Oh Lord our God how Great Thou art

                               “ Let’s not just have Your picture on the mantle “

                                                              

                                                                                                                               Oh Lord our God how Great Thou Art

                                                                                                    From Thy ways may we never part

                                                                                               We long to have You in our heart

                                                                                                                                      Before each day we ever start

                                                                                                May we use Your Word as an example

                                                                                                    As Your lessons are pure and ample

                                                                                            Let’s not just have Your picture on the mantle

                                                                                                  But in our hearts and lives to be an example

                                                                                                                            The study of David has been rewarding

                                                                                                    Thanks for keeping such a recording

                                                                                             Lets keep You in our hearts for the Season

                                                                                                   Telling others that You are the Reason

                                                                                                                                                                            By Jim Thomas

 This poem reflects Jim’s heart ~ from his continued study in I Kings 2…………

King David was dying and it was time to place Solomon on the throne and establish his kingdom to make Gods Laws the center of his personal life and government. When David’s descendants failed to do this they lost the throne. God’s unconditional promise was that David’s line would go on forever. This was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.  

                                                                                                          

God requires: Walk in His ways….that the Lord may keep His promise to me: If your descendants watch how they live, and walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.             I Kings 2: 3..4

“My  own  writings”

The drive to the Christmas tree farm when our children were young was almost as exciting as the search we would make for just the right tree. The tree would be cut down, tied onto the roof of the car and off we would go for the exciting drive home. All were eager to" plant" the tree in front of the living room window for all to see.  The decorations and lights would be hauled in from storage and soon the tree was aglow with light.  The precious ornaments, collected over the years, were carefully hung and those special ornaments hand made by the children with such pride, appeared in special places all over the tree.  How quickly the gifts made their way to the tree.

            The manger scene with the Baby Jesus was always front and center underneath the tree - the star of our Christmas celebration, and a place of honor in our home and in our hearts, reminding us that Jesus is the reason for the season 

                                                                                                             

“for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”

                                                                                                                                                    Luke 2:11

“ Oh Lord our God how Great Thou Art.” This is the season that we celebrate Jesus as a Baby coming to earth. But He didn’t stay a baby and He longs for us to mature in His Love and share His plan of Salvation and eternal life with others.            Danna Thomas                                         

Oh Lord my God teach me each day.

  

 

     Oh Lord my God teach me each day,

And hear me Lord as I do pray

  I lift Your Name on most High.

Please hold me close that I may stay,

  On the path that leads to You.

So I may lead others to You today.

  I have nothing but myself to offer You.

But please accept my meager offer,

  To stay on the one road that leads to You!

                                   

 Jim Thomas

         Jim’s notes from I Samuel 20.

Think about how much control the devil had over King Saul. God saw to it that Jonathan would help his friend, David, escape death from his father. Loyalty is one of the strongest qualities of courage.

The Lord will be with us in the worst of times. We are all human; we need to stay close to our Lord. He will purify our hearts. Read and heed God’s word. We all need to get into God’s Word, the Bible, more.

 

“ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
         And He delights in his way.
  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
         For the LORD upholds him with His hand.”

                                                                                                                                                                             Ps 37: 23-24

                                                                                                 “My  own  writings”

When Jim and I moved to Lake California our youngest son, Ryan, had just married, and our youngest daughter, Sonya, had decided to move to Colorado. We were excited and felt the time was right for our own move and staying in the quaint little community campground made this adventure unique. Even more unique was living in our cute little 24’ trailer while our house was being built. Across the campground lived our new friends, Gary and Faye, keeping a watchful eye over us while their house was getting its finishing touches. It wasn’t long before they invited us to attend church with them at Lake California Community Church.

This congregation of lovely people welcomed us making us feel at home. While listening to Pastor Jim Bredow’s message from God’s Word we knew we were home. Looking  foreword to attending the little Community Church soon became an every Sunday celebration we shared with our new family.

Then it was Jim’s time to be called home with our Lord. Have you sometimes wondered, as I have, why God brings you into situations only to abandon you ~ leaving you alone?  Indeed, I was never alone. God has surrounded and encouraged me, and He will surround and encourage you, too.

Our Lord is ever with us.  He has promised never to leave or forsake us!

Dear Lord help me not to question the path You have for me, but instead help me to seek ways to serve You where I am ~ to do the work You have called me to do. Help me Lord to “Stay on the path that leads to You!”

Danna Thomas    

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart:        

lean not unto your own understanding.

                                                                                                                                In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He will direct your paths”. Proverbs. 3:5-6

  

Thank You for our caring Pastor

   
Thank you for our caring Pastor              
 The credit is to You our Lord and Master

      We think of him as our brother   

He helps us learn to love each other

       He tells us we are Your delight

As his example helps us live right

     We will live with You forever 

We know You will leave us never

     We’re glad he chose to follow You 

Through his teaching we will follow too

                                                Jim Thomas

Sketch by John Stewart


This portion of Jim's study in I Timothy 3 speaks of the qualities of a Pastor.

They must be above reproach, gentle and able to teach God’s Word.

"For a pastor must be a good man whose life cannot be     spoken against. He must have only one wife, and he must be hard working and thoughtful, orderly, and full of good deeds. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and must be a good Bible teacher.”                              I Timothy 3:2  (LNT)      

                                         “ My  own  writings”

As young children both Jim and I attended church with our parents. It was by God’s grace that we continued to attend church as adults. Over the years we have been blessed with the teachings of very special pastors. They spoke the truths found in God’s Holy Word, the Bible. They pointed us to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, Who shed His blood for us. Their lives were an example of a true servant honoring God in all that they did. They were very loving and not afraid to point you back in the right direction when you needed it.

Thank you pastors for your tender care, and for you, dear pastor’s wives, you have been such grand mentors in my life – Thank you!  It is through all your prayers and encouragement that I press on in seeking God's will for my life.

 

 “Through their teachings we, too, will follow.” I am so thankful 

                                                                                 Danna  Thomas    

“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it” .    Proverbs 22:6  (NAS)

From sin He rescued me

 

From sin He rescued me

     Oh that I could be like Thee

                One day we shall see His face

     Now we live because of Grace

Let’s decide to run the race

    God gives us strength to keep the pace

So Jump on board and ride the train

    And I’ll see you on the heavenly plain

Jim Thomas

       

 

                   Jump on board 

 

   Jim’s study of Eph 4 continues with Paul’s writings on the unity in the body of Christ. We are to "…put off the old self, do not sin, and forgive as Christ forgave…" We have been given Spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ for His Service. Our purpose is to strive to be more like Christ, show tender love and forgiveness, be an example to others and witness to others about Christ’s Love.

 

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the      fullness of Christ."           Ephesians 4: 11-13   (NIV)

                                             “My  own  writings”

            It wasn’t the train they jumped on board it was the church buses. During the time Jim maintained our church buses and drove them, many passengers were to "jump on board" as they traveled the road to spread the Word.  A favorite trip was the Annual High School Church Youth Choir outreach. Choir members would climb on board, and the adventure would begin as they headed out to sing and share God’s love. Our daughters, Tamera and Sonya, were part of this group chauffeured by their dad.  Dad also kept a watchful eye on his girls when they rode the buses to summer and winter camps. The journey was a joyful time for the students but also a time to study God’s Word and learn of His goodness.  For is it not the "goodness of God that leads to repentance?"  Romans 2:4

“God gives me strength to keep the pace.“ As I continue on this earthly journey I want to continue to love the Lord my God with all the strength He gives me that I may one day see His face.

                                Danna Thomas     

                  Love the LORD your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your strength.

   Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

                                   

 

 

To Live in God's Grace

To live in God’s grace

Let’s pick up the pace

And show of His Love

That comes from above

Let’s tell all we know

            Right down here below

Of our God on High

            In the sweet by and by

                                   Jim Thomas

 Jim's Study in Ephesians 3   Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus and to all believers everywhere, telling of God's power at work in us.  As with Paul we are also His designated messengers of the Gospel.

                  God’s Grace and mystery is revealed through the spirit of Jesus Christ.

 “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Amen.”                Ephesians 3:16-19

 

“My  own  writings”

Jim was one of thousands of men attending “Promise Keepers” meetings in grand coliseums across America.  Jim's objective was to always bring along a friend or family members.  A Forty-day Prayer Journal was included in the "Promise Keepers" resources, which challenged each one to pray for the “Sacred Assembly” scheduled for Washington DC. 

For each day the journal incorporated a Bible verse as well as a space for prayers of …

ADORATION:

"Praise and Thanks to You my Lord for Your Love, I praise Your Holy Name."

CONFESSION:

"Please forgive me of times that I forget You – Help me with my attitude."

THANSGIVING:

"Thank You for my health, my home, family and my job."

SUPPLICATION:

"Help me to be an example at work and to help and guide others."

Doors weren’t opening for Jim to attend the DC meeting, but through his writings in the Journal and the meetings he attended, God continued to draw him into an "exceedingly abundant" relationship with Himself.

“To live in God’s grace.” It is through God’s grace that I am saved. It is by God’s grace that I am pressing forward in His plans for me as I gather with fellow believers to study God’s Word. 

         Danna Thomas

                                                               

                                                                                                “For by grace you have been saved...it is the gift of God;”  

                                                                                                                                                                 Eph. 2:8                   

 Read more poems at: http://heavenboundpoems.blogspot.com                                                                                                                                                            

 

The Lord loves me and saved me

The Lord loves me and saved me.

    The Lord loves thee and will save thee.

Just follow His ways today

    And He will not let you stray.

This is really no mystery

  Just rely on God’s wonderful History

                                Jim Thomas
   

                                          This is really no mystery

 

        Jim’s study notes on Ephesians 2 reveals his heart, knowing that he was saved through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. He notes that Christ has created us to represent Him in this world.  We are made alive in Christ, that through His Grace we are saved. We have been created in Christ to do good works.

“ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.               Ephesians 2:19-22

                                                                                            “My  own  writings”

Building the hangar was another family adventure. Jim and the boys~ they would always be his "boys" ~ Kevin and Ryan, along with two of our Grandson’s, Zack and Erik, our son-in-law, Ray and  friends, including Michael and Dave, got together to build the hangar for the air plane. They had to have a plan and a foundation to build on. So it is with our lives, we need to work together as one in Christ, Who is our cornerstone.

In My Own Journey I want to be more aware of Christ giving His life for me.  “The Lord loves me and saved me.”  I want to strive to do good works and to walk in His ways. I am thankful that my Lord is always near to guide me each step along the way.                                         Danna Thomas

“The LORD will guide you continually,
 and satisfy your soul in drought…"

     Isaiah 58:11

Thanks Be Unto You Oh Lord

Thanks be unto you our Lord

       As we arm with Your great sword.

Thank you for giving us Your Word

      To turn to when we're acting absurd.

As we study Timothy and Paul

      Help us to learn to answer Your call.

We'll learn of Your forgiveness and love

     That You will send from above.

We will learn to follow You,

    And willingly witness to others, too!

Jim Thomas

         

          Jim’s poem is a reflection of a study of Timothy and Paul, and God's grace extended to Paul.  "Paul is thanking God for His forgiveness and blessings.  Paul admits to being a serious sinner.  In this study Paul mentions why Christ came, and then advises Timothy to keep his faith…" Mercy, grace, faith, love and patience have been extended by the King Eternal, Immortal and Invisible.

"Ihank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy…and the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant…This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.”                                                                               I Timothy 1:12-20

                                                                                              Amen

                                                             “My  own  writings”

“Thank you for giving us Your Word.”  Jim loved studying God’s Word with fellow believers from our little Community Church.  This group of men would trade off meeting in each other's homes studying a different chapter from a selected book of the Bible each meeting.  At the end of each Bible study the men were encouraged to write a summary of the chapter to share with everyone.  Jim chose to put his summary in the form of a poem.  Thus Jim left a treasure of poems.  I pray they will find a special place in your heart.

Just as the sky is ever changing, so that has been with my life.  As I continue My Journey I find that my Lord is always one step ahead of me in caring for my every need.  God’s love has carried me through rough times.  Like Paul I have received His forgiveness and love.  His grace is sufficient for me.                    Danna Thomas

                                                                                                                                           "My Grace is sufficient for you,

                                                                                                                                            for power is perfected in weakness ……"

                                                                        II Corinthians 12:9

Trusting God Along The Way.....

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                             “Trusting God” along the way

Missing Man Formation - flown by fellow pilots

     Praising Him come what may

He is our greatest guide

    Only in Him will I abide

   Place Him in your heart today

 In this way you will obey

  God's command to follow Him

            Make sure it's not on a whim

  I'll see you in heaven above

           Flying on the wings of a dove.

                                                     Jim Thomas

The above poem reflects Jim’s heart ~ from his study in I Kings 2.

 In David's words to his son Solomon, he charged him, saying,

"…Be strong, therefore and prove yourself a man, and keep"  

the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep

                                                                                His statutes, His commandments, His judgments,
                                                                               and His testimonies...that you may prosper in all that you
                                                                               do, and  wherever you turn…"

“My  own  writings”

Jim's first plane was absolutely a family affair, and when he decided to take the wings off and bring it home,
we were all amazed.  What a sight seeing this little plane on a trailer traveling up our long dusty driveway, a definite contrast to our horses, running alongside in the pasture.  Jim's shop on our Watsonville property became restoration headquarters for the next five years.

Our sons eagerly joined in the plane's restoration.  As time passed, however, their interest waned ~ it was after all a five-year venture.  It was Ryan who could still crawl into the fuselage to connect the cables to the elevators, ~ they are now both over six feet tall. Cars and motorcycles soon became the more available vehicle to challenge their mechanical abilities. Finally the pieces of our little plane were put in place, and it was even painted in our "restoration headquarters".  We were not surprised that it was in this little plane that both Kevin and Ryan would ultimately solo.

       

"Jim's Journey" begins with our life in Lake California, and is the expression of Jim’s love for flying.            Little did I know Jim’s last flight would begin my solo Journey.

                                                                                                      
                                                                                             "…Yet, I am not alone because the Father is with me."

                                                                                                                                                                                                          John 16:32

This grand adventure would be the impetus for the transformation in our lives that moved us ahead in our relationship with our Great God!  It is my prayer that through “Jim’s Poetry” and “My Own Writings,” you will be encouraged to dig deeply into God's Word to know the truth that He has for you.  

                                                                                                                                               Danna