[ Back ] [ Up ]            2009 Articles 

 

 

Text Box: Seeds of Love                                                       February 2009  What a wonderful program to start the Seeds for Christ series for 2009.  January will have passed by and “love is in the air”, yep and when I start the programs for this year, “and there is music all around!”  Also by this time I am getting itchy to get back into God’s work.  The rest in January is great but it can’t compare to the smiles and gratitude seen on the individual faces.  So many times I heard in the past, “Thanks I needed this today.”  I always smile back and say, “That is why God had me come today.”  My friends I truly believe that.  Maybe that one-hour somehow helped them get through the day and as they think back, “God’s Love” comes to mind. Just a seed.  When I was beginning to schedule programs for February I was talking with an activity director at one of the homes.  She asked me what time would be best?  I told her, “which ever time more residents would be able to attend, for more seeds could be sown then!”  Here are a few quotations I found about seeds:  Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. -  Robert Louis Stevenson  A person who sows seed of kindness enjoys a perpetual harvest.   -  Anonymous  In every failure lies the seeds of success. -  Deepak Chopra  Here is a great couple quotations about love:  A group of professional people posed this question to a group of four through eight year olds, "What does love mean?"  "There are two kinds of love: Our love and God’s love. But God makes both kinds of them."  "God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn’t. That’s love."  Isn’t it amazing sometimes how kids understand so well, then as they become adults, “we sometimes don’t have a clue!”  Maybe that is why it states in the bible in the book of Matthew 18:2-3  And Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst, and said, Truly I say to you, Unless you are converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.  God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219 Text Box: Seeds of Fun                                                                     March 2009 Did you know that there is a time to laugh?  Well, it says in the Bible in Ecc 3:4  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; During the month of March the God’s Love Outreach Ministry will be concentrating on the laughter part.  We definitely need more than ever now, “a time to laugh!”  When I did a search on e-sword I found 16 verses that had the word laugh.  In Genesis the three verses (Gen 18:13, 18:15, 18:21) spoke of Sarah laughing when told she was going to bear a son being well up in age. The 14th verse in Genesis chapter 18 was what was most important.  Gen 18:14  Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the time appointed I will return again, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.  How true nothing is hard or impossible with God! I truly understand the calling to the elderly.  If you would look at all their faces when God is ministering to them, through me, you would see a lot of heads down, sleeping or medicated, and very few smiles.  I stop and think if I were in their place would I be smiling?  Because they are up in age and life has changed drastically how important that a message of fun is brought to them.  All the other messages are good, Love, Salvation (very good), Patriotism, Youth, Grace (Praise God), Music, Tradition, Thanks, and Celebration.  But Fun is so needed.  Just to forget for one hour how their body hurts, their mind forgets, their family forgets and hurts.  Just to laugh for a brief moment if possible. How many of us without facing those trials would love to laugh for just a little while?  To forget the loss of a job, a sickness we are going through, or a depression we can’t just shake.  Every now and then someone tells us a joke (clean one I pray) and the corners of our mouths raise ever so briefly. I think that is why I am so attracted to the reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond.  I still laugh even though I can almost repeat the dialogue before it is spoken.  Last month when I was presenting the program Seeds of Love there was a couple there younger than me.  They were married probably in their fifties or so.  When the program was over and I was visiting with the people they told me how much they appreciated the program.  I told them next month would be Seeds of Fun.  The woman told me how she will be looking forward for that one for her life is so hard now and has very little to laugh at.  You see her husband is now a resident there and she comes daily to see him. Always remember what Woody Allen said, “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose”. God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219 Text Box: Going, going, gone!                                           January 1st, 2009 How quickly the morning starts, and then the evening ends.  What we do in the in-between is what it is all about my friends.  Now I know what you are all thinking here comes another poem but no, even though it sounds good.  Maybe later on if the Lord so inspires.  What this report is about is the God’s Love Outreach Ministry, His ministry and the in-between for 2008.   What I am blessed and pleased to report is that for the 5th year His ministry has surpassed each previous in seeds planted.  The yearly theme is always Seeds for Christ.  As each program closes I count the individuals that have been blessed by His love and grace, through my obedience and love for Him.  2008 had some great benchmarks crossed.  It was the first year over 5000 seeds sewn in 10 months.  What is truly amazing, to me not to God, is it is over 1600+ than the first year and 2 months less.  Wow!  Had there been some disappointments along the way? Sure.  God is always testing our resolve.  Like the times I wasn’t feeling up to par,  had family problems or equipment problems.  But check out the numbers and you will see God came through.  He hasn’t let me, or His wounded down yet!  See He is perfect and we are not.   Also His ministry has been to 5 new facilities than in the past years.  The God’s Love Outreach Ministry has now been sewing seeds of His love in over 60+ homes/organizations.  This is how each yearly seeds were sewn; Grand Total 22125           773                         2008         5046         162                         2007         4839         154                         2006         4586         149                         2005         4323         162                         2004         3331         146  If I could sum up 2008 with just one short story, which is difficult to do, would be for me when I was asked by the activity director if I would visit with a man named Jim at Father Baker Manor who she said his health was deteriorating quickly.  After visiting with Jim, who is a professional magician, I asked him if I could pray for him?  He told me he was Catholic and with tears in his eyes said, “Oh yes, please do!”   I am so humbled when I think that God called me to His wounded and what an awesome responsibility as stated in the gospel of John 21:15-17, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Do you love me…Feed My sheep.”   I love Jesus and through this outreach ministry, His ministry, I will feed His wounded flock.  May you find a way to fill your in-betweens, with God’s work and love also. God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219 Text Box: Seeds of Salvation                                   April 2009 A friend of mine Paul has made this word mean so much more to me.  As he told myself and others previously the word Salvation includes all these other words in it; victory, prosperity, health, deliverance, help, defend,      deliver(-er), preserve, rescue, be safe, redemption, assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.  Wow!  So many of us just think of the redemption for our soul part.  I truly look forward each year to present this program for the God’s Love Outreach Ministry.  It is also called the Easter Story and I am being blessed as also the individuals that God is ministering to through me.  This program starts off with “the Lord’s Prayer” and ends with “the King Is Coming.”  The in-between is the wonderful Gospel message that is told through the scriptures.  Also there are (5) poems that the Lord has blessed me with.  This year the Lord blessed me with “Back to Calvary” poem that He inspired me with on the 9th of March that I have added for this years program. May you truly have a wonderful Easter and understand the importance of each of the words found through the grace of Salvation. God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219 Luke 23:33  And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on the right, and one on the left.  Back to Calvary  An angel of the Lord came and said to me, “I want to take you back to a place called Calvary.”  So back through time we went the Lords angel and me, back before all time that passed back to that special place, named Calvary!  Though I knew of this place from the Bible I did read, I was so excited to be there where our Lord died for you and me. As I stood very still with the Lords angel at my side, I really didn’t notice anyone but Jesus as He looked into my eyes. In my heart I felt His suffering, in my eyes I saw His pain, and through it all He smiled at me and then He said my name. I fell to my knees and said, “Lord so many just don’t see the love you have for all of us and the importance of this place, called Calvary.  E. P. Shagott                                    3/9/2009                                                  Text Box: Seeds of Patriotism                                    May 2009 I will always remember as a young man 20 years of age being stationed at Chambley Air Force Base in France and hearing that President Kennedy was assassinated.  Even though my main duty was clerical I also had to report to security when our base was on alert.  Being in a foreign land we did not know what was happening.  After being issued my rifle I was loaded up with many others in a truck and taken to the flight line where at certain places we were dropped off to stand guard each at our own post.  What was frightening to me was watching the truck speed off into the darkness and seeing the taillights fade out of sight.  There I stood in the dark all by myself.  I was more comfortable with a pencil in my hand than a rifle.  Was I scared?  Yep and asked myself at that moment, “Self, why did you enlist?” As I write this I am thinking of all the men and women that have been through so much worse, even given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Being an older man now if my country said they needed me I would do it again.  One thing for sure now is I know I would not be alone if in the same situation.  God is always there with us.   pa·tri·ot·ism (p tr--t z m) n. Love of and devotion to one's country. patriotism. a devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty. As we present the Seeds of Patriotism program, I am excited seeing so many of God’s wounded that are touched by this program.  Some maybe weren’t even in the military but they have one thing in common with those that were, “sacrifice!”  Too many of us today don’t even or want to relate to this word.  I am proud, humble and blessed to be able to ignite the flame that still lives in so many.  The same flame that left with so many that we honor on Memorial Day. I read in a email one time, “There are two that paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me.  The Solider for our freedom and Jesus for our Salvation!” God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219 Text Box: Sunday’s Coming Last month on Good Friday I was blessed to listen as the Lord was speaking through our Pastor delivering this message.  How awesome to see Catholics, Lutherans and Presbyterians together hearing that Sunday was coming.  My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ today is Tuesday and Sunday is coming.  How can we expect anyone to be excited about this if we are not?  Shame on all of us Christians that we do anything that would take that excitement from someone walking through the doors of God’s church!  Yes, God’s church, not ours.  We should just be a part of His church.  For quite a few years now I haven’t missed a Sunday at UPC.  Except for when I was on the PNC.  Even when the church was closed do to a storm I was there.  Believe me I am not bragging but it means a lot for me to know each week that Sunday is coming.  Many of you have seen my walk with Jesus strengthen through the years.  If I get this excited because Sunday is coming what about the hurting, confused and lost that walk through God’s doors?  How important it is for the person that just lost a job to know Sunday is coming.  Church is to be a place to share Christ with others.  Shame on us if because of our selfishness we prohibit that person from sitting in God’s pews where they come to ask, ”God what do I do now?” Just think about the new person that comes to God’s church and when we greet each other if we do not want to hug each other why would we want to hug them?  Where were we when our Pastor quoted Mark 12:30  and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. Mark 12:31  And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.  Now I know some might be thinking, “you haven’t been hurt like I have!”  This could be true but all I can say to that is “get over it! Put it behind you!  We can’t go forward until we all do.  Yes forward, “Onward you Christian soldiers!” Where were we when the Pastor spoke on forgiveness?  Were we listening? Ezekiel 3:27  But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah: He who hears, let him hear; and he who stops his ears, let him stop; for they are a rebellious house. Did we hear the Pastor when he quoted Jesus from Mark 11:25  Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. I don’t know about you but Tuesday is almost over and Sunday is coming.  Thank You Lord and praise You for Your church that I can come into to learn from what our Sunday School teachers have prepared through Your Holy Spirit to teach me from Your Word.  Thank You Lord for the message you have given our Pastor so it may bring me closer to You.  Praise to You Lord for the music that fills Your church and ministers to my current needs.  And thank You Lord for that person that You touched their heart to give them the courage to give me that special “hug”, that will help me get through the week until it is Sunday once more!  From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!  Ed Shagott       Text Box: Seeds of Youth                              June 2009 As I was pondering what I could share with you all in this article I was thinking of the elderly that this ministry, God’s Ministry, that He will be blessing with the Seeds of Youth program.  One woman from Greenfield was sitting in a wheel chair and tapping her foot on the floor moving her leg from side to side.  She told me she was recalling her dance steps from her youth.  A friend of mine from Lakewood, whom has recently, went to be with the Lord, told me she loved to roller skate as a teenager. Each one of these seniors always tells me stories of their youth.  It is something that always stays with us.  In the song “The Anchor Holds” there is a lyric line that states, “I have been young but I am older now.  And there has been beauty these eyes have seen!”  As I sing this song I look at each of God’s wounded and emotion fills my heart.  I was at Fox Run where a gentleman named George was singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic as I was putting my equipment away.  He is over 100 years young and told me, “I learned that song when I was young and still remember it.” So I am wondering as you are reading this, what do you remember back about your youth?  Good memories I pray.  If not all, maybe some.  I was telling someone recently that when I was a teenager attending the Union Presbyterian Church we had to go to the Lutheran Church nearby to dance for it wasn’t allowed at our church.  So as the Lord is blessing me by singing Rock & Roll this month at the nursing homes it will be taking me back to late 1950’s.  This program always gives me a way of “going back”! God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219  Going Back  Every breath we take is from the present thanks to God it does not lack. But every now and then there are times   I wished I could go back!    Back to friends and family and times that made me smile. Back to places I liked to visit oh yes, just for a little while.   Back to times when I felt at peace and also not so old. Back to see love ones that are gone, the ones we no longer can hold. But we know this wish can never be and God also knew from the start. So in each child of His, He gave them a special heart. A heart that will always hold memories with space that will never lack. All because of His love for us, He gave us a way to go back!  E. P. Shagott                                        Text Box: A friend of mine sent me this story in an email which I just had to share with others that lost a child or a loved one and is having problems dealing with the loss.  I know that pain. May this story touch you as it has me.                              The Heart "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..." "You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted. the surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, to see how much damage has been done...." "but when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy. The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next." "But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart." The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well." "You'll find Jesus there too.. He lives there." The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest Prognosis: here he paused, "death within one year." He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?" The Lord answered and said, "The boy, my lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow." The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?" The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has  done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb..." The surgeon wept... The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?" "Yes," said the surgeon.. "What did you find?" asked the boy. "I found Jesus there," said the surgeon. Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2009                                       Text Box: Seeds of (the mid year) Harvest                                    July 2009 As of this writing there are only (4) programs left to complete the first half of 2009 God’s Love Outreach Ministry schedule.  If you are into gardening and living in Buffalo you probably are not expecting too much harvest at this time.  But God’s growing time is year round.  His obedient servants plant the seeds and He nurtures them along with love and patience. The potential harvest is from 2715 seeds planted (individuals that have been blessed) from the 91 programs presented.  If this holds true for the 2nd half of 2009 it will mean God’s outreach ministry will have increased viewing each year since 2004.  Praise God! So some of you may be wondering what does the harvest look like?  Well, to be honest I can’t say for harvest means completed growing cycle and only God knows of that for sure.  But for me it is the countless stories and comments told to me by so many that appreciate and understand the true impact of His love.  It is also in the smiles, that for a lot of residents, takes extra strength, but they want to show that they appreciate someone taking the time to make their day better.  I truly believe strength is something you really appreciate especially once you have lost it.  Just think of all the unappreciated functions we're doing constantly and just expect it to be there daily in our lives; walking, talking, seeing, hearing, even just to eat something without assistance.   So I encourage you all to take time to thank God that you are able to walk freely.  Thank Him that you can be able to participate in conversation with others.  And as you lift that item to your mouth, with or without calories in it, you can do it without someone’s assistance.  So many of the 2715 can’t do any or all of these.  Yet they smile and say “Thank you” if they can.  The 2715 seeds planted are telling His wounded “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” May God continue to bless this, His Outreach Ministry, and touch the hearts of the caretakers to bring more to the programs for His blessings through scripture, pictures, song and His love that flows through my obedience and love for Him. God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219   The Tiny Seed of Love  I am a tiny seed of love with no place to grow. I wait for someone to plant me in a place I can call home.  It doesn’t matter where I’m planted for my job is always the same. I am to grow and fill with love in the heart where I will always remain.  But before this can happen you must do your part. For I can not be planted, until you release me from your heart. It only takes something little like a smile, a word or even a touch. Yes, just something as simple as these to a person can mean so much.  So if you think you can help me, before I begin there's something you must do. Please search your heart thoroughly, for love seeds can only be planted if they are “true!”  E. P. Shagott  7/2/09                                      Text Box: Seeds of Grace                                     August 2009 All the month of August this ministry, God’s ministry, will be presenting from the Seeds for Christ series, Seeds of Grace.  Within the program there are several worship songs which one is titled Mercy and Grace.  As I was preparing to write this article I was doing a search on the Internet as to what God’s Grace encompasses.  I found the following: God’s Holiness Leviticus 11:44  ‘For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. God’s Truth Psalm 19:9  The fear of the Lord is clean,       enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. God’s Righteousness Psalm 96.13    He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in faithfulness. God’s Justice Psalms 89:14  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. God’s Goodness Psalms 107:1  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting God’s Love 1 John 4:9-10  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God’s Mercy Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. In her book, When God Steps In: Stories of Everyday Grace, Bonnie Bruno writes about 50 real people from all walks of life who share their personal experiences of "everyday grace."  She said, “God longs to become involved in the details of our daily lives, not just called upon when we desperately need a miracle.”  In writing about the readers of her book, Bruno said, "I prayed that they would understand the unmistakable change that takes place when we allow God to mend a broken heart, forgive the unthinkable, guide a critical decision, or change a stubborn mindset.” All of this because of His Grace for us.  As the hymn states “Grace, grace, marvelous grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin!”   God’s Love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219                                     Text Box: Seeds of Music                                              September 2009  "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." William Congreve  As I was preparing to write this article the above quote came to mind.  Like a lot of other people I thought the quote was beast rather than breast, but wrong again.  As the God’s Love Outreach Ministry presents this program I reflect back on the 5 ½ years God’s Ministry has been soothing so many that desperately need His reassurance that He is still there and still God.  It is written;  Psalms 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.   September is a beginning for a lot of things.  School, Fall and of course the remembrance of 9/11/2001.  If only we could of soothed the savage beasts on that day. What I often think about is even the worst offenders past, present or future had, has, or will have one thing in common.  Just like all the good ones they were once children at one time in their lives.  For sure as kids we have mainly one thing in mind, having fun and innocence.  I will always remember seeing a picture an interim pastor brought back from his mission trip to Mongolia.  It showed children sitting in a circle playing with stones, each one had a big smile on their face.  It is written in the bible;  Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  I truly believe Jesus was talking about the pure essence of innocence.  Kids all over the world have one thing in common, innocence.  The world has not yet filled them with Satan’s lies.  That is also why it is written in the Bible;  Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  Ever since the God’s greatest creation, man, God has given us the ability to choose.  Right or wrong, good or bad.   One of the songs that is presented to His many wounded in the Seeds of Music is Stevie Wonder’s song from the 1980’s, “I've Just Called To Say I Love You”, and as I am singing it I am asking the Holy Spirit to touch each one so they can understand that is God’s message to them.  For now at their point in their lives choice is very seldom up to them.  That is why the Seeds for Christ programs are so important, because the message is and always will be about His love for them. God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219                                     Text Box: Seeds of Tradition                                               October 2009 OK, one month of school is over so now time for a quiz! What do the (13) items below represent?  I will give you part of the answer now; they all mean “in the tradition of” in various languages. No I didn’t know that I had to look it up on the internet.  1)   ifølge traditionen for (Danish) 2)   traditie, overlevering (Dutch) 3)   dans la tradition de (French) 4)   in vielem an ... erinnernd, ... folgend (German) 5)   ακολουθώντας την παράδοση του.. (Greek) 6)   nella tradizione di (Italian) 7)   na tradição de (Portuguese) 8)   по традиции (Russian) 9)   siguiendo la tradición de (Spanish) 10) 按照...的传统 (Chinese-Simplified) 11) 按照...的傳統 (Chinese-Traditional) 12) 伝統で (Japanese) 13)  ומעשיו של הנביא מוחמד שאינם מובאים בקוראן (חדית') (Hebrew) All this month the God’s Love Outreach Ministry will be presenting from the Seeds for Christ series, the program Seeds of Tradition.  The program is made up of all the older church hymns.  As I look at the (13) different languages above they all have the same thing that we have here in the US, “tradition!”  We’ve all come a long way and at various times through life’s journey, we passed something along that we knew in our hearts, we did not want to lose.  I will always remember my mother, (my best friend) collected salt and peppershakers plus cups and saucers!  She loved them!  When she went to be with the Lord my brother in North Carolina got the s&p shakers and I got her cups and saucers.  If you walk into my kitchen today you will see them “proudly” displayed on the kitchen wall.  My mother also had items that her mother had and she handed those down to her son’s as well. As the God’s Love Outreach Ministry, His ministry, ministers to the elderly I know how much they enjoy the old traditional hymns.  Just think at one time long ago even the old hymns were new at one time.  Probably before those were something “traditional.”  In the bible, 1Chronicles 15:16  And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to choose their brothers to be the singers with instruments of music, lyres, and harps, and cymbals, sounding by lifting the voice with joy.  Yep, I bet at one time that was tradition!  Just like what is “new” today will one day be “traditional” to someone else.  But I truly understand also that for it to be traditional it has to have meaning to the one or ones it was passed down to.  On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses; Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me… God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219                                     Text Box: Seeds of Thanks                                   November 2009 During the month of November the God’s Love Outreach Ministry will be presenting Seeds of Thanks from the Seeds for Christ series.  One of the songs in the program is “Give Thanks.”  Have you ever noticed that as the years roll by it appears we do less and less of just saying “thanks.”  I guess the “me society” or “I society” which ever you want to call it believes “we have it coming!”  Well, I believe we better be careful or we’re going to get it!  I thought it would be interesting to take a look at this song.                 GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART Sometimes this is hard for people to do.  If you don’t have a grateful heart you are going to find the word thanks hard to say. I found as my relationship with Jesus strengthens my grateful heart increases.               GIVE THANKS TO THE HOLY ONE  I quote to all that I meet the Psalm 23:1  (A psalm by David.) You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. (CEV)  Now if you understand that then you want to give thanks.  Last month in one of the presentations I use the quote, “A rich man is not one who has the most, but one who needs the least!”  My friends I am now a rich man.             GIVE THANKS FOR HE HAS GIVEN                                         JESUS CHRIST HIS SON This to me is Christianity 101.  John 3:16 (in the Amplified Bible) states it this way, 16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.           AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG When I first was singing the song “Give Thanks” I thought they were referring to strength.  How could someone weak be strong?  But now I understand to me it is speaking about spiritual strength.                     LET THE POOR SAY I AM RICH Proverbs 13:7 There are those who act rich, yet have nothing; and those who act poor, yet have great riches.             BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE       FOR US GIVE THANKS Ever since the mid 1990’s I started writing poetry.  So far the Lord has blessed me with over 100 poems.  This is one of the early poems that He gave me, and so fitting for “giving thanks.”  Thank You Lord I thank You Lord for giving life to me I thank You Lord For the earth, the sky, and the sea. I thank You Lord For showing me all that’s good I thank You Lord For giving me a livelihood I thank You Lord For always caring for me For when times get hard And seem so hard to bear I thank You Lord For always being there!                                E. P. Shagott God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219                                     Text Box: Seeds of Celebration                         December 2009 It is hard to believe that this will be the last program presented for 2009 from the Seeds for Christ series.  The year starts off with Seeds of Love and ends with Celebration. In all reality this program should be first for it all begins with the birth of Jesus. For a lot of people Christmas is a stressful time, shopping in crowed stores, spending more than you can afford, eating more than you should, too many decorations to put up and later put away.  The list goes on.  Also for many the thought of loved ones that we can no longer spend Christmas with brings its own pain. A lot of people are alone at this time of year, some going through sickness or depression.  How can we celebrate with all that? Easy is my answer, for it is not about us.  It is about Jesus Christ who came as a human baby, walked this earth for 33 years, never sinned and to His Father’s mission stayed true.  He did all that and He was crucified for it.  Celebrate, yes, celebrate Jesus celebrate!  See people celebrate because they are happy.  Also in victory we celebrate.  Well for me Christmas was the start of the victory.  Christians we win!  Revelation 20:10  And the Devil who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were . And he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Praise God the battle was already won and as Jesus told the thief next to Him on the cross, Luke 23:43  And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.  That is what He is telling each one of us today. It doesn’t get any clearer than what was written in John 14:6, Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.  In last months program I used a quote from a child in question to “What is love?”  a 7 year old said, “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen!”  Please take time this Christmas to stop and listen.  As stated by the prophet Isaiah  in chapter 9 verse 6  For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Take time to understand the true meaning of Christmas, yes not a happy holiday as some want to call it, but a celebration as we sing “Silent Night”, “O Holy Night”, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “What Child Is This”,     this, this is Christ the King, the babe the son of Mary! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May this Christmas be the start to bring you closer to Him than ever before, “Merry Christmas!” God’s love and mine to you all, Ed Shagott Founder and Director God’s Love Outreach Ministry Union Presbyterian Church Blasdell, NY 14219