From Thanksgiving to Thanksliving

Earlier this year, I started a gratitude journal.   I decided to include specific pages for the people I live with.   It's such a joy to go back and see God's faithfulness in the big, the little, the good, the bad and the dailiness of my life.  

Celebrating Thanksgiving is one of my favorite things to do, but I am endeavouring to transition from and celebration of Thanksgiving to an incarnation of THANKSLIVING.  I feel so close to Jesus when I follow the age old advice of counting my blessings, naming them one by one.

Lord, you know me better than I know myself.  All good gifts come from you.  Thank you.  

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Phillipians Prayer Points

While reading, I encountered a beautiful prayer written to the believers of Christ in Philippi around 61AD.

And this is my prayer:  that you love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God. 
 Philippians 1:9-11

I noticed five major points in this prayer.

1. A cry to abound and grow in knowledge
2. A plea to discern what is best
3. A call to a pure and blameless life
4. A filling of righteousness through Christ
5. A life that glorifies God

An answer to this prayer would be a transformed life.  I can't help but imagine how my life might be altered by the words of power in this prayer.  Better yet, I think I'll borrow the words and pray them as my own for myself, my family and my fellow followers of Christ. 

Eat Up!

Your words were found and I ate them 
And your words became to be a joy
And the delight of my heart;
For I am called by your name
O Lord of Hosts.
Jerimiah 15:16

It seems like I'm always cooking to feed my hungry bunch; so this scripture speaks right to me.  They're not always thrilled with the food set before them, but over the years they've acquired a taste for foods they used to dislike.   I feel like I've grown up a little bit too.  Scriptures that used to strike me as, dare I say, "yucky," now bring me joy.  Keep feeding me Lord!


Dear Lord, Thank you for your word.  The beautiful, transforming words you've given are a joy and the delight of my heart.  Continue to keep me hungry for more of you.  In Jesus' Name

To Do Lists and Such

As an outsider looking in on my life, I would be stunned at the massive amount of work I seem to voluntarily pile on myself.  What sane person does that? 

I  guess I do.  I like to live in a place of utter and total dependence on God. 

If I look at what I need to do and feel confident that I can do it on my own, maybe, just maybe, I'm choosing to do things my way.  Maybe I enjoy feeling like I'm in control of my to do list.  I can cross off everything before dinner time without crying out to God for help. 

Instead, I find myself looking at my to do list knowing full well I am incapable of accomplishing what needs to be done on my own.  I am brought to my knees before a holy God.   Every item crossed off is instead a testament of God's glory and his ability to work in and through his people. 

"Emmanuel!"  I think as I look at my to-do list.  Christmas is months away, but truly God is with us. 

Warning: This post contains Bathroom Humor.

This might be a first for me.  Our friends asked us to pray for their son.  He was hit by a van New Year's Eve and was  in critical condition.

 They've been great to give us really specific prayer requests.  After a week in the hospital, his biggest need right now it to have a BM to relieve discomfort.   My sweet friend, seriously and humorously asks us to pray for poop.  Needless to say, this brought a huge smile on all the male faces in our home.  I don't think I've ever prayed for poop.   Feel free to join me.

Dear Lord,
I know Ben is in a lot of pain right now.  Help his intestines do their job so he can focus on rehab.  Help him poop.  Let it all out.  Continue to help the Peterson's laugh in the midst of this crazy journey.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Help Me Get to My Chair!

The Harvest started a series titled, "Where's Your Chair."  The main idea is pretty simple.  Just find a place where you can have quiet time to open your Bible and talk to God.  Our family has had fun with the title as we joke around about who gets the comfy chair in the living room.  

My biggest problem isn't finding my chair, it's getting there!  I am a morning person, so I like to get up early and start my day with my bible and a hot drink.  However, too often late nights, illnesses or to-do lists pull me away from my metaphorical chair.  I'm looking forward to continuing this series with the church.  My big prayer as we continue digging over the next few weeks is, "God to help me get to my chair!"

Unexpected

Please pray for Ben.  He was hit by a van on New Year's Eve.  He suffered many injuries.  Please pray that he becomes completely coherent.  Pray he has a full neurological recovery.  Pray for strength, grace and wisdom for him and his team as he moves forward in healing. 

The news of Ben's injury was unexpected. It's comforting to know that God's grace abounds even in our most trying circumstances.  I'm reminded today that our unexpected moments are no match for our understanding God.

Please Pray for Ben!

Heavenly Father, our unexpected moments are no surprise to you.  You fully know and fully provide for all our needs.  Your love is unending.  Your grace is unsurpassed.  Your peace is unparalleled. Your wisdom unmatched. Unleash your power in my unexpected moments.  In Jesus Name, Amen