focusing on being thankful, in this world but not of it

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV

Despite what this world gives us, we remember, this is what's to come. The nasty, the ugly, the ruthless, the thieves, the liars...they have no hold on us. Our time here is temporary. How disheartening is the ugliness of people. Maybe it's that we are back in the city that we see it so much more...To God be the glory in everything. Again He reminds us, He is faithful. We are His, kept in the palm of His hand...Thankful always for this and the reminder He allows us to have as we press in to Him.

Focusing on thanking Him~
-the beautiful weather, dinner, and atmosphere at the game we were invited to tonight
-happy kiddos
-a roof over our heads
-full bellies
-hot, running water
-health
-words of forgiveness
-prayers
-seeing the Holy Spirit work
-gifts for my honey's birthday (who is REALLY hard to buy for)
-a reminder that God hears our prayers and to thank Him in advance for answering them in His way
-we are in this world but not of it
-quiet time
-belly laughs
-a free coffee
-hope
-finishing well, despite what the worldly, lost ones say
-hubby :)

day 30...thankful heart

“You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.” 
― Charles H. Spurgeon

Thankful for...

~sermon today reminding us to listen to Him and not the world
~a meal spent outside with family
~the amazing "summer" day in winter
~realizing we are here and how quickly 2013 went
~His grace
~the Holy Spirit's filling and the gift of forgiveness
~calling on the LORD...and He always hear
~God's faithfulness
~His love of helping us grow in patience
~a home of our own
~five amazing sons and being able to see that
~a husband who perseveres, loves, and humbles himself 
~a marriage and family that is held and knit together by God's grace - not by our own efforts but by Christ's work and conviction in us.  His love is an unconditional gift I could never earn or deserve.
~laughter
~beautiful biological brothers growing up together in their God appointed family
~beautiful sisters from different parts of a country growing up in this same God appointed family
~being part of this beautiful family by a God appointed marriage 
~pork roasts on a grill that weren't dry or burned!
~real food
~grace, grace, grace for this girl's stinky attitude sometimes :)
~love...the true meaning
~a service celebrating a life ending early but glorifying the Father and the joy of His promises
~"O Holy Night" and it's beautiful verses 
~truth and the Truth

[ The Shepherds and the Angels ] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 ESV

thankful

the view

Thankful for...

~an unplanned family vacation gifted to us by more than one person, in their own ways, not realizing how the Lord brought all of their "small" gifts to equal a "big" one for our family
~VBS for our boys
~a mama leading praise (with a gentle smile) for little ones after a long night of losing a dear loved one
~a hug from an unlikely one
~my honey loving me with my love language and not his own
~growing belly
~contentment by His grace
~sweet ones with their own personalities, me humbly trying to embrace each one
~a talk with a dear friend (can you believe we've been friend for almost 21 years?!)
~answered prayer
~continued prayer
~His grace
~His mercy (aren't these two -shouldn't they be- on every list?)
~lunch with a sweet friend, a bunch of little knights and a precious princess (how our conversations bless me...and of course the coffee too ;) )
~the trials of the past five years...gifts from the Lord
~His Word
~blessings that have resulted from hubby going back to school: growing in our faith, the relationship of a daddy with his sons, God's work in my heart, teaching in our home...and yes, the blessing of this dear man learning so much about business and how God has wired him...a privilege to see
~quiet time
~continued learning of who I am in Him and the unlearning of who I think I am
~a slate truly wiped clean with the cross...a gift so undeserved but so freely and lovingly given...with a price I could never pay
~the gift of Him showing me this after believing the lie for so long
~a family excited about sharing His Word and the testimony shared on Sunday
~being able to answer two big questions from two innocent boys...who didn't "already" know the answers
~being able to write this
~a breakfast date with my honey tomorrow :)
~our wedding anniversary...the gift of this marriage from the Lord

Praying you find joy in the smallest of things, contentment in where He has you...praising Him in all things.

We don't find answers in explanations to"why did this happen?" We find answers in God's promises...and His promise to you, " My grace is sufficient for you."~Warren Wiersbe




(What is the most profound statement you have ever heard about the christian life?
Warren Wiersbe said... “Christians don’t live by explanations, we live by promises.”)

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

happy Sunday...

Thankful...
- sitting here on the porch with a cup of decaf Verona (thank you sweet one for letting me like coffee again!)
- littlest one is riding the tricycle, scooter, no, now it's big brother's bike (well trying too :) )
- daddy playing catch with the big boy
- 2nd boy reading Hardy Boys in his room
- 3rd sweet boy, sleepy, saying his eyes have a sunburn (LOL!)- I thought a Hershey caramel kiss might help (I think it did ;) )
- cool breeze
- the peace and gentle quiet of God's creation
- a content spirit by the grace of God
- a sweet visit with family
- a surprise lunch visit from friends
- an unplanned trip to the tiny beach (which was really cold and our wild boys were swimming in the water that makes you numb just looking at it!  They are honorary Mainers-not me, no sir!)
- seeing the lovely of the life He has given in the everyday moments, both  big and small...
- the love of my Father, extending grace and mercy...new every morning ~LOVE~

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NKJV

link...gratitude...

 Beautiful blog and give-a-way :)

A Holy Experience

thankful...(77-100)

What a year this has been...I've been thinking this should be my post for the New Year but why wait...who knows what the LORD will be doing then ;)

I suppose I shall get to the point and make this a thankful post because despite the emotional and spiritual roller coaster this year has been, the LORD has been with me every step of the way...extending grace, endless mercies, heaping love, leading, carrying, being patient, comforting and blessing with HIS Word and peace.

Thanking HIM for...

77. making it through the summer
78. this precious hubby
79. the oldest's help this evening
80. the opportunity to meet this dear old man, all because a carpet needed to be cleaned
81. praying together as a family every night
82. the fact that daddy makes us sit and talk before prayer time, when if left to my own devices, I would miss this precious time
83. the pink ipod hubby bought me for work
84. the sermons I listen to on the little pink ipod
85. God's Word playing on the ipod
86. the homeschool conference speakers playing on the ipod...teaching me about parenting, myself, the Lord, my husband, my children, giftedness...oh, and homeschooling :)
89. HIS will and not mine, and slowly doing it first, rather than last
90. the Skirmish and the boys doing the best they ever have
91. even better about the Skirmish-their cheering for others :)
92. the new teachers and the Lord's hand
93. new place of worship
94. a Woman's Retreat, resting in the "sweet spot"-at the feet of Jesus
95. clean kitchen (not because of me)
96. clean laundry (not because of me)
97. a squeal from a 2 year old as a welcome home
98. text messages sent in love and to encourage from my honey
99. continued work
100. prayer first...and waiting...

this precious man has been a gift from the LORD to me...the LORD has truly used him this year to show me that I can make it just one more step when I think I can't...we're both fallen, broken people saved by grace, walking in joy and love...good stuff :) 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 NIV

1000 Gifts...
A beautiful idea from Ann Voskamp at a Holy Experience.  Her beautiful website and link here-won't you join?

thankful... (61-76)

Thankful...

61. His Word...
62. Daddy playing football outside with the boys...
63. A nap...
64. Homemade biscuits and gravy...
65. Dinner of homemade spicy black-eyed peas (from a friend!), oven fried parmesan chicken, corn and rice...
66. Blog checking with lovely inspirations...
67. Cool breeze (even though there's supposed to be a tropical storm?)
68. Family safe from the hurricane...

69. My sweet family at home...
70. A chuckle of the poor weather reporter on TV...
71. Washer and dryer tops cleaned...
72. Play-dough that sounds like "mato" from the 2 year old...
73. A great first week of school for Daddy...
74. A great first week of school for the boys...
75. The grace that comes when trying so hard to let go of the perfectionist attitude...

76. The peace of the LORD, knowing He is control...

Romans 12:2
~ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

(Written on Sunday August 28th, but didn't want to let it go by :) )

...blessings (52-60)

51.  a new beginning with homeschooling...


52.  a sweet surprise gift opened yesterday..it's contents:  a HUGE bag of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts   coffee...Tricia, thank you, thank you :)


53.  this dear man next to me who challenges me, and though I may not like it sometimes, his leadership of our home has blessed me and our boys more than I could know...


54.  the 40 books and videos we brought home from the library today...


55.  a stirring in my soul to create...


56.  HIS love, filled with grace and mercy...


57.  the generosity of so many to support hubby going to Uganda... 


58.   home...


59.  homemade bread and lentil soup tonight...


60.  sweet baby Matthew new today, and his precious mama and daddy...a young new family that loves the Lord...priceless...

Enter His gates with thanksgiving 

   and his courts with praise; 

   give thanks to him and praise his name. 

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

   his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

~Psalm 100:4-5

A blessed Thanksgiving to all of you dear friends, 

thankful...

Thanking Him this day

the fresh breeze of the cool water against my face...
my sweet family beside me...
looking over at hubby, his face toward the sky, mind at ease...
pizza in the fridge for dinner...
sleeping little ones...
dryer and washer going...
whipped cream in my coffee...
His Word...
His Grace...
His continued Mercy...
His patience with this heart...

He is good always...


1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.

Thanking Him...31-40

31. sweet breath of this little one...

32. fullness to feed...

33. 3 big boys loving their little brother...

34. the grace of my heavenly Father to allow the gift of this beautiful family, which I am not worthy of...

35. warm running water in this shower that allows a moment of quiet...

36. the 6 year old reading next to me...

37. the 8 year old taking apart his yo-yo to create something else...

38. these big blue eyes of the 5 year old giving baby brother a kiss this morning...

39. Daddy, watching Garfield and the game with his boys, blessed by an amazing husband who works so hard, loves us and most importantly loves our most precious Jesus.

40. His mercies are new every morning...we are blessed!

1000 gifts (21-30)

21. this new little life...

22. friends near and far

23. three precious boys enjoying God's creation and natural beauty...finding joy in a small hill of snow and making it fun~being content :)

24. missing hubby & greatly appreciating his return from trip and his presence here

25. hubby grocery shopping

26. little kicks :)

27. this warm blanket

28. laundry being caught up

29. a roof over our heads

30. His grace...for it is sufficient for thee...

1000 Gifts...

11. little arms that hug unconditionally
12. letters of forgiveness
13. a husband listening to the Holy Spirit, defending others
14. seasons of change
15. peace through sadness, with the hope of what the Lord has to come
16. cleaning in an hour
17. home
18. His Word
19. conviction of the Holy Spirit
20. gift of repentance, with true forgiveness from our Heavenly Father...

Thank you Lord, use me, forgive me, mold me, be with me~may your grace and mercy be abundant, glorifying your mighty Word and your steadfastness, your faithfulness. You are mighty!

Love your daughter,