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I am thankful for the four seasons of nature that God has provided. I love what each brings. Taste, feel, view and sound of what they provide.

Ecclesiastical 3:1 state, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven”.

God places us in various stages of our lives. We grow from infant into an adult. Our thoughts, deeds, and action change as we seek to find our true understanding. The people, places and things we encounter are planned up the Lord.

Daniel 2:20-21 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding”.

Thus, seasons has many connotations. We need to keep our hearts, eyes and minds open to welcome them into our being. I am thankful for all of the seasons God gives me.

It is 8 days until Thanksgiving 2023.

It is now March 11, 2021. One year ago I returned from visiting my family in Wichita and the world came to a halt. The covid 19 virus was running rampant in the world. We were isolated from our family and friends. We were mandated to remain in our homes. Constant hand washing and wearing face masks became a part of our regimen. There became a shortage of much needed supplies. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, paper towels, cleaners and even diapers and baby wipes were hard to find.

Schools, restaurants, churches and businesses were forced to close. Working and classes online became the norm. We could not visit our loved ones hospitalized or in nursing facilities.

It is now July 10th, 2022. Things have definitely changed. We are back to a seminormal world. We are no confined to our homes. We are mandated to wear masks or social distance. We are able to freely gather in groups. Churches, schools and stores are easily accessible.

But, we have other concerns that plague our nation. The cost of living has sky rocketed. Gas and groceries are at an all time high. Mass shootings are an every day occurrence in schools, churches, shopping centers and the streets. Innocent people are needlessly being killed and maimed. A war is raging in the Ukraine. Innocent people have lost their family, friends, home and country. But they hold onto their faith and hope in the future.

What can we do? Pray and have hope that things will get better. Proverbs 23:18 states Surelt there is a future, and your hope will be cut off. Roman’s 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed.

We need to cling to one another and maintain the hope that God has placed in our hearts. We need to pray for our family, friends, less fortunate, the world.

Summer is coming to an end. It’s Labor Day weekend and the time which we usually consider as the end of summer. Cooler temperatures come filter in and out. We see decorations changing from summer to autumn. Most schools are back in session, whether online or in person. But, the turmoil of the summer still exists.

The call for Black Lives Matter still lead the news. Riots and looting in the name of the young people killed, often by law enforcement. ALL lives matter!! We are formed in the image of God and all loved equally. Deuteronomy 10:17 states “for the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes”.

Peace was the symbol of the 1960s. The peace symbol was seen every where and on every one. Soldiers fought in Vietnam, many losing their lives, in the name of peace. Rioters and protesting, gathered in the name of peace. Not much different than today, 50 years later. God is the God of peace. John 16:33 states, “I have said there things to you,my hat in me you have peace. Min the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world “. As the song says “Give peace a chance”.

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Today is July 4th, 2022.  The day that we celebrate America. Our freedom, independence, and rights.

The red, white and blue along with the stars and stripes that grace, are so beautiful and have so much meaning.  The 13 stripes represent the original colonies.  The 50 stars represent the 50 states.  The red symbolizes hardiness and valor.  The white is symbolic of purity and innocence.  Vigilance, perseverance and justice are embodied in the blue.

Freedom is mentioned 31 times in the Bible.  Galatians 5:13 says, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love to serve one another. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

There are 34 verses referencing independence. These all go hand in hand.

As for me, I am proud to be an American and a Christian.

It is July 4th weekend. The time that we celebrate the freedom of our country, her people and rights. We see red, white and blue all around us. Families and friends will come together joining in fellowship, food and fun. Thanks to those who have gone before us, we have the right to freely gather.

The American flag flies freely. We honor, praise and support those troops, past present and future. Many lives were lost and families grieve for the loss of friends, family and neighbors.

We all have gifts of some sort, whether we believe it or not. Not the kind that comes beautifully wrapped in a package with a pretty bow on top. God has given us gifts of love, compassion, kindness, hope faith, understanding, wisdom.

The Bible lists our Spiritual Gifts as follows: administration/ruling, apostleship/pioneering, discernment, encouraging, evangelism, faith, giving, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, pastor/shepherding, prophecy/perceiving, teaching, serving/ministry, showing mercy and wisdom.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 states “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit…”

1 Peter 4:10 tells us “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

We probably do not possess all of these gifts. God has bestowed special gifts that he wants us to share. In 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

In Romans 1:11 we find “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you”

We must believe in the Lord God and his son Jesus Christ. We need to unwrap the Spiritual Gifts that God has given us. When we share these gifts with the world, we become empowered, and hopefully empower those around us.

Continue reading “Sharing Our Spiritual Gifts” →

It’s April 10th, 2021. The world is starting to come alive again since it is now spring. Easter has passed and we are seeing he new life of spring.

Tuesday, April 8th, was a tough day for me. I was extremely depressed and could not figure out why. My gut told me something was off. Then the reason comes to light April 9th. My soninlaw passed due to complications from heart surgery. I had no idea he was in the hospital. My kids and I were estranged at the time. My granddaughter called to let me know. I spoke with my daughter and she advised me of her loss.

God had laid this on my heart and in my mind. I do believe that God works in mysterious ways.

Through this depression, God prepared me for what was to come. It empowered me to be ready to help my family and deal with our loss. We were able to share our love memories. We are able to become whole once again, but with a piece missing in person, but there in spirit.

Right now we are going through the motions. Due to covid, there will not be a formal funeral. In a few weeks, we will gather together in an intimate family time. We won’t be dressed in dark hues of mourning. Instead, we will be decked out in our Kansas City Chiefs attire. We will celebrate his life and the memories he left. I am thankful for God giving me the gift of intuition.

RIP Garfield

Today is Friday, December 25th 2020. It’s hard to believe that it is Christmas day already. In the blink of an eye, the year has soared past us.

We are still in the midst of the covid 19 pandemic. A new strain has been detected. Vaccines have been discovered. We must still wear masks and social distance from one another. Holiday gatherings have changed. No parties, caution when celebrating with family and friends. Texts, Facebook, zoom are the norm. My church is closed. Service is online. I miss being in the sanctuary, seeing my congregation in person. Looking in their eyes, shaking hands, hugging one another.

God has a plan for us. We must be patient, be still and wait. We will never return to the normal lives that we once knew. I believe he has it all under control. We just need to believe in him and what he has in store for us.

We must share our love of God with everyone. Reach out, call, text, just check on each other. We are empowered through Christ and his love for us. Once we are empowered through him, we are able to empower one another.

Happy birthday Jesus. You are the perfect give from God. He is the eternal gift, not to be set aside to utilize another day. We need to turn to him every moment of every day. His presence is our present.

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Merry Christmas from the Hennigh household,

Connie, Nick, Moriah Contessa