Although we are encouraged to have a thankful heart every day, here in the US we have a holiday that focuses on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of those days dedicated to taking a deep breath, sitting back and reflecting on the goodness of our God! A day in which, gratitude hopefully fills our hearts instead of desires, wants and worries.
Upon reflecting on this subject of thankfulness, I decided to spend some time meditating* on scripture that is focused on having a heart of gratitude. Below are a few addresses that I spent some time focusing on.
Psalm 95:1-6
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to
the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with
thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD
is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the
deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea
is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let
us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)
Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." (NIV)
1 Chronicles 29:11-13
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name." (KJV)
I have so many things to be thankful and grateful for:
My husband (how we met and that God had him chosen for my mate all along).
My son (he is the light and joy of my life)
My family-
~My parents, who have been a great example and are a huge support
~My grandparents, who are both incredible and bless my heart every time I see them.
~My brothers, their love and humor that cracks me up.
~My sister-in-law, she is a beautiful, compassionate, caring wife, mother and friend.
~My in-laws, they are such a huge blessing and have brought joy and fun into my life.
~My extended family, I am so blessed that everyone, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews..are all believers in Christ! We have the honor and joy of sharing that deep connection and nothing compares to that.
~My cherished friends, whom God has brought into my life over the years.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!
*Meditation
I am not speaking of Eastern Meditation, I am speaking of the Meditation the Bible speaks about, and yes there is a big difference. I focus my mind, thoughts and emotions on Christ and His Word, I do not try and empty my mind.
"8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.." (NIV)
November 23, 2012
November 19, 2012
Advent Bible Study
Good morning! I am really stoked because I found this Advent Study on another blog I follow and it is for women--both stay at home momma's and working momma's. This 4-week study can be done in a group or individually and it begins Monday, November 26th, 2012!
If you are interested in joining the study this year, you can go directly to the Good Morning Girls site by clicking here.
Or, if you prefer, you can head over to one of my fellow bloggers to read what she has to say about this study. You can head her way by clicking here
How to get your own free eBook:
You just subscribe to the GMG website to get email notifications. On the bottom of your first email, there will be a link to the FREE eBook! Print it off and you are ready to go!
The GMG Advent Study eBook includes:
- Weekly devotions
- Assigned Scripture Reading
- Daily Family Activities (optional)
- Recipes
- S.O.A.P. Journal Pages
I hope you choose to join the fun!!
November 16, 2012
Annual Beach Trip
Every year since Doug and I were married we have celebrated our November birthdays by traveling to some where on the Coast, i.e. Long Beach/Ocean Park, Washington, Seaside, Oregon and this past week, Cannon Beach.
Last year I was 7 months pregnant with our little boy, and we spent much of the time inside, keeping warm, and relaxing. This year we had such a fun time bringing Josiah (10 mo.) with us for his first official trip to the ocean!
The weather was gorgeous with bright blue, kite filled skies. We went during the middle of the week, so there were a minimum amount of tourists which was really nice. And, we stayed in a cozy little beach cottage and spent much of our days outside walking, playing and enjoying the sun. Josiah seemed to really like the wind against his face, and especially loved the sand. For a few moments we took off his shoes and let him place his feet and toes in it and he let out a few giggles. He liked the sand so much that he wanted to crawl around in it.The joy of a child experiencing something new is delightful!
Most of our evenings were spent inside, keeping toasty warm by the beautiful fire. On our final evening, we spent some time outside star gazing, enjoying some of the breathtaking sights of the captivating night sky our God created.
It's amazing to think that the next time we visit the coast, Josiah will be walking and running all on his own.We are already looking forward to our next trip and the family memories that will be created. So thankful for our little family.
November 7, 2012
Moral Compass
Tis the morning after the presidential election and America has made her choice. About 2 months ago I knew that Obama was going to be re-elected. No secret knowledge, just a feeling deep down inside. Many Christians (including myself) and Mormans have put their faith in one Republican candidate over the past few years, hoping he'd bring change to this crumbling nation. Praying and believing that he'd get nominated.
He did not. And, you know, I'm okay with that. Because although sometimes I may think I know it all and see the entire picture....I don't. I am human. I am finite and my grasp of the overall scope of life, is quite limited.
However, one thing I know for sure is that God (let me be specific here, God-the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) is in control and He sees the entire portrait and has allowed this to happen for reasons that we do not and cannot fathom as mortal humans. As Isaiah 55:9 states, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my [God] ways higher than your ways and my [God] thoughts than your thoughts." So, what is there left to do, but find refuge under his wings (Psalm 91:4) and place my complete dependance in Him alone.
Yes, it is true. The moral compass of America has been on a steady decline, really since her founding. But that decline has increased exponentially over the past 50 years or so. In my own limited scope I see that that decline begun to increase after two things, 1) prayer was taken out of our schools in 1962 & '63 and 2) 1973. Roe vs. Wade (the legalization of abortion in our country).
But who's to blame really? When we have a society that largely believes that one little microorganism might be cause to say there is or was life on Mars, while at the same time stating that the fetus with a heartbeat, brain and fingernails is not life. When the general consensus is that life has no value, which is really what's being taught if it is legal to kill a human being inside their mother's womb. No wonder our country is so screwed up. We have let our hearts stray from the true King.
I close with this final thought. God's grace is sufficient and at the same time He is like a roaring lion. He defeated sin at the cross--PRAISE GOD!, and there will come a day that He will come back with a Holy vengeance. On that day (and from now until then) I will praise God!!!!
He did not. And, you know, I'm okay with that. Because although sometimes I may think I know it all and see the entire picture....I don't. I am human. I am finite and my grasp of the overall scope of life, is quite limited.
However, one thing I know for sure is that God (let me be specific here, God-the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) is in control and He sees the entire portrait and has allowed this to happen for reasons that we do not and cannot fathom as mortal humans. As Isaiah 55:9 states, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my [God] ways higher than your ways and my [God] thoughts than your thoughts." So, what is there left to do, but find refuge under his wings (Psalm 91:4) and place my complete dependance in Him alone.
Yes, it is true. The moral compass of America has been on a steady decline, really since her founding. But that decline has increased exponentially over the past 50 years or so. In my own limited scope I see that that decline begun to increase after two things, 1) prayer was taken out of our schools in 1962 & '63 and 2) 1973. Roe vs. Wade (the legalization of abortion in our country).
But who's to blame really? When we have a society that largely believes that one little microorganism might be cause to say there is or was life on Mars, while at the same time stating that the fetus with a heartbeat, brain and fingernails is not life. When the general consensus is that life has no value, which is really what's being taught if it is legal to kill a human being inside their mother's womb. No wonder our country is so screwed up. We have let our hearts stray from the true King.
I close with this final thought. God's grace is sufficient and at the same time He is like a roaring lion. He defeated sin at the cross--PRAISE GOD!, and there will come a day that He will come back with a Holy vengeance. On that day (and from now until then) I will praise God!!!!
November 5, 2012
Date Night~Part 1
We have been in the process of moving the past couple of months, so our date nights have been placed on the back burner (and they have been missed), however beginning in December we are once again going to start monthly date nights...yippie!!!
While the concept of having a date night every so often has been around for several decades, the idea of a husband and wife intentionally setting aside one morning/afternoon/night each week/month to spend some quality time together (without the kids, or pets, or anybody else), is a relatively new idea. It is a time of intentional focus on one another. A time to engage in some good conversation with each other and a time to be able to check in a see how your spouse is doing (spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically). This intentional dating applies to newlyweds as much as it does those who have been married for 50 years or more. Some things may change (you most likely do not have children at home any longer, but it is just as important to invest in your marriage now, as it was when you first said those vows.
A date night doesn't have to cost at lot of $$, nor does it have to be a big extravagant production. In her blog, Christian Stay at Home Moms, Heather states, "
You can easily have a fun date night at home just spending time together. My husband and I have been known to have a fun time just sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle together."
The key to an effective date night is three-fold (1) Be intentional (2) Lay aside anything that may distract either one of you...including your iPhone, iPad or other cellular device (3) HAVE FUN!!!!
Now, for those of you who live in the Northwest, more specifically the PDX area, I will be posting some date night ideas that I hope inspire you and your mate on your next date.
While the concept of having a date night every so often has been around for several decades, the idea of a husband and wife intentionally setting aside one morning/afternoon/night each week/month to spend some quality time together (without the kids, or pets, or anybody else), is a relatively new idea. It is a time of intentional focus on one another. A time to engage in some good conversation with each other and a time to be able to check in a see how your spouse is doing (spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically). This intentional dating applies to newlyweds as much as it does those who have been married for 50 years or more. Some things may change (you most likely do not have children at home any longer, but it is just as important to invest in your marriage now, as it was when you first said those vows.
A date night doesn't have to cost at lot of $$, nor does it have to be a big extravagant production. In her blog, Christian Stay at Home Moms, Heather states, "
You can easily have a fun date night at home just spending time together. My husband and I have been known to have a fun time just sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle together."
The key to an effective date night is three-fold (1) Be intentional (2) Lay aside anything that may distract either one of you...including your iPhone, iPad or other cellular device (3) HAVE FUN!!!!
Now, for those of you who live in the Northwest, more specifically the PDX area, I will be posting some date night ideas that I hope inspire you and your mate on your next date.
November 1, 2012
Halloween 2012
Last night was our son's first Halloween (last year at this point, we were about 6 months pregnant with him), and we decided to attend our church's annual Harvest Festival. Every year for many, many years our church has hosted a Festival for the kids of that community. It has been an awesome way to meet some of the parents of a few of the kids that attend our Children's Ministry on Sunday mornings. This is one avenue of outreach our church has chosen to do each year, and it seems to be very affective.
We dressed Josiah up like a little pumpkin when we went out to eat beforehand, and then put a pea pod outfit on him when we attended the Harvest Fest.
Josiah was too young for many of the games, but Momma did a few just for fun, and Josiah and Daddy did one together. Josiah had to grab one of the ducks and there was a number on the bottom and that is how many pieces of candy we won. He chose a duck with the number 2. We just took one piece of candy though and I must say, it was quite tasty.
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