November 4, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mother's Day, Mother's Day
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, God's word, Psalm 119, longer Psalm
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105 KJV).
We all know Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and also the longest chapter in The Bible. Psalm 119 has 176 verses, and almost every verse mentions God's word.
Let's examine these verses and meditate on how they describe what the Word of God does.
Cleanse (v. 9)
Not wander (v. 10)
Not sin (v. 11...
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October 21, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, eternal life, Jesus, salvation, Psalm 72, King Davis, King Solomon
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon shall endure throughout all generations (Psalm 72:5, KJV)
Today we are going to study Psalm 72 in two sections. The 1st section will be asking a series of questions related to this Psalm. In the 2nd section we're going to be looking at Isaac Watts and how his hymns compare or are alike to Psalm 72.
WHO? Author is Solomon (...
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October 14, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, sin, Eternal love, reward, compassion, eternal salvation, correction
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight(Psalm 51: 4a, NKJV)
The superscription for this psalm is: "A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba." The background is given in 2 Samuel 11-12.
William Culberson in his outline pointed out true confession includes the following elements:
Casting onese...
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October 7, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, direction, Psalm 23, Good Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1, KJV)
INTRODUCTION (By Chuck Swindoll)
"The 23rd Psalm is one people turn to when alone and afraid, when in harm's way in the battlefield, when surrounded by splintered remains in a disaster, when lying in a hospital bed facing surgery, in prison when the doors slam shut, and when overwhelmed by grief."
RESEARCH AND ...
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September 30, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, David, eternal life, Jesus, salvation, suffering, Crucifixion, Psalms, King David, Passion of Christ
He also brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps (Psalm 40:2 NKJV)
As we all know, and believe The Bible is God's inspired word for us. We also believe all throughout the scriptures the coming of the Savior, Jesus was prophesized. We also believe Jesus is a direct descendent of King David and there for h...
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September 23, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: God, Jesus, redemption, plan, organization, blue print, order, hierarchy, orderly
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?(Psalm 8:4, NKJV)
As the creator of all, God also had a master plan. Just as all organizations have a hierarchy or organizational structure, God established an order to all of His creation!
God's hierarchy: God, then angels, man, and beasts.
David marvels how God uses people on earth.
Verses...
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September 16, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: 9/11, God, David, Jesus, old testament, King David, Psalm, Psalm 2
Yet have I set My King in Zion on My holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6, NKJV)
Every book has these 3 basic parts, beginning, middle and end. In Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 we are introduced to the Psalter, and we can identify 4 distinct voices.
FOUR VOICES OF PSALM 2
VOICE 1: (v.1-3) The Nation of Israel cast off restraint from God.
The psalmist's amazement at the plans of...
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September 9, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, David, Jesus, salvation, forgiveness, King David, Psalm
But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night(Psalm 1:2, NKJV)
As I continued reading and studying the Psalms, I truly enjoyed how our former Pastor Ken Hornok described Psalm 1.
Pastor Ken expanded on these 5 main points, Separation from the world, Situated on the waterSaturated, Sanctified, and Satisfied by the Word of God.
The go...
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September 2, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, David, Jesus, worship, Psalms, King David
Now David himself says in the book of Psalms", Jesus (Luke 20:42a, NKJV).
In the last post we explored the beginning of the Book of Psalms, today we conclude our study by reviewing some of the events that led to the writting of some Psalms.
We also need to understand the characteristics of Hebrew poetry
Religious lyric poetry expressing emotions
Evocative language wi...
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August 26, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, worship, Psalms, King David, praise
Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel(2 Samuel 23:1, NKJV)
The book of Psalms is full of wonder, praise and love for God our creator, In the Psalms you can read about worship, lament, desperation, despair, creation, humanity, all of th...
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August 19, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, fun, family, game shows, TV, sitcoms
And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised,(Ecclesiastes 1:13, NKJV)
In our lives we all have special things we like to do to keep us busy or entertained. Some like to travel, read a book, play sports, spend time outdoors, etc. One of my...
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August 12, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, The Bible, history, writing, books, writer, publisher, written word, editor, fantasy, sci-fi
Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord GOD be a witness against you. The Lord from His holy temple (Micah 1:2. NKJV)
How many of you ever thought of becoming a writer? Too many of us have great ideas, but we don't know how to begin or where to begin. This happened to me. In short, what started as a family practice, writing for my famil...
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August 5, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, forgiveness, fear, truth, timid, afraid, toastmasters
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11, NKJV
Not everyone is comfortable speaking in a public setting. Many suffer from glossophobia, also known as fear of public speaking. I'm not talking about having jitters, or sweaty palms, I'm talking about physical fear, and discomfort. Early in my career as a rocket scientist, my supervisor...
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July 29, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, friends, movie stars, famous person, celebrity, strangers
Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he might have confidence in the flesh, I more so (Philippians 3:3, NKJV)
Who is the one famous person you would really like to meet? Have you met any famous people or celebrities? If you have, how did you behave when you met them?
In the course of my long life, I have had opportunities to meet with m...
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July 22, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, forgiveness, peace, race, Asian, Black, White, Hispanic, European
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11, NKJV)
God loves us all! This is true, but the big question is do we love all others? I know we normally associate with those who we feel comfortable around, but God loves all, even those who may make us a bit uncomfortabl...
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July 15, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, decision, Life, Jesus, plan, planning, road, uncertainty, twists and turns, unexpected, reactive, passive, responsive, planner
But sanctify the Lord God in your heart and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV)
Many of us are not comfortable speaking in public, and some of us are, however, what would you do if you were asked to give a presentation without being told about it ahead of time? Well, t...
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July 8, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Life, Jesus, salvation, redemption, wisdom, experience, knowledge, street smart
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15, KJV)
Life is full of ups and downs, good times and bad times, yet one thing is always constant, we're always learning, no matter how old we are, life is always teaching us new things. Many life events occurred in...
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July 1, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Jesus, Creation, Zion National Park, Angel's Landing, Virgin River, intelligent design, hiking, family vacations, day trips
Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha(2 Kings 6:17b, NKJV)
In our younger days my wife and I loved to hike the mountains of Utah with our sons.
We were now ready to attempt the Angel's Landing hike in Zion National Park. The trail contained switchbacks. We sweltered in the summer heat. As we neared the peak, chains guarded us from...
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June 24, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, faith, fun, family, size, adventure
Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia, Luke in Rome, Tychicus to Ephesus
(2 Timothy 4:10-11, NKJV)
What is the first thing we do when we buy new shoes? We make sure they fit, that they are not big or tight on our feet. We don't want to be walking around in shoes that either too small or too big, we want to make sure they are the right fit. This reminded of a time duri...
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June 17, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, money, Jesus, cheap, cheap skate, poor, tight wad, envious
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword (Proverbs 12:18a, NKJV)
All of us at one point in our lives will be faced with a tough decision, do we do the right thing, do we obey our parents, or do we do the wrong thing. I still recall one summer day when three of us were playing catch with a softball near a wooded area of a Boy Scout Summer Camp. We were enjoyin...
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June 10, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Life, Jesus, travel, tent, camping, refugee, homeless, temporary housing
These all died in faith and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13, NKJV).
I remember living in tents and each time it was a temporary abode. I also remember the work required to setup a tent and then camp. It was hard work, but when you're young some of these things can actually be fun. The first time was in Boy Scout Camp where I le...
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June 3, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, errors, mistakes, writers, proof reading, editors, grammar
Whatsoever things are pure... think on these things (Philippians 4:8, NKJV)
I developed a love for reading at a very young age, and I still love to read. There are times when small errors make it pass the editing process. When I find one of these small errors I realize we are not perfect and no matter what, we will always make mistakes.
When I was in 6th grade, the local...
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May 27, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: baseball, diamond, stolen bases, Babe Ruth, Yankees, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them
(Romans 12:7a, NKJV)
1,2,3 strikes and you're out! What fond memories of watching some of my favorite players play ball. When I was in high school I spent much time following major league baseball. I knew most of the players on all the teams, the entries in a scorer's book, and much o...
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May 20, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mission Focus
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, redemption, wisdom, grandma, grandpa, advise
I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also (2 Timothy 1:5, NKJV)
My mother, sister, and I visited Granny's house almost every week during my childhood Wisdom is not given it is learned throughout our lives. Our elders have lived and experienced more than thos...
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May 6, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Son, daughter, favorite, my favorite son, my favorite daughter
And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob(Genesis 25:28, NKJV)
You are my favorite son or daughter. How many times have we heard these words coming from some parents? But how often do we stop and think how these words my affect their other children? I do, when I was growing up I knew a father who lavished attention on his son and neglected h...
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April 29, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, family, summer, reading, sun burn, beach, lakes, warm nights, skin cancer, melanoma
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)
Finally, the weather is slowly warming up and summer is just a few months away. I love summer; it still is a very special time for me. As a young child I loved to spend time outside in the sun, enjoying the wonders of God's creation. Unfortunately, I was a fair-sk...
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April 15, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Easter Weekend
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, redemption, peace, Europe, WWII, WW2, The Great War, Russia, Japan, Pearl Harbor
No man engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 1:4, NKJV)
The War to end all Wars, The Great Patriotic War, War of Resistance, The Pacific Theater, there are many names used for World War II. As with many other situations, it all depends on whom you ask. For us in America, it will...
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April 8, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, sharing, Good News, share the Gospel, planting seeds, farmer
Behold, a sower went out to sow.But others (seeds) fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:3b, 8 (NKJV)
Are we ready to share our faith with others? I know this is something we all talk about doing, but are we ready to share what God is doing in our lives the moment the opportunity presents itself? Many times we expe...
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April 1, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, fellowship, Jesus, UTAH CHRISTIAN WRITERS FELLOWSHIP, writers, writing, books, academia
Then the LORD said, "Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it." Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV
As a writer, I'm always trying to become better; to learn from other capable writers and their experiences, histories and styles. This is why I've been a long time member of the Utah Christian Writers Fellowship (UCWF) has been very helpful in refining my ...
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March 25, 2021
by James Thacher
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Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, giving, help, love others, volunteer, volunteering, selfless, helping, help others
Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13b, NKJV
How do we serve our communities? Do we need to get involved in local politics? Do we need to be wealthy and connected? What is the best way to serve our communities? I'm going to share how I got involved in helping my community by volunteering in an area I love and know very well.
I became a member of the American Ins...
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March 18, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, science, Aerospace, science fair, judge, competition, fairness, fair
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 KJV
If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I was an engineer and my area of expertise is aerospace. Yes, I worked with rockets and I enjoyed myself tremendously. One of my pleasures for many years was judging local and regional science fairs involving elementary, junior high, and h...
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March 11, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: AWANA, God, Jesus, Summer camp, summer, kayak, poison ivy, roasting marsh mellows, camp fire, stories
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:7, NKJV
Ah, some of our most cherished memories can be traced back to our summer camps, like roasting marsh mellows, swimming in a river, staying up late, meeting new friends, and spending tim...
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February 25, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Jesus, choices, car, luxury, practical, affordable, expensive, import, domestic, SUV, compact, sedan, truck
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...
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February 18, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, pain, muscles, Covid-19, accident, physical therapy, strength
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...
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February 4, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, responsibility, time management, priorities, accountability
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...
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January 28, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, children, Jesus, Patience, guide, parenting, advice
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, ...
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January 21, 2021
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, service, Covid-19, God, Jesus, servitude, grateful heart
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 ...
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January 5, 2021
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Life, Jesus, Covid-19, accident, adjustment, clavicle, broken bones
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...
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December 29, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, friendship, family, together, friends, Covid-19, hardship, close, tribulation
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...
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December 15, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Church, family, recovery, church family, loving family, accident, therapy, hospital
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...
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December 1, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, worship, calling, going above and beyond, the extra mile
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...
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November 17, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Spiritual Life
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, learning, purpose, divine intervention
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...
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November 10, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: Sunday School, love, God, Jesus, Church, teacher, help, educate, educator
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...
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November 3, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, disciples, homelessness, loving others, making disciples
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 ...
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October 20, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, failure, adversity, hurt, pain, disappointment, coming short, not good enough
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...
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October 13, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Patience, old, marathon, health, octogenarian, 5k, push ups, exercise
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...
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October 6, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Runner, health, Coronavirus, Covid-19, lame
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...
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September 29, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Marriage, Jesus, Celebration, 50 year anniversary, favorite song
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...
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September 22, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, music, Jesus, worship, Psalms, King David, instruments, joyful noise
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...
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September 15, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, worship, worship song. hymn, special song, Handel’s Messiah
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 ...
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September 8, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Marriage, Jesus, wife, husband, courtship, romance, girl friend, boy friend
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...
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September 1, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: family, history, roots, 23&me, Ancestry, ancestors
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 ...
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August 25, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: history, Covid-19, Church, learning, Jesus, God, love
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...
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August 18, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, The Bible, Holy Bible, scripture
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...
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August 11, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, kindness, legacy, generations, pay it forward
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 ...
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August 4, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, September 11, Freedom Towers, terrorism
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...
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July 27, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Spiritual Life
| Tags: God, Life, Jesus, Teaching, The Bible, The Word of God, experience
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...
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July 7, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, Life, wife, husband, change, health, daily routine, daily tasks
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...
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June 30, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, faith, repentance, rescue
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...
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June 23, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, speak, communication, settings, response, reaction, personal style
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...
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June 16, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, faith, Church, trust, friends, encourage, encouragement
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...
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June 10, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, heaven, task, purpose, role, janitor, service worker, essential worker
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...
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June 2, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, grace, Jesus, forgiveness, rule, right, wrong, righteous, error
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...
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May 26, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, learning, faith, trust, Cancer, healing, Mohs surgery, lesson
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...
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May 12, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, prayer, Jesus, pray, prayer life, life of prayer, devotional, daily devotional
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...
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April 26, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
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...
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April 21, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, evangelism, health, difficulties, hardship
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...
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April 14, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: AWANA, God, youth, children, teachers, Bible Quiz, rewards
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...
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April 7, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Baby, Jesus, man, all mighty, incarnation, person
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...
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March 31, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, paper route, newspaper, job, 1st job
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...
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March 24, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Creation, Earth, the World, beauty
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...
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March 10, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: travel, 7 continents, Europe, Asian, Antartica, America, South America, North America, Africa, Australia
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 ...
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February 25, 2020
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, sin, errors, mistakes, sinful nature, broken laws
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...
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February 18, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Jesus, plan, planning, coincidence, preordained
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 ...
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January 28, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, work, Goal, progress, unfinished
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...
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January 14, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, hidden treasures, hidden past, hide, temptation
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...
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January 7, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, blessed, Jesus, blessings, Finances, financial, good, steward, retirement
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...
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January 2, 2020
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, problems, not alone, help
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...
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December 25, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, instructions, directions, guide
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 ...
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December 17, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Missionary, Jesus, death, Acua, tribes, Ecuador
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...
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December 10, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Bible, Jesus, Hunger, Hungry
How hungry are we for God's word? Do we feed our souls with God's Word?...
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December 3, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Patience, heart
Do we take care of our heart, both physically and spiritually?...
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November 26, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, learning, Bacon, applied teachings, teachers
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...
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November 17, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Life, Christian, Jesus, balance, balancing
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?...
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November 12, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Marriage, Jesus, family, repentance
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...
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November 5, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, 80 years, octogenarian
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...
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October 29, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, role model
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 ...
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October 22, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: AWANA, love, God, Jesus, salvation, generation, lost, lost generation
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...
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October 15, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Jesus, Paul, mentor, teacher
Are we teaching or mentoring others in God's word?...
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October 8, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, sin, Cancer, healing, health
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...
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October 1, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: work out, muscles, spirit, God, love, Jesus,
We all try to keep healthy and via physical activity, but what are we doing to exercise our Spiritual condition?...
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September 24, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, memories, lasting memories, impact, slide show
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?...
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September 17, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, prayer, Jesus, Christ, pray
When we pray, do we focus on God or our needs? Do we pout Him first or last? ...
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September 10, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, welfare, math, Algebra, Geometry, science, mentor, mentors, single-parents
Are you self-confident? Do you mentor others? Are you willing to help those in need?...
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September 3, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, stop, rest, long journey
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?...
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August 27, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Life, Jesus, gospel, Christian life, direction
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....
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August 20, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, angels, messenger of God, Archangels
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?...
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August 13, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, plan, planning, project planning
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?...
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August 6, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, troubles, worry, worries, problems
When we pray, do we want God to answer in our time frame or His?...
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July 30, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, family, responsibility, duties, work, task, organization, daily grind
How do we deal with the daily demands of family, work, church, God, family, and everything else?...
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July 23, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, children, Jesus, interruption, The Gospel of Luke
How do we handle interruptions? Do we recognize them as opportunities, or do we deem them be a bother?...
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July 16, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Creating, Milky Way, galaxy, Sun, Moon, stars, constellations
How was the universe created? Did the Big Bang really happen? How does the Sun never burn up?...
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July 9, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: 9/11, love, God, Jesus, over-achiever, task master, schedule, calendar, driven
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?...
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July 2, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: 9/11, love, God, Jesus, deadlines, time, responsibility
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?...
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June 25, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: Life, troubles, God, love, Jesus, Patience,
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? ...
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June 18, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Blueberries, jelly, jars, stewardship, investment
What makes a good manager? How can we become good stewards?...
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June 11, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, Happy, surprise, birth day, happy birthday, God, Jesus
Do we at times take for granted the little things our loved ones do for us? ...
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June 4, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Marriage, Jesus, kids, Kiss, first kiss
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....
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June 2, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: 9/11, love, Patience, fog, distance, waiting, courtship
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...
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May 29, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: God, Jesus, bolt, lightning, Sputnik, Space race, rockets, moon landing
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?...
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May 14, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: 9/11, Life, graduation, military, service, United States Army
Are you an over achiever? Do you know when to stop? Do you know how to delegate tasks to others?...
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May 6, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, fellowship, Jesus, Church, congregation
Why do we go to church? Is it to pass the time or to be part of the body of Christ?...
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April 30, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: 9/11, God, Life, Jesus, Goal, SMART Goals, track, running, run
What is your life's goal? Do we have goals? What are our goals?...
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April 23, 2019
by James Thacher
| Tags: love, God, Jesus. labor. life, unfinished work,
In God we are complete, without him, we are unfinished....
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April 16, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Life, eternal life, Jesus, salvation, plan
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...
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April 13, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Spiritual Life
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, salvation, forgiveness, sin, hell, Devil, John 3:16
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?...
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April 2, 2019
by James Thacher
|
Category:
Mud Pies and Memories
| Tags: love, God, Jesus, Mud, mud pies, pies, dirt, digging,
We are a product of our life experiences, what can one learn from making mud pies as a child? Read more to find out!...
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