recognition
many are the days that pass us by.
many are the blessings that come our way.
many thanks are never expressed, nor the recogniton
given to the one who gives to us so freely.
When I keep my heart and soul in a steady gaze on the life-changing gift of Jesus Christ, my eyes become like his. I begin to see the world differently. I become increasingly thankful for the life that he has given to me and I desire to celebrate his goodness and mercy. Praise God!!
As our family has been talking about and remembering the first Thanksgiving and how hard it must have been, I have had to do some serious introspection of my own gratitude. First, I'll remind you that "gratitude is defined as the feeling of being thankful to somebody for something". The definition does not say "thankful to somebody for good things". So as I have mulled over in my mind these last few days what I am grateful for, my list is different than before. I have been confronted to go just a tad bit deeper and have found myself being truly thankful for the "not so good things". Stay with me... Second, the definition of celebration is to observe with ceremonies of respect, festivity, and rejoicing; to extol or praise; to make widely known; display. Thanksgiving is celebration. The Lord has prompted my spirit to celebrate his dominion, proclaim his goodness and recognize that he is the "I am". He alone is the giver of life. Must I be reminded that his word says "to give thanks in everything", and "for my lips to continually praise his name". Our God is a jealous God. He requires, commands, insists and desires for us to recognize him for who he is. Consider with me about our God and what celebration he deserves and requires. There is none like him, nor ever will be. He knows what I need when I need it. He is my provision. He heals, restores, defends, shelters, grants peace, comforts, loves, brings friendship, and he knows the deepest parts of my soul and still wants me for his own!! He deserves all my thanks and all recogniton. Celebrate him. Offer your sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. He has made me glad.
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I praise you King! You have made me glad. Thank you for your kindness. Loyalty. Patience. My life is yours and all that I have. Thank you for a husband that is ready, willing and waiting to go to the ends of the earth to proclaim your saving grace. Thank you for his strong convictions, boldness, and does not compromise with the world. Grant him clear vision that he may know the next step to take. Thank you that he is long-suffering and gentle to me and my children. He has always provided and made a way for me to be home with our children. Thank you that he supports me in all that I do or even attempt to do. You have lavished your love on me by giving him to me. You knew he would love me for who I am. Thank you for my two precious boys. Thank you for the spirit of God that already exists in my Crash. He amazes me how much he already knows about you. May his sensitive spirit never be squelched by this insensitive world. I pray that Crash and Toogie will fall madly in love with you and surrender their lives in service for you. May they desire nothing more than to do your will. Thank you for Toogie and his strong will. May he be strong in the Lord and full of your might. Thank you for laughter in our home. Thank you for loud voices, including mine. Thank you that my family allows me a few minutes of fame each week when I burst out in song like Julie Andrews. Thank you for the sound of music. Thank you for the "not so good" things that have allowed me to have understanding, compassion, concern, empathy and sympathy for others. If I had not lived these things, my witness would not be the same. Thank you for broken bones that have healed and cause me to walk again. Thank you that I was able to pass my walker on to my pastor. Thank you for brother Jay and his precious Sheri. Thank you for a colicky baby that taught me to cuddle, trust you and give consolation to another momma. Thank you for the seasons of depression that have taught me about your strength, your truth, your promises and the hope that comes from you alone.Thank you for placing so many people in my life who need your encouragement and your hope. Thank you for comforting me in times of loneliness and despair and reminding me that you are my closest friend and all I ever need. Thank you for giving me boldness to tell others how you have taken me from the miry clay and set my feet on your solid rock. Thank you for cancer that taught me to "be anxious for nothing" and to see the power of prayer. Thank you for healing me andI praise you that I am in remission. Thank you for a mother who loved you more than anything and brought me up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Thank you for momma quoting the word of God to me at an early age and teaching me to forever praise your name. Thank you for my Aunt Deloras who always believes in me and speaks real-life encouragement. Thank you for my amazing father and mother-in love who treat me as their very own. May I be as loving, generous and concerned for my children's families to come. Thank you that they love my children dearly, enjoy our company, and never get tired of us eating their fabulous foods. Thank you for Papa's crab cakes, Mimi's chocolate cake, and Dean's Barbecue. Thank you for so many wonderful friends. Grant wisdom and discernment to those who are eager to do your work. Thank you for Spirit-and-Truth Ministries. Use 'em Lord. You know how much they want to spread the word. Thank you for being silent at times to teach us to "be still and know that you are God". Thank you for financial diffuculties that are teaching us that you are Jehovah-Jirah and to be great stewards of your provision. Thank you for teaching us contentment and to store our treasure in heaven not on earth. Thank you for the socks for Crash. Thank you for the diapers for Toogie. Thank you for the beautiful $24 Christmas tree when we had $24 dollars in our pocket! Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for sending your son to destroy the works of the devil!!! May my life be a sacrifice of thanksgiving and celebration of you. Love you daddy.
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Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.
Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, or cause all His praise to be heard?
Blessed are those who keep judgment, he who does righteousness at all times.
Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor of Your people; O visit me with Your salvation,
that I may see the good of Your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, to glory with Your inheritance. Psalm 106:1-5
posted by muddy hands at 1:03 AM
1 Comments:
i love you.
30.11.05
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