Thankfulness Has a Companion



Thankfulness Has a Companion

Thanksgiving Day is a time of traditions, transitions and a time to be thankful for all God has provided. But it’s also remarkable to realize a thankful of heart comes with a companion– hope.  

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,

 for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

Hebrews 10:23-24 NIV

Hope is sitting right beside a big platter full of thankfulness and close at hand is a cup overflowing with God’s love and mercy.

Hope lifts us up like a play yard swing setting us in motion to spread more hope to others.

Hope is the chauffer who drives us through the day and the blanket covering us in peace when we go to sleep at night.

 Hope comes with an automatic gear which shifts us into thankfulness, even when— there are bumps in the road, wrong turns and disappointments.  

Hope is fixated with a sure destination leading us directly to the heart of God.

Hope is God’s gift, His Son Jesus, wrapped in love and tied with ribbons of thankfulness.  

“Our hope is not mere speculation in what God might do. God has given His word on many areas of life regarding things He will do. We can have confident hope in everything that He has promised.” Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day

 

Happy and blessed Thanksgiving everyone! May our God of all hope fill your heart overflowing with His love, joy and peace always.

 

“Thankfulness Has a Companion” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 26, 2015

A Song in the Storm



Storm by Dee Kamp

A Song in the Storm

I held on tight to my hat as I headed down the long driveway to the mail box the other day. The November gale winds were showering leaves all over me and the snapping of branches high above me was giving me great concern.  

  Just as I was about to pass a thicket of juniper bushes a sound so sweet floated by surprising me and bringing me to a stop, despite the storm.  

 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11 NIV

The joy of the Lord often comes to us in the little unexpected moments. The joy of the Lord is often unassuming and yet it’s so profoundly strong to lift our spirits just when we need it the most. It’s the moments of joy I our lives we remember the longest and we will continue to do so when are in constant awareness of His nearness in our lives.

As stood still I began to turn slowly from left to right trying to see what was making this delightful song at this unexpected time; and I nearly missed it all together.

There just a few feet from me was a little brown song sparrow snuggled under the branches shielded from the storm by our Creator, singing a song so sweet it made me smile and carry this joy in my heart all day.

 “Whether here, or there, in the earth-world, or in the spirit world, this is My reward. Joy. The Joy that carries an exquisite thrill in the midst of pain and poverty and suffering. That Joy of which I said no man could take it from you…”― A.J. Russell from, God Calling

“A Song in the Storm” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 17, 2015

Ten Thousand Reasons



Song Sparrow by Dee Kamp

 

Ten Thousand Reasons

 

We all have thousands of human reasons to worry, we have thousands and more worldly reasons to fear thrown at us every day. But we have ten thousand reason and more to sing and praise the Lord every day for all that He has done for us.

And there He is when we call on Him, pleasantly surprising us by how swiftly He comes near, how close to us He is at every given moment, and how sometimes He will even delight our souls in a surprising way.  

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,…
You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O LORD what great works you do!” Psalm 92:1-5 NLT

In my quiet time alone with God this morning, when my heart was still and my mind at rest I heard this sweet old hymn sweep sweetly over me.

Who can but smile at such an experience? I, gave a nod of my head as I looked above and said once again, “That was You God, wasn’t it?”

 Here is one part of this grand old song I heard in my heart today… may it bless you.

Ten Thousand Reasons (Bless the Lord)

The sun comes up,

It’s a new day dawning-

It’s time to sing Your song again.

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,

 Let me be singing when the evening comes.

....

Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul

Bless His holy Name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I worship Your holy Name.

“Ten Thousand Reasons” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 11, 2015

Like A Ferret in Tall Grasses

Photo by Dee Kamp, Dune Grasses Ocean Shores

 

Like A Ferret in Tall Reeds

Many years ago before it was even thought of to have a ferret as a pet, I had one named Suzie. My favorite memory of taking her for a walk, (yes she had a tiny hand knitted leash) was at the ocean making our way through the tall dune grasses.

Off she would dash with glee loping through the grasses unseen from above  making a path like an invisible hand clearing the a way.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV 

Our family of late has been praying a lot for some important decisions we must make. It’s not easy to know who we can trust at times for wise counsel and good judgement and which path to take. But we are learning from this that when we give way to human reasoning and instead trust in God, He will show us in His special and unique ways, the path to take.

In every circumstance and situations of our lives we have this huge opportunity to learn something new about trusting God and His faithfulness to do as He promised. Often it’s a surprising way to see a new perspective through His eyes and not our own.

To the casual person walking by that path made by Suzie, it was a real puzzle as to how it was being created. But to the one holding on to the leash it was very clear, and even amusing. Let us hold on to God’s hand, and let’s let go of our own understanding to follow God’s lead as He makes a path through the tall reeds our journey in life.

 

As we trust Him more and more clinging to what is invisible for us, we gain a greater faith knowing God can always make a way.  And sometimes, God will even reveal a parable for greater understanding, like a ferret in tall grasses.

“What wings are to a bird and sails are to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”― Corrie ten Boom

 

“Like A Ferret in Tall Grasses" by Dee Kamp

A Trustworthy Promise is Worth Waiting For Another Tale from Life in Beaver Valley

Beaver Valley General Store 1930's

 

A Trustworthy Promise is Worth Waiting For

A Tale of Life in Beaver Valley

“It may take me awhile, as the work in the woods is slow right now, but I will pay you back for the gas and food I need to keep going,” said the rugged, hardworking logger. He was standing at the counter of our little country store and held out his calloused and deeply grimed hand for a shake on the matter.

My husband and I still enjoy the memory of this particular promise from several years ago when we owned the old Beaver Valley Store. We recalled this man’s promise among many other amazing experiences we had back then. We reminisce fondly about the unique and remarkable people who were our neighbors and who we had the pleasure of doing business. No matter their circumstances or how long it would take― they kept their promises.

“Every good thing the LORD had promised them came true.” Joshua 21:45

Promises and good intentions are not the same thing. A promise is a commitment that is always fulfilled and reflects one’s character. The second, a good intention, lacks conviction and conclusion and is rarely fulfilled. It’s all a matter of the heart.

Our God is not a God of good intentions, but a God of sure and true promises. And the heart of God is pure, holy, trustworthy and true.  Jesus is the perfect example of one of God’s most treasured promises He has given us.

We went about our business minding the store, waiting and trusting this man to keep his promise to pay. For money was short for us too back then and the winters were long and often slow. But true to his word, bit by bit, dollar by dollar, week after week he came in to pay. And then one day he walked in with a big smile on his face, his last payment in hand, and one surprising gift―a huge, beautiful Christmas tree for the store.

A trustworthy promise is worth waiting for. To the heart that is attuned to God’s promises and trusts in Him, one will find He always keeps His promises, and quite often, He comes in surprising ways.

“A Trustworthy Promise is Worth Waiting For” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© November 4, 2015

Five Little Pumpkins





Five Little Pumpkins

A Tale from Life in Beaver Valley

“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them."

Proverbs 20:7

 

October is such a beautiful time of year in our little valley. This day was post card perfect. Bright blue skies set the backdrop for maple trees so intensely yellow they appeared to have seized ever ray of summer’s golden light. The country road rambled its way past fields of sweet smelling baled hay.

On the wide front porch of the store sat a huge bin filled with freshly picked pumpkins just delivered from the local farmer.  I could hardly wait for the kids to come and pick out one for their jack-o-lantern-carving contest. We charged only pennies a pound to make certain every family could afford to have one. Soon the porch would be filled with every imaginable cut and carved pumpkin entered into our annual pumpkin carving contest. No losers here, everyone won something.

          I stepped into the store when I heard a car drive up. I turned to see a station wagon driven by Mrs. Winfred with her five adorable toe-headed boys. The boys were stair-step in age, with the oldest not more than eight years old. I always looked forward to this family for each child was well behaved.

But it was obvious mom was in a really big hurry today as she rushed in the door leaving the boys in the car parked so close I could see all five little noses pressed to the car window watching intently― hoping I supposed for a penny candy each to enjoy along the way.

In a flash mom paid, dashed out the door and was zooming up the highway.

In a very short time I noticed the whole tribe was back.  I was curious to what she might have forgotten when I noticed with some surprise all five little boys marching single file in the door each hugging a pumpkin.

I thought to myself, how cute, five pumpkins holding five little pumpkins!

"Oh, did you decided to come back and get their pumpkins now instead of later?" I asked.

The eldest boy held up his pumpkin but with his head bent down. I couldn't see his eyes hiding under those long straw colored bangs. I thought, oh boy, he doesn't look too happy right now― how odd.

"Tell Mrs. Kamp you are sorry," the mother said sternly.

"What do you mean sorry?" I asked feeling confused.

"Mrs. Kamp, we thought 'cause the pumpkins were outside all stacked up like..... and -well, we thought they were free! So we jumped out of the car got our pumpkins quick to surprise mom on our way up to town. She was pretty mad when she found out what we did. We're awfully sorry," He said, barely in a whisper.

The picture before me was so precious, and so funny! But this mom took it as very serious business and a life lesson was in the making.

"Oh, oh, a big mistake was made here boys. Thank you for your honesty. You may go out and put them back in the bin now," I said, trying hard not smile at how serious and cute each boy looked.

There isn't a Halloween that doesn't go by that I don't remember those five little pumpkins. And I remember the mother who was determined to make her kids honest. The boys are all grown up now, good hard working boys in the community. And I wonder if they too will ever forget their pumpkin pilferage all those years ago!

 

“Five Little Pumpkins Tale from the Beaver Valley Store” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© October 27, 2015

 

 

Easier to Put Socks on a Rooster

Olympic Peninsula Barn by Dee Kamp

 

Easier to Put Socks on a Rooster

(Tales from Life in Beaver Valley)

“How ya doing with building that new fence down near the creek on your land?” I asked the local farmer and steady customer at the Beaver Valley Store.

 “It’s easier putting socks on a rooster than dig those post holes, but God is always good to see us through,” he declared with a big smile.

                                                “I will praise the LORD at all times.                            

I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the LORD;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;

let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3 NLT

 

I chuckled at the farmer’s response in typical country jargon that was sprinkled with flavor and humor. But I observed from those years in the store, that those who spoke the most about God’s goodness chose to focus on the Lord’s mercy and grace rather than on their troubles. In doing this, they always tasted God’s goodness and mercy.

It seems to me, that those who have the most to thank God for in their life trials are those who have the most trials to be thankful for. I still have the picture in my mind of the rooster in socks, but the lasting picture for me is how good it was to witness God’s goodness in their life.

With every posthole dug, with every trial traversed over fields and beyond they showed us all how God is always with them every step of the way.

 “Those who bless God in their trials will be blessed by God through their trials.”― Joanie Yoder “God Alone”

“Easier to Put Socks on a Rooster” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© October 26,