Thankful Thursday #53

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1)  I am thankful that God is the great "I AM."  No matter what I need, I can turn to Him and He will be there for me.  He will never leave me or forsake me. 

Deuteronomy 31:6  "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

2)  I am thankful for Kelly.  She and I have been friends for many years and no matter where life takes us, we walk through it together.

Proverbs 17:17a  "A friend loves at all times."

3)  I am thankful that for a season we were able to be a part of a great country, community, loving church.  The youth group was especially precious, as was the youth pastor.  I am grieved that the church has divided, but thankful for the opportunity to see where it leads us.  God is in control and He will make sure this works out for His glory.

Romans 8:28  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

4)  I am thankful for a beautiful home, a van large enough to fit my family plus a few friends, food to eat, clothing to wear, just to name a few!

Philippians 4:19  "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

5)  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to host a Pampered Chef party on Tuesday.  I had a great turnout and really enjoyed each lady who came.  God has surrounded me with the most amazing people.  It is a privilege to be a part of the body of Christ.

1Corinthians 12:12  "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."

Christian Writer's Guild

My sweet friend, Bonita, has interviewed me on her blog, Encouraging Words for Writer's today.  The topic is the Christian Writer's Guild.  She asks some great questions that could help you decide whether you should enroll in this or a similar writing course.

Hop on over to see if the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild is the right choice for you.

Feeding their Consciences

When my children were young I remember how simple it was to discipline them.  For example, if they were to take a piece of candy out of the candy dish even though I had told them not to, I would simply discipline them and tell them, "I told you no," as my explanation.

Now my children are older and this tactic no longer suffices.  You see, as they mature, they move from just being action controlled to needing their own moral reason why.  But I am a busy mom and taking the time to give that moral reason why can be challenging. 

To read the rest of the story click HERE.

Thankful Thursday #52

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I am thankful that when my dryer broke on Monday night, my wonderful husband took the morning off on Tuesday to go buy a new one with me and then install it! He never complained or griped! He's amazing!

2) I am thankful for technology. I can't imagine having to hand wash our clothes! With six kids and two adults living in my house, not having a washer and dryer for even one day means laundry overload!

3) I am thankful that I had the chance to fill in at church last night. I helped teach the K-5th graders at Cool Kids and it was a pure delight. They are so precious! The things they say and do just amazed me.

4) I am thankful that my family has had the flu, and now we are all healthy! Phew! What a relief that we've been through it and now we are all on the other side and can move on with the winter.

5) I am thankful for friendships. They make my life easier and warmer and more loved. The fact that great people keep moving in and out of my life is so special. And with the internet, I can keep up with them no matter where they live!

Shine Like the Sun

Matthew 13:43  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Have you ever thought about the differences between the sunlight and the moonlight?  The sun is a source of light, while the moon only reflects the sun's rays.

In the verse above it says, the righteous will shine like the sun.  I've always thought we were reflectors of Jesus' light, but here I see it differently.  Jesus is supposed to be living so fully in us that he will shine out of us as the source of light.

Each morning, I drive my children to school.  On the way there, we crest a hilltop and drive down into a valley.  We all look with anticipation because most mornings there will be a cloud in the valley and it is breathtaking to see.  Sometimes, the cloud will be so big that the sun's rays are actually cutting through it and you can see 1,000 sun beams shining through the thick cloud.  What an amazing sight.  We usually take a moment to reflect on God's glory.

If we were merely reflecting God's light, we would not be strong enough to cut through the darkness.  But God in His amazing wisdom, knew that if we could be so full of His word that we were the source of light - then we could be effective at cutting through the darkness of sin and death.

Thankful Thursday #51

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you'd like to participate, just copy the T.T. button on my sidebar and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, come back here and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

Here's my list for this week:

1) I am thankful that God is the foundation of my marriage. God knows what we need and when we need it, and that is a tremendous help! God knows our hearts better than we do, and He knows when and where to touch us in a loving way.

2) I am thankful that Titus 2 In Action has officially launched! If you haven't had the chance, pop on over and check it out. May God be blessed by this new blog!

3) I am thankful for the Word of God. It is full of every answer that I need in my life. Le me repeat that, it is full of every answer that I need in my life. It has all of God's promises for my life. Oh how I love to just bask in the promises of God's Word.

4) I am thankful that God protects us. I had a flat tire in my 12 passenger van this week. Well, within one hour, AAA and my mom were on the scene. I spent the day at her house with two of my kids while the van was towed to a place where they repair tires. We were not in harms way even once!

5) I am thankful for the promise of eternity in heaven with God! There will be peace there, and joy unspeakable, and beauty to behold. No sickness, no death, no sin... Wow, I am so longing for His return so I can begin this eternity!

Lead by Example

The other day I took my four year old daughter, Tiffany to the grocery store. As I helped her out of the car I noticed that she had her purse in one hand and her pretend cell phone held up to her ear with the other hand.


How cute, she looks just like me, I thought.  As I began to try talking with her, she responded, "Mom, I'm on the phone." Wait! That wasn't so cute... to read more click here...