Gratitude/Thanksgiving

Proverbs for the day: The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.  Proverbs 20:12 Every blessing we have is from God, including our five senses.  Thanking Him for these things are part of living the Gratitude-Filled Life. My vision and hearing are not what they were when I was a younger man, but I’m so …

Western Louisiana is crisscrossed with beautiful creeks and rivers. This is Cherry Winche Creek that winds through SW Rapides and Allen Parishes. Thoughts on the Gratitude-Filled Life I’ve been convicted that “A poor memory is the root of the sin of ingratitude.” We forget the limitless blessings we have from God. I want to live the Gratitude-Filled Life beginning with …

              I’m preaching Homecoming at Dry Creek Baptist Church today. Our text will be the wonderful 100th Psalm. Wow. It is rich.   A Psalm for giving thanks. 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2     Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made …

As always, we want our friends and followers knowing how to pray for us. First of all, our hearts are so full of gratitude. Gratitude is one of my 6 Plus Words for 2016. It’s a grand word. Here are needs and opportunities for the coming week: I have two speaking events next weekend.  On Sat. April 30, I’ll be …

                                                                A honeysuckle bouquet from Crooked Bayou Swamp   Honeysuckle time is when I always think of Mrs. Eleanor Andrews. Today is her birthday. Enjoy this story in her …

It’s amazing that my deepest image of Easter doesn’t come from a memorable sermon, movie, or a book. My Easter theology was shaped by a simple country woman married to a former Texas Ranger.  Her name was Lucille Mosley and she lived on Greentown Loop in Dry Creek. This is her story.     The Tomb is Still Empty From …

A word from Curt  This is one of my favorite African images. It’s near the entrance to a large refugee camp in northern Uganda. The sign is homemade and heart felt. If you love people, people will love you. 2. Trust God.   About 82.7% of all human problems are solved by adhering to those two truths. Love people. Trust …

A Word from Curt I have two questions today: Where do you go for your lonely place? Where are your sacred spaces?     I’ve chosen to make the first question singular: where is your lonely place? In the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, the writer makes a key statement on the life and ministry of Jesus: 35 And rising very …

Turkey Pinecones and cornbread dressing Last week I ate twice at school cafeterias. It was Thanksgiving lunch and we grandparents were invited. I don’t miss a grandchild event if I can help it. One day was with our adopted (truly) African-American granddaughter, Daizy Mae Thomas. The next day was with Luke Iles, aka Chief Wampum. Both meals featured turkey, cornbread …

A word from Curt Thanksgiving. It’s more than a day. It’s a life habit.   There are many images of thankfulness in my heart. But the sketch below illustrates one that touched me the most: It was scrawled in black spray paint on the side of a partially burned house trailer. It was east of Pitkin on Hwy 113/10. Probably …

I’m thinking about thanksgiving. Not the day but the attitude. It’s about gratitude. And it should be about giving. All day long, an image has been playing out in my mind. A small dirt-floored church in a northern Kenyan refugee camps. Hundreds of South Sudanese crowded in for worship. It’s time for the offering.  In African culture, you come forward …