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Thankful Thursday ~ Hope

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” ~ Psalm 42:11 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

First of all, I would like to thank your wonderful participation over the last couple of weeks – you ladies are so wonderful sharing your grateful heart – you all ROCK!!!!

This week I will not really give you a list, but share my reflection on hope with you. I have looked up ‘hope’ in Webster: “to cherish a desire with anticipation”….Wow – what a definition that is.

As of lately, I only survive on the hope I have – a hope that all things will work out for the good. In Romans 5:4-5, Paul shares: “…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

What if I wouldn’t have that certain hope? What if I were hopeless like so many these days…It makes me shiver…I am glad that I can put my trust and hope in God. Even when the days don’t seem so sunny, I do always I have Sonshine. My Lord makes my journey lighter.

I so now can understand Christian teachers like Pastor Greg Laurie, who just lost his oldest son in a car accident. If the foundation is not Christ, but our own ability to make it through life – we would be lost. Lost in hopelessness.

I was never a great journal-writer, but over the last couple of months, I have shared – in writing – with my Lord the hope I have. The trust I put in Him. Although I always have prayed, I have never expressed my prayers in writing. As I am looking back over my prayer journal, I can see the changes. All I can say (as the Psalmist states) “For I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”.

One of my current favorite songs is “My Hope is You” by Third Day. I listen to it often. Let me share with you the chorus:
“My hope is in You – show me Your Ways – God being truth – In all my days…My hope is in You…”

Yes, God is the only hope we can really hang on to, because He has a wonderful ‘record’. He has shown His faithfulness over thousands for years – and I know that He will be faithful until eternity…Hope in Him never disappoints 😛 …

Thank you so much for stopping by today. What are you thankful for this week? Please link your Thankful Thursday post below…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Gina’s Public Diary
2. Twinkle Mom
3. Heather@mommymonk
4. Angie
5. Cheryl
6. Denise
7. Tänia of Faith Prints
8. toknowhim
9. Felicity
10. Aisha 😀
11. Susan @ Forever His
12. Ann/mom2HandH
13. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
14. Peggy
15. Peggy@3Ms..aMazing Grace
16. Nancie
17. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
18. Paula @ Refined By Him
19. Cheryl@Hope
20. Laurie @ womentakingastand
21. Cara Lynn
22. Linda
23. Millie
24. Willnette
25. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
26. LaDonna
27. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
28. Sherry(@myjourney)
29. Amanda
30. Ladynred
31. Michelle
32. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
33. ari_1965
34. Ice Cream, Family and… Hope?
35. Joanne@ Blessed…
36. genny		 37. Serendipity Park
38. alihsee @ remember the moments
39. Tami @ The Next Step
40. Colored Heart
41. Susanne
42. Schotzy
43. Renee @ In Christ Alone
44. Kim aka GoofyMamma
45. Stacy
46. Amanda Bowers
47. Heahter @ Not a DIY Life
48. Willow
49. Mary
50. Robyn@Overflowing Grace
51. Tammy
52. Brianna
53. Gina@chats with an old lady
54. Mama Bear
55. Kristi@ Kikis Corner
56. akash
57. flmom
58. Michele-ScreamFree Parenting(this works)
59. Erica
60. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
61. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
62. SharonB
63. Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage
64. Karen
65. In Light if the Truth
66. mhstultz@hotmail.com
67. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
68. Karen – Focusing on Relationships
69. Julie
70. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
71. Rosheeda
72. Prairie Chick		 73. Lea
74. Mommy Magee
75. Annabelle @ Christian Momma
76. Front Porch Legacy
77. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
78. Diane
79. Donetta at a life uncommon 🙂
80. jennifer’s joyride
81. Michele
82. Tea with Tiffany
83. Irene *The GreenGreek*
84. Bella Mama
85. Beverly
86. becky aka theRAV
87. Kathy C.
88. pam @ without fear
89. Laurie Ann
90. Kim @ Scattered Stones
91. Janet @ Daily Provision
92. Mariah
93. Heather
94. Linda aka Yellowroseli
95. Janera
96. Nessa @ Ramblings of a Texas Housewife
97. Marsha
98. Nette
99. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
100. Kathy
101. Edie @ Rich Gifts
102. Kathy @ Joyful Journey Journal
103. Rocks-thankful for the HOpe
104. Kathleen
105. Pat
106. Blessedw5mom (Heather)
107. Kathy S

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Thankful Thursday ~ Relationships

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
~ 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV emphasis mine)

Over the last couple of weeks I reflected about relationships…My relationship with my Lord and Savior, with family and friends. The one thing that became clear is that if you speak out, share your heart, be honest with each other, things can be resolved…

So this week, my focus is on relationships…

  • Thank You Lord that I can share my heart with You. No matter what happens in my life, You always find a way to comfort me…

  • I am thankful for the relationship I have with my beloved. Although we sometimes do not agree on all things, I can talk with him about everything. I am thankful that he listens to me and I have an ear for his concerns. I think that makes our marriage work…

  • I am thankful that I have a good relationship with our son. Although we don’t see him often, we do talk on the phone often. I guess we did something right 😛 …

  • I am thankful for the relationships I have with some gals across the country. Although I have not been on the ‘net’ the past couple of weeks too often, I know that I can count on them when I am in need…

  • I am thankful for the relationship I have with my mom. Although 6,000 miles away, we have still a strong friendship…

  • And I am thankful for the relationships that are not friendships, but that help me grow and stand firm in what I believe in. I think that our Lord puts some people in our lives to make us stronger – stronger in faith and reliance on Him (does that make sense?

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us. I want to thank all 113 women who participated last week – God is so AWESOME bringing us together here on the ‘net’. Just imagine all the people that are searching for hope and come across your blog. God is using you ladies to reach out to the hopeless 😛 …

Thank you for stopping by today…remember – YOU are HIS people – made holy through your relationship with Christ Jesus…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Stacy
2. Tammy
3. Melanie
4. the cookntchermom
5. Felicity
6. Tracy @ Seed Thoughts
7. Cheryl@Hope
8. Denise
9. Gina’s Public Diary
10. flmom
11. Ann/mom2HandH
12. Peggy@3Ms…aMazingGrace
13. Angie
14. Paula @ Refined By Him
15. toknowhim
16. Kathy
17. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
18. SharonB
19. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
20. Karen – Thankful for God’s Work in My Life
21. Millie
22. Susan @ Forever His
23. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
24. Willnette
25. Serendipity Park
26. Twinkle Mom
27. Colleen
28. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
29. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
30. Nancie
31. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
32. ari_1965
33. sharon
34. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
35. Kristi @ Kikis Corner
36. Janera – My Garden Hat
37. Colored Heart
38. Miriam Pauline
39. candyQ		 40. Kim aka GoofyMamma(hubby)
41. Tere {Blessings in Life}
42. Liza’s Eyeview
43. Renee @ In Christ Alone
44. Linda
45. sherry
46. Beverly (by Grace)
47. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
48. Aisha @ The Holley Herald
49. Nichole (Heart 4 My Home)
50. Heather@mommymonk
51. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings
52. Mary
53. Dawn’s Daily Life
54. Sarah @ Burgeon
55. Darlene
56. Peculiar
57. Laurie Ann
58. Mommy Magee
59. Prairie Chick
60. Bright Sunshiny Day!
61. Mary
62. Erica
63. Kim @ Scattered Stones
64. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
65. Bird Poop & Relationships
66. genny
67. in the masters hands
68. Kim @ cowhumor
69. Katy Lin
70. Tania
71. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
72. Tiffany @ The Faery Inn
73. Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage
74. Susan (A Happy Heart at Home)
75. It’s All About Him!
76. Lea
77. Lalaine@Day to Day Miracles
78. Rosheeda		 79. Tami @ The Next Step
80. LaDonna
81. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
82. Susanne
83. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places
84. Linda aka Yellowroseli
85. Tara @ Feels like home
86. Irene *The GreenGreek*
87. Julie
88. Cara Lynn
89. Michele
90. Rabia
91. Pat
92. Tea with Tiffany
93. Donetta at a life uncommon 🙂
94. Dorothy Bowen Klass
95. Amanda Bowers
96. Kim @ An Artful Life
97. Chandy @ Out Standing in My Field
98. bvoylesal@aol.com
99. Cheryl
100. Janet @ Daily Provision
101. Nessa @ Ramblings of a TX Housewife
102. alihsee
103. HisFireFly
104. godschild
105. Edie
106. In Light of the Truth
107. Rocks
108. Abby
109. Heather
110. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
111. Bella Mama
112. Stacy
113. Laurie @ womentakingastand
114. Trish @ Venturesome Sojourners
115. Jen–Scraps & Snippets

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Thankful Thursday ~ Life

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” ~ Philippians 1:27-30 (ESV – emphasis mine)

Paul’s letter to the Philippians has always been my favorite book of the Bible. First of all, it is a short letter to the believers so it is easy to remember passages from it. My favorite part? It is full of encouragement, not only for the Philippians back in Paul’s time, but also for us – the ‘contemporary’ Christian. When you have some time, I encourage you to memorize some Scripture passages from Philippians. Believe me; it can come in handy 😉 …

Today I am thankful for God’s life-giving words penned by Paul …

  • Thank You Lord that although I might ‘suffer’ some set-backs in life, I am comforted that I am not the only one who might be attack by the enemy…

  • Thank You Lord for my beloved husband. It is so wonderful that my beloved shares his passion of photography with me; showing me a new side of life. It helps me to see Your marvelous creation in a new light…

  • Thank You Lord for the friends You have placed in my life. I want to especially thank You for my blogging sisters Laurel, Lynn, and Angie. Although all three of them have been struggling with their own bumps in the road of life; they never thought twice to encourage me, lift me up to Your throne of grace. Lord, continue to guide us, encourage each other, and keep our friendship strong. And Lord, if You see it fit, could you maybe arrange that we meet each other before we get to heaven?…

  • Thank You Lord for giving me the courage to share on the WWW about Your gift of eternal life. I pray that You will help me to share more about you, not only on my blog, but in places that Your life-giving Word is needed. Help me to be bold in the name of Jesus…

  • Thank You Lord for sending me little love notes when life gets me off track; when I get discouraged…

  • And thank You Lord for giving my beloved and me the opportunity to leave the day-to-day life behind last weekend. Even though we only escaped the Valley for 10 hours, it was refreshing…

What are you thankful for today? Please do share with us – leave your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today…Remember, when life gives your lemons, make an appointment with God to get encouraged (and your thought I would tell you to make lemonade 😀 )…

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Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
2. mama meji
3. Stacy
4. our family story
5. Tanja
6. BP @ Raindrops & Rainbows
7. Pia @ My Life’s Journey
8. Stacy
9. Gina’s Public Diary
10. Susan @ Forever His
11. Nise’
12. Melanie
13. Angie
14. Cheryl @ Hope
15. Chelsey ~ Joyfully Living
16. Cheryl
17. Steven and Aisha
18. Denise
19. Anne
20. MyThreeDaughters
21. Annie
22. Serendipity & Happy
23. Prairie Chick
24. Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
25. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home		 26. Denise
27. Peggy@Mazes,Messes&MiraclesaMazing Grace
28. Stephanie and Alex
29. JesuLalaine
30. Renee
31. The Liebers
32. Kim @ Scattered Stones
33. Miriam Pauline
34. Heather – Not a DIY Life
35. Tammy
36. Beth@The Accidental Pharisee
37. Laurie Ann
38. Mary
39. Mama Bear
40. Darlene @ Everything to Me
41. Rosheeda
42. Millie
43. Mamasmurf (Chrissy)
44. genny
45. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
46. Kristi at Kiki’s Corner
47. Lea
48. Twinkle Mom
49. Katy Lin
50. Paula		 51. Lisa@blessedwithgrace
52. SharonB
53. Tami @ The Next Step
54. Beverly
55. Tammy @ Breaths of Faith
56. Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise
57. L.H.@ Virtuous Living: A Young Woman’s Journey
58. Irene *The GreenGreek*
59. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
60. Melissa Lea
61. Michelle
62. Jendi
63. It’s All About Him!
64. Erica
65. Janet @ Daily Provision
66. Quoth The Rav
67. Donetta at a life uncommon
68. Angela (the testosterone palace!)
69. the cookntchrmom
70. ohhollyf
71. LaDonna
72. ari_1965
73. Sharon
74. Abby

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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In search of…

…guest writers for our team devotional blog Laced with Grace.

”We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
~ Romans 15:5-7 (emphasis mine)

As I was getting ready the other morning the idea of having a guest writer once a month popped into my head. Let me tell – this did not come from me 😛 …

The devotional team has been so blessed by its readers that I think it is time that you have a chance to share your own thoughts on faith.

What are we looking for? You don’t have to be an eloquent or published writer (I am not either 😉 ). Just share your heart with us…Show others how the Lord is working in your life so they may be encouraged and look to the One who gives us hope. The only request I have – you should be part of the Laced with Grace blogroll 😉 .

If you are interested publishing a devotional at Laced with Grace, leave me a comment. Please make sure that your email address (which is hidden from the public) is valid so I will be able to contact you. As mentioned above, we will publish one guest post each month, starting in July.

Thank you for stopping by today. Be blessed today and always…

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