Monthly Archives: November 2013

Thankful for our Veterans

Dog Tag Wall

What better day to express gratitude for the brave men and women who serve in our nation’s military. I am grateful for those who put themselves in harm’s way, endure long separations from families, and consider it an honor to serve. As the wife of a recently retired Marine, I have experienced first hand the dedication and sacrifice that our military members and families give. Join me in saying a prayer of thanks and protection for our military.

As a military wife, I am also thankful for these blessings:

  • Chaplains who serve our nation’s military, both at home and on the battlefield.

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Thankful For the Love of My Life

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Thankful for the love of my life…

  • What began in our early twenties has now suddenly continued into our late fifties.
  • I am so thankful for a love affair that is ever changing and growing.
  • This man who is complex but thinks he is simple, wise but calls himself sensible.
  • My life partner, husband and best friend forever.
  • Thank you God for answering my Wish List thirty-five years ago and sending me the love of my life.

 Song of Solomon 8:6 “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave.

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Giving Thanks

2 Chron 20.21 5MfF 11.8.13

Giving Thanks for…

The new beginnings God gives me…every morning, every hour, every minute.

My family.

Friends…both near and far…those who have been in my life forever, as well as those who God brought into my life for only a short time.

The peace God gives me through His Word and the way He speaks to me.

God’s gift of words…writing helps me process what I learn about Him and from Him. It helps me apply His Word to my life. And His gift of words gives me the desire and ability to share it with others.

Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!

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Thankful for Miracles

Oak Tree in an Acorn

Miracles happen around us everyday and unfortunately they often pass by unnoticed, but every once in a while the miracle is so huge you just have to shout, “Glory!”

Today, I’m thankful for miracles . . . and I’m shouting, “Glory!”

1. Thankful for Creation – That a giant oak tree lives inside of a tiny acorn. That animals come in all shapes and sizes. That rainbows give a promise of hope.

2. Thankful for Faith – Amazed that our awesome God wants a personal relationship with people.

3. Thankful for Order – That we can count on the sun, moon, and stars to shine each day and night.

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Thankful for Technology

Thankful-for-Technology
Lord, I’m thankful
for electronic reminders that keep me from forgetting important appointments.

Lord, I’m thankful for email and video calls that allow me to stay connected with family and friends far away.

Lord, I’m thankful for cell phones that make me less fearful about my kids.

Lord, I’m thankful for information that is available in an instant.

Lord, I’m thankful that Your Word is mobile, searchable, and sharable.

Father God, help me to remember as I go through my day that You have made the technology that we have possible. Every time I email, call, do a web search, or read your Word in digital formats, remind me to praise You.

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Thankful For Hard Places

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To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

It’s taken me a while to admit that I am thankful for the ashes in my life. I haven’t always seen beauty there, but the Lord is teaching me to see, with eyes wide open, the beauty that can grow out of hard places.

  • Thank You, Lord, that in a season of financial uncertainty, You reveal yourself to me as Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider.

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All of Your Wonderful Deeds

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I am thankful for:

  1. Snail mail
  2. Leaves changing color in the fall
  3. Good books
  4. Voxer
  5. Friends who say, “I want to hear all about it. Tell me everything!”

***

I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of You.
I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

Big or small, what are you thankful for?

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The Gift of Sacrifice

Give Thanks

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:23

My breath caught as I saw giving thanks defined as a sacrifice here. Is it really that hard? Does it truly stretch us as we discipline ourselves to acknowledge where all good and perfect gifts come from?

I then discovered a sacrifice by definition is an offering of surrender. And when we give thanks to God for all He has done for us, we are are surrendering…accepting we couldn’t have or do or be without Him.

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