Thankful Thursday #11

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that no matter what's going on, God is in control of everything.  "The living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne." Revelation 4:9

2. I am thankful for the victory we have in Jesus Christ.  Jesus won the victory over sin and death for us all.  "Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

3. I am thankful for all God's blessings upon my life and my family...big and small...visible and invisible...realized and not recognized.

4. I am thankful that my 8 year old son did not get burned too badly when he accidentally fell and touched the woodstove.

5. I am thankful that my 16 year old daughter is using her God-given gifts wisely and for His glory.  One of her articles was accepted for publication in a Christian teen magazine.  She also has been a contributor at Growing in Grace Magazine (Christian online magazine for ladies) for almost 2 years.

I would like to share a poem I wrote this week giving thanks to the Lord.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thank You, Lord, for who You are
Thanks for love beyond compare
Thanks for grace beyond measure
Thanks for forgiveness beyond number
Thanks for mercy beyond boundaries
Thanks for provision beyond necessity
Thanks for hope beyond evidence
Thanks for joy beyond circumstance
Thanks for strength beyond comprehension
Thanks for heaven beyond imagination
Thanks for wonders beyond words
Thanks for life beyond earth
Thanks for peace beyond understanding
Thanks for all and everything
Thank You, Lord, for including me in Your family
Thanks to You daily through all eternity

P.S. I'm having two giveaways on this blog: Rolled Canvas and Poster Print (to be made from one of your digital photos). I'm also hosting another giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog. Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

It Is Good

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.  For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.  O Lord, how great are Your works!  Your thoughts are very deep." Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5

Indeed, it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to His name.  I hope and pray that I'll always have a thankful heart and the attitude of gratitude.  "Simple gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day."(Harriet Crosby)  Day and night...I shall declare God's lovingkindness and faithfulness.  Let's make everyday a day of Thanksgiving!

"Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

P.S. I'm having two giveaways on this blog: Rolled Canvas and Poster Print (to be made from one of your digital photos).  I'm also hosting another giveaway (4 free movie tickets) on my HSB blog.  Hope you will stop by and enter :)!

Previous WFW:
- Worship

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

What Do You Smell Like?

Don't you just love the smells on Thanksgiving Day? The aromas of delicious food warm our heart and awaken our appetites. Our sense of smell gives us pleasure when we smell something wonderful like roast turkey, candied yams, fresh dinner rolls, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, etc. on Thanksgiving Day. On the other hand, our sense of smell can bring us much displeasure when we smell something horrible like skunk's spray or rotten food or dirty socks or sweaty passengers' arm pits/body odor in a super crowded bus with closed windows on an over 100 degrees day (I have personally experienced the last one in Thailand). Now have you ever thought about what you smell like? How we live our lives sends a fragrance out that other people can smell.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

This coming Thursday, while we enjoy the aromas of fine food, I hope we'll be reminded that we are to live as the aroma of Christ; that our lives are to draw others to our Lord, not away from Him.

"Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you." Anonymous

P.S. I'm hosting 2 giveaways right now.  You can win a poster print (to be made from one of your digital photos) and a rolled canvas.  Please scroll down and take a look.

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

Give Thanks

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

Let's all give thanks to the Lord for who He is and for what He has done!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

P.S. I am hosting 2 giveaways right now. You can win a poster print and a rolled canvas. Please scroll down and take a look :).

Previous Songs:
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

To Grandma's House We Go

 

Every year (except maybe once or twice in the past 18 years), we celebrate our Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's house.  It's where our kids get to see their cousins and their aunt.  The picture above was taken on Thanksgiving Day in 2000 before our third child was born (in 2001).  We all are looking forward to going to Grandma's house again this coming Thursday :).

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

P.S. I am hosting 3 giveaways right now. You can win custom thank-you cards, a poster print, and a rolled canvas. Please scroll down and take a look :).

Previous Friday Photo Flashback:
- Best Brothers...Best Buddies
- Harvest Festival
- I Love Mommy & Daddy
- Corn Roast Festival
- A Taste of Thailand
- I Could Never Promise You
- In Father's Hands
- Thai Version of Wipe Out
- My Graduation Day in Thailand

Thankful Thursday #10

 
This week...
1. I am thankful for my mom.  She raised my brother and me while enduring physical and verbal abuse from my (alcoholic) dad and then later alone without any help.  She sacrificed a lot for us.

2. I am thankful for my mother-in-lawlove.  She also rasied my husband and his siblings as a single mom.  She is one of the most generous persons I have ever met.

3. I am thankful that my husband and my 11 year old son got over their sickness fairly quickly last week and that the rest of the family did not get sick.

4. I am thankful that my 16 year old daughter enjoys talking and spending time with us (me and my husband).  We also enjoy talking and spending time with her.  Many teenagers nowadays spend most of their time with their friends and listen to their friends more than their parents.  I'm glad our daughter listens to our advice and accepts our instruction   She is a delightful young lady after God's own heart!

5. I am thankful that my life is not my own and that heaven is my permanent home. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)  "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)  Jesus gives my life hope, purpose, passion, and destiny.  "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I'll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
                                                        ~Unknown

P.S. I am hosting 3 giveaways right now.  You can win custom thank-you cards, a poster print, and a rolled canvas.  Please scroll down and take a look :).

Giveaway: Rolled Canvas

Another great giveaway from LargeFormatPosters.com!  They are giving away one free 16"x20" custom rolled canvas to one of my readers and one to me.  Rolled canvas prints are perfect for home decor, photo prints and signage.  They make wonderful Christmas gifts, too :). 

Giveaway Prize: (1) Rolled Canvas for One Winner
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.
Deadline: November 28, 2009 at midnight (Pacific time)
To Enter: Leave a comment here describing what photo gifts you want to have printed for your family and loved ones.
Extra Entries: 1. Blog about this giveaway.  Please leave the link to your post in a separate comment.
                        2. Read one of my other posts and leave a comment about it here.
Links to check out:
Canvas Print
Poster Printing
UPrinting Reviews


Other Current Giveaways:
- Poster Print
- 'Tis the Season to Be Thankful

Giveaway: Poster Print

I love taking pictures.  I even have a photo blog :).  I'm excited to be hosting this giveaway.  Thanks to my sponsor, LargeFormatPosters.com, one of my readers and I will get to make one 18"x24" poster print from our digital photos. 

Giveaway prize: (1) 18x24 poster print for One Winner (randomly chosen)

Size: 18x24 Poster: Paper: High Gloss; Semi Gloss
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.
Deadline: November 28, 2009 at midnight (Pacific time)
To Enter: Please leave a comment here sharing what (holiday) photo you would choose.
Extra Entries: 1. Blog about this giveaway.  Please leave the link to your post in a separate comment.
                        2. Look around here and let me know which of my Word Filled Wednesday photos you like the best.
Links to check out:
Poster Print
UPrinting Youtube channel

Other Current Giveaways:
- Rolled Canvas
- 'Tis the Season to be Thankful

Worship

"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:23-24

Is the Lord a consuming fire in your heart...is He first in your life?  Do you love God above all else?  Our consuming desire should be to obey, please, and glorify Him; our consuming passion should be to worship Him!  What is "worship" to you?

Note: Please turn off my playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Our posture towards God should be: complete surrender, utmost reverence, joyful dependence, deepest gratitude, humble obedience, faithful devotion, and highest adoration. To me, that's "worship".  We can daily worship God by offering up our lives...our all (body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, word, action) to praise and honor Him.

"God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24

Previous WFW:

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

A Heart Exam

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I think a heart exam seems appropriate :) (no...not a warning about fat & cholesterol piled up during Thanksgiving feasts). What is our heart condition?  Do we have a thankful heart? Truly thankful? Not thankful only for material things...for worldly pleasures, but truly thankful to God for everything in all circumstances (or in spite of circumstances)... Do we daily thank God for who He is and what He has done? Or do we only thank Him when He answers our prayers the way we want, or only when we have been blessed with something big?

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" Hebrews 12:28-29

"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15

"Thankfulness is the soil in which joy thrives." ~Unknown

"When thou hast thanked thy God for every blessing sent,
What time will then remain for murmurs or lament?" ~Unknown

A thankful heart not only produces a joyful heart but also gives us a right/pleasant attitude. The attitude of awe, admiration, reverence, and gratitude for the Almighty God! Other benefits include contentment, peace, complaint-free atmosphere, no envy, no covetousness, desire/eagerness to give and share, etc., besides doing God's will.

I will never forget what a dear friend of mine said when I visited her and her daughter at the hospital after a car accident that took her son's life and left her daughter in critical condition. I went there to encourage and comfort her but instead, her words touched me deeply. She said, "I'm so thankful that the Lord gave me all those years to homeschool my kids. I thank Him for all the time we spent together." She retained a thankful heart throughout the whole ordeal. Wow...isn't that a wonderful example of "giving thanks in all circumstances"?

A Simple Prayer of Thanksgiving by Helen Steiner Rice

I come not to ask, to plead or implore You,
I just come to tell You how much I adore You,
For to kneel in Your Presence makes me feel blest
For I know that You know all my needs best...

And it fills me with joy just to linger with You
As my soul You replenish and my heart You renew,
For prayer is much more than just asking for things--
It's the peace and contentment that quietness brings...

So thank You again for Your mercy and love
And for making me heir to YOUR KINGDOM ABOVE!

Father, We Thank Thee by Grenville Kleiser

Father, we thank Thee:
For peace within our favored land,
For plenty from Thy bounteous hand,
For means to give to those in need,
For grace to help in thought and deed,
For faith to walk, our hands in Thine,
For truth to know Thy law divine,
For strength to work with voice and pen,
For love to serve our fellow men,
For light to goal ahead to see,
For life to use alone for Thee,
Father, we thank Thee.

*I'm hosting 'Tis the Season to Be Thankful Giveaway.  Please click here to enter.
~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.  Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the videos.

This is one of my favorite hymns.  It was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).  In the top video, it was sung by Kathryn Scott.  The video below shows The Wonderful Cross, a different version of this hymn with added refrain lyrics by Chris Tomlin and J.D. Walt and arrangement by Jesse Reeves and Chris Tomlin.  I like both versions :).


"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14
...Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.  I totally agree with Isaac Watts!

Previous Songs:
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Giveaway: 'Tis the Season to be Thankful

Update: This giveaway is now closed.  The winner (randomly chosen) is Lynn Matthews.  Congratulations!  I appreciate all who left a comment here.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone!

"A thankful heart is a happy heart!" ~Madame Blueberry (from VeggieTales)

Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching fast :).  'Tis the season to send thank you cards to let others know how much you appreciate them, their kindness, thoughtfulness, and/or friendship.  In fact, you can always use thank you cards for any time of the year.  Digital Room (online printing website), the sponsor of this giveaway, is offering one of my blog readers a free pack of 50 Custom Thank You Cards with envelopes.  You can browse their greeting cards page here.  You can also find UPrinting Reviews on Yelp.com.

Prize Offered: (50 ct.) 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") Custom Thank You Cards with plain envelopes
Shipping: Free UPS Ground within United States
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.
Deadline: November 21st at midnight (Pacific Time)
To Enter: Please leave a comment here letting me know how you plan to use the custom thank you cards and/or whether you have thanked someone today and if yes, for what.  One winner will be randomly chosen. 

~For hosting this giveaway on my blog, I'll also be receiving fifty thank you cards from Digital Room.

Other Current Giveaways:
- Poster Print
- Rolled Canvas

Thankful Thursday #9

 
This week...
1. I am thankful for the freedoms we have in this country.  While we enjoy the freedoms, please remember to pray for the persecuted church around the world.

2. I am thankful for all the men and women who have served our country.  Please pray for them and their families.

3. I am thankful that we were home when the heavy rain falls caused leaks in our family room's ceiling this Saturday (we almost left to go get our groceries).  My husband was able to stop the leaks promptly, preventing any damage.

4. I am thankful that the Lord helped me find what I was looking for.  This sort of thing happens time and time again.  My lack of organizational skills leads to more dependence on Him :).

5. I am thankful for my secret sister who has been praying for me and my family.  I received from her a lovely card and five $1 gift certificates for Dutch Bros. Coffee.

Whatever You Do

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble." 1 Corinthians 10:31-32a

Whatever we do, we need to do it with the right attitude and the right motive.  In Colossians 3:23-24, we are told to work with all our heart (with enthusiasm) as working for the Lord.  Did you know that the word, "enthusiasm" came from Greek words: en (in, within, to be filled) + theos (God)?  If we are filled with God's Holy Spirit, let it show in "whatever we do".  In 1 Corinthians 10:31-32a, we are told to do everything for God's glory and to not cause anyone to stumble.  We need to examine ourselves.  "Whatever we do"...is it for our own fame and glory...for our own fleshly desire...for our own selfish gains?  Or "whatever we do"...we do to please and honor/glorify God by following the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1b)?  If so, then we won't be causing anyone to stumble, either.  "Whatever you/we do" includes the way we dress, books we read, movies we watch, what we write/blog, songs we listen to/sing, games we play, what we post on Facebook or Twitter, what we do when nobody sees/hears us, etc.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Previous WFW:
- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

IDOP 2009

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Please join me and other brothers and sisters in Christ in praying for the persecuted Christians and their persecutors. If you would like to watch videos about the persecuted church and the Voice of the Martyrs's involvement, please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VoiceOfTheMartyrsUSA.

1 Corinthians 12:26 "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (In reference to the Body of Christ, the Church)

We often take our freedom for granted here in America. Are we using our freedom to tell others about Jesus? We live a life of luxury here compared to many people in other countries. Are we sharing with those in need? Live your faith and your love out loud! Pray for courage and boldness, willingness and opportunity, grace and gentleness ...then go tell of God's love to all the world. In addition, please remember (not just today) to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for our Savior, who are beaten for "loving Jesus", who risk all to serve the King of kings, who give up everything to follow the Prince of Peace, who sacrifice so that others can hear the Good News.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12

Many Christians who share the Gospel and desire to live a Godly life experience some kind of persecution or trial in every country. However, the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) focuses their help on the Christians who are not allowed by government policy to obtain or distribute Bibles and other Christian literature, and those who are arrested, attacked,...whose freedom and/or possessions were taken away due to their faith in Jesus Christ. Here is the list of countries where Christians are continually being persecuted:-

- Afghanistan                               - Nepal
- Algeria                                      - Nigeria
- Azerbaijan                                - North Korea
- Bangladesh                               - Oman
- Bhutan                                      - Pakistan
- Brunei                                       - Qatar
- China                                        - Saudi Arabia
- Comoros                                  - Somalia
- Cuba                                        - Sri Lanka
- Cyprus                                     - Sudan
- Egypt                                       - Syria
- India                                        - Tajikistan
- Indonesia                                 - Tibet
- Iran                                          - Tunisia
- Iraq                                          - Turkey
- Kuwait                                     - Turkmenistan
- Laos                                        - United Arab Emirates
- Libya                                       - Uzbekistan
- Malaysia                                  - Vietnam
- Maldives                                  - Yemen
- Mauritania                                - Morocco
- Myanmar

“As our staff meets with persecuted Christians around the world, their first request is that we pray for them,” says Todd Nettleton, Director of Media Development for The Voice of the Martyrs - USA. “IDOP is a day when the collective Body of Christ joins together to answer their request.”

“Our persecuted family is not asking us to pray that the persecution will stop,” says Nettleton. “They’re asking us to pray they will remain faithful to Christ in spite of the persecution and pressure they face.” (quotes taken from here)

You can visit here and sign up for weekly prayer updates that inform you prayer needs for the persecuted.  VOM also has a wonderful website for kids and a free educational publication called, "Kids of Courage". Some books that are related to the persecuted church and the martyrs include Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (you can visit here to request a free copy for yourself and for your friends), Jesus Freaks (Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus: The Ultimate Jesus Freaks), and Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World by John Foxe.

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.

He Knows My Name

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

If you are not familiar with OCC, please read this post. If you already are familiar with OCC, I'd like to remind you that the collection week this year is November 16-23 :).

The video below shows the complete song (with the lyrics), "He Knows My Name" (words and music by Tommy Walker, performed by the Maranatha Singers).



"O Lord, You have searched me and you know me. 
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar. 
You discern my going out and my lying down; 
You are familiar with all my ways. 
Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. 
You hem me in--behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me. 
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 

For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-14

Father's Love Letter   
(An Intimate Message From God To You)

My Child,
You may not know Me, but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in My image.
Genesis 1:27
In Me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28
For you are My offspring.
Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book.
Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me.
John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16
And it is My desire to lavish My love on you.
1 John 3:1
Simply because you are My child and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect Father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand.
James 1:17
For I am your Provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40
For you are My treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart.
Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus.
John 17:23
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed.
John 17:26
He is the exact representation of My being.
Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you.
1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me.
1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again.
Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32


Love, Your Dad Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2009 http://www.fathersloveletter.com/
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I have the Best Father!  And I love reading His love letter (God's Word).  May we always bask in our Heavenly Father's love!

Previous Songs:
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Thankful Thursday #8

 
This week...
1. I am thankful for our niece's son who is turning one tomorrow.  He has been such a blessing...a bright sunshine in her life which is full of hardships and struggles.

2. I am thankful that my children have wonderful, God-fearing friends.  Few but fantastic :)!

3. I am thankful that my husband's wide angled glaucoma is not getting worse.  His eye pressure's test result on Monday was encouraging.

4. I am thankful that my children are not materialistic and they have learned that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."  Every year, they enjoy packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and spending their money on Gospel tracts, Bibles, animals, etc. for native missionaries and needy families from Gospel for Asia's gift catalogs.

5. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father's unconditional and unfailing love.  He knows everything about me (my ugly side and all) and yet He still loves me :).  My earthly father was an alcoholic who physically abused my mom.  Eventually, my mom took my brother and me away from him.  Even when we were still living with him, we hardly ever saw him home (he was out drinking with friends and he also cheated on my mom).  Sadly, he does not know his own children; my brother and I do not really know him, either. (I did forgive him for everything.)  I'm so glad that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me.  And I know and love Him!

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

More Blessed

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35  And you know Jesus is always right!  It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive.  It's such a joy to be able to share God's love, joy, and hope with others, especially those in need.  Every year, our kids enjoy packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  I've recently found the above picture which was taken in 2002.  If you are not familiar with OCC, please read this post.  If you already are familiar with OCC, I'd like to remind you that the collection week this year is November 16-23 :).


Previous WFW:
- My Soul Pants for You
- Without Excuse
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Pencil with a Purpose

This week, I'm sharing something different than usual :).  I wrote "Pencil with a Purpose" (see below) two years ago to encourage people to participate in the Operation Christmas Child (a project of Samaritan's Purse founded by Franklin Graham).  My kids get excited every year around this time. Why? They get to pack shoe boxes!!! Their boxes along with boxes from others will be given out to children around the world who are living in extreme poverty, in constant fear because of wars/fighting, or in disaster-struck areas. These simple gifts will brighten up the children's life with God's love, joy, and hope. These shoe boxes are also evengelistic tools; they give local believers the opportunities to tell children about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, through Gospel literature and evangelism programs.

This is a wonderful project to get your kids involved in. Kids in America have so much to be thankful for, yet many take their plenty for granted. This is one of many ways we can share with others in need. For details (including how to pack a box and the location of the collection center near you), please visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ or call 1-800-353-5949. The collection week this year is November 16-23.  If you choose to make your donation ($7 for each box to help cover shipping and other project costs) online using a credit or debit card, instead of putting your donation in an envelope and placing it in your box(es), you will receive an EZ give label (one for each of your boxes).  The barcode on the label enables OCC to track each gift. You will receive an e-mail telling you the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country.  Isn't that cool?  I was always curious about where our boxes traveled to.

By the way, there are so many ways we can give, especially near Christmastime. Many Christian organizations (ex: Samaritan's Purse, Gospel for Asia, World Vision, etc.) have gift catalogs available from which you can purchase lambs, cows, chickens, pigs, goats, fishing boat, Gospel literature, VBS material, wells, etc. for native missionaries and needy children/families. These kinds of gifts touch lives and make a significant impact. Giving (especially secret giving) is such a joy!

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." Emily Dickinson

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord JESUS Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35
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Pencil with a Purpose

     Pick me...pick me, please! Yes! A 7 year old girl picked me and put me in a clear plastic box next to sweet-smelling candies and a beautiful rag doll. There are more things in this container: a box of crayons, a sharpener, Bible activity pad, a writing pad, bouncy balls, a yo-yo, a jump rope, a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a purple comb, a washcloth with heart shapes all over it, several glittery hair clips, a pair of pink socks and a pair of white socks. Before the girl closed the lid, she placed an envelope addressed to Samaritan’s Purse, and a letter on top. Then her mom and she bowed their heads and prayed for the child who would soon receive this special gift.
    
     I have to admit...it’s a little crowded in the box but I’m glad it’s a clear plastic box. I can look out and see the world while having a fantastic adventure. First stop was a local church which was one of 2,000 drop-off locations nationwide. I could see rows and stacks of all kinds of shoe boxes and plastic boxes. Christmas music was being played in the background. I felt festive all of a sudden. From there I traveled in a huge semi-truck to a regional processing center where boxes were inspected and prepared for shipment overseas. Volunteers cheerfully checked each box to make sure that there were no used or damaged items, war-related items, chocolate (which can melt), liquids or lotions (which can leak), breakable items, medications or vitamins (no-no items). A lady looked in my box and she smiled at me (wasn’t she sweet?) These volunteers also took out the envelopes with the donation. Then they secured the boxes by using rubber bands. I was thankful for that because I didn’t want to risk falling out of the box and getting lost. Oh...what a nightmare that would be.
    
     Ooh...my next stop was at an airport. I got to be on a plane for the first time. Millions of box gifts were loaded onto ships and planes and delivered to more than 90 countries. I wondered what country I would end up in. How exciting!!! I was so excited and bewildered that I didn’t realize we were in the sky for over 10 hours. Finally, the plane landed and boxes were transported to a rural orphanage by a pick-up truck and by a motor boat, respectively. People speak a different language here. They speak Thai. I’m in Thailand...can you believe it? Tons of children gathered in a small room. The room was filled with excitement and anticipation. How lovely those smiles were! The National Leadership Team explained about the Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse and told the kids that these gifts were packed by caring people from several parts of the world who wanted to share the love of Jesus with them. They introduced the children to God’s greatest Gift of all–Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Then the team members distributed boxes along with Gospel booklets written in their own language to the orphans who were beaming with joy.
    
     I was anxious to see who would receive the box I was in. Then the moment came...when the box was handed to a long, black-haired 8 year old girl. She said, "Kawp Koon Kha" (thank-you in Thai). She quickly opened the lid and took out the items inside one by one. When she picked me up, she looked at the words on me: "Jesus is God’s Greatest Gift." She wanted to know what they meant so she asked one of the team’s staff. The man took the opportunity to share with her the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. She listened attentively. The man invited her to join in the children’s Bible study program after school. She said yes and was so happy (I could tell because she couldn't stop smiling). She also asked that same man to translate the letter she found in the box. She then sharpened me and started to write a letter to the girl who wrote her. She asked the man if he could translate her letter into English and send it for her. He assured her that he would. Now...do you understand why I’m a pencil with a purpose? What better purpose is there than to be used to share a message of God’s amazing love and to spread His joy? I know...my life is short but it has been well spent. Don’t you think? :)
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Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.
Please visit here for the links to other blogs that are participating in the Operation Christmas Child Carnival.
Have a blessed week in the Lord, everyone!

Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!

I'm so excited that I found this video!  It's the first time I've ever heard this live version of "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" (words and music by Keith Green, performed by Keith Green).  Keith Green was my all-time favorite singer/musician.  I said "was" because he died in a plane crash in 1982 (he was only 28).  He was one of a kind who was totally sold out for Christ.  He lived what he wrote in this song and all his other songs.

"I'm in my 83rd year, but it doesn't necessarily mean I'm wiser or stronger.  It doesn't mean I've done more.  It's not the stretch of life that matters.  It's the depth of life.  It's not how long we live.  It's how we live.  Keith was a man who seemed to live on the edge of eternity.  And he was ready to step into it." ~Leonard Ravenhill spoke of Keith Green after his death (quote taken from "No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green" by Melody Green & David Hazard)

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Oh Lord, You're beautiful. Your face is all I seek;
For when Your eyes are on this child, Your love abounds to me.

Oh Lord, my body's tired, but You keep reminding me
Of many holy tireless men who spilled their blood for Thee.

Chorus: I want to take Your Word and shine it all around,
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And if I'm doing well, help me to never make a sound,
Except to give all the glory to You.

Oh Lord, my faith is small, and I need a touch from You.
Your Book of books lies undisturbed, and the prayers from me..too few.

Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love that's fueled with holy fear.

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"When You said, "Seek My Face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."" Psalm 27:8
"Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord." Psalm 4:6
"Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love." Psalm 31:16
"For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face." Psalm 11:7
"You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey Your words.  I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." Psalm 119:57-58

Lord, please help me to live by Your Book and be a light that shines brightly for You.  To You alone be the glory!  Your grace and love abound to me.  Thank You, Lord!

Previous Songs:
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Thankful Thursday #7

 

This week...
1. I am thankful that the Lord has been working in me/my heart, enabling me to more readily extend His grace, mercy, and compassion (much needed especially when I start to get frustrated and don't know what to do) towards my challenging child who is gifted but possibly have Asperger's syndrome (from what we've researched).  I have been praying for more patience and for wisdom regarding how to understand, teach, train, encourage, and discipline him.  I would greatly appreciate your prayers for us.

2. I am thankful for words of encouragement, words of appreciation, and words of edification from my family, friends (including online friends), and anyone.  I truly appreciate all your kind, honest, and uplifting comments.  Thanks for taking the time to touch people's lives with your words.

3. I am thankful for a warm shelter, warm showers, warm blankets, and warm food.  These things remind me to pray for the homeless.  How hard and miserable it must be for them, especially when it's cold, windy, and wet out!  I encourage you all to support your local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and to have some food/water supplies and/or extra blankets, coats, socks, etc. available in your vehicles to give out to the homeless whom you may meet on the streets.

4. I am thankful that my children have embraced modesty since they were young.  Modesty is Biblical and beautiful. 

5. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me through winning blog giveaways.  This month, I have won a book, a DVD, and a $25 e-gift card to an online printing store.  Speaking of giveaways, I am hosting one at my HSB blog.  You have a chance to win a Yoplait Kids Prize Pack.  Two winners will be randomly drawn this Saturday.  There are only 6 entries so far; therefore, you have a great chance for winning :).  Hope you'll stop by and enter!

My Soul Pants for You

Nothing..no one can satisfy our soul except the Lord!  My husband and I love singing the song, "As the Deer" (words & music by Martin Nystrom) while he plays the piano.  "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.  You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee."  That's how I feel.  We are created to glorify and worship Him.  May we have an unceasing desire to know Him more, to love Him more, and to be filled with more of Him!

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:6
"By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8

Previous WFW:
- Without Excuse
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Magic Is Tragic

In our family, we use the word “illusion”, not "magic" when we talk about the tricks performed by illusionists. There’s another kind of magic that is dangerous, harmful, and tragic...the kind that God hates. It is witchcraft/sorcery.

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12a

“Do not practice divination or sorcery.” Leviticus 19:26b

“They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking Him to anger.” 2 Kings 17:17

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.” Ezekiel 13:20

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15

This is not something to be taken lightly. The Lord hates it; we should also hate it and avoid it at all cost. Some Christians think it is not wrong to read books and/or watch movies that contain magic/witchcraft/sorcery. Some also think it is not wrong to celebrate Halloween (which tends to glorify death, fear, witches, ghosts, and spiritual darkness) and dress their kids up as witches or wizards.  They probably can come up with lots of reasons to justify why they disagree with me :).  Even if they assure me that those books, movies, or Halloween celebration do not affect or influence them/their kids negatively at all, I still would question whether they spent their time wisely and for God's glory.  Wouldn't they be better off to spend their time on better (edifying, inspirational, God-honoring) books, movies, and celebrations?  In my opinion, if the Lord is so strongly against magic arts/witchcraft/sorcery, why would we think we can play around with it? Why would we act like we know better than God? He loves us and wants to protect us from harm. You may think a little magic here and there is harmless, but anything that is against God is sin. Of course, satan wants us to think magic is harmless; he is a master of lies and deception. He likes to fill our minds and hearts with things that draw us away from God. You can read a great article regarding Halloween at http://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_outs/halloween .

In addition, I do not think Christian authors need to or should weave any magic/witchcraft/sorcery into their stories...even if they intend to use their stories to point people to God and the Gospel. God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and the Gospel is powerful and effective in itself. God does not need the help of magic (the thing He hates) to get people interested in Him. It is really an insult to God.

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

What the Lord Has Done in Me

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
        What the Lord Has Done in Me by Hillsong

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5)  Whatever good you see in me is what the Lord has done in me.  It's not about me; it's all about Him.

Hosanna to the Lamb that was slain in our place and rose again!  "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"" (John 1:29)  "In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"" (Revelation 5:12)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)  Amen!  I am free and I can truly live because the Spirit of Christ lives in me.


Previous Songs:
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

First Blog Party Here

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Urailak (Thai name) Liljequist (Scandinavian name).  I am known in the blog world as "LivingforGod" and on Facebook as "Fruitbearer."  I am a Christ-follower, Bible-believer, daughter & servant of the King of kings, the helpmeet/blessed wife of my beloved Godly husband, blessed homeschool mom of three precious blessings, a sister in Christ, and friend to all.  I was born and grew up in Thailand. I first came to the U.S. in 1989 to study for my master's degree. In September of this year, I had my half and half day :).  After I graduated, I got married to the love of my life (we met in 1988) in 1991; we celebrated our 18th anniversary last month.  I desire to honor and glorify the Lord in everything I say and do, including blogging.  I hope that it is evident to all :).  Soli Deo Gloria!

I like the name of this party, "Harvest of Friends" :); last month, I posted about a different kind of harvest, Plentiful Harvest.  I am so glad that you decided to stop by and visit today.  Please take a look around and leave me a comment.  Below are my answers to some of the questions that Lynnette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground, the hostess of Harvest of Friends Blog Party, came up with for us to get to know one another better and other questions I got tagged on Facebook.


1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
    I usually don't eat while blogging; however, I occasionally have some chocolate :).
   
2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
     I wouldn't want to live without Christ.  But for "thing," it would be my Bible.

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
    Farm near beach and mountains :).

4. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?
    I prefer staying at home with the fam.  If I socialize, my family is usually with me.

5. What's your all time favorite movie?
    I don't have an all time favorite movie.  I like Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel.

6. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?
    I don't wear make up.

7. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
    Hidden talent?  It must still be hidden :).  I would like to learn how to swim and play guitar.

8. What first attracted you to your spouse?
     His great sense of humor and his passion for the Lord.

9. What is something you love to smell?
     Fresh air after the rain and fresh baked goods out of the oven.

10. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
      My indecisiveness (I like to take a long time to think things over.) :)

11. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?
      Giving firstfruits to the Lord...supporting native missionaries through Gospel for Asia

12. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
      A loud laugher.  My husband and kids often make me laugh.

13. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
       Memorizing the Scriptures

14. Are you a big spender or frugal?
      Frugal...so that I can be a big giver :).

15. Would you want to be famous?
      Only if becoming famous would give me a platform and opportunity to share the Gospel widely and lead many to Christ....otherwise, no.

16. What is your occupation right now?
       Blessed wife and homeschool mom

17. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
       Probably Olympics sport events

18. What is your favorite drink?
      Thai iced tea when the weather is hot; hot cocoa when the weather is cold

19. Have you ever dyed your hair?
      No, I love my black hair.

20. What is your favorite food?
      Thai food/spicy food

21. What was your favorite toy as a child?
      Leaves and mud (I enjoyed playing pretend.)

22. What is your favorite season?
      I like all four seasons.

23. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Spicy hamburgers?
      I don't eat beef...so maybe spicy veggie burgers or spicy salmon burgers or spicy buffalo burgers...with cheese.

24. Favorite dog breed?
      Golden retriever and German shepherd

25. What is your favorite flower?
      Tulips

Thankful Thursday #6

 

This week...
1. I am thankful for God's protection over my brother.  Someone threw/dropped a brick onto his car while he was driving slowly through a residential area.  The brick caused the hood to flip up and crack the windshield.  My brother was shaken up but was not hurt. 

2. I am thankful for the warm fire (from our wood stove) that my husband makes in the evenings (when the weather is cold).  I find it very relaxing and cozy :).

3. I am thankful for our harvest from the garden this year: corn, green beans, zucchini, Hungarian peppers, Thai peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  We also get blackberries and pears on our property.

4. I am thankful for hymns and their writers.  I'm so glad that the hymn writers shared their God-given talents with us.  Their lyrics are mostly Biblically based, God-centered, meaningful, giving praise to God with utmost reverence and humble adoration.  Some of my favorite hymns are Be Thou My Vision, I Surrender All, Amazing Grace, Jesus Paid It All, I Need Thee Every Hour, To God Be the Glory, He Lives, and May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.

5. I am thankful for God's marvelous creation.  I love the outdoors and love taking pictures.  My Father's World is one of my blogs where I post the photos that I've taken of His beautiful creation.  "I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders." Psalm 9:1

Without Excuse

Through His creation, we witness His love, power, majesty, glory, wisdom, creativity, nature, beauty, and excellency.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." Psalm 19:1-6
Psalm 19:4 is quoted in Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  But I ask: Did they not hear?  Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."" (Romans 10:17-18)

People are without excuse.  Creation points to the Creator.  The world is not only functional, but also beautiful.  The testimony of creation shouts out to the whole world loud and clear that God exists and that God's Word is true.  Sadly, some people continue to stubbornly cover their ears and their eyes.  I praise God, the Creator, for who He is and for what He does!  Let's take the time to ponder and worship our Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  May we never stop marveling at His wonders; may we never become numb or blind to His revelation of glory through His creation!

Previous WFW:
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

What a Silly, Goofy Cutie!

This photo of my youngest son makes me smile.  He huffed and he puffed to make his curly mustache extension stay extended :).  He had too much fun being silly.  I'm entering this in the Elefun & Friends Silly Kids Photo Contest at 5MinutesforMom.

Don't Waste Your Life

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


When It's All Been Said And Done (Words and Music by Jim Cowan, Sung by Don Moen)
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for You?

When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done
For love's reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord, Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You've shown me heaven's my true home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8

We have one life to live. How are you living your life?  You and I are not getting any younger.  Will you have any regrets on your death bed? When it's all been said and done, can we say that we did our best to live for God? "Have you ever seen the little plaque that reads, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last?" Well, that's not (all) what the poet wrote. The poet wrote this: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." Do you think all Christians die happy? Not on your life! Some of them die as miserable as sinners. Why? Because they've misused their time and wasted their lives. Many of you have laid dying on a hospital bed and prayed, "Lord, if You would only spare me, I'll do this, that, or the other." Well, have you done it?" ~Leonard Ravenhill

We need to ask ourselves: Are we wasting away our lives?  "God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display His supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.  The wasted life is the life without this passion.  God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives." ~John Piper  How do we use our time, talents, and treasures?  What is our passion in life?  Do we treasure Christ above all else?  "Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy." ~John Piper  If you have never read Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper yet, I highly recommend it.

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8

Lord, I desire to live my life for You! I can never thank You enough for Your grace & mercy and Your love for me. I will always sing praises to You and You alone.  I delight in You, in Your Word, in pleasing & honoring You, and in displaying Your majesty.  My life is a gift from You and it's Yours; please use it for Your glory and according to Your will.  May Your passion be my passion.  By Your grace, my life shall not be wasted.  In Jesus's name I pray.  Amen. 

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

I Surrender All

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

"I Surrender All" (written by Judson W. Van De Venter, music by Winfield S. Weeden) is one of my favorite hymns.  I surrender my life, my loved ones, my hopes & dreams, my time, talents, & treasures, my pain, my problems...my all to Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10: 38, 39

Higher than the highest heaven,

Deeper than the deepest sea;

Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;

Grant me now my supplication:

None of self and all of Thee!

                                                                                                             ~Theodore Monod

That's my desire and prayer, too!   None of self and all of Thee.


Previous Songs:
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision