Global Nazarene Communication Network -
Global News Summary – Volume – 1348 – Wednesday, 27 November 2013
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NCN News
Top Stories for the week of November 26,
2013
Choosing to be thankful
We have no choice in the matter. Autumn
will come. The leaves will turn colors, the air will turn crisp, and the calendar
will turn the page to Thanksgiving Day. We do have a choice in this, however.
Will we decide to turn every experience of our lives into an opportunity to be
thankful?
Matthew Henry, the famous Bible
commentator, was once the victim of armed robbery. Even in this horrible event,
he chose to be thankful. He listed four reasons for thanksgiving:
1. I was never robbed before.
2. The robber took my money but not my
life.
3. Although he took all the money I had,
it wasn't much.
4. I was the victim of the robber and not
the perpetrator of the robbery.
No matter what happens, some among us
choose to be thankful. Their uncommon outlook on life is refreshing and
winsome.
Jesus was like this. He gathered the
disciples for the last supper. They all knew that Jesus was going to die.
Gethsemane and the Friday of crucifixion
lie ahead. Notice that they made a choice. Just before they left the room, they
sang. Matthew 26:30 reads, "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to
the Mount of Olives."
Some Bible scholars tell us that they
probably sang Psalm 118. This psalm of thanksgiving was similar to our Doxology.
It was often sung at the end of the Passover meal. Imagine the scene. Jesus is
going to his death and he is singing:
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is
good; his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
'His love endures forever.'
Let the house of Aaron say:
'His love endures forever.'
Let those who fear the LORD say:
'His love endures forever.'
When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he
brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be
afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
The choice is ours. May the people called
Nazarenes decide that Thanksgiving 2013 will be marked by quiet
confidence, joyful singing, and thankful
hearts, no matter what.
Bob Broadbooks
USA/Canada Regional Director
Church of the Nazarene
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