"Enter his gates with Thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him and praise his name."  (Psalm 46:4  NLT)

"Busiest travel of the year."  "More people at the airport, on the road and traveling over 50 miles than has happened in several years."  News reports about how the weather could easily cause delays.....  All these things are happening around us even as each of us goes through our own changes and challenges.  All making us wonder about the idea of "entering his courts with praise."

The Psalm today is a "Psalm of grateful praise."  Today, if you follow the liturgical calendar, is also Christ the King Sunday.  A time of praising God, thanking God and celebrating Jesus as King of Kings, Lord of Lords.  A time of looking at, thanking God for and preparing for the celebration of Jesus' birthday while we prepare for Jesus' coming again.  All of which is happening for each of  us individually while we come together and celebrate in worship.

So......  Are you giving "thanks"?  "Praising his name"?  As we come together, if we are able, with our families and friends are we remembering to thank God?  Have we even tried to "come into his courts"?  Something to think about..........

"Enlarge your house; build an addition.  Spread out your home, and spare no expense!" (Isaiah 54:2 NLT)

What do you think of "enlarge"?  My first thought is that the graphs I use for knitting are getting smaller so I have to "enlarge" the pattern.  The easiest way to do this is to make a copy at about 120% or larger. Or...you might take the verse more literally and think about adding onto your home -- making it larger.  Or...maybe....you could "enlarge" the group you "share" with (from last week).

My friend, Isaiah, is pointing to the blessings God is giving as we follow where God is leading.  Verse one, of this chapter ends with "says the Lord" and this verse is continuing to tell us what God wants us to do.  Verse 3 is telling us how things will be growing - "bursting at the seams."  God is wanting us to be reaching out, "sharing" with more people.  Telling more people how God is guiding, strengthening and working through us.

So..... how do we "enlarge"?  Who do we "share" with?  Can we actually TALK about how we have felt God with us?  Can we reach out, share and encourage? Can we "enlarge" our pattern?  Can we - maybe - "enlarge" our table for Thanksgiving by inviting someone who would be eating alone? Something to think about......

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality."  (Romans 12:13)

How do you do at sharing?  What do you like to share?  What don't you like to share?  Are there things you have to stop and think about, decide about, before you share?  I used to try to "share" Dad regularly - especially when someone in the left lane suddenly changed lanes and exited.  Dad knew how to get around the Cities (he grew up here) and was wonderful with directions and which exit to take - so I was offering "assistance" to the other driver.  I will also admit to not being the best at sharing some other things -- like my favorite coffee mug.

The Scripture, this morning, is about sharing - especially with those "who are in need."  Our mother could feed however many sat down to her dinner table no matter when they arrived or if she knew they were coming.  She could always find enough places for people to sleep if needed.  She did NOT pass this skill on to me - you are welcome at my table, I will help feed the hungry, but I need to know how many because I am normally only fixing food enough for one.  

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."  Isaiah 61:3a

Today is the day a lot of churches will be celebrating All Saints Day, which was actually Friday, so we can remember our loved ones who are now with the Saints.  Many churches celebrate the members who have died in the last year.  Some remember the recent (last year) AND those loved who have been gone longer.  ALL of us can remember the members of our families who have "gone before us."  It is a good time to celebrate, usually with Communion, their lives and that they are no longer in pain, sick or any of the other things that might have been happening when they died.

​It is a special day to celebrate as we think of God being with us through the changes and challenges.  It is a time we can remember "those who grieve" and help them (an us) to have the "oil of joy" God gives.  It is a time to remember our loved ones ARE with God.

Dad, "my" person I was primary caregiver for, died 11 years ago Thursday (Oct. 31st).  He was with the "Saints" for All Saints Day and no longer in pain.  Today I can remember, and celebrate, but I can also feel God's "oil of joy" and "garment of praise."  I can laugh.....instead of screaming or crying.  My prayer is you are also able to feel God's joy AND peace.  Something to think about......