This note comes to you while we are in North Carolina looking over our weather-beaten home and counting our blessings. The damage was nothing that a new roof, paint job and the removal of three trees would not take care of. But we count ourselves blessed because there were thousands of folks who lost their homes, never to rebuild or recover.
Hurricane Helena made her mark across the map on the eastern seaboard. Stormy weather is not a respecter of time, socio-economic background, or location. Over the past couple of years, we have seen severe rainstorms that dumped feet of rain; hurricanes and tornadoes that left death and devastation in their path and in areas we never thought we would see such events take place.
The Sunday we left for North Carolina, we sang the song Count Your Many Blessings during our worship service. The lyrics were composed by Johnson Oatman, Jr., born in 1856 and penned the song in 1897. He also wrote songs titled, No, Not One and Higher Ground. One article pointed out that he was not as good a singer as his dad, but he loved music, nonetheless. Johnson attended schools for ministry, served in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and began writing songs that we sing still today. He composed about 200 songs a year and by age 36 and compiled 5000 songs by the end of his life. As his story unfolded, it appeared to me that Johnson counted his blessings and made the best of what talents God had given him. Through his compositions, Brother Johnson had shared the Good News concerning Jesus Christ.
Are you counting the blessings God has provided in your life? If you are thankful for what God has provided, then we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us to be doers of God’s Word in the world around us.
Scripture reminds us that it is not enough for us to hear or listen to the Word of God. We are to actively live out what we learn by following Jesus. (James 1:19-27) John Wesley said, “The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love, is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.” Jesus said to love God and love our neighbor. We love God and our neighbor, when we put into action the Word of God written in our hearts.
God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Jeff
Pastor Jeff’s Corner