Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!  I woke up early this morning thinking of people that I am thankful for. I thought I would write a note to each person...but I kept thinking of so many more people who have been a part of my life...then I couldn't go back to sleep...so I 'm blogging...that's what I do when I can't sleep!  Thanksgiving is a time of reflection to me-and I have thought of many wonderful memories this morning. 

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. Philippians 1:3 MSG

I am truly thankful for my wonderful husband.  He is God's gift to me and I know God has a plan for our lives together.  He is a great daddy to our precious girls.  I am thankful for my Z and A-and all that I have learned by being a parent. 

The next part of the list is random...in the jumbled order that everything piles around in my head...just need to get it out and say - I am thankful!!!

When I woke up, one of my former bosses was on my mind-so after praying for her I began to remember what I learned from her, and thank God for her.  I have lost contact with Francine, but a prayer book that she gave me when I graduated college still has a place on my nightstand.  I am so thankful that she cared enough about me to tell me the truth.  She loved me when I was unlovable and put up with me in my immaturity-never giving up on the young girl who thought she knew it all (but really didn't have a clue).  I thought when I went to work for Dr. A that it was to prepare me to be in the medical field-but God had a different purpose for my time there. 

Thinking of that time in my life made me think about a co-worker at the office, Joanna.  Though we worked together only briefly-she touched my heart and I am thankful for her.  She showed me what a happy person is like.  She smiled and laughed continually...and her joy was contagious!  She taught me a lesson in selfless giving.  I will never forget the Christmas present gave me-the bracelet she wore daily.  To her it was a reminder of a mission trip she had taken (I think???), but to me it was a reminder to be a giver. 

I am thankful for my best girl friends.  I have had 4 that have been really special over the years. 

• My first best friend was Jennifer (AKA refinnej:))-she was my bestie from the time we met in 4th grade and we were close throughout the rest of our school years.  I remember summer sleepovers and always being with each other.  Her mom was my first "other mom" and we even enjoyed each others' siblings!  So many memories-I need to contact her!
• My HS best friend was Crystal.  She was there for me during a time of chaos in my life-a new school, new living situation-new driver....We always had fun and I still think of all the "coincidences" and things that made us laugh.  We occasionally enjoy catching up at lunch (wish we could do it more!) and the best thing is, we can still laugh and enjoy ourselves even if we haven't talked in a year!!
• My long distance bestie Corina was there for me as we both learned to navigate the early years of being wives and mothers.  She was an answer to prayer (did you know that??) James and I were the 'young ones' at church and I really wanted someone who was on the 'same page' as me...and God provided.  I sometimes still get sad that she now lives over 12 hours away with her family...but then I rejoice as I see how God is navigating their lives! I am thankful for you, forever friend!
• My newest best friend will be my bestie for years to come! What started off as a 'business' relationship with some interesting discoveries (like that our husbands knew each other and that I am related by marriage to her husband) has turned into a wonderful friendship.  I was sad when the 'business' part of the relationship was over-because she took such good care of my girls-but now we are even closer.  I am thankful for someone to share hunting seasons with:)  I am thankful for her whole extended family being part of our lives.  I love knowing that I have someone praying for me-thank you friend!

I am thankful for my sweet cousins!  I have lots of them...but I have a special bond with a few precious cousins.  It is so great to have someone who knows all about your family and childhood (and still loves you, lol)!  If we were all still kids, then I would be seeing you today...I remember big thanksgivings together!! I think about and pray for them often, but I don't make contact enough.  I am thankful for their lives-for watching them grow and change (and some become mommies!!!!) and for being able to see God at work in their lives. 

I am thankful for my Aunts and Uncles.  When you don't have parents on earth, it is comforting to know that their brothers and sisters are here.  My family was amazing to me at my wedding-planning, providing and praying for that special day that I will never forget.  I appreciate their wisdom and guidance.  (And did I mention their kids:)!

I am thankful for my husband's family.  His parents accept and love me and I don't feel like an "in-law".  We have enjoyed riding motorcycles with a special Aunt and they have loved on our girls. 

I am so thankful for my 4 brothers and their families.  I love each one so much!  The memories of a sibling are not comparable to other relationships.  I think about my little brothers so often and enjoy the childhood memories.  I am thankful for the care and guidance of my older brothers.  I most enjoy being the shortest one in the clan and love a big family hug...I miss my bubbas!!!

I am thankful for my adoptive family.  I like to remember watching K as a toddler and having 'date night' with my then boyfriend James. Now I get date night with James and they watch our girls.  I am thankful for the mentoring that has occurred over the almost 15 years we've know them.  I am thankful that my girls are blessed with grandparents.  One of my favorite memories is spending time together while I was pregnant-so glad to have had the guidance and wisdom of someone who had 'been there, done that"!

I am thankful for our church family.  I am thankful for our Pastor and his wife-I have learned so much from him...beyond salvation.  He teaches practical application from the Bible and I am so thankful that it causes me to grow up in God.  I am thankful for the heart of a craftsmen ministry team...to see what they do!!!

I am thankful for Beth and Joyce...through their Bible studies these ladies (and others Connie, Priscilla...) have been used by God to shine His Word in my life and renew me.  I am beginning to see who I am in Christ and I want to shine with His glory!

I am thankful for the teachers at my girls' schools.  Amazing and caring teachers-we are so blessed!  I am thankful for all my students over the years-I learned so much from each of them (especially the difficult ones!).  I enjoy getting wedding invitations and seeing what they are doing these days.  I am thankful for all the wonderful people that I worked with at the school...espcially Annie who has been a wonderful friend.  I am thankful for my special teachers growing up, especially Mrs. Crosier!

I am thankful for good neighbors.  I am thankful for great vendors.  I am thankful for encouraging bloggers. I am thankful for blog readers.  I am thankful for mom friends in the community.  I am thankful for Nazia-our compassion child who reminds us to be thankful for what we have. 

I am most thankful for:
my Heavenly Father-who chose me before the creation of the world
my Savior and Friend, Jesus who paid a great price so that I could receive the promises of God
my Comforter and Counselor the Holy Spirit who guides me each day (better if I listen:))

There are (obviously) other things I am thankful for...but this is about people.  I am sure I didn't list each person I am thankful for...but I am thankful for each person that is in my life... for such a time as this....Well I didn't mean for this to be so long, but I guess I just have a lot to be thankful for!!

Baby Blessings

My cheeks are still tear stained..I can't dry my eyes.  I saw a fb friend's status today about remembering her angel in heaven.  I saw another friend's status about praying for the family of a baby who just died.  I found these two stories (don't look at them if you don't want to cry)!   Mamie       Miller

My heart just hurts.  I can't even describe it.  I can't imagine the pain of giving birth to a stillborn or having a baby in heaven after only a few weeks here.  I know the pain of miscarriage, but not having carried a baby full term and loosing her.  I have a few friends who have been there.  Yet they have hope.  I guess that's the only way to keep going....to believe that God has a plan for it. 

So...even though I'm still crying this was good for me to consider.  I've had a rough week with my girls....but I have them!  They are with me, I can feel their sweet warm skin and smell their breath and stroke their hair and hear them giggle.  They may not always listen or do what I would like, but they are full of love and energy...and they are here!!! 

• I will remember how blessed I am to have such sweet girls the next time they are whining or screaming or not sleeping. 
• I will remember that God chose me to be their momma and He has a plan for their lives and mine. 
• I will remember that God will give me all I need to be their momma...so when I am short on patience I will go to Him. 

Thank you Jesus for this reminder today!  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a momma.  Let me never take it for granted.  Remind me that it is your strength that will make me the momma I desire to be.  Let me always be thankful for the precious girls you have given me.  Lord, comfort those who have lost their babies-just hold them. You have a plan for their pain-you will heal their hurts...call them to you!  Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Facing Giants

We've been talking about boldness this week and have read about the believers in Acts, learning that boldness is available to all believers because we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and the righteous are as bold as a lion (2 Cor 5:21 and Prov 28:1). Yesterday I wrote about David and the boldness and courage he showed in trusting God to bring him victory over Goliath. 

I don’t think we face physical giants today (unless maybe you are talking about my family –at 6’4’’ I’m the shortest of my siblings! lol).  But we do ‘face giants’ each day. When we listen to the voice of truth we will have victory over any giant we may face. 

Depending on the giants you may be facing, boldness may mean different things at different times.  It may take boldness to:

• Listen to God's truth and believe...boldly overcoming the lies of the enemy
• Give thanks....boldly trusting God in every situation
• Encourage someone when it's out of your comfort zone....boldly being a doer of the word
• Care for a special needs child or family member....boldly advocating for their needs
• Love the unlovely....boldly sharing the love of Christ
• Be nice! (new post coming on this soon:)...boldly doing the right thing
• Stand your ground (this one will have a post too!)...boldly resisting the enemy (1Peter5:9)
• Speak. To anyone.  About anything. ...boldly overcoming the fear of rejection-can you tell this is me:)
• Ask for help....boldly accepting that God put us here together and life is easier with friends! 
• OBEY...ENDURE...PRESS ON

Remember this boldness does not come from your power....but from the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.  1John 4:4 NLT (If you have time, read different version of familiar verses...I love the way it comes alive when you read it in a translation you are not used to!! Youversion and Biblegateway are great places to do that for free.)

Oh Lord,  make us like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Make whatever we do prosper (Psalm 1:3)  In any area where we need to grow in courage, we trust you Lord to teach us, realizing that this is not something we can do on our own.  I give you total control in my life, I want your Spirit to fill me to the fullest...making me bold in the hope I have in you Jesus! Guide us today, fill us with your love and let it spill out on those around us!  We will give you glory as one trembling heart and soul becomes a servant bold and courageous.  In Jesus' name-AMEN

So, I didn't even get to Esther or Daniel yet...I have been learning so much:) Come back tomorrow and I'll share! Thanks for reading and subscribing...have an excellent day!

When You Really Want To Live-Dayspring Devotional

When You Really Want To Live: "Eucharisteo Jesus, the God-man who came to save me from prisons of fear and guilt and depression and sadness. With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important? 'He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them.' Luke 22:19 In the original language, 'He gave thanks' reads 'eucharisteo'. The root word is 'charis' meaning 'grace.' Jesus gave thanks, eucharisteo, for the grace, and within 'eucharisteo' is also the derivative, chara --- meaning joy. Deep joy -- chara -- is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo -- the table of thankgsgiving. So then as long as thanksgiving is possible -- Joy is always possible. And how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of what He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes to His grace. Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. A threefold cord - that might hold a life?
 -Ann Voskamp Excerpt from the New York Times Best Selling One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are. Through Ann's heart-breakingly beautiful stories, she offers a profoundly powerful guide to finding joy wherever people live. Even in the darkest moments, in the midst of everyday challenges, you can discover an ancient way of living that is deeply, fully alive. Joy really is possible. Right now"

Compairing ....again

This morning after spending some time online I was thinking about what it was that made me feel so...yucky. Sure, I was unproductive and could have spent the time doing something more worthwhile, but there was something else going on. When I asked God about it, "comparing" came to mind.


Maybe it's something about facebook and other social media, being able to see what everyone is doing. Why do I look to others to determine my value and worth? Sure, comparisons can be benign and insignificant... or...so I think? But what's at the root of all this comparing? I have a good life, no I have a great life! I am so blessed---so....why would I compare? Why would I let the world (even my controlled facebook world) shape the way I view myself? Is it a lack of acceptance of who God made me to be? Maybe a lack of identity--that I don't fully know who I am in Christ and the gift of righteousness he has given me? Here are my thoughts as I dig to get this yucky root of comparison out of my life and allow God to replace it with HIS LOVE.

Sometimes in my comparisons, I measure up...these are the people who live like me...usually my friends. When I read their posts or see what's going on with them, I feel validated, equal, okay! These are the comparisons that may be 'benign'. But not really, because even if I seem to be 'okay' or equal to my peers.... am I really being who God designed me to be? Galatians 6:4 says: "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else." So I really don't need to look to other people! I need to base my opinion of myself on what God says about me!!!

Sometimes in my comparisons, I feel pride or superiority (yuck, that's hard to admit). Maybe I (usually subconsciously) think that I'm better than someone based on what is going on in their life according to social media. This is where judging and criticism can occur.....not a pretty thing since I am no better than anyone else. This has led me to many “plank in the eye” experiences recently (more posts to come on this, but see Luke 6:37-42). Comparison can produce superiority and pride-those things are NOT part of the new creation I became when I trusted Christ.

Sometimes in my comparisons, I don't measure up...and I feel disappointed, inferior, or insecure. Maybe, according to facebook posts, I think someone's life is better or easier than mine. Maybe I think they have a more exciting life, or they have more things, or do things better...maybe they are richer or prettier or smarter (based on my opinion according to facebook). This is really dangerous as it can open the door to resentment and envy (James 3:14)...really ugly, and NOT WHO I AM in Christ!!!

When confronted with sin, I've learned that before I'm ready to change, sometimes I have to see just how bad it is...what damage it has caused. Maybe that's why this issue has taken me so long to confront! It’s an easy one to gloss over and think, ‘oh it’s not that big of a deal’. But when God started revealing the damage this lie has done, and what bigger issues it has caused, I can see that it has gone on long enough. Comparing has caused me the pain of feeling insecure and unloved, when that is not the truth. It has caused me to want something I don’t have and to not like and appreciate what I do have. It has caused me to judge others unfairly, damaging or missing out on relationships. It has caused me to doubt others and not believe the truth of God’s word about them. In comparing myself and my circumstances to others, I am showing ingratitude at the highest level. Covetousness, greed and selfishness masked-so, it is a big deal! Colossians 3:5 leads me to see that this is idolatry. Wow! That makes it seem a little more serious.

Don't fret if you find yourself in this same ‘comparison boat’ with me ...we are not the first ones to go there! Psalm 106 gives a rundown of the Israelites' history with this sin. Even though we see the effects of it, it is so easy to fall into deception and open the door to rebellion. I have been taken captive by the enemy…but by the grace of God, I have come to my senses and will escape the trap (2 Timothy 2:26)! I am so thankful that In Christ, I don't have to be condemned when I'm convicted of this or any other sin (Romans 8:1). Each time I've been convicted of comparing over the last year or so (and each time I will be in the future) is an opportunity for me to agree with the ONE who loves me! I can agree with Him that it's not good or fruitful for me to compare. I can agree with him that it's a sin and not fitting for my life. I can allow Him to mold me and shape me into the woman he designed me to be. OR...I can compare myself to someone else, making myself feel better by thinking "at least I don't do that"...and waste the opportunity of conviction to renew my mind to the truth of God's word. Because the truth of God's word is: 2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." The truth is-we are all equal IN CHRIST Colossians 3:11

So…now I know how detrimental it can be….but how do I change it? How do I stop comparing? Since obedience is a fruit of righteousness, I will not be loved any less even if I continue to compare myself to others. But to change-I know I have to trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and sanctify me-he will complete the good work he began in me (and in you!!) Philippians 1:6. I know this isn’t going to be an overnight immediate change since I’ve believed these lies for so long they have become a stronghold, I will have to trust the Lord to change me from glory to glory. I will have to believe 2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I know I need a thankful heart, because a thankful heart is a happy heart (Yes, I’m now singing the Veggie Tales Thankfulness Song!) Thankfulness really comes from being content…check out what Paul said in Philippians 4:11. I will need to have my mind renewed daily 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.
Here are some verses that will align my thinking in this area.

Galatians 5:25-26MSG Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Wow! That is a good word to think on and renew my mind!

Romans 12:6 MSG let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If I could really do that-be what I was made to be…If we could all just do that, wow!

1 Corinthians 4:7-8 MSG For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what's the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle.

One of the things I like about a blog is the ability to search for 'tags' in previous posts. When I journal, I recall writing something down or learning it, but it's usually difficult to find where I wrote it or when it occurred. I knew God had been working with me on this topic for quite sometime...but I found a post on my blog from over a year ago....wow! Hope I get this one soon! I know God's word is alive and active in me-my mind is constantly being renewed! I did find in my journal some notes from a sermon podcast I listened to by Robert Morris titled "The sin of comparison" at Gateway Church on 3-20-10.

As a side note, I don't think FB is bad! I think it can be used for great things like encouraging others and staying in touch with friends and family. This comparison thing is a struggle that I've had for awhile now, and in dealing with it there have been periods of time where I did not get on FB for weeks. That didn't solve the problem...so FB is not the issue, it's how I use FB or any other social media-my motives. Just like any issue in life...if I run from it, but don't get to the root of it I don't solve anything. I’ve had to check my motives and really trust God as we dig this out together. Most of the comparing I’ve done has probably not been online, but in groups of people (especially at church, school, etc.) Thanks for reading this...I didn't intend for it to be so loooong:)

Seeing Good

Wednesday night Pastor Charlie taught on Philippians 4. Part of the lesson was about our attitude toward life. I've been realizing lately that my attitude stinks often!! Last Sunday I prayed that God would help me to stop being so negative in my thinking. This week He did just that! I realized one night that we were all sitting down to eat dinner together....and we do this most nights each week. How many families can say that they are able to enjoy dinners together each evening?? I am so blessed, but if I continue to look at the bad things, I will never be able to see the blessings!!! I am so blessed:) and thankful that God is opening my eyes to see it!!!
Blessings just from the past 2 days:
Found a special earring that has been missing for 4 years!
Got a brand new $60 pair of jeans (that are LONG enough!!) for FREE!!!
Had an unexpected lunch with a former aquantaince
Enjoyed a fun day shopping with my babies and the mom's group
Had dinner with friends (no cooking!!)
Get to post to my blog while girls ar napping an honey is hunting!
Got to bless a neighbor with a card and gift and share a testimony....seed planting!

I could go on and on....God is so good and I want my eyes opened to see the Good He is working in my life!