November 2002
 Naomi Fairchild 11-2 |  Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, are you ready? Will you be busy baking pies, cleaning house, and possibly out pursuing your prize turkey the old fashioned way? I would imagine that most of us will get our turkey the old fashioned way, at the local grocery store. Isn't that how mom and dad use to do it, it's how I remember. This is the perfect time to think and reflect on the things God has blessed you with. What kind of year has it been for you? Has the pitter patter of little feet joined your family? Or perhaps a new friendship has come into your life, or possibly and old one has returned. How about renewed health, or a promotion at work, even the purchase of a new car or home. All these are gifts from God, for he is in control of all of our life, even the blessing that comes from watching a mother bird feed her little newborn. Recognizing that God is in charge of everything in our lives helps us understand that nothing is left to chance. While your family is gathered around the dinner table, read these verses and consider all that God has done for you, Psalm 103:1-5, 8. It is good to be humble in front of God, never boastful.  Well, isn't it wonderful to have Bro. Tim and Diana back home safe and sound. I'm sure they had a restful and rejuvenating time. We sure missed them when they are gone, it's hard to think of church without that little blondie running around, and yes, I mean Katherine. It's good to get away and be able to relax now and again. A special thanks goes to Bro. Dalton for filling in for Bro. Tim while they were away. He did a great job of bringing the message. Delayed by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman "Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners a land that is not theirs; . . . they shall afflict them four hundred years; . . . and afterward they shall come out with great substance" (Gen. 15:12-14). An assured part of God's pledged blessing to us is delay and suffering. A delay in Abram's own lifetime that seemed to put God's pledge beyond fulfillment was followed by seemingly unendurable delay of Abram's descendants. But it was only a delay: they "came out with great substance." The pledge was redeemed. God is going to test me with delays; and with the delays will come suffering, but through it all stands God's pledge: His new covenant with me in Christ, and His inviolable promise of every lesser blessing that I need. The delay and the suffering are part of the promised blessing; let me praise Him for them today; and let me wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He will strengthen my heart. --C. G. Trumbull |
