OzThoughts – Thursday 4th December 2008

OzThoughts – Thursday 4th December 2008


One of the lovely things about the Christmas season is the opportunity it affords to say thank you. A visit, a note, a phone call or a card sent through the snail mail and in these days an e-card or an email greeting are a way of contact. That contact is a way of saying thank you for the friendship and expressing a Christmas greeting.

The cards I have valued, maybe more highly than all the lovely ones which come, are those from someone whose life I have touched maybe briefly and then our lives have moved on. The card in expressing a Christmas greeting says words of appreciation which are heart felt. The card shows the relationship is valued, although in these days the contact may not be as often as it once was.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, please help me to do those things which show my love to you. Your gifts to me are so freely thrust upon me and I feel my words of thanks are so inadequate. Please help me to do better in saying thanks to you by doing your will more completely. Amen.

MEDITATION:


Psalm 135 (The Message ®)

1Hallelujah! Praise the name of GOD,
praise the works of GOD.
2All you priests on duty in GOD's temple,
serving in the sacred halls of our God,
3Shout "
Hallelujah!" because GOD's so good,
sing anthems to his beautiful name.
4And why? Because GOD chose Jacob,
embraced Israel as a prize possession.

5I too give witness to the greatness of GOD,
our Lord, high above all other gods.
6He does just as he pleases--
however, wherever, whenever.
7He makes the weather--clouds and thunder,
lightning and rain, wind pouring out of the north.
8He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn.
9He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles.
10Yes, he struck down great nations,
he slew mighty kings--
11Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan--
every last one of the Canaanite kings!
12Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.

13GOD, your name is eternal,
GOD, you'll never be out--of-date.
14GOD stands up for his people,
GOD holds the hands of his people.
15The gods of the godless nations are mere trinkets,
made for quick sale in the markets:
16Chiseled mouths that can't talk,
painted eyes that can't see,
17Carved ears that can't hear--
dead wood! cold metal!
18Those who make and trust them
become like them.

19Family of Israel, bless GOD!
Family of Aaron, bless GOD!
20Family of Levi, bless GOD!
You who fear GOD, bless GOD!
21Oh, blessed be GOD of Zion,
First Citizen of Jerusalem!

Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.

Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!

Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?

O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!

God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.

Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20

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