Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 38, 25 January 1946, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Wliakatnne Ministers* Association).

TEACH ME LORD TO GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS At the year’s end they came together, each having lived through 3(55 days of, varying experiences. As they talked together the worthless things of the year fell away and each found it in his heart to he thankful for those things which remain.

The Old Man, worn by many winters and yet alive ■with the joy ot many summers lifted his voice in thanks for “mercies new every morning”— Praise be to God "fe r His enduring goodness to the souls of men. For the sure promise of returning

seasons ; For earth’s harvests and the gift of daily bread ; For fhe friendships that sustain; And all the simple joys that lighten care ; For inner light that guides ; For inner peace that strengthens

and assures ; For faith itself that makes our

living grand And bids us face death unafraid

The Woman strong with the courage that comes from accepting the disciplines of pain, weakness, loneliness, disappointment and loss, lifted her voice in praise to God.

We. humbly thank Thee, God of love for experiences that hurt and in hurting stabbed us awake to our need of Thee and stripping us of all self-sufficiency, and self-seeking; set us free to serve Thee. “Out of my window I can see A winter-beaten cypress tree That yields—though rising again free— To the wind with changeless dignity.

Sap is not in it and no song Of leaves —for leaves dropt from it long. Beauty is left though, straight and strong, Made of patience, to bear the winds wrong.” —C.Y.R. T* • * The Man, who in his bearing bore all the gentleness and dignity of a master craftsman, lifted his voice in praise to God “for work to do and 3 strength to do tlie work.”

Almighty God whose Son became flesh and dwelt among us 5 Living the common life

And by the skill of His hands, earn,-

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

ing His daily bread. We give Thee thanks, that we, Loo, share in the blessings of work ; For all our powers of creating things of worth and beauty we give Thee, thanks. Forgive our world in her search for a better ordering of the world of work. We praise Thee for the challenge that come&t in tasks waiting to be done ; For the joy there, is in the knowledge of good work well done. We thank Thee that the humblest work is as service to Thee When done in Thy Name and lor the . glory of Thy Kingdom.

The Girl, whose, face held the joy of health, the confidence of youth and bright dreams of the future, lifted her voice in thanks for the years’ Jfappy hours.

For all the year’s fun and unexpect*, ed mirth ; For the carefree pleasure of days spent in the open ; For rich hours spent with known friends; And the thrill ol' discovering new friends ; For wider worlds revealed through thought and study For the happiness, we have known

Avhen success lias crowned our

endeavours ; For the quiet comradeship of the family circle ; For days, of peaceful contentment We praise Thy Name j O Lord.

The Boy, in whose eyes Avere mirrored the keenness of his mind, the strength of his Avill, and the depth of his allegiance, lifted, up his voice and said: “Thanks be to God for life.”

We praise Thee, O God, for' life And for the power to live as Thy

children. For the strength to live well in our physical life ; For the power to develop our mental

life ; For the Avill to lay hold on spiritual

life. We praise and bless Thy Name for the gift of Jesus Christ Thy Son, In whose life Ave see all that A\ r e ? in His Strength, aim to he. Accept our praise for life itself.

Grant us grace to accept Christ’s guidance ; Courage to follow Him all our days • And love to serve Him with the 7 full powers of life ? From one year’s dawn to the j’ear’s end.-—Amen.