Giving thanks. Do I remember – or forget – to be thankful at all times, giving thanks to our Father God?
Today, I’m giving thanks for:
My God
His Son, Jesus
The Holy Spirit of God
Holt, my wonderful husband, a gift from God
Matt, my son – he brings me such joy
Matt’s girlfriend, Lyndsey – she is a blessing in his life
My 91-year old mom and 90-year old dad, who are still walking a mile a day!
Good health
Home
Family
Friends
Blogging friends – it is amazing to me how powerfully God connects us to each other across earth, sea and sky
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16
What else comes to mind when I think of giving thanks this time of year?
Hospitality
Grace
Truth – the truth of God’s love
Words – powerful words that express feelings of joy, love and hope
As we gather together to celebrate family and friends, I give thanks for each one of you in my life. May the spirit of hospitality and the grace of God go with me and you, everywhere. May the truth of God’s love be expressed in words spoken in each and every encounter this Thanksgiving season – and every day – by you, me, the leaders of our schools, churches, businesses, cities, states and nation…and foreign lands.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
Yes, Lord, remove grumbles, gripes and grief. Let us gather together in joy and thanksgiving, delighting in each other and in Your holy presence.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Share a smile with the harried check out person, a heart-felt thank you to the produce manager for finding that special vegetable you need for that new recipe, a hello to the passersby as you go about your day, and a pause and gracious wave to let someone merge into heavy holiday traffic as you head out to gather with family and friends. Over the hills and through the woods is how we used to go to grandmother’s house. Now we take to the highways, byways or airlines.
Would you consider delivering – or sending – a meal to a needy family, serving at the soup kitchen or the local mission, walking or running in a charity fund-raiser to help others less fortunate?
Thank You, Father, for coming near to us when we call upon You. Thank You, that You give us words and deeds to glorify You, for You alone are worthy of praise. Thank You, Father, that You pave the way for us to be doing work that blesses You. May the name of Jesus be heard and seen in what we do and say.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 NKJV
Thank You, Jesus, that I can make an apple cobbler for my family for Thanksgiving…and not face the enemy like Eve did as she bit into the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
So here’s what I’m preparing:
Giving Thanks for Apple Dump Cake
Spray casserole dish with butter flavor cooking spray (Pam brand)
Add 2 cans apple pie filling
Mix in ½ tsp. cinnamon (to either apples or cake mix)
1 box yellow or butter pecan cake mix
Sprinkle dry cake mix over apples
Sprinkle with ¼ c brown sugar
Top with pecans
Cut small pats of butter and scatter across top.
Bake at 350 for ~45 minutes, until top is browned.
We praise You, Holy God, as You alone are worthy of praise. May the peace of God prevail in these days of thanksgiving and trouble. Lord, hear our prayers. (Had to share this typo – peach instead of peace showed up! Wonder if I’m supposed to make a peach cobbler for Thanksgiving, too?)
Be blessed as you gather with family and friends, giving thanks for each one. Yep, even that grouchy one. Determine to make that one smile too. As you head out for Black Friday, go with a cheerful, considerate heart.
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices!
