Thankful Thursday

I was talking with a friend who drives truck and delivers sheds this afternoon as I was driving home from my job site in Delaware

he was driving on the turnpike and was in a bit of traffic because of an accident

he made the comment that he is very thankful for his record of safety, considering the many miles he logs

I had to agree with him.

I'm thankful that in spite of my less than cautious approach to driving at times, God has chosen to protect me from serious injury or causing someone else harm

I'm grateful that He is a shield about me

that doesn't mean that nothing that I view as unpleasant will ever happen to me

but it does mean that He will walk through all of life's circumstances with me

and for that I am extremely thankful

I'm thankful for the promise of His presence

I'm thankful for the direction He provides

just today, as I was working, I made a miscalculation that would have thrown off the placement of a row of cabinets I was installing.  But God interrupted me and showed me I needed to adjust my measurement.  

I'm thankful He is my Immanuel

working alone gives me opportunity to commune with Him throughout the day

I'm thankful He is a God who communicates and engages with me

I'm thankful He gives me a song and turns my heart toward praise

I'm thankful He has chosen me to be His son, adopting me into His family

I'm thankful He holds me in His hand, a place of security, and nothing is able to rip me from His grasp

the sunset this evening was gorgeous

I'm thankful God is an artist and shares His talent with me in the pictures He paints throughout His creation

I'm thankful for time with my wife this evening

those moments have been less frequent recently because of he responsibilities as a caregiver for her mom

so I'm especially thankful when we are able to find some time to catch up and communicate

and I love when she asks me to pray with her or play the piano for her

I'm thankful for opportunities to serve her, since she spends so much of her time serving others

James reminds us that every perfect gift is from above--she's one of my perfect gifts from my heavenly Father and I can't thank Him enough for her!

I'm thankful God continues to pour out His grace in my life

I'm thankful His mercies are new every morning

speaking of which, I need to wrap this up so I can enjoy some sleep before morning gets here

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things I'm thankful for

I was at the eye doctor this evening for another check on the status of my right eye

Although I have issues with my vision, I'm very thankful for what I can see

I'm also thankful for the spiritual vision God has given me

as the song says-- I once was blind but now I see

On Sunday, a young man asked me how I was doing

I replied, "Better than I deserve!"

He asked, "Why do you say that?"

My response was, "because I'm a sinful creature who has experienced a whole lot of God's grace."

I'm thankful God doesn't always give me what I deserve

I'm thankful He is compassionate and slow to anger

I'm thankful He does open the eyes of the blind

I'm thankful God transforms hearts and renews minds

I'm thankful He gives me a song to sing

music is a gift

as I was reading in James the other morning, 

"every good thing bestowed, and every perfect gift is from above..."

I'm thankful God gives me good and perfect gifts every day

He is faithful and unchanging

I'm thankful for God's amazing grace poured out on sinners like me

Thankful Thursday

It's been a long week

Routine got thrown out the window

uncertainty and change became the norm

But in the midst of all the chaos

I'm thankful for the One who is an anchor for my soul

God is my rock, my fortress, my strong tower

As I was reading in James this morning

I was reminded once again of His steadfast love and His faithfulness

verses 5 and 6 of chapter 1 gives me instruction on how I approach God

the first step is to recognize my need

"if any of you lacks wisdom..."

Yes indeed, I find myself in that phrase

but it's not always wisdom I'm lacking

other needs arise as well

the second step is to ask

"...let him ask of God"

verse 6 gives a bit more instruction on this step

"But let him ask in faith without any doubting"

and then there's a description of the one who doesn't heed this part

"for the one who doubt is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind"

back in verse 5, I'm told what happens when I ask in faith

God is the One who gives generously and without finding fault  and when I acknowledge my need and ask of Him, He gives

I'm thankful God is a generous giver

I'm thankful I don't need to be tossed about by the ever changing circumstances of life

I'm thankful that He is good, all His ways are righteous

I'm thankful He is holy

I'm thankful God is trustworthy

I'm grateful He is my strength and my song

I'm thankful God holds me in His hand and there is nothing that can pluck me away from Him

because He is greater than all

all my circumstances

all my fears

all my shortcomings

all spiritual forces

all my problems

I'm thankful God knows these things and He continues to give me grace to overcome

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I'm so thankful I am a child of God

He is a shield about me and the lifter of my head

Thankful Thursday

I just go home from spending the evening in the hospital emergency room waiting area

I'm thankful my mother-in-law did not need to spend the night in the hospital

I'm thankful for medical personnel who are gifted to help in times of dilemma

I'm thankful for my father-in-law, and all the energy he invests in caring for mom

He truly is an example to our family of loving commitment

It's been a rough couple of weeks, with ups and downs (mostly downs) in mom's health

I'm thankful for my wife, and her commitment to supporting and honoring her parents

she has a lot on her shoulders, but she handles it with grace and dignity

I'm thankful for a God who supplies strength to the weary

I'm thankful for His grace, which He tells us is sufficient for every circumstance

I'm thankful He is all knowing, and never surprised by the situations we face

I'm thankful for time to meditate on Him and His goodness

Tomorrow starts early with a breakfast/bible study at 6AM

I'm thankful for the group of guys who meet once a month to share life together and stimulate one another toward love and good works

I'm thankful my bed is close by and thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to sleep and be refreshed

Going to have to sleep fast tonight!