A Heart Full Of Thanks

With A Heart Full of Thanks

A heart full of thanks

Dear Christian – do you want to know how much you are loved?

These Bible verses from Ephesians, which exhibit God’s great mercy, can help to serve as a reminder.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:4-7, (NASB).1

There are so many encouragements like these verses found in God’s Word.

What an impact God’s promises will have on us!

Even though we are undeserving sinners, through Jesus, we have His gift of salvation.

We choose to repent because of His transforming work in us.

That is great news to be grateful for.

With a heart full of thanks, we can come to His throne and know that because of His “great love”, we will live with Him in eternity.

Recently, I came across a beautiful version of a Brandon Lake song that I couldn’t wait to share.

The song is called “Gratitude”.

Please enjoy talented harpist and vocalist, Megan Tibbits, in this uplifting and beautiful cover.

You may want to turn your sound up for this one.

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Happy Thanksgiving 2024

Celebrating a Happy Thanksgiving 2024

On this Thanksgiving 2024, my husband and I want to sincerely thank you for your tremendous support and kind words.

We’ve had the blessing of talking with a few of you and are extremely grateful for your continued encouragement.

Many years ago when I had to quit my job as a TV reporter, I thought that was the end of everything.

Career, goals, a certain future . . . a life tied up in a neat little bow.

But God had other plans.

He shifted my passion to writing about Him.

Through every experience we’ve been through as a family (many shared here on my blog) our faith has only grown stronger.

God has touched my life in countless ways. I have felt His presence so many times, even during difficult circumstances.

I can’t help but think back to the year 1997, lying in that pitch black dark hospital room.

It was around 2:00 a.m. in the morning, my leg was in an uncomfortable cast, and emotional thoughts about our niece who lost her life at our family reunion haunted me. I was full of questions and grief.

God sent an angel to my hospital room that morning . . . literally.  Of course, all glory goes to God, not to His messenger. 

Dearest Heavenly Father, I know that You spared my life for a reason.

No matter what challenges head my way, distractions to throw me off or weaken my faith, You have never left my side.

Thank You for blessing me with a heart for writing about You, and for allowing me to share Your message of hope and love with others. May your Holy Spirit always give me the right words to say.

My goal is that each post I write is a testament to Your greatness.

Thank You God, and thank you for sending us Your Son.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, God bless you and may you have an amazing year ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving 2024

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The Beauty of God’s Sunsets

Embracing The Beauty of God’s Sunsets

The beauty of God's sunsets

A glorious Texas sunset

An unnamed poet once wrote, “Sunsets are just little glimpses of the golden streets of heaven.”

I don’t think I could have said it better.  🙂

Have you ever witnessed a sunset that takes your breath away?

Praising God for His beautiful sunsets

To God be the Glory!

As the day comes to a close, the sun’s last ray’s delicately kiss the horizon for one last time, and the sky overhead descends into darkness.

Simple quiet moments reflecting on this and the beauty of God’s sunsets are priceless.

Thank you God for the perfect ending to another day!

Beyond
Poet: Unknown

The sunset’s crown of radiant gold
And robe of amethyst
Had paled to twilight gray and cold
And trembling veils of mist;
Then, up in the heaven the white moon sailed,
And, gleaming in her wake,
Her silvery shimmering garments trailed –
A shining way, in shadows veiled,
Across the dusky lake.

The darkness quenched the sunset hues;
Day, shrouded, sank in night;
Yet through the gloom and through the dews
Still trailed that track of light.
No wind bore upward hymn or prayer,
No step throbbed on the sod,
And yet my soul saw opened there –
Cross lake, o’er mount, through ambient air –
A shining path to God.

O coward soul, that fears to miss
The glow from out thy sky,
That shrinks from sorrow’s touch and kiss
When shades are drawing nigh, –
Beyond the night’s o’ershadowing form
Light gleams on wave and sod,
And thou mayst climb – thy robe and crown
Faded and in the dust laid down –
That shining way to God.

1 Photo meme features a Scripture quotation from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Poet unknown poem featured courtesy of Catherine Pulsifer. “Beyond.” [online post]. From stresslesscountry.com, ©Catherine Pulsifer, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, n.d. Web. Accessed November 14, 2024. Beyond

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Honoring Our Heroes

Honoring Our Heroes: Celebrating Veteran’s Day 2024

Honoring our heroes

Veterans Day is a time for honoring our heroes.

We celebrate and give thanks for the brave men and women who serve (and have served) in our armed forces.

This day, set aside for honoring our heroes, can inspire important life lessons for younger generations.

These are lessons about courage, selflessness, and a love for country which can revive the patriotism that America so desperately needs again.

For the veteran, thank you for bravely doing what you’re called to do so we can safely do what we’re free to do. – Author unknown.

A dear friend sent me this link below.

This is one of the most beautiful versions I have heard of this song and I can’t help but shed a few tears of gratitude when I hear it.

God bless America.

Here is The Battle Hymn of the Republic:

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What’s Next, America?

Wondering What’s Next, America?

Considering the ever-rising political tensions dividing our country over the past four years, this stressful time in our nation’s history will only continue.

The divide between political parties seems even bigger than before – no doubt with the help of the mainstream news media.

Even so, none of this is a surprise to our Heavenly Father.

God is sovereign and in control over all things.

God’s plan for our country will follow the course that He has already set forth –  and that includes the election results.

God will bless or curse this nation according to the choices we make. Let us get up, get out, and make our voices heard. Let us fervently pray for the Lord’s mercy to be upon us! May He graciously provide leaders—men and women—whose hearts are aligned with His. – Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and a nationally syndicated TV & Radio host. 1

What’s Next, America? Share His Message

What's Next, America?

What’s next, America?

Is there anything that we can do?

Yes . . . PRAY.

We need a spiritual awakening in our nation.

However, at the same time, we must recognize that our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven (see Phil 3:20-21).

Our mission as Christians is to reach the world for Christ.

In other words, as this pastor clearly explains:

To care enough about the people in this life to make sure that they join us in the next. – Pastor Greg Laurie, Bible teacher and author.2

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1 Pastor Jack Hibbs quotation, courtesy of Real Life with Jack Hibbs, “Get Up, Get Out, and Stand,” 21 October, 2024, para. 6. Web. Copyright © 2024 Pastor Jack Hibbs. All rights reserved. Accessed October 25, 2024. Retrieved from https://jackhibbs.com/get-up-get-out-and-stand/

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