Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3 ESV
James tells us that we are to count trials as blessings. I am always reminded of the hymn, “Count your blessings, but if James means the trials that I have been through I sometimes wonder if our dear brother knows how to count! Can he really mean that when we meet trials of pain or a broken relationships that we should come away saying, “Yup – now that’s a blessing. I can’t wait for the next one!”?
My own recent testing began after having a wisdom tooth removed. Somehow in the process a nerve in the back of my throat was damaged. So for the last three weeks, singing has become a painful process and even speaking I must carefully shepherd both the quantity and volume used in order to communicate. Needless to say, for a big talker like me (Blame it on the Italian DNA) this has been a traumatic lifestyle change. But since James has commanded that I count trials as joy, here are a few,
A) I am reminded that words have value because it is an effort to say almost every one of them
B) I have had to ask for help while singing at nursing home and been delighted by the response
C) I get to listen while others sing around me in church because I cannot get a note out
D) My wife has taken over the bulk of our joint prayers and it is wonderful hearing her bring our family friends and church before the Lord.
Truthfully, I earnestly am hoping this will be temporary (My doctors think so) but in the meantime I know that this is one part of God’s work in my life to build up patience into my treasury of faith. Now that is something only God knows how to do!
Here are a few photos of my friends and helpers from Saturday’s meeting at Sunshine Christian Village. The weaker I have been, the more precious God’s help has become to me!
Thursday morning Sunshine is a free devotional newsletter produced by Rob Keller, Pastor Janice Burnett and myself (Peter Caligiuri). Pastor Janice is a nursing home chaplain in Western New York, I do volunteer nursing home ministry here in Florida and my friend Rob is a professional graphic artist and writer who lends his talents to Sunshine. If you would like to receive the pdf format of Sunshine please contact me at revpete51@gmail.com and I’ll be delighted to include you in our weekly mailing.
Giving Thanks by Peter Caligiuri
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 ESV In today’s verse the Apostle Paul tells us to be thankful for everything. Now without a doubt there were plenty of terrible things going on in the world in Paul’s day just as there are in ours. But the thankfulness Paul talks about is more than simply recalling the good things we have experienced. Instead, the gratitude that God has in mind is about seeing things as He sees them. We may see the potholes in the road but God sees the whole journey. We feel the cold of the winter wind while God sees the trees resting while they gather their energy for spring. We are angry over hurtful words spoken to us while God is giving us an opportunity to learn to forgive. We experienced the loneliness of the Covid-19 lockdown, but God was giving us time to remember what and who matter most in life. If we are able to see all of our family again this year, will we remember to tell them we love them and hold them close? But whether we are together or apart from our loved ones, the biggest blessing is that Jesus has promised to sit with us! God is good. We have much to be thankful for!
Giving thanks when things go well
Is an easy thing to do
But giving thanks when the chips are down
Is God’s will for me and you!
Yes, give thanks for ‘all things’ for, as it has been well said ‘Our disappointments are but His appointments.’” –A.W. Pink
Riddles in Heaven? By Rob Keller
Do you like riddles? Here’s one I thought was pretty clever: What runs around the yard day and night, but never moves or never gets tired? Give up? Well, you’ll have to keep reading to get the answer. Ready for another one? What has a beginning, but no end? To find the answer, just look in the mirror. If you are a Christian It’s you! The moment you received Jesus as your Savior, you were born into God’s family and began a life that will never end. Yes, some day we will leave this world behind and find ourselves frolicking on Heaven’s streets of gold, but that isn’t when eternal life begins. It starts right here and now. That’s because the eternal life that God gives us is not just about how long we live, but it’s also about how well we live. Now that our sins are forgiven, we can live in a close relationship with God. We have the privilege of talking with our Him (That’s prayer). Jesus calls us his friends. In God’s kingdom, our lives now have meaning and purpose. This new life fills us with deep peace and joy, no matter our circumstances. These are just a few of the blessings we are given as a “down payment”, of the full inheritance we will have in Heaven.
In Heaven, where we will live forever, we will receive bodies that will never grow old, get sick or die. There will be no pain or sorrow. We will join multitudes of believers worshipping around God’s throne. We will be reunited with beloved friends and family and gather around a table to share the most amazing banquet ever. God’s word gives us only little glimpses of what eternity will be like, but remember, it can start right here and now.
Did you figure out the first riddle yet? The answer is a fence! It runs around the yard, but never moves or gets tired. Life can be full of riddles but when we get to heaven every one will be answered at the feet of Jesus Christ!
The Lighter Side With Sue Hyson
The phone rings at the church parish, “Hello, is this Father O’Malley?”
“Yes it is.” The priest replied
“This is the IRS calling. Do you have a parishioner named Ted Houlihan?
“Well yes, Ted is a member of our congregation.”
“Did Mr. Houlihan donate $10,000 to the church?”
Father O’Malley thought for a moment and then replied, “He will!”
Sunshine News: This is the week for giving the 30-day Christmas Devotionals. If you do not receive one please let me know and we will work on getting a copy to you. It is great to welcome Sue Hyson back to the newsletter with her lighter look at life. For my blogging friends I have made Finding Jesus This Christmas available as a free download from 11-17-21 through 11-20-21. You may either search for it on Amazon as Finding Jesus This Christmas by Peter Caligiuri or follow the link below. Have a blessed week all!
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalm 119:89-90 ESV
If you live in the Northern States you have already seen the beauty of the leaves changing their Summer clothes for colorful Fall outfits. Apple cider and pumpkins fill the market shelves, but that celebration of the new season is mixed with a melancholy knowledge that Winter is not far away.
Some changes in life are eagerly anticipated, like weddings or the birth of a child. But when our child graduates from high school and sets off on their own, that happiness mixes with silent tears. It was no different for Jesus as He lived on earth. The joys and gifts of the Christmas story were quickly followed by Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt. His healing of the sick was followed by Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. But as Jesus hung on the cross and the most difficult hour of change was upon Him, He held on to words that never change. “I thirst”; “Why have you forsaken me?” and “It is finished.” were all quotes from the Old Testament. Jesus was trusting in a word that never changes because He knew that in Heaven His Father’s promises would not fail Him. They would carry Him through death and the grave to resurrection. Unlike the falling leaves, God’s word never lets go. It stays attached to the heart of the Father forever. If there are circumstances that are changing your life forever, then hold onto the faithful and loving promises of God. He has you firmly held in the palm of His hand and He has promised that whatever may come in both life and death that He will never let you go!
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