November Gratitude E. Stone 4 Provision
Growing up I learned through the ritual at mealtimes to give thanks for the food. We would hold hands and often we sang our grace. The point was to thank God for the food; saying thanks before a meal is a deeply biblical and historical practice. In the Old Testament Jethro thanked God before sitting…
November Gratitude E. Stone 3 For Everything
Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:20) This passage in Ephesians is more powerful than the verse in Thessalonians. We are to give thanks always for all things. When the doctor comes and tells you that your husband has terminal cancer, it is…
November Gratitude Stone 2 In Everything
1 Thess 5:18 Give thanks in everything! This Ebenezer is not always practiced, but I am working on it. I often find myself ungrateful for some of the hassles and losses in my life. I don’t want to say thank you when I feel there is an injustice or when I suffer. And yet, I…
November Gratitude Stone 1 Faithfulness
Ps 116:12 What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness/benefits to me? The question of the verse is a very profound one. The Lord has given so much grace upon grace and the depths of his mercy cannot be plumbed. The psalmist lists several things as his response, but the point of…
Life as Thank You 47
Dear Connor, I am writing old-school thank you notes this year as a means to raise my gratitude quotient. I want to say thank you for loving Jesus well. I prayed for my future son-in-law’s relationship with God and I am so glad He answered with someone who pursues after righteousness wholeheartedly. I am grateful…
Life as Thank You 46
Dear Jeanine and Carol, I am taking this opportunity to tell you how grateful I am that you two are in my life. I have been writing old-school thank you notes each week this year to let people know how grateful I am for them. You two are together in my mind! First, I want…
Life as Thank You 45
Dear Dad, In honor of your birthday I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me. I am working on the discipline of gratitude in 2016 and so I thought this would be a great time to express thanks for all you do (and have done) for me. Ever since I can remember…
Life as Thank You 44
Vanessa, I am writing thank you notes each week this year to work on the discipline of gratitude. I want to take the opportunity, in light of your birthday, to tell you how grateful I am for you. You are more than smart. I love your drive, your creativity, your humor and your logic. I…
Life as Thank You #43
Dear Karen, Most of my childhood memories include you. I am working on the discipline of gratitude one old school thank you note at a time. I want to let you know how grateful I am that you are in my life; in fact my life would be very different if I had not known…
The Discipline of Remembering
Humans are forgetful, whether it is because we repress the truth to create an alternate reality, avoid emotional triggers or are just too busy. It is interesting to consider what we forget and what we remember. Whatever the reason we are forgetful: Forgetful of God’s provision, God’s blessings, God’s answers to prayer. Ps 103:2 says…