NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 2026

National Day of Prayer!

1 Chronicles 16 suggested by First Evangelical Church 

with my "snippets of praise and petition" for today, (emphasis mine) 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
30     tremble before him, all the earth;
    yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” 
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

Intentional Worship teaches that God's Presence constantly calls for thanksgiving, and praise. Let's do it together today!

May we all be prompted to "Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All generations."

A perfect "prayer theme" for 2026.

GOD ORCHESTRATED PATHS CROSSING!

Have you ever met someone from Texas on your first week in a new state? (North Carolina) A new state for her as well! 

We sat right beside each other at the driver's license place making the long wait an adventure!

The next day, we ran into each other again at the Courthouse picking up our new tags. She unknowingly picked up the last "In God We Trust Plate." A choice that showed me our hearts were in the same place! 

One day Mr.Mike seated for a yummy lunch at Everett Street Diner---just the two of us-- not sure where our hubbies were. We both took home our left-overs--again, girl after my own heart! 

She visited our home for a "Molly" event. Larry and I visited her home overlooking Fontana Lake--blog readers have seen beautiful pictures she shared from there!

My first medical malady hit. Visitors were not to be part of my recovery!

She started praying and kept praying when more and more doctor appointments and hospital visits in far away places, became somewhat routine. She kept praying and texting----keeping up, even when I could not.

Recently, a "new to me", autographed devotional book, GOOD MORNING, God!, arrived; the author, Ginger Hurta, is a friend of hers! Daily entries "seem spot on."

Entering Thanksgiving week, today's entry certainly hit the spot for me!

Glory in His holy name, 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

(1 Chronicles 16:10)

Grateful for the Lord orchestrating our paths to cross! May we both continue to have hearts that rejoice in the Lord for His glory & the good of our friendship! Cathy G. and me!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2023!

Happy Thanksgiving from our neighborhood and beyond to yours....

....and from the youngest grands in New York, North Carolina, and Texas!

Sipping my cuppa gra-TEA-tude sweetened with love for so may family and friends! 

Blessings on your day 2023!  

*Macy's Parade Pix---a T'giving Morning Tradition ( w/ 2 special attractions this year.

         

Pover-TEA & Plen-TEA

“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV)

Pondering and seeking the Lord's choice for my morning cuppa, notations in my journal had me rereading Proverbs 30:7-9 several times. The notes* reminded me of a needed perspective of thankfulness. Maybe Thanksgiving being just days away prompted this meditation as well.

Plenty---a BIG cuppa plen-TEA is what most Americans want! 

"Economy sways are voting, not character.  "Plenty" tempts us to think we can get along without God.  (H. Clark, 2005) 

Without thankfulness, one can become selfish and cynical, regardless of how much $$$ one has.

Poverty---a cuppa pover-TEA that can become bitter as one becomes sulky and sorrowful. 

Viewing life as if God has forgotten us can fuel feelings of jealousy and resentment. 

• A change of perspective is often what is needed most. 
• Without the pang of hunger, food is not a gift. 
• Fatigue helps us appreciate rest, 
• Darkness helps us seek light, 
• Illness increases one's awareness of the gift of health.

Thankfulness vaccinates us against ungratefulness. (H. Clark, 2005)

Pover-TEA and plen-TEA---two cuppas that can be a BIG cuppa enmi-TEA. In excess, either can become an enemy o of a thankful heart. Sip in moderation. Allow the cross to cover any enmity.

*(Howard Clark,  "POVERTY & PLENTY ENEMIES OF THANKSGIVING" sermon notes, 11/20/2005)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2013!

11/28/13 So much to be thankful for---family all together, a rare occurrence.
Unbelievable food. "Adult kids" did all the cooking & table setting, under the tutelage of Josh & Megan----even pushing me out of the kitchen with the command, "just enjoy your grandchildren!" A command with a reward!

Love & gratitude to all our family and friends ! 

An "attempt" at a group picture at the end of the day....

Lucy wouldn't get in the picture, but she liked her Elmo hat.

Psalm 145:1-7---Our scripture reading before we asked our blessing.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Thankful Meditation

11/25/11 John Parker's (5) placemat provided the perfect verse for "Meditation Monday and throughout this Thanksgiving week.

"In-between times"

11/28/10 That phrase sort of reminds me of the dash on a tombstone---the time between birth and death. During this time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I want to make the most of the time given without wiping out my good intentions with self-induced stress. Certainly my plate is full---I actually just leave my suitcase open in the hallway for easy repacking between trips. Yet, as Jesus Calling entries have reminded me everyday for a week, the key to making the most of “in-between” times is:

• Thank me. (11/21).
  
• Thankful attitude. (11/22)
  
• Thankful stance. (11/23)
  
• Thankfulness removes the sting of adversity. (11/24)
  
• Thank me in every situation. (11/25)
  
• Walk….the high road of thanksgiving. (11/26)
• Let thankfulness rule in your heart. (11/27)
  
• …life steeped in thankfulness. (11/28)

I was affirmed in my “in-between” musings as I just opened and read my son’s newsletter to Allen Bible Church & friends. Pithy with a punch---he says it much better than I could. (Bold print = my emphasis.)

A friend of mine once said, "There are three words every human being should learn to say: “Hello,” “Goodbye,” and in between, “Thank You." Recently, as a church family, we have said goodbye with tears of grief to loved ones and hello with tears of joy to new little ones. And the Lord is teaching us the brevity of life and the blessings of family and each other. In this season and our study of Philippians, He's reminding us that our citizenship is in heaven and we're "in between," and that each day "in between" is the time to learn to say, "Thank You."
I pray that you will truly take in this Thanksgiving as a gift from Him to be with your family, even the ones who bring to mind words other than "thank You." Scripture seems to indicate that life "in between" is best lived and at its richest when we give thanks because He is good. He is good. Whether your meal is a sandwich or a smorgasboard, I pray you and I marvel and thank Him for His goodness in giving us families, "best buds" but even taste buds, so we can savor the textures and flavors of this season and "taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Buddy Liles)

Thankfulness is the language of love for these "in between times."