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Thankful Thursday ~ Confidence

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

Are you a confident person? It really has taken me years to become a confident woman; and there are still days where I do not feel confident at all.

One thing that has helped me grow over the years is who I am in Christ. When I have days that I don’t greet confidentially, I will feel better once I spent some time with God in the morning. No matter which devotion I turn to, I know that His World will give me the confidence I need to step out in the day.

October 3rd, 2013, will be a day that will be very significant to me. Not only is October 3rd a German holiday, but 2013 will mark the day that I will step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges. My little, tiny company “Iris Nelson Portraits LLC” will get published. I will rush to Barnes & Noble in the morning to pick up the Arizona Business Gazette to see my company name in ‘print’ other than my blog or website 🙂 …

This past Monday, my friend Lori posted a fabulous quote on Facebook that I really like and that is so fitting for my current situation:

“It’s impossible” said pride. “It’s risky” said experience. “It’s pointless” said reason. “Give it a try” whispered the heart”…

And I will add to that:

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
(Mark 10:27 ESV)

So, this week I am thankful for the confidence I can find in God’s Word. 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. Remember: with God all things are possible…Let Him help you build your confidence.

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. FREE eBook For Moms
2. God Sees Me When No One Else Does		 3. Full Circle- 77 Pounds Lost
4. bp		 5. Triplets of Faith: Everlasting Gospel

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Prayer

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV)

Trust me, I am not a true prayer-warrior. Don’t misunderstand that statement. I do pray, constantly throughout my day, but I do not schedule prayer-time each and ever day. My first prayer I whisper; before my feet actually hit the floor. The first prayer is in bed, face down, asking God to help me focus on Him.

I truly believe that there is no right or wrong way to pray. Some prayers are said laying on the floor, others close their eyes and fold their hands. For me prayer is more like a conversation throughout the day. Sometimes I even hold my breath. Do I ever hear God answer my prayer audible? No, but more often than not I feel His peace flood over me. What an awesome feeling that is.

The other morning, my beloved was not happy with me. Actually he was seriously upset because the alarm kept going off (from 4am on) and he does not get up until 5. I honestly forgot to turn it all the way off when I got up. I was devastated to say the least and I uttered a quick prayer for God to soften my beloved’s heart. And God did. When I got out of the shower, my hubby was in a much better mood. All I could say at that point “Thank you, sweet Jesus”.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. ~ Martin Luther

So, this week, I am thankful that I am able to approach the throne of grace with all confidence knowing that my Heavenly Father will hear my prayer and answer in His time.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below. Please note that next week, in the month of September, my friend Laurie at “Women Taking a Stand” will be hosting Thankful Thursday.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God’s throne of grace is just a prayer away.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Through Jesus I’m a Superwoman!
2. Understanding Your Teenage Daughter (There is Hope!)
3. FREE Printable: Kids Morning Routine Chart
4. FREE eBook for Moms!
5. Janis@Heart Filled Moments		 6. How God Turns Our Mourning Into Dancing
7. How to Have Peace and Joy in Hard Times
8. Mia / Dancing in the Rain
9. Peace That Doesn’t Make Sense
10. Tiff @ The Faery Inn		 11. the Songs on the Way
12. LaughingLady
13. bp
14. Triplets of Faith: Were Adam & Eve Saved?

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ New Senior Pastor

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
(2 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV)

Our church was without a senior pastor for almost 2 years. Unfortunately some members went to other churches during that time. This past Sunday, our congregation installed a new senior pastor, and my hope is that members will return. Although we had an interim pastor for the past 18 months, it is not the same as having a senior pastor on staff.

Christ's Greenfield Lutheran

Our congregation is very excited about the new beginning under a new senior pastor. He is very young and energetic, married with 3 small children, who will attend our Lutheran school. That is so awesome!!! You see, although this was a long time waiting, I knew that God had a perfect plan for our congregation. That is why I am committed to pray for our new pastor and his family as they are settling in to the new church.

Paul encourages us to pray for our leaders, including our pastors. Praying for our pastors is one of our privileges, but also a duty we should all take serious.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV)

This week, my friends, I am very thankful for our new senior pastor. May our Lord guide and protect him, as he is getting to know the members of our congregation.

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: pray for your pastor – seasoned or young; they need our support.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. A New Child of God
2. Keeping Control of Our Love of Things
3. Mia / Daily News
4. Shontavia @ Successful Mommy
5. Susanne		 6. All You Have to do is Listen
7. LaughingLady
8. Forgiveness
9. Triplets of Faith: 3 True Gospels
10. bp		 11. How God Turns Our Mourning Into Dancing
12. Decor and Suviviors Pt 4
13. Decor and Survivors Pt 3

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Give Thanks

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)

My dear friend, Bernadine is right: Everyday is a Day of Thanksgiving! Honestly, the older I get, the harder are the summers in Arizona for me. I often loose sight of the blessings that I encounter each and every day, especially during summer months. It is really hard to get motivated when the forecast calls for 108F for the high.

Tuesday morning was particular hard for me to see the good and blessings. I had a rough Monday, and it carried over to me not sleeping, and rushing in the morning. To top it off, I had more bad news when I got to work…I was ready to cry. However, here is the blessing that I encountered in the morning: I had friends pray for me and God changed my attitude to smile through all the junk.

I am truly blessed, even if I don’t ‘feel’ the blessings. I have an incredible family, awesome friends (near and far), a working A/C cooler, a great running car, I don’t have to shovel snow in the winter, and so much more… So, with David I proclaim: “…O LORD my God, I will give hanks to you forever!”

My sweet friend, honestly everyday is a day of Thanksgiving. So, 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: blessings are all around you – give thanks. And if you are having a hard time seeing the blessings, write at least one down each and every day.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Get Your House Clean & Time in Order
2. the Songs on the Way
3. Sarah @ The Fontenot Four
4. LaughingLady		 5. Heather @ Becoming Titus 2 Women
6. bp
7. Teach Your Children Well
8. Sarah — Modesty Swimsuit and Survivor Pt 4		 9. Kimberly
10. Rebellion & Redemption: Cain & Abel
11. Hide-the-Word Wednesdays: A Clean Heart
12. When We Lean On Our Own Understanding

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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