Ep 2.55 | Thanksgiving: Our Responsibility
For the believer, there is really no excuse not to be thankful. In fact, we have a responsibility to be thankful. Our hearts should be filled with gratitude for the abundant grace and mercy of our great God. Join Charles and Daniel as they discuss the biblical responsibility believers have to be thankful on Thanksgiving and every subsequent day beyond that…
As the Sun Rises (Thoughts on facing a new day)
A song from the past says, “And as the moon rises he sits by the fire, Thinking about women and glasses of beer.” Separated from others, the lonely man longs for the warmth of women and spirits. These are his final thoughts as his day draws to a close. This song illustrates the vanity of man’s thoughts, not to mention the care we should use in choosing the songs we listen to.
I quote this song from my past, not because it holds any importance for me now, but because it does come to mind as I start my day. It comes to mind as a contrast to some of my first thoughts. Closing thoughts and beginning thoughts are some of the most important elements of a believer’s day. They are, by God’s grace, within our power to direct in one direction or another. As I arrive at work, there are certain things for which I ask the Lord. These have become habits of thought to which I regularly return because of a deep, God-given sense of utter dependence on my Lord. That sense of dependence has a certain ebb and flow throughout the day and sometimes sadly almost disappears. That it is why it is so important to begin the day the way I do.
So I challenge you to begin your day at least somewhat like this, and pray with me this prayer for you and your family, asking God to make it so.
As the sun rises over the Cavanaugh family may the Bright and Morning Star, the Lord Jesus Christ, arise in our hearts in all His holiness, and Righteousness, and goodness, and grace, and mercy, and truth, and wisdom, and love. May He arise and manifest Himself to us and through us and Glorify your name in and through us; for Christ’s sake.
Amen
Is this not what we desire for ourselves and those the Lord has given us? Do we not want the reality of Christ in our thoughts and actions? Then let us continually ask our God to make it so? And let us fight against everything that would hinder such a blessed enterprise. God help us to do it.
In the love of Christ,
Charles Cavanaugh
The Benediction
The wedding of my son in California is over. But the crowning point is reflecting back on what The Lord did for me at the celebration. This blog is dedicated to all our friends who traveled so far to support the Cavanaugh family. A whole gang of people who flew in for the wedding will never realize how much they encouraged me. Charles’ family and my family were unable to attend, but this group of people filled right in as family.
At the Rehearsal Dinner I was ask to speak, and I quoted the Scripture… “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24a). I am constantly amazed how The Lord meets the needs of my heart at the moment, no matter how large or small the desire of my heart may be. This group of friends met that desire at the wedding. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
What a celebration! Ashley Dickson was practicing the waltz from “Emma”, the movie of Jane Austin’s movie. I heard the music in the hall, and in my soul, I wanted to waltz to the music. Thank you, Nathaniel Forman, who heard the music too and took my hand as we began to waltz.
Thank you Ashley and Zach Scheller for being there from home. “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)
Thank you Breezy Mendenhall and Mindy Holt for arriving at the right time to help me prepare for the wedding. You gals are like perfume: fun time together laughing and fellowshipping. You both are so special to me.
Alyssa, Amanda, John and Tim Forman and Brandon Dickson; for all the work behind the scenes, willing to serve in any capacity: awesome job folks.
When I walked out right before the wedding began, what a joy to be greeted by old friends: Janice, Jeff, Leah, and Lila Erickson; thank you. Rob Bennett and Bob Minchin; thanks for being there. Spending time with Britton, Erika, and Cora Felber was such a blessing. What a godly family.
John Forman; the perfect person to walk me down the aisle for the ceremony: I’m still smiling John.
To all the group that represented me on the front row as family;… Krissy and Katie Hinton, Bri and Brad Northern, Breezy and Mindy. I am honored to call all of you family.
Thanks for allowing this “Old Lady” to have so much fun in the Photo Booth: memories never to be forgotten.
To Bri Northern, who has the amazing gift of encouragement and who, with her small gift to me at the end of the wedding, made me smile.
To Tim and Evy Porter for being such great photographers.
Each one of these young adults has been place in my life “for such a time as this”. They make me a better person. “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). I am so grateful that each of you sharpens my countenance.
I did not cry at the ceremony, and I was so proud of myself, until Luke Kalberg began to sing. Thank you Luke for using your voice to touch my soul with beauty and tenderness. Great job! You made me tear up.
The reality of God should change us, and when I realize that it is God Who has done all these things through my friends, I am changed. I am the richest lady in the world. It is all just a memory now, as one friend said to me… The benediction is so sweet. “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow”.
Pam Cavanaugh
P.S. You can see more pictures of the wedding on Evy’s blog.
As Time Goes By
Over thirty-two years ago I witnessed something both awesome and humbling: my first son came into this world. I smiled a huge smile, thanked my wife and my Lord, and assumed the mantle of fatherhood. There was no way I could have known the challenges and joys that were in front of me. It is probably a good thing. It has been a great ride. We have fished together and cut grass together. We have laughed a lot and cried a good bit too. I have rejoiced with him and grieved with him.
This thirty-two and one-half year journey together has been a father’s delight. I have seen him learn what is important and give his life to what matters. I have watched him walk the few hundred feet alone to Miss Lizzie’s house and left him standing alone to face life and learn to seek the face of God.
There are no guarantees when your child enters the world; no promises of longevity or assurance of a life lived well. There is just the knowledge that if your child will follow Christ and count for Him, it will be by God’s precious grace. I have witnessed that grace in the life of a son. It is a precious gift.
If The Lord wills, in a few days, thirty-two and one-half years after that awesome and humbling event, I will witness yet another. My son will vow to God and his bride to be a faithful husband. It has been my prayer for some time now that God would prepare him for such a day. I trust that He has done just that. By God’s grace, his mother and I have been a part of God’s work.
Sunday my son left our home for the last time as a single man. When he returns he will be a husband and leader of his own home, the forerunner of a new generation to follow Christ. May God give us more men who will “dare to be a Daniel”, and Daniel may you and your bride be a Gospel light to the next generation to the glory of God.
“Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Charles Cavanaugh