January 1, 2009 - Posted by eph2810 - 15 Comments
***Scroll down for Thankful Thursday***
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
A brand new year…new goals, dreams, hopes for a year ahead. As Lori mentioned on her blog, she does not like to make new years ‘Resolutions’ — I don’t either. I break them within the first week. But I do have goals, dreams, and hopes for 2009…Allow me to share them with you:
- Spiritual Growth: Realizing in 2008 how much I like to be in control of things, having pride-issues (still), self doubt, feeling worthless…I believe that the study of Esther by Beth Moore is just perfect for me. Reading through Esther is the last part of 2008, I realized how much Esther relied on God’s timing. She didn’t rush anything but waited on His ‘green light’. I also plan on attending the Phoenix “Women of Faith Conference” in October 2009
- Marriage: With God’s help taking the focus off of my own needs. Continue to pray for our marriage. We have been married for almost 26 years, waves hit our marriage, but I trust God to continue to protect it.
- Motherhood: Keeping out of the affairs of our son. He is grown up — I need to acknowledge that (hard one for me -
)
- Work: Let God handle the details. Keep my eyes focused on my own tasks to complete. Don’t worry about the work ethics of my co-workers.
- Writing/blogging: Take one day/blog at a time. Continue hosting Thankful Thursdays — as long as the interest is there. Sharing His Word, grace, love with a world to read/see/respond. With His help, I will find the time to do so. As I have mentioned often (but can’t say it enough), God truly has blessed me with a wonderful writing team at Laced with Grace. I hope to deepen the friendships I have made through the team blog this year. These women are an incredible encouragement to me personally.
- Photography/Scrapping: My dream for photography — get published or sell a photo or two (I know dreaming here
). One thing that I want to finish though this year is my Faithbook to have it printed. I hope that God uses my scrapping to make Him known through a different medium - digital layouts.
Maybe some of my goals, dreams and hopes for 2009 are a little lofty…but you know - all things a possible with God (thus Matthew 19:26 as my verse for the year 
)
If you would like to read more bloggers sharing their goals for 2009, stop by Lori’s blog “New Year’s Meditations”…
Be blessed today and as always…
Current Mood:
Okay
December 31, 2008 - Posted by eph2810 - 18 Comments
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Yes, I am glad that 2008 is behind us; I am looking forward to 2009. I would love all of you to join us at Laurel Wreath’s Reflection over the next week to share your hopes, dreams, or goals for 2009. To find out more about our ‘New Year’s Meditation’, please read Laurel’s post here…
Last week I had asked you to look back on 2008 to share what or who had the most impact on you in 2008? I know, looking back is sometimes painful, but you know what; even in painful times there is always something on the horizon that we can be thankful for…
I have shared with you the passage of Jeremiah because it was ‘my’ verse for 2008. Believe me, the verse has been very vital to me in 2008 — I have clung to it like nothing else. I know that I needed to grow; I just didn’t like painful part.
- Lord, I am thankful for your pruning in 2008. I didn’t like it, but I know that I needed to get rid of some stuff. Why, Lord, does the issue of pride always rears its ugly head? Will this be my thorn until I enter eternity? I sure hope not. Please help me in 2009 to be more aware of it; help me to nip it when it starts…
- Lord, I am thankful for our marriage. Although we had some waves hitting our marriage, I thank You for keeping a hedge around it to protect it from evil forces…
- Lord, I am thankful for our son’s growth this year. Lord, this was the most painful experience for me this past year; to let go and let You handle the rest. I know I should be glad to have our son all grown-up, but it is hard to let go. Lord, I thank You for the strength You gave me to keep going…
- Lord, I am thankful for friends that speak the truth. Yes, it sure is not easy to admit failures, but I rather have truthful friends than someone who is just saying nice things…
- Lord, most of all, I am thankful for Your faithfulness. The days I didn’t feel like doing much, You reminded me that I needed to let Your light shine. For when I was weak, Your Word gave me the strength. When I felt low, You reminded me of the sacrifice You made sending Your son to rescue me…
- Lord, last but not least, I am thankful for the book “3:16″. I believe ‘picking apart’ the passage of John 3:16 has made it clear to me that You do not wish that anyone perishes, but that all who believe can be saved. Yes, I have read the passage more than once, but the impact it had on me in 2008 is indescribable…
What are you thankful for this week? I hope you share with us by leaving your link below. Remember: God has a plan for you - to prosper you and not to harm you - believe my sweet friend!!!!
Blessings to you today and always…
Current Mood:
Blessed † & 
Thankful
December 27, 2008 - Posted by eph2810 - 9 Comments
Do you remember 2 years ago? Laurel hosted a marvelous “
New Year’s Meditation“. Well, my sweet friend is hosting again this year. Click on the graphic on top of this post to find out more about it.
As for me, I am looking forward to 2009. 2008 has not been a great year, but I know that I needed the growing experience . I am glad that I had Jeremiah 29:11 as ‘my verse’ for 2008. I hope that God will reveal a verse for 2009 soon.
Well, I hope you will join Laurel, me and others on January 1st to meditate on 2009.
Thanks for stopping by today. Blessings to you and yours…
Current Mood: Blessed † & Happy
December 24, 2008 - Posted by eph2810 - 19 Comments
Before I share my Christmas Thankful post with you, I would like to ask you to reflect on this past year for next weeks Thankful Thursday. What or who had the most impact on you in 2008? I would love to read your thoughts on 2008 and what it has brought/meant to you…
“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
~ Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)
Oh, I so love Christmas. How about you? I had asked you last week if you are willing to go down memory lane for this week’s Thankful Thursday post. Do you have some precious memories of Christmas past from your childhood? If not, that is okay…
I like to remember my childhood Christmases. They were filled with traditions, family time and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Let me share a little about my childhood Christmases…
The weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with Sunday night gatherings around the Advent wreath. My dad would play his little home organ, my sister would play the guitar, and my mom’s voice would fill the air with her wonderful voice. My favorite song her singing was ‘Holy Night’.
On Christmas Eve morning my dad would ‘hunt down’ the best live Christmas tree his money could by. They were not majestic trees, but they always smelled good – just like a forest 
. My favorite part of the tree were the wax-candles and the angel. When we were older, my sister and I took turns to place the angel on top – what a special treat
After we decorated the tree, we all took a little afternoon nap (most of the time my sister and I didn’t sleep because of the excitement building ). The supper on Christmas Eve was preceded by the Children’s Christmas service at 6pm.
Upon our return from church, we had a little supper that consisted of potato salad and Wiener Wuerstchen. My mom changed that over the years to fondue. I think as we got older, we rather had the family gathering than the gift giving. Yes, we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. We didn’t hear a “HoHoHo”, but the soft sounding of a silver bell. My mom told us that the silver bell announced the arrival of the Christ child…
Yes, the memories of my childhood Christmases still warm my heart to this day. I am thankful that my parents taught us that Christmas is about Christ. The greatest gift ever known to mankind.
Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Christmas is not only once a year, but 365 days a year if you have received His freely given gift – the Christ Child.
Merry Christmas – Glory to God in the Highest…
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Current Mood: Thankful & Blessed †
