On the path to spiritual maturity, even temptation becomes a stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block when you realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the right thing, as it is to do the wrong.
Rick Warren
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sat down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (John 6:11 KJV)
In the year 1949 when I was three years old, I lived in Germany with my folks. My dad was in the Army. He was part of the occupational forces that had control of Germany after World War Two. I attended a German kindergarten when I was just a little older than three. The only requirement for children was that they be weaned, and potty trained. I qualified so down the street I went to kindergarten. As I recall from memory and from looking at pictures taken then, I was the only American in the class. Our minds are very formative at the ages between three and five years, and I recall taking quickly to the German language. My dad used to use me for an interrupter in those days. My folks told me that when I started American kindergarten at the age of six that I would mix the two languages together. It was probably confusing for others, but I probably understood what I meant. The reason I am telling this story is because of prayer. My mom and dad didnt attend church very much and I dont remember having family prayer except at the dinner table. You could count on saying the blessing every time we ate. The first prayer I ever remember memorizing was one that we said at the table over the food. I think that possibly my mother had learned it as a child and possibly my grandmother as well. It was simple and to the point. For this food we are about to receive, may the Lord help us to be thankful. Amen. I learned this same prayer in the German kindergarten in the German language. For years my folks would ask me to say the prayer in German at the dinner table. Today I dont remember the German version, but remember knowing it as a child. How meaningful and simple this prayer is. Today at the dinner table and before meals I hear prayers for blessings that are not so simple. I hear for the food to be used for the nourishment of our bodies to further the kingdom of God, I hear prayers thrown in for family, friends, governments, situations, and everything else. Then at the end, there will be a thanks for the food. I am not judging others in this, I am speaking from experience. I am the guilty one, I try and pray for everything at the dinner table and sometimes forget to say thanks for the food. Today may I learn to keep it simple. When I first came into recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, I remember a friend who we call Little Joe, tell me, its as easy as saying please in the morning and thank you at night. Simple gratitude, a simple giving thanks, says volumes at times. I like what the Dake Bible has to say about this scripture verse, share this with me.
On all such occasions, Jesus gave thanks for blessings already provided, putting emphasis on thankfulness rather than asking for food to be blessed.
God is doing for me what I could not do for myself, may I keep the emphasis on thankfulness. Thanks for letting me share .JRE
Daily Bible reading will keep you in range of Gods voice.
Rick Warren
Rick Warren
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sat down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (John 6:11 KJV)
In the year 1949 when I was three years old, I lived in Germany with my folks. My dad was in the Army. He was part of the occupational forces that had control of Germany after World War Two. I attended a German kindergarten when I was just a little older than three. The only requirement for children was that they be weaned, and potty trained. I qualified so down the street I went to kindergarten. As I recall from memory and from looking at pictures taken then, I was the only American in the class. Our minds are very formative at the ages between three and five years, and I recall taking quickly to the German language. My dad used to use me for an interrupter in those days. My folks told me that when I started American kindergarten at the age of six that I would mix the two languages together. It was probably confusing for others, but I probably understood what I meant. The reason I am telling this story is because of prayer. My mom and dad didnt attend church very much and I dont remember having family prayer except at the dinner table. You could count on saying the blessing every time we ate. The first prayer I ever remember memorizing was one that we said at the table over the food. I think that possibly my mother had learned it as a child and possibly my grandmother as well. It was simple and to the point. For this food we are about to receive, may the Lord help us to be thankful. Amen. I learned this same prayer in the German kindergarten in the German language. For years my folks would ask me to say the prayer in German at the dinner table. Today I dont remember the German version, but remember knowing it as a child. How meaningful and simple this prayer is. Today at the dinner table and before meals I hear prayers for blessings that are not so simple. I hear for the food to be used for the nourishment of our bodies to further the kingdom of God, I hear prayers thrown in for family, friends, governments, situations, and everything else. Then at the end, there will be a thanks for the food. I am not judging others in this, I am speaking from experience. I am the guilty one, I try and pray for everything at the dinner table and sometimes forget to say thanks for the food. Today may I learn to keep it simple. When I first came into recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, I remember a friend who we call Little Joe, tell me, its as easy as saying please in the morning and thank you at night. Simple gratitude, a simple giving thanks, says volumes at times. I like what the Dake Bible has to say about this scripture verse, share this with me.
On all such occasions, Jesus gave thanks for blessings already provided, putting emphasis on thankfulness rather than asking for food to be blessed.
God is doing for me what I could not do for myself, may I keep the emphasis on thankfulness. Thanks for letting me share .JRE
Daily Bible reading will keep you in range of Gods voice.
Rick Warren