By Ralph Waldo Emerson
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
By Micheal Dubina
Each day of life that dawns for me
Is dearer than it used to be
And I am more content, each day,
To live each hour a better way;
I want for less - and ask for less -
Of all that life proclaims is best
And find my greatest need, each day,
Is just to worship God and pray.
I'm getting old and very tired
Of chasing dreams that youth inspired,
And tired of chasing after goals
That lack rewards for heart and soul;
Today - I only strive to find
A simple peace of heart and mind
And try to make each dawning day
A bond of love to Heaven's way.
- Micheal Dubina; Submitted by Mark McWhorter. Mark may be contacted at mtmcvb@concentric.net
"Gratitude is not a spiritual or moral dessert which we may take or push away according to the whims of the moment, and in either case without material consequences. Gratitude is the very bread and meat of spiritual and moral health, individually and collectively. What was the seed of disintegration that corrupted the heart of the ancient world beyond the point of divine remedy...? What was it but ingratitude?"
- Noel Smith 
Outside my window, a new day I see,
And only I can determine what kind of day it will be.
It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.
For my own state of mind is the determining key,
For I am only the person I let myself be.
I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
Or be selfish and just think of myself.
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.
I can be patient with those who may not understand
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.
But I have faith in the Lord and believe when I say
I personally intend to make the best of each day.
- Author Unknown; via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert City church of Christ, Calvert City, KY. Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com
By Ralph Waldo Emerson For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
By Alexander Pope Our rural ancestors, with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain.
By Arthur Guiterman,
So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
