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Thankful Thursday ~ Almost Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:4-7 ESV)

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. It always been since I was little. Although when I was a little girl, I may not have understood the entire reason of Christmas, but it has always been celebrated as Christ’s birthday. You see without Christmas, Easter is impossible. And without Easter, we have no way of reconciling with a Holy God. And that is why Christmas is my favorite of all Holidays.

I love the account of Christ’s birth in the Gospel of Luke. But I also love the account of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12. I read the account of the visit of the wise men just today and once again I am taken by the three gifts the wise men brought to worship baby Jesus.

Have you ever noticed that the three gifts were are also part of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This about that they brought:

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:11 ESV – emphasis mine)

Amazing, right?!? I am not a biblical scholar, but to me this is so awesome. So, yes, I am thankful this week that Christmas is in a few days, celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior. And I pray that my heart will be completely focused on Him.

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: without Christmas, Easter is impossible.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Boys and Their Toys
2. Janis@Heart Filled Moments
3. One Word To Make Your Problems Seems A Gazillion Times Smaller		 4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. When Hallmark Hijacks Joy		 7. Dawn of Redeeming Grace
8. bp

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Thankful Thursday ~ Advent Study

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:9-11 ESV)

It sounds a lot like Christmas…around here. This year I am doing something totally different during the Advent season. I am participating in an Advent Bible study. The study is held by the “Good Morning Girls“; the name is “Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus”. How fitting, don’t you agree?

I really like the study format and I am thankful that I came across it. Heather from Becoming Titus 2 Women posted about it on FB. I am very thankful that she did.

Like I said, I like the format. Angela from “Good Morning Girl” calls is SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. I have never heard about this study style, but it totally works for me.

You see, I love Bible study, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the ‘home-work’, I quit halfway through. This is just the perfect amount of ‘home-work’. My favorite part though is that you write out every Scripture passage. There is a memory verse each week as well. I truly enjoy memorizing Scripture (gives me a weapon when the fiery darts of the devil start flying around). This week is Romans 15:13:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Love that Scripture passage. Although the study started on December 1st, I would really like for you to check it out. I am thankful for this study so that I can truly keep my eyes and heart focused on Jesus this Christmas; just as it should be.

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: Keep your heart focused on Jesus, the Reason for the Season.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / A Turbulent Heart
2. Advent: Zechariah
3. The One Condition to Obtaining True Riches		 4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. What is Your Light Source in the Storm?		 7. lorig

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Every Good Gift

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)

Some people think that I am too tight with money, but I believe that I just watch out what I purchase and not go after my wants. Trust me when I say that there are many wants, but they are not necessarily a need.

Over the past 4 months I have been looking for a new vehicle. As I have mentioned before, I really want to get out there with my portrait photography, and I needed something more comfortable to ride around in the Metro Phoenix area. Not that my Scion xB was a bad vehicle, but I have outgrown it. The Scion was a little tight in the suspension (more like for 20-something people), and it was not comfortable on my back, coming back from a long day at work or from a photo-session.

A couple weeks ago I went with my best friend Lori to the Nissan dealership just a few minutes from work. She is so fun to hang out with and she is always honest with me. I told her that I was interested in the Nissan Rogue, but the price was a little out of my budget. We still took a short test-drive, and I knew right then and there that this was the vehicle I was searching for. Not only was the ride smooth, but as Lori was playing with the radio, my favorite song by The Afters “Every Good Thing” came on. Lori and I just started laughing and she said “if that is not a sign from above”…

There was still the issue with the financial part, but it all worked out well. This past week, Nissan offered incentives for the 2013 Nissan Rogue, and a very low interest rate (.9%). With my trade-in of the Scion I have the payment that I was looking for, and my insurance only went up by $3/month. So, my sweet friend, the below beauty is sitting in my drive-way.

My Nissan Rogue
.

I finally am comfortable again riding around the big city. And my boys think that I made an awesome choice and gave the car two thumbs up. Lori – we did great (who says women can’t choose the right vehicle :)).

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: every good thing comes from above; and don’t let anyone tell you that you are too tight with money if you weigh you needs with your wants.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Heaven’s Launderer
2. How to Hear God Speak Through the Bible
3. 5 Minutes of Praise Thursdays
4. Scripture Jewelry From Israel – The Perfect Gift		 5. When God Intervenes In Your Marriage
6. bp
7. Healthy Things Grow
8. Natasha		 9. Dear Church, Our Kids Still Need Jesus
10. Praise Him in the Calm
11. Her Family Call Her Blessed
12. My One Month Old Grand-daughter

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Random

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

There are so many things in my life that I am thankful for. Sure, there are some things I hope for, but all-in-all I am truly blessed.

I am thankful for the time I have in the morning with the Lord. This time is precious, because I get myself ready with His Word for the day ahead. Sure, I could sleep a little longer, but if I miss my morning time in His Word, my day is not complete.

I am thankful for other Jesus-Followers that encourage me. Today I received an email from one of our vendors stating that she too is a Christians, and that she is encouraged to see that I have Scripture references in my email signature. Oh yes, when you get an email from my work-email, you will see that I stand for my faith. And you will also find a cross and Scripture verses in my cubicle. If someone is offended by my display of my faith, well, they don’t have to come into my workspace. But I am always ready to share the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).

I am thankful for the ladies of Laced with Grace. They all, in their own way, keep me focused on the things that are truly important in life, marriage, and family.

I am thankful for Facebook. Although I do not spend much time there, but I do post every day a Scripture verse that speaks to my heart in the morning. I know that I have friends on Facebook that do not believe in Jesus and His love for them. But maybe one day they will ask me about it 🙂 .

I am thankful for my beloved and the time we spend each day with each other. He is my best friend, and my biggest supporter. I cannot imagine spending my life without him.

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: rejoice in the Lord, always, for He is good and His love endures forever.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. When God Intervenes In Your Marriage
2. Scripture Jewelry From Israel – The Perfect Gift
3. He Never Sleeps
4. Mia / Widows of The World
5. From Sunrise to Sunset!		 6. Natasha
7. Intentional Rest – Sabbath Living
8. 5 Minutes of Praise Thursday
9. Julie
10. Follow Me Bible Study {Week 2} Be Transformed		 11. 6 Christian Friendly Fall Activities
12. bp
13. Lizzie

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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