22 Tips To Guarantee a Successful Thanksgiving

Make a list, make a plan, make ahead,
Make a mess, clean the mess, make sure.
Extend the table, cover the table, decorate the table;
Race the clock, race back to the store; race to be ready to relax.

Hold on; stop! Treat yourself to a Feast from God’s Word and watch this become your best Thanksgiving ever. Today, November 1st, is day 1 to begin.

Disclaimer - not all of my ideas are good ideas; they are just ideas. Yet this one is stellar, I promise. Long after the guests are gone and the melting ice cream is placed back into the freezer, you will thank me.

The Suggestion: Memorize Psalm 103.

Stay with me here. I am not adding one more thing to your to do list. Easier than taking your turkey out of the oven, these benefits will outlast the leftovers.

The Context:

Years ago, Psalm 103 became ‘My Thanksgiving Psalm’. Now, each November I return to savor the soul nourishing words contained in these 22 verses which God uses in a supernatural way to prepare my heart for renewal. Perhaps I look forward to this annual revisit more than I look forward to the sweet potato soufflé.

The Plan:

In Psalm 103 one sees that a verse corresponds with each calendar day of November. By committing one verse per day to memory, it is possible to finish the memoriation on November 22nd, one day before the guests arrive on November 23, 2023.

The Method:

You might ask, “How do I go about this?” Great question.

Rick Warren proposes a scripture memory method that actually works.

Begin with the first verse. Emphasize the first word in the verse and then repeat all the words that follow. Follow by emphasizing the second word and recite all the words that follow. And so on.

Repeat the one sentence over and over emphasizing a different word with each repetition, until you have completed the one verse. Surprisingly, the verse will now be yours, hidden in your heart.

Verse one would go like this:

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (continue with each word)

On November 2nd you proceed to committing verse 2 to memory.

The Why:

Hiding God’s Word in your heart infuses peace and perspective into your holiday celebration. You literally prepare a feast for your soul as you prepare a feast for your family. If you like this idea, embark on a new tradition. These 22 rich and delicious verses are waiting for you, served below.

Psalm 103

Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15 The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18 with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

What does this passage tell you about God?

Why is it of utmost importance that we hide His Word in our hearts?

What is a Thanksgiving tip that makes a difference in your holiday?

A Family Tradition Renewed

In honor of International Artist Day, October 25, 2023

Yes! When our 15-year-old granddaughter asked if she could come and spend her Fall Break with us, we answered with a resounding, “Yes!” For cultural enrichment, Larry and I planned an outing to one of the highly acclaimed sights in our city, Cincinnati Art Museum.

For more than three decades of living in Europe, visiting museums to view breathtaking masterpieces became a family tradition. The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, The Louvre in Paris, The Vatican Museums in Rome, The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, The Uffizi in Florence, and The National Gallery in London composed our list of favorites. Now, years later, as grandparents we embraced the opportunity to continue the tradition right in our own country.

Pulling into the parking lot I said, “Ok, let’s do this just like we did when your mother was growing up. Each of the three of us will stroll independently through the museum at our own pace, select several personal favorites, then meet back in the lounge to share our findings.”

And off we went. She began with the African wing, strolled through the American gallery, and made her way to the visiting Picasso exhibition.

Simultaneously, Larry and I mapped out our own routes and wandered through a portion of the vast array of artistic expression. Works by Elizabeth Nourse, A Mother, Robert Fredrick Blum, Venetian Lacemakers and the priceless collection by Cincinnati’s own iconic Frank Duveneck arrested our attention.

When the timer went off and the three of us reconvened to share our findings, we discovered that — wouldn’t you know — one particular painting made the favorites list for each of us: The Fair Exchange by Henry Mosler.

This Saturday cultural afternoon outing reinvigorated me to realize that art transcends generations; it offers aesthetic benefits, mental refreshment, and personal growth to all ages. As we pause to appreciate the talent of others, and seek to absorb the meaning of expression each piece offers, we find our own horizons unexpectedly broadened.

Please join me in celebrating International Artists Day by visiting your local art museum. Be sure to make time for Afternoon Tea in the museum cafe.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4).

What place do you think art holds in the life of a Christ follower?

Who is your favorite artist and why?

We would love to hear your comments.

Note: Lest you wonder, our granddaughter’s visit also included all kinds of teenager-ish activities as well. We rode bikes, attended movies, strolled the mall, and ate quite a few pizzas. Be assured, some things never change. Like teenagers of yesteryear, today’s teen still relishes the opportunity to sleep late and delights in the chance to just hang out.

Fresh Apple Cake from the Kitchen of Ruth Graham

Celebrate Autumn

with

Fresh Apple Cake from the Kitchen of Ruth Graham

Set the oven at 300 degrees and bake for one hour.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooking oil

2 cups sugar (or perhaps 11/2 cups)

3 cups plain flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp vanilla

½ tsp salt

3 cups fresh apples, chopped

Instructions:

Combine oil, sugar, and well-beaten eggs, and vanilla. Measure and sift flour, salt, and baking soda — and add to the first mixture.

Stir apples and nuts, and mix well. (Batter will be very stiff)

Pour in a long baking pan (about 13 x 9 size).

Bake.

Glaze:

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup margarine

1 tsp vanilla

¼ cup evaporated mild

Place margarine and sugar in a double boiler. Allow to melt. Add milk. Bring to a full boil. Cool. Add vanilla, Pour over the cake.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Given the chance to sit around a table with Ruth Graham, wife of global evangelist Billy Graham, mother of five, and author of 14 books, to enjoy a piece of her Fresh Apple Cake, what would have been a question you would have wanted to ask her?

Why?

Photo credit: Internet, The Archive Collection, Billy Graham Library, billygrahamlibrary.org