I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Saturday morning, the 23rd of December, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start with Proverbs 28:20:

"A faithful man will abound with blessings..."

Then we go straight to Ephesians 1:3:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..."

My wife Jill heard a little quotation from some anonymous person: "If you want pleasant thoughts, count your blessing, not your cash."

I want to read you a prayer that was re-written as a song by Jim Reeves, the Farmer and the Lord:

While resting the other evening by the side of the road
I saw an old farmer in the field that he just sowed
His face was all brown and wrinkled from the sun and the wind
And he was talking to the Lord just like he'd be talking to a friend

Well sir, he said with his voice calm and quiet
Them corn tassels need stackin' I got no strenght to tie it
Had no rain in so long that the fields are mighty dusty
And it's been so unbearable hot that the kids were even gettin' fussy

Now that grass down and the pasture it should be knee high
If we could just have a little shower Lord
It might keep the calf from going dry
Oh but listen to me talking you'd think I wasn't grateful
Why if you didn't know me so well Lord
You'd think I was down right hateful

You'd think I frogot about that new calf that you sent
And the money in the mail that took care of the rent
Mama's cold better and Johnny's home from the navy
And that good Sunday dinner of chicken and dumplings and gravy

And that new preacher you sent us Lord he's sure a fine young man
Why he's just convertin' them sinners to beat the band
Well guess I'll mosey on home now Lord
I won't take no more your time

Guess there's plenty folks here about waitin' to ring your line
Evening to you Lord and watch us over tonight
And don't you worry about us now Lord
'Cause everything is gonna be all right

Jesus bless you, and have a lovely day. Goodbye.