Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for 38 years

38 years loving the wife of my youth

38 years walking through life with my best friend

38 years of experiencing God's favor and grace

I was so young and clueless when I married Chris back in 1984

but I knew one thing--I needed God's help if I was going to be the husband He called me to be

And He has been my Helper 

I'm thankful for His promise to respond when I call upon Him

I'm thankful God is faithful

thankful He is patient

I'm thankful for the paths God has led us down

life has definitely been an adventure

I'm thankful for God's word

for the instruction He gives to me as a husband

it's good to have a guidebook when facing the challenges of life

I'm thankful for the example of Jesus in loving His church

His life of sacrifice  is the bedrock for making marriage work

I'm called to give myself up for Chris and nurture her

I haven't always known what that was supposed to look like

but I'm thankful God has been patiently teaching me 

and thankful He continues to teach me as I seek Him

I'm thankful God has blessed Chris and me with children and grandsons

it has been a joy to all be together this Christmas

I'm thankful God has been my provider throughout the years

I'm thankful He knows my needs and promises to supply those needs

I'm thankful God is always present

thankful He walks by my side every moment of every day

where would I be without God?

so thankful I never have to find out

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for shelter this evening

it's a cold and rainy night

I'm thankful for God's provision

there are so many comforts that He has blessed me with

many of them I simply take for granted

but I know there are people tonight who don't have a roof over their head or a bed to sleep in

I'm thankful God brought all of our kids home for Christmas

it is such a blessing to all be together

sitting around the dinner table tonight was very special

I'm thankful for this time of year

thankful for Jesus

thankful He willingly gave up His place in glory to come and live among men

I'm thankful God had a plan in place even before the creation of the world

that His Son would be the sacrificial Lamb who payed the penalty for man's sin

I'm thankful for the newness of life that comes through trusting in Jesus

I'm thankful for freedom from fear

I was reminded today that there are 365 times in Scripture where we are told not to fear

once for each day of the year

I'm thankful God is always present

thankful for His nearness

I'm thankful that although I think up plans God is the one who directs my steps

I'm thankful He is the Sovereign Lord

thankful there's never a plan B with Him

I'm thankful for the grace God provides in every circumstance

I'm thankful that His strength is perfected in my weakness

I'm thankful God never grows weary or tired

and I'm thankful for His patience with me

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

thankful for His faithfulness

I know I can trust Him

thankful He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

I'm thankful God is truth

thankful He is a promise keeper

I know that what God says He will do, He does

every time, every day 

Thankful Thursday

my heart is filled with gratitude

God is good

He is my salvation

I'm thankful for His mercy and grace

thankful God is my defender

thankful He is the lifter of my head

I'm thankful for God's promise of His presence

thankful He walks with me through every circumstance I face

I attended a friend's funeral on Saturday

his family is grieving

but they also have hope

I'm thankful God gives hope

thankful this world is not my final home

my friend was strong in his faith, and passed that strength of faith on to his family

I had the opportunity to see the production "David" at Sight and Sound  today

such a sell produced show giving glory to God

it was a good reminder of the importance of worship

it also brought out God's compassion for His people

and the importance of repentance

I'm thankful God is forgiving

thankful He is the creator of heaven and earth

I'm thankful that God draws near to those who draw near to Him

thankful He gives me songs in the night

I'm thankful God blesses His people with peaceful sleep

thankful He invited me to come and find rest in Him when I'm overwhelmed by the cares of this world

I'm thankful God is a listener

thankful He invites me to call out to Him

thankful God is "abundant in lovingkindness and truth to all who call on Him."

I had the opportunity to pray with a friend this evening

he called me to give me the news that his wife was just diagnosed with cancer

I'm thankful for friends who I'm privileged to share life with

thankful for their prayers for me

and thankful I can pray for them

I'm thankful for the confidence that God does hear and respond when I call upon Him

I'm thankful for this season of year when we celebrate God's gift in sending His Son to walk among men

I'm thankful God is Immanuel

God with us

so thankful He is with me