1. In 1773, Americans revolted against King George's Tea Tax and the Continental Congress declared coffee the official national beverage. I don't know about you, but I am so thankful for that act of Congress! I sure cannot imagine starting my day with a cup of tea instead of a hot mug of coffee! (As the Folgers ad says so well, "The best part to waking up is Folgers in your cup!" - but in my cup just about any brand of coffee will do!) And I am sure that many other Americans share my sentiments. Consider the following facts: The United States is the world's largest consumer of coffee, importing 16 to 20 million bags annually (2.5 million pounds), representing one-third of all coffee exported. More than half of the United States population consumes coffee. The typical coffee drinker has 3.4 cups of coffee per day. That translates into more than 450,000,000 cups of coffee daily. Now that's a lot of java!!!
Well, let me suggest something else to add to your morning wake up routine (and I am talking to both coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers). Strive to start each day with some quiet time with God. Read the Word. Think about what it says. Pray about what it says. Commit your day to Him. I am not suggesting you set your alarm for 4 AM and spend two hours on your knees. But start by setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier and spend that 15 minutes with God. He will be pleased, you will be encouraged and your day will get the kind of start it needs! There's no better part of starting your day than to read God's Word and pray!
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14).
2. Being sick is no fun as you well know! Recently I have been nagged with a lingering cold. It didn't render me "down for the count," but it sure was annoying. It feels good to be feeling better today. Good health is one of God's many blessings in life which we so often take for granted. And when do we most appreciate good health? When we are sick! Yes? Gratitude is one of those things in life that we must really get intentional about. God does not owe us good health. In fact, the only thing God owes us is judgment. Yet ... in his mercy he withholds judgment ... and in his grace he gives us his blessing. And this mercy and grace of God can be ours because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. This coming Sunday morning at Grace (9:00 and 10:30) we will be continuing our journey through the reMARKable Gospel of Mark with "The Tragic Triumph of the Cross." I invite you (if you live in the Lancaster area) to come join us as we celebrate the death of Jesus Christ on our behalf!
Thanks for stopping by . . .
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