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Thankful Thursday
~ Thanksgiving Edition

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
~ Psalm 30:4 (ESV emphasis mine)

There are so many things to be thankful for, don’t you agree? In the US the ‘official’ Thanksgiving Day is celebrated today. But why should we wait for an entire year to give thanks? That is why we ‘meet’ once a week to share our thanks…I hope you will still join us this week for the ‘Thanksgiving Edition’ 😛 …

Today I want to share with you the things that just popped in my head this morning…the things we might take for granted on a day-to-day basis. So here it goes:

  • I am thankful for God’s provision – not only salvation, but provision on a day-to-day basis — the ‘Daily Bread’. I so enjoy spending time with Him in the morning; it gives me the right perspective to start my day..

  • I am thankful for my beloved. He still is my greatest cheerleader; even when I have a very bad photo session. He still encourages me and shows me ways how can ‘rescue’ photos…

  • I am so thankful that our son is doing so well. It really was hard for me to really let go, but I know that he is in God’s hands now…

  • I am thankful for the Internet. Not only can I connect with believers around the world, but I can share my faith with anyone who wants to read what I am writing about my Lord. I am also grateful because I can order stuff from my home-country Germany. I was so giddy this morning that I had to share with my friend in Florida. You know what I ordered? A German Bible and a study companion for the new year!!!!! Yes, I do I have a German Bible, but I wanted a more contemporary version (my German is a getting little rusty when it comes to reading 😆 )…

  • I am thankful for my radio station. I love singing praises every morning going to work (and coming home)…

  • I am thankful for our home. My dream-home? Hm, I would love to live closer to the beach (closest is in California). BUT I do have a roof over my head…

  • I am thankful for my job. My dream-job? Hardly!!! But it helps to contribute to our household income to pay our bills etc. Maybe one day God will allow my dream to become my job (with God all things are possible)…

  • Last but not least I am thankful for a four-day-weekend!!! Wahoo!!!!!

Oh.my – I could go on for ever, but I want you not to be bugged down with just my post. Go out and ‘meet’ other thankful Bloggers 🙂 …So, what are you thankful for this week? Please share with us by leaving your link below…

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: It does not have to be declared a national (US) holiday to be thankful 😉 . Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Debbie @ The Way We Are
2. Nancie
3. karen/nana stories
4. Debbie @ Heart Choices
5. Pia
6. Karen@Living Life
7. bp
8. Chris
9. Laurie @ womentakingastand
10. Tammy…in memory of Grampy
11. Yoli ~ Apron Senorita		 12. micey
13. Grammy
14. Cacai M.
15. LivingforGod
16. Amazing Grace
17. maritz
18. Loni @ Hearts In Training
19. eikcaj-trust
20. Sarah Rupp
21. Chelsey @ Joyfully Living
22. Blessed Mom of 9		 23. Janet @ Wildflower Thinking
24. ~ linda @ Being Woven
25. debi @ Who Says 8 is Enough?
26. Bernice ( My Journey )
27. Irene
28. Wendy @ Faith’s Firm Foundation
29. vanessa renee
30. Angela
31. Angela
32. Kpss
33. Amy :a voice crying out

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Joy

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
~ Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

Welcome back to Sting My Heart for Thankful Thursday. I was thrilled to see that you all visited my dear friend, Laurel last week. I am sorry that I can not offer you any brownies or coffee today…I do not bake. I know, I know, but that is one thing that I am not good at (among other things 😉 )…

Well, lets see–joy!!!! Laurel mentioned this past week (I forgot which post it was–or was it an email?), that she chooses joy every.single.morning. over her circumstances or moods. I think that is a splendid idea. So, I thought, why not going with that theme for my Thankful Thursday post…BTW, you can have your own theme if you like each week, or join in with me. So here it goes:

  • I am thankful for my Lord and Savior. Even though I mis-step some days more than others, He is still my Savior. How can I not be joyful over that fact…

  • I am thankful that when someone “steels” the joy I have in the Lord serving Him, others will stand in the gap to lift me up. I can count on that. I just have to be open enough to share with others…

  • I am thankful that I had some time last week to catch up on some reading. What a joy it was to read some encouraging words from some incredible writers…Especially Paul’s letters to the churches encouraged me deeply…

  • I am thankful that my Sweetheart went with me to the mall to buy new walking shoes for me. My body will enjoy the exercise while my feet will have great support…

  • I am thankful that Beth Moore is teaching on the book of Romans, which I can listen to once a week for free online at Oneplace.com. I can’t wait till Mondays to listen to the next lesson, pure joy…(btw – visit E-Mom for a wonderful article on Beth)

  • I am thankful that I learned more about Photoshop CS last week too. I really enjoy working with that software to create some neat things, like Scripture passage brushes. I hope to share them with you soon–for free…

  • I am thankful for our two new writers at Laced with Grace. Dana published her first devotional this past Saturday and Bernadine will join the team on the 30th of July. I hope you will embrace them as much as you have embraced the rest of the team. It makes my heart leap for joy to know that God uses the team to encourage you in your walk with Him…

  • Last, but not least, I am thankful for music. It gives me joy to listen to wonderful Christian artists like Crystal (I hope to share some great news with you next week regarding Crystal’s up-coming release) and “Monk & Neagle” (got my free CD this week – great stuff 😛 ) …

What are you thankful for this week? Please leave you link below to share with us. If you time permits, please do visit other participants. Thanks for dropping in today…

Be blessed today and as always…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Millie
2. Laurel Wreath
3. Devildogwife
4. maiylah’s snippets
5. Lisa @ Casa de Alvarado
6. Crystal@ God is in Control
7. Terri @ in His hands
8. Denise
9. Andie @ProchnowBlessings
10. Lor @ A Simple Life at Home
11. Lynnae (From Under the Clutter)
12. Faerylandmom
13. Lyndy
14. Dawn 😉
15. Kelly (Three Hearts For Home)
16. Christina~ Lifted High
17. Michelle (By the grace of God ..)
18. Kim – So Loved
19. Tarrah @ My Blue Eyed Babies
20. Jenny
21. Dana
22. Alycia @Where Your Treasures Are
23. Mindy
24. chrixean
25. Karen (Changed by Love)
26. Mary
27. Sheri@PurelyHis
28. Diane (a thankful letter to my son)
29. NspiredByFaith		 30. Kathleen Marie
31. Mindy
32. AmyD
33. Layers of Me
34. Tonni
35. Our Happy Happenings
36. Sandy
37. Linda aka Yellowroseli
38. JEANNIE
39. Dori
40. ellen b
41. Chocolate and Coffee
42. Reese
43. Gina
44. Susanne
45. Joyce
46. Tonni
47. Sharon
48. Angie
49. a wandering heart
50. Tami @ The Next Step
51. Mama Bear
52. SharonB
53. Mariah
54. Melissa @ Breath of Life
55. Jenileigh’s Journey
56. Deena @ Wholly Devoted
57. Thankfulheart
58. Linda		 59. EllieMae
60. Theresa
61. Kim
62. Shannon – CMA
63. Mandi
64. Lynn Donovan
65. Robinznest
66. allhisblessings
67. Patty
68. Hopeful Spirit
69. Kim @3peanuts
70. Cheaper By the Half Dozen
71. To Know Him
72. Amber@TITL
73. Toia – Designer’s Original
74. Lori
75. Jen @ Scraps & Snippets
76. Brenda
77. Brenda
78. tanya
79. Debbie R
80. Stacy
81. cre82learn
82. Ella
83. maudie-mae
84. Deidre
85. A Chelsea Morning

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Running on Empty


“Busyness is not a spiritual gift.”
~ Author Lisa Harper~

The first thing that came to mind when I read this week’s quote was a Bible study I led about 3 years ago. It is called “The Frazzled Female” by Cindi Wood. I actually pulled out the book and leafed through it. My thumb stopped at the following focus point and Scripture Passage:

Focusing on PRAISE: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ~ Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

I think that this verse impacted me more than I initially thought. I believe it has changed my entire attitude when doing things that need to get done. I might not like to do the ironing, but if I do it with Colossians 3:17 in my head, I will do it willingly. It is the same with all the other chores that need to be done around the house. I actually caught myself this morning as I was folding laundry to think of this verse. God is amazing how He reminds us of Scriptures passages that He gave us years ago…

As I am thinking about our daily busyness, we really need to ‘carve out’ some time with the Lord. I know it is not always possible to really dig deep into Scripture with some girlfriends, but we need His Word. We need to focus on Him as we complete our daily tasks, otherwise we run rugged.

Jesus reminded Mary in Luke 10 to sometimes drop the things that are keeping us from sitting at His feet:

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”
~ Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

I know what you are going to say. “Iris, it is easy for you to say to just drop everything and sit at his feet. I have my three kids pulling me in three different directions.” I know that you have more responsibilities than I currently have. I just run myself rugged with other things…

If we keep running on an empty tank, we will run dry and no one around us will be able to relax. The Lord keeps us going. We do need to take at least some time out to sit at His feet to refuel. In Him we have strength.

Kind of strange how the theme of busyness, taking a Sabbath and sitting at His feet keeps ‘haunting’ me over this past week. Maybe Someone is trying to tell me something…

I agree that busyness is not a spiritual gift. But recognizing that we are sometimes too busy is a gift from His Spirit.

Lord of Heaven and Earth. As I go about me daily task, let my works be praise to You. Help me to focus on You when I get overwhelmed. You, oh Lord, are my source of strength. Help me to find time to sit at your feet and refuel my tank. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.

Please visit our hostess, Christine at Fruit in Season, for her take on the quote and to meet up with other Godly women.

Blessings on your day and as always…

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“I Am…”Study ~ Lesson One “Born Just in Time”

“As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die. At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months.” ~ Acts 7:17-20 (NLT–emphasis mine)

Lisa mentioned in the first lesson of her study “I AM – so you don’t have be…” that we are all born at just the right time. I totally agree with her on that. He bore us just at the right time to be useful to His kingdom; He even will equip us with the necessary knowledge and tools. Sometimes I wonder why He chose for me to be alive in this digital age, but than again, I think it is the perfect tool to witness for a shy person like myself…Lisa asked us several questions in connection with the first lesson; I will try to answer them to the best of my ability…

  • Are there any circumstances or relationships in your life where you can see God has intentionally placed you to be a light for Him? – Yes, I believe that He has lead me to the current employment to be the light for Him…

  • Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a ‘yes’ in her spirit? I would say that I will go where ever He sends me. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable; following Him has never been or will ever be comfortable.

  • Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place today? If so, what will you do with your series of unrecurring events? Will you commit to ask for spiritual eyes to see opportunities to defend a weaker sister? I believe that I am in a healthier place emotionally and spiritually than 12 years ago. I praise Him for that—He took me back under His wing. I will also stand between Satan and my weaker sister if I am asked to do so.

  • If no, are you taking steps to seek out wise counsel from a sister you admire or perhaps a Christian counselor if needed? If not, will you resolve to do so? When I feel a little wobbly myself, I turn to Him and will cry out to my sisters in Christ. There is comfort to know that I will always find someone who is ready to stand between Satan and myself. The ‘sisterhood’ is strong…I have nothing to fear from Satan and his dominions.

As I was thinking more about the questions, especially the last two, I was thinking about the sisterhood of believers in Christ. It spans around the globe, but I will elaborate a little more about the ‘sisterhood’ tomorrow at Laced with Grace…

Until then, stay strong and rely on Him and His grace.

Blessings on your Sunday afternoon and as always…

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