Whose side are you on?

 I've been reading through Joshua with my wife recently.

God tells us that all Scripture has been written for our learning.

And as I have read about the experiences of the Israelites as they entered the promised land,

the things God is teaching me are very relevant.

One of the lessons that has stuck out to me and continues to challenge me is found in chapter 5.

The people have crossed over the Jordan River, and as an act of obedience, the men have been circumcised.

After this is accomplished, and while they are healing, some significant events take place.

They celebrated the Passover

They ate from the produce of the land

The provision of manna ceased

And Joshua had an encounter with God as he took a walk.

I want to focus on that encounter.

Joshua sees a man standing near Jericho with a drawn sword in his hand

I think if I had been Joshua, I would have turned aside

but Joshua approached the man and asks a question:

"Are you for us or for our adversaries?"

This is not a surprising question. After all, they have come to drive out the people who are living in this land that has been promised to them.

But the response is quite interesting:

"No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord."

Joshua's immediate response is one of recognition.

He realizes he is in the presence of God, and falls on his face on the ground.

Joshua then asks a second question:

"What has my Lord to say to his servant?"

and he is told to remove has sandals because he is on holy ground

The lessons here for me are twofold

First, how do I approach God when I am having conflict with someone?

I think too often, I'm like Joshua, asking God to pick a side, when I should be asking Him what He is wanting to teach me.

Many times, when facing conflict, I'm trying to convince God to change the other person.                    (more about this in a future post)

I'm more about pushing for my agenda than listening to God's voice

But God is seeking obedience and His glory.

We see this over in chapter 7 when God uses the people of Ai to defeat the Israelites because there is sin in the camp.

If He was just for making my life more pleasant and victorious, He could ignore my sin and always let me walk in victory.

But He knows that at times I need discipline because of my disobedience.

Thus the response from the captain of the Lord's host:

not taking sides, just accomplishing My will!

And so I'm learning to respond to conflict differently. (it's a slow process!!)

Second, how well am I showing reverence for God?

When was the last time I was down on my face before the Lord?

How often am I asking God to speak?

Sure, I'm spending time reading God's word.

But am I really paying attention?

Am I taking the time to ponder and meditate on the things God is saying?

Whose side am I on?

Thankful Thursday

I am very conscious of how much I have to be thankful for

and I try to make gratitude a part of each day

I believe it does make a difference

I remember hearing a statement years ago that 

"attitude determines your altitude"

and having an attitude of gratitude gives me the ability to soar

I don't want to be trudging through life

Jesus said that He came to give His followers abundant life

I'm thankful Jesus came

thankful for His example in living as a servant

thankful for His teaching as recorded in the 4 gospels

I'm thankful for His death on the cross

becoming the ultimate sacrifice for my sins

I'm thankful Jesus is no longer buried in a tomb

He is alive and active in my life

I'm thankful that because of His resurrection I now experience newness of life

I'm thankful God is the giver and sustainer of life

I'm thankful He is above all things

I'm thankful God is the creator 

thankful He owns the universe and rules in majesty over it

I'm thankful God is my source

thankful He provides for all my needs

I'm thankful for God's knowledge of me

I've been spending some time meditating on Psalm 139

in verses 5 and 6 the psalmist describes God's caring presence and says the knowledge of that is too wonderful for him to understand

in verse 18 he says that God's thoughts about him outnumber the sand!

I'm very thankful God considers me, a mere speck in the scope of the universe, and knows me completely

I'm thankful nothing ever catches Him by surprise

I'm thankful God is a refuge for me

thankful He gives strength for each day

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

thankful He is gracious and merciful

I'm thankful God is my loving Father

I'm thankful His love is an everlasting love

thankful there is nothing that can separate me from that love

life isn't a stroll down easy street

it can get messy sometimes

but I'm thankful God is with me in the messiness of life

thankful that He patiently guides me and directs my steps 

Thankful Thursday

it's a new year

I'm thankful God brought me through another year

thankful for His direction and protection in 2022

I'm thankful that God is the source of my strength

thankful that He continually puts a song in  my heart and His praise on my lips

I'm thankful for God's peace which guards my heart and mind

I'm thankful for God's faithfulness

thankful He is always with me

I'm thankful God knows my needs

and grateful He provides for those needs

I'm thankful for the skills God has given me

and thankful for the opportunities to use those skills in serving others

I'm thankful for the reminder from a friend today that God is my source

I know that without Him I can do nothing

but thankful that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

I'm thankful for my job, and specifically for my bosses

I had breakfast with them one morning this week

thankful for the tone of our conversation

and thankful they took time to pray for me as we were wrapping up our time together

I'm grateful to be part of a company that strives to honor God

I'm thankful God speaks to me through His word

thankful it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness

I'm thankful I don't have to try and figure everything out on my own

grateful God is in the business of providing wisdom when I am lacking it

I've been meditating on Ps. 139 quite a bit recently

I'm actually working on writing a song from that psalm

I'm grateful God is the One who created me, formed me in my mother's womb, and knows the number of my days

thankful I am fearfully and wonderfully made

I'm thankful there is nothing that can separate me from God and His love for me

thankful He examines my heart and mind and reveals areas where I need transformation and growth

I'm thankful God guides me in His righteous path

and thankful that path will eventually lead me to His eternal home

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 

Thankful Thursday

It's Thanksgiving

and although I frequently post a list of things I'm thankful for on Thursday evenings

I'm usually reflecting on the previous week

today I had time to ponder God's goodness in my life over the last year

Ps. 86 tells us that the Lord is good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth

how grateful I am for those statements

I'm thankful that God is good and that He pours out good on His people

I'm thankful God never intends for anything to promote evil

He takes even the least desirable situations and uses them for my good and His glory

I'm thankful God is a forgiving and merciful God

because He is good, He desires for His people to be good also

I'm thankful for the blood of Christ that washes me clean

thankful that His sacrifice on the cross made forgiveness possible

thankful I am now clothed in His righteousness

it's God's lovingkindness that allows Him to forgive

it's His lovingkindness that gives Him patience when I stumble and fall

I'm thankful for the abundance of God's love for me

His love never runs out or dries up

I'm thankful God is governed by truth

there is no falsehood in Him

I'm thankful God always keeps His word

another verse in Ps. 86 says God is abundant in lovingkindness to all who call on Him

I'm so thankful for the channel of communication God has opened up for me

I can call on Him at any time knowing His ears are always open to my prayers

as I looked back over the past year today

I realized just how good and forgiving and loving God has been over the last 12 months

as I shared with family today, there were a few times this past year when I didn't know whether my wife would continue to walk by my side

she had quite a few health complications since last Thanksgiving

but God has preserved her life

He has shown me such favor

I'm thankful for each day we've been given

I'm thankful for opportunities to serve my wife as she has traveled down some difficult roads

and I'm thankful God has walked each of those roads with us

I'm thankful God continues to give me a song

I'm thankful for God's protection on the road and on the job site over this past year

there have been a few situations where the outcome could have been a lot different

but God has been a shield about me

He is the lifter of my head

I'm so thankful God calls me His beloved son, wraps me in His merciful arms and lights my path

teach me Your way, O Lord; unite my heart to fear Your name

Thankful Thursday

today is a good day to give thanks

actually every day gives us the opportunity to give thanks

I'm thankful God woke me up this morning, giving me life and breath for another day

I'm thankful God is my strength

thankful He created me with arms and legs that function and enable me to move about and do things

I'm thankful God is my song

thankful He enables me to life my voice in praise of Him

I'm thankful God is patient with me

I'm thankful His mercies are new every morning

I'm thankful for God's abundant grace

I'm thankful God is always good

thankful He is ready to forgive

I'm thankful Jesus paid the penalty for my sin when He hung on the cross

I'm thankful salvation is available to all who believe in His name

I'm thankful for the beauty of creation and for eyes to see that beauty

I'm thankful for sunshine

thankful for the crisp fall weather

the moon has been brilliant recently

actually, the moon has no light of its own, it merely reflects the light from the sun that shines on it

in the same way, I have no light of my own, but God gives me the opportunity to reflect His light as I gaze at Him and allow Him to shine on me

thankful for circumstances that allow me to shine

I'm thankful for the ways God reminds me of my need for Him

I'm thankful He holds me in His hand

thankful there is nothing that can pluck me away from Him or separate me from His love

 

Thankful Thursday

it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord

He is deserving of my gratitude

God has done great things for me

without Him I would be nothing

I'm especially thankful I arrived hoe safely today

it was a day of longer driving

and on my hour and a half drive home I was really fighting sleep

but I'm thankful God kept me awake and protected me from running off the road or into someone

God is my strength and my song

I'm thankful for the strength He provides each day

thankful for energy to do my job

I'm thankful for answered prayers today

I was working with some little screws, and they kept falling

the first time one dropped into the mulch bed

it was a black screw and the mulch was black

as I looked for it, I told God I needed His help to find it

and He came through

that happened two more times with the same conversation with God

and each time I found the screw, I thanked Him for helping me

I have to give credit where credit is due

I'm thankful for work closer to home tomorrow

a 15 minute commute instead of an hour and 45 minutes

we have had a full house this week

I'm thankful for time to visit with my in-laws

 we've had some good conversations, fun times around the dinner table, and competitive games

well, maybe the competitiveness was just me

I'm thankful for the relationships God has allowed us to develop over the years

I was thankful to see the sun today after a rainy week

I'm thankful for the beauty of this season

I saw so many colorful trees on my drive today

thankful for eyes to enjoy that beauty

I'm thankful for good teaching

I was listening to a sermon on prayer during my drive this morning

the speaker was talking about aligning ourselves with God; becoming a part of His plan rather than trying to get Him to become a part of our plan

it was good food for thought

Thankful Thursday

As I reflect on the past couple of weeks

I'm thankful for the gift of music

I've been writing a new song based on my standing in Christ

Each time I write a song, I'm reminded of the verse in Psalms that says God has put a new song in my mouth

I do feel like these songs are gifts from the Lord

He gives me the words and guides me in putting them to a melody

I'm thankful for life

I know that each day is a gift

there are no guarantees about tomorrow

I want to live each day in a way that pleases my Lord and brings honor to Him

I'm thankful God is the One who directs my steps

thankful He illumines my path

I'm thankful for His word

it is a source of instruction, correction, and encouragement 

I'e been praying often that God's word would dwell in me richly

One of the reasons most of my songs are putting Scripture to music is because of my desire to have God's word on my lips

and I find myself singing those songs as I go through my day

I'm thankful for God's presence

His promise is that He will never leave me or forsake me

I'm thankful I am His beloved son

thankful I am a part of God's family

thankful He is my heavenly Father

I'm thankful for my family

as I was praying with a friend this afternoon

I was thanking God for the favor and blessing He has poured out in my life in giving me a loving wife and for children and grandchildren

I'm thankful for opportunities to connect with my kids even though they are scattered around the country

I'm also thankful for an opportunity to have a long weekend with my wife

I'm thankful for each moment I get to spend with her

she is my favorite person

I'm thankful God brought our paths together 

Thankful Thursday

it has been a week of lots of windshield time

almost 20 hours of driving so far

and that's just to get to job sites to do my actual job

I'm thankful for God's hand of protection as I've been on the road

today as I was traveling home, I saw 5 state troopers with flashing lights heading south on I-83

I don't know what the situation was, but sure seemed like it must have been something bad

I know I was struggling to stay alert

but once more God came through and brought me home safely

I'm thankful every week isn't like this

I'm thankful for my wife who always expresses gladness when I arrive home

thankful for the time God gives us together

I'm thankful God is the giver and sustainer of life

thankful He is my strength, my refuge, my song

I'm thankful God has opened the door for communication with Him

thankful I can enter His holy place by the blood of Jesus

I'm thankful God's ears are always open to my cries 

and thankful that He responds when I call out to Him

I'm thankful for God's word; living and active, convicting and encouraging

I'm thankful for how God uses His word to guide my steps

I'm thankful for the way He reveals Himself in His word

I'm thankful God is the giver of wisdom

thankful for His peace that guards my heart and mind

thankful for joy that comes in walking with Him

I'm thankful for the love and grace God has poured out in abundance in my life

I'm thankful God is patient with me

I'm thankful He offers forgiveness when I stumble and lose my way and sin against Him

I'm thankful God is kind and gentle

I'm thankful God is my sure foundation; a solid rock on which I can build my life

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

great is His faithfulness!

Thankful Thursday

it's another Thursday evening

time for some reflection and expression of gratitude

I'm thankful for God's word, living and active, powerful, life changing

thankful for God's promise that His word does not return void

it accomplishes His purposes

thankful for how God reveals Himself in His word

I'm thankful for the Living Word, Christ Jesus

I've been reading through the Gospels

taking another look at the documentation of Jesus' life

I'm thankful God sent Jesus to be our Savior and our example

I'm thankful for music

thankful for songs that put Scripture to music

thankful for how God has been bringing those songs to mind throughout my day

I love being able to worship in song as I work

I'm thankful for enjoyable work, for being able to see the fruits of my labor each day

I'm thankful for friendship

God has definitely blessed me with some solid friendships

I'm thankful for the encouragement I receive from brothers

thankful for those who pray for me regularly

I'm thankful for family

even though they are scattered around the country

I'm thankful for phone calls, FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom

thankful for the technology that allows me to stay connected with family

thankful too for visits from family

I'm thankful for God's peace

Life has had its twists and turns lately

but through it all there is a quiet confidence knowing God is in control

thankful He loves me and is working for my good and His glory

I'm thankful for the joy God gives as I trust Him and follow Him

I'm thankful He is the One who directs my steps

I don't know what lies around the bend

but God does and He has proved His faithfulness over and over in my life

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday was a day of prayer

a lot of time was spent seeking the Father on behalf of others

I'm so thankful God is a prayer hearing and prayer answering God

thankful He is not just some idol made of wood or stone

unable to hear or talk or move

He is alive and active

I'm thankful He is responsive when I call out to Him

and He made that known so vividly yesterday

I personally saw Him answer a number of prayers

and I received reports from others of how God answered prayer in their lives

I'm thankful God invites us to communicate with Him

and thankful for His promise that when we draw near to Him, He in turn draws near to us

One of the things I've been asking God for each morning is that He would give me a song

I'm thankful for how God is answering that prayer

there have been a number of songs running through my head the last few days

this evening when I got home from work, I sat down at the piano and played and sang for a while

I'm thankful I have the opportunity to sing praise to Him.

I've been enjoying jobs that are closer to home the past couple months

but that will be coming to an end beginning next week

I wrote the above last Thursday, but ended up falling asleep and never getting it posted

I'm thankful for sleep

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

I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend some time with our daughter and son in law this past weekend

it's always a joy to have family around

we will have more family coming in this weekend

and a gathering of some extended family on Sound

I'm thankful for the bond God gives us as families

as I see the breakdown of families in our culture and the deception of redefining marriage and family, I'm grieved at how far we've fallen from God's design

I'm thankful for my faithful wife

thankful for the years God has blessed us with

thankful for each day He gives us to live and serve together

I'm thankful for the commitment we share to walk life's road together 

it's not always an easy path, but God gives us grace for each twist and turn

thankful He is our strength

thankful He is the glue that holds us together

I'm thankful God is a shield about us, He is the lifter of our heads

I'm thankful God establishes my path and directs my steps as I depend on Him

I'm thankful for the peace God offers

peace that goes beyond my comprehension

thankful for the way it guards my heart and mind

I'm thankful for joy

I'm thankful for quiet moments to sit and reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness

Thankful Thursday

I haven't been very consistent lately with putting my thoughts down in written form

I'm thankful God is always consistent

thankful He is the same yesterday, today, and forever

I'm thankful His love never changes, never fails

and very thankful there is nothing that can separate me from His love

I'm thankful God is my strength

with all that's been going on recently, I'm more and more aware of my need for His strength

I was meditating on some verses from Proverbs today

"do not lean on your own understanding"

I don't know about anyone else, but that can be a challenge sometimes

I've been around the block a time or two, and sometimes I get too confident in my own ideas

"in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight"

I want my path to be straight!

I want to be acknowledging Him in every situation

talking with a friend today who spent the best part of yesterday in the emergency room

he was sharing how he prays that he will be a testimony to nurses and doctors he interacts with

people who under normal circumstances he would not have any contact with

what a great way to pray

I'm thankful for a God who responds when I call out to Him

a God who shows Himself faithful in every situation

I'm thankful God is near to the brokenhearted

thankful God executes justice for the oppressed

I'm thankful God guides my path

thankful He is intimately acquainted with all my ways

I pray with the psalmist that God would teach me His ways and unite my heart to fear His name

I'm thankful for nighttime

thankful for the refreshment that comes with a good night of sleep

I will lay down and sleep in peace, for You, O Lord, are with me

Thankful Thursday

It's been over a month since I posted on my blog

It certainly isn't because I haven't had things to be thankful for 

nor has it been a lack of taking the time to talk about those things

it's just been a period of having life turned upside down

and a need for shifted focus

when I wrote last, my third grandson had just been born and I was looking forward to meeting him

and after a month of multiple visits to the emergency room and doctors' offices

it has finally happened

I'm thankful for this opportunity to be with family

I'm thankful God holds me and my family in His mighty hands

I'm thankful He knows the number of our days

I'm thankful for the hope found in Jesus

thankful God is my strength and my song

thankful He is my Deliverer and my Redeemer 

I'm thankful for God's orchestration of all the little details of life

Proverbs tells us that the mind of man makes plans, but God directs our steps

I'm thankful for His direction

I celebrated my 4 year anniversary working for Dutch Family Services last month

I'm so grateful for this job which God has provided

I'm very thankful for the flexibility granted me in taking time off when needed

I'm thankful for the variety of work which helps to keep things interesting

I'm thankful for owners who genuinely care about their employees

I'm thankful for the new skills I have learned over the past 4 years

I'm thankful for music

it has been such a joy to watch my 20 month old grandson strumming the guitar and bursting into song when we gather as family around the piano

may he always have a heart devoted to worshiping our great God

I'm thankful I've gotten to see both of my daughters and their families this past month

children are a blessing from the Lord

and there's nothing like hard times to remind us how blessed we are to have family who love us and pray for us

I'm thankful too for my in-laws

thankful for the support they have shown over these difficult days

God is the author of marriage, He's the creator of family

I'm so thankful for His good gifts to me in marriage and family

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful God is the author, giver, and sustainer of life

especially grateful for this as my third grandson was born yesterday

There were a few complications, including a visit to the emergency room, but mom and baby are both doing well

I'm thankful for technology which allowed me to see and talk to them this evening

I'm thankful God is trustworthy

thankful He is faithful

thankful God is my burden bearer

I'm thankful for His invitation to cast all my cares on Him 

thankful for the knowledge that God does care for me

I'm thankful for rain

we sure got a lot of it today

thankful God waters the earth, making things grow

thankful for the beauty of creation

I'm thankful God is my strength and my song

thankful He is my defender

I'm thankful for God's word

thankful it is true

thankful it is living and active

thankful it always accomplishes what God sends it out to do

I'm thankful for the verses I've committed to memory

I'm thankful for family

it's been a full week with both of my brothers in law visiting from out of town

but thankful for the conversations, the games, the laughter

I'm thankful for healthy relationships with my in-laws

I'm thankful for God's grace 

thankful He has shown me mercy

and thankful I will get to experience it again tomorrow

His mercies are new every morning!                                    

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful God delights in reconciling people to Himself

I was reading in Col. 1 this evening, and was reminded once again of God's pleasure in the reconciliation process

I'm thankful for the blood of Jesus

the sinners only hope

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

and thankful He is steadfast and faithful

I'm thankful God is my strength and my song

I played piano a bit this evening and sang the song God gave me from Psalm 103

the psalmist admonishes me to "forget not all He has done"

I have truly been blessed beyond measure

I have received grace upon grace

I'm a recipient of God's love

even when I was His enemy, God loved me and paved the way for my salvation through the death of His Son

I have obtained favor from the Lord in the form of my wife

I can't even scratch the surface of how blessed I am to share life with her

I'm thankful for each new day

thankful for the opportunity to walk with God on this journey of life

I'm thankful He directs my steps

thankful He interrupts my plans at times to lead in a different direction

I'm thankful for God's word

living and active

a light for my path

encouraging and convicting

truth and wisdom

so grateful for how God preserves His word

thankful for opportunities to hide it in my heart

and thankful for recall of verses in times of need

I'm thankful I'm God's adopted son

thankful to have a place in His family

thankful for my spiritual brothers with whom I can share life

so much to be grateful for 

Thankful Thursday

on this Thursday evening

I'm thankful Jesus is the Living Water

I'm thankful He satisfies the thirsty soul

thankful God has made a way through Jesus to enter into relationship with Him

I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit

thankful He guides me in prayer

thankful He produces fruit in my life

thankful for the Spirit's work in nudging me to take certain steps

and thankful for the guardrails He provides to keep me from going in certain directions

I'm thankful for life and breath

I know that each day is a gift from God

there are no guarantees for tomorrow

just got word this morning about an acquaintance who passed away

it's a reminder that life is fragile and short

I'm thankful for opportunities to work on projects with my wife

thankful she enjoys spending time with me

I'm thankful for the expression of God's favor she is in my life

I'm thankful God has blessed me abundantly in so many ways that are undeserved

thankful for His grace poured out in my life

thankful for His mercies that are new every morning

in a world corrupted by sin, I'm thankful God delights in reconciling people to Himself

thankful He offers forgiveness to all who repent

thankful God has the ability to cleanse me from sin

and thankful He has clothed me in robes of righteousness

it would be easy to get bogged down in the everyday happenings of life

but God gives me hope and the ability to express gratitude

which enables me to rise above the struggles

I'm thankful He reveals Himself in so many ways

thankful God gives me a song of thanksgiving

Thankful Thursday

on this Thursday evening I'm thankful for God's presence and protection

I've driven a lot of miles this week

thankful God travels with me always

thankful He has brought me safely through each day's journey 

I'm thankful for conversations with God as I spend time on the road

and I'm thankful for conversations with friends and family that help to keep me awake

I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we've been experiencing recently

I enjoy springtime with all the signs of new growth

I'm thankful for the flowers blooming this time of year

thankful for some opportunities to pick flowers to bring home to my wife

I'm thankful for her smile when I tell her that flowers make me think of her face

our son, Adam, came home this past weekend for Mother's Day

I'm thankful for the time to spend with him

thankful for the chance to communicate with him on a variety of topics

and thankful for the project we were able to work on together

spending time with any of our kids is such a blessing

thankful God has given me the opportunity to be a father

and I'm thankful He is my heavenly Father

I'm thankful God has adopted me into His family

thankful His mercies are new each morning

I'm thankful for the sufficiency of His grace in facing struggles along the path of life

I'm thankful I don't have to lean on my own understanding

thankful God gives wisdom when I am coming up short on it

I'm thankful God gives me a song each day

thankful He answers that prayer

I'm thankful God's ears are always open to my cries

thankful for the confidence I have in prayer, knowing He hears me and responds when I call out to Him

I'm thankful I am loved with an everlasting love

I'm thankful for the peace that brings to my heart and mind

Thankful Thursday

 

I've been reading over the account of Jesus' meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well

I'm so thankful Jesus is the Living Water

thankful He satisfies the thirsty soul

in the midst of a culture that promises fulfillment in many different ways, but only disappoints, I'm thankful Jesus never falls short

but it is easy to fall into the trap of drinking water that doesn't satisfy and wondering why I need more and more

I'm thankful Jesus continues to invite me to drink from His well

thankful the water He gives becomes a well of water springing up to eternal life

I'm thankful Jesus is all knowing

it's funny how the woman responds when Jesus tells her about her failed marriages and current immoral relationship

"Sir, I perceive You are a prophet."

you think?!

but even though Jesus knows all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, He still loves me so much He was willing to go to the cross to purchase salvation for me and for anyone who believes

I'm thankful for that depth of love

I'm thankful for His obedience to the Father

I'm thankful for His example

His statement to the disciples when they return from town with food

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me."

that's the food I want to be hungering for

I'm thankful Jesus is the Bread of Life

thankful He is the Good Shepherd

thankful for His leading in my life

I'm thankful I'm an adopted son 

thankful God knows my name

life's been a bit challenging lately

but I'm thankful for God's promise that His grace is sufficient

thankful His power is perfected in my weaknesses

I'm thankful I don't have to lean on my own understanding

thankful God gives wisdom generously

thankful He is the giver of every perfect gift

I'm thankful as we approach Mother's Day that God has blessed me with children

and thankful for the godly woman who is their MOM