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