Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ His Passion

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:29 ESV)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. I am always excited when the Lenten season starts; ending with Easter Sunday at the empty tomb.

Many Christians give up something during the season for reflection. I usually do too, but not so this year. This year I want to add something (again) during this holy season. Over the years I read a book called “The Passion of Christ” from a Lutheran pastor (A.Fibiger) penned in 1941. I don’t even remember who gave me the book, but I treasure it.

Unfortunately last year I got off track reading/reflecting on the old sermons from the 1940’s. This year, I want to read it all the way through again. I pray for a close relationship to my Lord during this season of Lent. I am thankful for the passion of our Lord. His way to show me His love is still mind-boggling. Why would someone Who never met me, give it all up? It can only be a heavenly love…*sigh*.

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: His passion is showing His love for you – all the way to the cross.

Please remember that in the month of March (starting next week) we will meet up at my friend Laurie’s blog “Women Taking a Stand“.

Love & Peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Shining Brightly
2. Pia
3. Edwards Granddaughter
4. Amazing Grace
5. Kids turf
6. It Feels Like Chaos
7. Kate @ Teaching What Is Good
8. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
9. a red motorcycle
10. Style N Season: Thank You, Lord, for Loving Me THAT Much
11. Daily Journey		 12. Tonya
13. Melanie @ M&M
14. Stefanie @ UpLIFTing Words
15. Heart Choices
16. Thankful Prayer
17. LovelyLici @ Conchsaladesque
18. Ms. Kathleen
19. Making Our Life Matter
20. I Get To!
21. LIFE by Ashley Pichea
22. bp		 23. Deidra M
24. Carol
25. Have Faith!
26. Amy@Make Me a Mary
27. Katrina@thePoorganicLife
28. Bridget
29. Denise
30. JadeLouise Designs
31. Inspirations from Phather Phil-Thankful Thursday: God Will Send the Rain
32. The Winter Willow Wept – Robert J. Gerryts

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ God’s Shelter

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.”
~ Psalm 57:9 (ESV)

“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 (ESV)

Wow, were in the world did the month of June go? Please remember that in the month of July, my friend Lynn at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage” is hosting Thankful Thursday; in August my friend Laurie will be hosting the weekly meme at “Women Taking a Stand“.

I chose the title “God’s Shelter” because I am currently reading Sheila Walsh‘s book “God’s Shelter for your Storm“.

I often say to friends in real life and on the internet: I do not know where I would be without my faith in Jesus Christ. Sheila’s book really emphasizes that we as humans and believers are not perfect, but we have Someone who makes us perfect in God’s eyes; Jesus Christ.

Today I read a snippet of the short book that really hit home. Sheila is talking about Peter’s denial of Jesus and the homecoming of the prodigal son. Both turned their backs on God, but God was waiting for them to return. Sheila writes:

“If you have taken your father’s inheritance, broken his heart, spent all you had, and ended up feeding pigs, where do you go? Peter would tell you and the prodigal would say, ‘Turn your heart toward home, toward God. Cling to His promise that He’s got you covered with His lavish, unmerited grace. His power is made perfect in your weakness. Just recognize your need for the Shelter when you stand exposed and vulnerable.'” ~ Sheila Walsh “God’s Shelter for your Storm (page 106)”

Isn’t that powerful?!? I tell you, my sweet friends, I have read/heard the story of the prodigal son and Peter’s denial so many times, but every time I read/hear it, it gives me goose-bumps. His grace is just amazing; and I am so thankful for it. No matter how weak I am, He will cover me with His amazing grace.

What are you thankful for my dear friends? Please leave your link below to your Thankful Thursday post or leave me a comment.

Thank you for stopping in today; remember: His grace is amazing, give Him thanks and do not take it for granted.

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. A Grateful Heart
2. Tess
3. God’s Perfect Promises
4. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
5. Georgia
6. Lynn (spirituallyunequalmarriage.com)
7. Eileen Leacock
8. Aisling Beatha
9. Beth (The Unfinished Project)
10. rj’s mama
11. Living So Abundantly
12. Books		 13. Chris
14. It Feels Like Chaos
15. LaughingLady: Feelin’ Patriotic
16. Noreen @ Life Blessings
17. What are you Thankful for?
18. Time To Wakey-Wakey!
19. Not Just Any Road
20. Jenny Anne@Royal Little Lambs
21. bp
22. Cup of Goodness
23. Thankful for Horse Sense
24. Sherry		 25. Shanda: A Pause on the Path
26. GinaLaughed
27. Sharon’s Reservoir
28. Servant, Wife, Mother
29. Lisa
30. Hope Easter
31. Inspirations from Phather Phil – Thankful Thursday: Step-By-Step
32. Carol
33. Happiness Manifesto
34. becky aka theRAV
35. Joseph Young

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ The Journey

***LINKY is now Fixed – Sorry about that***

For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle tears with my drink,
because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.

But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
You will arise and have pity on Zion;
it is the time to favor her;
the appointed time has come.
~ Psalm 102:9-13 (ESV)

Have you ever looked back on your faith-filled journey? Have you noticed how far God has brought you? I have been in the valley more than on the mountain top. The valleys have been painful, but were necessary for me to grow into the woman I am today.

Are the dark valleys behind me? I doubt that, but I know for sure that no matter what happens in my life, I can count on His faithfulness. His love, mercy, grace and peace will see me through the end of days.

So, today I am thankful for the journey I have been on and continue until I see my Savior face-to-face. May my mouth always praise His name and my heart never grow faint, trusting in Him who took His Journey so long ago toward the Cross.

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: if you find yourself in the valley of sorrow or pain, look up to the One who gives you His peace.

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Iris – Testing
2. Laura @ Homemaking Joyfully
3. Casey
4. It Feels Like Chaos
5. UpLIFTing Words
6. Kara
7. Everything And Everywhere
8. The air I breathe
9. Thoughts Of A Working Mom
10. Life is a Battle
11. Dawn’s Daily Life
12. Karen
13. Mary Anne’s Musings		 14. LaughingLady
15. Grace
16. Lizzie@A Work in Progress
17. Melanie @ M&M
18. Amazing Love
19. bp
20. Noreen @Life Blessings
21. Heather@Becoming A Titus 2 Woman
22. Joshlin@Saving Moms Sanity
23. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
24. Katrina – My Post and A Prayer Request
25. Jenn-Growth in God
26. Jenny Anne@Royal Little Lambs		 27. debi @ Who Says 8 is Enough?
28. Rita @Following31
29. Priceless Simplicity
30. Phil D. Malmstrom
31. Kenna-Aprons
32. Karen@JustCallMeGrace
33. Julie
34. resting…
35. Mary
36. InvitationToPrayerForOurCountry
37. Shengkay’s JOurnal
38. Shug

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Posted on

Where does my Journey Lead?

“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”” ~ Mark 9:23-24 (ESV)

Over the last couple of Sundays I have shared with you part of my resent journey. Today, a day before my ‘big’ birthday, I am wondering ‘where does my journey lead?’. One thing I know for sure; one day I will see my Savior face-to-face.

But what until then? Will I have to work in accounting until I retire? I pray not; it has been 30 years. Oh, how I pray the Lord will allow me to use my photography professionally. But then again can a 50-year-old , plagued with arthritis in her knee and hands, change carriers?

Too often I feel like the father who had a son with an unclean spirit (getting discouraged because things don’t work out). The father came to Jesus’ disciples to have the unclean spirit cast out of his son (Mark 9:14-29). However, Jesus’ disciples were unable to get rid of the unclean spirit. The father ask Jesus if He could help. I love Jesus’ answer “All Things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

Why is so hard for me at times to believe God with the day-to-day stuff. I am trusting God with my salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, so why not with the rest of my earthly life? I wish that God uses me to make a difference this side of heaven. I only can do that though if I lay down everything, my dreams included, at the foot of the cross and let Him reign completely. Even when life does not make sense to me, I need to trust that He does use me for His glory.

Lord of my salvation, thank You for Your gift of Your precious son. You know my failures, but still love me despite of them. You know my passions and dreams, use them for Your Glory. Lord, like the father of the son with an unclean spirit “I believe, help my unbelief”. I am trusting You for this journey until life eternal. In Jesus’ precious name – Amen.