Ephesians 5:20

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20

I am thankful for our little traditions in our family: coffee time, meal devotions, bedtime devotions, & morning prayer.

Coffee time was something Ernie and I began about fifteen years ago when we wanted to have quality time for about twenty minutes each day to talk without interruptions (kids, computers, phones, laundry, etc...), and to enjoy a good cup or two of coffee. 

Meal time devotions is something that was done in both our own homes growing up, and something done for generations. Lord willing, our own children and grandchildren will continue this time of reading the Bible and praying after dinner each evening.

Bedtime devotions began when our kids were toddlers, a tradition I learned from my uncle, Bill. When my kids were younger, we read Bible stories and prayed. We continue this, reading the Bible and praying, even though our kids are teenagers and I go to bed before them. 

And finally, morning prayer. Before our kids go off to school, I exclaim, "time to pray!" which signals to them to quickly do those last minute tasks and meet in the kitchen. My prayer focuses on their work being done for God, that they shine their lights around their peers, and to pray for safety. 

Psalm 107:8

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

I am thankful for my children, Sam, Caleb, Hannah, & Luke. As they are all teenagers, challenges come at us every day. I pray for them without ceasing, for strengthening of faith, for safety, to be blessed in their schooling and activities, and to be a light to their friends. They are such a joy and I couldn't be more blessed.

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

I am thankful for my husband. We've been married for 19 & 1/2 years. He's my helpmate and best friend. He's a godly husband and father, and we're so blessed to have him as the spiritual head of our family. Words cannot express my gratitude for all he does for me. 

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

I am thankful for my congregation. Even though we aren't a large group, the praise raised up in singing is wonderful. It's a small glimpse of what heaven will sound like when all the saints together are praising God with singing. 

I am also thankful for our pianist who beautifully and faithfully plays each Sunday for our congregation. 

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

As I drive around, I'm always amazed at this time of year by the beauty of the fall colors. Some years are better than others, but even then, there are still colors of trees that blow me away. His mercies are truly forever. 

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

I am so thankful for my eye sight, that I can enjoy the beauty of God's creation year after year after year. The little girl I care for at school is blind. While she can't see God's creation, I constantly tell her how beautiful things are...flowers, pictures, trees, etc..., knowing the importance of God's creational revelation. The awe in my voice makes her smile, and she is very aware that a flower looks as pretty as it smells.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (month of thankfulness)

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

While it's marked on the calendar to be thankful one day of the year (Thanksgiving Day), as Christians, we need to be thankful every day and for everything. 
These aren't in any order, just day to day postings of what I'm thankful for all the time.

Today, I'm thankful for my iPhone. I have finally learned how to add blog posts with it, and not be dependent on a desktop or laptop computer, (both of which I don't have access to very often). I always have my iPhone. And when I'm sitting at one of the kids' practices (or before/between games), I have plenty of time to write. 

Today, I'm writing this while sitting in a presentation for our oldest son's college campus tour. 

I also love having the Bible and Bible Gateway at my fingertips 24/7. As I reflected on Reformation Day yesterday, I also thought about all the work men and women did to get Bibles into the hands of all people. We are so blessed to have God's Word whenever and wherever we are. 

Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits, Psalm 68:19

I am going to spend the month of November writing about the benefits God daily loads upon me.  Not only do I want to do this because we celebrate Thanksgiving Day at the end of the month, but also to remind me to reflect every day on all that I should be thankful for, all of my blessings from God.

I’m going into November with a bit of a heavy heart.  I had a wonderful opportunity to teach Middle School art for the whole month of October because of medical issues of the current teacher.  I am so thankful that she requested me and also that administration approved.  My experience was better than I had anticipated.  Every aspect of teaching art was wonderful. 

I love it where I normally work, but I’m so afraid of the “let down” that will ensue once I return to my regular job. So, I figure that if I spend each day writing (and praying) about blessings I receive daily from God, then discontentment and sadness will have a harder time seeping into my heart.  

Genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage today.   

While much of it has been truly wonderful, there also have been challenging times….six children born in the first decade of their marriage, a house fire in which they lost all of their belongings, and the loss of loved ones, parents and siblings, to name a few.  Of course, God is with us in our trials, but having a suitable helper is truly a gift from Him to aid us in life.  I thank the Lord every day for them and pray that He will continue to bless them.

Acts 17:10-11 & Matthew 7:15

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:10-11

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15  
For my final art challenge (week #10) I did an optical illusion in chalk.  Not that anyone would really be fooled by my brick hole (I needed to shade the lower bricks; however, I didn't have any darker chalk), but it does make you think.

The Bereans came to mind, as well as Christ’s warning to his followers, when I was doing this work. Whether it’s from tv, radio, the internet, magazines, books, teachers, professors, or pastors, we need to search the Bible to make sure what we are hearing or reading matches God’s Word even if it looks or sounds “real” or “good” by our own measures.

My husband and I constantly remind our children to read the Bible so that red flags will go off in their heads when they do hear something that isn't right.  Bankers say that in order to spot a counterfeit bill, you must study the real one thoroughly.  So it is with the Bible.  We must study it daily and thoroughly.

John 15:5

 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

My art challenge this week, #9, is a repeated object, printmaking.  Ironically, printmaking is a method to repeat the same image.  My garden comes to mind right now, in the middle of summer, when brainstorm something that is repeated.  At the end of our garden is a twelve foot long grape arbor, with three plants, all loaded with young grapes, as I type. 

I had never seen grapes growing in person until after I met my husband.  Behind his parents’ house is a vineyard (where later a winery was built, too).  After we were married, my husband built us a small grape arbor and planted three grapes vines.  Each year, he prunes them back and I am always amazed that they end up full of branches and grapes. The original vine (trunk) is extremely sturdy and grows vertically.  The branches shoot off and grow horizontally along the pole.  Our grapevines never fail to produce (even though we neglect to water during droughts, and even some years forget to prune).  I’m quickly reminded of this verse (and many others) that say Christ is the vine and we are the branches.   The branches wouldn't be there without the trunk of the vine.  We wouldn't be here without Christ.