Thankful Thursday

 

 

Today I'm reminded of how much I have to be thankful for

 

It is my wife's birthday

 

She's been my best friend for going on 33 years

 

I know she is a gift from God

 

She's an expression of His love and favor in my life

 

So thankful I have the privilege of sharing life with her

 

thankful for her constant companionship, her beautiful smile, her faithfulness, her support and encouragement, her time

 

I'm also very thankful for my son, who leaves early in the morning for a 2 1/2 month internship with ReachGlobal Crisis Response in South Carolina

 

Thankful for his servant heart, his love for the Lord and for others, his hunger to learn and grow, his creativity

 

Thankful God has opened this door of service for him this summer.  Excited for what he will learn as he works alongside others with a similar heart

 

I was also reminded today of how faithful God is in directing my path

 

I know I need Him every day

 

And He is always there, fulfilling His promise to never leave me or forsake me

 

Thankful for the conversations He has allowed me to have in the last week

 

Opportunities to declare His mighty work in my life

 

I am a recipient of His amazing grace

 

Can't thank Him enough!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Although our anniversary was in December, my wife and I went away this past weekend to celebrate the 32 years of marriage God has blessed us with.

 

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

 

Thankful for the time we got to spend together away from the normal routines and scenery

 

Thankful for the conversations we were able to have

 

Thankful for this godly woman who continues to walk beside me on life's journey

 

This week we started a large remodeling project at work

 

Grateful for the way we have seen God's hand of provision

 

  Other things for which I am thankful:

 

God's mercies that are new every morning

 

rain

 

the beauty God has created for our viewing pleasure

 

friends who support and encourage me

 

opportunities to share how God has brought change in my life

 

piano/music

 

fires in our back yard pit

 

watching sunsets in our Adirondack chairs

 

grace

 

God's patience

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Last week I was really sick for a few days, and didn't even think about the fact that it was Thursday and time for my thankful post, but I'm feeling much better now, and one of the things I am very thankful for is the way God has designed our bodies to heal and become healthy and strong after experiencing sickness.

 

I had some interaction with a customer the other day.  When I greeted him, he said, "You always come with a smile."  I responded, "I have so much to be thankful for, why wouldn't I be smiling?"  That's the attitude I want to carry with me every day.  Not just on Thursdays.

 

But since it is Thursday, I'm thankful for:

 

good friends

 

the hope we have in Jesus

 

Skype and Facetime

 

God's word

 

a warm and dry house

 

music

 

my family

 

opportunities to serve

 

the fruit of the Spirit

 

struggles that produce growth

 

JESUS, rescuer of sinners

 

Grace

Thankful Thursday

 

 

As the few remaining minutes of 2015 wind down, I want to take a few moments to express my gratitude for the many blessings God has poured out in my life over this past year.

 

a steady job

 

committed friends

 

my loving family

 

growing relationships

 

God's word--instruction for living

 

opportunities to serve

 

struggles that have brought new strength

 

a new roof over our heads

 

a new driveway

 

a "new to us" vehicle

 

the gift of forgiveness

 

God's mercies that are new every morning

 

GRACE

 

As I look ahead, I don't know where the path of my life will lead, but I am grateful that I know the God who determines that path.

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

It's Friday morning, and I'm late writing my Thankful Thursday post.  It's a reminder to me how easy it is to get caught up in everything that is going on, and neglect expressing appreciation for all the blessings I have received.  Does this happen to you too?  I know that God delights in my praise, and I do make it a practice to communicate gratitude, but in reality, I could be offering unending thanksgiving for who God is and what I have received from Him.  The apostle Peter reminds me that God "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,"  I am thankful for:

 

eternal life

 

physical health

 

a job I enjoy

 

friends who support and encourage me

 

food

 

a loving family

 

pictures

 

a roof over my head

 

a newer family vehicle

 

joy

 

peace

 

the power of prayer

 

God's indwelling Spirit

 

GRACE!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I have so much to be grateful for.  When I take the time to stop and consider the direction my life was headed, the chains that bound me to sin, and the hopelessness I woke to every day, I marvel at the grace God has shown me.  The bible is very clear: all have sinned.  And because of that sin, I deserved death.  But God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin on [my] behalf, that [I] might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21

 

I thank God that though I once lived in the darkness and depravity of sin, He rescued me and adopted me into His family.  He sent His Son to redeem me!  And to give me new life.

 

As we celebrate Christmas this year, I want to meditate on the incredible gift God gave.

 

So thankful that JESUS is:

 

Wonderful Counselor

 

Mighty God

 

Prince of Peace

 

Eternal Father

 

King of kings

 

Lord of lords

 

Alpha and Omega

 

Sacrificial Lamb

 

Author of Salvation

 

Resting in His grace tonight.  Rejoicing in His goodness!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

As I take a few minutes to reflect this evening, I'm thankful for

 

good conversations

 

compassion

 

sight

 

opportunities to serve

 

family

 

answered prayer

 

heat

 

Carl

 

God's word

 

friends

 

creation

 

beauty

 

music

 

work

 

learning

 

Grace