Thankful Thursday

 

 

In case you haven't noticed, Christmas is coming

 

It seems like everybody wants to know what I want for Christmas

 

My kids are asking for gift ideas

 

But I've already been given the greatest gift

 

My Savior left His home in glory, came as a baby, lived among men for 33 years or so, died on a cross, and rose again

 

Now that's a gift worth receiving

 

And I'm so thankful I've been a recipient

 

As Jesus put it in John 11,

 

"Father, I thank You that You hear Me.  And I knew that You hear Me always, but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that You did send Me."

 

He understood that a grateful heart bears witness

 

It has the ability to move others toward belief

 

I have so much to be thankful for

 

I don't need any gifts, no fancifully wrapped presents

 

I just want those around me to believe that God sent His Son for them

 

For me, Christmas is about sharing the gift that's already been given

 

And as I reflect on that gift, I realize that I have no reason not to have an attitude of gratitude

 

So tonight I'm thankful for

 

a loving and loyal wife

 

early morning phone calls from my daughter

 

text pictures from my son letting me know his latest project status

 

Skype calls with my daughter and son-in-law (missed you this evening, Carl!)

 

friends who let me know they pray for me

 

songs that allow me to express my joy

 

God's word that is living and active

 

a job that I can enjoy going to each day

 

Opportunities to serve

 

a God whose ears are always open to my cries

 

Answered prayers

 

 

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

It is Thanksgiving evening

 

Today was refreshing and restful, filled with the blessing of family and friends

 

I thank God He has provided both in my life, and I'm grateful for those who fill both roles

 

I know there are many who don't consider their family as friends, so I feel privileged in that area

 

I also thank God for my spiritual family, brothers and sisters who support and encourage me in my journey toward knowing and serving Him

 

As I spent time today reflecting on God's gracious and generous provision, I realize how unworthy I am of His merciful investment in my life

 

I'm thankful He was willing to sacrifice His only Son for a sinner like me, paying the penalty of death I deserved to pay, offering forgiveness and new life

 

I'm thankful for the connection I had with our kids today, from the early morning phone call from Abigail as she drove to work, to installing a new handrail on our steps with Adam, to a family Skype call with Allison, Carl, and Abigail this evening.  So wonderful to build those memories

 

I'm thankful we could open our home to my little sister and Chris' parents today as we had a Thanksgiving feast together

 

I'm thankful for the music that filled our home today: piano playing, guitar playing, singing

 

Psalm 92 tells me that giving thanks to God is a good thing

 

declaring His faithfulness and lovingkindness should be regular activities

 

The fact of the matter is that but for God's grace I wouldn't have a home, or kids, or friends and family

 

I was on a path of destruction, with no hope.  Last evening, I heard about an acquaintance who took his life earlier this week.  He had lost hope, and gave up on life.  I remember dark days like that as a young man

 

I'm so thankful God rescued me out of that place of darkness and invites me to walk in the light of His love and enjoy fellowship with Him

 

He is an AWESOME God

 

His works are wonderful

 

His words are true

 

His ways are pleasant

 

He is worthy of all praise!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

For a few years now I have had the privilege of sending out daily verse texts to a number of men

 

There's something powerful about the word of God

 

It has been written by men, but they were led by God's Spirit

 

It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness

 

It is living and active and sharper than a sword

 

It is our defense and our offense against sin

 

It is eternal

 

I'm especially thankful for God's word, for the availability to read it in my own language, for its freshness and relativity to life

 

Thank You God for giving of Yourself through Your word

 

Thank You for teaching me and giving me an ability to understand

 

the verse I sent out this morning was from Proverbs 16:6

 

"By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil."

 

Thank You Lord for Your lovingkindness

 

Thank You for Your truth

 

Thank You for being a God who delights in reconciliation

 

Thank You for providing a way of escape when evil surrounds me.

 

If you are interested in becoming a recipient of my daily verse text, let me know  I will gladly add you to the list.  Investing in lives through scripture is one way for me to express my gratitude for all that Jesus has done for me.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

The weather has taken a turn and we've had some very damp and cold days

 

I'm especially thankful for a warm and dry house at this time of year

 

I'm not a big fan of spending lots of time in the shower, but lately that warm water has sure felt good.  Thankful for a water heater that works

 

With the cooler weather, the leaves are changing and dropping

 

Thankful for the colors of fall and for vision that allows me to take them in

 

I'm also thankful for the beautiful sunsets I've been able to enjoy on my drive home from work at the end of the day since the time change

 

I'm thankful for music, for songs that turn my thoughts toward God and His amazing gift of grace demonstrated through Jesus

 

My wife had a get together with a group of ladies the other evening, so I got to cook dinner.  I invited one of my neighbors to join me as well as another friend.  Thankful for good food and companionship

 

I'm thankful that I will get to see my son in just a little over a week.  Thankful for the resources to be able to fly him home for Thanksgiving!

 

Thankful for early morning calls from my daughter as she's leaving her house to drive to work

 

I've been meditating on verses from Proverbs 2, working on a new song from those words.  Thankful God is the source of wisdom

 

Thankful for opportunities to serve others.  Sometimes I think I'm too busy, but it is a blessing to just slow down and take time to look around, recognize needs, and reach out

 

I've been challenged lately by Jesus' words when asked what the greatest commandment was

 

Thankful that God loved me first, asking Him to give me an undivided heart in loving Him

 

Thankful for the reminder that God is always with me.  I've been reading through the Psalms, and can definitely identify with the psalmist crying out to God, sometimes wondering if He's listening, but so often seeing His hand of mercy responding to my needs 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

For the Lord gives wisdom;

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice,

and He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Prov. 2:6-8

 

I read these verses this morning

 

I'm thankful that I know the source of wisdom

 

and I know that He speaks words of knowledge and understanding

 

In John 10 Jesus said that His sheep hear and recognize His voice

 

So often I struggle with hearing

 

Like right now, my ears are ringing loudly

 

It's annoying and tends to affect my ability to hear other things

 

In the same way, there's so much noise, so many voices offering advice, and promoting some form of truth or wisdom

 

but they can be distracting me from the truth that God wants me to hear

 

I'm thankful God continues to patiently speak

 

I'm thankful He gives me His Spirit to guide and remind

 

There have been times lately when I wondered if I've become numb to His voice

 

Thankful Jesus' blood covers my sin

 

Thankful power lies not in my efforts but in His shed blood

 

Thankful God preserves and protects

 

Thankful for His unfailing love and His faithful fathering

 

Thankful that He calls me to a life of integrity, a life filled with promise

 

Thankful for the hope that one day Jesus will return to take me to my eternal home

 

Thankful that God's mercies are new every morning

 

It gives me confidence to face tomorrow