Posts tagged ‘Photo-a-day’

Grateful for the Hope That is Within Me


I have hope in . . .

  • God’s word (Psalm 119:114). He is my refuge and my shield.
  • God’s love (Psalm 147:11). His love is unfailing.
  • A future (Proverbs 23:18). This future is positive and it will happen.
  • Renewed strength (Isaiah 40:31). Teach me, Lord, to wait on you.
  • Eternal life (Titus 1:2). God has promised this to us before the beginning of time.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Now, that’s something on which to base our hope and gratitude!

 Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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Why I Am Grateful for Time

Time is a mixed blessing.

  • Time Flies and it is slow as molasses.
  • You can buy time and you can lose it.
  • There’s crunch time and all the time in the world.
  • You can have no time or time on your hands.
  • High time, time machine, lambing time and time warp are available.
  • Peak time, prisoners of time and peace time are all possibilities.
  • You can have a time-out and spare time.
  • You can be a small time criminal or your works can stand the test of time.
  • Your snatches of time can be smashing & splendid.
  • Or your time can be wasted.

“Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got” (Art Buchwald).

 And even though contradictory, I am grateful for time. I am grateful because my time on earth is not a cosmic accident.  “Time began at creation and becomes the agency through which God continues to unveil his divine purpose for it” (W. A. Elwell). God has a plan for my time and has equipped me to spend it well.

How do you spend your time? Please share why you are grateful for time.

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other “people spend it for you.” Carl Sandburg

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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Grateful That God Is In the Details

I am grateful that God is in the details. Of course I’m tremendously grateful for the enormous stuff like salvation, creation of the world, and that He holds all things together. But today, I’m quite endeared to Him because of the details.

Look, no hole!

Look, no hole!

My favorite pair of shoes is black and shiny and goes with every outfit, fancy or casual. This past week a hole wormed its way into the left shoe by my pinkie toe. Black electrical tape nor crazy glue mended the hole. I’ve been sad because I have a hard time  finding comfortable shoes. And to find them at a reasonable price is doubly hard.

Today I shopping for shoes. I found a replacement pair at the first store I went to! Amazing, yes? Even more amazing is that I found the EXACT pair that have the hole. And lastly, the price was a steal!!!

Yes, today I am very grateful that God is in the details.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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5 Special Places

I am grateful for places. Places occupy a special  spot in my mind. Since I don’t have pictures of  most of them, the only place I’ll see them is in my mind.

Below are 5 of my special places  . . .

  1. Any trip to any beach. Going to the ocean is one of my all time favorite places. It is relaxing, invigorating, and a health tonic for my mind and body. I always feel close to God there.
  2. The one room church in Levington, England that was open any time I wanted to visit (1988-1993). It even had an old graveyard. I have special memories of me borrowing the key from Mrs. Clarke so I could walk the aisle singing and praying. I also remember times when my 2 kiddos along with neighborhood kiddos put on Christmas plays there.
  3. School. For the past 7 years I have been in school getting my BA and MA. Both William Jessup University and Western Seminary have been special places. Lots of learning, healing, and relationship building went on there.
  4. Visiting the Garden Tomb (in Jerusalem) was  a highlight from this year (2009). We even had communion there. Visiting the place where Jesus was buried

    Garden Tomb

    and rose again made my faith more real and made me more grateful.

  5. 5. Mignionette’s Home. Mignionette was a friend of my mother’s when I was 7 years old.  She was French, liked to entertain and liked to talk even more. Mignionette was so gracious that she let me do all the talking when I was around. I’d even follow her to the bathroom and continue the conversation through the closed door. Because Mignionette really listened to me, it gave me the feeling that what I had to say was worth something, that I was worth something. Who was your Mignionette? Who are you a Mignionette to?

What are some of your favorite places? Why? What can you do to make your home a favorite place?

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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Laughter Has My Gratitude

 Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.  ~Victor Borge

I am grateful for laughter. The kind of laughter that comes from  . . . safe relationships  . . . gentle teasing . . . silly humor . . . anecdotes of the absurd and/or slapstick . . . unintended meanings . . . clean jokes . . . and stories with surprising endings.

This is the kind of laughter we experienced today at our 2009 Thanksgiving Feast at Ocean Beach.

I cannot remember the specifics for our laughter, but I DO remember laughing within the cocoon of loved ones.

Click here to take the Laughter Quiz.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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Grateful for Smells

I am grateful for delicious smells. This time of year simmering potpourri and baking cookies scent the air.

Michelle and I spent a nice morning making 3 batches of Mexican Wedding Cake cookies. And wow! The air smelt delicious.

Other favourite smells include . . .  a baby’s head . . . cinnamon . . . cement soaked by rain . . . purple roses . . . any cookie in the oven . . . and line dried clothes.

What are some of your favourite smells?

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

Click on (more …) for All Photos from 2009 November’s Photo-a Day.

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November 24 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I am full of gratitude for the generosity of people. In particular, the people of CNC. Below are just two examples of this generosity.

Bob Clark created this stained glass cross. The glass came from windows that used to be part of the church. When Rudat Hall was renovated, the glass was removed, but kept safe for such a project as this. Gorgeous work, Bob. Thank for your time and talent!

This sign has generous news. Our church turned in 143 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks everybody. Thanks also to Kathy, Dan and Dona for organizing this.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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Grateful for Feelings

I am grateful for feelings.

The Fierce . . .                        The Silly. . .                                                                                        And those that are in between.

  • While I don’t always appreciate my downcast moments, they sure do make the sweet moments sweeter in comparison.
  • Feelings alert me when I’ve crossed a boundary or allowed someone to cross one of my boundaries.
  • Feelings help me stay motivated.
  • They also help me to show actions of affection and dedication.
  • Feelings help me to take care of me.
  • Feelings help me to maintain relationships.
  • Feelings give me a clue as to what’s going on inside.

Feelings are valuable. They are not always logical. And I wouldn’t want to live without the full spectrum of feelings counter-balancing my logic and volition.

 Read on to see what some of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving participants are grateful for on this 23rd day of November. I can related to all of these. How about you?

  1. Ann is grateful for Family, Facebook, Freedom to Travel, & Work.
  2. Sara is thankful for peace. The kind of peace that is “a thing of rest, and restoration… [a] PEACE [that knows] things are working out for our good,” even when the circumstances seem to say the opposite.
  3. Lynette is “Thankful for the infallible, inspired Word of God.”
  4. Here’s BJ’s gratitude list: (1) I am VERY thankful for my wonderful FREEZER. and (2) I am thankful for very thoughtful, loving children. Go have a peek at BJ’s blog. You’ll be captivated by her pictures and homey words.
  5. Jennifer gives thanks to the Lord with her whole heart. Read Psalm 111 to give thanks with her. Read to the end of the post for a scrumptious cornbread dressing recipe.
  6. The author of What’s He Up to Now is thanking people who are helping her care for her children. Today’ s honoree is grandma.
  7.  Mimi is counting her Monday blessings, a list of 5 “little” things . . . the internet, UPS pick up from home, full-service gas stations, fruit, and microwave popcorn.
  8. Knitty is grateful that her grandson (in utero) and his mom are healthy and that his parents are mostly moved into their house now.”
I’m following Ann Tatum by participating in her 30 Days of Thanksgiving. 17 have signed up to share a daily thanksgiving. Reading these blog posts gets my “grateful thoughts a flowin.”  Click here to reach these blogs and read their entries.

Other Related Posts:

Click on (more …) for All Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.
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November 22 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I am grateful for God’s Presence. Because I am His child, His daughter, He is faithful to stay in relationship with me. No matter what. God’s continued presence in my life is why I can have peace and persevere when life is tough, truly celebrate when life is good and grow, heal, and minister in all times.

Pastor Mike spoke on this at church today. Click here to go to the podcast on “Thank God for His Presence” #6.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 21 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I am grateful for new beginnings. There is so much promise, energy and excitement.  There are many types of beginnings . . .

  • Crafts/Art Work
  • Writing
  • Decorating
  • Gardening
  • Relationships
  • Exercise
  • Habit Development
  • Career/Job
  • Renovations

Weddings are new beginnings too. I am especially grateful for the marriage of my daughter’s friend. Becca and her beau, Caleb, were married November 21, 2009.

Becca and Caleb I pray that God protects you two from anything that would destroy this promise, energy and excitement that you have for your relationship. May you two celebrate many, many, many years together.

What new beginning are you working on? Dreaming about? Procrastinating on?

 Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 20 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I’m grateful for creativity and those who encourage me in this endeavor. Colette is the encourager in this case. She graciously had me over and showed me how to use a cricut & cuddlebug. Look closely at the envelope. It is embossed “Thank you.”

I had an awesome time learning and visiting. Thanks, Colette, for your generous and fun personality.

One class I took at Western Seminary was “Loving God and Others.” We learned that we need to be emotionally, spiritually, and physically sound in order to love well.

Under spiritually I have the following sentences in my notes:

“In what areas are you creative? Are you taking time to express your creativity? You need 2-4 hours of this weekly!!!  Are you using your creativity for immoral or destructive purposes?”

In some mysterious way using our creativity connects us to God. That is true for me. But I have been sadly negligent in allowing myself to create on a weekly basis. Since my schedule is more sane now, I will regularly engage in this activity that rejuvenates me and connects me with God.

What creative project(s) are you working on? How does using your creativity make you feel?

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 19 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

Today I am grateful for beauty and the people who contribute to it. I love it when a bathroom is nicely decorated. It adds a homey feeling. The decor of a bathroom can add or detract to that overall homey feeling.  The church bathroom is not exempt from this.

I had a lovely surprise when I walked into our women’s bathroom at church today. It had these lovely items! Now don’t you think these decorations add charm and warmth? Thank you Elaine for doing this!

 

I like to communicate in every medium at church. So I like that we have information that women need to know on the inside of the bathroom stall door. I love how Marsha always makes these infomercials look so inviting.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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