Thanksgiving

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

Spiritual Direction

I've been thinking a lot about what Mark shared at CBS about the importance of having a spiritual direction, (not just a career direction).

I know some of us, as seniors, have thought a bit about our next steps. And for some (probably most, or all), family/spouse enters the mix of our thoughts, even if just glancingly.

And so, I just wanted to share this sermon that I was just listening to. Francis Chan articulates it so well, that I'll refrain from summarizing. Basically the first 5 minutes summarize it well, if you don't want to listen to the whole thing. Hopefully what Francis says, along with what Mark shared and what Henry has shared in CBS, will remind us of our mission on Earth, and the importance of following through with convictions, as well as having spiritual direction.

=]

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(by the way, feel free to disagree with Francis Chan. I know a married person/Christian who sort of disagrees with what he says, because so many people in ministry neglect their family life in the name of "God's call". I don't think that's what Francis is saying, but it could turn into an excuse for that. He also has another series, which is the same thing except elongated and more opinionated (maybe if there are flaws in his argument, it is more easily seen in that one) After hearing a couple sisters disagree with Francis, I have to reevaluate what I think...)