GIVING THANKS

 

GIVING THANKS

Father, we truly thank you for

daily blessings plus so much more -

for family and many friends,

who help us again and again.

For family, we thank You

and give praise to you too.

For health we are thankful.

Father, our heart is full.

For your wonderful, awe-inspiring creation

created for sustenance and recreation.

We thank you, Lord, for

these and so much more.

For work for which you enable

and abundant food for the table.

For homes warmed by love

sent from heaven above.

For heritage and traditions

passed down through generations.

For the ones who shared Christ with us

so that we too would in the Lord trust.

For salvation free

and for loving me,

a thank offering I give to You

each and every day the whole year through.

For Your inspiring written Word

and when Your spoken Word is heard

for it helps us choose right over wrong

and enables us to be strong.

For knowing what personally gives us pleasure

and for abundant blessings beyond measure.

For meeting all our needs

and many wants, indeed.

For many good times

when life is fine

and for those not so good

but You, God, are still good.

For adversity, we thank you Lord,

for this is when we trust your Word

to always comfort, sustain, uplift, and guide us

as we seek Your will with ever-increasing trust.

For much laughter through the years;

for relief from worrisome fears.

For restful sleep through the night

and surprises which bring delight.

For all these things and so many more,

Father, with thanksgiving our hearts pour

a sacrifice of thanks and praise

to You the keeper of our days.

* * * * *

Father, how seldom we take time to thank you.

We usually submit our requests to you

asking to receive more earthly things

than forget to offer up thanksgiving.

Father, we come to you when times are bad

or when our hearts are lonely and sad

or when there's a critical need

for someone who's in specific need.

Father, you do supply an answer in your time

but we forget to say "thank you" time after time.

Father, we take your blessings for granted

forgetting that “thank you” should be warranted.

We're used to receiving from you

but not used to giving to you

a daily heartfelt offering

or sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Your Word states we should continually

offer to God a sacrifice of praise habitually.

You see our needy hearts

for we often miss the mark.

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

We continue on our way

doing things our own way

until there's a need too great

to handle in human strength.

Father, help us to see

that fears and worries

should teach us to trust you more

for you have a good plan in store.

G God, the Father, through His Son Jesus,

I intercedes for us, giving us

V victory and guidance

I increasingly in our daily lives with

N newness of spirit,

G grace and mercy and peace.

T Thank you for blessing us with your love,

H health, happiness, hope, heaven/home,

A ability, ambition, aptitude, approval, assurance,

N necessities, neighbors, nature,

K kindness, knowledge,

S shelter, security, sleep, strength, songs, scriptures, salvation, the Savior.

* * * * *

Blessed be your glorious name,

and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

You alone are the Lord.

You made the heavens, even the highest heavens,

and all their starry host

the earth and all that is on it,

the seas and all that is in them.

You give life to everything,

and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Nehemiah 9:5-6

Let us continually

offer to God a sacrifice of praise -

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Lord, sometimes there seems to be bumps in the road.

They are there to grow my faith, so I’ve been told.

They are there to draw me close to you, I’ve learned,

for I have found there is no place else to turn.

So next time I’m wondering which end is up,

I’ll simply believe you know what’s best and trust.

My faith will grow through learning to always trust.

Trust is believing you know what’s best for us.

Refrain:

When problems come, not if they will, but when,

I have learned on you I can always depend.

I’ll simply offer a sacrifice of praise

to you, the awesome Creator of my days.

Praising you will take the focus off myself

and open the door for you to send your help.

I’ll offer a sacrifice of praise to you

for I know once again you will see me through.

Lord, sometimes I find myself at wit’s end.

I don’t have the answers to why, or how, or when.

You know I want solutions right now, today.

I want to know everything will turn out okay.

You’ve promised that trials build perseverance

and perseverance in turn builds Christlikeness.

If that’s the case, then this trial is worth it all.

I’ll simply trust you know what’s best for me through all.

Refrain

Lord, I’ve been burdened with this spirit of fear.

Why now, Lord, when I know you are always near.

Fear makes me afraid so I’ll ask out loud “why”?

This fear is from Satan, the father of lies.

Thank you, Lord, for your answer does clarify.

Your banner over me is love personified.

I feel your indwelling now protecting me.

I’m no longer afraid, for you’ve set me free.

Refrain

Lord, I don’t understand why this has happened.

There are times in life when I’m deeply saddened.

I know you have a good plan and a purpose

for what has happened matures me for your use.

Grow me through these difficult circumstances.

Knowing you have a purpose, my heart dances.

I desire that my focus be on you,

my Counselor through it all. Help me to remain true.

Refrain

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

Suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:3-5

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to proper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

God's Glory Touching Earth

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GOLD BLANKET

 

GOLD BLANKET

Yesterday's surprise snow storm

covered the ground like a white blanket.

This morning under the maple tree's crown

spread out all around is a gold blanket

for the snow-weighted leaves piece-by-piece drifted down

as if quilting a gold blanket on the ground.

One-by-one the gold leaves float

like stitch-by-stitch quilters poke

a quilt to one day comfort someone

taking many days as stitching is done,

piecing together the seams,

ensuring corners are reamed.

An autumn breeze might rearrange,

like a quilter who rips out seams,

but in the end the quilt will please

as the leaves are teased by the breeze.

This breeze also makes the quilt of leaves fluffier,

almost as soft as a downy comforter.

Soon the maple tree will be bare.

The grass covered with angled squares.

The tree's limbs stretching upward toward the dark sky

where the full moon will play peek-a-boo by and by.

Quilts also are known to play peek-a-boo

as they shelter one from the winter blues.

On a perfect autumn day

this gold blanket will be stowed away

when leaf rakes are busily employed

raking a pile to be enjoyed

for someone to jump in

this pile of bedding.

Then it's time for the quilter's quilt to be employed,

perhaps with a bowl of popcorn to enjoy.

Piece-by-piece one feeds themselves

as piece-by-piece the quilt was stitched

with a bit of love in every stitch

as the quilter quilted this gift.

* * * * *

Rather an afghan, a quilt, or a comforter,

we know these coverings provide comfort.

We also know that kind words provide needed comfort.

It costs nothing to be an encourager, to relieve someone's hurt.

Everyone is facing battles unimaginable.

You can encourage them even if you don't know their troubles.

Make it your habit to find something positive in everyone you meet.

Compliment them on their attire or simply smile when you greet.

Perhaps send a note in the mail "just because"

to someone needing encouragement - it does.

A basket of fresh garden vegetables shared

will show someone you know that you care.

Be there as a comforter

or an encourager

through life's many ups and downs.

Turn someone's frown upside down.

Above all, go to God for comfort

when life has caused you troubles and hurt.

If there is a purpose in our troubles,

II Corinthians 1:3-5 (below) contains the solution, for God is able.

You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly...

Ruth 2:13

...a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25b

...how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23b

Their father...mourned for them many days,

and his relatives came to comfort him.

I Chronicles 7:22

...heard about all the troubles that had come upon him,

they set out from their homes and met together by agreement

to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.

Job 2:11b

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.

Isaiah 66:13a

Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-5

...live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble...

be a blessing, because to this you were called.

I Peter 3:8-9

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FOUND

 

FOUND

What is found this first day in November?

A black and brown woolly bear caterpillar

awoke from its slumber

forecasting winter.

A flock of Canadian geese heard,

then seen overhead, heading southward.

What is found this first day in November?

A day when the temperatures feel quite brrrr.

Squirrels hickory and walnuts gathering

to last the long winter and into spring.

Orange pumpkins shining brightly.

Crows often heard cawing loudly.

What is found this first day in November?

Leaves falling down, down, down from rainy weather.

Other afternoons spent raking

then lugging and dispersing.

Compost in the making.

Nature's recycling.

What is found this first day of November?

It’s the eleventh month on the calendar.

When garden cleanup makes one weary,

a dandelion looking cheery

for dandelions say "hello there"

from early spring through November.

* * * * *

Lost but found.

We were found

by the Lord,

it’s now known,

though once weighed down

and then bound

by mounds

and pounds

for where sin is found

bondage abounds.

But praise be to the Lord

we are no longer bound

for we have now been found

by Jesus Christ the Lord

who laid the ground-

work on the mound

at the cruel cross in that town

called Calvary, then laid down

His life, where new life is now found

for you and me – we’re heaven bound.

The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Luke 19:10

If you seek him, he will be found by you.

I Chronicles 28:9b

They sought God eagerly,

and he was found by them.

II Chronicles 15:15b

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1. Oktoberfest

Rainy weather or fair

fall is in the air.

Daily, leaves falling

as if trees undressing.

Never in a hurry, though,

for the process is rather slow

as one by one leaves float

sometimes laden with rain, soaked.

Quiet, except for the song

of plopping leaves on the lawn.

Something calming about this sound

as leaves pile up in a mound.

Other trees showcase their autumnal bounty

with red, yellow, or green apples pretty -

Cortland, Empire, Macintosh, Northern Spy,

Yellow Delicious, Granny Smith...my oh my!

When autumn rains cease,

Jack Frost shows his face

causing the leaves to fall faster

even as dusk arrives earlier.

Before Jack Frost comes to visit, though,

the garden is cleared of what still grows.

A cornucopia awaits

to one night fill your dinner plate.

Potatoes, winter squash, cabbage, carrots, and beets,

colorful nutrition grew under the summer heat

soaking in the goodness of summer.

Flavors to be savored this winter.

A bountiful harvest

of the garden’s finest

produce

for our use.

Oktoberfest, filled with activity,

though not from busy pollinating bees

for cooler temperatures

mean bees no longer tour.

Dates await one day soon

on sunny afternoons

when with rake in hand

dried leaves are banned.

The quiet activity of drifting leaves

is replaced with raking up these decaying leaves.

The end of another season

has come too soon again, we reason.

It’s Indian Summer

according to old timers

when temperatures daily rise

thanks to the bright sun in the sky.

All too soon trees are bare

showing off their underwear.

Skeleton limbs against the sky

outlined when the moon shines by and by.

Other skeletons seen late October

just before the advent of November.

Maybe a goblin or two

or a witch stirring ghoulish brew.

That means it’s already Halloween.

October 31st. Someone screams

“trick or treat,” “trick or treat.”

Oktoberfest, it’s a treat!

* * * * *

Despite physical or emotional anguish

everyday is meant as a celebration, a fest,

as God’s gift of creation

is bestowed on us humans.

Creation which gave us sunlight

to provide warmth and to give us light;

nighttime for needed respite

when stars twinkle as the moon rotates.

The refreshing rain that waters the earth

and brings forth the miracle of new birth

from seeds and plants which miraculously grow

for God intended that we reap what we sow.

The harvest of what we sow

carefully tended to grow.

A good return on our investment,

with a thank you prayer heaven sent.

Yes, we find, creation

is a celebration

of God’s many blessings

warranting thanksgiving.

You’ll find when you are thankful,

instead of being fearful,

that those doubts and worries will disappear

as a grateful heart will appear.

Note: Worry is fear. Doubting that God is able.

In the beginning

God created

the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

...he who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,

who gives breath to its people,

and life to those who walk on it...

Isaiah 42:5

Everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.

Isaiah 43:7

A man reaps what he sows...

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:7b,9

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

II Corinthians 9:6

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you

in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:18

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AFTER

 

AFTER

After Jack Frost came

leaves fall down like rain.

The grass is now stained

with multicolored leaves lain.

When you look out the windowpane,

you'll hear raking calling your name.

After Jack Frost came

expect to feel some pain

for raking causes strain

and a blister you'll gain.

You might lean on the rake as a cane.

You'll take a break if you have half a brain.

After Jack Frost came

you'll need to deadhead canes

for flowers will look wane

and foliage looks drained

for Jack Frost is not vain.

He causes autumn bane.

After Jack Frost came

there might be some rain

on the worn weather vane

then running down the drain

where drains into the rain

barrel filling up with rain.

After Jack Frost came

shorter days now reign.

Trees, now leafless and plain

outlined against the gray sky stained.

Snow flurries mixed with rain

come after Jack Frost came.

After Jack Frost came

snow falls down like rain

outside the windowpane.

I'm under an afghan, lain.

Seed catalogs call my name.

Dreaming of spring I feign.

* * * * *

What comes after life?

There's everlasting life

for those who believe in Christ.

It's too late after you die

to believe then decide

for death is a final goodbye.

Bye to your loved ones

when your life is done,

then deciding is gone.

Bye to eternal life

free from damning strife

which pierces like a knife.

Please, make the right decision today

before death comes to call you away.

“I believe in Christ” is all you need say.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Christ,”

and believe in your heart*

that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

will be saved.

Romans 10:13

* NIV note: The heart is not merely emotions and affections, but also the intellect and will. (Copied)

Believing is a personal choice to believe and confess. There’s a simple ABC formula: Acknowledge, Believe, Confess. An act of the intellect, will, emotions and affections.

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