Seems it is official. The Christmas season is in full swing.
I think of that silly little song, "..all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."
Sadly, most Christmas wishes are not that basic.
I again this year challenge myself to consider my wants. I purpose to continue to be thankful rather than wanting.....
"All I want for Christmas is_________________________________"
What goes in that blank?
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thankful 23...
I am thankful for babies.
There is nothing sweeter, nothing more precious...Now, don't misunderstand...I do not want one ! Not for more than a few hours at a time !!
I raised two baby boys. I watched two baby grand-daughters grow up. I watched nephews and nieces meet the world, and grow into adults. I am now watching from afar as a baby great-nephew changes from an infant to a little boy, and will love every minute of seeing his daddy have his perspective go thru a dramatic change....
Babies draw me, I want to look into their eyes, talk to them (...and talk FOR them as if I am the only one who knows what they would say, if only they could...), and I love seeing them respond to me, hopefully with a smile !
It is incredible to me that a baby human is so utterly helpless when born, yet every other life that God created comes into the world mobile. Within minutes, or seconds, every other living creature is capable of seeking shelter and nourishment, all by itself.....
Puppies, with eyes sealed shut, can manage to snuggle up to their mother and nuzzle for her nourishment. Colts and calves, within minutes, can stand up, walk, and run.
As the season of thanksgiving closes, my thoughts turn to babies.
I am thankful for babies. Most especially The One Baby Who changed my life, and the world.....
Thank You Father for baby Jesus.
Thank You Jesus, for leaving the throne of heaven and manifesting Yourself into the womb of a young virgin and the flesh of a human baby...
Hallelujah.
There is nothing sweeter, nothing more precious...Now, don't misunderstand...I do not want one ! Not for more than a few hours at a time !!
I raised two baby boys. I watched two baby grand-daughters grow up. I watched nephews and nieces meet the world, and grow into adults. I am now watching from afar as a baby great-nephew changes from an infant to a little boy, and will love every minute of seeing his daddy have his perspective go thru a dramatic change....
Babies draw me, I want to look into their eyes, talk to them (...and talk FOR them as if I am the only one who knows what they would say, if only they could...), and I love seeing them respond to me, hopefully with a smile !
It is incredible to me that a baby human is so utterly helpless when born, yet every other life that God created comes into the world mobile. Within minutes, or seconds, every other living creature is capable of seeking shelter and nourishment, all by itself.....
Puppies, with eyes sealed shut, can manage to snuggle up to their mother and nuzzle for her nourishment. Colts and calves, within minutes, can stand up, walk, and run.
As the season of thanksgiving closes, my thoughts turn to babies.
I am thankful for babies. Most especially The One Baby Who changed my life, and the world.....
Thank You Father for baby Jesus.
Thank You Jesus, for leaving the throne of heaven and manifesting Yourself into the womb of a young virgin and the flesh of a human baby...
Hallelujah.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thankful 22....
I am thankful for a job I love, and plenty of work to do.
I am thankful for so many wonderful client-friends, those who sit in my chair, and those who sit in the other chairs of our salon.
Tonight, as I count those blessings, I must admit I'm thankful for the next few days off !! Whew.....I am a pooped out blessed woman !!!
I am thankful for so many wonderful client-friends, those who sit in my chair, and those who sit in the other chairs of our salon.
Tonight, as I count those blessings, I must admit I'm thankful for the next few days off !! Whew.....I am a pooped out blessed woman !!!
Thankful 21...
I am thankful for pictures.
Photography is a complicated craft. Amazing things can be captured...a moment in time snatched and recorded....often becoming a treasured piece of our past. Looking back at photographs can put us back in that same moment, bring back emotions of the moment...
Modern photography can make us look really good. If you know how, you can look slimmer, have a flawless complexion, or enhance the image in dozens of other ways.
A photograph, untouched, shows us what we look like. It mirrors that moment of time, snatched away and documented.
It seems I photograph pretty well. Photographs of me look better than the real deal ! I'm not sure why that is.....I look at photographs of myself, and even I think "...you don't really look like that..." Perhaps I have a knack for posing...
This morning, I am also thankful for the picture of me that my Creator God sees.
He doesn't see my flaws, He sees me flawless.
He doesn't see my bumps and bulges, He sees me perfect.
A snapshot of me, made at the foot of the cross...
A snapshot of me, a moment in time, when I was snatched away, rescued and redeemed....
It is documented. My name is on The Lamb's Book of Life. My name written on the palm of His Hand.
"For the LORD's portion is his people....In a desert land He found me, in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded me and cared for me..
He guarded me as the apple of is Eye..
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions...The LORD alone led me..."(Deut. 32:9-12, personalized by me)
I believe my picture might just be on His mantle......
Photography is a complicated craft. Amazing things can be captured...a moment in time snatched and recorded....often becoming a treasured piece of our past. Looking back at photographs can put us back in that same moment, bring back emotions of the moment...
Modern photography can make us look really good. If you know how, you can look slimmer, have a flawless complexion, or enhance the image in dozens of other ways.
A photograph, untouched, shows us what we look like. It mirrors that moment of time, snatched away and documented.
It seems I photograph pretty well. Photographs of me look better than the real deal ! I'm not sure why that is.....I look at photographs of myself, and even I think "...you don't really look like that..." Perhaps I have a knack for posing...
This morning, I am also thankful for the picture of me that my Creator God sees.
He doesn't see my flaws, He sees me flawless.
He doesn't see my bumps and bulges, He sees me perfect.
A snapshot of me, made at the foot of the cross...
A snapshot of me, a moment in time, when I was snatched away, rescued and redeemed....
It is documented. My name is on The Lamb's Book of Life. My name written on the palm of His Hand.
He shielded me and cared for me..
He guarded me as the apple of is Eye..
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions...The LORD alone led me..."(Deut. 32:9-12, personalized by me)
I believe my picture might just be on His mantle......
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thankful 20...
I am thankful for harmony.
There's not anything I can think of offhand that I enjoy more than good four part harmony. I love voices blended, complimenting one another, completing each other....connecting to make a whole.
It isn't really logical. How can sounds that are completely different be so absolutely perfect?
But there is something you can actually feel when perfect harmony happens, you don't just hear it....and you don't just feel the vibrations of your own voice or someone else's. It isn't just 'pretty'...it is absolutely spiritual, (especially if the message of the song is positive, and even if it is negative, the spiritual aspect of the song's message is still there and is dangerous).
The harmony of music mirrors what happens in the universe around us. Each aspect of nature compliments the rest, making complete. The cycle of life....
There is another kind of harmony found on the pages of scripture. Our Bibles contain the complete harmony of God's Voice. His Triune Deity speaks and sings to us thru what is recorded. From Genesis to Revelation, the harmony of His Song is perfect.
I purpose to listen to the entire Song, not just a little phrase or two, not just the lead melody, not just the high harmonious parts, but entirely.
God is so creative.
There's not anything I can think of offhand that I enjoy more than good four part harmony. I love voices blended, complimenting one another, completing each other....connecting to make a whole.
It isn't really logical. How can sounds that are completely different be so absolutely perfect?
But there is something you can actually feel when perfect harmony happens, you don't just hear it....and you don't just feel the vibrations of your own voice or someone else's. It isn't just 'pretty'...it is absolutely spiritual, (especially if the message of the song is positive, and even if it is negative, the spiritual aspect of the song's message is still there and is dangerous).
The harmony of music mirrors what happens in the universe around us. Each aspect of nature compliments the rest, making complete. The cycle of life....
There is another kind of harmony found on the pages of scripture. Our Bibles contain the complete harmony of God's Voice. His Triune Deity speaks and sings to us thru what is recorded. From Genesis to Revelation, the harmony of His Song is perfect.
I purpose to listen to the entire Song, not just a little phrase or two, not just the lead melody, not just the high harmonious parts, but entirely.
God is so creative.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thankful 19...
I am thankful for persistence......
Thankful for the persistence of my alarm clock as I hit the snooze button 5 times every morning. Every morning it prods and encourages me to wake up, get up, and go on with the agenda at hand.
Thankful even more for the the persistence of The Holy Spirit of God, Who nudges me over and over again, prodding me and encouraging me to get up and go on with Him with the agenda at His Hand.
As always, it is my choice. Often, I slap the snooze button a few times...but He is the hound of heaven, and persists in encouraging me to obedience.
Both personally, and as a nation, I am reminded of Jeremiah's recorded warning and it's actuality....
".......the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.
Those prophets and servants said, "Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices......Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you."
"But you did not listen to me," declares the LORD, "and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves."
Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, I will......" (Jer. 25:4-9)
Our God is persistent. His desire is that we obey Him. Not because He is domineering, mean, and nasty....but because He knows the best and wants the best for us.
My God is persistent. His desire is that I be involved in what He is doing, hand in hand with Him throughout my every day.
I purpose to stop slapping the snooze button so often......
Thankful for the persistence of my alarm clock as I hit the snooze button 5 times every morning. Every morning it prods and encourages me to wake up, get up, and go on with the agenda at hand.
Thankful even more for the the persistence of The Holy Spirit of God, Who nudges me over and over again, prodding me and encouraging me to get up and go on with Him with the agenda at His Hand.
As always, it is my choice. Often, I slap the snooze button a few times...but He is the hound of heaven, and persists in encouraging me to obedience.
Both personally, and as a nation, I am reminded of Jeremiah's recorded warning and it's actuality....
Those prophets and servants said, "Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices......Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you."
"But you did not listen to me," declares the LORD, "and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves."
Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, I will......" (Jer. 25:4-9)
Our God is persistent. His desire is that we obey Him. Not because He is domineering, mean, and nasty....but because He knows the best and wants the best for us.
My God is persistent. His desire is that I be involved in what He is doing, hand in hand with Him throughout my every day.
I purpose to stop slapping the snooze button so often......
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thankful 18...
I am thankful for the church.
I am thankful for the church family.
And most of all, I am thankful to have come to understand that my secure salvation does not lie with either, but is in Christ Jesus alone.
Now....I better get busy or I'm going to be late getting there to be with all of them today !!
I am thankful for the church family.
And most of all, I am thankful to have come to understand that my secure salvation does not lie with either, but is in Christ Jesus alone.
Now....I better get busy or I'm going to be late getting there to be with all of them today !!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thankful 17...
I am thankful for taste.
I have known people who have lost their sense of taste. Hard to imagine...
I am not as much a fan of food as some people, but I do enjoy a good meal.
I love chocolate.
As I sit and reflect this cool November morning, with my pumpkin spice coffee in hand, I am thankful to be able to enjoy taste.
God is so creative...............
I have known people who have lost their sense of taste. Hard to imagine...
I am not as much a fan of food as some people, but I do enjoy a good meal.
I love chocolate.
As I sit and reflect this cool November morning, with my pumpkin spice coffee in hand, I am thankful to be able to enjoy taste.
God is so creative...............
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thankful 16....
I am thankful for a great staff.
I've been working behinf a styling chair in a hair salon since 1973. I've worked with quite a few people. I've learned from each and every one of them. Some, from the negative.....
I'm not the greatest hairdresser there is.
I'm not the greatest business owner...
I'm not the greatest teacher, or mentor.
I'm not the greatest anything for that matter !
So, why I've been so blessed has nothing to do with my greatness.
Why God has chosen to bless me in the ways He has is beyond my comprehension.
Tonight, as I reflect on the 16th day of thankfulness, I again count my co-workers as great blessings.
They do good work.
They care for people.
They support each other.
They trust.
They love.
They have my back.
They endure.
They don't give up or give in.
They strive toward their goals.
I've been so blessed to see them reach some of those goals, and enjoy watching them grow toward new goals.
I have a great staff. And am blessed to call them friends.
I've been working behinf a styling chair in a hair salon since 1973. I've worked with quite a few people. I've learned from each and every one of them. Some, from the negative.....
I'm not the greatest hairdresser there is.
I'm not the greatest business owner...
I'm not the greatest teacher, or mentor.
I'm not the greatest anything for that matter !
So, why I've been so blessed has nothing to do with my greatness.
Why God has chosen to bless me in the ways He has is beyond my comprehension.
Tonight, as I reflect on the 16th day of thankfulness, I again count my co-workers as great blessings.
They do good work.
They care for people.
They support each other.
They trust.
They love.
They have my back.
They endure.
They don't give up or give in.
They strive toward their goals.
I've been so blessed to see them reach some of those goals, and enjoy watching them grow toward new goals.
I have a great staff. And am blessed to call them friends.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Thankful 15....
I am thankful for purposes.
And I am especially thankful to understand a little of what mine is......
"...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)
Who I am is not just an accident or a coincidence. Certainly, who I have become is a product of the choices I have made. Some of them wrong ones....
But God has created me with the possibility to choose an incredible life.
God's truth is that when my life was first sparked, when it first began in my mother's womb... He assigned a plan for my life. He knew who I would be, and what I could accomplish with His help and guidance.
He also knew what I would be without Him. And as from the very beginning, it is my choice to take that path, or devise my own.
I am thankful that none of us are left to our own devices. We aren't just thrown into life without purpose. Neither are we without help and guidance.
"But...... my people wouldn't listen to me.....wouldn't obey me...So I let them go their own stubborn way. I let them follow their own sinful plans"(Ps. 81:11-12)
Somewhere along the way, thru the struggles and wrong choices, I began to understand the purpose of my life. It is a process.
and an adventure....
And I am especially thankful to understand a little of what mine is......
"...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)
Who I am is not just an accident or a coincidence. Certainly, who I have become is a product of the choices I have made. Some of them wrong ones....
But God has created me with the possibility to choose an incredible life.
God's truth is that when my life was first sparked, when it first began in my mother's womb... He assigned a plan for my life. He knew who I would be, and what I could accomplish with His help and guidance.
He also knew what I would be without Him. And as from the very beginning, it is my choice to take that path, or devise my own.
I am thankful that none of us are left to our own devices. We aren't just thrown into life without purpose. Neither are we without help and guidance.
Somewhere along the way, thru the struggles and wrong choices, I began to understand the purpose of my life. It is a process.
and an adventure....
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thankful 14...
I am thankful I can comprehend.
Now...I can't comprehend everything ! Some things just go smooth over my blonde head !!!
But I am so very thankful I can open my Bible and comprehend the printed words.
I am thankful that I can comprehend, but even more than that.....I am thankful to have the Holy Spirit of God to aid my understanding.
I am thankful that He brings to my mind whatever I have comprehended.
I am thankful He shows me how to apply what I comprehend and remember.
"....the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you..." (John 14:26)
Now...I can't comprehend everything ! Some things just go smooth over my blonde head !!!
But I am so very thankful I can open my Bible and comprehend the printed words.
I am thankful that I can comprehend, but even more than that.....I am thankful to have the Holy Spirit of God to aid my understanding.
I am thankful that He brings to my mind whatever I have comprehended.
I am thankful He shows me how to apply what I comprehend and remember.
"....the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you..." (John 14:26)
Thankful 13....
I am thankful for thermostats.
I am thankful it is so easy to change the temperature in my house. I am thankful to be cool enough, and thankful to be warm enough.
That little device regulates the environment of my home.
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit of God. His Presence and power regulates the environment of my spirit. He keeps me cool when things in my life heat up. He keeps me warm when I am chilled to the bone with anxiety, dread, or fear. He is able to do all that and more....
......if I ask, allow, and obey.
"Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before hHs glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:20-25)
Hallelujah.
I am thankful it is so easy to change the temperature in my house. I am thankful to be cool enough, and thankful to be warm enough.
That little device regulates the environment of my home.
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit of God. His Presence and power regulates the environment of my spirit. He keeps me cool when things in my life heat up. He keeps me warm when I am chilled to the bone with anxiety, dread, or fear. He is able to do all that and more....
......if I ask, allow, and obey.
Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before hHs glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:20-25)
Hallelujah.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thankful 12...
I am thankful for healing.
Some time back, while slicing tomatoes, I sliced a piece of my thumb off. Literally.
There was nothing to do except stop the bleeding and wait for new skin to grow over the raw flesh. I protected it, I attended it, did everything I could do to avoid further problems....infection or breaking the wound open again...
Today, by careful inspection, it is detectable that my thumb is misshapen in that place. Consequences of the injury. (You could see it if I pointed it out to you.)
Today, that thumb feels different. Consequences of the injury. (You can't see that, and neither can I....but I am always aware of it.)
I am thankful that my body can heal. And even though there are consequences that remain from injuries, bodies can be restored. Some consequences are more obvious than others, some hinder more than others.....damage may remain, but healing is possible. Restoration is possible.
More than physical healing, I am thankful for spiritual healing. Every single one of us need it....not just me.
Each of us have a spiritual disease. Simply put, it is sin.
Sin has caused pain and injury..it has damaged relationships. It cuts and steals away vital parts of our soul. It makes our spirits bleed and robs us of joy, even life.
You can't be perfect. I don't care who you are or how strong willed you are, you can't be perfect. (And let's be clear....the standard of perfection is God. Not anyone God granted life to...)
So, that leaves us all in a predicament. We have the disease. We are injured. Broken.
The consequences are often visible....often not. The damage sin wreaks leaves us vulnerable to further pain and injury.
Our wounds break open again. Again and again we tend that same wound, trying to bring about healing, trying to fix it, only to have it manifest in another area.
You can't heal yourself of sin.
But there is One Who can. He went to such great length to make healing available. And I am so very thankful.
I am thankful for my healing. And for yours...
(...and by the way, don't slice tomatoes on a mandoline slicer without the vegetable gaurd.....)
Some time back, while slicing tomatoes, I sliced a piece of my thumb off. Literally.
There was nothing to do except stop the bleeding and wait for new skin to grow over the raw flesh. I protected it, I attended it, did everything I could do to avoid further problems....infection or breaking the wound open again...
Today, by careful inspection, it is detectable that my thumb is misshapen in that place. Consequences of the injury. (You could see it if I pointed it out to you.)
Today, that thumb feels different. Consequences of the injury. (You can't see that, and neither can I....but I am always aware of it.)
I am thankful that my body can heal. And even though there are consequences that remain from injuries, bodies can be restored. Some consequences are more obvious than others, some hinder more than others.....damage may remain, but healing is possible. Restoration is possible.
More than physical healing, I am thankful for spiritual healing. Every single one of us need it....not just me.
Each of us have a spiritual disease. Simply put, it is sin.
Sin has caused pain and injury..it has damaged relationships. It cuts and steals away vital parts of our soul. It makes our spirits bleed and robs us of joy, even life.
You can't be perfect. I don't care who you are or how strong willed you are, you can't be perfect. (And let's be clear....the standard of perfection is God. Not anyone God granted life to...)
So, that leaves us all in a predicament. We have the disease. We are injured. Broken.
The consequences are often visible....often not. The damage sin wreaks leaves us vulnerable to further pain and injury.
Our wounds break open again. Again and again we tend that same wound, trying to bring about healing, trying to fix it, only to have it manifest in another area.
You can't heal yourself of sin.
But there is One Who can. He went to such great length to make healing available. And I am so very thankful.
I am thankful for my healing. And for yours...
(...and by the way, don't slice tomatoes on a mandoline slicer without the vegetable gaurd.....)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Thankful 11..
I am thankful for soldiers.
I am thankful I have not had to fill those shoes.
I purpose to tell at least one of them personally. Today.
I am thankful I have not had to fill those shoes.
I purpose to tell at least one of them personally. Today.
Thankful 10...
I am thankful for mobility.
I am thankful that I can walk and even run. (...if I have to !)
I am thankful for hands that have served me in my work for almost 40 years.
I am thankful for vehicles that carry me where I want/need to go, both on the ground and across it in the air.
I am thankful I am not confined to one single place day in, day out, hour after hour. City, house, chair, or bed.
I am thankful my fingers can type these words and strike notes on a piano or work a shear and hairbrush.
I am thankful for knees that bend without excruciating pain.
My body is not as young as it was, but it is still very mobile. And I am so thankful.
I am thankful that I can walk and even run. (...if I have to !)
I am thankful for hands that have served me in my work for almost 40 years.
I am thankful for vehicles that carry me where I want/need to go, both on the ground and across it in the air.
I am thankful I am not confined to one single place day in, day out, hour after hour. City, house, chair, or bed.
I am thankful my fingers can type these words and strike notes on a piano or work a shear and hairbrush.
I am thankful for knees that bend without excruciating pain.
My body is not as young as it was, but it is still very mobile. And I am so thankful.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Thankful 9...
I am thankful for simplicity.
Life can get so terribly complicated.
Today, I am thankful for simple pleasures.
Family.
Home.
Good food.
Good company.
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Simple pleasures.
Life can get so terribly complicated.
Today, I am thankful for simple pleasures.
Family.
Home.
Good food.
Good company.
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Simple pleasures.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thankful 8....
I am thankful for music. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪
I think every year when I count down to Thanksgiving, I again am deliberately thankful for music. (...several other things are regularly on the list...) ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
There is power in music....power that can unleash all sorts of emotions, or change them.
Music communicates love, praise, worship ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Fear, anxiety, anger. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Joy, laughter, pleasure. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Submission or rebellion. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
If you don't agree....try watching a movie without a soundtrack. (...if you can find one, I doubt you can....)
I am thankful to have learned what little I know about music. I am thankful to be able to play instruments the little I can. I am thankful to be able to 'carry a tune in a bucket'....to sing with the limited talent that I have. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Most of all, I am thankful to have learned how to channel the power of music and direct it in positive ways. Praising the Creator God who is the Master Mind of it all....it was all His idea.
And what a great one !!
♪♫ ♫♪♫♪ ♫ ♫♪♫ ♪♫♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪♫ ♪♫ ♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♫ ♪♫♪♫♫ ♪♫♪♫♫♪♫ ♪♫♫♪ ♫♪♫♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♫♪♫
I think every year when I count down to Thanksgiving, I again am deliberately thankful for music. (...several other things are regularly on the list...) ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
There is power in music....power that can unleash all sorts of emotions, or change them.
Music communicates love, praise, worship ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Fear, anxiety, anger. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Joy, laughter, pleasure. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Submission or rebellion. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
If you don't agree....try watching a movie without a soundtrack. (...if you can find one, I doubt you can....)
I am thankful to have learned what little I know about music. I am thankful to be able to play instruments the little I can. I am thankful to be able to 'carry a tune in a bucket'....to sing with the limited talent that I have. ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Most of all, I am thankful to have learned how to channel the power of music and direct it in positive ways. Praising the Creator God who is the Master Mind of it all....it was all His idea.
And what a great one !!
♪♫ ♫♪♫♪ ♫ ♫♪♫ ♪♫♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪♫ ♪♫ ♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♫ ♪♫♪♫♫ ♪♫♪♫♫♪♫ ♪♫♫♪ ♫♪♫♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♫♪♫
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thankful 7...
I am thankful for my citizenship.
I was born in the state of Washington. I am a citizen of the United States of America.
I was re-born in Jesus Christ. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hallelujah.
My hope is in Him.
He has changed my life.
He is still on His throne today.
I am still His child, a sheep of His pasture.
Nothing surprises Him.
Nothing robs Him of His power.
His will is accomplished. In His time.
Hallelujah.
My faith is not in man.
My faith is not in government.
My faith is not in a nation.
My faith is not in an army.
My faith is not in a society.
My faith is not in religion.
My faith is in Elohim, Creator God Almighty.
My faith is in El Roi, the God Who sees me. In every detail.
My faith is in El Olan, the everlasting and eternal God. His Reign does not end.
My faith is in Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Who provides.
My faith is in Jehovah Nissi, and He is my banner.
My peace is provided by Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is peace. There is no other true peace.
My security and rock is Jehovah Tsuri. He is unchanging and stable. There is no other stability.
Today, I am thankful to be a child of the King of glory.
Today, I am thankful to have an inheritance and home in His land of plenty.
Today, I am thankful to be protected and provided for in His kingdom. I live there now.
Hallelujah.
I was born in the state of Washington. I am a citizen of the United States of America.
I was re-born in Jesus Christ. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hallelujah.
My hope is in Him.
He has changed my life.
He is still on His throne today.
I am still His child, a sheep of His pasture.
Nothing surprises Him.
Nothing robs Him of His power.
His will is accomplished. In His time.
Hallelujah.
My faith is not in man.
My faith is not in government.
My faith is not in a nation.
My faith is not in an army.
My faith is not in a society.
My faith is not in religion.
My faith is in Elohim, Creator God Almighty.
My faith is in El Roi, the God Who sees me. In every detail.
My faith is in El Olan, the everlasting and eternal God. His Reign does not end.
My faith is in Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Who provides.
My faith is in Jehovah Nissi, and He is my banner.
My peace is provided by Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is peace. There is no other true peace.
My security and rock is Jehovah Tsuri. He is unchanging and stable. There is no other stability.
Today, I am thankful to be a child of the King of glory.
Today, I am thankful to have an inheritance and home in His land of plenty.
Today, I am thankful to be protected and provided for in His kingdom. I live there now.
Hallelujah.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Thankful 6...
I am thankful for rest.
Rest for a tired body.
Rest for a weary mind.
Rest for a concerned heart.
Rest for an unsettled situation.
Rest for an uncertain future.
Rest for a yearning spirit.
Rest isn't just about sitting on the couch or snoozing in the bed. I've often done both, only to get up exhausted.
The only true rest is found in the comfort and safety of the sheep pen, under the care of The Good Shepherd.... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."(Mt. 11:28)
"There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:11)
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.(Ps. 62:5-8)
Rest for a tired body.
Rest for a weary mind.
Rest for a concerned heart.
Rest for an unsettled situation.
Rest for an uncertain future.
Rest for a yearning spirit.
Rest isn't just about sitting on the couch or snoozing in the bed. I've often done both, only to get up exhausted.
The only true rest is found in the comfort and safety of the sheep pen, under the care of The Good Shepherd.... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."(Mt. 11:28)
"There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:11)
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thankful 5...
Today I am thankful for emotion. Even though sometimes emotions hurt...
Ridicule hurts, but I want hearts to stay tender enough to feel the pain.
Love is sometimes so intense it hurts. Especially when those we love are sad, or hurting, or when we are separated. But I want hearts to have an increasing capacity to love.
Emotions are sometimes hard to distinguish from one another. Fear often looks and sounds like anger. Sadness can easily be mistaken for disinterest or disdain.
I purpose to identify and embrace each emotion. It is difficult...
Ridicule hurts, but I want hearts to stay tender enough to feel the pain.
Love is sometimes so intense it hurts. Especially when those we love are sad, or hurting, or when we are separated. But I want hearts to have an increasing capacity to love.
Emotions are sometimes hard to distinguish from one another. Fear often looks and sounds like anger. Sadness can easily be mistaken for disinterest or disdain.
I purpose to identify and embrace each emotion. It is difficult...
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Thankful 4...
I am thankful for make-up.
As I applied my cosmetics this morning, I thought about how different I look with it than I do without it. I think I look better with.... I think most everyone would agree that I do.
I battle vanity, and I don't think I'm extremely vain, but I would rather you see me with it than without it.
As I applied cosmetics this morning, my mind turned to how God sees me.
I am thankful today for what He has made available to me to make me look perfect in His Eyes.
The blood of Christ Jesus covers my every flaw.
Hallelujah.
As I applied my cosmetics this morning, I thought about how different I look with it than I do without it. I think I look better with.... I think most everyone would agree that I do.
I battle vanity, and I don't think I'm extremely vain, but I would rather you see me with it than without it.
As I applied cosmetics this morning, my mind turned to how God sees me.
I am thankful today for what He has made available to me to make me look perfect in His Eyes.
The blood of Christ Jesus covers my every flaw.
Hallelujah.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thankful 3...
I am thankful for correction.
I remember learning to type...way back then. We had correction tape. It was a lifesaver.
I keep a bottle of White-Out in my desk drawer. It comes in handy. Often.
We are learning to depend on spellcheck. And as we do, we become less cautious and aware of mistakes.
I had my bite corrected in order to be rid of headaches. My teeth were not lined up correctly, and it caused pain.
Surgeries are performed regularly to correct problems.
I wear glasses to correct vision problems.
The list is endless.
Corrections are often not pleasant but are necessary and beneficial. But corrections are not really corrections if they aren't done with an ideal standard.
Spelling has a standard. We have dictionaries.
Vision has a standard. We want 20/20 vision.
Our bodies have a standard. We want them maintained in the original design.
We are wise to be easily corrected. Behavior. Attitudes. Actions. There IS a correct way to live, and even though we choose to deny or refuse it, it is the standard. We will all be measured by it eventually.
"This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God, or responded to correction. Truth has perished, it has vanished from their lips." (Jer. 7:28)
"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
(Prov. 10:17)
"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame. Whoever heeds correction is honored."
(Prov. 13:18)
"Bless is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from Your law." (Ps. 94:12)
I purpose to hear and heed the first Word of correction.... to be easily corrected. I do not want to be re-taught, yet when I do not learn easily, I purpose to be thankful that He does not give up or allow me to slip further away from Him.
I remember learning to type...way back then. We had correction tape. It was a lifesaver.
I keep a bottle of White-Out in my desk drawer. It comes in handy. Often.
We are learning to depend on spellcheck. And as we do, we become less cautious and aware of mistakes.
I had my bite corrected in order to be rid of headaches. My teeth were not lined up correctly, and it caused pain.
Surgeries are performed regularly to correct problems.
I wear glasses to correct vision problems.
The list is endless.
Corrections are often not pleasant but are necessary and beneficial. But corrections are not really corrections if they aren't done with an ideal standard.
Vision has a standard. We want 20/20 vision.
Our bodies have a standard. We want them maintained in the original design.
We are wise to be easily corrected. Behavior. Attitudes. Actions. There IS a correct way to live, and even though we choose to deny or refuse it, it is the standard. We will all be measured by it eventually.
"This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God, or responded to correction. Truth has perished, it has vanished from their lips." (Jer. 7:28)
"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
(Prov. 10:17)
"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame. Whoever heeds correction is honored."
(Prov. 13:18)
"Bless is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from Your law." (Ps. 94:12)
I purpose to hear and heed the first Word of correction.... to be easily corrected. I do not want to be re-taught, yet when I do not learn easily, I purpose to be thankful that He does not give up or allow me to slip further away from Him.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thankful 2...
I am thankful for reasoning.
I think about the line from Forest Gump, "I am not a smart man..."
I'm not the smartest or most educated person you know, but I can reason. I can think about things and make sense of some things. Certainly on some levels anyway.
Understanding the concept behind a matter makes a lot of difference. Knowing the 'why' of doing something instead of just the 'how'. In teaching hair cutting or hair coloring, I emphasized the laws of color and the principles of shape.
It does limited good to learn ONE haircut. When you learn the principles behind the steps of that one design, when you learn why those steps have that particular end result....then you can use the principles in endless ways.
I think of dozens of examples...and I am reminded of one example that changed history.
Adam and Eve.
While I am thankful for my ability to think and reason, today I purpose to use that reasoning only within the parameters of God's design and His will.
When God says 'do' or 'do not', He says it because His reasoning is perfect. I need not understand it or even try to reason it out for myself. It is always always always in my best interest to simply obey and follow His reasoning and rest my own in the matter.
There are ample opportunities to exercise mine.....
I think about the line from Forest Gump, "I am not a smart man..."
I'm not the smartest or most educated person you know, but I can reason. I can think about things and make sense of some things. Certainly on some levels anyway.
Understanding the concept behind a matter makes a lot of difference. Knowing the 'why' of doing something instead of just the 'how'. In teaching hair cutting or hair coloring, I emphasized the laws of color and the principles of shape.
It does limited good to learn ONE haircut. When you learn the principles behind the steps of that one design, when you learn why those steps have that particular end result....then you can use the principles in endless ways.
I think of dozens of examples...and I am reminded of one example that changed history.
Adam and Eve.
While I am thankful for my ability to think and reason, today I purpose to use that reasoning only within the parameters of God's design and His will.
When God says 'do' or 'do not', He says it because His reasoning is perfect. I need not understand it or even try to reason it out for myself. It is always always always in my best interest to simply obey and follow His reasoning and rest my own in the matter.
There are ample opportunities to exercise mine.....
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thankful 1.....
It is again the season of Thanksgiving. And I again issue a challenge.....
Make it your purpose to develop the habit of thankfulness.
I have heard that it takes ten days to develop a habit. That means we can develop a habit of thankfulness between today and turkey day !
What is it you are thankful for today?
I challenge you to look beyond those broad responses like health and freedom. Even though we should all indeed be thankful for those things. My challenge is to be more specific....
Today, I am thankful for words.
I am thankful to be able to use these things we call 'words' to communicate by voice, by sign language, written on paper, transferred thru technological machines across the entire globe....
Words are powerful.
They are a gift of God that empower and connect us.
They build up, but can also tear down.
They encourage, but can also defeat.
They communicate love, but can communicate hate.
I am thankful for words, and I purpose today to use them in positive ways.
Make it your purpose to develop the habit of thankfulness.
I have heard that it takes ten days to develop a habit. That means we can develop a habit of thankfulness between today and turkey day !
What is it you are thankful for today?
I challenge you to look beyond those broad responses like health and freedom. Even though we should all indeed be thankful for those things. My challenge is to be more specific....
Today, I am thankful for words.
I am thankful to be able to use these things we call 'words' to communicate by voice, by sign language, written on paper, transferred thru technological machines across the entire globe....
Words are powerful.
They are a gift of God that empower and connect us.
They build up, but can also tear down.
They encourage, but can also defeat.
They communicate love, but can communicate hate.
I am thankful for words, and I purpose today to use them in positive ways.
Sand...
When our boys were little, we hauled sand almost every year. They loved to play in it, build roads, pile it into mountains, and dig lakes. They were always frustrated because their lakes wouldn't hold water...
I've spent a lot of time on lake shores, but I had never spent much time on a beach before last summer. We visited our son's family and made a day trip to the New Jersey shore. Miles before we arrived, I began to see sand. The trees began to get smaller and scrubbier.
Standing on the edge of that massive body of water, my bare feet could almost feel the current of water pushing thru the sand.
Today, I am back visiting New Jersey. But this time there will be no visit to the beach. Instead, I am drawn to the news programs as they show the devastation of the recent monster storm, Hurricane Sandy. The houses built on the sandy beaches have been washed away, their foundations of sand unable to withstand the power of the wind driven water.
I am reminded of the song we sang in Vacation Bible School when I was a child.
"The foolish man built his house upon the sand.....the rains came down...the house came crashing down...."
I don't mean to call those folks foolish. I don't presume to judge or criticize. I would love living in one of those beach houses. It is a beautiful place, a beautiful environment....but it is vulnerable.
Water pushes thru sand and sand moves with it. It just does.
Sand washes away.. It just does.
My heart breaks for the devastation on those sandy beaches from hurricane Sandy.
I purpose today to not build my life on what can be pushed and washed, or blown away by circumstances on this planet. I purpose for my life to be lived on The Rock of ages....
"For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in HIS dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of HIS tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock."
( Psalm 27:5 )
And I thank Him again this morning for the safety we have enjoyed during hurricane Sandy, so close to those beautiful sandy beaches here in Tabernacle, New Jersey with our son and his family.
And I pray for all those who suffer and grieve as I sit here untouched.... God help them.
I've spent a lot of time on lake shores, but I had never spent much time on a beach before last summer. We visited our son's family and made a day trip to the New Jersey shore. Miles before we arrived, I began to see sand. The trees began to get smaller and scrubbier.
Standing on the edge of that massive body of water, my bare feet could almost feel the current of water pushing thru the sand.
Today, I am back visiting New Jersey. But this time there will be no visit to the beach. Instead, I am drawn to the news programs as they show the devastation of the recent monster storm, Hurricane Sandy. The houses built on the sandy beaches have been washed away, their foundations of sand unable to withstand the power of the wind driven water.
I am reminded of the song we sang in Vacation Bible School when I was a child.
"The foolish man built his house upon the sand.....the rains came down...the house came crashing down...."
I don't mean to call those folks foolish. I don't presume to judge or criticize. I would love living in one of those beach houses. It is a beautiful place, a beautiful environment....but it is vulnerable.
Water pushes thru sand and sand moves with it. It just does.
Sand washes away.. It just does.
My heart breaks for the devastation on those sandy beaches from hurricane Sandy.
I purpose today to not build my life on what can be pushed and washed, or blown away by circumstances on this planet. I purpose for my life to be lived on The Rock of ages....
"For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in HIS dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of HIS tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock."
( Psalm 27:5 )
And I thank Him again this morning for the safety we have enjoyed during hurricane Sandy, so close to those beautiful sandy beaches here in Tabernacle, New Jersey with our son and his family.
And I pray for all those who suffer and grieve as I sit here untouched.... God help them.
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