Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

November 25, 2001

“THANKSGIVING 2001

Psalm 92:1

It is good to give thanks unto the Lord.

When you give thanks to the Lord, who benefits from it? The primary benefactor from your thanksgiving to God is you!

1. It is good because Thanksgiving attributes praise to the true source of your blessing.

2. It is good because Thanksgiving to the Lord pulls all attention away from yourself.

3. It is good because Thanksgiving puts all things in your life into a wise perspective. We often are prone to thank God for the “good” things in our lives, the pleasant things, but do we thank Him for the not so pleasant?

Well, I suffered a massive stroke 2-1/2 years ago. What has come to me as a result of that stroke has been a life filled with blessing –

a closer relationship to my family and church family

a fresh perspective of my God and Saviour.

I’ve always heard that extreme difficulty in life tends to turn you sour. I saw that happen in Mirada Hills (the convalescent hospital where I spent 3-1/2 months) to those who were all alone. Not only did they have no family, they were strangers to the grace of God. I can understand how that happened. However, I also met saints of God who were thanking and praising God for what He had brought out of their illness.

But one thing is true. We all had to learn to praise God. The first couple of weeks I can honestly say I experienced some bitterness. I was totally helpless. My pulpit had been taken away from me. I was flat on my back.

One day I was reflecting on Psalm 23. When I came to the verse, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” the light came on! God had made me lie down in green pastures and Mirada Hills was it! From then on I was able to thank God in my stroke. It has only gotten better since I’ve been home. I’ve learned to appreciate people more. I’ve gained a new ministry of writing. So truly it is good to give thanks to the Lord.

Where are you in your life? If you haven’t already done so, start thanking God for where you are for it is GOOD to give thanks to the Lord.

Eva and I wish each of you a most blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

Love to you all,