Thankful Thursday

 

 

I recently finished up my study through the gospels which took most of 2018 and began reading through Acts

 

It has been interesting reading about the early church and to see how the disciples were affected by the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit

 

they became bold in proclaiming truth and able to show compassion through the gifting of the Spirit

 

I'm thankful for the growth that came through the message of salvation

 

It allowed Christianity to spread throughout the inhabited world

 

I'm thankful God continues to pour out His Spirit on those who believe

 

I'm thankful God loves His bride, the church

 

I'm thankful for the message of redemption we have been given

 

I'm thankful God continues to bring reconciliation, and grateful He is a changer of hearts

 

As I near the end of another year, and reflect on what I've seen God do this past year, I'm very thankful for the ways He has brought change in my life--physically, spiritually, and emotionally

 

Never would have guessed at this time last year I would be where I am

 

But I'm grateful for the people He has brought across my path this year

 

I'm thankful for His gift of forgiveness, and the ways He has challenged me to be repentant and seek forgiveness as well as extend forgiveness to others

 

I'm praying for greater boldness in 2019

 

Christmas is a reminder of God's amazing gift to the world in sending His Son to be our Savior

 

I'm thankful God knows my need, and is not slow to respond to my needs.

 

I'm thankful for Jesus' life and ministry as He walked this earth.

 

Thankful for His promise that His followers would continue that work

 

I'm thankful for new opportunities He is opening up for me, and thankful for my wife who continues to be my cherished companion and ministry partner.

 

In 2 days, we will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary.  By God's grace we have weathered life's storms together.  I'm thankful for the love that continues to grow in our relationship. 

 

I'm grateful for the joy He gives us in this journey.  Family is a major contributing factor to that joy.  And I'm thankful for the joyful moments we have shared as a family throughout the year, but especially in these last couple weeks as we celebrate Jesus together.

 

I'm thankful God's amazing grace knows no limits and His mercies are new every morning!

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I'm thankful for holidays

 

It's an opportunity for families to gather

 

I'm thankful to have most of my family here in our home again

 

and thankful my daughter, Abigail, will be arriving with her boyfriend soon as well

 

I'm thankful for meaningful and challenging conversations with my kids

 

thankful for the way they are processing life and examining issues

 

I'm thankful for the shared interest in woodworking I have with my son, Adam, and for time together in the shop

 

I'm thankful for bonding time with my grandson, Hudson.  We took a nap together this afternoon!

 

I'm thankful for music, and the chance to play and sing together as a family

 

I'm thankful for a warm and dry house.  It's been a rainy, dreary day, but inside there's been a lot of warmth, love, and laughter

 

I'm thankful for Jesus, the priceless gift we celebrate at Christmas

 

Thankful He humbled Himself to become a man and live among sinful people

 

Thankful He gave us an example of how we ought to live

Thankful He went to the cross, becoming the sacrificial Lamb in payment for my sin

Thankful He lives today, exalted on high, worshiped by the angels

Thankful for the hope that He has promised to return to take us to our eternal home

Thankful for grace, the means to my salvation

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Sometimes God has to protect me from my own stupidity!

 

And I am so thankful for His intervention

 

He knows my needs before I even ask

 

He understands that there are times when I don't know I need to ask

 

Yesterday was an example of this, and I am so grateful God had me covered

 

I made some purchases at Home Depot

 

One of the items was a 12' section of handrail

 

Upon getting out to my vehicle, the handrail, which was on top of my pile of purchases went up on top of my extension ladder on the roof of my van

 

I planned to strap it down after I loaded the other items into the van

 

That didn't happen

 

Out of sight, out of mind

 

I proceeded to drive to my jobsite, about 5 miles away, in the city

 

I worked there for 45 minutes or so, and then headed to my next site

 

I jumped on the turnpike for 6 miles or so, driving 70 mph

 

When I arrived at that site, I began unloading my materials

 

It was at that point that I remembered the handrail, and realized that I had not strapped it down as I had intended to do.

 

With a bit of fear, I looked up at the ladder where I had placed it

 

There it sat, just where I put it, with nothing but God's hand holding it in place

 

To say that I was thankful is very much an understatement

 

In those brief seconds before I saw it was still there, I had visions of it flying off and hitting a vehicle behind me, possibly going through someone's windshield

 

The end result could have been terrible, but God reminded me that He was there, watching over my circumstances like always, and on this occasion, sparing me from the pain of causing any kind of damage to anyone or anything other than my pride

 

I'm thankful for those times when God introduces humility in gentle ways

 

I'm thankful for His reminders of how desperately I need Him

 

He is faithful; I am grateful!

 

another area of God's faithfulness is His ongoing willingness to forgive

 

I've been challenged with my need for repentance recently as I read through the gospel of Luke

 

I'm very thankful that Jesus came "to save His people from their sins."

 

I'm thankful for the forgiveness that results when I confess my sin

 

and I know agreeing with God about my sin is an area I need growth in

 

I can come up with lots of excuses for not repenting, but as the psalmist said, keeping silent about my sin just compounds the consequences and makes me miserable

 

I'm thankful for the healing that results from acknowledgement

 

I'm thankful for the cleansing blood of Jesus and for the opportunity to now walk in the light with God because of His death on the cross

 

Thankful that I can experience the newness of life offered to me because Jesus died and rose again

 

Thankful that someday I will see Him face to face, and worship Him forever

 

Until that day, may I be faithful to worship Him in my everyday experiences

 

Just this evening, I was asked why I write these Thankful Thursday posts.

 

I referred to the 10 lepers who came to Jesus for cleansing.  When they experienced that cleansing on their way to the priest, one returned to express his gratitude.  Jesus response was to ask where the other 9 were.

 

I don't want to be guilty of being one of the 9

 

This leper has experienced cleansing in so many ways, and I want to continually remind myself of the many things I have to be grateful for.

 

I'm just one leper letting other lepers know I know Who deserves the credit for my cleansing

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I met with my protégé last evening

 

we were talking about grace

 

specifically about extending the grace we have received to those around us; especially our wives

 

I am very thankful for the grace God has shown me

 

thankful for salvation that comes by grace through faith

 

I'm thankful for God's word and the opportunity to study it together with other men

 

It was encouraging and challenging to do that last evening

 

I'm thankful for the opportunities God has given me to invest in others

 

One of those opportunities is coming up on Saturday when I will be using my musical gifts to participate in a funeral service

 

I'm honored to be asked to do this, and grateful for the relational growth that comes out of it

 

Often in these situations, I don't feel worthy

 

But I'm thankful God chooses to use me as His servant, not based on my worth, but based on the redemptive work of Christ's shed blood on the cross

 

Because I've been washed clean, He sees me as righteous

 

Thankful for the mystery of His transforming power

 

and so grateful He called me out of darkness into His glorious light

 

I'm thankful for those who walk this journey alongside me

 

as we talked last evening, one of the verses we looked at was in 1 Peter 3 where we are told as husbands that our wives are fellow heirs of the grace of life

 

So thankful for my wife, thankful she is also my sister in Christ

 

grateful for the conversations we can have about faith

 

as we trust God in this new season of our lives, and seek His direction for how we can serve Him as a couple, I'm thankful we have a shared vision

 

the road ahead may be uncertain, but I'm thankful for the confidence that we will walk that road together

 

I'm thankful for the many ways God has poured out His blessing in my life

 

His mercies are new every morning

 

He is compassionate and gracious

 

He does not look on my needs with reproach, but gives generously

 

and He calls me to follow His example and be generous in my responses to others

 

I'm thankful for His patience with me when I stumble along

 

And grateful that He continually upholds me with His righteous right hands

 

I'm very thankful that a day is coming when I will see Jesus and God the Father face to face and forever be in awe of Him and worship Him as He truly deserves

Thankful Thursday

 

 

God is faithful

 

That's been a theme I've been able to focus on throughout this past year

 

It's Thanksgiving Day, a day set aside in our country as a day of "thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens"

 

As I took time today to reflect on the many ways God has demonstrated His grace to me this year, I'm humbled that He has chosen me to be His son, an adopted member of His family

 

I'm so thankful God delights in reconciling people to Himself

 

Thankful He sent Jesus to purchase redemption for me!

 

I'm grateful that redemptive work is ongoing, that God patiently molds and shapes me

 

Having an empty nest with kids scattered all across the country makes for a different feel around the holidays, but I'm thankful for a quiet day with my precious wife.  I'm so thankful for her and the life we share together.

 

When I lost my job at the beginning of this year, I had no idea what the road ahead would look like.  It had been over 20 years since I had to look for a job, or have an interview. 

 

But there was no sense of panic.  I fully believed that God had something for me and that in His timing, He would open that door and provide clear direction to walk through it

 

As I explored options, and had interviews, and heard no from either the company or sometimes from God Himself, it was a faith building time.  I'm very thankful God uses times like this to draw our hearts toward Him and reveal Himself to us

 

I'm thankful for the way He provided different work opportunities throughout the 7 months when I was between jobs.  There were no stressful moments.  There were a few times when I didn't understand the "no", but I knew God was directing.

 

Ps. 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

 

What a promise!  So thankful for the hope that verse brings to the dark moments when the road ahead is unclear.

 

And now I've been in my new job for almost 4 months, and I know it is God's provision for this stage of our lives.  It's a job filled with variety.  It is giving me opportunity to learn new skills.  And I find myself seeking God's direction on a daily basis for insight into how to efficiently work through projects I'm assigned.  I'm so thankful for the way He answers those prayers with specific and clear direction. 

 

I hope that for all of us, today was an opportunity to do more than just consume large amounts of food and watch football.  I hope that it was a time of rejoicing in the goodness and faithfulness of a God who although He dwells in heaven, He also indwells us by His Spirit.  He is Immanuel, God with us.

 

And for that I am eternally grateful!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

So much to be thankful for as I sit and reflect this evening

 

Chris and I had a great trip out to Colorado for Nate and Carole's wedding

 

It was amazing to see God's creative handiwork in the rockies again

 

There are no words to describe the beauty

 

I'm thankful for the time we had with family

 

I have a book of pictures in my living room titled, "Family is a Gift from God"

 

How true that is

 

I'm thankful for the chance to hang out with Adam and conversations we could have

 

And we arrived back home from that whirlwind trip in time to see Abigail and her boyfriend on Sunday before they flew back to Louisiana.  Thankful for that connection time

 

I'm very thankful for the technology that allows me to see pictures and videos of my little (not so little) grandson, Hudson.

 

With our kids scattered across the country, I'm grateful for the opportunities God gives us to engage with them via phone calls, FaceTime, Skype, etc.

Not only am I thankful for my physical family, but so thankful for my spiritual family also, for brothers and sisters in Christ who bless my life in so many ways

It snowed here today.  4" worth.  I'm not thankful for that, but I am thankful that I had inside work, and that I made it home safely this evening and wasn't involved in any of the multiple accidents I saw along the way

I'm thankful for God's direction.  And His provision.  I know my job is a gift from Him.  I enjoy the work I'm doing, and the people I work for and with. 

I'm thankful God holds me in His hand

Thankful He promises to never leave me or forsake me

I thank God for His compassion and His grace.

His mercies are new every morning!
 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

When God created man, He recognized that "it is not good for man to be alone"

 

so He created Eve to be a companion for Adam

 

I have a sense of what Adam felt when he met Eve.

 

There was a recognition of the blessing he had received.

 

I know that my wife completes me.  I'm not the same without her

 

Prov. 18:22 tells me that she is an expression of God's favor toward me

 

When I picked Chris up at the airport on Saturday, I definitely had that sense of enjoying God's favor

 

I'm so very thankful I get to share my life with her

 

I'm thankful God chose to bring her into my life.  She is one of His greatest gifts to me

 

I'm grateful for the team we make; serving alongside her is such a blessing

 

I'm thankful for the balance she brings in my life, for her strengths that help to compensate for my weaknesses

 

I'm thankful God recognizes my needs

 

Thankful He saw my greatest need and sent Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin

 

I'm thankful His love motivates Him to action

 

I'm thankful He is generous toward me, His son

 

I'm grateful when I express my needs to Him He does not respond with condemnation or reproach

 

As I write this, I'm sitting in Colorado with my wife and son

 

We flew out here to attend our niece's wedding

 

and so another couple will be joined together in God's great design of marriage

 

I'm thankful for the opportunity to celebrate this event with family

 

I'm thankful for my family, my growing family!

 

I'm thankful God has allowed me to be a father, and now a grandfather as well

 

I'm hopeful He will use me to leave a godly legacy in the lives of my family

 

I'm thankful His grace is sufficient, that His power is perfected in my weakness

 

I'm thankful God's mercies are new every morning

 

It gives me courage to face each new day

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

One of the reasons I continue to write these Thankful Thursday blog posts is because I know how easy it is to lose sight of my blessings when I'm facing challenging circumstances.  And even when things are going well, having a grateful spirit does not come naturally.  It's part of the curse of the fall.  satan convinced Eve that she was missing out on something when in fact she and Adam had been given everything they needed.  Instead of being thankful for all God had given them, she chased after the one thing that brought death.  And ever since, mankind has wrestled with this same dilemma:  am I thankful for all I have, or am I displaying an ungrateful heart by focusing on and complaining about what I don't have. 

 

In 2 Peter 1, we are told that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness!  Do I really believe this?

 

This past week has been challenging for me.  My wife has been in Missouri helping our daughter and son-in-law as they adjust to their new role as parents, enjoying and hanging out with our grandson, while I'm holding down the fort here in Pennsylvania. 

 

I know there is much to be thankful for, but it's been easier to focus on my loneliness.  I'll tell you, pity parties are ugly!  They get you nowhere profitable. 

 

I've had to choose to keep returning to thanksgiving rather than complaint.

 

So, tonight I'm choosing to rejoice

 

I'm thankful that I'm never alone.  God has promised His presence; He will never leave me or forsake me

 

I'm thankful for technology that allows me to talk to and even see my wife

 

I'm thankful for the gift of life, waking up each morning with breath in my lungs is a gift

 

I'm thankful God doesn't give me what I deserve, but as a loving Father, He gives me what I need

 

I'm thankful for friends who stand with me in my times of struggle

 

I'm thankful for God's word, my guidebook for life

 

I'm thankful for music, and its ability to lift my spirits

 

I'm thankful for the skills God has gifted me with, and the opportunities He gives me to use those skills in my own home as well as in helping others

 

I'm thankful for airplanes.  Thankful my wife will be able to fly home rather than me having to drive back out to Missouri to pick her up

 

I'm thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to rest and be refreshed

 

I'm thankful Saturday is almost here!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Thankful beyond words for this little guy

 

Especially thankful I was able to go out to Missouri to meet him in person over the weekend

 

Thankful for the many hours I got to hold him both during the day and also at night

 

I'm sure he won't remember me from those couple days, but it was definitely a bonding time for me

 

I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend with the Martin family in Indianapolis on my way back home

 

grateful for their gracious hospitality

 

thankful for good communication and opportunity to share stories together

 

I'm very thankful for safety as the miles traveled continue to add up

 

I just realized on the way out to Missouri that we have put 10,000 miles on the car since the end of June

 

I'm thankful for a project to work on while my wife spends the next week and a half out in Missouri with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson

 

I'm very grateful for her consideration of me in preparing some meals ahead of time and putting them in the freezer so that I can just pull them out as needed.

 

I'm thankful for God's faithfulness; knowing I can trust Him gives me confidence in facing the challenging circumstances of life

 

Our church has been holding revival meetings all this week

 

I'm thankful for the word of God, thankful He speaks to me through it; thankful for those who teach from the word with conviction

 

I'm thankful for some good connections with others this evening after the service

 

I'm so blessed to have other men in my life who are pursuing God and encourage me in my pursuit of Him

 

I'm thankful for God's promise that when we seek Him we will find Him

 

He is a God who is near and not far off



Thankful Thursday

 

 

What an exciting week!

 

On Tuesday morning, Hudson Luke Eldredge joined our family

 

I am so thankful for this gift from God

 

Thankful for a new handle--Paw Paw

 

I'm grateful for the many ways I have seen God answer prayer in regards to this new life

 

God is an amazing creator

 

We are fearfully and wonderfully made

 

I'm thankful He knows us intimately

 

Scripture tells us God knows each day of our lives even before we are born

 

He even has the hairs of our head numbered

 

I'm thankful the little details are important to Him

 

He knows our strengths and our weaknesses

 

I believe I tend to tip the scales more heavily on the weakness side!

 

As a loving Father, He is mindful that we are but dust which is quite fragile

 

I'm thankful for His continued patience with me

 

I'm thankful that God indwells me through His Holy Spirit, who is given to us as a pledge of our inheritance

 

I've been praying often lately that the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in my life

 

I want others to see the evidence of God at work in me

 

the weather has gotten cooler

 

my wife and I got to sit out back and enjoy a fire in our backyard recently

 

I'm thankful for the beauty we are able to enjoy here at our home

 

so often we get to look with wonder at the colorful artistry across the evening sky

 

I know this is just another gift from the Creator

 

I'm thankful God knows my greatest need is to be in relationship with Him, and grateful beyond words that He made a way for that to be possible.

 

Sin had separated me from that kind of relationship, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, my sins are forgiven, and the barrier has been eliminated

 

I'm thankful for forgiveness

 

thankful for the transforming process God is doing in my heart and mind

 

I'm thankful for God's faithful investment in my life

 

I'm thankful for grace and mercy, the cornerstones of salvation

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I find myself needing to ask God for forgiveness a lot recently

 

I've been struggling with my responses to a certain individual

 

I know God tells me to love them, and do good to them

 

but returning good for evil sure doesn't come naturally

 

and I keep crying out for God's help while confessing my sinful nature

 

I'm so thankful God does offer forgiveness and cleansing through the shed blood of Jesus

 

I'm thankful for His patience with me

 

I'm thankful for the heightened awareness of my desperate need of His grace this situation has brought about

 

I know this is not just a battle with this person, but a spiritual battle. 

 

The enemy of my soul would love to see me train wrecked by these circumstances

 

he wants me to give up on trying to love

 

But I'm thankful he was defeated by Jesus' death on the cross

 

thankful God is greater than my guilt and shame

 

I'm thankful for my wife, who continues to encourage me toward grace

 

sometimes I don't want to hear that message, but I'm grateful for her persistence

 

I'm thankful for music, specifically the piano, where I can sit down and pour out myself in songs of worship and prayer.  It is a soothing activity

 

I'm thankful for praying friends who are willing to walk through the challenging times with me

 

I'm thankful God's mercy never reaches its limit, but it is new every morning

 

I'm thankful God doesn't deal with me as my sin deserves, but He is a loving Father who understands me completely

 

He knows my strengths and my weaknesses and invites me to cast all my cares on Him so that He can carry my burdens.

 

I'm thankful He extends grace to me and pray that grace would flow out of me to those around me who need it just as desperately as I do. 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

This I recall to my mind.

Therefore I have hope.

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I have hope in Him."

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the person who seeks Him.

It is good that he waits silently

For the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:21-26

 

Wow, it's been almost a month since I posted on here.

 

A lot has happened in the past 3 weeks!

 

We said our final goodbyes to our dear friend and neighbor, Mrs. Brown

 

She passed into eternity on September 15

 

The passage above are the verses I was asked to read at her funeral

 

I'm thankful for that opportunity to proclaim these truths

 

thankful my God is faithful, loving and compassionate

 

thankful He is my portion

 

On September 17, I got word that my uncle passed away.

 

He had been diagnosed with lymphoma the middle of July

 

I'm thankful I was able to travel to New York City to attend his farewell service on the 22

 

I'm thankful for the many people who shared about the impact he had in their lives

 

He was a man who valued people and relationships

 

and it was clear that he loved connecting people with the God he served

 

My son, Adam, has been relocated to North Carolina to help with relief efforts in the wake of hurricane Florence

 

I'm thankful we had the opportunity to go and serve alongside him and other ReachGlobal staff last week

 

We drove down on Wednesday, worked Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and drove home on Sunday

 

I'm thankful for the people we were able to help

 

grateful for new relationships we were able to build

 

thankful for hard work

 

thankful for relaxing evenings shared with Adam and others

 

thankful for Joe and Rachel and Mason, for their love for God and their heart for people

 

thankful for the chance to work with Braxton, a young man who lost almost everything in the storm, and yet was giving his time to serve others in his community

 

thankful for dry roads and clear skies on the days we were traveling

 

I'm thankful for the flexibility my company has which allowed me to go, on short notice

 

I'm thankful that God is using what was an awful thing for so many to draw people to Himself

 

I'm thankful for the hope found in Jesus

 

Thankful for opportunities to share that hope with others

 

I'm thankful God invites me to partner with Him in the  ministry of reconciliation

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been reading through the gospels this year, wanting to refresh my awareness of Jesus; His actions, responses, and attitude.  Since God's design for me is that I would be conformed to Christ's image, I believe it's important for me to know what that image looks like.

 

As I've started reading in Luke this week, the "Christmas" story in chapter 2 is so familiar, and yet there is a lot I can learn

 

I'm very thankful that God is my Immanuel.  He is always with me.  I've been more and more aware of that lately.  There have been quite a few times recently when I've run into some challenging situations at work and have seen God give me solutions.  On one occasion, He woke me up in the middle of the night with an idea of how to resolve something.  When I tried that the next day, it worked!

 

I'm grateful that He cares about the little details.  Scripture says God even has the hairs of my head numbered.  I certainly don't care how many hairs are on my head, but this speaks to the fact that He knows me completely, and nothing is insignificant to Him.  I know I can trust Him.  He has earned that trust over and over again.

 

I'm thankful God is:

 

my Redeemer

 

my rock

 

my defender

 

my Savior

 

light

 

the bread of life

 

living water

 

my Shepherd

 

loving

 

forgiving

 

joy giver

 

guarding me with His peace

 

my companion

 

gracious

 

merciful

 

my strength and my song

 

I'm thankful He has poured out favor on me in giving me a loving and devoted wife

 

thankful He has blessed me with children

 

I'm for His promise to never leave me or forsake me

 

it gives me the courage to get out of bed and face each new day

Thankful Thursday

 

 

As I've had some challenging conversations this past week, I've been reminded of my need for a Savior

 

I'm thankful for the communion table Jesus established

 

On Sunday, the church we attended celebrated communion

 

What a great reminder of God's provision of payment for my sins

 

I'm very grateful Jesus said, "Not my will, but your will." to the Father that night in the garden

 

and on a daily basis, I have that same choice to make--

 

submit to my heavenly Father, or choose my own will and way

 

I'm thankful He always stands ready to help

 

I'm thankful for the power of God's word

 

and I'm thankful He's been waking me up earlier in the morning to give me more time to spend with Him in His word

 

That is precious time

 

His word is living and active

 

It always accomplishes what God sends it out to do

 

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

 

If I'm immersing myself in it, it will have an effect.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been seeing God answer specific prayers a lot lately

 

This morning was another example of that

 

I had a project at work that I was a bit nervous about

 

It wasn't something I hadn't done before, but it was one that I knew could present some challenges

 

As I was driving to work, I was talking with God, and expressed some of my uneasiness to Him.  It wasn't like He didn't already know how I felt!

 

I asked Him to give me wisdom in tackling the project, to allow it to go smoothly and not take a lot of time.

 

When I got to the job site, I realized I wasn't going to be able to do this project by myself

 

So I made a phone call, and shortly, help was on the way

 

With another set of hands, it went very smoothly, and was done efficiently and quickly

 

Once again, God came through!  He sent me just the right person to help me think through the process and get it wrapped up

 

I'm very thankful God keeps His word

 

He tells us to ask and it will be given to us; to seek and we will find what we are looking for, and to knock on doors which will open for us

 

And as I did that this morning, I had confidence that He would respond

 

I'm thankful for the confidence I have in my Father

 

thankful that He always has been and always will be faithful

 

I'm thankful He has adopted me into His family, made me His son and promised an inheritance of spending eternity in His presence

 

I'm thankful for my kids; the relationship I have with them, the connections we are able to have because of technology, the things I see God doing in their lives.

 

And oh, by the way, my son's truck has been running very well for him.  He's in Louisiana, and will finish his trip back to Texas tomorrow.  Thanks again God, for your provision!

 

Tomorrow, we head for upstate NY to visit with family for the weekend

 

I'm thankful for the flexibility in my schedule with my new job to be able to take an extra day off to make this trip.  Just another example of God's generosity in providing for our needs

 

I have seen God's hand, heard His voice, and can testify that He is good--all the time

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

My God is trustworthy

 

He is the creator of the universe

 

He knows each star by name

 

He has established order and placement of stars, galaxies, and solar systems

 

And God holds all of this in the palm of His hands!

 

He is a big God

 

and that's a severe understatement

 

At times I can begin to wonder if my miniscule presence in the midst of this enormous creation even catches His attention

 

I have a feeling of insignificance at times

 

But...

 

I love that word

 

it indicates a shift; a change in direction

 

and when you add a name after it

 

suddenly it gains importance

 

But God...

 

I'm so thankful for that short phrase found in Eph. 2

 

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He love us..."

 

who did He love?

 

God loves me, and you, and all of the yous who have ever lived

 

and because of that love He sent Jesus, His beloved and perfect Son, to offer us grace

 

this same Jesus now sits next to God the Father, praying for me!

 

Oh how thankful I am for those prayers

 

Last week I told you about my little detour

 

during that drive, I had a conversation with God

 

I knew He knew about my son's need of a truck

 

I also believed that God had a truck for Adam, and He wanted us to ask Him to provide that truck and trust Him to do it

 

so I asked

 

I invited God to show off and reveal His glory by providing a truck for Adam

 

I wanted my son to see God move

 

I wanted his faith to be strengthened and encouraged

 

I won't go into all the details, but let me just go on record to say that God answered that invitation

 

Adam was given a truck, which he picked up today

 

And my faith was once again bolstered

 

I'm thankful God hears when I call

 

I'm thankful He knows me completely

 

I'm grateful He cares about every little detail

 

Scripture says He even has every hair on my head counted!

 

so when I start to get discouraged and feeling insignificant

 

I go back to that little phrase with a big meaning

 

But God...

 

I'm thankful He has redeemed me

 

and adopted me into His family

 

I'm eternally grateful my name is written in the Lamb's book of life

 

I have an inheritance that won't pass away

 

I can say along with the psalmist,

 

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained; what is man, that You take thought of him?  And the son of man, that You care for him?"

 

I'm so thankful He cares

 

And grateful He demonstrates that caring in tangible ways that I can see



going through Samaria: Thankful Thursday

going through Samaria: Thankful Thursday:     Today was a day for adventure and detours   My son enjoyed the adventure; well, enjoyed might be a bit of a stretch   He pu...

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Today was a day for adventure and detours

 

My son enjoyed the adventure; well, enjoyed might be a bit of a stretch

 

He purchased a truck in Massachusetts this morning with the intention of driving it back to Lancaster, PA

 

I talked to him around 2:00 to see how his trip was going.  He told me things were interesting.  He was having some complications with the clutch and the power steering.

 

Then about an hour later, he called me back to tell me that he was sitting alongside the road.  The radiator fan had blown apart...

 

I'm thankful for an understanding employer

 

I was able to leave my jobsite and drive to Newburgh, NY to pick him up. 

 

It wasn't the way I had anticipated ending my day, but I am grateful for the time we had together as we traveled home.

 

I'm thankful he was able to get off the highway without any incidents, and thankful he knew he could call me when he was in need of help.

 

I'm very thankful I have that same confidence in my relationship with my heavenly Father

 

He invites me to cast my cares on Him, because He cares for me

 

He promises that when I call on Him He will respond

 

He encourages me to drop my burdens at His feet when I'm weighed down with the stresses of this life, and lean into Him for learning and growth

 

He is faithful

 

He is gracious and merciful

 

He is kind and gentle

 

He knows me completely

 

and holds me securely 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

time in the word

 

early morning prayer with my wife

 

clean water

 

a safe vehicle to drive

 

talking with my Father on the drive to work

 

sunrise, and sunshine throughout the day

 

enjoyable work; working with my hands; seeing progress

 

a delicious lunch made by my sweetheart

 

friends to share the journey with

 

technology that allows me to connect with others around the country

 

grilling burgers for supper

 

time in my woodshop working on a project for my wife

 

conversation with my niece

 

my cozy spot on the couch; sitting with my darling

 

These are just a sampling of the things I had to be thankful for this Thursday

 

I could elaborate and expand on any of them

 

but I won't bore you with the details, which in the end aren't the crucial part

 

what's important is the focus of my heart

 

were there things I could complain about today?

 

I suppose, but I'm gonna shout anyway!

 

as the line of a favorite song of mine asks

 

"How can I keep from singing Your praise?"

 

"How can I keep from shouting Your name?"

 

When the man who Jesus freed from demon-possession wanted to get in the boat and accompany Jesus on His journey, Jesus responded by telling him to go home to his people instead and tell them about the great things God had done for him and how he had been shown mercy

 

That's what I want to be about, that's how I want to be known; as one who is sharing with others the great things I have seen God do in my life, and how I am experiencing His mercy every day

 

In four days I get to see my son.  I'm going to embrace him with a very grateful heart

 

I know parents who have lost their children and wish they had one more chance to give that child a hug and let them know how much they love them.  I'm thankful for every opportunity I have to talk with and hug my kids. 

 

A wise man once said, "Children are a blessing from the Lord..."

 

How true that is

 

Sometimes it takes great tragedy for me to understand truth

 

I'm thankful God doesn't always give me what I deserve, but rather invites me to come and partake of His grace, find strength in His embrace, and rest in the confidence of His amazing love

 

I don't want to miss an opportunity to say "Thank You, Lord."

 

He is worthy of all my praise!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been falling asleep on our couch a lot lately

 

It's a good feeling to come home tired at the end of a day of work

 

I'm thankful for the job God has provided for me

 

And I'm thankful I have a comfortable couch to sit on and a roof over my head

 

With all the rain we've been getting lately, I've been reminded of the blessing it is to have a place of shelter from the weather

 

God is my shelter

 

He provides a place of refuge not only from the physical storms of life, but the spiritual and emotional storms as well

 

I'm so thankful I can run into His loving arms at any time

 

grateful that His ears are always open to my cries

 

I'm thankful God is continuing His transforming work in me

 

I can see signs of growth, which is encouraging,

 

but even more of a blessing is when others comment that they see growth

 

I was reading Jesus' parable of the sower the other day

 

it got me thinking about what kind of soil most describes me

 

and I was praying for myself and for others I'm involved with that we would not be distracted as we take in God's word, but would be fruitful

 

I'm thankful for God's word; thankful it is living and active

 

I'm grateful for those who have made sacrifices which allow me to read His word in my own language

 

I'm thankful for that cloud of witnesses to God's faithfulness

 

and the stimulus they provide for me to continue growing in my faith

 

I know I can throw aside doubt and fear and anything else that would hinder my growth

 

I'm thankful Jesus lived an exemplary life of trust and dependence on the Father

 

I want to be fixing my eyes on Him and reflecting Him to the world around me

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Sometimes I don't realize how much I take the blessings of life for granted

 

I easily slip into an entitlement mentality

 

And when I suddenly don't have something, I feel cheated or mistreated

 

But life is full of uncertainties

 

And I really don't deserve any of the good things I enjoy

 

One thing is certain; there is coming a day when I will stand before my Maker

 

On that day, only one thing will matter

 

He won't ask me how good I was

 

or how many religious activities I was involved in

 

or how many hours I put in on the job trying to provide for my family

 

Did I believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the perfect sacrifice for my sin, and acknowledge Him as my Savior and Lord?

 

I am thankful God reached out and touched me

 

I'm grateful I learned about Jesus and His love for me that took Him to the cross

 

I know that because of His death and resurrection I will have eternity to express that gratitude

 

And meanwhile, I have opportunities everyday to express my thankfulness

 

Sometimes I do well at that

 

some days I get stuck in the pity party mode

 

I'm thankful for God's patience with me

 

He knows I need His grace and mercy

 

And He gives it to me generously

 

I'm thankful God doesn't look down on me when I ask for His help

 

He loves me and is glad to respond to my requests

 

I'm thankful that in a world of constant change He remains the same

 

He is my rock, a solid foundation I can build on

 

I'm thankful He invites me to come; He waits with open arms for those who put their trust in Him

 

He is my shield, I have nothing to fear

 

I am forever grateful