Monday, December 15, 2008

Thankful Memory

In Psalm 103:2, David calls for a vigilance of memory - a determination to keep God's works of mercy at the forefront of his mind. David actually instructs his soul to avoid the active neglect of the meditation on the benefits of God.

In our world, life moves fast. Think for a moment of what we decide on a daily basis today that people were not encumbered with 100 years ago. Then think of how much effort we must direct toward keeping in mind the favors and mercies of God.


It is difficult to appreciate God and his mercies when we do not keep them in mind. Thanklessness soon sets in when we lose that focus.

Maybe some of you can give examples of thanklessness we see that results from spiritual memory loss.
Maybe you could also give examples of the beauty of a thankful heart.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Twelve things you didn't have to worry about 100 years ago.....and how to re-gain your focus.

1. living to the age of 50. The average life expectancy was 47 Years.

2. taking a bath. Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

3. telemarketing. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

4. high speed car chases. There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

5. giving birth in a hospital. More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

6. what kind of mocha-java, super grande, frappachino you were going to order at starbucks. Coffee was Fifteen cents a pound.

7. what kind of shampoo to buy. Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

8. literacy. Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.

9. finding a drug dealer. Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, ‘Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.’

10. being audited by the IRS. Personal Income Tax had not yet been illegally Introduced in the U.S.

11. the media. There was no radio or theater let alone TV

12. "the middle east peace process". Israel was not yet a State.

Now, try this...go out into your garage (or basement) and pull the big 200 amp breaker at the top of the electrical box. Then, go back into your living room, sit still and be quiet. This will help you re-gain your focus.