Category: Our Exceptional God

A Thanksgiving Surprise

Thanksgiving Goodies and Surprises

How was your Thanksgiving holiday?

We had a blast here at our house.

It was especially memorable this year, but more on that later!

Thanksgiving holiday

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without my husband’s world-famous smoked turkey. (Famous in our little world, that is.)

I cooked pretty much everything else, including my Dad’s treasured pecan pie recipe.

Trust me; it is one tasty, break-your-diet, just-one-more-piece, kind of a delicious pecan pie.

A Thanksgiving Surprise

Does God have a sense of humor?

I believe that He does.

Something happened this Thanksgiving that we’ll never forget. We had a couple of friends coming over that evening and, as soon as they arrived, well, I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t been there.

We heard their knocks on the door, and I went to answer. As soon as I opened the door, our guests came in, and so did…

A bird!

A surprise visitorI’m not kidding.

A bird flew in!!!

This little guy treated our house as his own personal airport. He flew upstairs and down, and all around, with the four of us gently trying to catch him.

We even got the big ladder out.

It was quite comical, and I wondered if this kind of thing ever happens to anyone else.

Maybe it was bird revenge because we were smoking one of his relatives!

Anyway, it took about twenty minutes for our fine-feathered visitor to get tired of flying from room to room.

For one last time, he flew down the stairs. One of our friends quickly opened the front door, and our little bird finally flew out.

What an adventure!

A fun Thanksgiving, indeed.

Jesus Knocks

Fortunately for all of us, eternal salvation is not elusive like that little bird.

In the book of Revelation, Scripture tells us what Jesus said to the lukewarm church in Sardis:

20Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20, (ESV).

Do we understand what “opening the door means”?

It’s not just saying words like “I accept Jesus into my heart” that saves us.

Are we “lukewarm” like that church?

Do we have evidence of a changed life?

Are we living out our faith in Him, or just going through the motions every Sunday at church?

Do we put our complete trust in Him, or in our own ability to “handle things”?

Something to keep in mind.

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*Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Thanksgiving 2017

Who’s ready for Thanksgiving 2017?!

Thanksgiving 2017

Have you tackled that grocery list yet?

I don’t know about you, but our grocery list keeps getting longer and longer every year.

There’s always new recipes to try, and it’s a great opportunity to channel my inner – Chef Alex Guarnaschelli.

But, with all the excitement of people coming over and delicious food, we should never forget what’s most important about Thanksgiving 2017.

Thanking God

What does Scripture say?

The Bible contains many passages about thanking our Creator God.  Here’s a beautiful verse from David in the Psalms.

*12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever. – Psalm 86:12 (ESV).

Just as David experienced major challenges and trials in his life, so do we.

Even so, David praises God, and so should we!

Thank you, Father, for sending us Your Son.

Thank you for hearing our prayers.

Even though it’s hard to be patient sometimes, thank You God for Your timing and providence, because You know what’s best for each one of us.

There is no one like You.

Humbly, we thank You for all Your blessings which are too numerous to count.

Dear Readers, Happy Thanksgiving 2017

From our family to yours, may your Thanksgiving be blessed.

We want to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday filled with joy and love.

And, for all of our military men and women who are spending their Thanksgiving’s away from their homes and loved ones, we can never say thank you enough. God bless you!

 

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*Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

**Dr. Woodrow Kroll, Bible teacher and preacher, quotation, as quoted, from Christian quotes.info.

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Keep Christ In Christmas

Short and Sweet

Hi everyone!

I’ll keep this post short and sweet.

No, I’m not describing myself right there, although I have lost an inch in height over the years.

If you know where it went, please let me know. 😉

I wanted to share at least one way you can keep Christ in Christmas at your house.

But wait, you might be thinking – it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!

I say Merry Christmas

The Hallmark Channel is already showing Christmas movies.

Beautifully colored lights, decorated trees, and almost any type of decoration you can imagine now adorn the shelves of Hobby Lobby.

I know, I know.

Is it all too soon? Some folks may think so.

But, I wanted to tell you about a cute little wristband that you can order now in preparation for Christmas.

And, it’s free!

Props to the American Family Association for producing these adorable green wristbands. The white lettering reads, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

My wristband is on its way. I hope you’ll consider ordering one or more for the dear ones in your life.

Christmas is coming

So what’s wrong with saying, “Merry Christmas!” when the season officially starts?

Nothing.

I’m grateful to live in a country where we can say it.

It reminds me of the time I went to a local store and, as I was checking out, the cashier said “Happy Holidays.” I responded with “Merry Christmas!” and you should have seen her face. She flashed a big smile and wished me a “Merry Christmas” back! The store must have had a policy about what their staff is allowed to say first when greeting a customer.

That’s fine, but I’ll be saying Merry Christmas every chance I get.

I know by the reaction I always get in the stores that I visit, everyone in past years appreciates it. In fact, they seem almost relieved.

Keep Christ in Christmas

How about you…

Will you wish others a Merry Christmas?

God bless!

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Alternative News Network

Is There An Alternative News Network to the Mainstream Media?

Do you remember the days when you could turn on your television, adjust the rabbit ears, and watch an innocent family TV show like “The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet?”

Mainstream Media Bias

Aww, the good old days.

Wait – how old am I?  🙂

Do you remember the days when you could watch the news and listen to a reporter offering both sides of a story?

That was a long time ago. There’s not as much objectivity anymore.

Things are so backward now that I’m continuously on a search for alternatives to mainstream media bias.

One source I’ve mentioned before is a website I’m happy to share again called “One News Now.”

American Family News runs this website. The website features top headlines so you won’t miss out on the news of the day. You can also look at the “categories” section of the website, and scroll through a menu offering current news about Science, Education, and Pro-Life issues to name a few.

Alternative News Network

Which Channel Carries One America News Network?

Another source for news is the “One America News Network” or OANN.

OANN has a website and a news channel.

We always watch their channel for the news first.

Here’s how to find their station in your neck of the woods: http://www.oann.com/wheretowatch/

I was surprised and happy to see that One America News Network airs also in New York and California.

Is There Any Good News?

You’d better believe it!

There’s no bullying or name-calling in Heaven. There’s no one talking behind your back, lying to you, disappointing you, disowning you, ignoring you or spreading false rumors.

In Heaven, there’s no disrespect towards God or our faith.

In the presence of our Savior, bad news, tragic events, politics, disease, and loneliness won’t even exist!

Only God could create such a perfect paradise, and yours and my trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior is the only way to get there for eternity.

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Our Omniscient God

Do you love Fall colors?

I sure do.  🙂

With that in mind, I couldn’t wait to take a vacation to visit friends and see their beautiful home in New England.

can God's plans be thwarted?

Couldn’t you just stare at those beautiful trees changing color forever?

Our omniscient God created those spectacular displays of brilliant color because it pleases Him.

New England, this time of year, is just breathtaking.

Fall in New England

I have to admit; it was hard to leave. I lost myself in the beauty of the landscapes, the changing colors of the trees, the scenery rich in history, and the delicious seafood.

It was such a great time and, I’m particularly in love with birch trees.

can God's plans be thwarted

I’d love to have a birch tree here in Texas, but I’m afraid the heat would kill it, the tree would fall, and then bonk somebody on the head.

Guess we’ll have to go back to Boston again!

Power of God: A Lesson To Remember

When we were in Boston, we attended a church service at a delightful country church as well visiting our friends’ Sunday school class.

One of the questions posed during class time: Can God’s plans be thwarted?

What does the word “thwart” mean?

And why does that word look so funny? 😉

Thwart means, among other things, to prevent something from happening.

In our hearts, and also as Christians, we know the answer to that question is a resounding “No.”

God’s plans never fail.

Ever, Ever, Ever!

So we have what our hearts tell us, but what does the Bible say?

Does Scripture back it up, so we have an answer when skeptics come calling?

Yes, it does!

Right here, in the Book of Job:

*2I know that You can do all things,

And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. – Job 42:2. (NASB.)

Our most powerful God answers to no one.

**13 “Even from eternity I am He,
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?” – Isaiah 43:13. (NASB).

God’s providence is never thwarted.

Not by any earthly king, ruler, dictator, political leader, religious leader, foreign council, government, or agenda.

Here are some additional supporting verses of God’s sovereignty from Scripture.

Isaiah 14:27

Isaiah 40:22-23

Daniel 4:35

No one can thwart God, block God, frustrate God, surprise God, stop God, trip Him up, confuse Him, tie His hands, trample over God, dethrone Him, double-cross Him, outwit him, or restrain Him.

No matter how dark this world will get, God is in charge.

Our Omniscient God Provides An Escape Plan

Scripture tells us the world will fall under a massive deception. God will allow it to happen, but there’s an eternal escape plan. As Christians, we know what it is.

We must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and put aside the deceptions and apostasies created by man.

We are living in a world desperately in need of His saving grace.

 

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*Scripture quotation is taken from The New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

**Scripture quotation is taken from The New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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