In America, each year in November we celebrate our national holiday called Thanksgiving.

Every school child learns the story of the courageous Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower from Europe, braving the elements for two months before arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in November 1620. They came seeking a New World, religious freedom, and a better life.

A year later, the pilgrims celebrated God’s gracious gifts with prayer, thanksgiving, and a special feast. The tradition continued, and in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. The date was set as the fourth Thursday in November. 

The timing of Lincoln’s Proclamation was significant, being delivered during the height of the bloody Civil War. Nevertheless, Lincoln called all Americans to prayer with a message of optimism and genuine thankfulness, reminding them that even in the midst of dark days there is much to be thankful for.

The Proclamation began:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

As the Pilgrims journeyed in search of the New World, Scripture reminds us that as Christians our journey through life on this earth is also one as sojourners (those who stay somewhere temporarily) and pilgrims (those on a journey to a better, sacred place).

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims . . . that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God . . .   (I Peter 2:9, 11-12) 

Hebrews 11 outlines many heroes of the faith, concluding in verse 13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Despite the mounting troubles and distress in our world today, the message throughout Scripture is one of hope—of a better day coming when there will be no more sorrow, sickness, war, or death. A message of life eternal.

God encourages us to keep our eyes on what lies ahead:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Is your journey focused on what lies ahead? Are you a pilgrim?

As we gather this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with thanks for God’s abundant blessings—family, food, friends, another year. Throughout our darkest days we remember that our journey through this life on earth is only a part of our final destiny.

In Christ alone we have this Hope. In Him we give thanks.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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One of the greatest turning points in my life and faith was when I realized I don’t have to live a life of reactions: meaning when I speak and my words are favorably received, I’m happy; but when not, my smile quickly disappears.

No longer need I let people and circumstances dictate the inner joy of my heart, leaving me wounded by someone’s words or actions, or down because it’s raining again.

I can cultivate a cheerful heart.

Now maybe you’re thinking, “Life is hard right now. How can I possibly have a cheerful heart in these circumstances?”

Jesus tells us in this present life we will have trouble:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

But because He has overcome the world, we can be of good cheer. Even in the midst of great difficulty or sorrow, beneath the pain there is peace, because the Lord is present. I can experience deep-seated joy, because Jesus is my strength, and in Him, there is always hope.

In Him, my heart can be cheerful.

Other scriptures talk about the benefits of a cheerful or merry heart:

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  (Proverbs 15:13)

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.  (Proverbs 15:15)

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  (Proverbs 17:22)

Singing, praising God, and giving thanks lend themselves to a cheerful heart.

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 5:19-20)

When your heart needs hope, and needs to find its happy place—its merry place—try this:

          Sing when you feel terrible. 

          Praise God in the midst of your difficulties. 

          Give thanks when you don’t feel like it.

Soon you’ll be smiling, encouraged by His ever-abiding presence and the peace and hope only He can give.

You will find yourself with a cheerful heart!
Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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There’s nothing I enjoy more than being on the ice, figure skating. The freedom of movement, the cold air, gliding to music, I find invigorating.

While skating, I am immersed in the moment, the rest of the day put on hold.

Yet I didn’t always experience this pure enjoyment.

For many years I took lessons in ice dancing. A group of us adults would take tests, working to move up the ranks of the sport. In my drive to excel, I sometimes deprived myself of enjoying the day’s practice—by focusing on my paucity of progress, or comparing myself to someone else.

During these times, a wise man at the rink often would say, “Enjoy the journey.”

Likewise, we should enjoy our journey of faith each day, without mental distractions. 

God gives us 24-hour day-tight compartments to live in.

My thinking of tomorrow is limited, not knowing what it holds.

God is limit-less.

When we accept the limitations of living one day at a time, life takes on a beautiful simplicity. We’re free to live in an awareness of His presence and can experience His partnership in all we do.

Yet how easily we rob ourselves of this oneness by encasing our thinking in the past or the future—as either a pleasant or fearful thing.

For some, the past is:

A sanctuary: Always thinking of the good ‘ol days; the past always looking better. 

A jailer: A prison that enslaves, causing condemnation, regret, and mental bondage; feeling like victims of past suffering.

For some, the future is: 

A daydream: “I will be happy when I have ‘such and such’, or achieve ‘such and such’.” 

A fear of the unknown: Living with anxieties about what is ahead and can’t be controlled today.

These ways of thinking constrain us, causing us to miss fully living in the now.

In contrast, living in the now—in the presence of God—eliminates worry and increases faith.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God knows what we need, and today is enough to take care of. 

London’s Waterloo Station houses a huge 4-faced clock hanging in the center of the main concourse. It’s known as one of the city’s most famous rendezvous places.

Imagine this large clock—with no hands!

“What time is it?”

“NOW!”

Like a clock with no hands, the word of God and the presence of God is our past, present, and future.

Our eternal now.

Our lives are in His hands, therefore our hearts can be at peace and take joy in His presence—every moment of our now.

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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“You’re not making me want to do this,” I uneasily laughed. The pre-op nurse stood before me reciting a litany of risks of surgery: from possible infection, to cardiac arrest . . . to death.

For a split second, fear gripped my heart. This was elective surgery. Do I really want to go through with this?

Let’s face it . . . surgery brings anxiety.

The uncertainties, the unknowns, the disruption of routines, the fear of pain . . . The hidden things in our hearts that leave us teetering on the brink of fear often surface during this time.

Last Tuesday morning, getting to the day surgery center was for me the most challenging part of the day.

Because of the newness of the procedure I was having on my foot, the closest doctor was 3 hours from my home. This left plenty of time on the drive over with my husband for anxieties to brew—exacerbated by an early departure on little sleep, the beginnings of a headache, and trying not to think about the restriction on food and drink—(tough for us breakfast people!)

Yet as I gazed out at the rising sun, a thought came: When was the last time the sun failed to come up?

A daily testament to God’s faithfulness, the sun rises each morning, signaling another new day—and not one of us has any control over it!

I considered the sky, the clouds, the trees, and reflected on the awesomeness of God’s creation.

Surely, I am part of that creation! Couldn’t the One who so awesomely and wonderfully made the amazing intricacies of my body—He who designed it to function and heal—see me through this time? 

In that moment, I started thanking God for the blessings all around me. I began praising Him for who He is, all He’s made, the life He’s given me.

Praise quickly gave rise to prayer, and one by one, I turned my anxious concerns over to Him, leaving each in His capable hands.

By the time we reached the surgery center, I realized my headache had lifted, my heart was at peace.

In Psalm 77, Asaph was consumed with distress, self-concern, worries, complaining. So troubled he could not speak, he wondered, where is God? “Will He be favorable no more?” 

But then he recalled times he had experienced the greatness and goodness of God:

“I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds . . . Who is so great a God as our God?”  (Psalm 77:11-13)

Asaph found that as long as he looked within himself and let his mind ramble with worries and “what-ifs,” he would be miserable.

When his focus returned to God and His greatness, Asaph’s problems shrank into insignificance.

As I prepared for my surgery, I learned again that I could choose: to keep dwelling on my self-centered anxious thoughts, or to put my mind on “things above.”

God was with me. He would see me through this time, like He has so many others.

Is He not faithful to His promises?

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5b)

No matter how big or small, how routine or complex your surgery is, remember—as you prepare—God is there to provide what you need and give you peace.

Thankfulness and praise open the doors to His presence. Prayer opens the floodgates to His peace.

^“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

For related posts, click on Topic Tags for “training,” “worry,” “praise.”

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As we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving, I’ve been coming across numerous articles about the countless benefits of cultivating an attitude of gratitude in our lives.

According to Scripture, an unthankful heart displeases God. He exhorts us to always give thanks, and to be thankful in all circumstances. It’s through praise and thanksgiving that we enter His presence.

A powerful way to build thanks and praise into our lives is to personalize scriptures and offer them to God as prayers and proclamations of our faith.

The Psalms are great for this. They are beloved by so many because they relate to a wide gamut of human emotions and conditions, and many express great praise and thanksgiving to God.

Here are some verses I’ve personalized from Psalms 100, 118, and 103, which can be used as a starting point:

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;                                                                          May I serve the Lord with gladness;                                                                               And come before Him with joyful singing.                                                                       I know Lord, that you are God;                                                                                              It is you that has made us, not we ourselves;

We are your people,                                                                                                           And the sheep of your pasture.                                                                                 Therefore I enter your gates with thanksgiving,                                                                And your courts with praise.                                                                                               I give thanks to you Lord,                                                                                                 And bless your name.

For the Lord is good,                                                                                                            His lovingkindness is everlasting.                                                                                         His faithfulness is to all generations.                                                                                  

In my distress I called upon you, Lord;                                                                          You answered me and set me in a large place.                                                              Lord, you are for me—I will not fear;                                                                                   What can man do to me?                                                                                                        It is better that I take refuge in you, Lord,                                                                    Than to trust in man. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,                                                                                                    May all that is within me,                                                                                                   Bless your holy name.                                                                                                          Bless the Lord, O my soul,                                                                                                       I will not forget your benefits.

You pardon all my iniquities,                                                                                             You heal all my diseases,                                                                                                    You redeem my life from the pit,                                                                                         You crown me with lovingkindness and compassion;                                                       You satisfy my years with good things,                                                                                So that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

All praise, and honor, and glory be Yours Lord, today and every day, as we pause to give you thanks for our many blessings. Amen!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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With holiday time in full swing, it’s interesting to consider the traditions associated with Christmas. What do decorated trees and wreaths, yule logs, Santa Claus, Christmas cookies, and jingle bells have to do with the birth of Christ?

Answer: Nothing!

What does December 25 have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ?

Answer: Nothing!

Research reveals that Jesus was actually born in the fall of the year. Almost all the customs of Christmas stem from ancient pagan festivals honoring other gods, and didn’t begin until some 300 years after Christ’s death.

And although the Bible records details about the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no record of anyone celebrating it.

So does God really care about all the hoopla surrounding Christmas?

Probably not.

Rather, He cares about our hearts.

Do we become so immersed with activity that we forget about Him? That in our busyness we lose the wonderful peace of His presence?

As we glean the good of the season—helping those in need, talking with others about Jesus at a time of year when needs surface, exchanging gifts with loved ones, appreciating family—may we remember God’s most lavish gift to the world—His Son Jesus Christ.

Please enjoy the following excerpts from Ephesians 1*, reminding us of how special we are to God; the greatest gift, His Son; our wonderful calling to exemplify Christ to the world, and the joy we experience in His presence.

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. 

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. 

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. 

It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. 

That’s why . . . I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! 

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe . . . no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

* From chapter one of Ephesians, Eugene Peterson, The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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Last week I enjoyed an afternoon bike ride with my husband on a scenic rail trail in Pennsylvania. It was one of those October days in which the sun felt warm and the shade cool. Trees hinting yellow leaves lined both sides of the seemingly endless path, while the only sound was leaves crunching beneath bike tires.

Robert Frost’s well-known poem “The Road Not Taken” came to mind—“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . . .” The poet expresses coming to a juncture and pondering which path to take—knowing all too well that as he starts down one road, and way leads to way, it’s unlikely he will ever be back to travel the other.

He concludes:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

I thought about a crossroads time in my own life, in which I chose a path to follow, leaving a different one behind, never to know what might have been.

I pondered with thankfulness the hand of God on my life, the things He has seen me through, and the blessings that have come. I contemplated the choices I’ve made—even the ones once tinged with uncertainty or regret.

Sometimes it’s hard to decide which road to take. How do we know what’s right? What’s best? Where it will lead us?

Like Frost’s poem, the words of Scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 are simple and colloquial, yet dense with meaning and significance.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God simply asks us to trust Him, to seek Him, to stay in His presence.

As we journey through life, we will encounter pitfalls on the side of the road. A few steps off the path and we easily fall into ditches of self-pity, pride or despair.

But God asks that we keep our eyes on Him, seeking His will in all we do, and trusting Him in all things. He promises to always be with us. 

“ . . . let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

Seeking and staying close to the Lord, He protects us, as His words guide our feet and light our path.  

He shows us the way to go. He leads us beside peaceful streams. He renews our strength. He guides us along right paths. We need only ask, trust, and stay in His presence.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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Psalm 1 describes the person who doesn’t follow worldly methods and means, but who takes their greatest delight in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1:1-3) 

Great joy, blessings, fruit, and prosperity follow this person. So how do I make the Lord my delight above all else?

Yes, I can quote Bible verses telling me to “praise the Lord,” to “be thankful,” and to “be joyful.” But there are times I just don’t feel like doing these things.

Yet I’m finding as I faithfully choose to spend time in His Word, praise Him despite how I feel, and seek His presence, He meets me right where I am and pulls me ever closer toward Him.

Delighting in God isn’t something I feel, it’s something I do.

Praising and delighting in God goes deeper than hearts swelling with emotion as hands rise upward during a stirring praise song. It dares us to step out of ourselves, and our souls’ emotions. It invites us to leave behind our own well-worn heart paths and reach for something beyond ourselves—the very heart of God. 

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalm 37:4) 

This command is also a promise. It confronts us when we’re weary, and calls our thinking to higher ground. As we decide to delight in the Lord, He not only gives us our heart’s desires (puts them there), He becomes our heart’s sweetest yearning and resting place.

Nothing matches the joy of His presence. With every effort we make to draw near to Him, He promises to be there. 

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4:8a)

He is only a thought, a heart-cry away. In His presence is fullness of joy. When discovered, it becomes our heart’s greatest desire to delight in God each day.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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Perhaps you’re familiar with the words to the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness[1]:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. 

God doesn’t change. His compassions don’t fail.

What He said was, was . . .
          What He says is, is . . .
                    What He says will be, will be . . .

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. 

All around us creation proclaims His abiding presence, yet most people rush past it without giving it thought.

A splendorous sunrise . . .
          A majestic mountain . . .
                    A towering tree . . .

The whole earth is filled with His glory!

The sun rises each morning; the moon and stars perpetually canopy the earth with nighttime sky.

God’s faithfulness.

The tides roll in, the tides flow out.

God’s faithfulness.

All of creation lends testimony to His enduring faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Because of God’s faithfulness we can trust and rest in His presence today—
no matter what our today may hold.

_________________________________________

[1] The words to this song are based on Lamentations 3:22-23.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a popular Christian hymn written by Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960).

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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One of the highlights of my week is Tuesday mornings, when I talk and pray with my dear friend K. from Michigan. In prayer, we commit each of our loved ones to God’s care. We lay our concerns at His feet. And we always end the call encouraged in our faith and expecting great things from God.

I love how K. begins her prayers by praising the awesome God of the universe—the One who created the stars, knows every hair upon our heads, and holds our lives in the palms of His hands. As together we turn our hearts to praising Him, the mountains in our minds quickly shrink to molehills. We realize He is able.

Powerful and inspiring.

Praising God is an expression of worship—of humbling ourselves before an Almighty God—of magnifying, glorifying, and centering our attention on Him. Many of the Psalms are songs of praise.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. (Psalm 92:1)

While most everyone would agree that praising God is good, few feel any need to do so if they don’t feel like it, or things aren’t going well. Praise is often left at church on Sunday or viewed as a response reserved for when good things happen.

God says differently.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1) 

We’re to praise, or speak good of God all the time!

Praise is an expression of faith, a recognition of God above my circumstances, a declaration of victory.

The New Testament book of Hebrews calls praise a “sacrifice”:

Therefore by Him [Jesus] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

We offer praise not only to show our heart-felt expressions of love, reverence, and thanksgiving, but because we trust God and want to please Him. Therefore, we praise Him when life is good, and even when it is not so good.

Psalm 100:4 says we enter His presence through praise:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 

At home, at work, in the car, the grocery store, or anywhere—praise to God brings the refreshing of His presence. 

Smith Wigglesworth[i] said:

Praise is God’s sunlight in the heart. It destroys sin germs. It ripens the fruits of the Spirit. It is the oil of gladness that lubricates life’s activities. There can be no holy life without it. It keeps the heart pure and the eye clear. Praise is essential to the knowledge of God and His will. 

A live filled with praise to God is not only the most joyful way to live, but is one of the most powerful ways to change your life.

[i] Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947) was a well-known British evangelist and faith healer.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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