We want the good life. We want to have it all.
James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
God wants us to have it all. Including trials.
What tops your gratitude list?
Troubles? Ha! You’d have to be crazy to be thankful for all the bad stuff that comes your way. Except . . .
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks.
God could have said, “In every good thing, give thanks.” But he didn’t. He is quite clear, “everything.”
So what trials go on your gratitude list—money troubles? Family problems?
Even politics?
Everything.
I am a stone for those around me. I can and should be an Ebenezer, a stepping stone. Or I can be a stumbling block.
I noticed a co-worker today just because of her frown. For her, a frown is a rare event. She’s always good for a word of encouragement, a joke or a happy story. Unlike the doom-and-gloom fellow with his steady stream of complaints. I once told him, “there’s never a sunny day where you can’t find a dark cloud.” He offered a nod of solemn agreement.
Oh Lord, make me a stepping stone! Amen.
These faithful foundation stones are our congregation’s Ebenezers.
1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”
Here today only through the Lord’s help.
Guess what stood out to me the first time I saw our church building?
The foundation, with its fascinating variety of unique stones.
This building is over 100 years old. The congregation is 260 years old.
Christ is our cornerstone, absolutely. But long parade of unique people support the many ministries of today’s congregation. Yep, we have a fascinating foundation.
Our congregation just celebrated 260 years!
That’s a lot of sermons, memory verses, hymns, prayers and pot-luck dinners. And that’s just one church (lower case “c”). Think of the Church (upper case “C”), all believers, everywhere over time. We’re just a tiny stream in Christ’s mighty river.
A tiny, much-loved stream. 
[Historical note: Our second pastor took a leave of absence to minister to Washington and the troops–now that’s old!]
Reading through the Gospels, I notice that Jesus didn’t talk much about the ruling Romans. His strongest words were directed at the religious leaders. As a Bible study writer and teacher, this gives me pause.
“Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.”
Frances R. Havergal, 1874
As I scroll down my social media, I can’t help but notice the name-calling.
WWJD? What would Jesus say? What name would Jesus use?
“Beloved.”
