Penultimate

Every time that I am around our coaches, I learn something.  Coach Rainbolt was working with the Multi High Jumpers at the Heskett the other day and he let me sit on the bench for awhile.  I learned that there is a penultimate step in the high jump and that it is the “next to last” step.  I have always misunderstood the meaning of penultimate to be “the best” but the prefix “pen” means almost. It means “next to last”.

So, if there are two pieces of pizza left, the next to the last piece eaten is the Penultimate Pizza! 

The penultimate step in high jump is the key to jumping high.  The whole point of this step is to prepare to plant HARD and to maintain control over the speed of your approach and to bounce off the ground and launch yourself over the bar. 

May I suggest that there is a Penultimate step in finding a true and meaningful relationship with God the Father?  That step is Thanksgiving.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”  Psalm 28:7

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me. And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

“I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.”  Psalm 69:30

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were call in one body.  And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” Psalm 7:17

With that “Step” of Thanksgiving, we launch into Praise and Worship of God the Father, Almighty.

From Thanksgiving comes a joy in knowing that God is our Salvation.

From Thanksgiving comes a peace that He is with us always.

From Thanksgiving comes a heart of praise for who He is and all that He is to us.

May this Thanksgiving bring you the Penultimate in praising God and walking in a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus. 

Happy Penultimate!

Larry