Finding Thankfulness...

"Finding Thankfulness" by Proverbs 31 Ministries...

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."
Psalm 145:7 (NIV)


In the American tradition, today is an official day of thanksgiving - a day to reflect on, celebrate and express gratitude to God for our blessings. Many will gather with family and friends … perhaps by candlelight, or firelight, or the light of a TV screen broadcasting parades and football games. Many will eat turkey - some hot and moist, and some slightly overcooked and dry, but well-rescued by gravy or cranberry sauce. And many will acknowledge Who provides both family and friends, as well as food and fire.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, every day is a day to give thanks to God. In fact, each day that the Lord allows us to draw breath is cause to give thanks. Have you thanked Him today?

Have you praised His Name?

Perhaps this day finds you in a tight spot. Maybe this hasn't been your week, your month, or even your year. Maybe you're having trouble seeing what you have to be thankful for. How about your heartbeat? How about the sun that rose today to illuminate and warm the earth? How about the clothes on your body, or the food in your cabinet?

Take a moment to absorb the great gift that the forgiveness of your sins and the purging of your guilt through Jesus Christ is. And the fact that a day is coming when there will be no more sickness and no more tears. That's cause for deep gratitude.

One thing I'm giving thanks for today is my Bible, which is the living, active Word of God preserved for me and you. It teaches me to count my blessings and focus my mind on the gracious loving kindness of God. The Psalmist David leads me to do that through Psalm 145. Let me leave you with his words today, to jumpstart your own Thanksgiving.


A psalm of praise by David
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty-
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works-and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

~ Psalm 145 (NIV)


Dear Lord, today I want to say thank You for my life. Thank You for the chance to feel sunshine, to taste fruit, to swim in water and to watch lightening. Thank You for my home and family, my church and friends. Thank You for the chance to know and serve You, now and eternally. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Taylor Swift...

I discovered I like Taylor Swift. I have started to listen to her songs, never really had before.I know I am behind the times ha..I know most like her, some dont. I dont mean to write this as a controversial post...I never know what will be controversial or not these days LOL..sometimes I write things on my status "just sayin" and it turns into this big controversy ha!

Is she a Christian? because in her Christmas song, "Christmas must be something more," she says "....Is that the day holds something special; Something holy, not superficial; So here's to Jesus Christ who saved our lives; It's something we all try to ignore; And put a wreath up on your door; But here's something you should know that is for sure; Christmas must be something...." That is awesome she says that! Does she write her own songs?

And I like "Love Story" especially going along with "Letters to Juliet" movie. :) I listened to "Never Grow Up" and I cry my face off .... lol I just listened to "Mean" That is an interesting song. Sad but true about some people...except I did think if she did write that song, she must be really mad at the person she is singing about.

Here are the links to those songs...

"Christmas must be Something More"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWhn9UkIiZw&feature=related

"Mean"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CPrzNr1b14

"Love Story"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlNI7Tw9gc

"Never Grow Up"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiLp1AqtIwI

What it means....

to be a mom........like a crockpot?

read this little article. It's good and true :) http://www.professorshouse.com/family/children/what-it-means-to-be-a-mom.aspx

and some dont apply to me yet, like going to school, but I can imagine and agree ;)

I love being a mom :)



"The phrase " working mother " is redundant." -Jane Sellman- haha true story!

never leave you...

wow. i have slacked in my committment to blog everyday.....oh well cant go back. ha well these kind of verses have been in my devotions and it is great comfort, these in particular were today:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ( Philippians 4:6 )

The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ( Proverbs 15:29 )

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 )

For your Heavenly Father always knows what is best for you, and; He will never leave you nor forsake you. ( Deuteronomy 31:6 )

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, for He will always hear the prayers of those who love and adore Him! ( 1 Chronicles 16:8 )

I am thankful that God will never leave me nor forsake me, no matter what happens!

Grateful

I have posted this on facebook before, but go to http://bowensheart.com/ Read about Matthew from Sanctus Real band and his family..his little boy who has a heart problem and other issues, who have been in the hospital for month(s)...their faith is inspiring.

I am thankful. I am thankful for a healthy child. I am thankful for God's protection. Matthew gives great insight and encourgement through his raw emotions and conversations with God, what he has learned and what is learning through this journey. I cant imagine. I do know that the greater the trial, the greater the grace God gives. His mercy is new every morning.

I pray that I have that faith and ....I dont know the word I am looking for....but its good to read about other people's stories and their learning and faith through it.

Held

I like these pictures.

God is in control. :)

He holds us in the palm of his hand.

"I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." -God. Isaiah 49:15


Some encouraging thoughts for me..and you, I hope!

NaBloMo!

It is National Blog Month apparently and I am going to blog everyday :) It also goes along with the thankful theme of November and the 30day giving month :)

God is good.
I am blessed.

Today a mom gave me some adorable baby girl clothes. She has 4 girls...I obviously dont have ANY girl stuff! ha
That was very thoughtful of her to give me some :) I cant wait for Emma to come and wear cute clothes ha that sounds funny...I just cant really picture it well because I dont have a girl. Cant wait for that part though - dressing her up in cute little outfits and dresses :) and little hats! :)

Stop and Think.

I came across this video.... http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_stop.html ...the author of "Crazy Love" Francis Chan...i saw someone's status with a quote by him and i decided to look the book up. I am definitely getting it....going deeper with God....this video is actually talking about the awesomeness of God and how crazy amazing it is that the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE loves you and me....

He says "Despite everything you have done in your life. God still loves you. He doesnt want punish you. In fact in the greatest act of love ever, God himself had His son come down on the earth, take the form of a man, and be nailed to the cross. you see Jesus was taking the punishment for our sins. If no one was punished, God would have been unfair because a crime was committed. but the crazy thing is you and I are guilty. We are the ones who messed up but God had His own Son punished for us. WHY? The bible says its because He loves us THAT MUCH. This is the most amazing truth in the world. the GOD of the universe loves you. I used to think I understood the love of God..." ....then he talked about seeing his daughter nailed to the cross...just think the God, the creator of the world went through that...amazing....creator of ALL OF THIS...loves me..and you...makes life worth living.
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It is so true...like we take so much for granted...just because...but it is really amazing if you stop and think about it. God didnt have to create us. He didnt have to save us...but He did...