Posts by James Thacher

Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.Proverbs 3:5. KJV The car shopping experience can be a very daunting and time consuming process. However we all need reliable and affordable transportation. The hard part is how we arrive at a decision on which car to get, how much to spend, what features to have, etc. Throughout life I have b...

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV No pain, no gain! We are all familiar with this very famous phrase. It refers to physical pain to gain muscle mass. We all experience it at one point in our lives. Professional athletes and body builders all talk about it. B...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Accidents are inevitable yet a way of life. We don't plan for them, we mostly react to them, and this is what was required of us due after our car accident and our lengthy recovery. We planned to go home after a 6-week hospital and rehabilitation stay at a Care Center; we realized the...

My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your heart to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. Pro. 2:1-2, NKJV When my oldest son Tom was a young child, my wife and I made most of the decisions concerning his future. It was our job and duty as parents to make these types of decisions. We decided where we would live, ...

By this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34 KJV Due to the severity of our accident and our lengthy hospital stay and recovery, we knew we needed help handling and dealing with the aftermath of our automobile accident. Normally we would have called on one of our sons to oversee our finances, medical bills, health and auto ...

Finally, brethren, whatever things are truemeditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV Have you ever bought a pair of shoes without trying them on first? As we grow we learn to make adjustments in our lives, and also in our Christian lives. I remember a very specific adjustment I had to make because of my auto accident; I had fractured my clavicle. Hoping it would he...

Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. 2 Timothy 4:20 (NKJV) As part of our long road to recovery after our car accident which lasted almost two months; one of the greatest encouragements of each day was to receive get-well cards. Before our accident and subsequent recovery, we never realized how great a lift these cards could give a person. We looked forward to the daily...

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25a NIV Wow, that was a horrible accident! Thank God we survived that! I can't believe we made it! These are some common reactions when we look back to a time in our lives when we were involved in an accident or a very difficult situation. But do we look ba...

Take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 The road to recovery is long, arduous, and yes hard. However God is always in control, even after a major tragedy or accident. I am living proof of Hi attention and his greatness. After my auto accident I received some innovative treatments that helped me to recover. People went out of their way to help me. A famous plasti...

God thunders marvelously with His voice; he does great things we cannot comprehend. Job 37:5 NKJV Life can change in the blink of an eye. An unexpected life event or an external event can have major repercussions in our lives. Last fall my wife and I were involved in a traffic accident that was not my fault, yet I suffered severe consequences. I was driving on a divided h...

And the things which you have heard among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV Life is short and full of surprises. We can easily say, "Here today gone tomorrow". But what the questions is what did we do with our time here? Recently my wife and I were involved in an automobile accident. Our local Awana Club...

And He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples), take nothing for the journey, neither, staff nor bread, not money; and do not have two tunics apiece. Luke 9:3 NKJV Have you ever been in a situation for which you feel totally unprepared? How about a moment when the spotlight of life is shining bright in you? Do you turn lemons into lemonade or do you shy away from the moment ...

For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all.James 2:10, NKJV Have you ever lost out on an opportunity? How about being passed on for a promotion after you've been working very hard on a high profile project? Well I happened to me various times, but I still remember when I was not awarded a specific badge during my time as a Boy Scou...

That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Titus 2:2 NKJV I've lived a full life; I love my wife, my children, grand-children and great-grand-children. Yet getting older has also brought its own set of challenges. I heard about this exercise program designed specifically for seniors, it's called Silver Sneakers, and it is an e...

And David said unto him (Mephibosheth), "Fear not, for I will surely show you kindness".2 Samuel 9:6 We all age, and as we get older what we used to be able to do in our younger days at times they seem impossible or improbable to do again. I still remember these loving yet sobering words from my wife, "You're so fragile, I need to handle you with care. You're bleeding aga...

I have loved you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3b NKJV We all have a favorite songs or hymns. We also remember those special moments when our favorite song of hymn was playing. I still remember when I first heard the hymn, "Loved with Everlasting Love" by Wade Robinson, I was a college student and I was attending a Bible conference in Massachusetts. When I began d...

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:1 KJV I love music, and I love to worship just like David did. When I worship I feel closer and connected to God. In my youth my parents and I agreed I should take piano lessons. Our goal was for me to appreciate great music. The problem was that I was tone deaf and could not decide wheth...

Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns. Revelation 19:6b, NKJV We all have that one special song, or hymn which we love to listen to no matter what time it is or what is going on around us. In my case I delight in listening to the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah, especially around Christmas time. Years ago a community group asked our pastor to pray before a ...

But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that when we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8, NKJV I'm an old-fashion type of man, particularly when it comes to love and dating. During our courtship my future wife and I established certain boundaries for our behavior; that is, we sought justice and fairness in our relationship. We also needed to express our...

Nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:4, NASB What is your family history? Do you know where your family came from? Our children grew up near Salt Lake City which has a large genealogy library, and were surrounded by neighbors doing research ...

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4, NIV "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I'm sure we all have head this quote at one time in our lives. However, I also learned, that by examining the writings of the historians and p...

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV We all have our favorite Bible verse or verses, even a favorite Bible Book, but are there any Bible books we don't read or appreciate as much? Since I volunteered to teach adult Sunday school last summer, I looke...

David prayed, "And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision." 1 Chronicles 29:19, NKJV God has blessed my wife and me with a beautiful family and I'm grateful for our children and our grandchildren. I think it was around the year 2000 ...

Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, NKJV Eighteen years before I wrote this devotional my wife and I were on a delightful Mediterranean cruise. I was walking around the track on the upper deck of the ship. Suddenly my wife appeared, startling...

Now when they had come and gathered together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:21. NKJV What a wonderful journey my life has been. Several years ago I finished Volume I of Mud Pies and Memories. As I reflected on what God had done, I recalled other examples of what God had done in my life; a f...

Submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21, NKJV) Even after our 58 years of marriage, life threw us some curves for which we tried to prepare but there were noticeable differences. To prepare us for these unexpected twists my wife and I developed a pattern of mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21) based on our God-given skills, abilities, and natural talen...

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that we have been freely given to us by God.(1 Corinthians 2:12, NKJV) When God enters our lives, we're changed by His grace, even if we don't think it worked. One day some friends invited a student nurse to a camp meeting in the suburbs. Wavering but not wanti...

Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19b, NKJV) We're all different, and at times our special quirks can give the perception we're indifferent or not very responsive. However it is these special quirks or behaviors which make us who we are. I have always been slow to speak, often to the frustration of others who expect immediate responses...

And he (Josiah) set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 35:2, NKJV) When life gives you lemons, do you make lemonade? In times of trouble and despair, do you have friends you can trust and turn to for guidance? Each day I learn of people pummeled by put downs, conquered by criticisms, and egged on by egos...

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10b, NKJV) God loves us all, no matter how rich, poor, educated or uneducated we are. He sent Jesus to die for all of us, no exceptions. This reminds me when I was a boy in Massachusetts, the small Swedish church I attended held a celebratory service in honor of the chur...

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5, NKJV) We all have to live by the rules. God gave us His 10 commandments for us to live by them. However we also have to live and abide by rules set by our elected officials. In athletic competitions one has to play by the rules. I became painfully aware o...

But the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV) Our lives are full of lessons, in my case; this particular lesson has to do with skin cancer and parenting. Within the last year I had two cancers on my face which required Mohs surgery. One was on my left cheek and the other was behind my left ear. Because of these critical locations, my dermatologist r...

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. (Psalm 5:3, NKJV) What is your morning routine or your daily process? For me it begins with my breakfast, in the morning I eat my breakfast in smaller, bite-sized chunks, to avoid getting indigestion. Similarly when my prayer life created spiritual overload for an o...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, KJV) When we pray, do we know how to pray? The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. This made me review my prayer life, and I came to a startling conclusion. Most of my prayers were centered on my needs and what my friends wanted fro...

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. (John 5:5, NKJV) Despair, desperation, anxiety, pain, suffering, sorrow, uncertainty, when we are faced with a long term situation, or long term illnesses these emotions at different times manifest themselves in our live's, but they need not. My mother became ill when I was in junior high and her debilit...

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10, NKJV) Technology has provided us with an infinite amount of information at the tip of our finger, and in some cases in our packets, thanks to our Smartphones. However, as parents, teachers, or youth leaders we still face one major challeng...

I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. (John 8:12b, NKJV) Many times in our childhood we see things that amaze us and we ask many questions of our parents. I still recall a time in my physics class in my early years of college I learned that sometimes light behaves like a wave as when it diffracts to form the...

If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10b, NKJV) How many of us still remember our 1st job? I certainly do, when I was in junior high, I began my first job delivering news papers. I didn't earn much money as a news paper delivery boy, but I did learn valuable lessons. The job did not interfere with my schooling, provided me needed exercise, an...

And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1b, NKJV) God has blessed my wife and I with a life full of love, and wonder. In our lifetime God has given us the privilege of viewing the wonders of His nature on seven continents. Through our travels we have gained a deeper understanding of God's revelation and love in His creation. What we saw What we lear...

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7b, NKJV) God has given my wife and I the privilege of viewing each of the seven continents. Many would call this the chance of a life time. I link to think of it as doing God's will. Through these travels we have gained a deeper understanding of God's revelation through His written word, the Bible, and ...

Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22, NKJV) The Bethlehem Steel coke oven plant served as our chemical engineering laboratory. It was a typical cold and snowy winter near Buffalo, New York. When the weather improved, several of us decided to visit Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side. As we came to customs at the border, the agent asked the driver Bill to...

Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house.(2 Kings 5:9, NKJV) What a coincidence? How many times have we used this simple phrase. We as believers in God's infinite power and wisdom believe He's also in control of everything in our lives. I recall one time at work we had conflicting travel plans. My supervisor and I needed to ...

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.(2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV) How many times have we heard this phrase, "Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet." Even as an octogenarian, I recognize I am a work in progress! During my e...

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:17a, NKJV) This was not just another beautiful conference grounds in rural Massachusetts when I attended an Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Bible Conference in the 1950s. I didn't know at the time, but this conference was different. The speaker introduced us to a booklet by Boyd Munger titled My Heart Chr...

For God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7b, NKJV) Are we good stewards of what God has given us? Throughout my life I've received good financial advice. In particular from my father; He had a degree in business and he made sure I understood and practiced sound economic principles. I grew up in the Great Depression when money and just about everything else was sca...

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. (Titus 1:5, NKJV) Why do we think we can do everything ourselves? Do we not trust our team members? As the Engineering Design and Analysis Supervisor in the solid propulsion industry, I realized I couldn't do projects includin...

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8b, NIV) My lovely wife, who is also a registered nurse, had a serious operation on her back a while back. After the surgery and when she left the hospital, I became responsible for her post-operative care. I'm not a nurse nor do I have the basic knowledge to be ...

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1, KJV) From this Bible verse Elisabeth Elliot chose the title Shadow of the Almighty for a book that profoundly affected my life. She compiled a biography in 1958 of her husband, a missionary to the Indian tribes of Ecuador. You may remember the movie "End of the...

How hungry are we for God's word? Do we feed our souls with God's Word?...

Do we take care of our heart, both physically and spiritually?...

Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!(Romans 11:33a, NKJV) It was a normal day, just like any other days, but today I asked myself, "How can I explore the surface of the unfathomable wisdom and knowledge of God?" I used the advice I gleaned from Francis Bacon, a 16th century scientist, statesman, and author. He asserted, "Reading makes a fu...

Does The Bible contradict its self? Why do some sections appear to be going against what was previously written? How can we reconcile what may seem contradictory?...

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. (Malachi 3:16, NKJV) Gazing at the actuarial charts, I realized that at age 83 the fact is that my projected life span was short. I've been blessed with a full and frutfiul life...

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Moses- Psalm 90:10 KJV) Yes, it's true you only turn 80 once. For my turn, my wife and friends threw me a great celebration for my 80th birthday. Since they urged me to share some memories, I...

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NIV) One day one of my friends told me, "Jim, you are the most organized person I know." I should have been elated, or at least satisfied, yet I felt something was lacking. Although I had taken numerous time management courses and attempted to apply those principles to my life, and after ...

Telling the generations to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. (Psalm 78:4 NKJV) I know we all hear and have heard many comments regarding our younger generations, such as "The world is going downhill rapidly. The present generation is on a destructive path." The media complex, the new explosion of social media accent...

Are we teaching or mentoring others in God's word?...

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 KJV) Similar to sin, cancer affects millions of people around the world. Compared top cancer, there us a cure for our sin, but not for cancer. Recently I was diagnosed with the worst form of skin cancer- melanoma. My cancer appeared as a little e...

We all try to keep healthy and via physical activity, but what are we doing to exercise our Spiritual condition?...

When we leave the room, do those left behind are they happy we left? When we meet others what type of impression are we making? Do we project our love of Christ?...

When we pray, do we focus on God or our needs? Do we pout Him first or last? ...

Are you self-confident? Do you mentor others? Are you willing to help those in need?...

In our daily busy lives, do we know when we need to stop and rest? Do we recognize our need for a pause? Do we keep going no matter the costs, to ourselves, our families and our loved ones?...

How do we balance our Christian life, and our daily life? According to the world, our christian life and daily life don't mix or go together, but we know different, they are both one and the same....

We've all heard the phrase, it must of been an Angel. Do we really believe in God and his messenger's the angels? If we believe in angels why then can't believe in God?...

Do you like to plan things out or do you just fix things as they come up? What is your preference, plan of just wing it?...

When we pray, do we want God to answer in our time frame or His?...

How do we deal with the daily demands of family, work, church, God, family, and everything else?...

How do we handle interruptions? Do we recognize them as opportunities, or do we deem them be a bother?...

How was the universe created? Did the Big Bang really happen? How does the Sun never burn up?...

Do you set goals and achieve them? Are you driven by your goals or do you drive to achieve your goals? Is your calendar so full, you need to set time for you and your family?...

What happens if we missed a deadline at work? Do we understand the complication and consequences of missed deadlines and the effect they have on others?...

Do you ever feel as if you're a going from one bad situation to another? What do you in these situations? Do you trust God is in control? ...

What makes a good manager? How can we become good stewards?...

Do we at times take for granted the little things our loved ones do for us? ...

My wife and I made a commitment to share our fist kiss during our wedding, Thank God for his strength and his honor, we did share our first kiss during our wedding....

I will seek the one I love. (Song of Solomon 3:2 NKJV) Ealry on in my carrer I worked the evening shift in a chemical engineering plant in Wilmington, Delaware. During this time I was also courting Pauline, who became my wife, I know, I am a romantic! and one night she borrowed my car and was going to pick me up when my shift was done. A deep fog had settled over the ar...

When we say we trust God, do we really know what we mean? He may give us an answer we don't like or weren't expecting?...

Are you an over achiever? Do you know when to stop? Do you know how to delegate tasks to others?...

Why do we go to church? Is it to pass the time or to be part of the body of Christ?...

What is your life's goal? Do we have goals? What are our goals?...

In God we are complete, without him, we are unfinished....

All things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28 NKJV) As a high school senior I had my heart set on an engineering career as my future goal. I had passed and met all the academic requirements for a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. The only thing I needed to do was pass the physical. I had an excellent chance for a full scholarship, f...

Is my salvation free? Can I help my salvation by being good and doing good deeds? What I don't believe in God, but I am still a good person, can my good works and deeds save me?...

We are a product of our life experiences, what can one learn from making mud pies as a child? Read more to find out!...