“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…”
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

The other night on my way home I thought about our son (as I do often…and pray for him)…I can not believe that he is on his own for a year already.

As I was thinking about the past year, I thought about all the seasons - not only the yearly seasons, but the seasons of life. And I finally got the passage of Ecclesiastes…we have to let go of the past and look to the future…So my focus today is on the seasons of my life and how the Lord helped me grow through them…

• Lord, thank You for being there for me in all the seasons of my life. No matter how far away I was at one point, You made sure that I don’t fall off the edge completely. You always has me in sight…
• Lord, thank You for allowing me to grow in my marriage. Although not always the perfect wife, You helped me to become better at it…
• Lord, thank You for allowing me to be a mom. Motherhood has helped me to become more patient. Thank You for helping me through the hard years of teenage hood…
• Lord, thank You for the childhood I had. I am for ever grateful for my parents. Their love for you has left an imprint on my heart…
• Lord, thank You for all the friendships you have brought into my life. The past and current ones. All the friendships have helped me to grow into the woman I am today…
• Lord, thank You for all the wonderful Biblical teachers in my life. With the power of Your Spirit, they have helped me learn more about You…
• And Lord, thank You for what You are going to do for the next season in my life. Lord, may I have an open heart and spirit to follow you, no matter what…

What are you thankful for today? I would love for you to link up your post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: no matter what season in life you find yourself in, cherish the past, but look with joy to the future…

Current Mood: Thankful

Just click on the wonderful Fall button above to get the details from my dear friend Laurel Wreath.

Have a blessed weekend…

Current Mood: Blessed †

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” ~ Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

As I had mentioned last week - sometimes we feel like screaming “Enough - no more”. But you know what? Everything that we encounter on a daily basis will help us to grow. Grow closer to the Lord and stronger in our faith.

I have so many thing ‘rattling’ in my head and hopefully I will be able to share that with on at Laced with Grace in September…We also will have a couple of surprise guest writers in September. We will be going into our third year of sharing God’s Word - isn’t God great????

But enough of my rambling…here is my thankful list for this week - in no particular order - just how it comes to mind…

• I am thankful Lord that you always turn my mourning into dancing. No matter what - how bleak my day might look like. You indeed clothe me with gladness every single day. I just have to think about your great mercy…
• I am thankful for my ever-so-patient husband. Oh my. I am telling you - it is almost a miracle that he still loves me. I am sometimes a little hard to handle. Especially went it comes to self-criticism…I think I need to lighten up a little…
• I am thankful for the ever growing Thankful Thursday community. How amazing what God is doing - adding participants every single week…
• I am thankful for the book I got for my camera. Some of you might know that I am into photography. I am learning the ins-and-outs of a ‘big girl’ camera. It is slow going, because it takes this old brain longer to learn new stuff. I hope that I can share some of my photos with you soon…
• I am thankful for friends like Laurel Wreath. Check out her blog on Friday for a super-duper-giveaway (I will remind you on Friday morning )…
• And last but not least I am very, very thankful that the Lord provided the monies we need to repair our home. Although not form the insurance company…but with monies put away for a ‘rainy’ day (no pun intended )…

What are you thankful for this week? Please share with us in leaving your link below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember - no matter how bleak your day might be - God with clothe you with gladness…

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Current Mood: Thankful

“There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ~ Psalm 4:6-8 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

One of the definitions of “Peace” is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Lately I am screaming inside “no more!!!” - Ever felt that way? You don’t want to deal with another thing that life is throwing at you? The only thing I know that gives me peace in a raging sea is prayer and the comfort that my Lord is near me…never leaving me. So this week, I am thankful for the peace that comes from the Lord…

• Lord, thank You for Your peace - a peace that does not come from the world, but from Your presence in my life…
• Lord, thank You for quieting my spirit last night when I was unable to sleep - more than thousands thoughts going through my mind…
• Lord, thank You for giving me peace about our house. Although still in a disarray, I know that one day it will be all fixed again…
• Lord, thank You for the times I have with You in my car. That is the most precious time of the day for me. No one there to disturb my thoughts, my prayers…
• Lord, thank You for placing my husband by my side. He a peaceable man, I need that to calm me when my thoughts run wild…
• Lord, thank You for giving me peace that Summer is almost over - only a few more weeks and I am free of the heat for several months…
• Lord, thank You for Bible studies and sermons that ’speak’ peace into my life…

What are you thankful for this week? Would you care to share with us? Please leave your link below…

Thank you for stopping by today - remember: real peace comes from spending time with the Lord (alone)…let Him speak peace over you…

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Current Mood: Thankful

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes…” ~ Ephesians 4:11-14 (ESV - emphasis mine)

Over the last couple of week’s I have thought a lot about Greg Laurie’s ministry in California. Not only is Pastor Laurie an author, a pastor to a large congregation, but he is also a well known evangelist.

After his son Christopher died, I thought that Pastor Laurie would cancel the upcoming crusade in California. But not so…What a strong leader; what a strong family. I am so very thankful for the commitment Pastor Laurie (and his family) to keep spreading God’s Word here in the US.

I understand that times have been tough for a lot of us; high gas-prices, rising food cost, some family members loosing their job…(water damages…)

Even if you can not sponsor Bibles or a seat to any of the US crusades, would you consider praying for Harvest Ministry? Pray for people who need to hear His Word that they may come to one of the crusades?

If you have never heard about Harvest Ministry, just click on the logo below and you will find all kind of information about crusades and how you can get involved…

I know this is a very different Thankful Thursday, but Harvest Ministry has been very close to my heart for many years…Spreading God’s Word and making Him known in the world is all that matters. So I am very thankful for ministries like Harvest…

What are you thankful for this week? Would you care to share? Please leave your link to your blog below…

Thank you for stopping by today …and don’t forget – we are all called to share His Word with the world – in small and in big ways …

1. Twinkle Mom of Sunflower Faith 2. Melanie 3. Felicity 4. Lalaine 5. Nancie 6. JadeMerie (new) 7. toknowhim 8. Laurie @ womentakingastand 9. Mamasmurf (Chrissy) 10. Peggy@3Ms…aMazingGrace 11. Angie 12. Susan @ Forever His 13. Cheryl 14. Gina’s Public Diary 15. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows 16. mama meji 17. Ann/mom2HandH 18. Willnette 19. Tänia of Faith Prints 20. Aisha @ The Holley Herald 21. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 22. the cookntchermom 23. Millie 24. Peggy 25. Paula @ Refined By Him 26. Tami @ The Next Step 27. on the Rock 28. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee 29. Kristi@ Kikis Corner 30. Denise 31. Lisa@blessedwithgrace 32. maiylah 33. Pat 34. Ministries Matter 35. Linda 36. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings

37. Queen of the Click 38. Pia @ My Life’s Journey 39. Tere {Blessings in Life} 40. Serendipity Park 41. Liza’s Eyeview 42. Rocks 43. Kim aka GoofyMamma 44. Stacy 45. Tammy 46. Beverly (by Grace) 47. jennifer’s joyride 48. Heather@mommymonk 49. Erica 50. Lou 51. Elizabeth Sue (My New Blog: Simple Elegant Living) 52. Speaking from the Heart 53. Chelsey at Joyfully Living 54. flmom 55. Dawn\’s Daily Life 56. Heather @ Not a DIY Life 57. pam @ without fear 58. Kellie 59. Janera 60. Marsha 61. Jill 62. Amanda Bowers 63. Tea with Tiffany 64. Colleen 65. Laurie Ann 66. Lea 67. Vanessa 68. Prairie Chick 69. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts 70. bvoylesal@aol.com 71. Diane 72. Cara Lynn of More than just soccer

73. Kim @ An Artful Life (So much to be thankful for!) 74. Honeybabybee 75. rosheeda 76. Peculiar 77. Bonnie 78. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine 79. in the masters hands 80. Mariposa 81. Michele 82. Mariah 83. It\’s All About Him! 84. Jendi 85. Front Porch Legacy 86. Chandy @ Out Standing in My Field 87. Sherry(@myjourney) 88. Schotzy 89. Noreen@werhis3@gmail.com 90. Lelia @ Write from the Heart 91. Karen - Thankful for God’s Love 92. Donetta at a life uncommon ow-eee! 93. Cheryl 94. Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting 95. Blessed… 96. Detroit 97. Kim @ Scattered Stones 98. Sheila @ The Faithful Follower 99. Debra 100. Heather 101. Wendy - Bloom & Grow 102. Kathy S 103. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope 104. Trish@ Venturesome Sojourners 105. Janet @ Daily Provision 106. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal

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Current Mood: Thankful

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” ~ Psalm 42:11 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

First of all, I would like to thank your wonderful participation over the last couple of weeks – you ladies are so wonderful sharing your grateful heart – you all ROCK!!!!

This week I will not really give you a list, but share my reflection on hope with you. I have looked up ‘hope’ in Webster: “to cherish a desire with anticipation”….Wow – what a definition that is.

As of lately, I only survive on the hope I have – a hope that all things will work out for the good. In Romans 5:4-5, Paul shares: “…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

What if I wouldn’t have that certain hope? What if I were hopeless like so many these days…It makes me shiver…I am glad that I can put my trust and hope in God. Even when the days don’t seem so sunny, I do always I have Sonshine. My Lord makes my journey lighter.

I so now can understand Christian teachers like Pastor Greg Laurie, who just lost his oldest son in a car accident. If the foundation is not Christ, but our own ability to make it through life – we would be lost. Lost in hopelessness.

I was never a great journal-writer, but over the last couple of months, I have shared – in writing – with my Lord the hope I have. The trust I put in Him. Although I always have prayed, I have never expressed my prayers in writing. As I am looking back over my prayer journal, I can see the changes. All I can say (as the Psalmist states) “For I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”.

One of my current favorite songs is “My Hope is You” by Third Day. I listen to it often. Let me share with you the chorus:
“My hope is in You – show me Your Ways – God being truth – In all my days…My hope is in You…”

Yes, God is the only hope we can really hang on to, because He has a wonderful ‘record’. He has shown His faithfulness over thousands for years – and I know that He will be faithful until eternity…Hope in Him never disappoints …

Thank you so much for stopping by today. What are you thankful for this week? Please link your Thankful Thursday post below…

1. Gina’s Public Diary 2. Twinkle Mom 3. Heather@mommymonk 4. Angie 5. Cheryl 6. Denise 7. Tänia of Faith Prints 8. toknowhim 9. Felicity 10. Aisha 11. Susan @ Forever His 12. Ann/mom2HandH 13. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows 14. Peggy 15. Peggy@3Ms..aMazing Grace 16. Nancie 17. Pia @ My Life’s Journey 18. Paula @ Refined By Him 19. Cheryl@Hope 20. Laurie @ womentakingastand 21. Cara Lynn 22. Linda 23. Millie 24. Willnette 25. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage) 26. LaDonna 27. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him 28. Sherry(@myjourney) 29. Amanda 30. Ladynred 31. Michelle 32. Lisa@blessedwithgrace 33. ari_1965 34. Ice Cream, Family and… Hope? 35. Joanne@ Blessed… 36. genny

37. Serendipity Park 38. alihsee @ remember the moments 39. Tami @ The Next Step 40. Colored Heart 41. Susanne 42. Schotzy 43. Renee @ In Christ Alone 44. Kim aka GoofyMamma 45. Stacy 46. Amanda Bowers 47. Heahter @ Not a DIY Life 48. Willow 49. Mary 50. Robyn@Overflowing Grace 51. Tammy 52. Brianna 53. Gina@chats with an old lady 54. Mama Bear 55. Kristi@ Kikis Corner 56. akash 57. flmom 58. Michele-ScreamFree Parenting(this works) 59. Erica 60. Mamasmurf (Chrissy) 61. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine 62. SharonB 63. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 64. Karen 65. In Light if the Truth 66. mhstultz@hotmail.com 67. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts 68. Karen - Focusing on Relationships 69. Julie 70. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage 71. Rosheeda 72. Prairie Chick

73. Lea 74. Mommy Magee 75. Annabelle @ Christian Momma 76. Front Porch Legacy 77. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings 78. Diane 79. Donetta at a life uncommon 80. jennifer’s joyride 81. Michele 82. Tea with Tiffany 83. Irene *The GreenGreek* 84. Bella Mama 85. Beverly 86. becky aka theRAV 87. Kathy C. 88. pam @ without fear 89. Laurie Ann 90. Kim @ Scattered Stones 91. Janet @ Daily Provision 92. Mariah 93. Heather 94. Linda aka Yellowroseli 95. Janera 96. Nessa @ Ramblings of a Texas Housewife 97. Marsha 98. Nette 99. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope 100. Kathy 101. Edie @ Rich Gifts 102. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal 103. Rocks-thankful for the HOpe 104. Kathleen 105. Pat 106. Blessedw5mom (Heather) 107. Kathy S

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Current Mood: Thankful