Not a Good Day to be My Pants

Kevin James' line about Thanksgiving gave me a good laugh, so I "borrowed" it for the title of this posting.  Today is definitely a tough day for waistlines all accross America. We'll have plenty to eat - it is after all a feast.

As in past years, I searched for some quotes to share in this Thanksgiving entry.  One of these - unlike my pants - really seems to fit.   "One act of thanksgiving made when things go wrong is worth a thousand when things go well." - Anonymous. 

In any situation there are good and not-so-good outcomes.  Despite being surrounded by those closest to us; enjoying our favorite foods; and pausing to give thanks for our many blessings - today might feel like "not a good day."  Certainly, preparing and cleaning up a huge meal; reeling from "Aunt Sally's" grating comment; or being Kevin James' pants - are all tough gigs.  But being thankful during difficult times shows our true spirit. 

This weeks song, "O Praise Him" by the David Crowder Band is a reminder to give thanks to our creator at all times.  Let's focus on being the belly AND having the mindfulness to give thanks when we're the pants.

I wish you all a happy, blessed, safe and relaxing Thanksgiving.

Some other Thanksgiving quotes that I like:

"It is therefore recommended ... too set apart Thursday.... , for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor ..."   - First Official Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 1777

"Real abundance is found when we join hands with those we love."   - Anonymous

"O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness."  - William Shakespeare

 

Is this a broken record ???

 I'm really starting to feel like I'm stuck.  Like an old album or 45 rpm record that keeps repeating itself over and over, ad nauseum.  So many of my posts over the past months are just variations on a theme - the on-going, continuous, broken record struggles with my own faults and short-comings.  Have I become the stereotypical "preacher" - so good at telling everyone else what they ought to do?  Do I even attempt to follow the words I offer here, let alone the words and example of Christ?  If I find such comfort and inspiration from these songs, what's stopping me from accepting forgiveness and DOING what I know to be right and good?  Do good intentions really count for anything?

My latest selection is "Come as You Are" by Pocket Full of Rocks.  The band's name takes me back to my early post-college days.  My friends and I had an oh-so-christlike phrase for people we felt were not so smart - "box of rocks".  Totally unrelated to this group, but it truly revived that memory.  My guess is that the band's name is inspired from Christ's words "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." - they admit their sins and refrain from judging others, hence their pockets are still full of rocks. I'll check it out and let you know if I'm even close. 

This song is clearly a blatant challenge to me (and perhaps to some of you):  Hear the sounds of love; Listen to a different story and Take my broken, lying, scarred, painful, disappointed, unworthy self to the gentle, merciful, open arms of Jesus.  So, I'm either a "box of rocks" who refuses to learn or I can be the nudge this record needs to play the rest of the music.  Lets pray for the latter.  Peace and God Bless. 

PS - A special thanks to several of you who have been encouraging me to keep this going.  I appreciate your patience and your kind words.

Turns out I was way off.  From A Pocket Full of Rocks Biography - "Pocket Full of Rocks owes its name to a song from its early days. "We wrote a song called 'Pocket Full of Rocks,' played it in a youth meeting and became known as the 'Pocket Full of Rocks' band," remembers Michael. Deeper meaning is held in the story of David—before he was ever a great king, he was simply a boy with a "pocket full of rocks," believing God would do something great using any of the small things he himself could offer."