts me to forget that I am a completely new creation. He lies about my identity, my worth, and my purpose. He wants to keep me in the dark about the power that I now possess in Christ.

My flesh is used to old habits and sin patterns that confuse and conflict with my spirit. I often place myself back in the chains that have already been broken, and I behave as though I believe the lies of the enemy.

So, I must surround myself with truth. Every day, I review what Christ did for me and in me. I read parts of Hebrews and Romans to refresh my memory about my new life, status, and position. I rehearse 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 to dispel any notion that I’m still part sinner rather than fully saint.

Truth melts the cold that threatens to defeat and discourage, and just like the unknown hymn writer says:

               It is summertime in my heart.

               It is summertime in my heart.

               Since Jesus saved me, new life He gave me.

               Even in wintertime it’s summer in my heart.

So, I may be packing up most of the flip-flops (keepin’ a few out just in case), and replacing them with boots, but nothing can replace the summertime that Christ has brought to my heart!

~Rebecca Phillips