Song for Sunday: Thanks to God for My Redeemer

A classic Thanksgiving Hymn. We sang it in church this morning. It's the second verse that caught me.

1. Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
   Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
   Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
   Thanks for Jesus by my side!
   Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
   Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
   Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
   Thanks for peace within my soul!
2. Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
   Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
   Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
   Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
   Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
   Thanks for comfort in despair!
   Thanks for grace that none can measure,
   Thanks for love beyond compare!
3. Thanks for roses by the wayside,
   Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
   Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
   Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
   Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
   Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
   Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
   Thanks through all eternity!

                    ~August L. Storm

And related to that second verse: 

Happy Sunday and God  you bless your preparations for Thanksgiving!

In Memoriam, 50 years later.

50 years ago today, the U.S. and the world were reeling with the news of JFK's assassination, an event which cut short a productive and stellar life.

Others died that day. It is one of those, the news of whose death was swallowed up by the President's slaying, whom I want to talk about here.

He captured the imaginations of thousands of children, drawing them into a new world at a time when educators and authors believed children didn't need fantasy.

His fictional narratives for adults drew people in as well, demonstrating spiritual truths in compelling series of stories. Some were set on other planets, one was correspondence between demons.

He also explained in books, in essays, and in radio talks the theology of the Christian faith. He was an apologist par excellence who contended for Christ in every area he was found.

He was a teacher. He was once a soldier. He was a Christian who smoked and drank. He married to give a woman his citizenship and eventually fell in love with her. He met with a group of writers, the best Christian writers of his day, every Thursday morning at a bar. They criticized each other's work, argued, talked, inspired each other. It had been one of those Inklings-- JRR Tolkien -- who led him to Christ.

This author, teacher and apologist did much to build the Kingdom of God. His works still speak for him, challenging people to think theologically, to strive for excellence, to love their neighbors. He still calls people to Christ.

And, so, rest in peace

C.S. Lewis

 

 

you are not forgotten. Narnia, Perelandra and the rest are still beloved. Your books still teach. You were and, I trust, are a true servant of God.

 

 

 

https://www.cslewis.com/us/

 

http://www.cslewisweb.com/

 

http://cslewis.drzeus.net/

Thursday Craft Time: Floppy Things

This is a great project for gathering up the pieces and not wasting anything. Also, they were the first things that sold at the craft fair I participated in a few weeks ago. A teacher bought them to use as rewards for her class. They are quick and easy. Kids could do this. Also, they are free to make and I sold them for 50 cents each.


Cut your scrap fleece into strips approximately 8' by 1-1/2" long. They don't have to be exactly the same size though they should be reasonably close. You need 19 strips.


Gather up 18 of the strips and hold them so they are even.

Wrap the 19th strip around the middle of the gathered strips. Fold the ends over each other as though starting a knot. 

Pull very tight.

Flip the bundle over. 

Start another knot. 

Pull very tight.

Finish the knot. 

Wash and dry the tied bundle to tighten the knot and curl the ends. 

Now you have tossing toy that is machine washable.

 

Hope you and your kids enjoy making these and playing with them. You can add an environmental lesson about not throwing away what you can still use -- or just have fun. 

What have you made lately?