Tag: Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING 2019

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THANKSGIVING 2019

It’s not been an easy few years. Looking back starting in September 2016 up till now, I have looked deeply into my life and as I have sincerely figured this has been the hardest three years of my life. From near death to graduating from college in a matter of two weeks, I have followed a path of hardships and self-exploration. One of my biggest thanks is the very church I attend on a regular basis. In the last three years I went from a simple attendee to working security, being on the puppet ministry, volunteering with the youth, teaching, I have come a long way and even with a major loss in October, I know that my church is my tether to my spiritual path. In the last three years, my church has lifted me up, guided me, supported me, and when things got sour, my church had my back. I have been mentored and sustained. 

My best friend has stood by me, and has helped me through some dark days. Having the love and support of an amazing church, a mother who has put up with me and my sarcasm, my occasional frustrations, my lack of a job (even though I do contribute financially) and my crazy animals, I am immensely grateful. While this year hasn’t been the greatest for my body, or my emotional life, it’s not been nearly as bad as the years prior. I am grateful for those in my life that if they read this, know who they are. 

The Devil has been working overtime to bring me down this year. Struggling with depression since October and a chronic pain situation, I have found myself frustrated and stressed. School has been a challenge, perhaps the hardest challenge I’ve had in my 5 years. With school coming to an end, I am grateful to be able to finish successfully. I am thankful for my upcoming mission journey to Honduras. I’m grateful to be able to work in the church working with the youth. Being a free-4-all volunteer has meant a great deal to me. I have found great joy and pleasure working with the youth. I never thought I would enjoy working with them, but as it turns out, God has a funny sense of humor. So that being said, there’s a few things I’d like to express thanks for. 

John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

Ephesians 6:11-18 11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” 

John 15:13 New King James Version (NKJV) 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” 

Without Jesus my life would mean nothing. Without my savior I would have no hope. I am appreciative of my Lord and Saviors sacrifice for me. I could not list anything higher in my life, but to be thankful for Jesus. No matter what is going on in my life, or where I find myself, the Hilltop, the Valley, or anywhere in between, Jesus is my rock. Nothing else matters as much, and as I go into this Holiday Season, I do so with great expectations of a blessed season. Not for the coming gifts for they will be few this year, but where I have a lack of physical gifts, I am blessed beyond measure with the spiritual gifts from the Father. I am thankful for everything I have and as to paraphrase Paul, I am content with where I am and with what I have. Jesus loves me and that is the most important thing to be thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving 

2 Corinthians 9:11 (NKJV)11 “while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”

It’s a short and sweet kind of day. We have Jesus Christ and no matter what trials we are going through it’s a blessing because God waists nothing. Every trial, every gift, everything is something to be thankful. Spend this time with your family, and truly enjoy life. We only get one of them, and there’s nothing in this world worth stealing your joy.

Psalm 107:8-9 (NKJV)

8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

9 For He satisfies the longing soul,

And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings. 

Thank You, Because It’s Right

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Thank You, Because It’s Right

Thank you God for so many blessings bestowed to me this year. Thank you for a year of gifts, good health, financial stability, good friends, and most recently a woman God has felt it was time to bless my heart with. As much as I am happy for her, I must not forget the most important fact that God must remain first. Thank you God for your son Jesus Christ for loving us so much His sacrifice saved our very souls. We could never count our blessings because they are so great, so abundant that we could list all day and never scratch the surface as our blessings.

God doesn’t expect a reward for what He gives us, because God is a giver. Matthew 6:4 (NKJV)4“that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”What do you expect to get from your giving? Do you give and say ‘look at me, look what I did!”? A heart of gratitude and love is what we have because God shows us how. 

It occurred to me that God doesn’t have to give us anything. We are blessed just to have life. We are so incredibly unique because God blesses every one of us with life. I cannot imagine my life without God and the continued blessings I receive every day. One thing about God is the truth that God’s ways never change. God’s blessings do not sway with the changing winds. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” 

When was the last time you did something for someone else not because you were going to get something back, but just because it was the right thing to do? 2 Samuel 19:38-39“And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.” 

David offered a place in his home to Barzillai for sheltering David when Absolom rebelled. David did not have to offer this as his thank you, but as David has shown time and again, his generosity of kindness was not the average for the time but he led by example. The true nature of kindness is loving as God loves us, and allows affords us so much grace and love. David’s kindness for this family is maintained for two generations. This changed the life of Chimham forever being taken into David’s family. How few we look to Jesus for His generosity, his selfless gift of life given to each and every one of us. Do we think to truly count our blessings big and small, or are we so wrapped up in life to forget? I’m so thankful for my life, and everything God gives to me. 

The Real Superhero’s Thanksgiving

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The Real Superhero’s Thanksgiving

What are we thankful for? This last year has been one of the hardest of my life. In that struggle however, I’ve had many blessings, and I’ve found great strength in Christ. It’s in that strength that we find ourselves thankful. What are we thankful for? Me personally in this last year I find myself thankful for my mother who’s been an incredible help to me this year. I am debt free which is an amazing feeling. 1 have been blessed getting so much worked out this year. I’ve gotten my finances finalized as I’m not Debt Free! I’ve gotten a slight increase in my VA disability, and I’m safe and sound in a home.

While not every plans works out to our likening, we must still be thankful for what we have, and what we don’t. God turns our mess into a message. We can take comfort knowing that no matter what happens good or bad, we can be thankful for the sacrifice Christ made for us and know that our salvation came at a great cost, and yet it was paid in full. No matter the dark skys, the storms that rage, you need to ride it out, and when the wave comes you need to take the opportunity to pop up and ride it. The storms will split and the SON is still just beyond the clouds always there.

Be thankful to the real superhero Jesus Christ. He fought and overcame death itself. But in our lives, I want to remind everyone to give thanks to those in harms way today. Our military, law enforcement, first responders, and firefighters are all part of our nations superheroes. They are working today to ensure everyone is safe. While they are away from their families today say a prayer for them and be thankful. I challenge everyone to find the smallest things to be grateful and list them out. You can find thanks in everything we have big and small. No matter the season, set that aside today, and be thankful. Enjoy the festivities of today even if things aren’t perfect for you.

I know all too well how it can be sad, but there’s worst things in this life. I have family, my dogs, and things aren’t bad. I challenge you all to post a comment about what you’re thankful for today.