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.  

Personal Photo

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!

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)

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 was on the topic of thankfulness—at one point I had several versions.  I attempted to present this program around Thanksgiving and/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/people (no matter how small) in life. 

From http://castabigger.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/A-thankful-image1.jpg

Life continues to be hectic, even after college/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.

From https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/40/25/3b4025233b2fd3886b23eeb5d1c1aa89.jpg

Those of us, who have Jesus as Savior and Lord, should be among the most thankful people around. Click to Tweet  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.     

Considering 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. 

From http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/595551.png

What are you thankful for?

From http://www.onthegocharleston.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/thankful.jpg

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.

From http://www.greenyourdecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HappyThanksgiving.jpg

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!

Harvest Time

“Then saith he unto his disciples, ‘The harvest is truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’”  (Matthew 9:37-38)

As we progress through November farmers are beginning to wrap up their season of harvesting the seeds they planted last spring.  The seeds are planted by farmers; however, it is God that brings the growth.  He sends rain and warmth that allow plants to grow, yet it takes the care and nurture of humans for plants to not get choked out by weeds.   

From http://www.ghonline.net/welcome/static/images/articles/harvestBanner.png

The metaphor of planting seeds and tending to them and then harvesting can be seen in evangelism—planting and sowing the seeds of the gospel in the lives of others.  Now is the day, there is still time to share the truth that is found in Jesus Christ alone.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  Jesus is the only way to heaven, not one way among many.  Please do not just take my word for it; check out the Word of God and read the words of Jesus!    

From http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/ecards/autumn/autumn-harvest-2-550x320.jpg

Soon we will begin preparing for Advent (a time to celebrate and ponder the first coming of Jesus Christ and prepare for His return); while remembering that Jesus grew and lived amongst us—He experienced everything we experience.  We can turn to Him in confidence.  He understands us perfectly.  He is our high priest interceding for us.  This should motivate us to share Jesus with those in our lives.   

Now more than ever, we should be engaged in sharing the gospel with those around us.  It is important to remember that for us as Christians, the harvest is great but there are few to work, as we see above in the Scripture from Matthew.  Time is getting short!  One day it will be too late to share!

http://newharvestwoodland.org/sitebuilder/images/Free_High_resolution_nature_wallpaper_Farm_1007_1_-1240x743.jpg 

In John 4:35 we are reminded that the harvest is now, therefore, we need to be ready to harvest now.  Are we feeling this sense of urgency?  If not, why?  The eternal souls of men, women, boys, and girls are in peril.  Just how valuable is a soul?      

We have a wonderful story to share with others about what Christ has done in and with our lives!  It does not have to be dramatic, such as deliverance from drug addiction.  Some people will never hear the Good News unless we tell them.  Do not forget: the best way to get started with this endeavor is with a lot of prayer for guidance and strength.  Then let our actions and how we treat others speak for us.  However, we will also need to use our words, our testimony speak to others.    

What do our actions say about us?  Do we walk our talk or does or walk say something far different than our talk?

How do we go about sharing Jesus and the plan of salvation?

Our focus, especially at first, should be on caring for the person first—earning the right to share Christ.  Love, we are to share Jesus with others in love—no condemnation—love, allow the Holy Spirit to do the work He is to do.  If we allow our flesh to take over, we can do far more harm than good. 

In the end, the things we do for Jesus, with no expectation of recognition or praise will last for all eternity.  We will not know until we reach heaven how much good we have done for the kingdom.    

http://newharvestwoodland.org/sitebuilder/images/Free_High_resolution_nature_wallpaper_Farm_1007_1_-1240x743.jpg

As I was preparing this entry, a song came to mind (a thanksgiving hymn); it is one that I am not very familiar with We Plow the Fields and Scatter. 

Please join me in prayer:

Dear Lord, we come to You eager and also with a degree of fear to be sent out to Your harvest fields.  Prepare us to lead others to You.  Help us to listen well to what others tell us, so that we can help them effectively and not cause them to be lost forever.  Provide us with the words and tools that we will need.  May how we live our lives point to You and match the words we say.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim