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Illustration
Object:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Those in the creative arts, such as musicians, songwriters, authors, and even journalists, often depend on royalties for their income. Royalties are portions of sales from their songs or books, so the more albums or books sold, the more royalties the person receives. For example, in the United States, the going rate for song royalties is about 9 cents a song. However, if a record company makes 1,000 copies of a CD with that song on it, the artist or songwriter gets 9 cents for each CD for that song, or $90 in this case. This is a case of credit being given where credit is due.
The system of tithing set up in Deuteronomy is akin to this system of royalties. God created everything -- the earth, the seeds, the rain, the sun, everything needed to grow the crops the Israelites would grow. He simply wanted the credit he was due, since he made it all anyway. Similarly, God gives us the know-how and the opportunity for every dollar we earn. All he wants are his royalties.
Craig K.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Thanksgiving is always a special day for Alan and his extended family. As his wife prepares a turkey the aromas transport him back to when he was a child. He remembers how his mother would get up early, while it was still dark, to cook her meal. Then in the afternoon his aunts and uncles would arrive, greeting him warmly. He remembers and hopes he is creating such memories for his own children.
While some might not think of Thanksgiving Day as a religious occasion, Alan does. When his family gathers at the table he offers a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for the many blessings. "This helps us to realize how special our time is on this earth and to know we are blessed children of God," he says.
Thanksgiving Day provides the opportunity to slow down from the hectic pace of life to enjoy God's blessing of family and friends. This, Alan insists, is a religious experience.
The journey through the wilderness had been a long and difficult one. When the people settled into the land that the Lord had promised, their response was to give the first fruits of their labor to God in thanksgiving. They were instructed to say, "So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me." They too realized that God had blessed them. They offered their thanks to the God who brought them to this new land, flowing with milk and honey.
Tim S.
Philippians 4:4-9
In the classic book and film The Swiss Family Robinson, the Robinsons are stranded on an island when their ship wrecks in a storm. The family salvages everything they can from the ship, no matter how insignificant the debris seems, and uses their salvage to build a giant tree-house. The Robinsons can't overlook anything in their quest to create a life for themselves on the deserted island. Their frugality and creativity allows them to begin to feel at home in the tropical wilderness. Likewise, we cannot overlook any facet of our lives as we strive for godliness in everyday living.
Leah T.
Philippians 4:4-9
Prior to accepting the cabinet position as Secretary of Agriculture, in President Dwight David Eisenhower's administration, Ezra Taft Benson made one request: that all cabinet meetings begin with a few moments of silent prayer. Benson, a man of deep religious convictions, believed that this was the only way to conduct government business. Eisenhower quickly and gladly agreed to Benson's request.
When the first cabinet meeting was held in the White House, the president forgot the previous arrangement and the prayer was mistakenly omitted. Benson wrote the president a memo, reminding him of the talk they had in New York regarding prayer and cabinet meetings. In the memo Benson wrote that he would not mention the issue again.
At the next cabinet meeting, held on February 6, 1953, Eisenhower inquired of the other officials if opening the meeting with silent prayer was acceptable to them. Everyone agreed to the practice. They then decided that the prayer would be silent, unless one representative on a particular occasion desired to pray verbally.
Henceforth, cabinet meetings followed this format: The secretaries would seat themselves around the mahogany table. When the president entered the room, they would stand out of respect. Once seated, each man bowed his head until the president ended the brief silence with the words, "Thank you."
Thanksgiving Day is the time we recognize our national heritage and the multiple blessings we have as Americans. It certainly leads us to a prayer of thanksgiving and the words, "Thank you." Doing so we will know, as Paul wrote, "And the God of peace will be with you."
Ron L.
John 6:25-35
It is something of a stereotype that Asian cuisine can make us really full when we eat it, but we still end up hungry an hour later. I must admit, I have sometimes found this to be the case. I don't know if it's something in the way it's made that it just seems to digest quickly or what!
This passage reminds me of that. Many look to the world and what it offers for nourishment. They are sometimes filled, but it's only for a moment, and they're left hungrier than before. The only satisfaction we can hope for is in Jesus, the "bread of life." He's the meal that just keeps on filling!
Craig K.
John 6:25-35
Robin remembers one Thanksgiving years ago when she and her children were living in a small motel room. It was the worst of times for her and the children. Her husband deserted them; her own family lived in another state. Without transportation it was impossible to go home to her parents. They were stuck in a cheap, rundown motel, on the outskirts of town.
On Thanksgiving Day her children made a list of all the things they were thankful for, which both surprised and shocked Robin. Her son was thankful for his friends at school. The younger son was thankful for his mother's love. He repeatedly asked if she was going to leave them, like their dad. Robin told them both that she was not going to leave them.
Their meal consisted of cold beans from a can and some day old bread. That was all they had to eat that Thanksgiving.
What is truly amazing is that years later, her sons both married with families of their own have such a vivid recollection of that day. In the leanest of times they bonded together as a family. Years later they give thanks to God for the blessing of family. That was the Thanksgiving they most remember.
Jesus had just fed a crowd numbering over 5,000 people. It was another of Jesus' signs. Not only were the people impressed by what they experienced but they searched for Jesus because they wanted more food. Jesus encouraged them to strive for food that does not perish. The people remained confused. "This is the work of God," Jesus told them, "that you believe in him whom he has sent."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends may we also strive for "for the food that endures for eternal life." Our lesson concludes with one of Jesus' "I am" statements found throughout John's gospel, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Tim S.
Those in the creative arts, such as musicians, songwriters, authors, and even journalists, often depend on royalties for their income. Royalties are portions of sales from their songs or books, so the more albums or books sold, the more royalties the person receives. For example, in the United States, the going rate for song royalties is about 9 cents a song. However, if a record company makes 1,000 copies of a CD with that song on it, the artist or songwriter gets 9 cents for each CD for that song, or $90 in this case. This is a case of credit being given where credit is due.
The system of tithing set up in Deuteronomy is akin to this system of royalties. God created everything -- the earth, the seeds, the rain, the sun, everything needed to grow the crops the Israelites would grow. He simply wanted the credit he was due, since he made it all anyway. Similarly, God gives us the know-how and the opportunity for every dollar we earn. All he wants are his royalties.
Craig K.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Thanksgiving is always a special day for Alan and his extended family. As his wife prepares a turkey the aromas transport him back to when he was a child. He remembers how his mother would get up early, while it was still dark, to cook her meal. Then in the afternoon his aunts and uncles would arrive, greeting him warmly. He remembers and hopes he is creating such memories for his own children.
While some might not think of Thanksgiving Day as a religious occasion, Alan does. When his family gathers at the table he offers a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for the many blessings. "This helps us to realize how special our time is on this earth and to know we are blessed children of God," he says.
Thanksgiving Day provides the opportunity to slow down from the hectic pace of life to enjoy God's blessing of family and friends. This, Alan insists, is a religious experience.
The journey through the wilderness had been a long and difficult one. When the people settled into the land that the Lord had promised, their response was to give the first fruits of their labor to God in thanksgiving. They were instructed to say, "So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me." They too realized that God had blessed them. They offered their thanks to the God who brought them to this new land, flowing with milk and honey.
Tim S.
Philippians 4:4-9
In the classic book and film The Swiss Family Robinson, the Robinsons are stranded on an island when their ship wrecks in a storm. The family salvages everything they can from the ship, no matter how insignificant the debris seems, and uses their salvage to build a giant tree-house. The Robinsons can't overlook anything in their quest to create a life for themselves on the deserted island. Their frugality and creativity allows them to begin to feel at home in the tropical wilderness. Likewise, we cannot overlook any facet of our lives as we strive for godliness in everyday living.
Leah T.
Philippians 4:4-9
Prior to accepting the cabinet position as Secretary of Agriculture, in President Dwight David Eisenhower's administration, Ezra Taft Benson made one request: that all cabinet meetings begin with a few moments of silent prayer. Benson, a man of deep religious convictions, believed that this was the only way to conduct government business. Eisenhower quickly and gladly agreed to Benson's request.
When the first cabinet meeting was held in the White House, the president forgot the previous arrangement and the prayer was mistakenly omitted. Benson wrote the president a memo, reminding him of the talk they had in New York regarding prayer and cabinet meetings. In the memo Benson wrote that he would not mention the issue again.
At the next cabinet meeting, held on February 6, 1953, Eisenhower inquired of the other officials if opening the meeting with silent prayer was acceptable to them. Everyone agreed to the practice. They then decided that the prayer would be silent, unless one representative on a particular occasion desired to pray verbally.
Henceforth, cabinet meetings followed this format: The secretaries would seat themselves around the mahogany table. When the president entered the room, they would stand out of respect. Once seated, each man bowed his head until the president ended the brief silence with the words, "Thank you."
Thanksgiving Day is the time we recognize our national heritage and the multiple blessings we have as Americans. It certainly leads us to a prayer of thanksgiving and the words, "Thank you." Doing so we will know, as Paul wrote, "And the God of peace will be with you."
Ron L.
John 6:25-35
It is something of a stereotype that Asian cuisine can make us really full when we eat it, but we still end up hungry an hour later. I must admit, I have sometimes found this to be the case. I don't know if it's something in the way it's made that it just seems to digest quickly or what!
This passage reminds me of that. Many look to the world and what it offers for nourishment. They are sometimes filled, but it's only for a moment, and they're left hungrier than before. The only satisfaction we can hope for is in Jesus, the "bread of life." He's the meal that just keeps on filling!
Craig K.
John 6:25-35
Robin remembers one Thanksgiving years ago when she and her children were living in a small motel room. It was the worst of times for her and the children. Her husband deserted them; her own family lived in another state. Without transportation it was impossible to go home to her parents. They were stuck in a cheap, rundown motel, on the outskirts of town.
On Thanksgiving Day her children made a list of all the things they were thankful for, which both surprised and shocked Robin. Her son was thankful for his friends at school. The younger son was thankful for his mother's love. He repeatedly asked if she was going to leave them, like their dad. Robin told them both that she was not going to leave them.
Their meal consisted of cold beans from a can and some day old bread. That was all they had to eat that Thanksgiving.
What is truly amazing is that years later, her sons both married with families of their own have such a vivid recollection of that day. In the leanest of times they bonded together as a family. Years later they give thanks to God for the blessing of family. That was the Thanksgiving they most remember.
Jesus had just fed a crowd numbering over 5,000 people. It was another of Jesus' signs. Not only were the people impressed by what they experienced but they searched for Jesus because they wanted more food. Jesus encouraged them to strive for food that does not perish. The people remained confused. "This is the work of God," Jesus told them, "that you believe in him whom he has sent."
As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends may we also strive for "for the food that endures for eternal life." Our lesson concludes with one of Jesus' "I am" statements found throughout John's gospel, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Tim S.
