“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.” ~ John 3:16-17
(ESV – emphasis mine)
This week the ‘theme’ life – physical and spiritual life – kept running through my mind…Normally I share a list with you, but this week I would like to share some thoughts with you.
On Monday the mood at work was a little somber. One of my co-workers passed away on Saturday – unexpectedly. He was my age — heart attack. That really brought life back into perspective; how short it can be. Here today, gone tomorrow came to mind.
How do I spend my life that was given to me? Do I make a difference in someone’s life? Do I live life for myself; for others? Do I live my life fully for Him, in Him?
Yes, I know – a lot of questions. You do not want to know what is going on in my head most of the time…always thinking.
That brings me to today’s passage I chose for myself to reflect on. I am currently reading Max Lucado’s book “3:16” (you can find a link in my sidebar). How many times have I heard/read the passage? Too many to count. Did I ever reflect on it fully? Do I truly understand what it means? In reading the book, I have to admit – no!!! But those thoughts are for another post 😉 .
Eternal Life??? In today’s world, not many put their focus on eternal life, but life here and now. Live life to the fullest — with no regrets. To be honest, I don’t want to live life like that. I am thankful that because of Christ’s sacrifice, I can not only enjoy a physical life here and now, but also have eternal life.
Without the hope of eternal life, or even the spiritual life, I don’t know where I would be today. There are many people in my personal life that have suffered greatly – physically speaking. But they all had the hope that one day, there would be no more pain, no more tears. They all fixed their eyes on heaven; lived through their physical challenges because of the hope Christ gave them…Yeah – I want to live life like that…with hope of a better tomorrow…
What are you thankful for this week. Please do share with us in leaving your link below.
Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: John 3:16 😛 …no matter what life throws at you, He already redeemed you in giving His life for yours.
Be blessed today and as always…
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Hi Iris,
I was wondering about you this week. I could feel you were maybe a little down. I tellyou sometimes it is good to have to think about how we are investing our time in this world. Can be heavy…
I want you to know that you have invested so much in me. I am thankful from the bottom of my heart.
Have a wonderful TT….
PS. I have sent you a few emails. Wondering if they are going into your spam? Write me when you get a sec. Hugs.
Lynn Donovan’s last blog post..Letting Go
Thanks for sharing this, Iris.
Serendipity’s last blog post..Thankful Time
oh I LIKE this one….thanks!
Dana’s last blog post..Lord, an extra helping of mercy please?
I loved the topic for today and the way you wrote your post. I have have lost two grandparents in the last month and it is tough. It would have been so much harder if I knew that I wasn’t seeing them in Heaven someday.
Susie’s last blog post..Did You Miss Me? Just Kidding
Iris, Life is so very precious and so is the time that God gives to us. We do need to keep an eye on eternity. Great post. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Mary
Mary’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
I love your post – encouraging and convicting at the same time. I am sorry for the loss of your co-worker…prayers going up for the family & friends. Thank you for sharing your heart with us…
Tammy’s last blog post..Faith
You are such a blessing to my heart.
Denise’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday-Life
Sorry to hear about your co-worker. You have a great post this week. Thanks and Happy Thankful Thursday.
I’m so sorry to hear about your co-worker. You had a beautiful post today and I was touched by it. May you feel God lifting you up and wrapping His arms around you during this sad time in your life.
Happy TT!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday!
Iris, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend/co-worker. Death does put life into full perspective. It causes us all to realize all our frailties.
You are such a blessing–I am sorry I missed last Thursday—life has been hectic!
I love you dearly!
Angie’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday EVERYDAY!
What a great post. We take life too lightly sometime. Death seems so far off. Thank you for the reminder today!
I am sorry to hear about your co-worker. I will say a prayer for his family and friends.
Alicia, The Snowflake’s last blog post..The Story of a Marriage
Blessings Iris…My sympathies for the loss of your co-worker and the heaviness around your work place!
Let your light shine! May the Comforter surround you with thoughts of LIFE and life to the fullest in Him! I so glad you chose LIFE…it fit in with my post for tomorrow very nicely & my GOD IS LIGHT…today. LIFE & LIGHT & LIVING WATER flowing down from HIS throne! Cover yourself with 3:16…Max Lucado is so gifted with vivid LIFE illustrations…I get his UP WORDS once a week and many are excerpts of this book and more recently of Cast of Characters, where he shared about Martha & Mary…and others, also.
I’m so glad you have your eyes fixed on JESUS! Hope is Jesus Christ gives us LIFE & eternal LIFE! May God bless you & be with you as you continue to share from a grateful heart! BIG HUG for the slump & somber!
Peggy’s last blog post..THANKFUL for a special LIFE!
What a great theme for Thankful Thursday! Oh, how thankful I am for the gift of life! Happy Thankful Thursday to you, and thank you for hosting this wonderful meme!
Laurie Ann’s last blog post..
Iris, thank you for this topic. I’m sorry about your coworker. Death is hard, particularly in someone who is young and one of our peers.
You got me to think, though, about the wonderful things I have in my life and I’m very appreciative of that!
Willow’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday — Life
Thank you for leading us in TT and sharing your heart. I am so sorry to hear of the loss in your life – life is so precious and each moment of each day should be cherished. What a great reminder to all of us that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow – may we all live each day to the fullest, honoring and glorifying the Lord! -Happy TT! -Blessings, Laurie
Laurie Adams’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY…healthy food
Amazing how much a death can make you re-evaluate life. Thanks for your reflections–I needed to hear them today.
Ann’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
I’m sorry about your co worker Iris. I know he will be missed.
In the times we live… I agree there are many who do not think of life eternal. Society … in the world really does teach such a different perspective of living.
You’ve given me more to think of tonight.
Blessings,
Lea
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Our preacher spoke, this week, about living an abundant life. We are to “invest” in our life, in relationships, in our community, in our church. Basically live our life with no regrets, and always in a manner that is pleasing to our Lord. It really touched me. I have not been living my life as fully as I should, and not investing in relationships as I should. Your post reminded me of the sermon.
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Iris, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I pray that you will be filled with His comfort and peace.
I read John 3:16, too. Very good book.
Thanks so much for TT, Iris. What a way to glorify God- to speak His praises in thankfulness.
Blessings, friend!
Tracy @ Thirsty for Him’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
What beautiful thoughts. Be Blessed
Willnette’s last blog post..Thankful Thursdays
My condolences to your co-worker! Beautiful message this week and I love that verse! Thank you for sharing and Bless you!
Agring/Sweeta’s last blog post..Thankful for my Birthday
Great reminders, Iris. Bless you for sharing.
My heartfelt sympathy to you in the loss of your colleague.
Miriam Pauline’s last blog post..In Other Words—Beautiful Women
Thank you so very much for this weekly blessing – it helps me to refocus on God’s grace in my life!
Angela’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
I’m so sorry for the loss of your co-worker.
As a first-time participant in Thanksful Thursday despite following it for several weeks now, I wrote a children’s poem in thanks for God’s gifts.
Thank you for connecting all of us!
Katie
Katie’s last blog post..If Walls Could Talk…
Iris, it’s interesting how God works our thoughts to be on the same page sometimes! My aunt just had a heart attack and though she’s still alive, it has made me appreciate life too. It also makes me think of eternal life and what hope we have. Praying for some peace in those thoughts this week! (P.s. Having read 3:16 yet but it sure sounds good)>
Heather@mommymonk’s last blog post..Life Vacuums
AMEN!! AMEN!!
Iris, you always have such great meditations to share – thank you! You are a blessing!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Laundry Helper
My post resonates with yours, I am also discussing about wellness…
Have a blessed Thursday!
Mariposa’s last blog post..Little Miracles…
Eternal Life – Nothing can compare to this wonderful promise.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Charlotte’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY
I am sorry to hear about your co-worker, it does shake you up. You think you have a long time, grandkids, graduations, etc.. to look forward to, but in reality we are never promised tomorrow.
May we count each breath as a blessing and know who gives us each breath.
Hugs.
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Thank you for sharing your “life” with blog strangers.
God bless you.
Iris,
Thanks for sharing this. I so agree that our perspective must be on eternal life, and not just living physical life to the fullness. Yes, we should enjoy our life and not waste it, but it’s only the stepping stone to our real life that lasts forever!
Jerri’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday – Life
What a theme; LIFE! Although I write about heart health on my blog, I believe mind, body and spirit all impact our lives. I pray that my post on this topic today will reach not only believers but also those who haven’t accepted Christ as their personal savior. Thanks Iris.
Debbie’s last blog post..Pets And Your Health
I was just reminded when writing up my blessings today just how much we have. Imagine–no other generation in history has been as blessed as we are, no matter how much we complain.
What a luxury a simple thing like a bubble bath is! And it makes me very humbled and gracious that God chose us to live at such a time as this!
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Iris…thank you for your post today. I am so sorry for the loss of your co-worker and can understand the atmosphere at the office. We have all been tip-toeing around the elephant in the living room ourselves all week. I will be praying for you, your office and your co-worker’s family. Blessings to you!
Bonnie’s last blog post..Thankful Thursdays – Life
Iris
I can greatly relate to your post today, as we are grieving the death of my cousin who was 34. I too was reminded that life is precious and that we have no guarantee of tomorrow, so we need to live life in a way that matters for eternity. It is my goal to live my life in light of eternity, but sadly sometimes my focus drifts at times, but this past week has made me take more of an inventory of my life and whether I am living for eternity or the hear and now…
Praying for peace and comfort for all those affected by the passing of your co-worker, and also praising Him for the hope that we all have.
Blessings, and thanks for hosting us!
Tricia’s last blog post..Thankful Thursdays
Beautiful post, Iris! It is so good to be able to focus on
our life in eternity, especially when things are so far from perfect in this earthly life. Thank you for keeping our eyes focused on the Lord, where they need to be.
Blessings,
Nancy
Nancy @ Homemade Blessings’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday – November 13
Thank you Iris, this was very encouraging…. Hugs!
I am also very thankful for my eternal life – that Christ would save such a sinner as I and that He loves me REGARDLESS of what I do. Thanks for the post!
ruth stiles’s last blog post..Thankful-Thursday
I so enjoyed your Thankful Thursday, Iris. Thank you for hosting. 🙂
Joyce T.’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday and Thursday Thirteen
I’m thankful I found your blog! 🙂
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I love your blog! You have been awarded. Thank you, I enjoy reading your blog.
http://frugalityexplored.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-awards.html
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Hi, I’m Thankful for your blog. Why can’t I put my link on the linky list?.. 🙂 God Bless YOu. A Blessed Thankful Thursday to you!
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Wow, Iris, look at all the people who have been joining your meme. That is awesome. What a great blogging community you have helped to create. Thank you.
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