Thankful Thursday

So very thankful today for The Giver and not the gifts!

James 1:17 tells us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father….”

B - Baby Jesus! I am thankful that God fulfilled his promise of sending his only son, Jesus
E - Everlasting Life! I am thankful for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice so that I may live in heaven

T - Turkey!
H - Health and Healing! Thankful for God's promise that all things work toward His good.
A - Abundance! I am thankful for the abundant blessings in my life
N - Neighbors and friends! My friends are a treasure in my life. Thank you!
K - King of Kings! I am thankful that my God is the King over all the world and all in it.
F - Forgiveness! I had a debt that I could not pay - Jesus paid the price - I am thankful
U - Umbrella of Protection! My family is under the protection of God. Psalm 5
L - Love! God loves us no matter what and I give thanks


Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4

Thankful Thursday

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer +Thanksgiving = Peace

Sometimes life just stinks. Clearly, the key is not just to pray though it, it is to pray with thanksgiving! Sometimes it’s hard to find things to be thankful for isn’t it? And I’ve realized that finding something to be thankful for, even if it’s just something silly, changes my focus from the things that are worrying me, onto the Lord who has covered and supplied ALL-MY-NEEDS!

Which is why Paul goes on to say:

“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if
there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians
4:8

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thursday: Thankful Thursday as I call it and I need find something to be thankful for today. It shouldn't be that hard! I feel that I am truly blessed in all areas of my life - and I have this promise from God that He will make my path smooth.
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.
I love this translation....I love the mental picture of God making my path smooth - He's a giant steam roller rolling over the bumppy path and behind him is a smooth road. Yes, there are still bumps and potholes and danger along the way....but those bumps are made a little bit smoother when I trust in God and acknowledge Him.

Lately, I feel attacks by Satan, him evil schemes. I think it is because God has a purpose, a plan, something big planned for me and Satan needs to get me to fail, feel guilty, and sin all in an attempt to thwart God's plan. I refuse to let that happen.

Do you know why Satan's tactics are called schemes in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11? A scheme is a plan, design, or program of action. Satan's schemes are well thought through plans specifically targeted to do three things:
1. To increase your desire for something outside the will of God.
2. To make you think giving in to a weakness is no big deal.
3. To minimize your ability to think through the consequences of falling to this temptation.
Satan is a master of keeping that cost hidden until it's too late. He delights in darkness.

Dear Lord, I am reminded that boldly following You is so much better than any short term experience that's not pleasing to You. Give me Your eyes so that I can see temptation and its many different faces. Thank you for already winning this battle. Thank you for declaring victory over Satan at the cross. Thank you for fighting on my behalf. Thank you for promising that Satan will be crushed: And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20 Satan will one day be under my foot and it is God who will put him there. Thank you for the victory.

Thankful Thursday

It is Thursday and am very thankful for a wonderful visit from Grandma. Grandma came to visit last week and leaves today. It has been such a joy to have her company and help around the house especailly with a new puppy. She will be missed! Thanks for coming to visit!

Grandma Brooke and Kate read an apple book to Tex:

Thankful Thursday

Since Brooke's diagnosis of hearing impairment, I have had an internal struggle about prayer. There are times I boldly pray that God will heal her; there are times I question whether I have "the right" to ask for healing: is it God's will? is it praying against God's purpose for her? is it okay to pray for to be changed?

There are times I pray for God to use her and her hearing loss without asking for healing. I struggle and those of you that know me, have heard me talk about this before. I pray that God will help her to learn quickly, to keep her hearing levels stable, for her to speak clearly.

But can I pray with boldness that God will heal her?

My Bible study for today (Thursday, Sept 16) led me to Lysa Terkeurst's website where she writes about praying boldly! It was a lesson I am very thankful for today. Here is a little taste of her message today:

"I have to admit I’m sometimes scared to pray boldy
It’s not at all that I don’t believe God can do anything. I absolutely do.
I’m wild about Jesus. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience.
Wild in my adventures with God.
So, my hesitation isn’t rooted in any kind of doubt about God.
It’s more rooted in a doubt about myself and my ability to absolutely discern the will of God. The reality is sometimes God chooses not to do things. And if His will is no- while I am boldly praying for a yes- it makes me feel out of step with God."

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for my husband. We have been married for 10 years and I am so grateful for the challenges, joys, arguments, and love we have shared! He is a talented professional, amazing father, and patient husband. Here are a few things I am thankful for today:

• he is a man of God and loves the LORD
• his family is always a priority
• he is respected in his profession
• he cleans the house whenever we have company over (maybe we need to invite more often)
• he loves his kids; is playful with them, teaches them, and disciples them
• he is a great kickball player
• God has gifted him with tremendous patience
• he is intelligent
• he is athletic
• he recognizes when I need a break (from my children, my home, my responsibilities) and offers me some time alone
• he takes great care of our home
• he makes me laugh
• he is generous and wise with our finances
• he never complains about the never-ending costs associated with Brooke's hearing loss
• he picks up dinner at Moe's when I am in need of some yummy nachos!
• he is a very handsome pirate

Thankful Thursday - The Joy of the Lord in my heart

What am I thankful for today?
Proverbs 15:13 says:

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

Thankful Thursday

"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

In November, we have a national holiday called Thanksgiving, when people celebrate all the things they're grateful for. Except we've gotten into the dangerous habit of taking it all for granted, even the sumptuous holiday meal. It is my goal to take the spirit of Thanksgiving and keep it all year long.

Life is just more fun when you're grateful, and you're more fun to be around.

Want to get more enjoyment out of life? Express gratitude to God more often! Be appreciative. Let others know that they matter to you. Say a silent prayer of appreciation when you get a morning kiss from your toddler, before you eat every meal, and for protecting your family throughout the day and His promise to protect throughout the night.

Thank God before you read the Bible, because you know that he reveals himself to you through his Word. Tell him you're glad for the specific ways he's helped you in the past, then thank him ahead of time for how he's going to help you in the future. That's putting your faith into action.

When you've had an especially bad day and have really messed up, tell God at bedtime that you're relieved it's finally over. Thank God for the gift of salvation because you could never make it to heaven on your own. Thank God that he loves you exactly same on a bad day as on a good day. Be grateful that when you ask God for patience, wisdom, and strength that He will provide it.

If you look for things to complain about, you'll find them. But if you look for things to thank God for, you'll find those too.

What I am thankful for today:

The cute things my kids say that make me laugh: like my son Jake saying, "Having a purse is better than having a wallet 'cause your money doesn't fall out."

Brooke's new therapy starting next week with a wonderful therapist, a great location, and perfect time of the day.

A great coupon my friend Stephanie gave me; saved $59! WooYoo

Band Aids...what would we do without Band Aids?

The attention-holding power of the Cinderella movie.

That my girls love to clean the house; they are mopping the floor as I type. Yes, I will have to go behind them with a large towel but none-the-less, the floors will be clean.

Turkey sausage links

God's beautiful creation - even the acorns.