From Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
"I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out~ plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
Today I am giving thanks for God's deep abiding love, for the miracles he performs in our lives, for the mountains He moves to accomplish His will and purpose. For being able to rest in the assurance of God having my life all planned out.
Today I am giving thanks for each of you who visit my blog and the many blessings I have received in your comments here and the postings on your blogs. I am giving thanks that God brought you into my life as part of His plan.
Today I give thanks that 2009 with all its medical challenges is coming to a close, and that no matter what the future holds, I know who holds the future!
I am rejoicing and claiming 2010 as a year of healing! I look forward to the journey with God.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Shelter
This week we had our first big snow storm of the year. Between Tuesday afternoon and early Thursday morning nearly 11 inches of snow fell and winds were at 25-35mph with gusts up to 52mph! We stayed snug inside our warm and cozy home with little evidence that a storm was raging outside. If we opened the door a cold blast would come in along with stinging snow, but as long as we stayed inside our sturdy home we were safe.
Thinking about how safe and secure our home was, took me back to when we lived in The Philippines and went through a powerful typhoon. Our home was built from cement blocks that were then filled with wet cement. It was not going anywhere. The winds were fierce ~ over 120 mph and the rains were torrential. The electricity went out, and as we sat in the dark there was little evidence in our home of what was going on outside. The only evidence was the water that kept seeping in under our front door from the heavy rain. As long as we swept it back outside we were fine. Safe from harm.
Kind of like our relationship with God isn't it. Storms come into our lives. It is really not possible to avoid them, but as long as we stay sheltered in the arms of our Lord, we will be safe no matter what comes our way. Oh, sometimes "water" tries to seep into our stronghold ~ maybe fear over a diagnosis, worry when money is scarce, or despair when a loved one dies. The results of these and other heavy burdens may find their way in under our door, but as long as we use our faith and God's strength to sweep them back out, we will be safe. Protected by our Heavenly Father's steadfast love for us. He is and always will be our shelter in the storm.
Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
For more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays.
www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com
Thinking about how safe and secure our home was, took me back to when we lived in The Philippines and went through a powerful typhoon. Our home was built from cement blocks that were then filled with wet cement. It was not going anywhere. The winds were fierce ~ over 120 mph and the rains were torrential. The electricity went out, and as we sat in the dark there was little evidence in our home of what was going on outside. The only evidence was the water that kept seeping in under our front door from the heavy rain. As long as we swept it back outside we were fine. Safe from harm.
Kind of like our relationship with God isn't it. Storms come into our lives. It is really not possible to avoid them, but as long as we stay sheltered in the arms of our Lord, we will be safe no matter what comes our way. Oh, sometimes "water" tries to seep into our stronghold ~ maybe fear over a diagnosis, worry when money is scarce, or despair when a loved one dies. The results of these and other heavy burdens may find their way in under our door, but as long as we use our faith and God's strength to sweep them back out, we will be safe. Protected by our Heavenly Father's steadfast love for us. He is and always will be our shelter in the storm.
Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the most high, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
For more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays.
www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thankful Thursday Thoughts
I spend a lot of time in doctor's offices. Mostly for treatment of Lyme Disease but also for other problems that have come up in the last 3 yrs like a breast biopsy, trip to ER from a car accident, an abnormal EKG, cataracts, H Pylori stomach infection, reoccurring stubborn yeast and bacterial infections and a procedure today I choose not to name. I really do NOT like to go to the doctor so this has been a challenge for me. So how do I find thankfulness in all of this?
By going back to the same verse I mentioned in the previous post:
I Thess. 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I am not thankful for my present circumstances and the challenges ahead, but I am thankful that in these circumstances I AM NOT ALONE. God is with me and His will for me can be trusted. His will for all of us can be trusted.
So today, thank you Lord for the wisdom and skill my doctors have. Thank you for nurses who care for their patients and procedures that give us answers when there are so many questions. Thank you for a husband who comforts and reassures me whenever it is needed. Thank you that on every step of my journey Jesus walks with me!
By going back to the same verse I mentioned in the previous post:
I Thess. 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I am not thankful for my present circumstances and the challenges ahead, but I am thankful that in these circumstances I AM NOT ALONE. God is with me and His will for me can be trusted. His will for all of us can be trusted.
So today, thank you Lord for the wisdom and skill my doctors have. Thank you for nurses who care for their patients and procedures that give us answers when there are so many questions. Thank you for a husband who comforts and reassures me whenever it is needed. Thank you that on every step of my journey Jesus walks with me!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
In All Circumstances
Last night I was rereading a post I had written on my other blog about both my husband Joel and I being crabby and out of sorts. I soon realized how down I sounded and started praying that Joel and I would find relief from our woe-be-gone attitude. Right in the middle of my prayers a verse from the Bible popped into my mind. On Sunday as I was watching Rick Warren's services online he talked about this verse in depth. Seems I needed the lesson before I even knew it...hmmmm God is always one step ahead isn't He.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Please notice He does not say FOR all circumstances....He says, IN all circumstances. There is a big difference. Our circumstances may be challenging and overwhelming at times, but we can still find things to be positive and thankful for IN these circumstances.
I believe it is okay to “be in” and acknowledge all our moods....they are part of who we are. We just don't want to take up permanent residence in that place of negativity. Focusing on the burdens only makes them heavier...so maybe we sit with them for awhile, and then we try to empty the bag of burdens by turning our focus to gratefulness, thankfulness, and joy. Like in the musical “Annie” we can remember that the sun will come out tomorrow.....and when we give thanks in all circumstances....we are even able to see a break in the clouds right where we find ourselves today.
For more inspirational posts visit Charlotte and Ginger at www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thankful Thursday Thoughts
Today is my mother-in-love's 92nd birthday. I must be honest and confess that I did not always think of her that way. She and I were at odds over the years due to probably nothing more than her son being my husband. She did not understand me, and I did not understand her nor take her suggestions or at times criticisms very well. I built a wall between us. Distance in miles and differences kept us apart. Then a miracle happened.
About 10 years ago I started writing a newsletter for Chronically Ill Christians. I managed to send this out to around 145 people for close to 5 yrs before I became to sick to continue. My MIL was one of those I sent it to. It changed our relationship as she began to know and understand me. As I began to let down the walls I had built up and I learned to understand and accept our differences, we became closer than I ever thought possible. At this time in our lives I can easily say I love her dearly and she ends our conversations by saying she loves me. Isn't God's healing power amazing!
So, today, I give thanks for the woman who birthed my husband, and taught him about our Lord. I give thanks for the years she worked hard to help her husband maintain their farm, and then sustained her three boys by teaching school when her husband died young. I give thanks for what she has taught me about faith, endurance, and "cutting corners" to save a few pennies. I give thanks that she tells us in every conversation that she is praying for us!
Happy Birthday Mom T. !! May your year be filled with an abundance of blessings.
About 10 years ago I started writing a newsletter for Chronically Ill Christians. I managed to send this out to around 145 people for close to 5 yrs before I became to sick to continue. My MIL was one of those I sent it to. It changed our relationship as she began to know and understand me. As I began to let down the walls I had built up and I learned to understand and accept our differences, we became closer than I ever thought possible. At this time in our lives I can easily say I love her dearly and she ends our conversations by saying she loves me. Isn't God's healing power amazing!
So, today, I give thanks for the woman who birthed my husband, and taught him about our Lord. I give thanks for the years she worked hard to help her husband maintain their farm, and then sustained her three boys by teaching school when her husband died young. I give thanks for what she has taught me about faith, endurance, and "cutting corners" to save a few pennies. I give thanks that she tells us in every conversation that she is praying for us!
Happy Birthday Mom T. !! May your year be filled with an abundance of blessings.
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