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Thankful Thursday ~ Godly Women

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)

There are many women in my life that keep me on the narrow and straight path. One of my favorite group of ladies are the ladies of Laced with Grace. Our devotional site has been running since 2006. Although we have had some changes over the years, God always finds women that are willing to share their faith openly on the world-wide-web. The ladies write from their hearts, and share their struggles of everyday life. We are not perfect by any means, but we look to the One Who is perfect, Jesus Christ.

I am also thankful for my friend Lori in Florida, who always encourages me; no matter what is going on in my life. Oh, and my other friend Lori I have the honor to work with. Both know me on my good and not-so-good days. It is good to have women like that in my life.

I am thankful for godly authors. Especially I am thankful for Beth Moore. I think that she has had the biggest influence in my Christian walk. I pray that one day she will come back to Arizona for a conference. I remember at the first conference I went to; I wept like a baby. My favorite book by Beth Moore is “Believing God”. And I am very thankful that I was able to download the book to my Nook for free this week (cannot find the hard copy book I have somewhere around my house 🙁 )

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below. By the way, I will be your hostess for the entire year of 2014. I hope you do not mind that.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: surround yourself with godly women that will keep you on the narrow and straight path.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Memorizing Scripture Helps and Much More!
2. Ruth A Stiles
3. LaughingLady		 4. Daily Journey
5. Just the Invitation
6. Bp		 7. lorig: Reflecting and Dreaming
8. Mary

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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New Year’s Meditation 2009

***Scroll down for Thankful Thursday***

NewYear

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…

grace_iris1

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Thankful Thursday ~ His Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.
~ Psalm 119:102-108 (emphasis mine) (ESV)

First, I would like to thank all of you who have been very patient with me over the last couple of months regarding my lack of visits to your sites…it is a long story and maybe I will blog about it some day…

I am so thrilled to see what the Lord is doing with Thankful Thursdays…it is so cool. Just think of it as a testimony to the world that even in the storms of life, He is the one Who holds us together. He gives us the ability to praise Him in the storm and through tears.

So, this week, I will give you a short list of Scripture passages (ESV version) that I am thankful for – all listed and more have held me together…

  • Strength – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13

  • Peace – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

  • Grace – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me..” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

  • Hope – “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

  • Mercy – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
    and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalm 23:6

  • Rest – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

  • Forgiveness – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” – Ephesians 1:7

As I had mentioned last week, I am doing a Bible study by Beth Moore. The study is called “Stepping Up”. The study is based on Psalms 120 through 134. If you are looking to do a study, I highly recommend this one. I am awaiting the member-book shipped by a dear friend (thank you Angie) since we don’t have a Lifeway store where I live.

So, what are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by linking your post below…I am looking forward reading yours over the next couple of days…

Thank you for stopping by this week. Always remember – strength, peace, grace, hope, mercy, rest and forgiveness are at your fingertips…

Sig Tag

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Stacy
2. mama meji
3. SharonB
4. Cheryl
5. Peggy
6. Kim~Seasons of my heart
7. Bobbie
8. Millie
9. Amanda Bowers
10. janet
11. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
12. Lisa-BlessedwithGrace
13. Gina’s Public Diary
14. Susan @ Forever His
15. Laurie @ womentakingastand
16. It’s All About Him!
17. Kelsey(Twins)
18. gina@chats with an old lady
19. Angie
20. Michelle
21. Tanja
22. Cheryl @ Hope
23. Chelsey ~ Joyfully Living
24. Melanie
25. MyThreeDaughters
26. Dawn’s Daily Life
27. Tea with Tiffany
28. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
29. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee		 30. Nancie
31. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home
32. The Holleyherald
33. Beverly:BeveryByGrace
34. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
35. Heather – Not a DIY Life
36. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
37. Renee
38. Mama Bear
39. Kristie (This Side of Eternity)
40. Linda aka Yellowroseli
41. jen
42. Nise’
43. Jenn @ Full of Boys
44. Erica
45. A woman found
46. Prairie Chick
47. Heather@mommymonk
48. Diane @ Partners In Prayer for Our Prodigals
49. Chris @ God will make a way
50. Lea
51. Twinkle Mom
52. Irene *The GreenGreek*
53. Laurie Ann
54. Ann/mom2HandH
55. Cathy | I can’t wait!
56. toknowhim
57. Colleen
58. Kelley @ Aroma of Joy		 59. Jane Anne @ Gravity of Motion
60. Susie “A Pink Carnation in Bloom”
61. Donetta at a life uncommon
62. annie
63. ari_1965
64. Beloved Mama
65. Cindy
66. Kathleen
67. Carmen@Ramblings of Carmom
68. Tammy @ Breaths of Faith
69. Brianna
70. Sharon’s Reservoir
71. Living Beyond
72. Jendi
73. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
74. Anne @ From My Perspective
75. Leanne from Canada!
76. Rosheeda
77. Janet @ Daily Provision
78. Jia
79. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
80. Mariposa
81. angela
82. Marsha
83. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Safe and Sound)
84. Lori Davidson
85. Stacy

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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