Thank You God

Thank You God for Everything!

First and foremost, through this blog I want to give glory to God. He has blessed me in more ways than I can count and I am humbled by His mercy and kindness.

Thank you God!

Thank You GodIt is a privilege to write about my delight in God and my hope is that something I write will strike a chord in someone else. When you have good news, you want to share it, right?

Sometimes with all the busyness of everyday life, we forget to thank the One who knew us before we were born. I want to do that now.

Thank you God for Your love and grace – for loving me (and us) so much that You gave Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the price for my (and all) of our sins. We are wretched humanity and we deserve absolutely nothing, but in Your infinite love, You provide the way for us to receive Your salvation and spend our eternity with You.

Salvation

A Life Turned Around

Thank You God for my life. I remember eighteen years ago wondering what the purpose of my life was. I praise You for letting me find the answer and that is, to come to know You and to make Your name known. A horrible life-changing accident years ago could have taken my life, but You chose to spare me and give me a second chance. My life has completely turned around. I’m not the same person I once was. I am a new creation and I understand the responsibility and the joy of what that means now.

The Bible

It’s All True

Thank You God for Your Word – the Bible. You cared so much about humanity that You inspired the gospel writers to write down Your message of love, salvation, and forgiveness for all of us to read until the end of time.

It saddens me that some, even some Christians, doubt the inerrancy of Scripture or try to soften the message to appease a very dark world. People can’t have it both ways. They shouldn’t say they believe in the Bible and then turn around and say “well, only some of it is true.” ALL of it is true. If someone has doubts temporarily, it’s okay, but they need to actively research it and they will come to know the truth as well. I did. No one has an excuse when the information is so readily available to those who seek to understand how everything falls into place in the Bible. I provide some resources in this website for you.

Thank you God for my husband. He is a man of God and was the one who helped lead me to Christ. He is also the one who saved my life years ago in our family accident. Out of all the places my future husband could have moved for a job, he ended up moving to the same apartment complex.

I know that was You, God.

God’s Timing Is Better Than Mine

Some of us are a little resistant when it comes to finding the right guy for us. It took several bad dates for me to realize what I was looking for in a husband – and he lived right next door to me! Bill is my rock and I will never stop thanking God for him.

Thank you God for the wonderful people You have put in my life through the years. I treasure those relationships, each and every one. I love and pray for my friends who are Christians. For those who aren’t, I love and pray for them as well. I pray that my life will reflect the joy that I feel of knowing You personally and knowing that You love me back. There’s no rejection in Christ Jesus. None. While some people we come across in life will reject us, even spread lies or try to hurt us, we as Christians have the knowledge that Jesus will never abandon those of us who seek Him.

Beautiful creation

Thank you God for the beautiful creation that You designed just for us. Every sunrise and sunset is a priceless masterpiece. It is a privilege to live here and experience it, but I never forget the Artist behind the painting.

Thank you God for my health. It’s not perfect and there have been scares. As emotional as that can be, I know there’s a purpose in it no matter what happens in the future. My body will wear with age, but my soul knows that one day, I will spend eternity with You. There will be no pain, no rejection, no sadness, no hurts, no aging – all will be perfect because that is what You have promised us who accept Your grace.

a passion for writing about God

To God Be The Glory

Thank you God for my passion for writing about You. When my television career ended so many years ago, I felt my love for writing would end along with it. I look back on the journey and realize there’s no easy path. But I’m here now and grateful for the rocky path it took me to get here – not at the time, but I get it now šŸ˜‰ Your timing is always right.

Thank you God for my enthusiasm for Christian music. It truly blesses my life. I like to listen to a lot of different artists, but the most respect I have is for those musicians who dedicate their lives to glorifying God through their talents. As my iPod list continues to grow, I discover more and more artists who inspire me through their words to trust in You.

Thank you God for Your many blessings on my life, both seen and unseen. Many times I think to myself “I know that was You, God.” but there are the too-numerous-to-count blessings that I don’t see right now. I know that You have protected me from many things and I look forward to knowing someday what those were.

Thank you God for our church. We attend a Bible-believing, God-honoring church and we’re grateful to God that we are able to attend.

Thank you God for the tragedies, the losses, the difficult times in my life. This is hard to write, but it is important. We were never, as Christians, promised that our belief in God would lead to an easy and prosperous life. Far from it. In fact, life seems to get harder at times.

Praying

Seeking God’s Peace

When the job losses come, or the surgery date approaches, or you lose a precious child in your family – the questions nag away at you. Why, God? Why me? Did I do something wrong? How long, God?

Don’t stop praying. He hears us. Seek the peace that only He can give us.

Don’t stop trusting Him, even through the pain. The non-believers want you to give up on God. They want a “quick fix” to problems and when you don’t get one for your suffering, they swoop in like vultures to tell you that God doesn’t really care about you.

He does.

He does care.

He does love you and He loves me.

Thank you God!

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How to Pray When You Don’t Know How

How to Pray When You Don’t Think You Know How

HiĀ  šŸ™‚

I hope you had a fantastic New Years celebration.
We ate way too much delicious food and the word “diet” has popped back into my daily vocabulary. When did those obnoxious extra pounds creep in?

Time for that yearly diet resolution.

Have you made any resolutions?

I’ve read in various publications and in social media that many people have said they wanted to pray more, but they feel like they don’t know how. Or, they feel that their prayers aren’t eloquent enough for God.

Here’s some great news and another wonderful reason to delight in God. The Bible makes it very clear that God is not impressed with lengthy insincere ramblings.

how to pray

Fancy Prayers Fall Short

A prayer from your heart is good. It doesn’t have to be five minutes long either. And, forget English class, God doesn’t mind if you start your prayer with a preposition.Ā  šŸ™‚

No, from the heart is a very good thing.

Have you ever thought about praying Scripture, like Jesus did?

I think praying Scripture verses is an excellent idea. Notice that I said “praying” Scripture and not just reading it.

What a great idea modeled after the Bible.

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The Rapture in the Bible

Rapture? What’s the Rapture?

My first exposure to the idea of a rapture came was when I was a teenager. I was driving behind another car and saw a strange bumper sticker on the car in front of me. It said that once the rapture occurred, that car would be “unmanned.”

Huh? That didn’t make any sense to me at the time.

Well that, if it was true, could result in a huge traffic jam, right? What a mess!

I also felt a little left out.

the holy rapture in the Bible

What did that person know that I didn’t?

The rapture was never talked about during my childhood years nor in any grade school class, high school religion class, or in college.Ā 

It’s such a significant event and yet no religious instructor ever mentioned or taught about it. Sad, huh?

I could look back at that with some regret, but I realize now that only God has perfect timing. My learning about the Bible and the holy rapture happened at the exact time in my life that it was supposed to. Praise God!

I Get It Now and I Want You to Get It too!

Once I became saved, the rapture became a source of reverent fascination for me, as it has for many other Christians.Ā  I’m intrigued (being a former tv reporter, it’s in my blood) by how the News networks will try to explain away this glorious and very real future event. I’ve even researched how the media will try and explain it away. Some writers theorize that the mysterious disappearance of Christians in the future can be blamed on an alien invasion or something crazy like that. (I’m shaking my head right now.)

Regardless, scripture tells us that we’re not to stress about it or even get wrapped up in the timing of when this blessed event will happen. There are certainly telltale signs that our world is sinking fast so the speculation of when the rapture in the Bible will occur continues.

I could write about why I’m a pre-Tribulation believer, but instead I’d rather share a lesson I heard this morning during my Bible study. Every morning I try and listen to a sermon when I’m getting ready for work.

I think Pastor Jeff Schreve describes the end times very well and I wanted to share his sermon with you.Ā  He’s an excellent speaker, so please enjoy.

Part 1:

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/from-his-heart/listen/what-does-the-future-hold-pt-1-428169.html

Part 2:

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/from-his-heart/listen/what-does-the-future-hold-pt-2m-428171.html

If you have questions about the rapture in the Bible, I hope these videos are helpful to you.

In the meantime, as believers we can rest in the knowledge that Christ will come again and all will be made right with the world and, in His perfect timing. The rapture is something I’m looking forward to.

the rapture in the Bible

Praise the Lord!

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North Texas Sunsets Nothing Short of Spectacular

Looking Up at Spectacular North Texas Sunsets

spectacular North Texas sunsets

One of the best decisions that my husband and I made was to settle down for good, right here in Texas.

We were temporarily intrigued with the idea of moving once, but thankfully that was just for a short while. God led us to an understanding that our roots are here and the Lone Star State is where we belong.

Texas has dazzling sunrises and sunsets and hubby and I have the privilege of viewing some spectacular ones right from our own backyard.

As I was thinking about some writing ideas, I glanced through my cell phone gallery and voila! There were over twenty photos I had snapped from various angles in my backyard. Why not share these sky photos that I love with others?

So if you love beautiful sunsets, I’m glad you’re here. Grab a chair and sit in my backyard for awhile and enjoy some of the beauty of God’s creation. I’ll make some iced tea šŸ™‚

All photos are from my own personal collection. All rights reserved. 2014. Copyright 2014.

The Kind of Sky That Has Me in Awe

sunsetsI guess I should start with an apology to all the expert photographers out there. My photography experience canā€™t compare with yours, but I do have the same eyes as you for a beautiful photo opportunity.

When I see a gorgeous sunset, I donā€™t care where I am. I stop what Iā€™m doing and grab my camera (or cellphone.) Hopefully, Iā€™m already home and walking around in my backyard.

Sometimes Iā€™m not.

Sometimes, my husband is driving our car and Iā€™m asking him to pull over so I can capture the skies ablaze in color. Thatā€™s not always an easy task when youā€™re in traffic so Iā€™ll try to snap a photo with my cell phone from the passenger side window. Admittedly, not my best work.

When itā€™s not feasible to pull over, Iā€™m anxious to get home ā€˜cuz I just gotta take that picture.

See the photo to your right up there? That was from one of my ā€œstop me coldā€ days. I donā€™t even know if the photo can do it justice. It was like God just took His gigantic paintbrush, dipped it in golds, yellows, purples, blues, and pinks and painted broad strokes upon His sky canvas.

Have you ever seen a sky like this? If not, keep watch. Itā€™s Godā€™s gift to you, so donā€™t miss it.

The Splendor of His Majesty
Psalm 145:5

the splendor of His majesty

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
and on Your wonderful works,
I will meditate.
Psalm 145:5 from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Ā®, Copyright Ā© 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

God’s Radiant Palette of Colors

God's palette of colors

I see a sky like this and I want to shout ā€œHallelujah!ā€

A dazzling array of color. I know this is just a glimpse of how beautiful Heaven will be. Itā€™s almost impossible to imagine a spot even more beautiful than this, but there is. For believers in Jesus Christ as the path to God, believers will get to see all of this up close and personal some day.

Have you seen the 2004 movie, ā€œThe Passion of the Christ?ā€ Itā€™s a great movie, but it was so intense I was numb when we walked out of the theater. My hands were literally shaking. The whole time I was thinking: We are sooooo not worthy of this.

And I look up at the brilliant skies and I think we are so not worthy of that, either.

The results of His handiwork are on display and how many people donā€™t appreciate it?

How many people donā€™t appreciate Him?

If you havenā€™t seen the movie yet, please take the time. Itā€™s a good lesson in humility. Please don’t ever take your lives for granted.

See the Wonder of His Celestial Tapestry

celestial tapestry

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the works of His hands.
Psalm 19:1 from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Ā®, Copyright Ā© 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

God Says, “I Love You This Much”

God's love letter to us

Godā€™s love letter to us is the Bible. As if that wasnā€™t enough, He also created a daily slideshow of stunning sunsets that can be seen across the globe.

Got your attention yet? You only have to look up to see evidence of His love for mankind ā€“ designed for you and me.

We get so wrapped up in the daily stresses of life and work.

We hurry here, we hurry there, we hurry everywhere.

For me personally, I know that I donā€™t ever want my life to become so busy that I forget to see His Gift. Right up there.

I Can’t Thank You Enough

sunsets

Thank you Father for your beautiful sunsets. No human artist can capture the magnificence of Your sunrises and sunsets that You so freely share with us.

You alone are worthy of our praise.

The Water is on Fire With Color

Pond reflections

Iā€™m often so wowed by the sky that I forget to look down at the reflections in the pond.

If you look closely, you can see that the ā€œpaintingā€ continues down into the water. I often think, is anyone else seeing this?

How could anyone walk outside or be driving along in the early evening and not pause for a moment to take the sunset in ā€“ at least a few evenings a week.

I choose to direct my gaze on things above, the splendor of the King.

God bless

# # #


 

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Headaches and Rainbows

Headaches and Rainbows – A Peaceful Lining in the Clouds

Unfortunately, I developed a humdinger of a headache.

This was the kind of headache that makes you want to get back in bed and bury your head under a pillow in a dark room.

Ā headaches

This pounding headache festered and festered and even got a little worse throughout the day – it felt like a migraine.

I did take something for it, just not soon enough. So it got a little one-up on me.

The medicine did take the edge off, but the headache was still there.

Have you ever had one of those kind of headaches?

Finally, around 5:00pm after getting some computer work done, I decided to go out to our back porch and just be by myself for a little while.

Where’s that “do not disturb” sign?

I lay out on the lounge chair and closed my eyes for a bit and breathed in the fresh air. There was a nice breeze going and the trees were softly swaying near the pond.

peaceful trees

It was beautiful and so peaceful. I soaked it all in and closed my eyes.

I started thinking about Heaven and how beautiful it will be…and how peaceful… and joyous….and happy.

No headaches, no stress, no deadlines, no mean people, none of that. Just peace with God and being surrounded by other believers that we will love and fellowship with for all eternity.

I found myself talking to God in my thoughts again.

Then I opened my eyes. I looked up at the sky and then I saw it!

It looked like a baby rainbow. Just a little tiny portion of one in the sky.

I wish now I had snapped a photo of it.

I’d never seen a little patch of a rainbow like that before. The ones I’ve seen in the past are full rainbows radiating from the sky after a storm.

This one was just a quiet whisper of loveliness from Heaven.

I got my husband to come outside.

You gotta come see this!

He came outside and started searching the sky,
“What, where?”

“That little rainbow? That’s cool.” We heard from a meteorologist friend later that type of rainbow is called a “sun dog.”

Hubby and I stayed outside and watched it until the clouds started moving again and the lovely rainbow faded away.

A Rainbow is a Reminder of God’s Promise to Man

a Godly rainbowI counted six references in the Bible, all referring to the appearance of a rainbow and the covenant between God and man – no more worldwide floods will destroy the entire earth. (There will be other disasters, but that’s another article for some other day.)

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
Genesis 9:16 (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright Ā© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

The true meaning of the rainbow has gotten lost in today’s world, like a lot of things. The rainbow is a breathtaking symbol from our heavenly Father and yet, mankind has tried to morph it into meaning something else.

Well, they can try, but Christians know better.

We can only pray about things like this.

Some glorious day Jesus Christ will come again and the earth will be restored to its former glory.Ā  All will be made right. We will delight in God and He will delight in us.

As one of my favorite songs says, “Kings and kingdoms will all pass away…but there’s something about That Name.”

 

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