Thanksgiving
Oh precious Father, as we bow
Before Thy throne today,
We count the many blessings
Thou hast showered upon our way.
The comfort of our humble homes
Our health and happiness,
The strength provided for each day
To meet the strain and stress.
We thank Thee for Thy precious Son
Who brought salvation free,
And for this mighty land of ours,
A land of liberty!
So, Lord, help us to give Thee thanks
For all that we hold dear,
Not only on Thanksgiving Day
But each day of the year.
~Unknown
"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; men tell of Your wonderful deeds." Psalm 75:1
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:2
"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
This month, I have been posting on my Facebook page each day what I'm thankful for. I think it's so good for me to be intentional about thankfulness everyday. When we focus on having a thankful heart, we are less likely to complain, get upset, be discontent, or have a bad attitude. Try it :)!
Showing posts with label poem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poem. Show all posts
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday's Fave Five #45
My Fave Five this week:-
1. My daughter,
5. Cardboard Testimonies. I always get teary-eyed whenever I watch these. God's transforming power is so amazing and beautiful! Our church does cardboard testimonies at the Resurrection Day services every year. I'd like to share this video from our church service last year (I don't know whether or when they'll post the one from this year).
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Book Review: This Little Prayer of Mine
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Summary: Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.
Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.
Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”
Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.
Author and Illustrator Bio:
Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.
Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
My thoughts and review:
This is a sweet book that helps children see prayer as it should be: natural, relational communication with God. The rhyming poem is fun to read and easy to understand. The illustrations are remarkable. I’m glad to see that the author includes thanksgiving as part of prayer, not just asking God to do this and that for us. The book also teaches children to pour their hearts out to God (tell Him how they feel) and to trust in Him and His plan. It's a great book for parents or grandparents to read to young kids and encourage them to pray. Childlike faith is truly beautiful and pleasing to the Lord. This Little Prayer of Mine delightfully portrays childlike faith and the accessibility of our God. He always hears our prayers and He cares about every detail of our lives!
~This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Who Owes Who?
I Am Debtor
by Robert M. McCheyne (1813-1843)
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink, —
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many water's noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let Thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Spirit's help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.
When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I'm captive led;
Oft I fall — but still arise —
The Spirit comes — the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.
Oft the nights of sorrow reign —
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns —
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! Bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.
After I read this poem, the question, “Who Owes Who?” popped into my head. Let’s imagine that you owe somebody money. Would you keep asking and expecting that person to give you food, clothes, shelter, and other things you need & want? No, you would be grateful that this person is not demanding you to pay all your debt right now. And you certainly would become speechless when he canceled your debt because his son paid it all for you. Now imagine that you owe someone your life. Would you be expecting this person to keep protecting you, being there to meet your every need, comforting you, and taking away your pain? No, you would be forever grateful and would do anything for this person. But...what are we doing to God who gives us life on earth and eternal life in heaven? How many times have Christians felt that God should answer their prayers according to their will/desire (not His will)? They think that they have been really faithful Christians by obeying His Word (most of the time), consistently giving tithes/firstfruits, sharing the Gospel with others, serving in various ministries, helping the homeless, etc. They then expect God to bless them/reward them or at least answer their prayers. We, Christians, pray for healing, comfort, strength, wisdom, help, solutions, etc. and we totally trust God to answer our prayers. There is nothing wrong with praying and believing. That’s what faith is and that’s what the Bible teaches. However, is our attitude right? Do we act like God owes us something? Are we tapping our fingers and waiting impatiently and wondering what takes God so long to do something for us?
Seriously, God owes us nothing; we owe God everything!
God does not have to love us but He does. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God does not have to forgive us but He does. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
God does not have to show grace and mercy to us but He does. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
God does not have to save us from eternal damnation and give us eternal life but He does. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God does not have to answer our prayers but He does. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15
God does not have to care about us or bear our burdens but He does. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
He does what He does because it’s His character. It’s all about Him, not us. The fact that He loves us so much and gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacrifice once and for all so that by His grace we are saved through faith in Jesus...is beyond comprehension. By His grace alone, folks! We can do nothing to earn salvation. Jesus paid the debt that we cannot pay. Even if God does nothing else for our lives, we should be eternally grateful for our salvation. We have nothing to complain about whatsoever. We live each day under His grace. When you pray, remember to pray for His will (not your will) to be done because His will is the best and because He is God who owes you nothing.
“In Jesus' name we voice our prayers—
The Bible tells us to;
But may we never use that name
To tell God what to do.”
~D. De Haan
~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 day in the Lord, everyone!
by Robert M. McCheyne (1813-1843)
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink, —
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many water's noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know —
Not till then — how much I owe.
Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let Thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Spirit's help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.
When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I'm captive led;
Oft I fall — but still arise —
The Spirit comes — the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.
Oft the nights of sorrow reign —
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns —
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! Bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.
After I read this poem, the question, “Who Owes Who?” popped into my head. Let’s imagine that you owe somebody money. Would you keep asking and expecting that person to give you food, clothes, shelter, and other things you need & want? No, you would be grateful that this person is not demanding you to pay all your debt right now. And you certainly would become speechless when he canceled your debt because his son paid it all for you. Now imagine that you owe someone your life. Would you be expecting this person to keep protecting you, being there to meet your every need, comforting you, and taking away your pain? No, you would be forever grateful and would do anything for this person. But...what are we doing to God who gives us life on earth and eternal life in heaven? How many times have Christians felt that God should answer their prayers according to their will/desire (not His will)? They think that they have been really faithful Christians by obeying His Word (most of the time), consistently giving tithes/firstfruits, sharing the Gospel with others, serving in various ministries, helping the homeless, etc. They then expect God to bless them/reward them or at least answer their prayers. We, Christians, pray for healing, comfort, strength, wisdom, help, solutions, etc. and we totally trust God to answer our prayers. There is nothing wrong with praying and believing. That’s what faith is and that’s what the Bible teaches. However, is our attitude right? Do we act like God owes us something? Are we tapping our fingers and waiting impatiently and wondering what takes God so long to do something for us?
Seriously, God owes us nothing; we owe God everything!
God does not have to love us but He does. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God does not have to forgive us but He does. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
God does not have to show grace and mercy to us but He does. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
God does not have to save us from eternal damnation and give us eternal life but He does. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God does not have to answer our prayers but He does. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15
God does not have to care about us or bear our burdens but He does. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
He does what He does because it’s His character. It’s all about Him, not us. The fact that He loves us so much and gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacrifice once and for all so that by His grace we are saved through faith in Jesus...is beyond comprehension. By His grace alone, folks! We can do nothing to earn salvation. Jesus paid the debt that we cannot pay. Even if God does nothing else for our lives, we should be eternally grateful for our salvation. We have nothing to complain about whatsoever. We live each day under His grace. When you pray, remember to pray for His will (not your will) to be done because His will is the best and because He is God who owes you nothing.
“In Jesus' name we voice our prayers—
The Bible tells us to;
But may we never use that name
To tell God what to do.”
~D. De Haan
~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 day in the Lord, everyone!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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 :)!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Complete in Christ
"But Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6) Would you like to know the "secret" to being content? I believe we can truly be content only when we realize that we are complete in Christ. No one else and nothing else will ever make us complete. Three years ago, I wrote the following poem, "Complete in Christ" to remind myself of that, and hopefully, it may encourage others as well.
Complete in Christ
Philosophy, psychology
Idolatry, ceremony
They do not set us free.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Legalism, mysticism, asceticism
Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism
Don't be fooled and trapped in man-made religions.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Spiritual formulas, worldly principles
Self-help books, staged miracles
These won't save us. Don't be gullible.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Elaborate church buildings, expensive programs
Certain prayer patterns...we have to discern
Don't be captivated. Don't be intimidated.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Popularity, plastic surgery
Model looks, designer clothes
Don't be envious. We don't need those.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Drugs, cults, New Age, evolution
Power, portfolios, prosperity
Don't be led astray. Don't love money.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Luxurious homes, acres & acres of land
Private planes, latest high-tech gadgets, fancy cars
We don't need anything extra.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Degrees, recognition, career
Costly hobbies, social status, approval of peers
Think of heaven, not just now and here
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Human regulations, immediate gratification
Sensual indulgence, collection of things
They give us no peace. True joy..they don't bring
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
~ Copyright 2006 Urailak Liljequist
It's our human tendency to desire "more" and "better" and "new" and "exciting". It's our human tendency to get bored easily, to complain, and to be unthankful. With Christ's strength, we can overcome the human tendency (aka our sinful nature). "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the Head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9,10
Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.
Complete in Christ
Philosophy, psychology
Idolatry, ceremony
They do not set us free.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Legalism, mysticism, asceticism
Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism
Don't be fooled and trapped in man-made religions.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Spiritual formulas, worldly principles
Self-help books, staged miracles
These won't save us. Don't be gullible.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Elaborate church buildings, expensive programs
Certain prayer patterns...we have to discern
Don't be captivated. Don't be intimidated.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Popularity, plastic surgery
Model looks, designer clothes
Don't be envious. We don't need those.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Drugs, cults, New Age, evolution
Power, portfolios, prosperity
Don't be led astray. Don't love money.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Luxurious homes, acres & acres of land
Private planes, latest high-tech gadgets, fancy cars
We don't need anything extra.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Degrees, recognition, career
Costly hobbies, social status, approval of peers
Think of heaven, not just now and here
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
Human regulations, immediate gratification
Sensual indulgence, collection of things
They give us no peace. True joy..they don't bring
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.
~ Copyright 2006 Urailak Liljequist
It's our human tendency to desire "more" and "better" and "new" and "exciting". It's our human tendency to get bored easily, to complain, and to be unthankful. With Christ's strength, we can overcome the human tendency (aka our sinful nature). "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the Head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9,10
Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.
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