How perfect that our 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayer Journey should begin on a day that so many of us celebrate as Thanksgiving Day.
Because beginning with thanks and praise is the best way for you and me to take the focus off ourselves for just a moment and turn it to the One who loves us so much He sacrificed everything to make us His own.
So, Day One…
Just a Simple Prayer of Thanks
Father God, thank you! You alone deserve all my thanks and praise. So, today, I join the angel voices proclaiming:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:12
Father, You pour countless blessings into my life the greatest of which is calling me through the power of Your Holy Spirit, allowing me to know and love You—the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.John 17:3 And through Him, You have made me Your very own child.
A child who is not only invited but who is welcomed into Your holy presence at any time through the gift of Your Word and prayer.
It’s a gift too amazing and wonderful to comprehend. Yet, in faith, I proclaim, “AMEN!”
Because…
All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20
On top of this greatest of gifts, You bless me with family and friends to love, a home to shelter me, food to nourish me, and things to do that I might know purpose in my life.
Your grace overwhelms me. Your mercy humbles me. Your love … too wonderful for words.
Father, even in this prayer of thanks I know there are things in my life that are broken and need Your healing touch. Yet, I will thank You! For it is in those things that I recognize my great need for You.
So, today as I begin this 40 Day Prayer Journey…
Please fill me with Your Spirit.
Please give me the weapons I need for the battle at hand.
Please increase my faith and give me eyes to see the mountains You are moving.
Please make me bold…
Solomon wrote that “the godly are as bold as lions.”Proverbs 28:1
And Paul wrote that under the New Covenant of the Gospel, the promise we have in Jesus through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, we have this “new way[that] gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.”2 Corinthians 3:12
What an awesome and beautiful gift it is to be allowed to boldly come to You with the trust of a little child, who is confident and secure in her Father’s love.
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!”
And AMEN!
I am so excited that you’re here…
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Everyone has at least one relative who makes holiday gatherings with the family less than Hallmark perfect.
Be honest, you had someone come to mind, didn’t you?
Families in the U.S. are preparing to gather next week to celebrate and remember the year’s blessings. Most of us will celebrate by eating too much and carrying on family traditions that have been passed down for generations.
This year, I’d like to invite you to try a new tradition.
Let go of the past and lead with love!
The truth is…
Like it or not, God gave you your family for a reason.
They are the people who filled the early chapters of your life story and good or bad, God can redeem your story and use it to help and bless others.
I get it, your brother-in-law is obnoxious and your aunt and uncle drive you up the wall. They bait you and you’re tired of going home with a bloody tongue from biting back all the things you’d like to say but don’t.
But there is something important we all need to remember.
Yep, me too!
Everyone, yes everyone . . . you, your siblings, parents, and your obnoxious aunt and uncle view the world through a lens of their own experiences and emotions. You may not agree with their perspective. You may not like it. Truthfully, it may even push your hot buttons … but you have not lived their life and can’t know all things that have happened to them that shape their thoughts and beliefs.
And they don’t know yours either.
So, the best way to let the past go and lead with love is to start with … GRACE
Grace is giving something that isn’t deserved.
Be honest, don’t you want your family to treat you with grace?
So, I turned to some of my favorite posts, quotes, and Scripture verses to help us get ready to let go of the past and lead with love as we gather with our families this year.
How to Let Go of the Past and Celebrate with Your Family
Begin the healing process by forgiving…
♥ “The way you help heal the world is you start with your own family.” ~Mother Teresa
Take your frustrations and all those painful memories to God and ask Him to help you forgive and let go of the past.
Remember…
♥Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Colossians 3:12–13
Many of us go to family get-togethers burdened with a load of hurt-filled memories, offenses, and frustrations. Take them to God and ask Him to help you forgive and let go of the past.
And then be honest … you aren’t perfect. Your siblings and parents could probably make a list of ways you hurt them. We all need grace more often than we’d like to admit.
And if you’re still struggling … just think about how much better you’ll feel if you let go of your anger and bitterness. There is healing for everyone involved when we choose to forgive.
♥ “A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian… and most of all, his family ought to know.” ~ D.L. Moody
Don’t preach. Don’t be a know-it-all. Be humble and…
Ask God to give you an extra measure of Spiritual fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)
Love them like Jesus!
♥ Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.Ephesians 5:20–21
Give thanks for everything? Everyone?
Yes! Even the difficult people in your family. God may be using them to grow your character.
And submit?
Wow, that doesn’t come easily, does it? Other translations of this verse use words like serve, yield, and respect.
Why? Because we love Jesus! Don’t worry about being “right;” decide to show the love of Jesus because you love Jesus.
♥ The same Jesus Who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. He is still in the miracle-working business, and His business is the business of transformation.~ Adrian Rogers
Keep praying for that miracle. God is still transforming hearts and minds. Even the person who seems to be beyond hope . . . don’t give up. Nothing is impossible, God is still transforming hearts every day!
♥ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
I like the Life Application Bible’s notes for these verses…
“God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return.”
It’s not easy. More than that . . . it’s hard! But with God’s help, we can love even when it’s hard!
♥Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
A prayer before you celebrate with your family…
Father, please help me. I have family members I can’t wait to see next week and family members it’s hard to be around. We’ve said and done things in the past that have hurt feelings and caused separation.
By your grace, give me the strength to forgive and let it go. Help me to remember how much You have forgiven in me. Help me love like Jesus. Please cover me with Your peace and give me all I need to glorify You in my family.
Father, I have family members whose views on life seem so far from what I believe you want for us. Please guide our conversations. Help me listen with respect and speak with gentleness. Give me the words You want me to say and help me know when to be still.
I believe I can do “all things” through Christ Jesus who gives me strength. Please give me the strength to love my family well.
Thank you for the countless blessings You pour into my life. Thank you for my family! Amen.
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Every evening, I set up our coffee maker so its ready to brew our favorite blend the following morning. Today’s filter goes in the trash, the glass carafe’ is filled and poured into the water reservoir, and four tablespoons of coffee beans are ground…
And that’s when it happens.
From wherever he is in the house, as those blades whirl and turn beans into powder, Rev yells … “THANK YOU!!!!”
I can’t tell you when he started because that “THANK YOU” has been echoing through the hallways of our homes for years and it’s just one of the small intentional ways gratitude blesses our marriage.
Rev and I have the same Love Language.
We both crave Words of Affirmation, so it only makes sense that we believe it’s important to say “thank you” and say it often.
That’s why I’d like to share some of our favorites … but if your Love Language is Gifts, Acts of Service, Quality Time, or Physical Touch, don’t leave because I’m going to share a few tips for simple ways you can show gratitude in those love languages and bless your marriage, too!
8 Simple Ways to say “Thank You” that will Bless Your Marriage
♥ Thank God for your spouse.
It’s easy to shoot up prayers asking God to help, bless, and sometimes even change our spouses … but stopping just to say “thank you” for your spouse is the perfect way to say “I love you!”
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly. Ephesians 1:16
♥ Say “thank you” always – even for the little things.
Even if it’s simply making a pot of coffee, taking out the trash, or making the bed … “thank you” says, “I appreciate you and all you do for us!”
“A grateful heart is one that finds the countless blessings of God in the seemingly mundane everyday life.” ~ Anonymous
♥ Have an intentional 10-minute conversation every day.
This can be hard with busy schedules and children vying for attention but taking a few minutes to connect every day is important. So, put down your phones, look into each other’s eyes, talk about life and mean it!
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” ~ Roy T. Bennet
♥ Ignore small annoyances and thank your spouse for ignoring yours.
It’s easier to overlook the things that get on my nerves when I remember just how many of my faults Rev patiently endures. In fact, after I’ve reminded myself of all the ways I can be annoying … I can hardly remember any of his.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2–3
♥Forgive quickly.
It’s downright Biblical!
If you are angry, do not let it become sin. Get over your anger before the day is finished.Ephesians 4:26
And I love this quote…
“I am amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday.” ~ Gary Chapman
♥ Send a surprise “thank you” text just because.
I thank the Lord for you.
You make my heart happy.
I can’t wait until you get home.
Thanks for all the things you do for our family.
Thanks for marrying me. Thanks for wanting me to marry you.
Thank you for making me laugh.
Thank you for all the ways you make my life easier.
♥ End the day with an “I love you because…” proclamation.
Keep a mental or written list of the little things you love about your spouse and tell them.
Things like:
I love you because you’re fun.
I love you because of the ways you take care of us.
I love you because of all the ways you encourage me.
I love you because you make me laugh.
I love you because you’re you!
Do everything in love. 1 Corinthian 16:14
♥ Praise them to your family and friends … so they can hear you.
Make it a rule to never complain about your spouse to anyone! And you don’t have to be sappy or make obnoxious – just be thankful!
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11
Ways to Say “Thank You” in Your Spouse’s Love Language and Bless Your Marriage
♥ For the spouse whose love language is acts of service…
Make his favorite dinner and leave a thank you note on his plate that says “thank you for all you do!”
Give you a certificate that says … Thank you for all you do – this is for 24 hours of complete relaxation while the kids and I take care of everything!
Just do little things that show you’re thankful!
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3
♥ For the spouse whose love language is quality time…
Schedule a sitter for the afternoon and ask your spouse to choose the destination.
Put the kids to bed early and eat a quiet romantic dinner – just the two of you.
Declare one night a month, “I’m thankful for you, night!” And declare it technology free!
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10
♥ For the spouse whose love language is gifts…
This one is easy! You can give a little gift anytime just make sure you add a thank you note!
“The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.” ~ Martin Luther
♥ For the spouse whose love language is physical touch…
Grab a hand, sneak a quick kiss, give a back rub or foot massage and say, “I am soooo thankful for you!”
And finally, a huge way to say “thank you” in any love language…
♥ Flirt – but only with your spouse!
Recently, I’ve seen several articles about all the reasons why flirting is bad and I wonder why the assumption is that all flirting is done outside of marriage.
Any time I’m asked for my best marriage advice, NEVER STOP FLIRTING always comes right after GIVE GOD FIRST PLACE IN YOUR MARRIAGE!
I define flirting as the playfulness you did when you wanted to communicate how much you found the other person attractive.
The dictionary defines flirting as – playfully behaving as though attracted to or trying to attract someone.
Most articles add that it is a sign of sexual availability … so, flirting in your marriage is a wonderful way to say, “I’m sexually available and I’m only sexually available to you!” And I believe that says, “Thank you for being the only one with whom I want to be intimate. Thank you for being mine!”
I’m a firm believer that if I think something positive, I should say it! And saying “thank you” is the perfect way to keep thinking positive things about my marriage.
Yep, being grateful is an easy way to bless your marriage.
And after 46 years of marriage, we definitely have a lot of reasons to be grateful!
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Do you ever need to stop for a moment and remind yourself — it’s not about me?
Yeah, me too!
Today was one of those days.
I have to admit as I prepared to write this all I could think was, “I got nothin’!”
I can’t tell you how many words have been typed and deleted in this space.
And then I remembered — it’s not about me!
It’s about praising and thanking God. It’s about blessing counting.
If you live in the states and you’re busily preparing for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving celebration or even if it’s just another day on the calendar, I pray this Psalm speaks to your heart and mind. Let it sink in – through your thoughts and feelings.
The Life Application Bible says the following about the theme of Psalm 145:
A time will come when all people will join together in recognizing and worshiping God. Because God is full of love, He satisfies all who trust in Him.
Can you imagine that Thanksgiving celebration?!?!
Whether you can easily list hundred plus reasons to be thankful today or you have one or two things looming large that seem to overshadow whatever is good and feel like burdens too difficult to bear, stop for a moment and pray these words of David with me.
Because, well, it’s not about me and it’s not about you either.
Our thanks-giving is about God, who is:
Burden bearer – He will carry this burden with you and lighten its weight if you allow Him to do so.
Great – His goodness is beyond measure.
Mighty and powerful throughout time and eternity.
Glorious, majestic, and He is able to accomplish the miraculous.
Righteous, kind, merciful, patient, loving, and compassionate.
King – who reigns over all He has made now and for all eternity.
Present – always near and able to hear every prayer.
Provider – giving satisfaction today and hope for tomorrow.
Forgiver – able to remove the burden of our sins.
Promise Keeper – God keeps His promises — ALWAYS!
When I change my perspective and keep my focus on who God is and all He does there are countless reasons to be thankful whether it’s Thanksgiving or just another Thursday.
So stop – and pray Psalm 145 out loud. Absorb its words. Let it sink down deep and fill you with gratitude for the many blessings you and I enjoy as children of God.
Psalm 145
A Psalm to Pray that will Bless Your Thanksgiving
I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
2 I will praise You every day; yes, I will praise You forever. 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power. 5 I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor and Your wonderful miracles. 6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness. 7 Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about Your righteousness.
8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation. 10 All of your works will thank you, Lord, and Your faithful followers will praise You. 11 They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom; they will give examples of Your power. 12 They will tell about Your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of Your reign. 13 For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. 14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. 15 The eyes of all look to You in hope; You give them their food as they need it. 16 When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in everything He does; He is filled with kindness. 18 The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them. 20 The Lord protects all those who love Him, but He destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless
His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145
Amen! And Amen!
May every day be full of gratitude and thanks-giving!
I’m going to take the rest of the week to enjoy time with my family … so, the Link Party will run for 10 days this time!
Woo Hoo! That will give you a couple of extra days to come back and share the blog love.
Faith ‘n Friends Link Party
I’m so glad you’re here!
This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.
Thank you, Leslie, Crystal, Dawn, and Debbie for partying with us!
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Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts. Then just make friends and have fun.
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Holiday travel has started. Families are climbing into cars and boarding planes to travel across the country to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.
And yes, the cooking has begun too. The turkeys are defrosting in the frig as side-dishes and desserts are being prepared and popped into the freezer.
If you’re like me, there will be a last-minute trip or two to the grocery store for forgotten ingredients or odds and ends.
Whew!
I want Thanksgiving to be more than food, football, and a few thankful phrases sprinkled throughout the day. I want my THANKSGIVING to overflow into December and beyond as I praise God for His immeasurable blessings.
What do you think?
How can you and I make our thankfulness bigger than words and last longer than a moment?
Paul wrote:
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:20
Always is hard and if you’re like me, “all circumstances” sometimes feels impossible.
But what if true thanksgiving is more than words and feelings?
What if thanksgiving is a way to live not just a way to feel?
After a little digging, I found…
7 Ways to Be Thankful – Always and No Matter What
1. Obey God
When you and I take the law out of obedience and think of it as a loving response to all God has done for us … obedience becomes a beautiful way to express our gratitude.
Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Colossians 3:17
2. Worship God
Worship is so much more than going to church.
Worship is…
Taking oureveryday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.Romans 12:1(MSG)
You and I were created to worship – to thank and praise God, the One who loves us and gives us all we need today and forever.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.Hebrews 12:28
3. Pray to God
Lately, I’ve been starting my prayers “in Jesus name.” It helps me remember that it is only through Jesus that I am able to enter into the Father’s throne room of grace. Then I name specific things for which I’m thankful. Sometimes those two things alone get me past worry and fear, making it easier for me to surrender my current needs to His love and care.
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.Philippians 4:6
4. Love and Care for Others
It is just good stewardship when you and I use God’s gifts to bless others. His love never fails and it will never come to an end. His care is unique and personal. He gives us all we need to love and care for the people around us and doing so is an act of thanksgiving.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usand offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1–2
5. Surrender Completely to God
I’ll admit, I haven’t always found it easy to trust God with everything. I wanted to surrender everything to God but fear and worry always seemed to shout down my good intentions. I’ve learned surrender requires an eternal perspective. Knowing that God’s love is greater than my current circumstances and trusting His perfect love to work for my good and His glory. That’s faith-saturated thankfulness.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1
6. Share Your Faith Story
You’re a changed life, tell people about it. Tell them about forgiveness and freedom from fear . . . about love, hope, and joy. Thank and praise God by telling others about His awesome blessings.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. Psalm 9:1
7. Live with Joy
Joy isn’t necessarily happiness. Joy is contentment and satisfaction found in God. What a beautiful way to give God 24/7 thankfulness. God is enough!
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:4,6
Finally – Make Everything You Do and Say an Offering of Thankfulness
God’s love is immeasurable. His goodness and mercy cover us. Live with eyes open and heart aware of all He is doing around you. Count your blessings. Live with gratitude.
What a difference it could make in our lives if you and I started each day offering a surrendered life to God as a thankful response to His love, grace, and mercy.
May you be filled with joy,always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11–14
It’s easy to think about all I’m thankful for this week of Thanksgiving, harder to continue to remember to keep that same thankful attitude a few days later, and hardest of all to have an ongoing gratitude action plan.
How I wish I didn’t get so caught up in myself. Maybe you wish that too.
I want my life to show clear evidence of who God is, all He does, and my overwhelming gratitude for making me His child.
David said it perfectly…
I trust God’s love forever and ever. God, I will thank You forever for what You have done. With those who worship you, I will trust You because You are good. Psalm 52:8–9
With God’s help, I believe I can live with thanksgiving always and no matter what!
Will you pray with me?
Father, I come to You in Jesus name. Thank you for Your immeasurable love and abundant blessings. Because of Jesus, Your grace and mercy cover me. Your love surrounds me. Make my life be an offering of thanks for who You are and all You do. I love you, Lord. I trust You. Help me obey and follow wherever You lead.Amen.
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For many of us in America, Thanksgiving is rich in traditions.
We enjoy must-have recipes as we gather for table time that ends way too quickly and maybe it’s all become so familiar that we’re missing out on making our celebrations and meaningful as they might be.
What if a few small adjustments in your Thanksgiving Day gathering could help you enjoy your day and experience a deeper sense of gratitude for the blessings.
That’s why I did a little internet search to see if I could find ways to make our day more memorable and meaningful.
7 Ways to Make Thanksgiving More Meaningful
1. Start the meal with a Scripture verse and prayer.
Father:
Thank You for our food and ask You to help us remember those who are hungry.
Thank You for the gift of health and ask You to heal those who are ill.
Thank You for family and friends and ask You to be with those who are lonely.
Thank You for the blessing of freedom and ask You to deliver those who are held captive.
Thank you for Jesus and for the forgiveness we have through Him. Please help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Help us to love as we have been loved.
Help us to serve others as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior.
Help us use every blessing You give in ways that will bless those around us. Amen.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100
2. Invite your family and friends to leave their differences at the door.
For this one day, wouldn’t it be lovely if we all left the past in the past … if everyone remembered that no matter how it looks we all struggle with something?
I would love to make this a day we all focus on the blessings we enjoy. One way to help is to have everyone go around the table and tell “one thing I appreciate about” each person there.
e.g. I appreciate your sense of humor. I like the ways you are helpful. I love your hugs. I like the way you sing. Your laugh makes me smile.
3. Make a gratitude jar or basket.
Set a basket and scraps of paper out with pens, pencils, and stickers and invite your family and friends to write one or two things for which they are especially thankful this year.
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
4. Invite someone who doesn’t have a place to go.
You might be surprised to know how many people spend Thanksgiving on their own. Many families who are involved in church work are unable to travel and be away from their church responsibilities, so they celebrate on their own while their loved ones are gathered elsewhere. You can bless them like crazy by making them part of your family for the day.
And a bonus, I’ve had a friend tell me she invites a non-family member to holiday gatherings because it always puts her family on their best behavior!
5. Set up an area with a jigsaw puzzle or board games.
Erma Bombeck once said,“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not a coincidence.”
It doesn’t have to be a rule for the day, but it may be fun to at least offer an area where conversation continues without technology or electronic entertainment.
6. Keep children busy making Gratitude Pumpkins.
I loved this idea from Ashley at Faithful Little Hands. It’s an easy activity that even the little ones can do with just a bit of help.
7. Celebrate with The Legend of Five Kernels
The legend goes as follows:
The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home was very cold and bitter. Food was in short supply. Some days they only had enough for each person to have five kernels of corn for the day. When spring came they planted seeds and they grew and grew. The harvest was good the following year and they celebrated Thanksgiving with their Indian friends.
From then on when they celebrated Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims laid out five kernels of corn on each plate to remind themselves of their blessings.
♥ The 1st kernel reminds us that God loves us.
♥ The 2nd kernel reminds us that God provides for our needs.
♥ The 3rd kernel reminds us of the family and friends God has given who love us.
♥ The 4th kernel reminds us that God hears and answers our prayers.
♥ The 5th kernel reminds us of the blessed freedom we enjoy.
This helps everyone remember the history of the day and why it’s about so much more than an abundance of food.
Finally – 20 Conversation Starters for Your Thanksgiving Table
What challenging experience changed your life for the better?
What is something you use every day that makes you thankful?
Who is the funniest person at the table and why?
What act of kindness made the biggest difference in your life?
If you had a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do?
What is your favorite food?
What is the hardest thing about being a kid?
What is the hardest thing about being an adult?
What event from the past year makes you thankful?
What was your favorite book or movie from this year?
What is something you are thankful you have learned?
What famous person would want to be your friend?
If you could spend Thanksgiving with anyone who would you choose?
What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
What is your favorite family tradition?
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
What was the happiest day of your life so far?
If you could have any animal for a pet, which would you choose?
My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is..?
I’m most thankful for..?
For a printable version of these questions click – here.
May your Thanksgiving celebration be blessed and may you remember that thanksgiving is so much more than a family gathering on the third Thursday in November!
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.Colossians 3:15
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Everyone has at least one relative who makes the holidays difficult.
Are you ready?
Most of us in the U.S. are preparing to gather with family later today or tomorrow to celebrate and remember the year’s blessings. We’ll eat too much and carry on family traditions.
And this year I’m inviting you to start a new tradition…
Put aside your differences and just love each other.
Some families are really good at this and others . . . not so much.
Recently, I heard about a family whose children were refusing to join the family’s holiday get-together because they were “offended” by the way mom and dad voted in the recent election.
It’s time for us to make people more important than politics.
God gave you your family. Like it or not, He chose them for a reason.
These people fill the early chapters of your life story and good or bad, God can use your story to help and bless others.
I get it, your brother-in-law is obnoxious and your aunt and uncle drive you up the wall. They bait you and you’re tired of going home with a bloody tongue from biting back all the things you’d like to say.
My friends, there is something important I want to remind you. Everyone, yes everyone . . . this includes you, your siblings, parents, and your obnoxious aunt and uncle view the world through a lens of their own experiences and emotions. You may not agree with them. You may not even like them. But you have not lived their life and you don’t know all that’s happened to shape their thoughts and beliefs.
And the truth is, they don’t know yours either.
Give grace.
Remember . . . grace is giving something that isn’t deserved.
Don’t you want people to give grace to you?
For the few hours or even days that God allows us to be together, we need to suck it up, put aside our differences, forgive, and love the people in our families.
How to Be Thankful For and Love Your Whole Family
I found some quotes and verses to inspire you as you prepare to spend time with your family.
♥ “The way you help heal the world is you start with your own family.” ~Mother Teresa
Sure you’re passionate about the state of the world. You may be worried about the future. People seem to be taking sides and that’s unsettling.
Start the healing at home. You are called to be a peacemaker. (If you want to know more about what that means, read – 10 Things You Need to Know about Being a Peacemaker. I promise it will help you tomorrow.) Ask God to give you the words He wants you to speak.
♥ Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Colossians 3:12–13
Many of us go to family get-togethers burdened with a load of hurt-filled memories, offenses, and frustrations. Let it go. Forgive. You aren’t perfect. Your siblings and parents could probably make a long list of ways you hurt them.
Make the decision to forgive the past. If you can’t do it for them . . . do it for you. I promise it will bless your heart.
♥ “A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian… and most of all, his family ought to know.” ~ D.L. Moody
Don’t preach. Don’t be a know-it-all. Be humble and…
Ask God to give you an extra measure of Spirit fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)
♥ Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:20–21
Give thanks for everything? Everyone? Yes! Even the difficult people in your family.
And submit? Wow, that doesn’t come easily, does it? Other translations of this verse use words like serve, yield, and respect. Why? Out of reverence and love for Christ Jesus.
Don’t worry about being “right;” decide to show the love of Jesus because you love Jesus.
♥ The same Jesus Who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. He is still in the miracle-working business, and His business is the business of transformation.~ Adrian Rogers
Don’t ever stop praying for the people in your family. God is still transforming hearts and minds. Even the situation that seems to be beyond hope . . . don’t give up. God is still performing miracles every day.
♥ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proudor rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
I like the Life Application Bible’s notes for these verses…
“God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return.”
It’s not easy. More than that . . . it’s hard! But with God’s help we can do what seems like the impossible.
♥ Love your family. Spend time, be kind & serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised & today is short.~ Unknown
I believe in “no regrets” loving. I don’t want to look back and think, “if only…”
Life is short. The time we spend together even shorter. So, for a few days a year let’s put aside our differences and just love each other.
And for some positive ideas to make the holiday fun, check out…
and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.
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You and I know God wants us to thank and praise Him but I sometimes wonder if I’m thanking Him the ways He wants.
I start my prayers with thank you and praise Him for who He is and what He does but are words enough.
David wrote:
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalm 50:14
Honestly, words don’t feel like much of a sacrifice. I can say “thank you” so easily and then just as easily go back to living in ways that don’t seem very thankful.
What does thankful living look like? Thankfulness that is sacrificial? Thankfulness that is God’s will and pleases Him.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:20
How are you with the “all circumstances” part? Not so good? Yeah, me too.
I wonder (you know I do that a lot) . . . maybe there are ways to thank God that go beyond simply speaking words. Ways to live with gratitude even when I don’t feel thankful for my circumstances.
10 of the Best Ways to Thank God
Obey Him.
If you add together the verses with the word “obey” and those reminding us to “listen” it’s close to a thousand. Faith leads to obedience as we thank God for the amazing gift of life in Jesus.
Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Colossians 3:17
Worship Him.
Remember worship is…
Taking your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. (Romans 12:1)
We were made to worship – to thank and praise God, the One who loves us and gives us all we need for today and for always.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.Hebrews 12:28
Thank Him with music.
Make music. Sing praise. Music gives our thanks and praise emotion. So, make that “joyful noise” at home, in the car, at church . . . anywhere. Turn up the tunes and give thanks.
And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to Him. 1 Chronicles 23:30
Pray to Him.
You pray and begin your prayers with words of thanks and praise. But let’s go beyond “thank you for all You do for me.” Let’s be specific. Naming God’s past provision and help not only thanks Him it can help prevent worry and fear.
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.Philippians 4:6
Love and Care for Others.
This is stewardship. Using what God has given us to bless others. God’s love is unfailing. His care is personal. You and I have all we need to love and care for the people around us.
Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10–11
Surrender Everything to Him.
It’s hard to offer everything, isn’t it? It needs an eternal perspective and I so easily get caught up in what’s right in front of my face. Trusting God and surrendering everything to Him . . . that’s thanksgiving with faith.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1
Tell People about Who He Is and What He Does.
Tell your story. You’re a changed life, tell people about it. Tell them about forgiveness and freedom from fear . . . about love, hope, and joy. Thank God by telling others about His awesome blessings.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalm 9:1
Trust His Will.
Trust is reliance and confident expectation. Thank God for past blessings by trusting Him with your future. Follow where He leads. He has a plan and that plan includes you. Trust His love and follow where He leads.
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7
Be Joyful.
Joy is contentment and satisfaction. Finding joy in God says that He is enough, that you and I are content and satisfied in Him.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:4,6
Make Everything You Do and Say an Offering of Thankfulness.
God loves you. His goodness and mercy cover you. Pay attention. Count your blessings. Live with gratitude. Make your life an offering of thanks in response to all God has done for you.
May you be filled with joy,always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son,who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11–14
Oh, how I wish I didn’t get so caught up in myself. Maybe you wish that too.
I want my life to show that my is heart full of thanks.
I want to join David and say…
I trust God’s love forever and ever. God, I will thank You forever for what You have done. With those who worship you, I will trust You because You are good. Psalm 52:8–9
And with God’s help I will.
Will you pray with me?
Father, Thank you for your countless blessings. Because of Jesus, Your grace and mercy cover me every day. Your love surrounds me. May my life be an offering of thanks for who You are and all You do. I love you, Lord. I trust You. Help me obey and follow wherever You lead. In Jesus name. O pray.Amen.
Leave your prayer requests…
and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.
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You are near the top of my list of things I’m thankful for.
You bless me with your friendship, your encouragement, and especially for the
many ways you share your faith, hope, and joy.
You bless me!
“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” ~Charles Swindoll
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.Romans 5:11
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” ~Henri Nouwen
Thank you for being my friends! I thank God for you!
Thanksgiving Around the Blogosphere
I just had to share this post with all of my beautiful female friends this week.
(Guys, I love you too!)
My favorite quote, “My job is not to tell her that she’s pretty but to help her know that she is beautiful and never doubt it.”
Lisa Preuett at Rest Stop for the Soul – ENCOURAGEMENT for the weary,
HOPE for the burdened and INSPIRATION to embrace your journey with JESUS –
is this week’s inspiration.
It’s hard to find a Thanksgiving photo that doesn’t include a turkey, pilgrims, pumpkins, cranberries, gourds, or colorful falling leaves. They don’t satisfy me. They are not Thanksgiving.
Sure I love the traditional meal, in fact we’ll have a stuffing dish I’ve dreamed about all week and I love pumpkin anything . . . but they’re not Thanksgiving.
Having your family around the table is a blessing . . . but that’s not Thanksgiving. (Not their presence anyway.)
It’s not Pilgrims although the holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated in 1621.
Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude.
It’s praising God for who He is . . . thanking Him.
Thank Him for Jesus.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Thank Him for hope.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Thank Him for His mercy and grace.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15
Thank Him for faith.
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.Colossians 2:7
Thank Him for His provision and care.
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
Thank Him for family and friends.
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
The Best Way to Celebrate Thanksgiving
Worship, praise, and thank God for His countless blessings.
Tell the people in your life you are thankful for them.
Appreciate what you have and care for it. Stop whining and worrying. Stop comparing and coveting.
Live with gratitude. Share your blessings.
Surrender yourself to Him—trust His plans and purposes.
“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”~Thomas Merton
God loves you…
• Not because you go to church.
• Not because you follow the rules.
• Not because you do your best.
• Not because you’re lovable.
God Loves you because…
• Of who He is.
• He is love.
• He chooses to love you.
• Of His grace and mercy.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1
Out of His perfect love He meets every need. Not always the way we want Him to, but always in ways that are good and give Him glory.
Yet we doubt. The enemy shouts and points to evil, pain, and poverty tempting us to question His promises, and we ask:
Why would God allow..?
Because He loves.
Really?
REALLY!
He knows the end from the beginning and the present. He knows His plans for each person. He knows the master plan for humanity.
He knows.
He loves.
He invites…
Trust my love.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”Jesus, in John 14:1
• Waking.
• Getting out of bed.
• A warm home.
• Indoor plumbing.
• Hot water.
• Food.
• Clean water.
• Clothes.
• Family.
• Friends.
• Seasons.
• Plants and animals.
• Sun, moon, and stars.
Jesus. Grace. Mercy.
I’m starting my Thanksgiving week thanking God for His perfect love. Asking Him to help me see His love everywhere in everything. Repenting of the times I focus on evil and look through a lens of selfishness. Praising Him for His grace and mercy. Praising Him for Jesus.
Are you stressed as you make preparations for your family gathering? Are you trying to please the unpleasant? Are you anxious about personality clashes? Are you intent on providing a perfect celebration for less than perfect people?
Stop!
It’s okay if your table settings don’t match and your potatoes are lumpy. It’s okay if your aunt and your sister are crabby, and your uncle wants to watch football. It’s okay if you can’t get everyone together at the same time.
Any good discussion about humility should probably start with a look at pride.
Pride is the cultivation, preservation or exalting of self. ~Bob Krepps
It’s perfectly proper for humble people to celebrate every accomplishment, ability, and blessing. The problem occurs when people believe they deserve, have earned, or have the right to the praise and/or preferential treatment because of those things.
C.S. Lewis wrote the following about pride and humility.
“Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man… It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone.”
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.
Genuine humility is not putting yourself down. Genuine humility is what puts “self” in perspective by applying the following three truths…
3 Steps to Genuine Humility
1. Praise and thank God for every accomplishment, ability, and blessing. – Recognize that everything is a gift. Everything! Each talent, gift, possession, and relationship is a blessing from the hand of a loving God.
2. Do your best.Always. – You are only a steward (manager) of each gift you’ve been given. Excellence is an important part of humility, using every blessing to glorify God as a humble act of gratitude and praise.
3. Serve others with your gifts. – God gives time, health, wealth, abilities, and talents so they can be used to glorify Him and benefit others. Those with genuine humility use their gifts to serve and bless others.
Let’s look at a few Scripture verses that talk about humility:
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Colossians 3:12-13
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. ~ Jesus, Matthew 23:11-12
When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NCV)
Finally, a bit of practical wisdom from Mother Teresa in her book, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living.
“These are the few ways we can practice humility: To speak as little as possible of one’s self. To mind one’s own business. Not to want to manage other people’s affairs. To avoid curiosity. To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. To be kind and gentle even under provocation. Never to stand on one’s dignity. To choose always the hardest.”
Let’s Talk: Do you think pride is a problem for most people? How can you tell the difference between real and feigned humility?
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. ~William Arthur Ward
Let’s review how intentional gratitudeimproves our overall health.
Intentional Gratitude:
enhances coping skills for handling problems, criticism, and conflict.
increases the bodies ability to relax.
accentuates optimism and the ability to recall happy memories.
encourages an attitude of hope.
decreases feelings of materialism and envy.
boosts quality of sleep.
elevates energy levels.
prolongs youthful attitudes.
makes nutrition and health more important than appearances.
improves relationships.
increases kindness and compassion.
cultivates stewardship.
In addition and most importantly intentional gratitude helps us realize:
our need for a relationship with God.
the importance of loving and helping others.
Let’s review of how to add intentional gratitudeto our lives.
1. Keep a gratitude journal – write things for which you are thankful . . . nothing is too big or too small.
2. Hang out with other grateful people – sharing gratitude will make you accountable, keep you motivated, and grateful people are happier and more fun.
3. Be intentional about positive self-talk – don’t allow any personal thoughts that would offend you if someone else said them.
4. Spend time with God – start and end each day with prayer, read the Bible, and write down and memorize verses that encourage you.
5. Do something for someone else – helping others guarantees blessing counting and thankfulness.
Gratitude not only changes our attitudes it will change our lives.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:20-21,25
What do you do to add intentional gratitude to your life?
Last week my friend, Amanda, sent me a wonderful devotion from Our Daily Bread on the importance of rest. I have to admit as I focused my attention on health this month rest was not on my list of topics. Aren’t we like that? When it comes to our physical health we concentrate on diet and exercise . . . rest is what we allow ourselves only after everything else is accomplished.
Lack of sleep makes us tired and cranky, and it’s hard to live with gratitude when we’re on the edge of exhaustion.
There have numerous studies on the importance of sleep. Here are a few things to know:
Harvard Health Publications – chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the immune system’s power.
In my search for movement motivation and inspiration I found the following quotes:
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:!6
The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck! ~Author Unknown
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