Multitude Monday The First Monday of Advent

I have so many things to be thankful for this week after Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for every week. I am thankful for the opportunity to write down a few of the blessings that I am counting this week.

I am thankful for this season of advent to remember that Jesus came as a baby in a manger, and that He will one day be coming again.

I am thankful for the reminder to always be looking for things for which to be thankful. There are always blessings for which I should be thankful I need to be on the lookout for them.

I am thankful that my Princess and Little Man give input on our homeschool studies. It is more enjoyable for all of us if they are interested and enjoying what they are learning about each day.

I am thankful for my Mother and Father-in-love their hospitality and my Mother-in-love’s great cooking. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit with them.

I am thankful for friends and family who love my children and me so well.

I am thankful for generous people at the flea market who gave my children gifts for stopping by their table.

I am thankful for music and the opportunity to praise and worship the Creator of the universe.

I am thankful for God’s love, mercy, and grace and the reminder that He is in control in all situations.

What are you thankful for this week?

 

Five Minute Friday Surrender

I am not very good at surrendering my hopes, dreams, and desires, and asking God to give me His desires. Many times I think it would be better if things go according to my plan on my timetable. I am definitely not patient when it comes to waiting on God for His plan or to work according to His timetable. This is the reason that surrender has to be a moment by moment process for me. I have a tendency of surrendering my life, and then being tempted to jump ship as soon as the water gets a little choppy. Just last week, I was questioning whether I heard God wrong concerning something, just because I was feeling a little uncomfortable. One thing that I have learned in this walk of faith is that whatever I do I need to stay in the boat close to Jesus. He is my comfort, my strength, my security and peace. As the Scott Krippayne song states, “Sometimes he calms the storm, and other times he calms his child.”

These are my thoughts on the Five Minute Friday prompt Surrender. You can learn more about the wonderful Five Minute Friday community here.

Five Minute Friday Enjoy

 

I often forget to take the time to savor moments and really enjoy life. I get so wrapped up in getting the next item crossed off my to do list, that I forget to have fun with my people, the ones for which I am doing all the things on the list. I really want to enjoy spending time with my children after all they are only little once. I want to spend time relaxing with my husband. I know I will never live out November 18, 2016. Why should I rush through the day? I need to remember that my children are only going to be 7,5, and 4 for a short period of time. I really need to find joy in my days. I need to let those I love really know how much I love them, and how much I treasure this season of our lives.

This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt was enjoy. You can learn more about Five Minute Friday here.

Five Minute Friday Common

John 15:13

13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

In this verse above Jesus was talking about himself, and the sacrifice that He would make laying His life down for all of us by His death on the cross. I thought of this verse though today on Veterans day, and realized that US veterans have followed Jesus example in this. They have laid their life down for their friends and fellow countrymen. In a world where we see division and hate, it is comforting to know that there are brave men and women who are willing to fight to keep our nation free. My favorite line of the song I am going to share below is, “And I don’t want to die for you, but if dying asked of me, I will bear that cross with honor. Cause freedom don’t come free.” Jesus bought our eternal spiritual freedom with his death on the cross, and veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces have purchased our physical freedom with their sacrifice. Some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives. This greater love is not a common emotion in the world today. It is exceptional. If you are a Veteran, and reading this, Thank you for your service.

 

These are my thoughts on the word common. If you would like to learn more about the Five Minute Friday community, you can do so at http://katemotaung.com .

 

Five Minute Friday Journey

Life is a journey. The feelings of having arrived at a goal or accomplishing a dream do not last long, as each goal or dream is a doorway to other opportunities. Life is more than just a snapshot in time. I am so thankful that I do not journey through life alone. God promises in His Word that He will never leave or forsake us. He is right there with us on every step of the journey. He also gives us people to walk with on this journey. Some people are there for only a season, and some we will know our whole lives. I am very thankful for the people that I do life with. They encourage me and inspire me so much. I am thankful for the Bible, and I am thankful to talk to God through prayer. I can’t imagine walking this journey without God’s word and prayer. Now, I am thinking of the chorus of my Grandmother’s favorite hymn. “And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known.” I hope that each one of you feel the loving reassurance of God’s presence with you on this journey.

 

This is my thoughts on the  Five Minute Friday prompt Journey. You can learn more about Five Minute Friday at http://katemotaung.com/ .

Day 31 of Scripture and Song Jesus Only Jesus

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

When I read that the word was only for this last day of 31 days of five minute free writes, the song below by Phillips Craig and Dean came to mind. I think that is it fitting for the last day 0f the 31 day challenge to remember that I believe that the whole purpose of my being here is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Catechism) The whole point of everything I do should be to worship God with my life, but I so often loose sight of this. I get uber-focused on the everyday aspects of life that I forget about the big picture. The big pictures is that Jesus gave His life for me. He rescued me from the muck and mire, and took me out of the pit. I want to live my life in worship of the God of the Universe, Lord of heaven and earth who loves each of more that I can fathom.