Monday, November 30, 2009

PSALMS & PROVERBS DAILY READING

One of my favorite things to do is to read through Psalms & Proverbs in my devotional time each day. It is very easy and at the end of the month you will have read through both books!

I recommend this exercise for all of the folks I counsel with in my ministry, especially the Proverbs part, a great source of very needed wisdom!

Here is the chart:


Psalms & Proverbs Daily Reading Chart

Day of Month

Proverbs Chapter

Psalms Chapter





1

1

1

31

61

91

121

2

2

2

32

62

92

122

3

3

3

33

63

93

123

4

4

4

34

64

94

124

5

5

5

35

65

95

125

6

6

6

36

66

96

126

7

7

7

37

67

97

127

8

8

8

38

68

98

128

9

9

9

39

69

99

129

10

10

10

40

70

100

130

11

11

11

41

71

101

131

12

12

12

42

72

102

132

13

13

13

43

73

103

133

14

14

14

44

74

104

134

15

15

15

45

75

105

135

16

16

16

46

76

106

136

17

17

17

47

77

107

137

18

18

18

48

78

108

138

19

19

19

49

79

109

138

20

20

20

50

80

110

140

21

21

21

51

81

111

141

22

22

22

52

82

112

142

23

23

23

53

83

113

143

24

24

24

54

84

114

144

25

25

25

55

85

115

145

26

26

26

56

86

116

146

27

27

27

57

87

117

147

28

28

28

58

88

118

148

29

29

29

59

89

119

149

30

30

30

60

90

120

150

31

31

31









Tomorrow is December 1st, why not read through Psalms and Proverbs for just one month. If you find it to be too much - don't fret, just do the Proverbs for each day.

Hint: You may want to keep a highlighter or notebook close by to mark or jot down the verses that really impact you as your reading!

Have fun and enjoy God's Word everyday!

Drop me a note once in awhile and let me know how your doing! Pastor Steve

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Elijah Bradley Cox Turns 1

Today finds the Cox Clan in Oskaloosa! We are preparing for the birthday celebration of one Elijah Cox, whose birthday was last Tuesday and he turned a whopping 1 year old!

The birthday party is set for tomorrow after the morning service, we're looking forward to lots of family and a great party.

Some of the Cox's arrived this afternoon and have had some fun with Elijah. Grandma Cox is convinced that we do not get down here enough and I'm tending to agree!

Here is a picture of Elijah @ 1 year:


Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving day began a bit differently for us this year as we waited until the morning to leave for Des Moines. We loaded all of Lynn's Mom's stuff into her car and she and Susan took off with Lynn and I right behind.

After leaving Lynn's Mom at her home in Ankeny, we proceeded on to my Mom's in Des Moines. We arrived there at about 10:30 AM and the rest of the family began arriving shortly there after.

The food festivities began with a chip dip that I brought, normally, we do not have appetizers before the Thanksgiving meal, we reserve that for our large family Christmas buffet. But, because we are going to have Christmas in Clear Lake this year I decided to bring an appetizer to Thanksgiving. My choice this years was a favorite at our church, green goddess dip served with corn chips.

Just after noon the real meal was on! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potato's, gravy, scalloped corn, green bean casserole, homemade rolls and seasoned butter, cranberry/orange salad, a vegi salad and homemade pumpkin pie! What a feast!

After a couple of hours to recuperate, we headed out to spend time with the Cederquest clan at the Fellowship Baptist Church and then on to Pastor Jeff Holub's home. We kind of invited ourselves into their family gathering but they were very gracious and did not tell us to "get lost" as they probably should have! We had a great time of food, fellowship and fun. As a bonus we got to see Chris & Rachael Pearson, as well as Jonathan & Heather Smith. It was good to get a chance to catch up with them. Our good friends Nick Oliver and Jessica Page stopped by as well - it was an official party!

Overall, a great day of fun, food, and family. As well as another opportunity to reflect on the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us. I'm so very thankful for all that God has done in my life but this year especially for the people that I have had and have now in my life!

Take time to pause.....

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Things have been very busy but I need to take time to pause and blog just a bit.

The trip to the Grand Rapids area for the funeral of my friend Tom Hammond was very profitable. By that, I mean that it was good to see June, Tom's wife and also their children. It was good to touch base with many of the CBF's that I have not seen in about 20 to 25 years! I was evey called by my college nickname which was ...(I'm not telling!)

It was also good to spend time reflecting on the impact of one persons life upon another. I know the impact of a man like Tom in my life and in the lives of other, that was evident from the testimonials at the funeral. Which begs the question of what kind of impact are we having in the lives of others?

One last thing on this topic ... If I have any regreat, it would be that I did not keep in regular contact with Tom. I never took the time to tell him how thankful I was to God for Tom's impact in my life. Why is it that it is usually after someone is gone (has died) we finally realize that we never took the time to say "Thank You".