Just A Thought

 We stood awkwardly and patiently. Two adults focused on the upturned face of a toddler. I had just handed the child a gift. It was not much, and I needed no response. But their parent had just dutifully asked them, “What do you say?” It was obvious that the child knew what to say. But they were at the age where they were having to decide whether or not they would be thankful or a spoiled brat. We waited - for the child’s sake - knowing that “the thank you habit” (if they would be willing to adopt it) would serve them well for their entire lifetime.

Years later I conversed awkwardly with a full-grown adult, waiting for a hint of gratitude.  I was part of a group of people who had raised a great deal of money and had done a community service. I was now talking with a person who had benefited from the service, at no cost to them. Unfortunately, all I was hearing at the time was complaints that our group had not been timely enough and we had not carried out the act of service in a way they felt was appropriate. I couldn’t help but wonder how horrible it must be to live in a mindset that would keep you from enjoying the good things that others were doing in the world.

Unthankfulness is a self-imposed sentence of misery. It doesn’t accomplish anything positive. Since we instinctively know it is not positive, maybe we just do it for the endorphins? But there is an alternative that has been recommended and practiced for thousands of years. There are over 150 Bible verses encouraging us to be thankful. Here is one of them:

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.

Many readers may have experienced of been close to someone who has experienced depression. One of the tell-tale signs of depression is that people tend to hide away in a dark place. Those who step in to help restore mental and emotional health will often so something very simple but effective: they will open blinds and curtains. The goal is to help the victim of depression to focus on any warmth or light that is available. 

Thankfulness is like opening the blinds on a cold winter day. It will still be cold outside, but the sunlight coming through the window will bring some warmth and comfort. The sun is still shining. It takes some effort, but we can focus on any bit of goodness in spite of the pain and suffering that may trigger our sadness. 

The holiday season is an wonderful opportunity to find things for which we can be thankful. Our thankfulness will warm our own hearts and save the people whose lives we touch much grief. But it is a habit, so only the intentional will enjoy its fruit. 

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Saturday, November 29, 2025

 I have discovered that God heals people’s hearts through processes. Psalm 41:3 says, “The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” That process can include pain, disappointment, weariness and doubt. Many times it is the process that strengthens one’s faith, because it stretches their faith. 

Rev. Raymond Woodward did youtube presentation in which he shared some this about tears:

Only humans cry. Crying establishes bonds between parents and their children. Tears also express our helplessness, so that others know we are in need. And tears are also evidence of human empathy.

He shared that the human eye produces three types of tears 

1.    basal tears – lubricate and protect our eyes

2.    reflex tears – to protect our eyes in an emergencies

3.    emotional tears – in response to our emotional state. These tears are thicker and more laden with chemicals designed to help us deal with our emotions.

But the most interesting information he shared comes from research done by Maurice Mikkers who studied tears under a microscope. He discovered that no two people’s tears are alike. He has also discovered that each kind of tear has a different landscape to it. For example, a tear of sorrow looks different than tear of fear. (for more information visit: Imaginariumoftears.com) 

The conclusion he drew from his research was that God designed us to cry and that He intended the crying to be a part of the healing process. In other words, crying can have a healing effect. 

I personally do not cry often. Maybe I should learn how to process my feeling more – I don’t know. But I do know that the times in my life when I have cried have been significant and transformative. The most memorable is when I was eleven years old. I had been praying for three years to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I had tried everything... singing, lifting hands, saying Jesus over and over again, but I was at an impasse. 

Then one night as I went to the altar I suddenly had a surge of emotion. From down deep inside me I felt a longing to be close to God. I began to cry and reach out to God, instead of focusing on speaking in tongues. When I finally opened up emotionally, God filled me with the Holy Spirit and I spoke in a language I had not learned. God was waiting for me to love him with my mind, might and heart. I don’t know what kind tears you would call them, but I know they indicated that something amazing was happening deep inside of me.

If you have ever been, or are currently in, a valley of mourning or sorrow, don’t despair. It might be the beginning of a good think in your life. Life brings tears to believers and non-believers alike.  But God ministers to those who express their emotions to Him. In fact, if our times of worship and prayer are unemotional, something is probably wrong. 

Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Maybe this would be a good time to let God use tears to bring healing to our lives.

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Friday, November 21, 2025

 “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” is a phrase that describes the most important characteristic of a true friend. Most noteworthy, the phrase means that a true friend is the one who helps someone else at a time of need.

One day while Jesus was teaching, some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So, they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.  Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!  (Luke 5:17-26)

Can you imagine the paralyzed man’s thoughts?  He may have been a little nervous that his friends might drop him, that Jesus would turn him away or that their efforts would be in vain. But Jesus never disappoints, instead He is touched and moved by our willingness to act in faith and our trust in Him. 

The paralyzed man in Luke 5, had friends indeed! They went the extra mile by cutting a hole in the house roof where Jesus was teaching and lowering their friend down so he could be touched by Jesus. These friends were instrumental in the life of their friend – a man who experienced a life change!

Have you met anyone lately who has never even heard about Jesus, His love, His healing or saving power? There are many!  All it takes is a kind word, a helping hand…. small gestures that mean so much to those in need, or to those who haven’t experienced the presence of God yet.

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus taught: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Can I just encourage you today?  The more you share the light within you, the more you want to share!  Even if you have felt ineffective in reaching out in the past, it was not in vain.  You planted seed in someone’s heart; now God can do His work in their life! You can be more than a friend…. You can be the friend that leads someone to know ‘the friend that sticks closer than a brother’ – Jesus! God changes lives, but often people are the hands, feet and mouthpiece God uses to accomplish His Kingdom purpose on earth. We have the privilege to carry our friends, loved ones and even those we haven’t met to God in prayer and believe in faith that some of those searching people will cross our path. 

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Friday, November 14, 2025