SOMETHING'S IN THE HAY STACK

And they went with haste and found … the baby lying in a manger. Luke 2:16 (ESV)

      As Stella stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes and dreaming about all she would get for Christmas, she was rudely interrupted by a loud Bamm, Bamm, Bamm, Bamm. “Knock it off, Harold!” She yelled out, not realizing it was someone knocking at the door, or should I say beating on the door. Again a loud Bamm, Bamm, Bamm, Bamm. Echoed through the kitchen.

     “Open it yourself, Harold” Stella hollered out “I'm busy!” but all she got in response was another loud Bamm, Bamm, Bamm, Bamm. In disgust, Stella grabbed a glass full of dirty dish water to throw on her brother when she opened the door but when she opened the door it wasn't her brother that was standing there. “WHERE IS HE!?” Tracy screamed at her, “I'm going to kill him”

     “I thought you were him.” Stella said and brought her glass of dish water back tot he sink, “Do I dare ask what Harold did this time?” “He tried to kill me.” Tracy said, I was minding my own business trying to do some needle work when he came into the barn and.” You were doing needle work in the barn?” Stella interrupted,

      “In the hay loft, to be precise.” Tracy told her, “I have cozy little a hide-a-way up there.” “So how dis Harold try to kill you?” “He said it was a surprise.” Tracy told Stella, “Don't ask me what kind of a surprise because he wouldn't tell me. What I do know is he tried to borrow one of my Dad’s tractors, the one with the front end loader on it.”

     “Why in the world would Harold want your dad's tractor?” Stella questioned. “I don't know.” Tracy answered, “I don't even know how he got it started but before I had a chance to see what he was up to, POOF!” “POOF?” Stella repeated Tracy's word, “Did the tractor blow up?

     “Harold put the tractor in gear, plowed over the support beam for the hay loft and down I went along with everything else and now I'm going TO KILL HIM.” “If you're going to kill him, I can't even begin to imagine what your dad is going to do to him.” Stella told her. “He's not doing anything to him.” Tracy said in disgust, “But then again, he doesn’t have to go looking for my needles in the hay stack. AUGGHH, I’ll never find them.”

     “Your dad's not mad about the hay loft?” Stella said in disbelief. “Dad says he's knocked it down several times himself and Harold will put the beams back up tomorrow.” “Good!” Stella exclaimed, “That will teach him.” “Don't count on it.” Tracy warned, “Dad is going to let him use the tractor to put them and all the hay back up.”

     “If you'll help me finish these dish quick,” Stella said to Tracy, “I'll come over and see if I can help you find your needles. “I suppose.” Tracy said and walked over to the sink, “I can always kill Harold tomorrow – if he's still alive.”

     Luke 18:27 – Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." I'm sure we can all think of impossible things, things that are impossible for people to accomplish like making predictions more than 400 years in advance and having them come true. Some of those predictions relate to the coming of Jesus into this world.

• Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. - Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)
• Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
• But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. - Micah 5:2 (ESV)
• Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. - Daniel 9:25 (ESV)
• And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:12 (ESV)

     Now imagine trying to find Jesus at His birth – it would have been like trying to find a needle in a hay stack but with God's help in the form of some angels a group of shepherds found Him.

     And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)

     The Lord Either God Himself or Jesus Himself are not that hard to find and the truly wise do seek Him as we all should.

• I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. - Proverbs 8:17 (NASB)
• But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. - Deuteronomy 4:29 (NASB)
• His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. - Acts 17:27 (NLT)
• Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. - Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Had you been with the shepherds would you have gone looking for Jesus?
• Are you willing to look for Jesus this Christmas?

WAY TOO MUCH

There was no room for them in the inn. - Luke 2:7b (NASB)

      It was Tuesday after school at Barney was sitting in the library studying for a report he had to write on winter weather. Well, he was suppose to be studying but he kept day dreaming about Christmas. He kept thinking about Christmas morning when his family would gather around the tree and read the Christmas story, open presents and than there was the big turkey dinner.

     As he took a deep breath wishing he could already smell the turkey, he got a strong whiff of chili. “Chili?” he said out loud and started sniffing the air. “Yeah, it's chili.” came a voice from behind him. “There wasn't any more tomato sauce left in town.” “Oh, no!” Barney said and hid his face in his book, “Please tell me I'm still dreaming and Harold isn't standing behind me.”

     “You're not really reading that book are you?” Harold asked. “No Barney replied, “I should be but I'm too excited for Christmas to get here.” “I'm not.” Harold said disappointedly. “I'm not getting anything for Christmas and it's all Joey's fault.”

     “Joey?” Barney asked “Who's Joey? I know everybody you know, and I don't know any body named Joey.” “Joey was the name I gave my skunk.” Harold said sounding very disappointed. “If he would have stayed under my coat in church I would still be getting lots of stuff. But no, Joey had to squirm out of my coat and start spraying.”

     “That's what you get for being stupid.” Barney said. But Harold never even heard him. “Why in the world did you catch that skunk for in the first place?” Barney asked. “And the worst part is I no longer have the skunk.” Harold responded. “What?” Barney injected. “Oh,” Harold said realizing the conversation had changed. “I wanted him to keep people out of my bedroom.”

     “I've seen your room, Harold” Barney said, “I've even tried to get into your room. You don't need a skunk.” “Yes I do!” Harold protested. “No you don't” Barney replied, You have so much stuff on the floor in your room that no-one can get in. “I can!” Harold interrupted. “I bet you can't even find your bed.” Barney continued.

     “You're right there.” Harold said in agreement, “I took it apart to make a fort.” “Can you find the fort?” Barney asked next. Not wanting to say no, Harold quickly changed the subject. “By the way,” he asked, “Do you know how much dump trucks cost? Not the little toy ones but the big ones like they have down at Bob's construction company.”

     “Dump Truck!” Barney shouted forgetting he was in a library. “Why do you want a dump truck?!” “Shhh!” Harold said, “I can't tell you” Harold whispered in return, “It's a surprise I'm working on. And I don't want anyone to know.” “What!” Barney shouted again. This time he had a room full of people telling him “Shhh!” “I can't tell you.” Harold whispered again. “It's a surprise.” and then he left.

     Do you have a room like Harold's? A room that so much stuff in it that you can't move. And still you want more? I think too many of us are like Harold's room in the way we live. Like Harold's room, our lives are full of stuff, too much stuff and we want more and more and than something comes along that we should have and there is no room for it.

      Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Matthew 19:16-22 (NIV)

     The man wanted eternal life, he wanted something we all would love to have. Jesus told him he needed to keep the commandments which he had done from his youth. And Jesus told him to sell what he had and give it to the poor. The man couldn't do it, the stuff meant too much to him.

     Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7 (NASB)

     Like the inn in the Christmas story, too many of us have no room for Jesus, our lives are full, full of stuff, things that don't matter in the long run.

     Matthew 16:26 Reminds us that all the stuff in the world is of no value and won't get us what's important. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (NIV)

     Matthew 13:32 reminds us that the cares of this life and the lures of wealth, that stuff crowds out what's important. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced. (NLT)

     Here's some advice from Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. (NLT)

     As we enter the Christmas season will you let too much stuff crowd out the important, Jesus, our Savior?

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Is your life full of stuff?
• Are you giving room to Jesus?

REDEEMING HAROLD

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I know that my Redeemer lives, - Job 19:25a (NIV)

      Robert Grey sat at his kitchen table staring at some papers laying in front of him. As his eyes scanned the numbers you could here him making strange noises sort of like “Chic a chic a chic a chic a chic a ching. Chic a chic a chic a chic a chic a ching.” over and over again. This was how Randy found him

     “Are you okay?” Randy asked after a few minutes of standing and watching him. “Huh? What? Where did you come from?” Robert stuttered in surprise. “Your wife let me in.” Randy told him, “She said I'd find you in the kitchen. I figured you'd be eating, but, what are you doing?” “Thinking.” Robert told him and started making more “Chic a chic a chic a chic a chic a ching.” sounds.

     “Do you always make such strange noises when you think?” Randy asked. “No.” Robert replied, “Just once in a while, when I'm thinking about Harold.” “I guess I make funny noises too when I think about him.” Randy said and then they both let out a good laugh.

     Once their laughing calmed down, Robert said in a rather somber voice, “Harold's in a lot of trouble isn't he?” “I think letting a skunk loose in the church may be the last straw for Harold.” Randy replied in an equally somber voice. The church board had a emergency meeting and they are seriously thinking of banishing Harold form the church and anything doing with it.”

     “Yeah,” Robert frowned, “That is pretty serious.” “It's worse than that though,” Randy continued, “Most of the church members want him to personally pay for all the damages and no one will stick up for him.” “There is one person that may stick up for him.” Robert interrupted, “That is, if I can come up with enough money. There is no way Harold could pay for all the damage.”

     “Do you really think you'll be able to help him?” Randy quietly asked “I'm not completely certain, but he is my grandson and I think I should try.” “How are you going to help him?” Robert asked not thinking anything could help Harold. “Well,” Robert answered, “I have a friend who owns a grocery warehouse and he said he could get me tomato sauce in the bulk. And I know someone who claims he can get the skunk smell out of the church building in less than a week but it's expensive and will cost me all of my savings.”

     “That will definitely go along way towards helping Harold but I don't think it'll be enough.” Randy said half hopeful. “What do you mean, it won't be enough?” Robert asked thinking what he was doing would be enough. “There's still the matter of getting all the people to forgive.” Randy told him. “Oh!” Robert said, “I hadn't thought of that. And than he put his head down and started making more funny noises.

     For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23 (HCSB) While we may like to think of people, at least some people as being good, the Bible reminds us that people are not good. Some people are bad and some people are really bad. Jehoram would likely fall into the really bad category. Jehoram was king of Israel and he lived in Samaria, the capital city. From their he led his people away from God which of course didn't bode well for him or his people.

     Starting in the 24^th verse of 2 Kings chapter 6 we find that Ben-hadad, king of Aram, and brought his army to Samaria and held it under siege. In the city things got so bad that a donkey’s head sold for 80 silver shekels, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five silver shekels which was a lot of money to pay for something to eat. Even worse than that, we read that women were to the point of killing their own children to eat them. When Jehoram heard of this, he tore his clothes and pronounced the death sentence on Elisha, the prophet of God as if he brought all these problems.

     Things looked pretty bleak for Harold and his Grandfather decided to redeem him even though he didn't deserve it. Things looked pretty bleak for Jehoram and the people in Samaria but God decided to redeem them. When one continued to read the 2 Kings we find that when the kings right hand man came to collect Elisha, he was told that the next day there would be food a plenty but because he didn't believe, he would only see it but never enjoy it.

     During the night following, God scared the Arameans away, the fled so fast that they left all their possessions, including lots of food, behind. Some Lepers found it and reported it to the gate keepers who in turn reported it to the king. After checking it out to make sure it wasn't a trap, the people plundered the camp trampling the kings right hand man on the way. The people were saved, Harold will be saved, and all will turn out because someone cares enough to redeem us even when we don't deserve it.

     As we enter the month of December our thoughts often turn towards Christmas and when we think of Christmas we should be thinking of our Redeemer, our Savior. Matthew 1:20-21 reads - But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (NIV)

     While Jesus work of redeeming us didn't take place at Christmas, Christmas is the time when He made his entrance into the world as a man so that he could one day go to the cross and there by redeem us. Galatians 3:13 says Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" (ESV)

     I'm not Harold letting skunks loose in church, I'm not Jehoram or the people of Samaria, but I am me and as me, I need a redeemer for just like everybody else, I've fallen short of the glory of God. You're likely not letting skunks loose in church either and your not Jehoram or the people of Samaria but you too need a redeemer, the one that was born over 2000 years ago.

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Would you be willing to redeem someone who doesn't deserve it?
• Are you willing to receive the redemption Jesus made available?

THE CHURCH WITH A PEW

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In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

     It was Friday morning and Randy was more or less expecting a visitor and sure enough, at 9:00 sharp he heard a hard wrap on the door of his office. “Come on in Sergeant!' Randy called out with out looking up from his desk, “I've been expecting you.” “How did you know it was me?” Sgt. Halfway asked as he entered the room

     “After what happened Wednesday night, I figured you be showing up for some kind of statement.” “Yes.” Sgt. Halfway shook his head, “That's why I'm here. So, Randy, What happened?” “It was like my worse nightmare come true.” Randy said as tears started to run down his eyes, “It was suppose to be a Thanksgiving Eve service. A time when we were suppose to be giving thanks.”

     “Suppose to?” Halfway questioned as he pulled out a notepad and pencil. “Well,” Randy said, “I think you’ve heard that Harold had caught a skunk.” “Tell me about,” Halfway grunted, “Half of Pupperville has called the police station to complain about it. I even heard that his mom was trying to give Harold away.”

     “I’m beginning to wish she had.” Randy told the Sergeant, “Didn't you say something in your sermon last week about being thankful for everything and everyone including Harold?” “Yeah.” Randy sighed, “But that was before Wednesday night.” “You mean before Harold brought that skunk to church.” the Sergeant interrupted. “Yeah.” Randy replied.

     “For the record, Why was Harold allowed in to church with a skunk? Couldn’t somebody smell it?” Sergeant Halfway asked as he got ready to jot down Randy's answer. “Nobody thought to check Harold,” Randy answered, “Because we've gotten so used to him smelling like a skunk. Everybody tries to stay as far away from him as possible and that's probably why no-one noticed it hiding under his coat.”

     “That makes sense.” Halfway nodded in a agreement, “Continue on.” “Well,' Randy went on, “About half way through the service, the skunk got loose. When it got loose, Harold started chasing the skunk around trying to catch it. Harold and the skunk were under the pews, over the pews, across the laps of everyone and then... the skunk started spraying. People started screaming and running every which way trying to get out of the building. Eventually the skunk escaped but the damage had already been done.”

     After jotting a few notes down, Sgt. Halfway than asked about the damage that had been done. “The skunk smell is everywhere.” Randy told him, “I'm sure you could smell it when you came in. The janitor said it could take months to get the odor out of the church. And as for the people, there's no more tomato juice in town.”

     “Well,” Sgt Halfway said as he closed his notebook. “You can always look on the bright side? “There’s a bright side?” Randy asked a bit puzzled. “Yeah.” Sgt Halfway said as he headed for the door, “It’s a good way to find out if you really are thankful in all things.” “What an excellent sermon idea,” Randy said as he stood up to walk Sgt Halfway out. “That is, if any one will ever show up in church again.”

     Would you be thankful if Harold showed up at your church and let his skunk get loose and it sprayed? And, would you be thankful if it was during a time set aside just to be thankful? "Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. "You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. "Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field. Exodus 23:14-16 (NASB)

     The Feast of Ingathering is also know as the Feast of Booths. In Deuteronomy 16 God gives a few more details regarding this feast. "You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. "Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.... Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

       At the time of harvest a feast was to be had, to celebrate before the Lord – for what He had given and an offering was to be given in return. It was a type of thanksgiving that lasted 7 days. A thanksgiving that was forgotten until the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. The story can be found in Nehemiah chapter 8 if you wish to read it in full but to sum the story up. The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the people were returning. Upon their return they got together and asked Ezra to read to them form the book of the law of Moses which God had given them. So, Ezra called the people together and read to them explaining things along the way. Along the way they learned of the Feast of Booths and decided they needed to celebrate and did they ever.

     We have 1 day set aside for celebrating, for giving thanks, but have we forgotten to celebrate, to praise God, to give thanks. I know of no place in scripture that the Israelites were told they didn't have to celebrate when they went into captivity, when things were not going their way. Their feast was mandatory, ours is voluntary but even at that should we let bad times, etc keep us from giving thanks, from celebrating and praising God? Do we need everything perfect before we say a word of thanks and than go back to our lives....

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you truly thankful when things go wrong?
• Are you truly thankful when things go right?

THE PERFECT THANK YOU GIFT

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Give thanks in everything, - 1 Thessalonians 5:18a (HCSB)

     Ever since Harold Peterson had manged to catch a live skunk, people had been avoiding him like he was the worst kind of plague. For some people, however, avoiding him was next to impossible since they lived with him. Martha, Harold's mom, was one of those people and in desperation she headed to church to talk to Randy Smith to see what he would think of her idea.

     As Martha walked into Randy's office, Randy started sniffing the air. “You don't smell like skunk.” he finally said. “Does that mean everything is okay now?” “Not in the least.” Martha replied, “I don't smell like skunk because I found some strong perfume that somehow cancels out the skunk smell.”

     “So,” Randy said as kicked back in his chair, “What have you been up to, and how can I help you?” “well,” Martha started to say as she sat down in the chair opposite Randy's, “I've been doing a lot of thinking.” “That's always good.” Randy told her, “So, what have you been thinking about?” “Thanksgiving.” Martha answered.

     “Oh.” Randy said some what shocked, “I thought you would have been thinking Harold and getting rid of that skunk I heard he caught.” “Well,” Martha admitted, “I guess I have been think a little bit about Harold and the skunk he caught. Well, maybe a lot but I wasn't thinking of getting rid of the skunk.”

     “You're not actually thinking of keeping it” Randy asked as his eye got as big as saucers. “Well,” Martha said, “Being that it's almost thanksgiving, I was thinking about giving God a gift.” When Randy heard that his eyes got even bigger and his mouth dropped open, “You’re not thinking of giving the skunk to God as a gift?”

     “No” Martha told him and Randy gave a sigh of relief. “I was thinking of something else. I was reading in Exodus 22:29 where it says The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. And I was thinking, Harold's my first born son and....” “Stop right there.” Randy interrupted her. “You can’t give Harold away. He your own flesh and blood.”

     “You mean his father’s flesh and blood.” Martha snapped back, “Besides, God's word says to give him to Him. Besides,” Martha continued, “I think I would rather have the skunk.” “And just how do you plan to give him to God.” Randy asked “That's easy.” Martha replied, “I’ll just, just, just. I don’t know. How do I give him to God?”

     “Don’t ask me.” Randy told Martha, “Besides, would you like to have Harold given to you as a thank you gift?” “Harold as a thank you gift?” Martha snorted, “I thought he was a punishment. Oh well, so much for that idea.”

     On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to the Lord by Asaph and his relatives: Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him; sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works!

1 Chronicles 16:7-9 (HCSB)

     Imagine, a day set aside to give thanks. Does such a day really exist? Such a day is suppose to exit on the 4^th Thursday of November in America but how much thanks is given, and how do we do it? Martha thought of giving a gift as a way of giving thanks, well maybe not exactly. If we want to know more about giving thanks we can look at those in the Bible who were thankful and took the time to give thanks.

     David was a king who was thankful. He was the one who wrote the above verses from 1 Chronicles and we can find much of his thankfulness in his Psalms. The verse above were written just after the return of the Arc to Jerusalem. The following verses were written at various times.

• Psalm 106:1 - Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. (HCSB) – Here's a reason to give thanks – because God is good and His love endures.
• Psalm 107:1- Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. (HCSB) – The reason repeats.
• Psalm 108:3 - I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. (ESV) – Here's a way to give thanks – with singing, not in solitude but in the open.
• Psalm 111:1 - Praise the LORD!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. (ESV) – Again we can give thanks in front of people and with our whole heart. We need to get into giving thanks.

     Of course, we may not always think it easy to be thankful, to want to give thanks. Imagine being in Daniel's shoes.

     Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that for 30 days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” So King Darius signed the document. When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Daniel 6:1-10 (HCSB)

      His life is on the line and he takes to time to give thanks, would you? There is more to say on giving thanks but I think this is enough to absorb for now.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you giving thanks when you should be giving thanks?
• Is your thankfulness for real?

HIDING OUT

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Proverbs 15:3a (NASB)

     It was a cool fall day there was a light mist in the air and the sun was starting to set as Tracy headed to the barn to start her evening chores. “Here Bessy,” she called as she opened the big red door on the barn “It's time for your evening milking” When she heard Tracy's voice, Bessy let out a long moo and then a funny sounding sneeze.

     “Wait a minute,” Tracy said sounding a bit alarmed, “Cows don't sneeze like that.” After a few minutes of silence she heard the funny sneeze again. “Who's out here in the barn?” She demanded to know. “Nobody” came a quiet voice that sounded a somewhat familiar. “Is that you Barney?” Tracy called back.

     “You can't see me, You never heard me, and you don't know where I am.” the voice replied. “So it is you.” Tracy answered back, “What are you doing hiding in the hayloft, Barney, you know you have allergies.” “Is Harold with you?” Barney quietly asked in return. “NO!” Tracy answered, “You don't think he would come around here when there's work to be done?”

     “Yeah,” Barney said as he came out of hiding, “I suppose you're right about that. Besides, I can't smell him.” “Smell him?” Tracy said with a quizzical expression. “Yeah,” Barney said as he sniffed the air, “Why do you think I'm hiding from him.” “How would I know.” Tracy answered, Unless,” she paused for a moment, “He didn't!”

     “BINGO” Barney exclaimed. “I thought he wasn't suppose to be chasing skunks anymore.” Tracy chirped in. “He's not.” Barney assured her, “But you know how well he listens.” “Unfortunately, I know all to well.” Tracy said as she nodded in agreement. “So, how bad did he get sprayed this time?”

     “SPRAYED?” Barney exclaimed, “If only he had gotten sprayed.” “What do you mean?” Tracy asked a bit puzzled, “Isn't that what he did?” “He caught one”!” Barney exclaimed, “And he's going all over town trying to show it to everyone he meets.” “No wonder your hiding in the hayloft.” Tracy told Barney, “I think I'd be hiding in the hayloft too if I knew he was trying to show me a skunk.”

     “You won't tell him I'm here, will you?” Barney asked, hoping she'd say no. “My lips are sealed” Tracy assured him, “In fact...” she started to say and then started to sniff the air. “You better move over and make room for me, I smell him coming now.” and up the ladder she flew.

     “Helloooo.” came Harold's voice as they heard the barn door creek open, “Is anybody here?” Although it was hard, Barney kept from sneezing and after about ten minutes, Harold and his skunk left but just to be on the safe side, Tracy and Barney kept hidden for another half hour before Tracy went back to her chores and Barney sneaked home.

     As a parent, I confess that there are times I purposely hide from my kids and if I'm really good, they don't find me and after awhile they give up looking. There are times when all of us hide from someone or at least we desire too. It could be that we're playing, it could be that we want to surprise them or it could be we want nothing to do with them. If someone came around with a live skunk and they smelled even worse, I would probably want to hide like Barney. For the most part, if we are good enough, we can hide – from people but....

     Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' " But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"

Genesis 3:1-11 (ESV)

      To sum the story up, God gave Adam and Eve food to eat, lots of food to eat but He also gave them some food they were not to eat. When we think of all the rules, laws, commandments etc that we have to follow, we can see Adam Eve had only a few and one of them was to NOT eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They ate the fruit, their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked. God came along for a visit and they tried to hide.

     Remember, if we're good enough , we can hide from people but God is not people. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you

     Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV) There is no hiding from God.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How many times have you wished God couldn't see?
• Do you live in such a way that you want things hid from others?

HAROLD'S TROUBLE

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. - Ephesians 6:1(HCSB)

      It was getting close to supper time and Martha Peterson was slaving away in her kitchen preparing an awesome meal for her family. As she stood near the stove she couldn't resist taking in a big whiff of of the sauce she was preparing but as she did she started gagging and coughing and her eyes started to water.

     “HAROLD! What have I told you about staying away from skunks!” Martha yelled out at the top of her lungs but when she turned around it wasn't Harold that stood behind her smelling like a skunk, it was her husband. “Bill!” She yelled out in surprise, “I hope you're not planning to sleep with me tonight. You reek!”

      “I was hoping you wouldn't have noticed.” Bill said gagging and coughing himself. “Notice!” Martha yelled back, “I think I could have smelled you even if my nose was cut off. What happened?” “H- A - R - O - L – D is what happened.” Bill told her, “And to make matters worse, I'm suppose to be teaching Sunday School in the morning.”

     “I can't even begin to count how many times I have told him to stay away from skunks but he just won't listen to many.” Bill complained to his wife. “I know the feeling dear,” Martha replied, “I've been telling him over and over to stay away from the skunks too. You would think he would have learned his lesson after getting sprayed the first time.”

     “I would think that the skunks would have learned there lesson by now and stayed away from Harold.” Bill told his wife, “This is the sixth time this month Harold has tried to catch a skunk and this time I happened to be...” “In the wrong spot at the wrong time.” Martha injected, “I know. I can smell.”

     “What I don't understand is why Harold keeps trying to catch a skunk.” Bill told Martha, I would think the smell would bother him, I know it bothers me and everybody else in town.” “Bill,” Martha said shaking her head, “Why does Harold do anything?”

     “You know,” Bill said, “If he keeps this up we're going to go broke buying tomato sauce to wash the smell away. How are you getting the smell out of his clothes?” “I'm not.” Marthe responded, “Instead of washing them, I've been digging a hole in the backyard and burying them.” “That's a great idea.” Bill said with a grin, “Why don't we leave Harold in the clothes next time. His disobedience is costing us a fortune.” “Too late.” Martha grinned, “I've already buried him, well, at least part of him.”

     “At least I was an obedient child when I was his age.” Bill commented. “Obedient!” Martha snorted, “From what your mom has told me, I could...” Bill quickly cut off his wife. “I'm heading to the bath tub.” he said and darted out of the room.

     In Exodus, as God was laying down the law, he gave the people a commandment Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. - Exodus 20:12 (NIV) Sounds great, especially if you're a parent but would anyone obey this command? Move forward to the New Testament and we read these words But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents .... 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NASB)

     Harold has a problem obeying his parents, It almost sounds like Bill had the same problem so what does it mean to obey ones parents, to honor them? “Tell me what you think about this: A man had two sons. He went to the first son and said, ’Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ The son answered, ’I will not go.’ But later the son changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said, ’Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ The son answered, ’Yes, sir, I will go and work,’ but he did not go. Which of the two sons obeyed his father?“ The priests and leaders answered, “The first son.“ Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God before you do. Matthew 21:28-31 (NCV)

     I suppose we could plug in another scenario. Aaron and Jason are asked to mow the lawn. Joe said he would but played video games all day. Frank said no way, he'd rather play video games but kept losing so he went and mowed the lawn.

     Or try this, Laura and Melissa are asked to wash the dishes. Laura says she would love to but gets sidetracked playing dolls. Melissa says no way, she wants to play dolls. But after her doll falls apart she decides to wash the dishes.

     I'm sure we could plug in many more examples and I think we can easily figure out who was obedient. More than what we say, obedience is in our actions.

     Heading back to the Old Testament when God was laying down the law, He left some very strict penalties for those who were disobedient to their parents. If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father or mother and doesn’t listen to them even after they discipline him, his father and mother must take hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown. They will say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he doesn’t obey us. He’s a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. You must purge the evil from you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (HCSB)

     Here's a couple more verse to think upon in relation to obedience to parents.

• Proverbs 6:20 - My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching. (NLT)
• Colossians 3:20 - Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord. (NCV)

Here's Something To Ponder

• Would you ever consider disobeying your parents?
• Would you ever consider disobeying God when He says obey your parents?