The first was Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee. He started in Revelations today with an introduction to the last book in the Bible. He spoke about reading mysteries and going to the end of the book and finding out what happens. That is what Revelation is, the end of the book. But not the end. It is the hope of the future laid out for me. What amazed me about his comments is they were made almost 30 years ago and yet seem like he was observing the world today. People in all walks of life are talking but not really saying anything, placing importance on things that aren't really important. I needed that reminder at the end of 2015 to take me, ready and full of hope, into 2016 If you would like to hear his introduction to Revelation click here. Then click on broadcast schedule and find 12-31-2015 or search Introduction to Revelation.
The second was a sermon from Father Timothy Kavanaugh, a fictional character in the fictional town of Mitford. The book is "In this Mountain" by Jan Karon. I have not included the entire sermon but the parts that spoke to me. Here are Father Tim's words that spoke to me:
...God blessed me with a completely different message - a sermon for this service, this day, this people. The trouble is, He gave me only four word....
Here are the four word. I pray you will ascribe them on your heart.
In everything...give thanks. In everything, give thanks. That's all. That's this morning's message. If you believe as I do that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, then we see this not as a random thought or an oddly clever idea of His servant, Paul, but a a loving command issued through the great apostle. . .
Though we don't do it often enough, it is easy to have a grateful heart for food and shelter, love and hope, health and peace. But what about the hard stuff, the stuff that darkens your world and wounds you to the quick? Just what is this everything business?
...I admit to you that although I often thank God for my blessings, even the smallest, I haven't thanked Him for my afflictions. ... Why have I decided to take these four word as a personal commission? Here is the entire eighteenth verse "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."...
Let's look once more at the four words God is saying to us . . by looking at what our obedience to them will say to God.
Our obedience will say "Father, I don't know why You're causing, or allowing this hard thing to happen, but I'm going to give thanks it because You ask me to. I'm going to trust You to have purpose for it that I can't know and may never know. Bottom line, You're God --and that's good enough for me.In everything, I will be giving thanks to God in 2016. 2015 has been a wonderful year. Yes there were ups and downs but all were in God's plan for me and for that I am truly thankful.
I pray that all who have visited take hope away from this post and find ways to be thankful in everything.
Joyfully looking forward to 2016
Terry
