Thankful Thursday ~ Goodbye

I have been praying about this step; it is time to say ‘goodbye’ to “Thankful Thursday” here at “Grace Alone…”. The meme has been going since 2007 and unfortunately I have had not the time that it takes to keep it going over the last months. If you are interested in hosting the meme on your blog, just let me know in the comment section.

I have ‘met’ some incredible women through the meme that I have become friends with in real life. Rest assured that I am thankful on a daily basis. I am especially thankful for God’s incredible grace, love, and mercy over the years I have been online. Honestly, I am not sure where I will go with this blog. I may just write about my journey with God, or will host a Bible study. I know that God will direct my next steps with “Grace Alone…”.

I am still running “Laced with Grace” which is a great ministry God has blessed me with. I am certainly thankful that He is using a broken woman like me to share His grace with the world. And I hope that He will give me continued courage to spread the Word with a darkened world.

I also continue to work on my business of portrait photography. I pray that God will expend my boundaries and give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone.

Thank you for making “Grace Alone…” a meeting place for thankful hearts over the past 7 years. I am closing Thankful Thursday with one of my favorite verses of the New Testament:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday ~ Another Random List

For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
(Psalm 31:3-5 ESV)

There are so many daily blessings that I am thankful for each and every day, so I thought I will share some with you with you this week.

  • God is my number one this and every week! Without His guidance and strength, I do not know where I would be. I guess that is why I love readying the Psalms of David. He struggled in life too, but he knew Who to turn to when things went from bad to worse.
  • My beloved! Sure our marriage is not perfect, but we are two imperfect people. However, we love and respect each other and I guess that is what makes our marriage work. And of course grace! We truly enjoy each others company.
  • I am also very thankful for my dear son. He is a wonderful son, respecting us, his parents. We had our differences, but as he got older, he knew that we just wanted the best for him.
  • Incredible friends that are there for me when I need encouragement and just someone that listens to my challenges.
  • A fantastic pastor who teaches us the Word of God. We are working through Matthew 5 right now. LOVE it. You know, I often read ‘over’ passages. It is interesting what God shows me through our pastor.
  • My awesome car. It is so easy to drive and it gets great gas mileage. Oh, and it so comfortable. Even my husband enjoys it.
  • My new hair-stylist. I love that girl She is always smiling and I finally have my favorite hair-cut back. I am thankful that some dear friends recommended her.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: a thankful heart, is a blessed heart.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Just Keep Going 2. Daily Journey 3. Jhunnelle

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Thankful Thursday ~ His Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
(Psalm 119:105 ESV)

Often times I feel like that I just keep putting ‘fires’ out at work. It seems like that I never get ahead. On Tuesday morning I woke up already exhausted and tired just thinking of my day ahead. I think I need to stop doing that!

However, as I was having my quiet time that morning, God directed my thoughts to Philippians 4:4-7:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

You see, it is good to be in His Word on a regular basis. Even though I always think that I don’t remember verses of the Bible, I do. I may not remember the exact wording of a particular verse, but I know where I can find it. So, when mornings are a little rough for me, I am thankful for His Word hidden in my heart.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Hide His Word in your heart and it will help you to refocus your day.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. It Feels Like Chaos
2. Ask, and You Will Receive | Serving With Joy
3. Mercury Fillings And The Detox Plan That Counts
4. LaughingLady
5. Melanie @ M&M
6. Daily Journey
7. Slave or Free?
8. bp
9. Lindsey @ Reading Red Letters

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Thankful Thursday ~ His Incredible Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
(1 John 4:7-9 ESV)

There are days where I get completely flustered and it is hard to show love to others (especially when they are not very nice). However, God is calling us to love and show love no matter what we receive in return. You see, John talked about His incredible love, with the most famous one being John 3:16. In 1 John 4:7-21 he tells us that love is from God and that we should act on this love with love in return.

I know that I have not been always lovable, but I also know that God has always loved me. That sometimes is overwhelming. So, when I have a hard time loving others as I should, I think about His incredible love. And that my friends is what I am thankful for this week.

What are you thankful for this weeks? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by this week. Remember: when you have a hard time loving others as you should, remember His incredible love for you.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Jhunnelle
2. Daily Journey
3. Heavy Branches
4. In Vain
5. Jen @ The Rising
6. Great Christian Kid Shows and More!
7. Where Has All the Simple Gone?
8. Bp
9. LongingsEnd/To the wife who holds her breath
10. Transitions: Triplets of Purpose – What Time Is It?
11. Kathleen

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.