Feeling Thankful...

Colossians 3:15-17

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I just wanted to write up a quick post today about how I've been feeling the last few days... The big word that sums it up? Thankful.

God has been doing so many amazing things in my life and in our home. I just can't help but tell it! : )

Psalm 9:1-2

¹I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

²I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

I've been reading a great book that deals a lot with just trusting the Lord, resting in Him and His plans. There is no better place to be. It has been wonderful to see Him work and see His blessings.

Psalm 105:1-3

¹O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

²Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

³Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

I just want to thank the Lord--for everything. He's causing my family and I to grow in every circumstance. Thank you!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And, of course, I'm ever thankful for the most special gift ever given--celebrated especially this weekend.

John 3:16-17

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Ephesians 2:1-9

¹And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

: )

What are you thankful for today?

~Page

"Be Ye Thankful"

Colossians 3:15b "...be ye thankful."

Being thankful... Sometimes this is not always so easy...

At times, I feel overwhelmed and busy... tired or lazy... ungrateful because things aren't going the way I want... frustrated over silly things (even though they may not seem silly at the time)... complaining because of this or that... Ugh.

But, if I stop to think about what is going on in my life, even when things aren't "perfect"--do I really have any reason not to be thankful? Salvation and God's words to me... my husband, my son... my house, my health... my new business... losing weight (tee-hee!)... hmmm... good food, great friends....

Wow! And I'm just getting started! This list could continue on for sure!

Now, why was I feeling so "Not Thankful"?!?!?!?!!???!?

I don't want this post to seem generic--I just wanted to hopefully get everyone to thinkin'...

Don't complain today... Be ye thankful!

Tell the Lord how thankful you are for all He has done. Tell your spouse how thankful you are for them. Tell your children how thankful you are for them. Call your mom and tell her how thankful you are for her!! : )

And most definitely, drop a note here on our blog and let us know why you are thankful today! I can't wait to hear from you!

~Page

Lord, Thank You.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

Have you ever stopped to think about what the Lord has done for us? For you?

1 Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

He suffered greatly so that we could be saved... So that we could have eternal life in heaven with Him! His sacrifice was the ultimate--His perfect life, for our sinful one.

Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Seek Him. He is not far away.

Acts 17:27-28a "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being"

Call unto Him.

Romans 10:10-13 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

He will save you. You can have eternal life with Him.

John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

We are free! Saved by Him from death and the punishment of sins!

Romans 6:17-18 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

It's a forever thing.

John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

Thank you, Lord!

1 Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

We have the victory! Celebrate! Thank God for it!

2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

I am so thankful for my salvation! Don't ever miss or forget what was done on the cross for you!

~Page

Thankful Thursday: My Little Red Head

Psalm 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward."

This Thankful Thursday, I just had to post about our family trip to Dollywood, and watching a little boy's "dream come true". : )

There is nothing like having a child, and watching them grow. Our son, Little Red, is such a cool kid. Hilarious, smart, inquisitive, and busy are just a few of the words that best describe him (and did I mention hilarious?!??!) Every day is an adventure, every day there is something new.

This particular post zeros in on one of his favorite things: Trains!

Just look at him, so tiny, by that huge train. He studies it, listens to it, and then runs straight for his daddy to show him his new discovery. "Daddy, look!", he exclaims... several times. We just smile and laugh.

He takes off to go get on the train so we can ride, even though it doesn't leave for another 15 minutes. That doesn't matter--he's on the train!

A quick snack makes the time go by a little easier and quicker. It's extremely hot and humid. And I'm trying to get him to drink as much water as possible, but he can't hardly focus on water, because the train whistle is blowing! Eyes brighten, "Choo choo! Choo choo!" This is a very big deal.

We put his sun glasses on, because it's way bright. Then, I see just how much he looks like his daddy. I love that he is so much like his daddy.

The train finally pulls away and we go on a 20 minute ride up the hill and back. Little Red is totally enthralled, particularly when the whistle blows.

I enjoy this train ride, more than any other I have ever been on. This enjoyment doubles and triples for me through my son. I'm happy because he is so happy! : )

I truly do feel "the fruit of the womb is His reward." Children are a blessing. I am very thankful for my son!

2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."!!!!

~Page

Blessing No. 98943090238412094 : )

Psalm 30:12 "To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

"God is good! God is so good! God is so good; He's so good to me!" Such a sweet song! It's ringing very true to me right now!

The background: This past week--our lawn mower decided to move on to greener pastures. : )

Scott and I talked about purchasing another push mower, for a really good price of around $150, at Lowe's. After much discussion, we decided to give it to The Lord. He has blessed us continually in our lives, even in the smallest details. Why not the same with our lawn mower? We knew if it took very long, we would have to pull out the bush hog (so goes the country life). So we began praying. : )

THE VERY NEXT DAY, a man at Scott's work came up to him and offered him his old push mower, which was in very good shape and had been seldom used, for $10!!! Yes!!! JUST $10!!!!!!!!!! It works like a dream! I know, I used it myself last night! (My first ever experience mowing! I didn't want to miss out on this gift. And it turns out, I really enjoy mowing! Will be doing this much more!! )

I just had to share with everyone how great God is, how much He cares, even in the smallest things to the VERY BIGGEST things.

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

God has supplied all of our needs. Even if we hadn't have received this mower, we still would have had all our needs. This is just an example of how God cares for our wants as well. Give Him a chance to meet the needs in your life and to fulfill the desires of your heart.

Psalm 118:21 "I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation."

God is my salvation! He has saved me! Praise Him! How about you? Are you a partaker in His wonderful gift to us?

What a BIG and Wonderful God we serve!!!

Thank you, Father!

~Page

Wow! Do I have something to be thankful for!

Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is not room enough."

Well, if this isn't how I feel right now! : )

A little background: We are in the process of building our own home. (Will post some pics in the near future.) My husband is doing this himself. Therefore, Lowe's has become like a second home to us! : )

As we are always there, the first place I always run to is the clearance section (actually, it's the first place I run to in any store!!! Its so ADDICTIVE!)! The Lord had blessed us soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much in this area of our lives! You wouldn't believe how many times we have gone to Lowe's (and plenty of other places) with a need, and found it there for a fraction of the cost on clearance! I could write a million posts just on this subject (and will write plenty more as we progress!).

So my very first post on the subject couldn't have came at a better time, as I was waiting to be shown what to write about for my "Thankful Thursday"!

So, finally, the story: Last night, after church, we made our regular Lowe's run to pick up some needed electrical items. As I said before, the first place I hit was the clearance! You wouldn't believe the things on sale! (*HE HE HE*)

To make this long story short, we ended up purchasing over $500 worth of products, (anything from curtains for our new home to paint to wood stain) for just $82!!!!!!!!!

I am so thankful for the Lord's blessings on us. God not only grants our needs, but He also cares for our wants. GOD IS SO GOOD! And I will be singing His Praises and Wonders all that I can!

Thank you, Lord! I could never express how deeply grateful I am for Your Grace and Mercy! Thank you for saving me and letting me be apart of Your Amazing Wonders!

I love You, Father!

~Page

A Spectacular Prayer

Col 1: 9-14 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

I came across this prayer, while searching The Word for some encouragement. As afore mentioned, there has been hardship in my family, which is seemingly ever growing right now... But I know that God is SO MUCH BIGGER than any problem I'm facing.

I found these verses to be so powerful ("powerful" not even being the half of describing His Word). Just read them; let them sink in. Think about this prayer.

This prayer covers so many aspects of the Christian life:

*Never ceasing in your prayers

*Gaining wisdom and spiritual knowledge

*Being fruitful

*Growing in His strength

*Learning patience and joy in your longsuffering

*Remembering the phenomenal sacrifice paid for us on Calvary

*Realizing that the battle is won--we will be partakers in the heavenly inheritance, because of redemption through the blood and His ever forgiving of our sins!!

Whew! This prayer is so amazing to me. I have decided to start using this prayer for others and myself--to gain these wonderful things in our lives!

1 John 5:14-15 says "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

God answers prayers. He is a wonderful, merciful, and astounding God. He has saved me from hell, and I will be bounding in "the inheritance of the saints" one day!!!!

I would like to challenge you to pray this prayer. Watch what God will do. Let Him and His Word do a marvelous and miraculous work in you.

Acts 16:31 says "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Also Romans 5:8 says "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".

I want you to know that He cares for you; He can and will save you. He loves you so much!

Look to Him. Prov. 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

God will lead you if you let Him. He will reveal the truth to you, and fill your heart if you let Him. Please let Him.

Thank you, Lord, for all that you have done for me. Thank you for Your Word and how it reaches me. You're the best!

~Page

"And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts." Psalm 119:45

Happy Independence Day, everyone!! As we were trying to think on what to write about on this day, we couldn't help but show you this tremendous prayer.

The following prayer was offered by Rev. Byron Sunderland, D.D. on July 4, 1861, on the brink of the Civil War:

"Almighty and everlasting God, be not angry with us for our sins, which we only confess and deplore; but pardon our offenses and extend to us Thy favor. We thank Thee for Thy goodness on this anniversary of the nation a day tenfold more precious by reason of our present troubles, and sacred to the heart for the ever memorable Declaration of our fathers, in which Thou didst begin more openly to give us a name among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all Thy manifold and abundant mercies hitherto to make our nation exceedingly great and glorious; but now disasters have befallen us and darkness broods in the land. And now we ask Thy mercy as the Senate is convening at a most momentous crisis of our history. Give to Thy servants all needed help. Add to their deliberations wisdom and unanimity, and profit and speed to their conclusion. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, our veteran Commander-in- Chief, and all that have functions in the civil and military power. May the angel of Thy presence walk in the Cabinet and in the Congress and in the camp, to go before, to purify, and to direct the now greatly and universally-awakened love of country. And we beseech Thee to guide us, to overrule and order all things, and so to cause that nothing shall fail, that the disorders of the land may be speedily healed, that peace and concord may prevail, that truth and righteousness may be established, and that Thy Church and Kingdom may flourish in a larger peace and prosperity, for Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." (Source: Congressional Globe,37th Congress, first session, new series, 1, 4 July 1861.)

Wow. How times have changed. How our nation has changed.

There are just a couple of things we'd like to remind you of on this Independence Day:

1) Prayer is Powerful - Please pray for our nation and it's leadership.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

God still answers prayers, every day. We can't tell you how many times in our lives we have seen God work, and work mightily. So please, never stop praying for our nation!

2) Remember that, as a "wonderfully-saved-by-Him" Christian, you are free.

John 8:32
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

There is no greater joy than knowing you are free from sin, Christ has made us free! Do you have this assurance? Have you turned to Christ in faith and repented of your sin? Where will you go when you die? This life is so temporal, eternity is forever.

Romans3:23- 25 "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

Christ has made a way! Through His death on the cross and the shedding of His precious, righteous blood- we can know forgiveness of our sins!

In closing, we as a Nation have been over and abundantly blessed, founded on Christian principles, yet our Country is far from "Christian" (meaning Christ-like).

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

We are proud to be Americans, thankful for our freedoms, praying that WE will be humble, faithful to pray, seeking the face of God and daily turning from our wicked ways.

Happy Independence Day, everyone! We are so richly blessed.

~Lauren & Page