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Thankful Thursday ~ Random

“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.” ~ Psalm 30:4 (ESV)

First I want to thank the visitors last week who took part in the poll for Christmas Day. Although it was tight (22 – in favor to 17), I will be hosting Thankful Thursday on Christmas Day 😛 .

Lets do something special for Christmas Day. I would like you to think back (way back for some of us – 😆 ). I would love for you to share with us a Christmas from you childhood – what stayed in your mind all these years…what you are thankful for…

This week I want to share just some random thoughts, if you don’t mind…

  • Lord, I am thankful for Your pure awesomeness. Although often I think I am worth nothing; to You I am worth everything. You sent Your One and Only Son to die for my sins…

  • Lord, thank You for my beloved. Although he does not enjoy clothes-shopping, he goes with me so I don’t have to go alone…

  • Lord, thank You for ‘clearing’ my calendar so I could finish up the book “3:16” – what a marvelous read. Thank You for using Max Lucado to really show me what John 3:16 truly means – that you are giving everyone the same chance to believe through the gift of Your Holy Spirit…

  • Lord, I am thankful for the Laced with Grace team you have assembled for 2009. We are all excited for what You will do through this ministry…

  • Last, but not least, Lord I am thankful for the Thankful Thursday community this past year. I know that because of them, I have kept my focus on You and Your goodness…

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

Thank you for stopping by today…Remember: The Lord is awesome and His love endures forever…



Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Stacy – heart transplant
2. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
3. lambofHisflock
4. Denise
5. Laurie @ womentakingastand
6. To Know Him
7. Nancie
8. Melanie
9. Linda
10. Bogie
11. Aisha
12. GRAMMY
13. Felicity @ The Voice of FMLL
14. BP
15. cheryl
16. Laurie Ann
17. Willnette
18. Christelle@ Beloved MaMa
19. Ann
20. Angie
21. Kathy@Joyful Journey Journal
22. Tiffany
23. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home
24. Serendipity Park
25. mom2my9 (Christmas Before the Twins)
26. Jennifer @ Through The Storms of Life		 27. Alicia @ More Than Words
28. Debbie ~ Heart Choices
29. Irene @The GreenGreek
30. micey
31. I am heading towards my destiny!
32. Willow
33. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
34. Melissa Multitaskingmama
35. Jill
36. Melissa@Thorn in My Side
37. Tammy
38. Michele
39. Devita
40. Darlene@Everything to Me
41. lisa@familylife
42. Dana-from chaos to Grace
43. Amanda
44. Susan @ Forever His
45. Mary
46. Christy – giving praise
47. Heather @ S-A-M
48. Tammy ~@~
49. Diane ~ Sunflower Songs
50. Speaking from the Heart
51. Rita
52. Bonnie @ Thugater		 53. Diane (the one who is winking)
54. Ruth A. Stiles
55. gail @ challenges&adventures
56. SharonB
57. Lynn
58. Erica
59. He & Me 3
60. Donetta at a life uncommon
61. Joyce T.
62. Sandy
63. Tess
64. Tea with Tiffany
65. Tricia Schmid
66. Are You For Real? (Our Super-Sized Lunchbox!)
67. Newlyweds
68. Blessed Mama 2
69. Anastasia
70. Marsha
71. Transparent Life
72. Amber @ Classic Housewife/ Modern World
73. Patricia@TypingOne-Handed
74. Mauie
75. saleslady371
76. Angie (respect)
77. ~hon~
78. Sam Chen

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Back to Basics

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ~ Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

Humanity is looking for something – something better. We are all searching for hope – for an ‘easier’ life – for purpose. The problem is that we sometimes look in the wrong places.

From where I am standing, life is hard. Yes, I struggle with life, with people, with circumstances, with every day ‘stuff’. I would lie if I’d tell you that life is ‘peachy’. Let me share my secret on how to travel the road of life. Let me introduce you to my personal ‘self-help’ book I refer to daily. It gives me strength, peace, comfort, joy, hope, direction. I am confident that the Author of this particular ‘self-help’ book is trustworthy. You are wondering what I am talking about? The Bible of course.

Some might say that the Bible does not apply to today’s society; it is too ancient, times have changed. I beg to differ. God is still God; humans are still the same as they were thousands of years ago. Nothing has changed. Except that 2,000 years ago, God provided a way ‘out’. He sent His one and only Son to die for the sins of this world…to give us a hope, a future.

Over the past two years many self-help and New Age books have flooded the market. What concerns me is that we, as believers get caught up with the masses. Even some Christian authors forsake the Truth to market their books – to have a book on the “Hot Seller” list. The Gospel message is rewritten to appeal to the masses.

Let me tell you: the Gospel message is appealing to the masses by itself. There is nothing more pure, full of truth to read God’s promise in John 3:16-17 (ESV):

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

There are different translations of the Bible out there. It can get confusing. Do your own research on which Bible translation is best for you. All Bibles are translated from the original languages Hebrew and Greek. The difference is that the translations are either word for word (NASB, KJV, NKYV, ESV, NRSV, NAB), thought for thought (NIV, NLT, NJB, CEV), or paraphrased (TLB and MSG). No matter which translation, it is God’s Truth, the best ‘self-help’ book on the market. Get back to basics – no New Age book can come even close…

My friend Lynn posted a very thought provoking post on Monday. Over the last couple of days I prayed if I should blog about my own thoughts – on what is going on in the Christian (writing) community; what unbelievers think of Christians. The more I prayed, the clearer it became – I have to. I hope that God will give me courage to share more of my thoughts over next several weeks. How about you? I would love to hear about your own thoughts…

Blessings to you and as always…

Footnote – Bible Translation:
CEV Contemporary English Version, ESV English Standard Version, KJV King James Version, MSG The Message (Eugene Peterson), NAB New American Bible (Catholic), NASB New American Standard Bible, NIV New International Version, NJB New Jerusalem Bible (Catholic), NKJV New King James Version, NLT New Living Translation, NRSV New Revised Standard Version, TLB The Living Bible (Kenneth Taylor).