Thankful Thursday

 

 

Well, I fell asleep on the couch, and it's after midnight, so I'm officially late with my Thankful Thursday post

 

I'm thankful that God is never late; His timing is perfect.

 

It's been a physically draining week; working hard on a project that involves a lot of heavy lifting

 

I'm thankful for God's provision of work and energy to perform it

 

It's a reminder for me of the time Jesus spent in the garden before His death

 

He was drained and pleading with the Father if there wasn't some other way

 

And yet He submitted to going the distance as the perfect sacrifice for my sin

 

I'm thankful for a God who delights in reconciling people to Himself

 

Thankful for His sacrifice

 

I'm thankful for the newness of life He offers to all who believe

 

This is the day we remember Jesus' death on the cross

 

But I'm thankful He is no longer dead, but alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father

 

I'm thankful that He prays for me, continually asking the Father to help me

 

He is my defense attorney when I slip into sin

 

I'm thankful Jesus bore God's wrath against sin so that I wouldn't need to

 

I'm thankful for the empty tomb; evidence of our risen Lord

 

I'm thankful the war has been won

 

I'm thankful for God's amazing grace

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

On this Thursday evening, I'm grateful for God's continued direction

 

I had an interview this afternoon for an inspector position

 

I was a bit nervous going into the interview, but also hopeful

 

It really helped that one of the two men interviewing me is a guy I've known and worked with for the past 21 years off and on

 

As I prepared for the interview, I was praying that God would give me the right words to say and provide clear direction

 

I came away from the interview feeling positive

 

They will be reviewing the applicants and hopefully make a decision by the middle of next week

 

I'm continuing to ask God to open or shut this door as He see fit

 

I'm thankful that I can trust Him

 

I'm thankful for the support of family and friends as I go through this process

 

As I await a new permanent job, I've been working with a friend, helping him with some construction projects he has on his plate

 

I've enjoyed the work, but at the same time it has been a confirmation that I need to transition into something that will be less taxing on my body

 

I am thankful for God's provision through this time

 

I'm thankful that He knows me completely and continues to draw me toward Himself

 

I know that is my greatest need--His presence and power in my life

 

I'm thankful I don't have to lean on my own understanding, but I can trust Him and receive wisdom from Him

 

I'm thankful for His amazing grace

Thankful Thursday

 

 

This evening, as I reflect on the many ways I have been blessed by God, I'm reminded that I need to take more time to express my gratitude. 

 

We have had my brother-in-law staying with us this week.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to connect with him.

 

My father-in-law and mother-in-law were here for supper this evening.  It was the first time in quite a while.  I'm very thankful for them, for their love and encouragement, and for the chance to serve them.

 

My little sister had a birthday yesterday.  I won't say how old she is.  I got to talk with her for a few minutes at the beginning of her day to wish her a happy birthday.  I'm thankful for my siblings.  Each one of them contributes in some way to my life.

 

I'm also thankful for the family of faith I am privileged to be a part of.  I know I need the connection with my spiritual brothers.  They bless me in more ways than I can count.

 

I'm thankful for my Father in heaven.  I heard a song on my way home from work yesterday that talked about the fact that He knows me completely.  So grateful for His continued presence and patience.

 

I'm thankful for music.  A good friend has been sending me links to songs this week.  They have helped me keep perspective.  And I had a chance to play piano and sing this evening.  Music has a way of soothing and settling.

 

I'm thankful for God's protection.  We had some snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.  On my way to work yesterday, I saw numerous accidents and road closures due to accidents.  I've been driving a lot of miles lately.  So grateful God has been keeping me safe.

 

I'm thankful for a warm and dry house.  It's been an unusually cold month.  I'm grateful that the furnace continues to work, and there's hot water for a shower when I get home in the evening after being out in the cold all day.

 

I'm thankful for Jesus.  In two weeks we will observe a weekend celebration of His death, burial, and resurrection.  I'm grateful that He sacrificed His life so that I might experience life more abundantly.

 

I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy.  He has spared me from the punishment I deserve, and continues to pour out blessing on me that I don't deserve.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

As I mentioned last week, I had the privilege of serving those affected by hurricane Harvey with a team from my church

 

I'm thankful for that opportunity

 

I'm thankful God allowed me to see two of my children during that trip

 

sometimes as a father, I wonder how my kids are really doing.  I hear what they are saying, or see something they post on social media.  But I don't know if I'm getting the full story or just what they want me to hear or see.  So it was good for me to hear comments made by others about both of my kids as I spent time in their worlds.  I'm thankful for what God is doing in and through them, and what He is teaching them and me about trusting Him

 

I'm thankful for how God has been providing for my wife and me during this season of uncertainty

 

I'm thankful God is faithful and patient with me

 

I'm thankful for friends He sends to support and encourage

 

I'm thankful for quiet evenings and restful nights

 

I'm thankful for God's word, for instruction, for promises, for unswerving truths

 

I'm thankful that God is the giver of life

 

I'm thankful He is a protector

 



Thankful Thursday

It's been a great week

I've had the privilege of working with ReachGlobal Crisis Response in Houston, TX

I travelled with a team of 9 from Keystone Church

we left Pennsylvania last Saturday around noon, and drove through the night, arriving in Houston around 2PM on Sunday

I found out I would be leading a team of 6 from Appleton, WS for the week, painting trim and doors

When we got to the site on Monday morning we were greeted by a volunteer contractor who has been helping the homeowner "fix" the mistakes his paid contractor had made

He started telling us how the last team that had been there had done poor work and wouldn't listen to him

we realized that our ministry wasn't just going to be to the homeowner, but to the contractor as well

God has really shown His power as we have had much opportunity to mend relationship and engage with Chuck about his life and walk with God

I'm thankful for the group God gave me to work with and for their heart of service

On Sunday night, the host told us that we would be having cereal and yogurt for breakfast each morning unless someone wanted to do something different.  I talked to him after our orientation and told him I would be glad to make breakfast one morning

I'm thankful for the skills God has given me and for a good helper with lots of experience.  Breakfast yesterday morning was fun to prepare and I'm pretty sure it blessed the volunteers

Someone else was doing breakfast this morning, and they asked me to help them as well.

Yesterday morning I discovered that the team I'm working with is not working Friday

I had been feeling bad about being this far south and not getting to see my son, Adam

When I heard that, I started making inquiries about driving to Corpus Christi this afternoon after the work day

Then last night Kevin Watterson showed up with some tools that needed to be delivered to Corpus

I volunteered to bring them down

Thankful that I get to spend this evening with my son and see where he is serving

I'm thankful for new friends I've been able to connect with this week

thankful for the chance to get to know my team members from Keystone

Thankful for the many encouraging words that have come my way during the course of the week

God has provided all that I need as I've been away from home

Thankful for technology that has allowed me to stay in touch with my wonderful wife throughout the week, but it will be wonderful to get back home and see her in person!