Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for the Light

 Is there such a thing as too many Christmas lights? 

Well, regardless of particularities, opinions and taste...I believe there is nothing better than Christmas lights.  I especially LOVE it when their brilliant light shines through fresh snow on a clear December night, when the twinkle from the stars up above mingles with the glow down below.  It gets dark so early in the day, that plugging in the garlands and the trees around 5 p.m. just makes the gloom of the early dusk dissipate...giving the house extra warmth in the chill of the silent nights.

I haven't decorated the house for Christmas yet.  It was a busy Thanksgiving week, but I am ready to start digging into the boxes in the basement for the shimmer of the season.  It's funny how my Christmas lights spend the year hidden in the darkest room of the house...

Today, the final day of my Thanksgiving Journal I want to give thanks for the Light.  Jesus entered this world in the middle of the night to be the source of Light that would break through darkness.  As He proclaimed it Himself, 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12

He is the Light that shines in the darkness and which darkness cannot overcome (John 1: 5).  But, o...how much does darkness despise Light...darkness rejects Light and tries to put it out.  We are children of the Light, though, and as such, we must let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to Our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6: 16).  We should never hide our light, not under a bushel or anything...we need to get our lights out of the basement of our souls outwards for all to see.  That's what Christmas lights represent, how the Light of the World came down to make His dwelling among us.  So, let's make our Light shine brightly out in the open! Let's hang them up for the world to see... After all...the world is a very dark place, so there isn't such a thing as too many Christmas Lights.

Praise You, Jesus, for being Our Light!  In Your Precious Name. Amen!

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for Awe-Inspiring Moments

Do you remember having experienced any awe-inspiring moments this year?  You know the kind...those that fill your skin with goosebumps, or take your breath away...those that bring tears to your eyes, only not of sadness, but of pure wonder...those that represent life's big exclamation marks.  These moments are quite rare and very special.  According to the Collins dictionary, “Awe is the feeling of respect and amazement that you have when you are faced with something wonderful and often rather frightening.”

Our God is an Awesome God, like Psalm 68: 35 says:

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;

the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!

Therefore, when we experience God-moments...by definition, those are Awe-moments...actually, those are the MOST Awesome moments.  Have you experienced any of those lately?

Like I mentioned earlier, they tend to not come around very often.  They are the ones that make one exclaim: "That is the work of God Almighty."  Because you know there was no force on earth that could have accomplished what you've witnessed.  

Awe-inspiring moments fill you with respect and fright...the kind of fright that we feel when we know God is near and on the move.

I had a moment like that this year.  Actually, I had many moments in which contemplating nature allowed me to feel awe.  But I had one experience in particular that made me take a few steps back and exhale the acknowledgement that it was only by the power of the Hand of God Almighty that things unfolded the way they did.  It was a moment I have been waiting for and praying for 12 years...it was a moment I knew would only be real by the direct intervention of God.  It was a moment when reconciliation was possible and old and deep wounds became healed...and peace finally flowed again like a river. 

Today, I want to Praise Our Awesome God for giving us awe-inspiring moments.  May we recognize them when they happen.  May we treasure them.  May we appreciate them for they are precious, indeed.  May we be aware of them for they are rare.  May we be filled with respect for they are so outside of the realm of the humanly possible, that they are frightening.  May we be grateful.  In the Precious Name of He Who Is Awesome.  Amen! 

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for Your Word

I love to read.  My problem is, I don't have time to do it.  I have piles of unread books in my shelves, which I look at longingly, waiting for a moment when I could grab one and dive into it.  The way life is going these days, however, make me doubt that is going to happen any time soon.  This morning I glanced at the one sitting by my night table since June...still unfinished...thinking that hopefully during Christmas break I might finally get through the final few chapters.  That made me think of another Book...

I don't want this November Thanksgiving Journal to close without setting aside an entry to thank God for giving us Scripture...our compass...our Christian life GPS.  Unlike a compass, though which can be faulty or a GPS that can make mistakes, God's Word is infallible...it never fails...it never stirs us wrong...it never takes us on the wrong path.  

However, a book is only good when it is open...that goes quadruple for the Bible.  Through His Word, God reveals Himself to us...but it is up to us to witness such divine revelations by actually reading it.   

I don't want to look at my Bible longingly...I don't want to leave it on my shelf next to the other neglected books collecting dust...I don't want to miss out on God's message...and most of all...I don't want to miss out on getting closer to Christ by not reading Him.  That's the tragedy of not reading the Bible...we miss out on a personal relationship with Him...

We forget that He, Jesus, is The Word made Flesh! Remember? John 1: 14?

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

It's not like with any other book where by not reading it we don't get to know what happens to the characters in the stories.  Not reading the Bible keeps us away Jesus.  It's that simple.  And I don't want that to happen.  I don't want the enemy to deceive me by making me feel that I don't have enough time in the day to read The Word.  The enemy knows that's the most effective way of building a wall between us and Our Lord.  How often I fall for it...sigh...

Today, I want to make sure I give thanks to God for choosing to reveal Himself in all His Perfect Trinitarian Glory to us in Scripture so we can grow closer to Him even in our imperfect ways. Thank You, Jesus for becoming flesh and making Your dwelling among us.  Thank You for remaining near and for giving us the opportunity to find You every day in the Bible.  Please inspire us to open Your Word and dive into it on a daily basis. In Your Precious Name.  Amen!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for Jesus

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16

Perhaps, one of the most recognizable and most quoted Bible verse in all Scripture, John 3: 16 is my inspiration for today's thanksgiving post.  I want to thank God for His Love manifested in His plan of salvation for sinners like me...

I want to thank God openly and deeply for a plan of salvation that included sending Jesus to be with us...to walk with us...to dwell in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit and to be our Advocate, Defender and Counselor from here to eternity.

I want to thank God for loving us so, that He decided to give us His One and Only Son.

I want to rest in the assurance of His unfailing Love...a Love so profound that even though we are not deserving...He chose to become the Sacrificial Lamb needed to pay our debt of sin.

I want to thank God for His gift of Grace.  I want to thank God for giving us Jesus.

Like my devotional reading today says: "The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness...This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving." (Jesus Calling  by Sarah Young)

I don't want to take for granted the gift of Your Love, Lord...a Love so perfect that knows no boundaries.  A love so unconditional, that knows no wrong.  A Love so big that knows no dimension.  I rejoice in Your Love and I count myself as a believer in Jesus, praising You for the promise of eternal life.  In Christ's Precious Name.  Amen!

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for the Reminders

 The attitude of Thanksgiving must remain beyond a day dedicated to it.  We all agree on that, right?  How quickly we forget, though...at least I do.  How quickly I revert to my old grumbling ways...where lack of patience and bad temper rule the day.  How quickly I forget the blessings.  How quickly I take for granted His provision.  How quickly I start demanding what I was never promised. How quickly I stop paying attention.  How quickly I disregard His Presence.  

Sigh...

Today, I am thankful, again, for Your reminders, Lord.  I am thankful for your bottomless well of patience.  I am thankful for how You speak to me so I remember to be intentional and to dedicate my energy to thankfulness.  

'"Hallelujahs" are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart," says my devotional reading this morning.  The expression, Hallelujah can be translated as Praise the Lord.  And that should be the language my heart speaks at every moment...

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3: 22-23

Like my devotional reading continued:

"A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles.  Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. this is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

Thank You, Lord Jesus for who You are and for setting me aside to be part of Your family.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit in Me and for God the Father's Throne ruling over me...overflowing me with His River of Living Water.  I want to speak the language of Hallelujahs in my heart.  I want to surrender control and focus on You.  I want to activate the power of praise in my life by centering my entire being on You.  May You allow me to walk this way and remain in an attitude of thanksgiving every day.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for Your Ever-present Help

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging...

...The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46: 1-3, 7

As we empty the dishwasher and put away the last of the silverware, I open the fridge and a bright glare of foil paper reflecting the light blinds me.  The assortment of containers storing Thanksgiving dinner leftovers are a reminder of another year of family gathered together enjoying the blessing of laughter and noise filling the house.  We missed some who couldn't attend in person, but at least we "visited" virtually for a few minutes. We shared, we reminisced, we created and now we store new memories into our minds and hearts for which our souls rejoice.

Looking back at Thanksgiving Day I want to lift up Praises for the real reason four our gratitude.  It's not about the turkey, the mashed potatoes that we forgot, the delicious pies or the sweet wine.  It's not even about family and friends.  It's not about a beautiful home and the warmth of a comfy blanket.  It's not about the means to go shopping for deals.  It's about the Ever-Presence of the Giver of All Things.

Today, as the glow of Thanksgiving Day gets dimmer, I want to be intentional about expressing my gratitude for Jesus, My Lord and Savior, My Refuge and Strength, My Ever-Present Help all the time.  I pray that even if I have nothing, I can still offer my thanksgiving to Him, the Lord Almighty, My Fortress.  In Christ's Precious Name.  Amen!

Thanksgiving Journal: Thank You for Instructing Us to Be Thankful

 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 20

The Apostle Paul, the great teacher, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to instruct the Church on many, many things. One of those lessons that we, as Christians are called to study, meditate upon, learn and accept is the fact that we are to be thankful always and for everything.  This command may seem easy.  I mean, how easy it is to say thank you, right?  Someone gives you a present, you say thank you.  Someone opens the door for you, you say thank you.  Someone helps you carry a heavy bag, you say thank you.  Someone offers you any kind of help, you say thank you.  After all, we are taught since before we can speak, to say the magic words: please and thank you, correct? So, of course we have no problem offering our thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty for all His blessings.  It's only natural.

However, what about that little phrase: "in all circumstances"? What about that pesky idea of "in every situation"...that little word "always"?

Always means at all times, in all occasions...

I don't have to tell you that life isn't "always" pleasant and good and bearable and smooth.  I don't have to give you examples of occasions that are not perfect, beautiful, nice, loving or excellent.  From forgetting to pull the green beans out of the microwave, undercooking the turkey and getting everyone sick with food poisoning to not having enough money to afford a turkey or having empty seats at the holiday table...life often is full of hardship and heartache.  And that's when the instruction of giving thanks "always" becomes an issue.

Today I read a post on my devotional that helped me look at this command to always giving thanks to God the Father for everything from a different perspective, which I hope allows me to follow this instruction more closely from now on.  It is worth the read, I believe, so I'm reproducing it here:

"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity.  that is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything.  there is an element of mystery in this transaction:  you give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience - at times, blind obedience.  To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships.  Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.  Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts.  You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective.  It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

I pray that the attitude of thanksgiving that we experience during this season may extend to the rest of our lives, and that we may have the ability, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, the Divine Counselor and Comforter, to obey the command and always offer our gratitude to the Lord regardless of our feelings or our situations.  May we all receive the blessing of peace as we lift up our hands in praise, for He is Good, and His Love endures forever.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our Hope, Our Salvation, Our Rock, Our Deliverer.  Amen.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89: 15

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever. Psalm 118: 1