"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow." James 1:17
This week we will celebrate "Thanksgiving" in the U.S.!! Though our culture continues to weaken and obscure the original meaning/intent of the holiday, let us make it our purpose and practice to offer thanks to the giver of "every good thing"--our one, true, and holy God!
In keeping with that, I'd like to know what YOU are thankful to God for? Please share it by commenting to this post--I'd love to hear from everyone!
In closing, here's a song that has been running through my head for several days:
"Give Thanks"
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One;
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"
Let the poor say, "I am rich,"
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One;
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
Give thanks, give thanks.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
9 hours ago
7 comments:
I love that song too! :-)
Each year beginning on November 1st, we make a door or wall of thankfulness. Usually this looks like a turkey and we write what we are thankful for on feathers each day and then place them on the turkey. Sometimes we forget or get busy and remember it AFTER the kids are in bed, but it is still a good exercise in remembering WHO we thank and HOW MUCH we have for which to be thankful. This year the scripture I chose was from 1 Chronicles, chapter 16, verse 34:
"O' Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endureth forever."
We list all sorts of things from the large to the small. Here is a sampling from our feathers this year:
Caitlin - family, friends, Biology
Caleb - Mom, Dad, Food (boys--think with their stomachs! ha!)
Hope - Bible stories (they are true, she added!) Caleb, Mom & Dad
Faith - pickles, Mom, Noonas
Dad - Jesus, family, the U.S.A.
Mom - that I am able to walk, my children, that God saved me, for my husband
The list goes on, but those are a few that were uncovered and I could still read! :-)
Oh, Lord give us thankful hearts and may we be ever mindful of each good and perfect gift with which you bless us!
Connie,
Here's what our family is thankful for:
Annie - books
Joel - friends
Bonnie - friends that also happen to be neighbors
David - my job and for time off from my job and for pumpkin pie
This is a great idea, Connie. Thanks for sending the link.
Thanksgiving week has had many emotional ups and downs for our family (and city) this year. You have probably heard about the horrible bus accident in which four teenage girls were killed and dozens were injured. It has shocked our community, but it has been such a blessing to see folks turning to God during this time of crisis. I am thankful to have the privilege to homeschool my kids, especially this week, although I know that this does not "protect" them from each and every accident.
We are very thankful to have Micah, our daughter's fiance, with us this week. Although Jennifer continues to struggle with being shy around him, he is a huge blessing to our family. I have not met a more godly young man than this, and we have come to love him dearly. Well, and the fact that he raked our entire yard doesn't hurt... ;-)
Our dear friend (and pastor's wife) gave birth to their third child today, which is a very exciting event! Our girls have grown very close to them, as they babysit for them often, and this is the first close friend they know who has had a baby. We are providing round the clock babysitting for them right now, and the girls are staying in what has been dubbed "The Edwards' Room" at their house, tonight.
Although I continue to struggle with medical issues, I am so thankful for the daily activities that I am able to do. Things like driving, walking, doing chores around the house - all of these are precious to me this Thanksgiving week.
More than anything, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. And I am thankful for the many opportunities I have to share His Good News with our children. Just yesterday I had a wonderful talk with one who is very close to the Kingdom, if not there already.
In conclusion, I am thankful for you, dear friend. I am thankful for the part you have played in my life over the last few years and the privilege of participating in yours, also. I praise God for the day he brought our families together.
Hey Connie,
I clicked onto this post right after you sent me the e-mail. I began writing about all the things I am thankful for and realized how inadequate I felt in typing them out... there were just so many. Even in trials the Lord is so merciful to allow me to see His goodness, His faithfulness. It is by His grace alone that He has made me aware that I have sinned against my Holy God... and even in this awareness He has been gracious not to have me see the full vileness of my sin all at once, for He knows I could not stand, much less crawl. He has extended a pardoning mercy, acquitted my soul of receiving just punishment, provided an undeserved and perfect remedy for the righteous sentence of His holy law. He has, through this precious Redeemer, made a way that cannot be stripped from me. Given me a hope that withstands being pressed on every side. Amazing grace? More than amazing!!! For He even delights in this merciful provision and glories in the cross His only Son suffered and died on for sinners such as I.
I could go on and on... I could tell you about the blessings of my dear husband and children... for these such blessings are abundant and overwhelming. But I just want to thank you for the opportunity to reflect on such things.
I didn't get to write this on or before Thanksgiving, but I still wanted to share my "thankful" comments! As you may remember, Connie, it was four years ago on Thanksgiving Day that we officially became the parents of Elijah Samuel Byler, then 9! I am thankful to God for allowing me to be this young man's mother! What an awesome son he is. I am thankful for all of our eight children! They are each so special and precious to me. And, I'm especially thankful for my wonderful husband who leads me as his wife and leads our family as the spiritual head of our home. He has shown us how to really, completely trust God in everything. I will write you a longer email telling you about what God is doing in our family (too long to type it all out here), but I LOVE THE LORD so much and am thankful for the way he loves us and takes care of us everyday.
I just keep being amazed that He chose me. I really can't get over it. I don't understand it. Why did He rescue me from the miry, mucky pit I was in and place me firmly on a rock? Why did He save our marriage and bless us w/ children? Why was I even born in the USA instead of the Sudan or Iraq? Why has He chosen me for the life I'm living? Why does He continue to bless me even while I neglect Him and sin against Him? Why has He seen fit to place us in an amazing body of believers? I don't understand. Why me? But I am grateful. Oh I'm thankful.
Ladies,
Thank you soooo much for taking the time to share our thoughts and "thanks giving" here!
I anticipated being blessed by reading your comments, but your heart-felt thanks to God for His tender mercy and salvation has been a MOST rich blessing to me!
May our offering of thanks to God continue to be sweet and acceptable!
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