“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers†~ Ephesians 1:16 (ESV)
Normally I share my list of thanks with you, but today I want do it a little different. Since my work schedule is very demanding at this time, I don’t have much time to just post how I feel about my readers. As I was driving to work this morning I though “Why not use my thankful post?â€â€¦So today, instead of my usual list…
First of all I want to thank Jamie, Darlene, Laurel, Lynn, Terri, Barb and Carol for your continued prayers to keep me focused on Him. When I grow weary and get discouraged, I just have to drop you a note to stand in the gap for me – so thank you…
When I started blogging over two years ago, I never thought that the readership of this Blog would grow to where it is today. I thank God that He has given me the opportunity to share with you my walk with Him.
My walk is not perfect—I fail often. I am not the most eloquent writer either. But you, my beloved readers, don’t mind. You come back to read what I have to share. I know that some of you have never commented; probably never will. That is okay – I know you are reading. That is such a blessing to me—it keeps me going.
What can I say about Thankful Thursday? Oh.my.goodness!!!! It has grown so much over the last four month—not in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would do just that. Not only is our number growing, but because of Thankful Thursday and what you have made it, Sting my Heart was “In the Spotlight†last week at Magical Garden.
I do know that Sting my Heart will never be in the top ten for “Religious Blogsâ€, but I have the #1 readership! BTW – did you know that the top spots of “Religious Blogs†in Bloggyville are not followers of Christ, but the total opposite? I didn’t know that Atheism is a religion. But then again, what do I know 😉 .
I know that many in Bloggyville do not agree with the message I am sharing on the WWW, but that is okay. I do pray that someone who is searching for the truth about Christ will be encouraged through Sting my Heart. I pray that God will give them the desire to pick-up the Bible to learn that Christ is the Only Way and the message of the Cross is not foolish:
- “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.†~ John 14:6 (ESV)
- “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.†~ 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (ESV)
Thank you for reading my ramblings today…
What are you thankful for this week? I would love for you to share with us. Please leave your link below. As your time permits, please visit other participants. As you know, the links will be permanent.
Before I sign off for tonight please visit Christine at Fruit in Season. She will be starting a 30-Day-Challenge on Monday, June 18th.
Be blessed today and as always…
Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.
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I am thankful for you Iris. It is your heart that draws me to your blog – your love for the Lord is evident in everything you write. The Lord will always use a willing, yielded heart. Your blog is tops on my list!!!
Thanks for adding my link Iris!
And you are always so quick to thank us, but you are the blessing! I am so thankful for your heart for Christ and your love for all of us!
I am blessed by your presence in this world dear Iris.
Love ya girl!
Love the heart that shines through your words.
Iris,
I am so touched by your post that I had to echo it at my place. Thank you my friend for…. absolutely everything. I love you eternally, Lynn
You have such a wonderful touching blog and post. May the Lord Bless you this week and always.
Angel
Iris,thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnk you for this wonderul thankful thursday you host for us…sting my heart is really a wonderful and poweful encouragement for me..
this time the security word is HOPE again..I need hope in HIM….I must hold HOPE in HIM
Thanks for sharing your sweet and thankful heart…wonderful list.
Blessings to you today!
Lyndy
You are so sweet and I feel so blessed to have you in my life. Truly.
Dear friend, *you’re* the blessing here.
hugs & prayers,
Vicki
You are a blessing and I am so thankful that you started and continue to blog!! You aer a treasure! Blessings!
Your words display your gentle and quiet spirit, Iris. Thanks for being our host.
I am definately thankful for you, Iris. I am glad to have “met” you.
A refreshing change of pace today! You certainly have a wonderful witness here on Thursdays at Sting My Heart. And good for you for your In The Spotlight Award at Magical Garden. (An interesting link, BTW.)
I was pondering this very verse this morning:
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.†Amen, sister!
You are blessed! This is a wonderful community of like-minded women of faith. God’s blessing as it continues to grow and touch lives, even those who are lurking!
Well what can I say…..Thankful Thursday has literally changed my life and it makes me focus on my blessings every single week……and Thankful Thursday would not be the same without you my friend…..Thank you for being such a gracious host!
Blessings
Beautiful list as always, Iris! You know God is well please with the way you and the Thankful Thursday minister to others. Your always such an encouragement.
I have come to enjoy your posts and Thankful Thursday….blessings to my soul.
Thank you for your willingness to lead us to Him each day. Many blessings to you this week.
The success of Thankful Thursday isn’t surprising to me at all. I think people love a forum for actually listing, every week, the things they are thankful for.
That the tops blogs in the Religious blogs are atheists is, however, shocking to me. I just don’t get that at all. I’ll never accept that atheism is a “religion.”
I’ve always found your blog comforting. I’m not at all surprised it’s such a success.
Thank you.
You’re posts have served as an inspiration to me in a lot of instances so for that I am truly thankful.
Good day Iris!
My anti-spam word is Forgive — love these words and your sweet, from the heart post!
What a lovely post of gratitude.
Thank YOU for organizing Thankful Thursdays! Talk about spurring one another on to good works 🙂
Iris-You are a blessing to us! Thank you for your list and your example to give thanks in everything!
Blessings-Andie
Thank you for this post. When I first began blogging, I was hesitant to say too much about my feelings. I quickly realized that I couldn’t write without expressing who I am and who I am in Christ. I know that I have lost a few readers since but you know, they might just get curious and come back. I know that God is using our blogs and I think that is awesome.
Blessings,
Mama Bear
What a sweet post of gratitude today!
I am thankful for the catbirds who squalked this morning, to warn the whole bird community that a real cat was on the prowl. And I am thankful for friends who are my “catbirds”, reminding me when I need to be wise in my surroundings.
So many wonderful posts with thankful thoughts! Thanks for pulling us together, Iris!
You are such a blessing, Sweet One!! I thank you for challenging me (albeit unknowingly) to raise the bar of my blog experience, and I have been so blessed for it!
As far as atheism goes, I was reminded of a bumper-sticker offered by Ray Comfort at Way of the Master “God doesn’t believe in Atheists”!! Too good!!
Thank you for such a wonderful post. Your heart shines through your writing. That’s why we love you so much!! You are the top blog in the www!
I am EXTREMELY thankful for this activity because it forces me to stop my busy life to realize just how much the Lord has blessed my family & I with…things I believe I’ve been taking for granted and I don’t want to any longer.
I am grateful for you, your blog, and thankful thursday. It reminds me each and every week to be grateful no matter what is happening in our lives.
Thank you Iris for sharing your wonderful precious heart! You are the top rated in my book, girl! Praise God you’re not number 1 in the dead religious blogs. We’re not about religion, we’re all about a living relationship with Jesus! Bless you!!
Iris, you are such a sweetheart! Thank you for doing Thankful Thursday every week! It’s such a blessing to so many!
You always speak from your heart and that is where Jesus is… that is what is so important..
blessings
Hi hon,
Wishing you a your best weekend yet! Hugs..
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to participate in this. You are just so sweet.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Blessings~
Karen from the Korner
My post is late . . . hope you all have a wonderful Friday! Stop by “On the Horizon” this weekend when guest bloggers will be sharing their talents!
I tried to leave a post this morning….but crazy computer troubles! I love Thankful Thursdays and love participating and will continue as long as you want me and I can remember what day it is!
Your blog is such an uplifting place for me to go first thing in the morning….and I confess when I can’t get there in the morning, being there sometimes late at night….but I hope I’m not keeping you up!
You are a blessing to many, thanks for being a blessing to me.
Angie from Florida