Be Thankful

Many churches this week will host special Thanksgiving Services, and rightly so. As Christians, we should be quick to express our thanksgiving to God for the gifts and blessings that we all enjoy. We do not discount the hardships of life that often come our way, yet we can also see his loving care at work around us.

As we attend services this week we will no doubt be led in a time of singing. The songs may be traditional hymns such as "Count Your Many Blessings", or they may be more liturgical like the "Doxology" or they may be more contemporary such as, "Blessed Be Your Name." God loves them all because God loves our praise from a thankful heart.

Let me introduce an old hymn to you that was written in the 4th century by Ephrem the Syrian. He lived in Nisibis on the boarder of Turkey (kind of fitting for this week) during a time of great political tension and evil. Ephrem grew up in a church that had experienced the horrors of Diocletian's persecution first hand. His early ministry as deacon was under Jacob, the first bishop of Nisibis who also attended the famed Council of Nicea in 325. Jacobs's signature is found on the documents from that council!

After enjoying several years of peaceful ministry, world politics forced Ephrem and thousands of Christians into exile. Now on foreign soil, Ephrem continued to do the work of ministry in teaching, writing, and especially the writing of hymns. We have copies of his hymns even today, and it is interesting to note that he used hymns and music to defend the church against heresies. He also took on the role of choir director and used his hymns to bring praise to the Lord.

Ephrem did not just preach his sermons or homilies, as they are often called, he would use poetry and recited it to the congregation. Remember that Christians did not have Bibles, cassette recorders, DVD's or iPods to listen to sermons. Yet, if one could remember poetic lines, then one could remember the point of the sermon or even memorize scripture phrases. That was creative thinking.

Ephrem died in June 9, 373 from the plague that he had received while taking care of the sick.

Let me share with you during this week of Thanksgiving one of Ephrem's poems or hymns as a reminder of what we truly have to be thankful for.

What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all your kindness?

Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.

In the good and difficulties of life, we can thank God for his great mercy and compassion for us! Have a wonderful day of celebrating God’s goodness to you!

God Bless You,

Dan

P.S. Don't forget gluttony is a sin-just kidding-well actually it is, but that is between you and Lord.

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