“Not thinking. Remembering.”

Don’t you just love Thanksgiving?  It’s a favorite holiday at our house. Even though we live thousands of miles from our nearest family, childhood homes and every grandparent has passed away, I love the fact that Thanksgiving is largely attitudinal.  As such, it’s more difficult to commercialize than Christmas (altho some are trying).

Thanksgiving is a chance to lift our eyes from our human-soaked selves and focus on the ultimate Source of all good things and every perfect gift. (James 1:17) The holiday offers an opportunity to slow down, re-charge, re-focus, serve others and … remember.

Are you familiar with the old MGM movie from 1960, “The Alamo“?  There’s a line uttered by John Wayne (Davy Crockett) that’s extraordinary and profound in its simplicity.  Huddled into the old San Antonio mission on the night prior to Santa Ana’s attack, Wayne delivers this immortal line in response to a question about what he’s thinking:

Not thinking.  Remembering.

In a very real sense, that’s what giving thanks is all about, isn’t it?

Can we stop for a few moments today and direct our thoughts heavenward with thanks as we remember:

- The “land of the pilgrim’s pride, land where our fathers died, from ev’ry mountain side…”

- Family

- Good books

- Challenges that have stretched us; trials that have made us stronger; adversities that have caused us to sink our roots ever deeper into the Anchor of our Soul.

- Friends who love us enough to tell us the truth (instead of what we may want to hear)

- Health

- Libraries

- The steadfast promises of a faithful God whose lovingkindnesses are new every morning.

- Free speech

- Puccini arias

- The loyalty and affection of pets (dogs rule!  Not that I’m biased or anything

- The wondrous glory of God as revealed in His creation

- “God moments” where He quietly, gently reveals Himself in ways we can hear, see, know, and understand.  Author Jan Karon calls these “Patches of Godlight.”

- Grace and truth

- The empty tomb!

… So much more.  What are you thankful for today?  What are you remembering?

A reflection shared by Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, homeschooler, and professional mom.

***

Photos (Top, B&W): Parents wedding pic, Tom and Margaret Naas, Detroit, Michigan, 1951.

Color: Husband Chris and me, 1983.

Big Dreams

“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Carson and Chase spend a lot of time talking about what they want to do when they grow up. Carson wants to be a Veterinarian and live on a farm in North Florida with a lake and raise Guinea Pigs and take care of hurting animals. That is a big dream.

Chase wants to work at Sea World and swim with the dolphins and the whales. He wants to own a preserve and have all sorts of animals there that he and his buddy, Josh, take care of. That is a big dream.

I used to have big dreams when I was a kid. Then I grew up … and I allowed life to steal my dreams.

A few years ago, my life turned around and I wrote a book about the hope and healing I had experienced through Jesus. Most authors dream of selling a million copies of their books. My book was never about the sales, but rather the lives helped.

I had an idea the other day … why couldn’t I GIVE AWAY A MILLION COPIES in E-Book Format? That’s a BIG DREAM … but I serve a BIG GOD!

So … here goes. I am dreaming big. Will you help me achieve my goal?

Please forward this email to your friends and family … let’s see how many lives God can affect through email … through the Internet … through a book about healing and hope!

Chili and Chocolate Cake is not your average inspirational book; and is as unique as the title. The author shares her message of forgiveness, restoration, and hope for hurting women– especially those who have experienced the loss of a child through abortion, miscarriage, or stillborn birth. This book is a shining testimony to the power of God to heal the broken heart. Author Joyce Schneider’s dramatic life and the miraculous change from a tortured young women to a great woman of God will encourage every reader. God even used the stablilty gained from preparing chili and chocolate cake to weave the thread of His grace throughout her troubled life. Get ready for an outpouring–from the barren days of the past, to springs of living waters; rivers that will refresh long after you close the pages of this book.

All the details are on my website:
http://www.alifedecision.org

Thank you for your support!

Father, thank you for dreams. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to step out of my comfort zone and make a difference … for you!

I Love You Jesus!
  In Your Name I Pray,
  Amen

God’s Blessings To You!

Love,
Joyce

 

 

“Be Ye Thankful”

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

No care but all prayer. No anxiety but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the Lord of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace; give Him thanks, Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; “make known your requests.” Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him.

This shall bring you God’s own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy. It will enfold you in its infinite embrace. Heart and mind through Christ Jesus shall be steeped in a sea of rest. Come life or death, poverty, pain, slander, you shall dwell in Jesus above every rolling wind or darkening cloud. Will you not obey this dear command?

Yes, Lord, I do believe thee; but, I beseech thee, help mine unbelief.”

– Charles Spurgeon

Shared by Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, homeschooler, professional mom and chief wrangler at the ‘ole testosterone farm.

A Mother’s “Yes”

This week we celebrate the Annunciation, moved from its usual commemoration on March 25th to March 31st due to our extraordinarily early Easter. To reflect on Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel is to reflect on the power of a mother’s “yes.” She was a young woman who had no idea where her “yes” would lead her. She could not envision the trip to Bethlehem or giving birth among the animals. She could not hear the words of Simeon in the temple, “A sword will pierce her heart.” She could not imagine fleeing to Egypt in order to save the life of her child, or the fear of thinking her child was lost as she and Joseph searched the streets of Jerusalem frantically for him. In her worst nightmares, she could not have pictured the pain of the cross. In her wildest dreams, she could not have experienced the glory of the Resurrection. And yet, she said “yes.” She said “yes” because she knew it was God’s will and she was a faithful Jewish woman who lived to do God’s will.

In a similar, although certainly not so dramatic fashion, each mother says “yes” to the gift of an unborn child. While we generally get the news from a home pregnancy test or a doctor rather than an angel, we each say “yes” to an unknown future. We can’t even imagine the unique road that each child will travel and that we will journey with him or her. We say “yes” to both the joys and pains of motherhood. We say “yes” to first words and first steps and loving hugs and graduations and weddings. We also say “yes” to sleepless nights and temper tantrums and illness and teenage angst. We say “yes” to loving even when we don’t actually like our children. We say “yes” to loving even when our children reject us.

Mary’s “yes” allowed salvation to come to the world. Our “yes” also changes the course of the world. Each child leaves an indelible mark on our own lives and the lives of all those that they will touch. An unborn child comes from God with a purpose to fulfill, an irreplaceable role to play in history.

Mary’s life was changed forever by her “yes.” In a moment, she became an unwed pregnant woman, a fate punishable by death in the world in which she lived. But she trusted that God had a plan; that somehow it would all work out for good. We can learn so much from Mary’s trust. We need to trust in God even when our parenting journey is filled with difficulty, even on days we don’t know how we are possibly going to make it through the day. We need to remember that our children are God’s children first. God is with us to help us bring them up. We need to trust that God has a plan for both our children and for us.

Indeed, a mother’s “yes” is a powerful affirmation. This week, let us be thankful for Mary’s “yes” as well as the “yes” of each mother since the beginning of time. Let us be thankful for both the invitation to motherhood and the gift of our children. Let us rejoice at being able to be part of God’s great creative plan.

- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com
http://momentofbeauty.blogspot.com

Give Thanks

Give Thanks
By Donna Shepherd

”I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” - Psalm 69:30From time to time it’s nice to get away from our daily routine. In autumn, a drive through the mountains to enjoy the spectacular range of color the Lord has created can be restorative.

Recently I made such a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee with my family. The weather cooperated with temperatures in the seventies and a slight breeze. Just right. Right?

Wrong! It looked as if everyone who goes to Gatlinburg showed up that weekend. You couldn’t move your car down the main street more than a few feet at a time, or edge more than two feet through a store without running into someone or something- usually a stroller. Ouch!

To add insult to the injuries, the hotels could charge premium rates because of the demand. We checked in and after shopping, we came back to find, yep, you guessed it – no place to park.

Although I remained thankful the Lord gave us a safe trip and the means to go, a relaxing trip turned into an exercise in patience. I found myself tempted to forget about being grateful and become as impatient and rude as some of the travelers.

Thankfulness is an attitude. The American Heritage Dictionary says thankfulness is “to be aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful and to be expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile.” Isn’t it better to smile at someone than frown, and much better to speak kinds words than lash out in anger?

When we have to wait in line to pay for something, rather than be impatient, why not use that time to thank God for our money? When we have to wait a whopping twenty minutes to be seated in a restaurant, let’s breathe a prayer of thanks that God provides us with another meal. We are so blessed we forget about the millions of people in the world who have no idea where their next meal will come from.

At my church, we sing a chorus called ‘Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart’. When our hearts are grateful, we make up our minds to be thankful- no matter what the circumstances. As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I had to come home to relax, but I’m thankful I got away for those few days. I’m also grateful my heels have healed up. Those strollers hurt!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the beauty of this world, and for Your many blessings. I pray I’ll be grateful in spite of and in the midst of life’s circumstances. You’re so good to me. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Visit Donna at http://www.donnajshepherd.com