Giving Thanks

by Susan Mead, in category Faith

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

Giving thanks. Have you ever forgotten to be thankful? This post contains 4 scripture versus reminding us of the power of giving thanks to God.

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.

Giving thanks. Have you ever forgotten to be thankful? This post contains 5 scripture versus reminding us of the power of giving thanks to God.

[Tweet “YUM…my husband is giving thanks for this apple dump cake recipe-his favorite!”]

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.

[Tweet “Share the grace of God like sprinkles on a cupcake – more is better. “]

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices!

Giving thanks. Have you ever forgotten to give thanks? This post contains 4 powerful scripture verses to remember to give thanks to our God for all we have and are.

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32 thoughts on “Giving Thanks”

  2. I have never been more thankful for what I have than this year. Not much has changed from other years, but Im viewing things in a different light. So thankful for God’s grace and his abundant blessings!!!!

  3. Thank you so much for these beautiful reminders of the things that so many of us take for granted! This is a beautiful post and I’m so grateful that I found it today! Blessings to you my friend!

  4. Hi there! I’m stopping by from the link up & I linked up a post for what I’m thankful for. I hope your having a great weekend!

  5. And I absolutely love this! —> “Share the grace of God like sprinkles on a cupcake – more is better.” … That is such a beautiful truth! 🙂

  6. Wonderful post, Susan! I am so thankful for you and I pray that you had an amazing Thanksgiving! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! 🙂

  7. This fits so well with my quiet time this morning, Susan. I’m reading through Philippians and today’s passage was Phil. 4:10-11 on contentment. I think the secret to Paul’s contentment was his trust in our good God. He knew no matter what is circumstances looked and felt like, God was redeeming them and making a way. I want to have that kind of determined focus–to turn my eyes from my troubles to the good God is always doing in my life. Thanks for the linkup too, my friend!

  9. Susan, Thank you for the reminder to not only be thankful, but to live out a spirit of thankfulness with the world around us! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, my friend!

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  12. What a good word, Susan!

    To reach out, to care, to be thankful – these are some great reminders at this time of the year!

    Sure do appreciate you and your hosting this weekly link up!

    Hope you have a blessed day today~
    Melanie

  13. Dump Cake is one of my FAVORITE recipes and there are so many variations of it out there to make. This looks DELICIOUS!! Thank you for sharing that.

    I am always encouraged when I visit your here. I appreciate the joy and the light you shine for the Lord.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

  14. Amen to this, Susan: “Yes, Lord, remove grumbles, gripes and grief. Let us gather together in joy and thanksgiving, delighting in each other and in Your holy presence.” And I want to try that apple dump cake!

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