Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18
Last Wednesday we ran across a very powerful thought in our devotional time. It is from the book, Jesus Calling, in which each devotional is written as though Jesus was talking directly to you. The devotional is written by Sarah Young.
"Thankfulness opens the door to My presence. Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice. I have placed a door between you and Me, and I have empowered you to open or close that door. There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective."
"Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust. When thankful words stick in your throat, you need to check up on your foundation of trust. When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me. I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances. See how many times you can thank me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings. It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. Practice My presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness."
This devotional is a great reminder of the importance of thankfulness in our lives. The same day we had this devotional, Paul ran into a former teacher friend at Bixby Medical Center who was undergoing tests for some health issues. However, in his conversation with Paul, he continued to praise the Lord for how blessed he really is and never complained about any of his ailments; he just continued to express thankfulness to the Lord. This encounter was a great affirmation of the devotional that we had read earlier that day. He was being thankful in all circumstances.
Today, Gail spent several hours at the Lenawee Medical Care Facility and she had some time with Margaret who is totally blind. But she is able to play a miniature keyboard and harmonica. During this time, she kept telling Gail how thankful she is to be able to play these instruments and thanks the Lord for the gift of music.
As Christians thankfulness should be one of the key expressions throughout the day. Every day should be a Thanksgiving Day.
Blessings and Encouragement with Thanksgiving,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Greatest of These Is Love
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13
Today is a special day in the lives of Paul and Gail Palpant as they are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. The 23rd of July in 1966 was the hottest day of the summer and, of course, the church had no air conditioning. Fortunately, we were married in the evening which made it a bit cooler. The ceremony took place here in Adrian at was then known as Grace Baptist Church.
We have certainly had a wonderful marriage filled with many special blessings. Always attempting to keep Christ at the center of our marriage has certainly helped us work through those difficult times which have occasionally crossed our path. It doesn't seem like we live in the same country that existed when we were married 47 years ago. So many things have changed since our wedding day. One of the biggest changes is our culture's view on marriage. Many people are not getting married, but just living together, and we have those who believe that same sex marriage should be allowed. However, God's plan for marriage is the best plan which is one man and one woman united in holy matrimony.
Speaking of changes, when we got married we didn't have a telephone, television, cell phone, computer, microwave, dishwasher, DVD player, or air conditioner. After eight months of marriage, we were able to buy a house in Hudson for $8,000. Since then we have built two homes, raised three children, assisted in building two churches and one school, and taken on many other projects, big and small. It may seem like a lot but we have enjoyed every minute of it, and it is the abundant life God had planned for us.
Yesterday we celebrated by spending time with our daughter, Christiane, in Marblehead, Ohio along
Lake Erie. We were able to have a nice lunch with her at the Marblehead Galley and visited a nearby lighthouse. She brought her Ipad with hundreds of pictures of her recent trip to France. So, we stopped at a coffee shop and viewed her pictures of our French relatives while sipping on a cup of coffee. Of course, her pictures were not complete without some of the stories that were shared about her experiences on the trip. The time went by way too quickly as we wanted to head home before it got dark.
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Behind every good woman is a man
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Paul with Christiane, Patsy and Penny
Gail, Paul and the pups with Lake Erie in the background
Even after 47 years, both of us would say, "I do", all over again. It's amazing how God can use a blind date to bring us to this point in our life. We would like to close with a quote of
I Corinthians 13:13 from The Message:
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
Today is a special day in the lives of Paul and Gail Palpant as they are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. The 23rd of July in 1966 was the hottest day of the summer and, of course, the church had no air conditioning. Fortunately, we were married in the evening which made it a bit cooler. The ceremony took place here in Adrian at was then known as Grace Baptist Church.
We have certainly had a wonderful marriage filled with many special blessings. Always attempting to keep Christ at the center of our marriage has certainly helped us work through those difficult times which have occasionally crossed our path. It doesn't seem like we live in the same country that existed when we were married 47 years ago. So many things have changed since our wedding day. One of the biggest changes is our culture's view on marriage. Many people are not getting married, but just living together, and we have those who believe that same sex marriage should be allowed. However, God's plan for marriage is the best plan which is one man and one woman united in holy matrimony.
Speaking of changes, when we got married we didn't have a telephone, television, cell phone, computer, microwave, dishwasher, DVD player, or air conditioner. After eight months of marriage, we were able to buy a house in Hudson for $8,000. Since then we have built two homes, raised three children, assisted in building two churches and one school, and taken on many other projects, big and small. It may seem like a lot but we have enjoyed every minute of it, and it is the abundant life God had planned for us.
Yesterday we celebrated by spending time with our daughter, Christiane, in Marblehead, Ohio along
Lake Erie. We were able to have a nice lunch with her at the Marblehead Galley and visited a nearby lighthouse. She brought her Ipad with hundreds of pictures of her recent trip to France. So, we stopped at a coffee shop and viewed her pictures of our French relatives while sipping on a cup of coffee. Of course, her pictures were not complete without some of the stories that were shared about her experiences on the trip. The time went by way too quickly as we wanted to head home before it got dark.
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Even after 47 years, both of us would say, "I do", all over again. It's amazing how God can use a blind date to bring us to this point in our life. We would like to close with a quote of
I Corinthians 13:13 from The Message:
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Widows and Orphans In Distress
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27a
Every Tuesday Gail visits the Lenawee Medical Care Facility and has devotions with several of the ladies who are residents there. Some of them are not only having devotions but are now memorizing Scripture, one of whom is in her early to mid nineties. A lot of people say they are too old to memorize anything, but age is certainly not stopping these ladies. Today, Gail happened to visit Margaret for the first time and found out that Margaret is blind due to sugar. She said that blindness makes loneliness ten times worse. Gail then asked her how she passed the time. Christian radio was her response. She listens to Christian radio all the time and finds much encouragement to reduce the loneliness. Even though she is blind, she surprised Gail by pulling out a harmonica and playing it. She proclaimed that it is the smallest harmonica in the world. It appeared to be only about an inch and a half long. Gail always comes home very excited about the time she has spent with the various residents at the medical care facility.
While visiting with Clara, she introduced me to Jerry another resident. Jerry informed Gail that there are many lonely people in the facility and would love to have someone visit. Even though Gail goes to encourage and assist the residents, she receives multiple blessings in return. The above verse from James commands us to minister to the widows in their distress. May this be an encouragement to you who would feel the calling to visit those who are lonely.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
P.S. We finished painting our garage floor last Thursday and below is a picture of how it turned out.
Every Tuesday Gail visits the Lenawee Medical Care Facility and has devotions with several of the ladies who are residents there. Some of them are not only having devotions but are now memorizing Scripture, one of whom is in her early to mid nineties. A lot of people say they are too old to memorize anything, but age is certainly not stopping these ladies. Today, Gail happened to visit Margaret for the first time and found out that Margaret is blind due to sugar. She said that blindness makes loneliness ten times worse. Gail then asked her how she passed the time. Christian radio was her response. She listens to Christian radio all the time and finds much encouragement to reduce the loneliness. Even though she is blind, she surprised Gail by pulling out a harmonica and playing it. She proclaimed that it is the smallest harmonica in the world. It appeared to be only about an inch and a half long. Gail always comes home very excited about the time she has spent with the various residents at the medical care facility.
While visiting with Clara, she introduced me to Jerry another resident. Jerry informed Gail that there are many lonely people in the facility and would love to have someone visit. Even though Gail goes to encourage and assist the residents, she receives multiple blessings in return. The above verse from James commands us to minister to the widows in their distress. May this be an encouragement to you who would feel the calling to visit those who are lonely.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
P.S. We finished painting our garage floor last Thursday and below is a picture of how it turned out.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Old Has Gone and New Has Come
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old is gone, and the new has come!
II Cor. 5:17
We no sooner get home from our trip out west than we decide our garage cement floor needed a make over. Over the years we have slapped on a coat of latex paint to a point we had several coats that had been worn by the tires of the cars. Our neighbor, Duane Winter, is known for his immaculate garage floor. So, Paul contacted him to get his advice. He encouraged us to rent a machine that will strip off all the old paint before applying one more coat. This machine would take off all the old paint and reveal the original bare cement floor by rotating blades that cut through the layers of paint.
Last Friday we rented the machine and before the day was over we had taken all of the old paint off the floor. That was just the first step. Once we were down to the bare floor we had to take a degreaser and strong soap solution and scrub every square inch of the floor with a stiff brush to make sure that every square inch of the floor was clean. Following that, we had to thoroughly rinse the floor, and then remove all excess water with a squeegee. Once the floor was totally clean and degreased, a etching ingredient had to be applied to the floor and then thoroughly scrubbed with a stiff brush as well. All of this process will assure that the final application of paint will adhere better. Once the etching has taken place, another complete rinsing of the floor must be done. The excess rinse water needs to be removed for the squeegee.
Garage floor before preparation work has begun.
Before painting, the floor must be thoroughly dry. So, Paul has placed two fans in the garage and has them running continually for several days, moving them periodically. The conditions must be right for the application of the epoxy paint. One of those conditions is the humidity must be below 80 percent. Since the past few days have been very humid, we have chosen to wait until the humidity drops which will be toward the end of this week. We plan to include a picture of our garage floor after the make over has taken place.
As you can see, a spiritual application can be drawn from our garage floor project. The verse above speaks of being a new creation in Christ and the result is basically off with the old and on with the new. In order for us to do a proper refinishing of the garage floor all of the old paint had to go. Once that had been removed than we needed to make preparation for the application of the new paint.
When Christ comes into our life, the old things that cluttered our life are removed to make way for the new life that we have in Him. The old is gone, the new has come. The new floor will be so much more appealing than the old just as our life should be appealing to the point of drawing others to Christ.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
II Cor. 5:17
We no sooner get home from our trip out west than we decide our garage cement floor needed a make over. Over the years we have slapped on a coat of latex paint to a point we had several coats that had been worn by the tires of the cars. Our neighbor, Duane Winter, is known for his immaculate garage floor. So, Paul contacted him to get his advice. He encouraged us to rent a machine that will strip off all the old paint before applying one more coat. This machine would take off all the old paint and reveal the original bare cement floor by rotating blades that cut through the layers of paint.
Last Friday we rented the machine and before the day was over we had taken all of the old paint off the floor. That was just the first step. Once we were down to the bare floor we had to take a degreaser and strong soap solution and scrub every square inch of the floor with a stiff brush to make sure that every square inch of the floor was clean. Following that, we had to thoroughly rinse the floor, and then remove all excess water with a squeegee. Once the floor was totally clean and degreased, a etching ingredient had to be applied to the floor and then thoroughly scrubbed with a stiff brush as well. All of this process will assure that the final application of paint will adhere better. Once the etching has taken place, another complete rinsing of the floor must be done. The excess rinse water needs to be removed for the squeegee.
Before painting, the floor must be thoroughly dry. So, Paul has placed two fans in the garage and has them running continually for several days, moving them periodically. The conditions must be right for the application of the epoxy paint. One of those conditions is the humidity must be below 80 percent. Since the past few days have been very humid, we have chosen to wait until the humidity drops which will be toward the end of this week. We plan to include a picture of our garage floor after the make over has taken place.
As you can see, a spiritual application can be drawn from our garage floor project. The verse above speaks of being a new creation in Christ and the result is basically off with the old and on with the new. In order for us to do a proper refinishing of the garage floor all of the old paint had to go. Once that had been removed than we needed to make preparation for the application of the new paint.
When Christ comes into our life, the old things that cluttered our life are removed to make way for the new life that we have in Him. The old is gone, the new has come. The new floor will be so much more appealing than the old just as our life should be appealing to the point of drawing others to Christ.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Our Visit West
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
During the month of June, we drove to California to visit our son, Roger, who moved there in January. We drove for three reasons: (1) We didn't want to put Penny and Patsy in a kennel so they joined us on the trip. (2) We wanted to visit family in Colorado. (3) We wanted to take in some of the beautiful scenery across the west. As far as Penny and Patsy were concerned, we couldn't have asked for two better behaved pups. They didn't cause us any problems the whole trip. Our time with Roger and cousins in Colorado was very special. Roger took us to the San Francisco area and to Yosemite National Park as well as having us spend time at Lake Tahoe. On days when we were not sightseeing, we helped Roger around his condo. He had patios and a front door that needed some attention so we all pitched in and made them have a little more eye appeal.
As we drove toward Colorado to visit our cousins, we took in some amazing scenery in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Seeing God's creation in this way was one of the highlights of our trip. We toured Arches National Park in Utah and the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado. Both of these parks were spectacular! The massive rock formations and the magnitude of the scenery were difficult to capture with a camera. A camera can't begin to do justice to what the human eye can see. Standing and viewing God's handiwork puts you in awe of the power of God.
Once we arrived at our cousins' in Colorado, the scenery around their homes was just as spectacular.
Their homes are nestled among the mountains so that you have a tremendous view no matter which direction you look. We certainly enjoyed being with our relatives as well as drinking in the beautiful scenery that surrounds their homes.
Below are a few pictures from our trip.
Roger viewing the entrance of Yosemite National Park
Arches National Park
Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction
Penny and Patsy in front of our Colorado River campsite
That I may publish with the voice of Thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
During the month of June, we drove to California to visit our son, Roger, who moved there in January. We drove for three reasons: (1) We didn't want to put Penny and Patsy in a kennel so they joined us on the trip. (2) We wanted to visit family in Colorado. (3) We wanted to take in some of the beautiful scenery across the west. As far as Penny and Patsy were concerned, we couldn't have asked for two better behaved pups. They didn't cause us any problems the whole trip. Our time with Roger and cousins in Colorado was very special. Roger took us to the San Francisco area and to Yosemite National Park as well as having us spend time at Lake Tahoe. On days when we were not sightseeing, we helped Roger around his condo. He had patios and a front door that needed some attention so we all pitched in and made them have a little more eye appeal.
As we drove toward Colorado to visit our cousins, we took in some amazing scenery in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Seeing God's creation in this way was one of the highlights of our trip. We toured Arches National Park in Utah and the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado. Both of these parks were spectacular! The massive rock formations and the magnitude of the scenery were difficult to capture with a camera. A camera can't begin to do justice to what the human eye can see. Standing and viewing God's handiwork puts you in awe of the power of God.
Once we arrived at our cousins' in Colorado, the scenery around their homes was just as spectacular.
Their homes are nestled among the mountains so that you have a tremendous view no matter which direction you look. We certainly enjoyed being with our relatives as well as drinking in the beautiful scenery that surrounds their homes.
Below are a few pictures from our trip.
That I may publish with the voice of Thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
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