Thankful Thursday

tomorrow is Christmas!

I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight

I remember my son's excitement when he was young

he always told us Christmas morning that he hadn't slept at all

I wonder if baby Jesus slept in Mary's womb the night before His birth  

or was He so keyed up with excitement about His mission that He was kicking and squirming

I am so thankful Jesus came

thankful for that name

the angel told Joseph to name Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins

I'm thankful for the forgiveness available to me through Jesus

thankful for the peace that comes through belief in His name

I still remember the turmoil that filled my life as a younger man, and the peace that came when I finally acknowledged my need of God's forgiveness

although I still have my moments, I'm thankful I don't live in a constant state of unrest

I'm thankful Jesus truly is the Prince of Peace

I'm thankful He is my Wonderful Counselor

thankful He is the Word become flesh

I've been reading in Ps. 119 for the past week or so

God's word in one form or another is mentioned in every verse of this psalm

It has been enlightening to spend extended time meditating on these verses

and the author of Hebrews reminds us that after years of speaking to His people through prophets, God sent His Son to communicate His message to us

it's a message of hope, a message of joy, a message of reconciliation 

I'm thankful for God's word, thankful He still speaks to me through His word

I'm thankful for family

thankful for time to gather as family and build on the memories

thankful for technology that allows me to connect with those family members who are farther from home

thankful for the love that we share

thankful for grandchildren

thankful for the energy of little ones

I'm thankful for music

thankful I can use music as an avenue to express my thanks to the Father

it's a stormy night outside

I'm thankful for shelter, for a roof over my head and a furnace that provides heat

I'm thankful for friends who help to warm my spirit

thankful for the opportunities I've been given this year to serve my friends

I'm thankful God is my heavenly Father and one day will welcome me into His home

May you all experience a Christmas blessed with joy and peace!

Thankful Thursday

my God is a provider

I see this clearly in so many ways

especially on nights like this, when the temperature outside has plummeted

I'm thankful for His provision of shelter and heat

I'm thankful for warm clothing

as I look out my window on a winter wonderland

I'm thankful God provides strength

I did a lot of shoveling today

I had to shovel our driveway so that I could go to work

when I got to my job site, I had to shovel out a spot for parking my van and then shovel the public sidewalk of the house I was working at

I'm thankful for the job God has provided; thankful for the way He uses it to meet our financial needs

speaking of needs,

I'm thankful God provides for my spiritual needs

thankful He sent His Son into this world to be the Savior who paid the debt for my sin

He tells me in His word that He has given me everything I need for life and godliness

that is a powerful statement, and one filled with promise

I'm thankful for life, thankful God woke me up this morning

thankful He provided breath in my lungs

thankful for His design of my body

thankful for a heart that beats, sending oxygen filled cells throughout

and I'm thankful God has given me a new heart

thankful He took away my cold stony heart that acted in disobedience to Him

thankful He gives me the desire to know Him and love Him

I'm thankful for music

thankful God gives me songs of praise to express my love for Him

thankful for the creativity to capture my thoughts and feelings in song

I've been writing a new song this week

it starts out like this:

Now when the fullness of time had come the Father sent forth His Son into this broken world 

He came to give light to people who walked in night that they might find the way

For years they had wandered in darkness and sin not knowing where they should turn

But now God was providing an access for them to enter His eternal home

I'm so thankful that Jesus came

thankful God is my Immanuel

thankful He is for me

Christmas is a reminder of that truth

Thankful Thursday

it's been a good day

time with family reflecting on God's good gifts

so thankful for the chance to connect with those I love

the weatherman proved himself incapable of predicting the weather again

although there was a thunderstorm when I first got up this morning, the day cleared off nicely

thankful for a chance to go to the park and take a nice stroll 

thankful for the beauty of God's creation and for eyesight to be able to enjoy it

I'm thankful for good food to eat, and for discipline to resist overindulging

I'm thankful for time in the wood shop with my son 

I'm thankful for the gift of music

God tells me that He is my strength and my song and He encourages me to sing a new song to Him, a song of praise

I'm thankful for the songs He gives me to sing

I'm thankful for a long weekend

thankful for refreshing time away from the rigors of work

I'm thankful for God's unchanging love for me

thankful for His greatest gift, the sacrifice of His Son as payment for my sin

I'm thankful He has adopted me into His family

thankful for the right to be called His child

I'm thankful Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

thankful He provides a way to the Father

I'm thankful He is the Bread of Life, and Living Water

thankful He satisfies my hunger and thirst

I'm thankful God doesn't deal with me as my sin deserves, but rather offers forgiveness and cleansing

I'm thankful God is my provider

thankful He has given me everything I need for life and godliness

I'm thankful for His transforming power at work in my life

it's not always comfortable, but it is always for my good and His glory

I'm thankful God is patient and kind

thankful He is slow to anger

I'm thankful God is merciful

thankful I'm a recipient of His grace

Thankful Thursday

it's been a troubling year

the pandemic has brought out the best and worst in people

and I'm not sure on which side of the line I fall

there is so much about what's happening that I don't agree with

and yet God's principles for respecting and obeying those in authority still hold true

knowing how to flesh that out continues to create a tension in my spirit

in the midst of all that, I still know I have much to be thankful for

I have a God who never changes

His love for me is everlasting

He offers me grace and mercy in abundance

He gives me songs of praise to sing daily

I'm thankful for God's patience with me

I'm thankful He knows my heart

I'm thankful He calls me His son

I'm thankful God is my strength

thankful He wakes me up each morning, giving me life and breath

I'm thankful God chooses to use me in His service 

I often feel very unworthy of that calling, but He reminds me it's not about me

I'm God's ambassador, pointing people to the work of Christ on the cross, not myself

I'm thankful for my family

God has blessed me with children and grandchildren

He gave me a pair of brothers and a pair of sisters who support me in my journey

He showered me with favor in giving me my wonderful wife

and threw in my in-laws as a bonus

I'm thankful God answers prayer

it's been encouraging to see Him work in specific ways recently as I've brought my requests to Him

I'm thankful for shelter

It was pretty cold this morning, and there was a stiff breeze blowing

I had to work out in it for a few hours and my hands were getting numb from the cold

it reminded me how thankful I am to have a roof over my head and a furnace to keep our house warm

I'm thankful for food

I'll admit it: I really enjoy eating!

I'm thankful for my wife who gets up each morning and packs my lunch and usually has delicious meals ready for me to eat when I come home from work

I'm thankful for God's word

thankful it is living and active

thankful God reveals Himself in His word, and gives instruction on how I can be more like Him

I'm thankful for opportunities to share His word with others

I'm thankful for sleep, which is what I need to do now.

Thankful Thursday

as I pause this evening and reflect on the goodness of my God I'm reminded of the ten lepers

all of them were healed, but only one returned to express his gratitude to Jesus

I find that it is very easy to be like those other nine

I'm full of requests for my Savior, but often am so focused on the next ask that I don't take the time to say thanks

I am thankful God hears and responds to my prayers

I'm thankful He doesn't always say yes

I'm thankful He knows my needs even better than I do, and sometimes recognizes that what I'm asking for would not be beneficial

I'm thankful God knows my heart

the prophet Ezekiel informs us that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked

and that is true

at times my heart tries to lead me down a path of destruction

but God is transforming my heart

He wants to give me a new heart that yearns for Him

but I need to receive that, not fight against it

God is mindful of the struggle 

Jesus Himself had that same struggle in the garden the night He was crucified

wanting an escape from what was coming, and yet submitting to the Father's will rather than pursuing His own

I'm thankful Jesus had that kind of obedience

thankful He went to the cross, took my sin and shame on His shoulders, experienced God's wrath over sin in my place

I'm thankful for the forgiveness that is available to me because of His sacrifice

I'm thankful God now sees me through the filter of Jesus' blood

thankful He separates me from my sin

I'm thankful God has given me everything I need for life and godliness

so grateful I can now walk in newness of life

I'm thankful God's mercy is new every morning

I'm thankful He is faithful

even when I'm faithless, He remains the same

I'm thankful God's truth is not dependent on my belief

His character does not allow for any shift

I'm thankful God is not an insecure being, hoping for the acknowledgement of His people

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

He doesn't need me or anyone else to give Him a pep talk to continue being God

I'm thankful for God's word, living and active and piercing in its truth

thankful for the way God uses His word to guide my thoughts

thankful for the instruction He gives in His word

I'm thankful God is a generous giver

one of His good gifts to me is the friendships He has blessed me with

I'm thankful for those who walk this journey of life with me

thankful for the way God is using them to encourage me in my walk with Him

I'm thankful God has made me a part of His story

grateful He has called me out of darkness to experience His glorious light

Thankful Thursday

As I pause this evening to consider what I have to be thankful for my heart is full

I have seen God working, so thankful for that!

thankful He gives me eyes to see and ears to hear His voice

I've been challenged and encouraged by God's word the last couple of weeks in some specific areas I sense God pushing me to allow His transforming work to bring change and healing

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

thankful for His patience with me as I stumble along in this life

thankful that God holds me in His hand, and although I do stumble at times, I am not hurled headlong because He is the One who holds and supports me

I'm thankful for music, and the ability to use music as a form of worship

I'm thankful God gives me a song

the psalmist says that God is our strength and our song

I'm thankful that I have been experiencing both of these truths recently

Work has been challenging and physically taxing, but relying on God, I have been able to keep plugging away

I'm thankful for the expression of God's favor in my life; specifically as seen in my wife

so grateful for the companion she is as we journey together

I'm very thankful for all that she does to make my life enjoyable

I tend to be a messy person, but our home does not reflect that.  She is quite the opposite and works hard to keep our home clean and comfortable

I'm thankful that I am well fed as she takes the time and attention to prepare delicious meals for us

I'm thankful for the bond that we have in Christ and the commitment we both have to beginning each day praying with and for each other

and I'm thankful that she prays for me throughout the day

I'm sure God has spared me from many disasters as a result of answering her prayers

I'm thankful God is my provider.  He faithfully meets all my needs and even gives me some of my wants

I'm thankful God is sovereign, ruling over the nations and all of creation

I'm thankful I'm a recipient of God's mercy and grace

He doesn't give me what I deserve, but instead pours out His riches in Christ Jesus daily

I'm thankful for His everlasting love

I'm thankful when this brief life is passed, I have an eternal home waiting for me in the presence of my Savior!

Thankful Thursday

Wow!

It's been almost a month since I stayed awake enough on Thursday evening to take some time to count my blessings and put down in writing the things I'm thankful for

It certainly isn't because I'm not thankful

life happens, and along with that energy at times can get zapped

the last time I posted, I had just received the news of my second grandson's birth

and I was recovering from my recent injury from coming in contact with my table saw blade

I'm thankful to say that my thumb is recovering nicely

I'm thankful the pain from that injury has been minimal and I've been able to carry on with normal activity

I'm also thankful I had the chance to go out to Missouri and meet my new grandson

I'm thankful for the gift of time

thankful I got to take lots of walks with my 2 year old grandson Hudson

thankful for the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a little child

I'm thankful for safe travel out and back, and thankful my wife, who stayed out an extra week, had an uneventful flight home

this morning as I was driving to work in the fog, I had a very close call, almost colliding with another driver.  So I'm especially thankful for safety this evening

On my return trip from Missouri, I did something very different.  I'm typically one of those people who is just looking to conquer the trip--minimal stops just when necessary to refill the gas tank.  And we make the run out to Missouri, a 14 hour trip, in one day.  But this time, traveling alone, I decided to spread the trip over 3 days. I stopped and chatted with an old friend over his lunch break on Friday afternoon, stopped in Indianapolis to visit with an uncle and cousins Friday evening, and hung out with them on Saturday morning until around 11.  Then I met up with a pastor friend in Ohio and visited with him and his wife for about an hour and a half before driving to the home of a friend from college in western PA.  I spent the night at his home, visited with him for a couple hours Sunday morning, and then completed my trip home.

I'm thankful for the time I had with each of those people.

thankful for God's provision of friends and family

thankful for family that is also friends

I haven't always experienced that, so it brings a special kind of appreciation

as I mentioned earlier, I've been falling asleep a lot in the evenings

I'm thankful for my job, thankful that it is physically taxing, which tends to help me have no problem falling asleep

I'm thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to be refreshed by sleep

I'm also thankful for His promise that those who wait on Him will renew their strength

I'm thankful for those times He gives me to just be still before Him and be rejuvenated

I'm thankful for God's invitation to come to Him when I'm burdened and just worn out

thankful that He offers rest to the weary

I'm thankful that Jesus is the Living Water and the Bread of Life

thankful that He satisfies my hungering soul

Thankful Thursday

This week has had its ups and downs

but one thing I've often said, and been convinced of through my life experiences is that there is always something for which I can be thankful

no matter the circumstances, regardless of how dark and bleak things may look, in spite of trying times and crushing weights

God is good all the time

and He continues to extend His grace to me in multiple ways

my common response when someone asks how I'm doing is, "Better than I deserve."

I don't say that lightly. I know what Scripture says

"The wages of sin is death..."

and like everyone else on this planet, I am a sinner, and as such I deserve death

so the fact that I'm alive and breathing and able to hear your question means that I'm doing better than I deserve

when I responded that way to a nurse this afternoon, she paused and then asked, "Really?"

sitting there, with my thumb encased in gauze and medical tape, I could honestly say, "YES!"

I'm thankful to still have a thumb on my left hand

it's a bit damaged at the moment, and will probably be a long time in healing, but I'm very grateful it is still attached and mostly functional

a bit of back story: Monday morning my thumb decided to tangle with my table saw blade. The blade won!

I'm thankful it just took off the end of my thumb, and didn't affect the fingernail or cut into the bone at all

on the up side, early Wednesday morning, we received a call from our daughter letting us know that our second grandson had arrived.  What wonderful news!

children are a blessing from the Lord, and I'm thankful God showered blessing on Carl and Allison by giving them another child to love and care for

I'm thankful I will get to meet William Owen Eldredge Sunday evening

my lawn mower decided it was tired and quit running on Saturday

my friend, Dean, stopped in this evening 

I'm thankful for the friends God has given me

they all contribute to my life in some way

as we were talking, I mentioned that I couldn't get my lawn mower to start and was describing what it was doing

we strolled around to the back of the house, and after a bit of tinkering, the mower started!

now I can mow my yard before we leave on our trip to Missouri!

while we messed with the mower, we also were able to talk about what's going on in our lives

I'm grateful I can share life with others, that I'm not on some kind of solo journey

God has given to me abundantly, not only what I need, but also much of what I want

I'm thankful for His patience and steadfast love for me

I'm thankful He doesn't deal with me as my sin deserves

I'm thankful God gives and sustains life!

I am a blessed man   

Thankful Thursday

for a number of years now, I have struggled with my vision

having one eye that is always sending a blurred image to the brain while the other one tries to bring clarity to the situation presents some unique challenges

and for the past year, reading had become very difficult to the point where I avoided it as much as possible

but after visiting my eye doctor last week and making some changes in my glasses prescription, I ordered new glasses

they arrived on Tuesday, and I'm delighted with the improvement

the simplest way I can put it is that I can now tell the difference between a comma and a semi-colon

I'm thankful to be reading again without the strain

I'm thankful for the report that my right eye is stable and not continuing to deteriorate

I'm thankful God gives wisdom to doctors to know how to help 

I won't ever have perfect vision until I get my new glorified body on the other side

but for now I'm grateful for some improvement

I'm thankful for Jesus, who opens the eyes of the blind

in a small way I can identify with physical blindness

but in a larger way I understand the blinding influence of the devil

he comes to deceive, kill and destroy any who would choose to follow Christ

I'm thankful I am held in the hand of the creator of the universe

He is my Rock and my Deliverer

He is my Refuge

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

I'm thankful God is a provider

He knows all my needs even better than I know myself

I'm thankful God gives strength to the weak

thankful He gives rest to the weary

I'm thankful God has clothed me in His righteousness

I know that if I had to count on my own good deeds, I'd drown in a heartbeat

Thankful Thursday

 

I've been spending time in Psalm 71 this week

There so much truth in this passage to be thankful for

I'm thankful God is my refuge and my rescuer

I'm thankful there's no need to feel shame in that

although some people would consider faith a crutch, they have no idea the blessing they are missing out on by disregarding faith

I'm thankful God has a listening ear, He hears when I call out to Him

I'm thankful God provides a place for me to which I can always come

I'm thankful God gives me hope and confidence

I'm grateful He is the One who sustains my life

I'm thankful God is full of righteousness

thankful He gives salvation to those who trust in Him

I'm thankful God is my teacher

I'm thankful God revives me, that He picks me up when I stumble

I'm thankful God is my comforter

These truths cause me to offer up praise to God

they put a song in my heart

they give me opportunity to proclaim His greatness

I'm thankful God gives me opportunities to tell of His glory

to speak of His mercy and grace

just the other day, I had an occasion to engage with a coworker in a discussion about goodness

he was of the opinion that some sins are unforgivable

I asked Him where he would draw that line

I'm thankful God saw my need and sent Jesus to redeem me from my wickedness

as I conversed with my coworker, I expressed to Him how desperately I am in need of a Savior

I'm thankful God poured out His wrath on Jesus rather than me

so grateful for grace and mercy 

Thankful Thursday

As I pause this evening it is with a grateful heart

is all well in the world? No

Is life filled with hope? Yes!

do I believe God is sovereign and in control? YES! 

There certainly are things happening around me that would make it easy to have a complaining spirit

but why waste my time with something that causes defeat?

I choose rather to focus on the blessings and express my thanks to God who rules over all

I'm thankful He woke me up this morning, giving me life and breath

I'm thankful God has provided a job I can go to each day

I'm thankful for work that I enjoy and good people to work with

I'm thankful for food to eat; I've never personally experienced hunger the way many in poverty stricken areas do

and this evening when I got home from work, my wife and I processed corn for our freezer! That will be much appreciated when we get into the colder months of the year

I'm thankful for our piano and the opportunity to play and sing praise

I'm thankful God is an artist

and I'm thankful He has given me eyes to be able to enjoy the beauty He creates

I'm thankful God is near, that He desires for me to seek Him

I'm thankful God is compassionate and caring

thankful He is tender-hearted

I'm thankful God knows my needs, but still invites me to express those needs in prayer

I'm thankful God sets the example for resting

thankful He created my body to be refreshed by sleep

I'm thankful God never grows weary or tired

that He is the giver of strength to the weak

I'm thankful God is forgiving and merciful

I'm thankful for His grace

Thankful Thursday

I've been spending time in the Psalms for quite a few months now

I love the way God reveals Himself in that book

I'm thankful He is the One I can always turn to

thankful God does understand my struggles

thankful He responds when I call out to Him

I'm thankful God is my protector

that doesn't mean I won't experience difficult days

but it does mean I don't walk through those days alone

I'm thankful God is leading me

thankful He speaks to me

sometimes I'm a bit hard of hearing, but I'm thankful for He doesn't give up

thankful His work in my life isn't just a reaction to me but rather a demonstration of His character

I'm thankful God is a provider

He knows my needs

I'm thankful God is for me; He wants me to succeed

His plans for me are good and beneficial

unfortunately, I can be stiff necked and hard hearted at times

I end up going my own way, thinking my faulty thoughts

and running myself right into a wall

I'm thankful God is patiently waiting when I see the error of my ways and turn back to Him

I'm thankful God is the creator

I'm thankful for the beauty He has placed all around me

I'm thankful He gives me a song in the night and all day long

thankful God is worthy of praise

I'm thankful He is righteous and holy

He is the perfect judge and yet my tireless advocate

I'm thankful God is faithful, true to His word, 

I'm thankful He is merciful and gracious

I'm thankful God is compassionate

thankful He wraps His arms of comfort around me when I'm hurting and confused

I'm thankful God is my hiding place

thankful He is my strong tower

I'm thankful God is the calm in the midst of the storms of life

I'm thankful for the cross

thankful God has provided the way for me to come into right relationship with Him

I'm thankful God loves me with an everlasting love

I'm thankful for moments like this when I can just reflect on how truly blessed I am

 

Thankful Thursday

after 6 1/2 weeks, I started back to work yesterday

I'm thankful for the time God gave me to invest in family and friends

but I'm also thankful to be back into a somewhat normal routine 

and I'm grateful for the work God has provided

last week we did some traveling, visiting my sister and her family and also our son

I'm thankful for family

thankful for conversations I had with my sister, her son, and my son

it's always good to catch up with family

I'm thankful for a vehicle that runs well and for safety as we drove 

whenever I get done with a trip like that, I'm reminded of God's promise to be a shield about me

we had the opportunity to do church online with our son, and heard an encouraging and challenging message on friendship

I'm thankful for the friends God has placed in my life

thankful for the impact they have had on me

and as we were reminded in the sermon that God is a friend who sticks closer than any other, I'm so grateful for the truth that Jesus is a friend of sinners

I'm thankful He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for my sin

thankful I've been rescued out of darkness into His marvelous light

one of my friends made me a gift this past week; its a piece of wood with a cross burned into it and some read paint spattered around the cross.  When he gave it to me, he told me to put it in my van as a reminder that it's all about the cross.

I'm thankful for the cross; it's all I have to boast in

I'm thankful salvation is a gift, not something I had to earn

I got a rather crude text message today; it was a reminder that there are still many out there who are lost and in need of God's touch of grace

I'm thankful He gives me opportunities to be a conduit of His love and grace to those around me

thankful God invites me to partner with Him as His ambassador, spreading the message of reconciliation

the longer I live on this earth, the more I long for the day when I will finally be home

I'm thankful this is not my final destination, thankful for the hope I have in Jesus

so grateful there is a day coming when I will see Him face to face

Thankful Thursday

it's been a while since I've written my Thankful Thursday post

although I've been laid off for over a month, I've managed to keep fairly busy, and end up falling asleep on the couch most evenings

I'm thankful for the doors of opportunity God has been opening for me to serve others during this time of lay off

This week, I had the chance to help a friend from church do some wiring in his garage, help my prayer partner build a tennis wall and take down a bunch of trees, help another friend from church with some minor home repairs

I'm also thankful for the increased time I've been able to spend with my wife this past month

I love being with her, talking through decisions together, praying together, and going for walks together 

she is one of God's perfect gifts to me, and I'm very grateful for the 35+ years we've had to spend together

I've been working on some new songs, and enjoying time at the piano

I'm thankful for music and the ability to use it in praising my God

I'm thankful for God's holiness--that's the focus of the latest song I've written

I'm thankful He reveals Himself in so many ways

as I've been reading through the Psalms, I've been struck by God's magnificence described there

I'm thankful God is near and not far off

thankful He is a God who involves Himself in the lives of His children

thankful He is a loving and faithful Father

I'm thankful God tells me not to be fearful

as I look around me in these challenging times, and see the number of people who are ruled by fear, it's a reminder that God changes everything

I'm thankful for His transforming work in my life

thankful He lifted me out of darkness and despair to live in the light with hope 

I'm thankful God's plans are always good

He knows what is best for me, and promises to guide me in the path of righteousness

I'm so grateful I don't need to figure out the road ahead

He goes before me and behind me; He is all around me

thankful He is a shield about me; the lifter of my head

I'm thankful God is my provider; He gives generously without finding fault for my needs

How reassuring it is to know that God knows my needs even before I ask, and most of the time has already started the process of providing

I'm thankful God pours out His mercy and grace on me every day

and thankful He is working in my heart to show others the same grace I've received

Thankful Thursday

I drove almost a thousand miles today

up until Tuesday evening, the plan was to drive quite a bit less than that

But Scripture tells me that I can make plans, but God can change those plans

and ultimately, He is the One who directs my path

I'm thankful I serve a God who is big enough to handle the twists and turns my life takes

thankful that in the midst of all of this He remains faithful

thankful God is a shield about me

at one point this afternoon, while my wife was giving me a brief break in the driving, I awoke from sleep thinking we were about to crash

it is such a rude awakening; heart pounding, adrenaline spiking, fear attacking my mind

not unlike many moments in life

I'm thankful it was only a dream

thankful that after a few moments my spirit calmed

thankful for the calming influence of God's Spirit

we spent the last 8 days with our daughter and her family out in Missouri

it was such a blessing to bond with our grandson

thankful for time to invest in each of their lives

thankful for conversations with my son-in-law

thankful for the chance to work on a couple projects together

thankful to be able to use my carpentry skills to make a few repairs

I am glad to be back home, but also sad that I had to change my plans to visit my other daughter and her husband, down in Louisiana, due to this pandemic

I'm thankful I can trust God that He has a purpose in allowing for this change of plans

I'm thankful He is never surprised, never has to say, "Oops, how did that happen?"

I've been watching some challenging videos recently on my role as a man and a husband

I'm thankful for the instruction God gives me in His word

thankful He has provided a guide book for life

thankful I don't have to guess at what He desires for me

thankful for godly men who help me interpret God's instructions 

I'm thankful for friends who hold me accountable to living out those instructions

for friends who pray for me and speak words of blessing into my life

I'm thankful for a wife who encourages me to be all that God has intended me to be

I'm thankful for God's forgiveness and grace which He demonstrates so frequently when I find myself getting sideways to His desires for me

I'm thankful for a God who is merciful

thankful that "mercy triumphs over judgment."

oh how desperately I need God's mercy and grace

I'm thankful He has an endless supply for me and for all peoples

I'm thankful I get to climb into my own bed tonight

getting ready to head there soon!

Thankful Thursday

The steps of a man are established by the Lord;

And He delights in his way.

When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong;

Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

Ps. 37:23,24

I am so grateful that God holds my hand

I can stand today, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, only by His grace

there is no merit of my own; nothing in myself of which to boast

but I am thankful God has reached out to me in my brokenness

thankful He offers me life when I deserved death

thankful He has exchanged my turmoil for His peace

thankful He has replaced my weakness with His strength

thankful He has turned my mourning into joy

thankful He has given me a garment of praise where once I was clothed with a spirit of heaviness

I am thankful He has made me His servant

thankful for the opportunities He gives to reach out to others in need

thankful for the doors He opens to allow me to minister 

thankful He invites me to be His ambassador, representing Him in a world that desperately needs a Savior

I'm thankful He has gifted me with skills I can use to bless those around me

I'm thankful He is a shield about me as I go forth in His name

I'm thankful He knows the road ahead and promises to walk it with me, to never leave me or forsake me

I'm thankful He has poured out His favor on me in allowing me to find a wife

thankful He has heaped blessing on me in allowing me to be a father

I'm thankful He has taken my feeble efforts as a husband and father and covered my family with His grace

I'm thankful for air to breath, beauty to behold, scents to take in, the song of the birds to enjoy, food to taste

thankful He has created me with senses that allow me to experience life 

I'm thankful for time; it truly is a gift

thankful He gives wisdom and discernment in how to invest that gift and be a good steward of all He has given me

I'm thankful for love

the love of a Father for His son that prompts Him to search for me, offer me forgiveness and mercy, stand beside me and teach me, and encourage me to find my way home

Thankful Thursday

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear it and rejoice.

O magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

Ps.  34:1-3

For I proclaim the name of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness to our God!

The Rock!  His work is perfect,

For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness and without injustice,

Righteous and upright is He.

Deut.  32:3,4

Life can get a little sideways sometimes

It is filled with many twists and turns and unexpected events

sometimes it is easy for me to become distracted by those moments

rather than focusing on my Lord and Savior

like Peter, I begin to stare at the mounting storm

and it starts to take me under

but when I come to my senses, I cry out to Him and He hears my cry

and delivers me out of all my distresses!

I am thankful that I have had work for the past eight weeks

I'm thankful God has provided strength and wisdom in performing the tasks of my job

I'm thankful for the interaction I've been able to enjoy with coworkers

I'm thankful for bosses who have a long-term vision for their company

I'm thankful for their efforts to create a culture of encouragement and support within the company

I'm thankful for the changes that are coming after tomorrow

I'm thankful God remains the same throughout the changes of my life

I'm thankful He knows my needs, and promises to meet my needs as I seek Him and His kingdom first

I've been meditating on the above verses quite a bit over the last week or so

and I've been praying that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be pleasing to God

I've been looking for opportunities to proclaim Him and His goodness

He is the Rock!  I'm thankful I can stand firm on His foundation

He is the author of salvation

He is the lover of my soul

His is the God who delights in reconciling people to Himself

He is abundant in mercy and full of grace

I'm thankful God continues to reach out to me and beckon me to come to His place of forgiveness and rest

I've also been thinking about the verse in James:

"So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.  Jame 2:12,13

I'm thankful God's mercy is new every morning

I'm thankful He gives me opportunities to extend mercy to others

I'm thankful for the times when I get it right 

believe me when I say there are too many times when I don't

times when I get impatient and prideful in my responses

I'm thankful God slows me down in those moments, taps me on the shoulder, and reminds me He desires a better way for me

I'm thankful for God's amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!

Thankful Thursday

I've been reading through the Psalms

and over and over I'm reminded of what a great God I serve

He is a God of refuge and strength

He is a warrior

He is a God who delights in His people

He is the source of salvation

He is a guide and teacher

He is faithful to do what He says

He is a gentle Shepherd

He loves righteousness

and hates evil

He rewards those who trust in Him

He is the creator of the heavens and the earth

I'm so thankful for his grace and mercy

thankful He has lifted me out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground

I'm thankful He is a watchful God

He has not left me to find my own way

I'm thankful He directs my steps

I'm thankful He has revealed Himself in His word

and instructs me in how I should live

I'm thankful for the prophecies that have come to pass

thankful Jesus left His home in glory to come and give His life as a ransom for many

I'm thankful for the many ways God shows Himself to be a provider

I'm thankful He loves me with an everlasting love