what we started

60 days of THANKSGIVING

{2011}

Right in the middle of October, when Halloween was looming and Thanksgiving was around the corner {and Christmas after that!}, I wanted to do something with my family that would take their minds off the candy and scary costumes  and put it on being thankful!

But I also did not want this Thankfulness to stop with "Turkey day!" I wanted something to keep THANKFULNESS in our hearts through the hustle and bustle that has begun!

So, I asked the Lord to guide my thoughts- for something we could do that could be VISIBLE to my children at all times and require no trip to the store!

I enjoy computer graphics [my children prefer crayons! as you can see] so I used a computer to make this grid, but you could just as easily draw it with ruler and marker. I already had these little crayon papers. so I made the box size accordingly. I put a few Bible verses about thankfulness and thanksgiving on it.

Every evening during our family devotions we talk about what we are thankful for. If we have been to church [thus making our night a little late], we pick one thing as a family. Otherwise, each of us say one thing we are thankful for. Occasionally we have repeats. but we try to combat them. Some days our hearts are turned by what happened that day. other times we just think of things like friends and church and toys.

It is taped to a shelf on our bookshelf in our living room. We all see it multiple times daily. and now that we are half way through... it adds a lot of color! {smiles}

We began October 25 and will end on December 25. My prayer is that my children, husband and I can ALL learn more about being thankful. having the Spirit of Thankfulness permeate our lives. all the way through to Christmas night! [and beyond!]

{7 keys} being emotionally whole .4

Read Key 1 here
Read Key 2 here
Read Key 3 here

KEY 3:

Stop Trying to Negotiate with God

Maybe you have an approach to God that can be stated like this: "If I just work hard enough and do enough good in my life, God will approve of me." You are attempting to negotiate good works for God's acceptance.

God accepts you! But you are having trouble accepting God's love.

You may have difficulty accepting the mercy of God because you have never fully received God's love. Or you may be so accustomed to the give-and-take, buy-and-sell nature of our culture that you assume you can deal with God the same way: "You do this for me, and I'll do this for you." God does not operate according to that human principle.


God's principle is one of total acceptance of you when you ask for His forgiveness and seek to do His will. If He desires to change something in your life -always for your good and for your eventual blessing- His chastisement is patient and kind (never beyond your ability to bear). and His love is constant (never withheld or removed). You cannot negotiate your way around God's will. Stop trying. 


What should be your approach instead of negotiating?


--Trust God. Ask Him for what you desire, and then trust Him to answer your prayer according to His wisdom and infinite provision. 


We base so much of our acceptance on the world's standards rather than God's grace. 


In 1900, the Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] elected social reformer Jane Addams to honorary membership. But Addams' antiwar stance during World War I and her insistence that even subversives had a right to trial by due process caused them to expel her. She commented that she had thought her election to the DAR was for life, but now knew it was for good behavior.


Aren't you glad that God does not operate that way? Ephesians 1:6-7 says, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he had made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.


I encourage you to put these verse to memory. I would also encourage you to read Zechariah 3:1-4, and always understand our acceptance from God is not based on what works we do but the work done by Jesus on Calvary.

written by Dr. Mike Rouse

Mountain View Baptist Church

used by permission

My Pastor writes a short article for our Sunday bulletin every week [and has for many years]. Currently, he is writing a series on Being Emotionally Whole, and I wanted to share it with you during the next few weeks. My posting these articles is not my Pastor's endorsement of my blog. All  opinions and thoughts expressed [unless otherwise noted, as here] are purely my own [and my family's] and not specifically affiliated with my church.

language

The best book is the Bible. It's words show us Jesus. It convicts and teaches and restores our soul. The more I read of it, the more I want to read.

Yet there are times I relish leisure. a fun story. a researched historical novel. a good mystery.

and other times, I like to study a subject. I enjoy finding out what influenced good men. what influenced the bad. how times changed-and why.

If God had not given us language, we could not read His Story. 

or have leisure reading. 

or be able to learn of the past 

[without the aid of a human teacher]. 

I enjoy a good conversation. sharing burdens and triumphs. reminding others of His love through the circumstances. finding out how God has blessed. sharing with others of His love through Jesus' death.

So today, I am thankful for language. 

the ability to read. 

write. 

speak. 

to communicate.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

Tomorrow, I will share what we have done as a family during this Thanksgiving season. and how we are carrying it through until Christmas!

when things go wrong

I thank God for His hand in my life. 

Not everything that occurs in this world is THE will of God [there is always the sin factor], but nothing happens without His knowledge. And He CAN work EVERY situation for my good.

And I am so thankful.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: 

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 

with groanings which cannot be uttered.   

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 

what is the mind of the Spirit, 

because he maketh intercession for the saints 

according to the will of God. 

And we know that all things 

work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called 

according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:26-28

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

something modern

Today, I am thankful for my refrigerator. 

If it were not for the ability to consistently keep foods cold, we could not have leftovers! and I would have to cook today. I love cooking, but after yesterday I am very thankful to be able to simply reheat foods!

A refrigerator also allows me to buy certain foods in larger quantities at a time than if we did not have one. I am thankful we do not have to stop by the market every single day to gather certain things needed for our supper that day.

Also, I am planning to can some apple sauce today-since I do not have to cook! YEAH.

a goodly heritage

The Lord has blessed me above even comprehension. I was not born into a Christian home, but my parents were saved when I was young. Their salvation led to my own at a young age. And my earliest vivid memories are from being at church. in Sunday School. 

I attended a Christian School or was homeschooled my entire life. I even graduated from Bible College. 

My parents sheltered me from so much of the world. They knew the heartache that the world brings and wanted better for my brother and me.

There were those who did not agree with my parent's parenting. and there were times I did not understand either. But looking back as an adult, I realize they always did what was best for me.

We had fun. went to the coast. went hiking. played in the park. rode bikes around our neighborhood. washed the car with Daddy. had picnics. 

And! I learned how to clean a house [though you would not always know it from walking into mine!]. I learned how to plan meals and cook. I learned how to be giving and hospitable. I learned to sew and to love making things for my family. and loved ones.

I learned of God. His Word. I learned to sing. for Him. I love music. I love to sing. And I am so glad that I know songs that honor Him. that I know Bible verses that bring comfort and encouragement. that I know the right way to live. This does not mean I always live right. There is a difference between knowing and doing. but I am glad I KNOW. There are those who were not taught!

Now that I am grown and have a full family of my own, I am thankful that my children have grandparents that pray for them. love them. shower them with encouragement and gifts. I am thankful my parents share with us. I am glad that they want the best for me [still] and my family. 

I am so thankful that I married the man my parents approved of! If there was one piece of advice I could give any unmarried girl, no matter her age, it would be: Do NOT marry a man your parents are not comfortable with. cannot give their blessing to. I have yet to meet a lady who did marry outside her parent's blessing that did not regret it. 

God was smiling on this citified-country-girl {or am I a countrified-city-girl?} the day He gave me to my parents. He knew what my life needed for me to find Him and learn how to follow Him. Thank you, Lord, for my parents.

I love you, Mom and Dad!

I would not trade your love and care 

for my pick of all the bigger houses in the world! 

 ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Goodly Heritage {lyrics}

1 I may not have riches 

as some others may

  But I have a mother 

who knows how to pray

  And maybe there's some things 

I missed in my youth

  But I have a father 

who stands for the truth

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me

2 And if in the future, 

my parents pass on,

  To dwell in that City 

we've come to call Home

  They may not leave me 

the goods of this world

  But I have accepted 

their God and His Word

Chorus:

  I have a goodly heritage

I'm blessed with things you can't see

  I have a goodly heritage

And that is worth far more to me.

I have everything, all that I need

All that I need, treasures unseen,

And that is worth far more to me. 

{7 keys} being emotionally whole .3

Read Key 1 here

Read Key 2 here

KEY 3:

Healing for your faults

ALL people have something about themselves - their personalities, their backgrounds, their abilities - that they do not like. Everyone has a tendency to concentrate more on the flaws and points of weakness than on the strengths.

Some things in life are givens. For example, you cannot change the family into which you were born, the nation in which you were born, your race, your physical stature and basic genetic code and so forth.  Certain physical weaknesses or disabilities cannot be changed. When you face these unchangeable things about yourself, you are wise to accept the way God made you. To do anything else is counterproductive. You need to assume God had a plan and purpose for every detail of your creation.

Some things in life are givens because of the state of the world in which you live. For example, you may not be able to do anything to alter the fact that your parents are divorced or that your children are divorced. But you can pray that the Lord will bring healing in you and your loved ones. 

 

In yet another area, elements of your personality can be changed. For example, you may think that you are jealous by nature. Let me assure you, envy is an acquired trait. You can ask the Lord to heal you of your jealousy and to help you to trust Him and, in your trust of Him, to trust others.

How do you become healed?

--First, you identify the character or personality trait tha you know is displeasing to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you for allowing this trait to develop.

--Second, you ask Him to heal you of this tendency.

--Third, you give Him permission to do whatever He needs to do in your life to make you whole.

--Fourth, accept with your faith that God is at work in your life and taht He will make you whole in His timing and according to His methods. 

God is merciful. He forgives. He heals. He enters with His divine presence any area of your life that you open up to Him.

I would encourage you to read I Thessalonians 5:23,24 and Jeremiah 18:3-6. 

written by Dr. Mike Rouse

Mountain View Baptist Church

used by permission

My Pastor writes a short article for our Sunday bulletin every week [and has for many years]. Currently, he is writing a series on Being Emotionally Whole, and I wanted to share it with you during the next few weeks. My posting these articles is not my Pastor's endorsement of my blog. All  opinions and thoughts expressed [unless otherwise noted, as here] are purely my own [and my family's] and not specifically affiliated with my church. 

a cheesy smile

I love when my kids give those cheesy grins for pictures. They know they are cute!

My youngest daughter has the cheesiest smile of all my girlies. and I love it!

She loves her big sisters.

She is so cute when she whispers, trying to be quiet while her baby brother sleeps.

She wants to help and be just as big as Kyria. or Anya.

She loves to sing. 

   and look at books. [and make stacks everywhere]

   and color. [and leave the crayons out]

   and pretend play.

   and kiss Mommy. randomly.

   and kiss Corban. alot!

Mikalah Elisabeth

her name means:  Who is like My God? My God is Abundance!

I pray that she truly learns and knows just how Big our God is! He is Abundance. and there is NO god like Him.

She is my own personal wind-storm. and I thank God for her!

a price above rubies .12 [guest blogger]

WELCOME to Candace from

Sonbeams: 

Raising up Sonbeams for Him!

[She has developed a wonderful pre-school curriculum 

and has many helpful products!

See the end of this post for additional links] 

 

I asked her if she were willing to choose a verse in Proverbs 31 to expound in a modern way, and she graciously consented to write about verse 21. I have to admit that I had asked for her post in advance since she was expecting a wee bundle of love and then life happened. It was not posted on time and I forgot about it. Candace is a sweet Christian lady who writes...

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Proverbs 31:21

She is not afraid; she has no need to worry about her family’s needs being met; she is prepared for whatever might come her way.

We live in a modern day world, and unfortunately for myself, I depend greatly on these modern conveniences. But the Proverbs 31 woman foresees what might come her way, and not only is she prepared, she is prepared with the best! I personally take the snow in this verse to relate to storms here in Alabama.

How can we apply this verse to our lives today? For our 1 income family, we are taking advantage of coupons and sales to stock up on necessity emergency items such as bandaids, toilet paper, solar energy products, freeze dried foods, even closeout clothes! As long as we have a place to store something that is a necessity AND a great deal, we stock up.

We look for ways to save on clothing, such as the sometimes new clothes you can find a the thrift store. Sheets in good condition can be sewn into skirts, or pillowcases. Long ladies dresses can be transformed into little girl dresses. Grab up mens pants at a fraction of the cost of retail – and look for durable material that will hold up well over time.

Take advantage of sales on soaps and candles, or better yet, learn to make them yourself! Not only will you reap the rewards of savings, you will have a product with ingredients you are in control of.

Research natural remedies and essential oils for basic health and cleaning purposes. Again, being able to make your own products will not only save on costs, but will be very beneficial should an emergency cut you off from stores or outside help.

I have a great respect for the woman in this verse; and it is very encouraging to me that she is not afraid when circumstances change on her, because she is prepared.

I will close with encouraging you to take a minute the next time the power goes out to see exactly what all it is that you are doing. How are you affected? Can you still fix dinner, wash clothes, tell time, etc...? Take this and learn how to be better prepared next time.

~~~

Thank you, Candace. Being prepared for an emergency is definitely something we ought to be thinking of during the days in which we live.

Please visit her at Sonbeams! She has developed some wonderful curriculum for pre-schoolers as well as many helpful products including a Children's Bible Songs CD [GREAT Christmas gift] in which there are 26 songs -a Bible verse set to music for each letter of the alphabet!

the little teacher

My 7 yo daughter, Kyria [pronounced like Syria], enjoys reading to her younger sisters [ages 3 & 4]. 

She plays school with them on the weekend and teaches them letters and numbers.

She tries to make them understand how to add.

She explains the intricacies of organizing toys and stacking pillows.

She loves order and enjoys setting things 'just so' -like setting the table for supper or stacking the silverware in the proper slots. putting clothes away in her drawers.

She loves to sing and often makes up her own songs about God and serving Him and loving Him. She loves Bible verse songs. and Patch the Pirate.

Kyria Esther

her name means the noble or elect [Christian] lady. shining light, star

She has excepted Christ. My prayer is that she learn to truly follow Christ with her life. She always wants to have tracts to hand out and her heart is soft and sweet towards those who are obviously not saved.

I thank God for making her my first-born.

support

Today I am embarking on an endeavor that seems a little overwhelming to me [and which I will blog about only as the Lord leads]. but I have family and friends who are sure I can accomplish my goals and are praying and supporting me. I even have a friend who is going to join me.

I thank God that sometimes He wraps His invisible arms around me in the figure of a human. and tells me He loves me in the form of another's encouraging words or embracing arms.  

How has God shown His love to you?

[beyond salvation]

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

I will not be posting tomorrow.

fellowship

During the school year my church has a ladies meeting one evening a month [we take a break through the summer months].

We read missionary letters. which can help us pray better for them.

We have a project. This month was Thanksgiving baskets for the older members of our church. We also have projects such as making goodie bags for the bus children and gift bags for the missionaries scheduled to come through during the year.

We have a devotion given by a different sweet lady each month. 

This month we were challenged to really and truly deny ourselves for the cause of Christ. 

I am thankful for this sweet time of fellowship. It is refreshing and rejuvenating. both emotionally and spiritually.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

whet tongues

I failed. 

I fall short every day. 

but this day I completely blew it!

as a wife. as a friend. as a child of God.
 

For there is not a word in my tongue, 

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  Psalm 139:4

A circumstance pushed me beyond 'that point' [as a Christian, I should not have a point!] and I crashed. Instead of asking for a moment and stepping back from the situation, I lost it.

Have you ever lost it?

My tongue was WHET: sharpened as a blade.

source

and that is SO wrong.

It is not ever necessary for me to loose it. ever. with anyone.  

{shame}

So what do I do now?

Pray. Give that control back to God [again]
and repent for snatching it from His grasp [again].

Ask forgiveness from the one who received my lashing. The situation was not his fault. and no one deserves to be beaten by another's tongue. and most especially not by someone who is supposed to love you above all others.

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: 

and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Job 6:24

Keep thy tongue from evil... Psalm 34:13 

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword... Pr 12:18

I must pray for this in my life. every day.

 ... but the tongue of the wise is health. 

 Proverbs 12:18 [a wise tongue]

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue

keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23 [a bridled tongue]

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; 

and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 

Proverbs 31:26 [a kind tongue]

And then, allowing God that control, the result can be:

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, 

and our tongue with singing: 

then said they among the heathen, 

The LORD hath done great things for them. 

 Psalm 126:2

My tongue shall speak of thy word: 

for all thy commandments are righteousness.  

Psalm 119:172

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: 

for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, 

that seek my hurt. Psalm 71:24

I did repent. God never fails to forgive.

I am humbled.
God is Good beyond measure.

I apologized to the one I wronged. He forgave also.

and I am humbled again. 

I am still working through those prayers... most especially for a bridled tongue.

God's strength is made perfect in weakness!

And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my strength 

is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather 

glory in my infirmities, 

that the power of Christ 

may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

adding joy. counting blessings

I have added several ponderings to my list:

appreciating the ordinary

Please visit and add your own [in a comment].

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

the ham

and NO. 

I don't mean pig meat. {smiles}

This little girl is my 'ham-it-up' lady. Each of my girlies loves to have her picture taken, though we need to work a bit on natural smiling when taking posed photos! But this one. she takes the cake.

Anya Ruth. 

her name means a graceful [filled] or gracious friend. 

My prayer is that she learn to be so.

She makes me smile. every. day. And I thank God for sending her into our family!

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

{7 keys} being emotionally whole .2

Read Key 1 here

KEY 2:

Saturate yourself with God's Word

When you are forgiven, you have a clean slate before God. But it is not enough to have a clean slate. You need to ask the Lord to write His Truth on the slate of your heart. You need to have God's Goodness instilled in you.

You acquire God's Truth about virtually every situation by reading His Word. You need to saturate yourself with God's opinion, and in the area of emotional health, that means saturating yourself with God's opinion about you.

In the Scriptures you discover that you are:
 

--a child of God [Galations 3:26-27; I John 5:1,2]

--accepted totally and completely by God [Acts 10:34,35; Ephesians 1:3,6]

--an heir of the Father through Christ Jesus [Galatians 3:29; Titus 3:7]

Many other descriptions of God's people appear in the Scriptures. you may want to start a list or circle them as you read your Bible daily. If you are born again into Christ Jesus, all of these descriptions about the children of God apply to you. Tak them as part of your profile.

The great preacher Alexandar White, when he was too old to mount the pulpit, would rise every morning to prepare a semon, even though he never preached them. He did so until the day he died. He was convinced that study of the Word was essential to saving himself- not eternal salvation but the saving of one's emotional well-being [I Timothy 4:16].

Key Two to being emotionally whole is 
saturate yourself with God's Word.

written by Dr. Mike Rouse

Mountain View Baptist Church

used by permission

My Pastor writes a short article for our Sunday bulletin every week [and has for many years]. Currently, he is writing a series on Being Emotionally Whole, and I wanted to share it with you during the next few weeks. My posting these articles is not my Pastor's endorsement of my blog. All  opinions and thoughts expressed [unless otherwise noted, as here] are purely my own [and my family's] and not specifically affiliated with my church.

linked up at GrowingHome: TeachMeTuesdays

 

arms wrapped round

I love hugs. 

My husband's arms bring security. and love. that sense of belonging.

A friend's hug can bring heart-warmth.

The ones that come from the little bodies that call me Mom are just plain beautiful.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!

old friends

It is wonderful to meet new people and find fellowship with believers wherever you may be, but there is something very special about certain friendships that simply stand the test of time. no matter the miles.

Today, I am thankful for 'old' friends. From those friendships forged in gradeschool that have remained thus for over 25 years to the ones with a little less age created in college. 

**My friends, we are now scattered across the globe. but my life is richer and more beautiful for having known you. and to still be able to say-yes, that is my friend!-I am thankful.**

Thank you, Lord, for bringing some 'old' friends across our path. You always know what I need.

Head over to BecomingaStrongWomanofGod 

for the Thankful Challenge link-up!