Interesting, this was originally posted on July 3, 2011...and here we are on July 2, 2017. So much has happened since then, but nothing has changed in the thoughts expressed in the words of this particular post. God's Word is eternal, always the same... and yet fresh and new every day. I would like to add to these previous thoughts that our nation is in need of our prayers even more than ever this Independence Day.
May God hear our prayers and guide our nation back to the truth.
Amen.
Original Post: 7/3/2011: (with a few new pictures from 2017)
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| (current picture June 2017) |
"The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:15-16
Does anyone recognize these verses above as being a part of a table grace? Back when I was a child, my grandparents, who happened to be Lutheran, always quoted this portion of scripture within their table grace before any meal. The only other part I remember is "Come Lord Jesus, Be our Guest....and something something...be blest..." I don't remember the rest of the words. If you remember this, or have heard it all put together as a table blessing, would you please fill in the blanks for me? I would be most grateful! All of the members of that generation have now passed on, and I don't know if any of our generation carried on that particular tradition. I hate to see old family traditions lost in the shuffle from one generation to the other...
In previous verses of this same Psalm, King David says that
Speaking of table blessings, and other kinds of blessings in general...it is good to remind ourselves and each other about the blessings of the Lord each day. That is one of the main reasons I am writing this blog. I know I sometimes stray on to more personal or whimsical topics, but hopefully the reader will always see the truth of God's goodness and glory intertwined throughout each story or message. If you have not felt His presence, or if you have not caught a glimpse of my Savior throughout these little vignettes of my life, then I must apologize for not doing my job."One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness." (Psalm 145:4-7)
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| Sunset 7-1-2017 |
Yes, I believe it is my job to talk about the "glorious splendor" of God's majesty, and to speak of the "might of Your (God's) awesome acts." I don't sing as much as I used to, (some people may say, "Thank God"), but within my heart there is always ringing a melody of praise to our Lord. When I behold the sunrise, or the sunset, or a magnificent thundercloud
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| June 30, 2017 |
...or view upon a placid lake, or a rushing mighty river...a field of wildflowers or stalks of corn, a misty meadow, or a towering snow-capped mountain...an eagle in flight, or an owl perched in silent seclusion,
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| My Barred Owl Friend - 2011 |
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| Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird - June, 2017 |
or an ant scurrying about his anthill...no matter how magnificent or how humble, I must stop and say,
"I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:1-3)
I would like to add, on the eve (almost) of Independence Day, I thank my Lord and God for this great nation, and the marvelous country into which I was so blessed to be born. I didn't have anything to do with that...it was totally God's plan for my life...and I just want to praise Him for this great privilege.
"America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!" Amen!!
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| Deer - July 2, 2017 |
Our Flag, 7/2/17
Hi, I just came across your blog today. thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think the answer to your question about the prayer is
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
let these your gifts to us be blessed, Amen
The Slovak Lutheran tradition adds a second verse:
And may there be a goodly share
on every table everywhere.
Hope that helps!
My blog is Manifest Blog if you're interested.
God Bless!
Good to see Mr. Porter still blogging! He was one of the first Christian blogs I followed!
DeleteThank you, Stephen! That sounds very much like what they said, but I never could get the words just right! I appreciate you reading my blog and taking the time to answer! I wonder how you found my blog today? I am alway curious how people find it! I will look at your blog as well. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to have found your blog after you found mine! Your writing is very encouraging. I also thank God for this great nation. Happy 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to God and our country this holiday weekend, Pam! Thank you for linking up so faithfully and especially on a busy weekend. I love the way you share your vignettes and shine for Jesus...and I agree it is OUR job as Christians who have been gifted with this love of writing to do that and share it! Hope you have a blessed weekend. We are laying low, quiet. Hub is working- we girls are just putzing around the house enjoying home. Love, Dawn
ReplyDeleteHi Pam! What gorgeous images, especially the one on the river. It makes me want to sing! I think when we are filled with the awe of the Lord's creations, our spirit is singing, even if we aren't.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great 4th celebration!
Blessings,
Ceil
Pam, thank you for sharing this again. You do certainly point your readers to Jesus--thank you for doing that. I strongly believe this nation is what it is due to the focus on God in the early part of our history.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and blessed Fourth of July!
Blessings!
Oh, yes, Pamela! May God bless our nation always, and may we all bless and worship the Lord our God like never before, thanking Him for all our many blessings living in the land of the free.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for a wonderful Fourth!