THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Chins-up!

It's my friend's way of saying, "I'm with you" so let's laugh together. 

And the focus is changed with a verse of gratitude.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. (James 1:17)

Even if it takes us awhile to see God at work for "good," remember, "in everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and "wait expectantly to see what's going to happen.

To wait can be active...an eager anticipation of what God in His with-ness is going to do with me...allowing me to see His tangible goodness in my life in His timing.

PERFECT GIFT!

Gift Giving can be a little intimidating for some of us. I, being one of them. Too often, I wrap with guilt. All the other females in the family have a knack for just the right gift for each person. But God in His love and mercy reminded me from my Anne B. calendar on our fridge....

...Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)

We see it through every pine tree, black-capped chickadee or believer's heart, who share acts of kindness with others! 

Those are all good gifts......but, the perfect gift came from God the Father of lights when He sent His Son as our substitutionary atonement. Therefore we believers have eternal life through His death, burial, and resurrection. His righteousness became ours! 

God's perfect gift to each of us is wrapped in love! His love!

PERFECT GIFTS!

It's hard to believe---December will be here in just a few hours! 

That will mean there's just 24 days until Christmas. Ads on TV are already calculating the number of shopping days left to spur the buying frenzy!

Having trouble with your shopping list?

This past week, ABC's Reading List had us reading in the book of James---right where I found the perfect answer. Tonight as I changed the calendar on the kitchen table. I was affirmed in that answer.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, (James 1:17a)

Share Jesus, a true and perfect gift from the heart!

PETAL PEEPERS to LEAF SEEKERS!

Early last week TEMPS were sweltering in all caps. Folks made travel plans to go to the north east to be leaf peepers....as colors were at their peak. Now it's CHILLY in all caps. Yet, there are still a few garden gatherings to recall the lingering flowers of summer and to see all the new mums, pumpkins and fall foliage. 

Enjoy now because we know how quickly fall comes and goes. Soon first snows will be just around the corner followed quickly by spring. May we all be joyfully expectant for each season.

The beauty of each season is created by God. Those that realize this seem to enjoy each season all the more. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS!

There are many reasons to celebrate each season especially in the Mid-South. We have a bit of all the seasons without too many extremes, until lately!

But God....in His Word tells us, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) 

Gof is with us in every season---not just those that are weather related. He is with us in every season of our life birth and death, feast and famine, war and peace. His Word helps us remember He is in control and working out every situation for our own good and His purposes. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Just a snapshot of one of my roadsides---it blesses my heart with my favorite color, favorite flower, esp those yellow tulips! As I drive by, I see them as "gifts from above." (James 1:17)

Springtime, that time of seeding and warmth just weeks after an ice storm and hours after tornado sirens blaring in our state helps us be of good cheer.

Lord may we continue to celebrate every season of life knowing that you are with us always. (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah; 41:10)

THE PERFECT GIFT

Addendum---after posting this entry, 2 different folks said (directly to me)----don't let your tinsel get in a tangle! Then ,I "uncovered" this gift from a friend.........."I get it! I get it!"

Some people are "naturals" at gift giving---thoughtful, creative, pragmatic, & within budget all rolled into one. Many folks I know do this. However....
I  would not be one of those. It's not that I don't try. I even try to keep notes on who likes what so I don't give milk chocolate treats to the dark chocolate diehards, or "forget to delete nuts" in non-nut folks' recipes---actually, I usually err on the side of extra nuts so I just eat it all extras myself!

I have really struggled this season, trying for perfection in all my shopping. Though son Buddy's recent sermon, reminded me that joy is re-findable, even in holiday chaos, when folks tend to lose their way. A reminder to slow down and "savor the season" (and the Savior) and not "over shop it." So....I pulled out some gifts I've received to try to replicate similar ideas of thoughtfulness for others---these "small" gifts were "perfect" for someone like me.

 "My" favorite Christmas carol highlighted on a super-sharp pencil (and it has a great eraser!!)

Fresh gathered eggs from Full Circle Ranch for me to share with family. Grandson could not believe there were pink ones, white ones, along with light and dark brown ones. But, all tasted delish!
Just ask, Owen.

So many but don't want to list for fear of leaving someone out!! But what I see in each is that relationships are real between the giver and the receiver----I'm just blessed to be on the receiving end!

I do keep trying so hard to make all (12) stockings personalized and yet fair---don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Then, I read an Ann Voscamp quote. "Stop holding onto a standard of perfection instead of being held by the arms of grace." I had already written an AV observation, that began to ring true as I wandered distractedly here, there and yon (in my own house, no less. Voskamp said anxiety can give you God Alzheimer's." I might forget where I've hidden hubby's gift or M's tea but I don't want to forget God or move Him to the back room. So, I stopped, refocused and 5 folks walked in unexpectedly. Yahoo!

Of course, the only true perfect gift arrived centuries ago in a manger in Bethlehem. A gift from our heavenly Father who keeps on giving....
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights... (James 1:17)

"PERFECT GIFT"

All perfect gifts come from God. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Crickett's Christmas table says it  well!

Thanks be to God for giving His Son, who is the "Perfect" Gift for all mankind.

International Inspiration

Ukraine speaks my heart---may the Lord bless us that we might bless others.

This sign from one of my Ukraine ladies says it well. It's what they are doing as they "give" out of their own need/lack to bless the their countrymen. Refuges from their own land who have been displaced by the fighting. (James 1:17)

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.......from one Ukrainain to another.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Anonymi-TEA a delightful cuppa Generosi-TEA

In September 2011, I began what became a year of anonymous gift giving. Seeking the "gift" that the Lord would have me give each day became a real lesson of both trust and delight for me. The anonymity of the giving was part and parcel of the delight. Having that in my background, I easily understood the premise for this book, which is based on a true story.

My "pay it forward" connection, along with this being the 1st of the 12 days of Christmas, seemed like the perfect day for a book review of The 13th Gift, a "Pay it Forward" type book....by Joanne Huis Smith.

Following the tragic loss of her husband, a now single mom tries to provide some semblance of the joy of Christmas for her children. When gifts start appearing on her doorstep, her shattered world seemed to fade somewhat as she saw her children begin to thaw. What she couldn't fathom was "the identity of the giver." Once she even risked breaking into a car to see a label on the first gift in order to narrow the search for this "true friend giver."

"Thanks to our true friends, Momma Bear is back. My gusto for Christmas might not be the same, but my kids will know they're not on their own." (p. 98) 
True friends gave us kindness, unsolicited, but desperately needed ...and had broken the hold that grief had on us." (p.188)

A great reminder for all of us---we all possess the ability to give. More than money, one just needs a kind and compassionate heart to share---in this instance, a legacy of generosity was "handed down."

Even the acknowledgements included a "wrapped" gift. Wrapped in words of inspiration. Thirteen years for a 13th gift.

"Finally, I send out a prayer of hope and gratitude for gift givers everywhere. Your generosity of spirit fuels us all forward. (p. 204)

September 13---A Day of Giving

9/13/12             Gifts received from others.

Gifts given to others. 

All gifts from God’s hand.

 It was a glorious day!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,….(James 1:17)

G is for GIFT, indescribable

12/11/09 At a recent “Christmas Carol” production, a young boy sitting behind me, who seemed to enjoy kicking my seat, asked his Mommy, “Where are the presents from the ghost of Christmas Present?” His question was typical of the season’s mentality---not where is His Presence but where are my presents!

“On Dasher!” “On Dancer!” “On MasterCard!” “On Visa” was the intro to a Trinity Methodist Church (Denver, CO) sermon message on “Unplugging the Christmas Gift Monster.” So often we are so busy with the peripheries of the holiday that we lose sight of the One whom we celebrate. The One who gave us our greatest gift.

“The Father gave the Son. The Son gave the Spirit. The Spirit gives us life so we can give the Gift of love. And the Gift goes on. And the Gift goes on.”

Those words from Sandi Patti’s song resonate with the truth of Christmas. We have been given a gift. Now it’s our turn to pass it on. Love, His love, is a gift that keeps on giving.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,…(James 1:17)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)