there's just something about that name...

November 30, 2012

Matthew 19:21 She will give birth to a son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins

 

One of the greatest verses in all of God’s word; it tells us our saviors name. There is no other name like His. His name has to power to evoke strong emotions both good and bad. It is the name that every knee will bow and every tongue confess! I love His name; in it I have found solace, peace, comfort and strength. In His name I have cried out and He has always answered. “It’s so beautiful, the name of Jesus, it’s so beautiful, that precious name…”

dream a little dream...

November 29, 2012,

Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered these things an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.”

 

Joseph was not just some average dude. He was from the lineage of David, he had royal blood if you will. He not only had the blood of royals but Joseph being a faithful Jewish man he would have recognized that it had been foretold that the Messiah would come from the lineage of David. What a dream, right? Can any of us even begin to imagine what it would be like to have a dream like this? It wasn’t just any ordinary one; this was a dream that would forever change the lives of Mary and Joseph, not to mention me!

a compassionate guy...

November 28, 2012

Matthew 1:19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly decided to divorce her secretly

 

To become pregnant while betrothed but not yet married was, in Jewish society, a No, No! To do so was to open yourself up to all sorts of rumors, scandal and shunning from society. Joseph, apparently a really nice guy, wanted to spare Mary from having to experience this. Now, at this point Joseph doesn’t realize that there is anything special about Mary’s pregnancy. He assumes that she became pregnant in the normal way. That being said what compassion he is willing to show this girl who, for all appearances, has broken her covenant with him. All around him, his family and friends, would have been screaming at him to renounce her and her wicked behavior; to disgrace her publicly in front of everyone they know. Yet, he didn’t. Instead, he was willing to show her compassion and divorce her quietly. So, much attention is focused on Mary in the birth and life of Jesus Christ (and that’s ok) but I think that Joseph proves here that he is a pretty good guy to be the earthly father of our Savior. Would any of us be as compassionate to someone who had hurt us?

the miracles of Christmas...

November 26, 2012

Matthew 1:18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way. After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit

 

Every time I hear the Christmas story I am always amazed at the many miracles inside it. Our savior came to earth as a small baby. He gave up His place in Heaven to fulfill His Father’s Plan of Salvation. This verse of course shows one of the main miracles of the story, “The Virgin Birth”. You really can’t get any more miraculous than a virgin birth!!

the strength in me...

November 21, 2012

Psalm 138:3 You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me.

 

Today I am thankful for the strength that God has given me this past year. I was able to do all that was set before me because of it without His strength I would have faltered.

my home is where my heart is...

 

November 20, 2012

Genesis 31:34 …and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness declares the lord

 

Today I’m thankful for my house. I am thankful that not only have I been able to create a place that reflects my crazy sense of style but I have also been able to create a home. I have been able to create a place that is peaceful (despite some minor wars between siblings!), a place that is fun, but most of all a place where God is glorified. Written on a chalkboard as you walk into our home is the verse, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord…” this is what makes my house a home!   

for those who have loved me...

November 19, 2012

Psalm 84:10-11 “…the Lord bestows favor and honor, No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly”

 

Today I am thankful for all the people in my life who have influenced me. I am thankful that for many years, all of them so far to be exact, I have been blessed to have 3 of my grandparents still with me. I am thankful for all that they have shown me and taught me. I love them dearly. They each in their own way helped to shape me into who I am today. I know that they are all a gift from God.

being one...

November 15, 2012

Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, hold fast to his wife, they shall become one flesh”

 

Today I am thankful for the relationship I have with my husband. It is truly a gift from God. I know that we hear a lot about “being married to your best friend”; some of those are of course true but some sadly are just empty words that are not true. I can say, thankfully, that I am married to my best friend. He knows me; he gets me, and he loves me anyway. I know that sometimes I’m really unlovable!! We are able to enjoy the relationship that we have because we love, seek to glorify, and obey God in our marriage. I hope that my children see our relationship and refuse to settle for less that what their parents had!

the little things that pass me by...

November 14, 2012

Psalm 28:7 …my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him

 

Today I am thankful for all the things God grants me that I never notice. All those little things that make my life easy or wonderful that I let pass me by without saying “Thank You” to the one who gave them to me. We want to say we don’t do this but we all do. We want to think better about ourselves than that. Sometimes we don’t just not say thank you; sometimes we might think we deserve all those little things, but we don’t. The fact is that we don’t deserve anything. Even our salvation is a gift that we could never earn. So, today I’m thankful that God is gracious to me even when, especially when, I don’t deserve it!

my strength (or lack thereof...)

November 13, 2012

John 5:30 I can do nothing on my own

 

Today I am thankful for God’s strength. I know first hand that God’s strength can allow you to do things that you would never be able to accomplish alone. Sometimes God’s strength in me is astonishing. I can look at all that I need to accomplish in a day and I’m overwhelmed; yet, little by little God through me chips away at all the tasks. He tells us that there is peace and joy in those that follow Him. It’s a hard concept to grasp when the world around us is in chaos. However, little by little God’s strength in us shows us that we can lean on His understanding making the chaos into peace even if the circumstances never change.

my path...

November 12, 2012

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Today I am thankful for your path. I am thankful that you lead me on it. I am thankful that even though I may not know where it is leading me I can rest in knowing that You are with me. You guide me. You protect me. This is a gift beyond measure to never have to worry that I am in a place that you cannot reach me!

my church family...

November 9, 2012

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

 

Today I am thankful for my church family. We have been through so much together I can’t imagine my life without any of them. We, I believe, epitomize what God meant when He created His church. I am so very blessed to have each of them as part of my life.

it never returns empty...

November 8, 2012

Isaiah 55:12 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it

 

Today I am thankful for God’s Word. It gives me comfort, it convicts me, and it constantly shows me the grace and mercy of my Savior. We as believers often take it for granted. We more often than not forget to read it. Yet, it is always there. It guides our paths. In it we find rest. Every word is a promise from God to us that He will keep. I am exceedingly thankful that I have been allowed to have it, to own it, to read it.

a life of no fear...

November 7, 2012

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.

 

Today I am thankful that I can live a life of no fear. I actually read this verse in my quiet time yesterday, and it kept me in peace. I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I do know WHO holds it. I will NOT live in fear because God holds me, He protects me, and He goes before me. This is easy to write as I sit in my comfy house safe and sound, but an altogether different thing to actually put into practice. Yet, I can do it. I can do it for God is my strength, and He will never fail us. He is the good shepherd whom the Bible says in Ezekiel “For thus says the Lord God, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” For that I am extremely thankful.

my right to vote...

November 6, 2012

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding

 

Today I am thankful for my right to vote. I am thankful that God has allowed me to live in a land where I am free to worship and learn about Him. I am thankful that I can own a bible, I can take it anywhere I want, and I can cast my vote according to the candidate that most reflects it. I am even more thankful that God is ultimately in control. We as Americans have been given much; therefore, much is expected of us. Go vote!

the call to home-school...

November 5, 2012

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it

 

Today I am thankful that God called me to home-school. I will admit that I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to be obedient to God’s calling me to teach my children. I will admit that on many days I have failed but on many days we have succeeded beyond what I thought was possible.

Home-schooling is intended to educate my children in the best way possible; yet, it is so much more. Through this endeavor I have grown so much. I have seen how God has changed me through it. I have become more disciplined and way more dependent on Him to help me. I have become much less selfish in my time (not that I don’t still have a lot to work on in that area!) We still have many more years left of home-school, and part of me is excited about that and part of me knows it’s going to be a whole lot of work but I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I know that if I had to send my children to public school I would be devastated. Home- schooling my children and seeing them learn as been then greatest accomplishment of my life and if I never do anything greater I am so OK with that.

my husband...

November 2, 2012

Song of Solomon 3:4 …I found him whom my soul loves

 

Today I am thankful for my husband, Terry. I am crazy in love with him. He is better than even my best daydream as a girl sitting around thinking about Prince Charming. I know that he is the husband he is to me and the father he is to our children because he loves God. I know that his love for God and His word is what makes him the man I love. I’m thankful that God made me just for him.

my salvation...

November 1, 2012

Psalm 60:5 “Salvation belongs to the LORD, Your blessings be on Your people.”

 

My Month of Thanksgiving…2012

I will spend everyday of November spending time thanking God for all that He has brought to my life; for without Him I would have nothing.

 

Today, the first day I celebrate Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my salvation. I know that without it I would be floundering, and the worse thing is that I wouldn’t even know it. I am thankful that God choose me to be His child. I was and am certainly not worth it. I endeavor to live a life that brings honor you. Thank You!