This year I decided to post a daily Thanksgiving thought on Facebook that named one thing I reflected on and gave thanks for. Many others did similar postings. It was good to intentionaly reflect on things I am thankful for and name them. It was a good exercise, and one that should not be confined to one month. Being thankful should be a way of living each day of our lives.
So I don't lose track of my Season of Thankfulness, I decided to list all of them on this blog. I can scroll through the archive to remember what a blessed life I have. Perhaps it will help me remember blessings and not take them for granted.
A Season of Thankfulness: One
Driving home this morning watching the clouds give way to
blue sky and sunshine and seeing the vibrant colors of Autumn washed clean from
the rain, I was reminded of the beauty of God’s creation that I live in and
call home. Giving thanks for the beauty
of our mountains.
A Season of Thankfulness: Two
Giving thanks today for God’s Presence in my life. I do not need to go to one place like
the Temple in Jerusalem to be in God’s Presence. He is Omnipresent; present everywhere at all times. What a comfort to know that wherever I
go, He walks with me. “Blessed are
those who have learned to acclaim you; who walk in the light of your presence,
O Lord” Psalm 89:15
A Season of Thankfulness: Three
Our lesson in Sunday School on the Parable of the Good
Samaritan has me reflecting on compassion. Whether it is the life-saving compassion the Samaritan
showed or the “everyday” compassion one extends through a smile, a greeting, or
a simple blessing to lift us through our day; I give thanks for the God-given
capacity to show compassion, and for the compassion so many have shown toward
me.
A Season of Thankfulness: Four
All Saints’ Day was celebrated at church yesterday. Remembering those who have passed on
and the ways many of them helped shape my faith over the years. Paul wrote of “a great cloud of
witnesses” – those who have and continue to walk with us on our journey. I am thankful for all those who have
and who presently give faith encouragement.
A Season of Thankfulness: Five
“Your Word, is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
(Ps. 119:105) Where would we be
without the Word of God? The Word
as we have it in the Bible teaches us and guides us through life. How lost we would be without it! Giving thanks today for the Word -
instruction and wisdom for my life.
A Season of Thankfulness: Six
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21) We like to plan, to be in control, to micro-manage our
lives. But it would be better if
we realized that God’s purpose for us far outweighs any plans we try to make
for ourselves. I am thankful for
those moments when I understand this.
A Season of Thankfulness: Seven
My Bible concordance has a long list of verses containing
the word “joy.” Biblical joy is more than an emotion that comes and goes (think
happiness); but rather, it is an attribute that remains at our core and impacts
how we live and see the world. Jesus spoke about joy and love together, “…that
my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this, love
each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12) I am thankful for true
God-given joy and love I see in others and try to live in my life.
A Season of Thankfulness: Eight
We hope for a lot of things: good weather, that our team
wins the game, or even those lottery numbers match. But those hopes are mainly
dependent on external influences out of our control. How different the Christian
hope that God loves us enough to send His Son to assure us eternal life. So
thankful for this assurance He placed in our lives.
A Season of Thankfulness: Nine
“MERCY is God withholding from us what we deserve; GRACE is
God giving us what we don’t deserve.”
I don’t know who came up with that quote, but it rings true. Where would we be without God’s MERCY
and GRACE? Ever thankful for a
GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL God.
A Season of Thankfulness: Ten
Our Sunday School lesson today is the Parable of the
Prodigal Son, or “The Parable of the Compassionate Father and His Two Lost
Sons.” So many lessons in this familiar story. How wonderful that God fully
restores us and reconciles us with Him. Thankful for God’s LOVE and
RESTORATION.
A Season of Thankfulness: Eleven
Giving thanks this day to all who have served in the armed
forces. My Dad served in the
Pacific in World War II as did my father-in-law. Let us not take for granted the sacrifice and honor brave
soldiers have shown in peace and in war.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twelve
Direction in life can come from many sources. We can allow this world to influence
our direction, or we can take direction from our God who knows the plans He has
made for us. Giving thanks that
God will continue to “direct my footsteps according to His word” (Psalm
119:133).
A Season of Thankfulness: Thirteen
Thankful that I live in a country that cherishes
freedom. Prayerful that I do not
abuse that freedom by using it as an excuse or cover-up for evil (1Peter2:16) Ever thankful for freedom from sin that
can only come through the Lord.
A Season of Thankfulness: Fourteen
Psalm 31 is a plea and acknowledgment of God’s mighty
protection. How often do I take
for granted God’s sanctuary and protection? Giving thanks and reflecting on God’s provision of
protection and sanctuary in my life.
“Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my
rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 31:2-3)
A Season of Thankfulness: Fifteen
Thinking about friendship today and the many true and
faithful friends I have in my life.
Ever thankful for friends who listen, share joys and sorrows, and are
always there for me. Remembering
too, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!”
A Season of Thankfulness: Sixteen
Giving thanks for prayer; for the privilege of being able to
approach God in prayer, to be honest with God, and knowing that God hears our
prayers. “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philppians4:6) Keep praying!
A Season of Thankfulness: Seventeen
Truth and truthfulness is a character trait we all strive to
consistently demonstrate. Truth is
also a foundation upon which we should build our lives. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the
life. “If you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will
set you free. (John 8:31-32) Thankful
for the Truth.
A Season of Thankfulness: Eighteen
“God is Good…All the Time, All the Time…God is Good.” When
we say this in church, it reminds me of the basic goodness of God. We can BE good, but God IS good
-always. He pronounced each step
of His creation “GOOD” and declared His people “VERY GOOD.” I am thankful for the unwavering
goodness of God and for the goodness of people in my life. “Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)
A Season of Thankfulness: Nineteen
Technology is very useful; the fact that we are using it to
communicate right now is evidence of that. But it seems we are never content with it; we are always
after the next new thing, upgrading to a newer, faster device. Contentment is a rare commodity in this
world; indeed being content takes discipline and effort. I am thankful or those moments when I
am content with what I have.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty
The promises of God are true and constant. From His promises to Abraham and His
people to the promise of everlasting life through Christ, God has kept his
promise of redemption, reconciling us to Him. Thankful today and always for our God of promises.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-one
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I
am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19) God wants us to look ahead, to look
forward to the possibilities and promises He has for us. How easy is it to dwell on the past
-count our mistakes, relive failures, and harbor “ought’s” and “should haves.” Each day is a gift from God to seek out
that “new thing.” Giving thanks
today for renewal and new things.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-two
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit
of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) What is it that holds us back and keeps
us from pressing forward? Often we don’t think we have the strength, power, or
the confidence to step out of our comfort zones. But as Paul reminds us, we have a spirit of power and
love. I am thankful that God
supplies the power!
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-three
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians
3:13) Knowing we are forgiven is a
great comfort and reason to give thanks.
We readily accept forgiveness from God. As the verse above reminds us,
we are to forgive others as the Lord forgives us. Thankful for forgiveness and pray that I will forgive
others.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-four
I once referred to the people at my church as the
congregation. But as our fellowship
deepened and love for each other increased, they are my CHURCH FAMILY. How thankful I am for these wonderful
brothers and sisters with whom I worship, learn from, and grow
spiritually. They are truly family!
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-five
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.” (John 14:27) The Prince
of Peace promises us peace – a peace that passes all understanding. That peace is a peace of the spirit: an
untroubled and fearless heart. I
believe we are to work for peace on this earth through justice and mercy, and
claiming the peace that only Jesus can give. Ever thankful for that peace!
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-six
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:13) Call it
strength, endurance, or perseverance; we all need a healthy dose to get through
busy days. Physical strength can
wane and tiredness can slow me down, but real inner strength is from God and He
does not run low. Isaiah tells us that “even youth grow tired and weary, and
young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength.” (40:31) I am thankful
for the days I am soaring with the eagles on God’s strength.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-seven
“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for
wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way
you live, not the way you talk, that counts.” (James 3:13) We live in an information age: instant
communication, 24/7 news and entertainment, and seemingly perpetual
connectivity to the Internet.
While all this informs us and adds to our knowledge – at least that
which is true and beneficial – it is not a source of wisdom. Wisdom comes from God. James tells us
to live well and humbly. He adds:
“Real
wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting
along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and
blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”(3:17) I am thankful for God’s provision of
wisdom and pray that I seek it from Him and not from the world.
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-eight
When you think if your life does the word “abundant” come to
mind? Not the Black Friday kind of
abundance, but a full, abundant life rich in love, faith, and peace. Sometimes that abundant life seems
elusive. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and
have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b).
My sense is that the abundance Jesus speaks of is a QUALITY of life,
while the abundance we most often see is based on the QUANTITY of material
things. We gain an abundant life
by loving God and loving our neighbor.
May I always be thankful for life, and an abundant life. Happy Thanksgiving!
A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-nine
Being thankful has been a focus this month, and now with
thanksgiving over, it is tempting to rush headlong into the Christmas season. I
look forward to Advent, preparing with anticipation for the Prince of Peace;
but I don’t want to let go of intentional counting of blessings. A thankful heart is a gift.
A Season of Thankfulness: Thirty
Family nurtures us in our formative years, we build a family
in our adult years, and we bask in the love of family in our later years. I am thankful for family – immediate
and extended – that has guided and taught me over the years, has loved me
always, and has become more precious to me as the years continue.
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