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Bless God

 

Hi Everyone, 

I am grateful for today and the continuous changes during this season. Murray and I went for several rides out into the country this past weekend and the amazing fall colours are exploding everywhere. I am blessed to live in a beautiful province and thanked God for all the gifts given this weekend.  Brendon has written the devotional thought for today and he reminds us that when we bless God for the gifts given, we are receiving all the good things that are given daily.  The following are Brendon’s thoughts.

 

Dear Emmanuel Family,

 

In a wonderful sermon I read earlier this week, based on Psalm 63, I was reminded of the Jewish practice of “blessing God.”  In verse 5, the psalmist says, “I will bless you [God] as long as I live” (NRSV).  The author/preacher, Ellen Davis, wrote: “God is blessed over and over, multiple times a day, by every observant Jew -- and why?  Because, as the ancient rabbis taught, to use or enjoy any created thing without blessing the Creator is to steal something from God’s glory.  Taking for granted is just that: it’s taking, not receiving.  The gifts of God’s love pour forth constantly toward you, abundantly and superabundantly, but the gifts becomes yours only as you recognize that this good thing comes from God, and return blessing for it” (Preaching the Luminous Word: Biblical Sermons and Homiletical Essays, page 119).  Challenged by what Ellen had to say, I have been trying to cultivate the practice of blessing God throughout my day, using the form of blessing that the ancient rabbis taught.  For example, this Blessing over Bread: “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”

 

Someone asked recently for an update on the view from my office window at home that I had shared on this blog back in June, but the truth is that, apart from the birds being gone, nothing much has changed (as yet) in that view. I look forward to the changes that will come later in fall and winter. 


Blessed are you, Triune God, King of the universe, who remains steadfast and unchanging in every season!

 

Nevertheless, there have been other changes around our home and I would like to share a couple with you.  Our grapevines have produced a lovely harvest again this year and we are looking forward to enjoying juice and jam in another month or so.

Blessed are you, Triune God, King of the universe, who blesses us with the bounty of crops and fruit from the vine!



In addition, Karen and I have started to dabble with succulents. We visited a friend this summer who had lots of them on her back deck and we were enamoured by them. She gave us a few and we bought some more and now we are creating a little succulent garden in our home.  I was surprised at the way they are able to propagate from a leaf that dies and brings forth new life. Quite the amazing diversity in God’s creation.

 

Blessed are you, Triune God, King of the universe, who have given us plants in all their rich diversity and the privilege of enjoying them!

 

 
And speaking about diversity in plants, Karen and went for a walk this afternoon (Sunday) along the river on the Meewasin Trail and were amazed at the diversity of colour in the plants.  Last October, we spent a week in the Eastern Townships of Quebec enjoying their fall colours, and as much as we enjoyed that, I would have to say that our fall colours are equally spectacular.

Blessed are you, Triune God, King of the universe, who clothes your creation with glorious colours and gives us eyes to appreciate them!

Blessed are you, Triune God, King of the Universe, who have given us minds to contemplate your creation and lips to praise you for them!

 

May we bless the Lord for all of his gracious and glorious gifts to us. 

 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)

 

Your brother in Christ,

Brendon

 

Thank you, Brendon for sharing your thoughts with us today.  If you would like to send Brendon an email you can write to him at bgibson@ebap.ca

 

Blessings, and stay safe.

 

Robin

 

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