The words, “give thanks to the Lord,” are used at least 35 times in the NRSV translation of the Bible. They are music to my ear, healing for my heart, and food for my soul.” They are the “thank you, God” that makes life meaningful and worth living!

God, you are the strength of my heart, the fuel that keeps me going. Direct me, hold me, carry me along so that I may find hope, peace, love, and contentment with you. Amen

Read the first chapter of Genesis. In this creation story, did you notice how it repeated the words, “God saw that it was good,” over and over again. Then when God created humans, Genesis says, “God saw that it was VERY good.”

Lord, when I struggle in my faith walk, give me nourishment and hope. When I persevere in following you, give me faith growth. Knowing you will do what you have said, I rejoice and give thanks. Help me not to hoard your hope and love but to share it with others. Amen.

We don’t always win, even if we are right. Life is not fair all the time. What does count is the way we handle the unfairness, the difficulties, and the attitudes we develop when we face that which makes no sense to us at all!

It is a miracle whenever we seek and receive God’s forgiveness which by nature is God’s to give freely. It is a gift which frees us from our past and releases us for the future. It is a gift given freely and eagerly by God.

I also give thanks to God for all land and its fruitfulness. I give thanks for those who bend their backs to pick the berries, harvest the vegetables, and do the hard labor of picking fruit and planting crops. It is hard work. The work must go on even in the very hot sun, a soaking rain, or a frost-covered morning. Most of us forget the process that precedes our buying the produce in the stores or at the roadside stands. Have you thanked God for the wonders of our world and the food God provides? Have you recently said thanks to those who labor for our food? This Labor Day weekend, we say thanks to all who labor and toil in so many industries and physical jobs to make our lives better.

Deuteronomy 6 says, “Take care that you do not forget the Lord,” who will help you through the day, who will be there for you when you feel insecure, who has and will provide for your every need. Take care that you do not forget the Lord.

…people live in near isolation, yet they reach out to one another despite the odds of making true connections. It demonstrates how people cling to thin threads of hope and the possibility of healing, either through the cyberworld of rehab or spirit world of redemption.

Recently I read Practice Resurrection by Eugene H. Peterson who writes, “It is essential that we assimilate God’s Genesis week of work if we are to live what ‘God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.’”