A Thankful Heart!

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

I have fond memories of my dad praying grace over our meals, when I was growing up.

Tim's prayers at our dinners bless my heart. My girls learned to pray their prayers at bedtime with honesty and sweetness. Oh, how I enjoy our grandkids' little voices speaking to their heavenly father. Over the years, I've been asked to pray out loud, and I'll be honest, I get nervous. I'm not comfortable leading others in prayer. As a matter of fact, I used to struggle with how I should communicate with the Lord, at all. But I've learned, I don't need to be nervous or shy about prayers. I simply need to go before God with whatever is on my mind. Sometimes I write my prayers in a notebook. Other times, I talk to him whenever a need comes to mind. The truth I know is—God wants to hear from me.

Paul tells the Colossian church to pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Even though my words may be simple, I don't want to be distracted when I call up words to Jesus. Instead, I need to be attentive. And I should always go before the Lord with thanksgiving. It's easy to think of what I'm thankful for, with Thanksgiving Day around the corner. But what about next week? Or during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, if I become irritated and tired. What about next year, after the new diet doesn't work out and the scales are stuck? Yep, even then I need to go before God with a thankful heart. What if all is well? Do I stop talking to God? No! I need to shout words of thanks and praise! I am grateful that God has set up a way for us to communicate. I love talking to him and listening for answers. This week as Thanksgiving approaches, give thanks to the Father who loves us and wants to hear from us!

And the Fruit of the Spirit is Love

Romans 12: 9-10
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

The holidays bring out the best in us and sometimes the not so good. As I say good-bye to another Thanksgiving and hello to Christmas, I want to focus on the fruit I'm to produce as a follower of Jesus. 

I was telling my husband the other night, as we checked out a few early Christmas lights, how much I love the spirit of the holidays. Happiness that seems to float in the air. The holidays are a time of love. A time to honor family and friends. And a time to give love to the people we don't know by giving. God calls us to love, not just those who are easy to love, but all people. I need to pour my love over each person as in turn I spill out Jesus' love.

Jesus tells his disciples, in John 13, to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” He knew that when he went to heaven he needed to leave his followers with a direct command. Those words are for us, too. Jesus wants us to love each other and to show that love by listening, showing compassion, meeting needs and sharing Jesus. Loving others is not always easy, but God gives us the tools we need. If we tap into his tool box, the Bible, we find love enough to share. 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

The Jubilant Little Tree

Hebrews 12:28
...So let us be thankful. Then we can worship God in a way that pleases him. Let us worship him with deep respect and wonder.

As I drove up the long, winding driveway to the college where I work, I noticed a tree. Not a profound statement I know. The grounds are covered with several wooded areas. But something stood out to me about this little tree. The golden leaves still clung to it, even though we're halfway through November. The deciduous trees that surrounded it had lost their leaves over the course of the previous month. But here in the midst of the bareness stood a pretty golden-leafed tree. 

My heart filled with joy and wonder when I drove around the curve and caught sight of the jubilant little tree. With leaves still glowing, it was like it was shouting, "see what our amazing God can do. He can turn my leaves into rays of glory." The next day I stopped and took a photo of the beauty I'd seen. And again I witnessed the incredible creativity of the God who loves me. The natural world is full of God's extraordinary imagination. I hope as you celebrate Thanksgiving this week you take a moment and worship the God of wonder. Praise God for the beauty he created and the joy it brings!

Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
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.

Some of my friends have taken the November challenge. They're writing a thankful post each day and sharing on Facebook. This is a great practice and I find it uplifting considering the negative and controversial posts I've seen. As I follow along and read all the wonderful things people appreciate, I can't help but consider my own blessings and trials. Yes, I said trials.

Jesus' brother James penned these words in James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” As I am thankful for the good God pours in my life, I'm appreciative of the trials that make me stronger. Without them I wouldn't be as satisfied with life or able to struggle through day-to-day challenges. Because God strengthens me, I want to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Praise God for the opportunity to show gratitude and grow in him!

What are you thankful for?

Goodness of God

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

"And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."-Edward Winslow

After a long difficult voyage, arrival in an unfamiliar land in the cold of December, and a devastating loss of family and friends, the Mayflower travelers settled into their new habitat. Try to imagine spending months on a ship, no showers, no comfortable bed, illness, and sea sickness. Then landing in the wilderness, with no house to move into and no grocery store to shop in. These courageous folks spent the winter trying to stay alive, spring and summer they were literally building their small colony, and fall harvesting what they'd planted. Finally in November 1621, 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans gathered together to give thanks for the harvest, good health, new friends, and the stored up provisions for the winter. Life had been backbreaking for the past year, yet they found reasons to say thank you to God.

This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for. I rejoice in the blessings, the stresses, the difficulties, and the beauty of life. I am thankful the Pilgrims paved the way for the freedoms I have today. Thank goodness for the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims survive.

God has given so much and yet I thank him so little. I'm glad for this holiday as it reminds me to be appreciative and give gratitude to my Lord and Savior, Jesus who gave his life for my salvation.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Winslow, Edward. "Mourt’s Relation." Pilgrim Hall Museum. Pilgrim Hall Museum, 1621. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. .

Brothers and Sisters

Phil. 4:1, 4-7
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Brothers and sisters!
Along with my parents, my siblings took good care of me. I was their baby sister, with eleven years difference between me and my brother (the youngest of my sister and two brothers.)  As we've all grown older we aren't together as much, but I know if I need anything they'll be by my side. We do live close enough together to spend some time on Thanksgiving with our mom at my brother's home. The day will be filled with food, fun, and talk of the memories we share. I'm thankful for the love and history I share with my siblings.

In Philippians, Paul speaks to his brothers and sisters in the church. He loves them and tells them how much he misses them. As Paul writes to his friends, I love what he pens. Rejoice, be gentle, trust the Lord, pray with thanksgiving. Oh what joy to have the peace of God cover the heart and fill the mind. I've gained many brothers and sisters in Christ through the years. We still share a love of Jesus. I'm thankful for the encouragement I've received from my spiritual siblings.

With Thanksgiving near, pray with me for brothers and sisters, those close at hand and those across the world. Praise God for relationships! 

Complete Thankfulness

 Matthew 26:26-29
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

This week we’ll join with family to celebrate our American heritage. Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans are a few of the yummy foods we’ll share. And I can’t forget the pie. I love pie—pumpkin, pecan, apple, whatever fills the dessert table. As delicious as all the wonderful dishes are, there’s a meal I partake of each week that fills me with complete thankfulness.

Jesus met with the disciples for the last supper, the final time he’d break bread with his beloved friends before he died on the cross. When he broke the bread he referred to as his body and shared the drink he called his blood, he gave thanks to his Father knowing he’d be crucified and resurrected. I’m appreciative we take time each week during communion to remember and thank God for his Son. I’m grateful I have the freedom to attend a church that worships Christ. I’m praise God for the opportunity to celebrate America, family and Jesus.

What Thanksgiving foods will you share with family and friends this week?

Sing Out!

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I’m not a musician but I love music. The worship music at church, songs I hear on the radio, and thanks to 93.9 Christmas music. Yes I’ve been listening to “O Holy Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and the instrumental music from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus lots of contemporary carols. Maybe I’m a little early, but it renews my spirit of thanksgiving and joy.

I like that the folks at the church in Colossians taught through music. Psalms, hymns and songs were filled with wisdom and shared among the people. Their voices lifted in praise. Some of my favorite hymns remind me how much Jesus loves me and how he died for me. I don’t know many Thanksgiving songs, but I know several that express thanks to the Lord. Psalm 100:4 paints a beautiful picture of rejoicing in the Lord. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise give thanks to him and praise his name.” I picture a group of people dancing and singing and praising the King of Kings. This Thanksgiving, find the song in your heart and praise the Lord!

Nehemiah Prayed

Nehemiah 12:27-28
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem…

Nehemiah watched his beloved Jerusalem fall because the people who lived there ignored and mocked God. His heart broke as King Nebuchadnezzar’s men annihilated the city. The walls fell and the people fled in terror. Nehemiah lifted prayers of restoration to God. Jerusalem’s walls were restored. The city rose again. In celebration of thanksgiving Nehemiah invited musicians and singers to praise the work of God’s hand.

If you read the scripture, you find many stories of devastation, destruction, and sin. People trudged through the muck and mire of illness (lepers), catastrophe (the flood), and loss (Job). Yet believers in God prayed their way through and found reason to celebrate. They lifted their voices in thanksgiving. Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” And hope stirs a thankful heart.

In November, Americans focus on being thankful because our forefathers founded a free land. I’m thankful for the freedom to worship God. I pray that our country will always be a place where I have the freedom to believe in God and praise him openly with thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?