Thanksgiving

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;”

(Ephesians 1:15-16 KJV)

Note:  This is a revised post from November 2015 and 2016.  After an absence of a few weeks, I thought I should let my readers know that I am still alive.  

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It is currently Thanksgiving Day in the United States—a day where some people gather to enjoy each other, eat a lot of food, and for some—watch football games.  However, not everyone has this type of story.  In fact, it is a difficult season for many; please pray for those who do not have family or friends to fellowship with during this season, as well as those who have challenging relationships with family members.

During my graduate school years, I presented a variety of programs in my residence hall and at the Wesley Foundation, one of my favorite programs to present on was the topic of thankfulness—at one point I had several versions.  I attempted to present this program around Thanksgiving or shortly before finals—a very busy and stressful time for students!  A time when it is hard to be thankful!  However, I did not do this during finals week, none of us had time for programs of any type (other that “de-stress” programs, such as cuddling a puppy or kitty!). 

The programs were not elaborate or even all that time consuming; they were focused on being thankful (thinking about things, places, and people we were thankful for).  Due to the hectic and stressful nature of being a college student it was easy to lose focus on what really mattered and to be thankful for the important things and people (no matter how small) in life.  Even those of us who are not students can lose focus on what really matters; therefore, it is a good idea to mindfully practice thanksgiving each day. 

Life continues to be hectic, even after college and graduate school; it is so easy to get distracted by unimportant things and lose sight of what—and especially—who really matters.  For many of us, we are blessed beyond measure and have so much more than most of the world, yet it is easy to forget that in the workaday world.

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

(Psalm 100:4 KJV)

Those of us, who have Jesus as Savior and Lord, should be among the most thankful people in the world.  In Jesus, we have been forgiven of our sins and have a multitude of blessings.  Yet, sometimes, we forget just how much the Lord has given us and has done for us.    

 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.  (Psalm 116:17 KJV)

Consider taking some time during this busy holiday season (and every day of the year) to reflect on what and who you are thankful for—you may even want to let people who you are thankful for know it! 

Have fun with it!  I imagine that your perspective on life will change, if you are persistent about doing this. 

Try listing at least three things you are thankful for each day until the end of the year.  It is fine to be thankful for the simplest of things in your life.  Then read back through them and rejoice.  In 2015 I wrote down three things each day that I was thankful for; this year I have been writing down at least five I am thankful for each day (and some times more).  It is an interesting exercise.

What are you thankful for today?

Please join with me in prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for all the things and people in our lives.  In Your Word we learn that we are to be thankful in all things but not for all things.  Help us to change our perspective so that we realize just how much we do have to be thankful for; we have so much in abundance compared to many places throughout the world.  Remind us that all we have is from You.  Help us to remember to count our blessings daily and particularly when we are busy or under a lot of stress.  In our busy lives remind us to not take people or You for granted; encourage us to place others ahead of ourselves, serving them in the name of Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Dear Readers, I would like to wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving.  Enjoy and celebrate all of God’s richest blessings during this season of thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;”

(Ephesians 1:15-16 KJV)

Note:  This is a revised post from November 20, 2015.

During my graduate school years, I presented a variety of programs in my residence hall and at the Wesley Foundation, one of my favorite programs to present on was the topic of thankfulness—at one point I had several versions.  I attempted to present this program around Thanksgiving or shortly before finals—a very busy and stressful time for students!  A time when it is hard to be thankful! 

The programs were not elaborate or even all that time consuming; they were focused on being thankful (thinking about things, places, and people we were thankful for).  Due to the hectic and stressful nature of being a college student it was easy to lose focus on what really mattered and to be thankful for the important things and people (no matter how small) in life. 

Life continues to be hectic, even after college and graduate school; it is so easy to get distracted by unimportant things and lose sight of what—and especially—who really matters.  For many of us, we are blessed beyond measure and have so much more than most of the world, yet it is easy to forget that in the workaday world.

Personal Photo

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

(Psalm 100:4 KJV)

Those of us, who have Jesus as Savior and Lord, should be among the most thankful people in the world.  In Jesus, we have been forgiven of our sins and have a multitude of blessings.  Yet, sometimes, we forget just how much the Lord has given us and has done for us.     

 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.  

(Psalm 116:17 KJV)

Personal Photo

Consider taking some time during this busy holiday season (and every day of the year) to reflect on what and who you are thankful for—you may even want to let people who you are thankful for know it! 

Have fun with it!  I imagine that your perspective on life will change, if you are persistent about doing this. 

What are you thankful for today?

Try listing at least three things you are thankful for each day until the end of the year.  It is fine to be thankful for the simplest of things in your life.  Then read back through them and rejoice.  In 2015 I wrote down three things each day that I was thankful for; this year I have been writing down three to five things I am thankful for each day (and some times more).  It is an interesting exercise.

Please join with me in prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for all the things and people in our lives.  In Your Word we learn that we are to be thankful in all things but not for all things.  Help us to change our perspective so that we realize just how much we do have to be thankful for; we have so much in abundance compared to many places throughout the world.  Remind us that all we have is from You.  Help us to remember to count our blessings daily and particularly when we are busy or under a lot of stress.  In our busy lives remind us to not take people or You for granted; encourage us to place others ahead of ourselves, serving them in the name of Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Dear Readers, I would like to wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving.  Enjoy and celebrate all of God’s richest blessings during this season of thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness in All Things

“Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV)

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According to the above Scripture, what are we to give thanks for?  EVERYTHING!  With all that is happening in the world today, it is hard to be thankful—loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of homes, and loss of financial security—yet that is exactly the perspective our Lord desires us to demonstrate as His children.

Listening to the news can make it hard to be thankful—wars and rumors of war, terrorism, suppression of basic human rights, refugees seeking a safe place, squelching freedom of speech—yet we are beseeched throughout the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament, to be thankful no matter what.

We see this attitude of thankfulness—rejoicing in suffering—for the name of Jesus in various places in the Scriptures, Acts, in particular demonstrates this.  How do we feel (or will we feel) in suffering for the name of Jesus?

It is important to note that we are to be thankful in all things not for all things. Realizing this makes (or should make) a huge difference!  

The choice is ours as to how we will respond to the crises that come our way.  Will we get bitter? Complain to anyone who will listen?

Or will we demonstrate a peace, a thankfulness that is different than what the world would expect?

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Have you ever met anyone who was able to be thankful no matter what? 

He or she could be going through a very rough time—facing many losses, yet he or she was still thankful.  Perhaps, others looking at his or her life would think, “How does he or she do it?”  “If I was going through that, I would not be able to go on—life just would not be worth the effort.” 

What do you suppose allowed them to have that type of attitude? 

One of my master’s thesis participants (who is also a dear friend) is able to do just that.  She is thankful for what she has everyday—she spends time talking with God about it too.  Why is she able to do this?  I believe it is her relationship with and dependence on God (Ephesians 5:20).  Cultivating this attitude is life changing. Try it for yourself!  I imagine that you will find that it changes how you see and react to the world.   

The apostle Paul learned how to be content in any and all situations (read the book of Philippians [a book full of joy and thankfulness] in the New Testament to see this attitude in action)—it was written from prison when Paul was near the end of his earthly life; he looked beyond his present circumstances to the future that awaited him in heaven. 

What do we have to gain by doing this?  From my perspective, we have much to gain—more than we can begin to realize.  It may not change our situation; however, it will change how we view and respond to our situation.  Those around us will notice the difference and wonder what is going on.  What a testimony we can share with those who are going through their own difficulties and challenges!

How are you doing when it comes to being thankful?

Please join with me in prayer:

God of all comfort, we admit that it is difficult to be thankful for all things, particularly when crises or suffering come that knock us off balance.  Help us to choose to be thankful for the bad and good in our lives.  Draw us so close to You that we depend fully on You.  Nudge us with reminders to pray continually.  Teach us to have joy and thankfulness despite what is going on in our lives.  May we desire to be thankful always no matter what the circumstances life brings our way, using Paul and others as our examples.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim