|
The Bible Says
There is one big difference between “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Thanksgiving Day.” On one’s Birthday we are happy for all the blessings received regarding that particular day. On Thanksgiving Day we rejoice in all the blessings of the past year. Of all my hundred years, I think I have more to Praise God for in 2006 than all the previous years together. Have you counted your blessings, recently? It is easy to remember the disappointments and forget all the good things we have been privileged to enjoy.
‘Twas raining, and this is the wail she presented to me: “Oh, life is a toil, and love is a trouble, Beauty will fade, and riches they flee! Wages they dwindle, and prices they double, And nothing is what I would wish it to be!” I know some of you have had a bad year in 2,006. Our hearts go out to all those who have faced ill-health, bereavement of loved ones, financial loss, or cruel and unkind harassment. My family spends a large part of every day praying for and encouraging those who are going through difficult times in their lives. As the result of Ken and Marvine’s caring ministry, some that were once disheartened are now happy Christians and are rejoicing in the Lord during this Thanksgiving Season! In a previous message, I mentioned the many friends who showered me with precious cards and gifts on my 100th Birthday. Among other wonderful gifts were 4 beautiful live flowers (these dear friends were aware of my love for flowers). Two flowers came from Deer River Publishing and the owner Bob and Betty Barnacle. One came from Globe Drug. One of the gorgeous arrangements came from the Coventry State Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO where our son Ted attends. There were many other wonderful gifts, cards, and letters that I will forever cherish. Senior Pastor Fred Allen, pastor of Lee’s Summit Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO wrote the following encouraging letter: “Dear Charlie, One outstanding Birthday gift came from Kent and Linda Wilson and their 3 dedicated children, Ashley, Devin, and Eric; all close friends from Denver Colorado. Their gift is a very costly electronic device, delivered to my office and personally installed. Kent Wilson and Ken Scott worked the entire three days the Wilsons were here and until 3 a.m. the last day; to make sure it was in perfect working order. It contains an upgraded program with two computer screens, a complete computerized concordance and an electric picture album of all the pictures taken by Susan Grier, (a photographer) during her visit. One priceless gift is a sacred painting of Christ and the little children. My grandson Mark Manley painted it during his brief visit from California. Mark has a Masters Degree in Art, and he worked full time painting that picture, during the three full days he was here. This normally would have taken three weeks. That picture reflects Mark’s own opinion of how our Lord was dressed and the expression of strength and love that mingled on His handsome face. I believe this lovely painting will one day be ranked among the most famous Sacred Masterpieces of all time. I wish I could express how much it means to have my four children and many grandchildren so lovingly and sacrificially (some of them from other states) share this occasion. Last, but not least of my Birthday gifts is the following 100th Birthday Card from THE WHITE HOUSE:
“Happy 100th Birthday! Laura joins me in sending best wishes. For liberty to worship as we will; We thank Thee for the hero souls of old Who dared wild seas their mission to fulfill. O, gird our hearts with stalwart faith in good, Give us new trust in Thy providing hand, And may a spirit born of brotherhood Inspire our hearts and bless our native land.
--By Thomas Curtis Clark (last stanza) |