THANKFUL THURSDAY RECAP FROM DownEast MAINE

The earth is the LORD'S and the fulness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)

Great FULNESS of God's creation caught in a small cell phone, which did not do it justice but does evoke great mind pictures of the experience.  How easy it is to give thanks for such days---even in fog and mist, (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I learned that even the acceptance of weather can be an attitude of the heart.

I stood amazed in the surrounds of DownEast as the residents "dub" this eastern coastal section of Maine.....from early morning to setting sun. From the granite pink rock...

...and the balance rock along Bar Harbor Shore Path as we began our "misty, cool"day with a stroll.

...to the boat ride past Bear Island and the Bear Island lighthouse, located in the community of Cranberry Isles on our way to Isleford in Little Cranberry....

with an abundance of foliage both natural....

 ....and cultivated...

...to the home of one of the kindest men the Lord has ever created "to dwell therein" His world---Ashley Bryan ...

...who captures creation in his own style to share with others. Regardless of the style, (oils, puppets, collage, stained glass) Ashley does it all---while giving thanks to the Father! (Colossians 3:17)

Thankful Thursday

Blessed beyond measure.

5/31/13 Glancing at the calendar on my beside table jogged my memory. 

I often forget what day it is and even confuse months sometimes. 

Lately, I think I have let Thankful Thursdays slip by me. Which is obvious since this is Friday. 

Actually I did ponder those blessings yesterday. 

So many blessings noted--a thankful heart begins to see God's hand in every aspect of life and is grateful. 

I'm grateful. Are you? 

Look for Him even in the little things & thankfulness will flow, even if it's NOT Thursday. 

FRANKLY FACING OURSELVES.....

10/19/12.....as we answer this Friday's question since the weekend will be reserved for writing. I will be tweaking the James 4:1-10 lesson I will teach next Tuesday and Wednesday.

I saw this sign on a St. Benedict's school tour a few weeks ago. 

It has certainly had me thinking, "what amount of my heart is filled with gratitude?"

Frankly, "Give thanks with a grateful heart....." has also been "playing" in my head.

PIP

10/3/11 PIP is my acronym for "Put Into Practice." Usually for me that means living out a meaningful verse of Scripture. Today was a "Day of Praise" for the radio station K-Love. They asked listeners to join them in praising God for who He is & thanking Him for what He's done. Praise and thanks. That seemed like a good thing to PIP. (By the way my acronyms are in no way connected to net lingo for chatting or texting---just my way of remembering, established long before one could even text on a phone.)

Today's MM (Monday Meditation) is a glimpse as I PIP this challenge. Meditating on scripture often serves as a springboard for prayer and praise. Psalm 67 was my international praise guide. Psalm 150 was my benediction.

1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us
2that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
7God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! (ESV)

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

As the Puritan's "Evening Praise" states, "My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible (without feeling) to these daily mercies.Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit...." (The Valley of Vision, p. 121)