One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because GOD has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)

"Contentment is not getting what we want, but being satisfied with what we have" 

 (Amish Proverb)

It's crazy how often I am not satisfied with what I have.  It baffles me how easy thoughts of jealousy or dissatisfaction creep into my thoughts.  These thoughts of jealousy or dissatisfaction could be about almost anything such as my lack of certain skills or talents, my body shape, children's behaviour, my gardens, my house, how my time is spent, my own behaviour, possessions, etc.  These thoughts of jealousy or dissatisfaction sometimes even start with just thoughts of things that annoy me.  It's sad how this leads to being discontent.  Other words for discontent are:  unhappiness, dissatisfaction, displeasure, disgruntlement, sadness, gloominess, and restlessness.  Nobody enjoys those feelings, and it can be very harmful.  It gets in the way of contentment and gratitude and seeing God's grace and love. That is why it is so important to be purposeful in giving thanks- ALL the time and for ALL things.  That is also why I am so thankful for a Saviour who sees my stained heart, knows my ugly thoughts and loves me just the same!  Thank-you, Jesus.

Continuing to give thanks...
#3902-#3925

-Christ's love for us
-that He is all we need and He will never "leave us nor forsake us"

-thrilled to be part of his cross country meet

-great team effort and encouragement

-his fine effort and determination (even if he was bribed by his uncle)!

-my niece who represented the school as the only senior girl  and persevered with all of her might (and ran very well)!

-finding new spots (her sfuffed animal storage) to read

-being disciples and showing love to others while hosting the Special Olympics at our school
-willing volunteers
-a great learning and growing opportunity for all of the students

-having fun trying to get a decent picture of her

-her many expressions

-the goofy side of her

-how she never ceases to make us laugh!

-her cute "Ethiopia" shirt given to her by a very special young lady
-how Jesse is following the stats for the Ethiopian soccer team (Go Ethiopia Go!)

-my partially clean windows

-a willing helper

-playing in the school baseball fundraiser tournament with a fun team!
-Paul's amazing baseball abilities (4 home runs/ 1 grand slam)!! and no injuries!!
-an encouraging card/note from a very thoughtful sister -in-law
-meeting and dining as a congregation after church
-the beautiful fall colours
-my stay home days with Deborah!

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life- only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again (John 10:17,18).

 Volunteering...
-willingly undertaking a task
-meant to help others/ a gift to others
The greatest gift of all:  Jesus' willingness to die for our sins and take the punishment that we deserve.  Thank-you, Jesus.

Continuing to give thanks...
#3884-#3901
-Jesus' willingness to die on the cross for us
-that God is a God of affection and love
-another fun play date for Deborah
-a nice visit with our dinner guest
-fellowship with staff and board members
-great volunteer soccer coaches

-girls and boys using their gifts to the best of their abilities
-great weather
-great sportsmanship
-being able to watch my daughter and my son play on the same day

 -how she adores her cousins

 -girls entertaining themselves during break time

-volunteers to help with the apple pie fundraiser
-being part of such a wonderful community, willing to help support the school

-the bountiful supply of fresh fruit

                                               

-a time of fellowship and praise and worship

-a day out with their grand parents
-a fun day out as a couple

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" 

(Psalm 139:16).  

We had the privilege of watching the changes of a chrysalis.  We saw the baby butterflies wait for their new wings to harden and get ready for a new life stage.  We all go through different stages or seasons in our lives.  Sometimes those are very difficult seasons.  Sometimes they are busy seasons, or new and exciting seasons.  Whatever stage of life we are in, we need to remember that God is guiding us and he is with us through every season in our lives.

Continuing to give thanks...
#3870-#3883

-the different stages of live we have the privilege of experiencing
-God's daily presence
-having tea with friends
-back into routines again (first night of volleyball, Deborah and I at OEYC and Story Hour, etc.)

-God's beautiful, intricate creation

-a thoughtful uncle bringing a container of chrysalis for the children to take to school

-a lot of soccer donations

-the Lazarus Project

-how he gazes lovingly at his daughter

-the fun she has with her siblings

-the thrill of riding roller coasters online

-cousin sleep over and playdates

-the time he could spend with his godly friends training and competing
-completing his first half marathon with perseverance

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" 

(Ephesians 2:10).

 ^"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago"(NLT)

My children have become quite the artists.  She has created many masterpieces.  Each piece of art is unique, special and beautiful.  According to the NIV study Bible, the word "workmanship" in Greek sometimes has the connotation of a "work of art".  God has created us each as unique, special, and beautiful works of art.  

Giving thanks for His masterpieces!

Continuing to give thanks...

#3857- #3869

-God's masterpieces

-how we are all created special and unique

-the good work that God has planned for us and has enabled us to do because of His grace

-His sovereignty

-the fun Deborah and I have all day

-her fun play date with her friend last week and a nice visit as moms

-the starting up of programs and activities (and school meetings)!

-successful, and fun golf tournament fundraiser for our Christian High School

-my precious children, God's masterpieces

-the masterpieces created by my children

-the most patient cat imaginable
-her companion and play mate while her siblings are at school

-how her brother suggests reading time and how she willingly agrees

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross...

(Hebrews 12:1,2)

Paul has been training for a half marathon.  I don't know how many people have shown their surprise and commented how others are "built" to be runners, implying that he's not.  Well, I beg to differ.  He has determination (mentally, spiritually, emotionally) and strength (mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically).  Both of those attributes contribute in a large way to what makes a runner.  I have full confidence in my hubby's running abilities and I'm so proud of him!

We too, as Christians are running a marathon.  We too need the attributes of determination and strength, in order to continue the "race marked out for us." We need determination because it's so easy to give up or set our eyes on things other than "Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."  We need strength because we need to resist the many temptations around us that try to steer us off course.  

Thankfully, because of the cross and Christ's love for us, we are given the strength to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Also, it's His gift of grace to us that keeps us on the course when we slow down or get steered off track.  Thank-you, Father.

Continuing to give thanks...

#3840-#3856

-God's grace, keeping us on the "race marked out for us"

-Paul's example of determination and strength

-his group of godly friends who he's been training with

-their Christian walk and their Christian teachers who help them run the race

-how she wanted to be part of the "first day of school" photos and how he wanted her to be part of it as well

-being ready for the first day of school
-our Christian school and God's faithfulness
-a beautiful assembly reminding us of God's providence

-still willing to pose for first day of school pictures
-being charged by the principal, as eighth graders to be godly examples and helpers to those younger than them

-being on time for the bus

-feeling tremendously blessed!!!

-my lovely ladies; SO blessed

-how she has adjusted so well to being home all day without her siblings

-faithful bus drivers (even after retirement)

-the opportunity to connect with children across the world

-a fun, successful class trip (with her brother, friends, and cousins)!