Thankful in Everything...

 The holidays are fast approaching.  Are you feeling lonely at home - even amongst your family?  Do you wrestle with a sadness and disconnect during a time when commercials and advertisements portray unity and happiness?  Do you begin to fantasize about having what you perceive others have all around you?  What do you do with all those conflicting feelings and thoughts?

We all remember the classic Norman Rockwell painting of Thanksgiving Dinner.  It’s the quintessential portrait of the all American family gathered for a special meal and fellowship. Sometimes life doesn’t imitate art…

During this pandemic - life is not normal... at least not the way it used to be... 

There will most likely be hesitation to gather under one roof for a large sit-down dinner. We probably won't have multi-generational family time like we did in years past...

There are new protocols for sanitation, social distancing, food preparation and meal sharing guidelines.

One thing is certain -  nothing remains the same. It is for a season...

When you’re in an unequally yoked marriage, you will have days where you feel miserable and venerable.  There will always be drama. You may feel isolated and out-of-sorts. We all can recall times when we’ve just felt alone - but you don't need to let that dictate how you respond to others around you.

When I catch myself thinking thoughts that are not God honoring or when I wallow in self pity – I look up and acknowledge to God that I need help – fast!  What does He reveal to me in my moments of sorrow and helplessness?

•  He reminds me that I have a loving and devoted husband, even though he has not yet given his life to Christ.

• He reminds me that Hollywood and advertisers would have me believe that every day is to be filled with roses and smiles and dreams come true.

•  He reminds me that feelings last for a time, but commitment is everlasting.

•  He reminds me that I tend to look at other marriages through “rose-colored glasses”.

•  He reminds me that nothing affects His love for me – not even my doubt.

In Scripture, when David was ruthlessly pursued by King Saul, he found solace and peace in God. David wrote Psalm 27 during that time of anticipation, and verses 13-14 express his steadfast faith in God:  "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Some of my favorite verses that express a spirit of thanksgiving are:

Psalm 107:1

Psalm 95:2-3

Colossians 3:16

Psalm 28:7

II Corinthians 2:14

Psalm 30:12

Psalm 75:1

Philippians 4:6

Psalm 100:4

Remember - true thanksgiving emits from a grateful heart. 

Even in turbulent times we can have a peace that surpasses understanding. 

As the storm rages above, there is a deep calm beneath the breaking waves...

Take a fresh inventory of your blessings and face the holidays with a renewed vigor and confidence, knowing that your Heavenly Father delights in you.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Thankful in Everything...

Thanksgiving Should Be Celebrated Every Day

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. Its origin is a matter of debate, but most likely it is based on the traditional “first Thanksgiving” harvest meal shared in 1621 at the Plymouth Colony Plantation by the Pilgrims and a group of native Americans. Thanksgiving is generally observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It is often a day for watching football games, parades, and TV specials. It usually begins the Christmas shopping season (known as Black Friday) and ushers in the start of Christmas cards, tree trimming, gift wrapping, and family gatherings. This holiday provides a valuable opportunity for the strengthening of family bonds, expressions of gratitude, and a reminder of God’s rich blessings.

Wikipedia states, “The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days providing enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. The feast consisted of fowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. William Bradford noted that, "besides waterfowl, there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many”, probably gave rise to the American tradition of eating turkey at Thanksgiving.”

It is also a tradition for US Presidents to issue a pardon to the White House Thanksgiving Turkeys. Since about 1947 the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one (and in recent years - two) live turkey(s) in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. The live turkeys are pardoned and live out the rest of their days on a farm or, since 2005, sent to either Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida, where they serve as the honorary grand marshals of Disney's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

As Christians, we acknowledge God’s goodness and provision in our expression of Thanksgiving. God’s Word implores us to give thanks to Him. Both Old and New Testament books of the Bible encourage us to have an attitude of gratitude. Psalm 50:14 tells us to, “Offer to God thanksgiving.” Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…” The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6 declares, “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We are to develop and display a grateful heart. 

One of my favorite psalms is 136.  It begins with verses 1-3 - thanking God for His Goodness.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.  Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever."  So much we have to be thankful for!  Our families, our health, our jobs, our homes, and our ability to worship unhindered.

Thank Jesus for your salvation.  If we had nothing else to be thankful for, that would be sufficient.  Oh, how we thank Him for rescuing us from certain destruction and eternal doom.  In II Corinthians 9:15 Paul says this, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 

This Thanksgiving, make it a priority to focus on faith, family, and giving.  The blessing we receive from meeting the needs of someone else is huge.  Give to your local shelter, or volunteer your time.  Do something different as a family, and make a memory by serving others in your community.  Help distribute gift baskets at church to the needy, or invite a co-worker who doesn't have immediate family nearby for a home-cooked meal and fellowship.

It’s fun to start your own family traditions for the Thanksgiving holiday. Kids can make homemade decorations, and you can bake special pies and loaf cakes from the abundance of the fall fruits and vegetables. Watch the annual Macy’s Day Parade together. Head outside and take a nature walk, collecting leaves, pine cones, and other trinkets to display as a centerpiece on your table. Involve kids in the dinner menu selection and preparations. Say a family blessing and let each member shares what they are thankful for. There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate this special day.

What are some of your Thanksgiving Day traditions at your house?

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.   Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Thanksgiving Should Be Celebrated Every Day

Giving Thanks Isn't Just for Turkeys

Image credit: 123RF Stock Photo

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His

 courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”  
(Psalm 100:4)

The concept of thanksgiving is not new. Webster defines it this way:  the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.

As Christians, we should acknowledge God’s goodness and provision in our expression of thanksgiving.  God’s Word implores us to give thanks unto Him. Both the Old and New Testament books of the Bible encourage us to have an attitude of gratitude. Psalm 50:14 tells us to, “Offer to God thanksgiving.”  Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…”  The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6 declares, “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  We are to develop and display a grateful heart.

Our expression of gratefulness to God is found in our praise of Who God IS.  He is El Elyon – The Most High.  He is the omnipotent God, the one who rules and reigns eternal.  He is also Adonai – Lord, Master, and Owner.  In Genesis 15, God told Abram he would be his shield and reward.  Abram said,  “O Lord [Adonai], GOD [Jehovah], what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless?” God was his Lord and Master of all things concerning him.  The most sacred name for God is Jehovah GOD (Yahweh). He is the all self-existent God who spoke everything into being. Moses knew God in an intimate way and beheld His Glory face to face.

Heartfelt thanksgiving for Who God IS blesses us and blesses Him.

We often don’t display thankfulness for those closest to us.  Family, friends and co-workers are often short-changed when it comes to giving thanks.  We all but forget their worthiness of our expressions of gratefulness.  I thank God for my husband who is generous, devoted, trustworthy, and responsible.  Thanking God for our children, though not perfect, keeps them at the center of our prayers and praises.  Find a friend and thank them for their encouragement or support during a difficult time.  Your co-worker may need thanking for the kind comment they shared at the office.  Thank a stranger for their service and dedication to their chosen profession.  Thank your pastor or lay-minister for a message or bible study they shared.  Thank your parents for their valuable love and wisdom afforded to you over the years.  

Express your thanksgiving in a tangible way.  Express it often – and always in love.

Finally, thank Jesus for your salvation.  If we had nothing else to be thankful for, that would be sufficient!  Oh, how we thank Him for rescuing us from certain destruction and eternal doom.  Paul declares in II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  May we always be ready to tell others about our Savior and His gift.

For the Christian, thanksgiving is an action word – a  continual state of living as we outwardly express our love and devotion to Him.  Happy Thanksgiving – May Blessings Abound Always and in All Things!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; 

blessed is the man who trusts in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

 Listen to this wonderful worship song - Give Thanks

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Giving Thanks Isn't Just for Turkeys

Book Showcase - Christmas Belles of Georgia by Rose McCauley

Rose’s Thanksgiving Week Giveaway!

Rose McCauley is so thankful to have her first fiction book pubbed—Christmas Belles of Georgia—that she is doing a giveaway of the e-cookbook Novel Morsels to anyone who orders Christmas Belles of Georgia from Amazon November 23-27th.

Novel Morsels is a cookbook compiled by Nicole O’Dell with over 100 recipes from books written by 65 authors. This book will soon be listed on Amazon at $2.99 a copy. But this week you can receive it free by ordering a copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia on Amazon, then going to Rose’s Blog at http://www.Rosemccauley.blogspot.com  where you will find out how to contact her by email to give her your Amazon order code and receive the code for the free copy of Novel Morsels.

So hurry on over to Amazon.com  and order a copy or two or three of Christmas Belles of Georgia (they make lovely Christmas gifts!) and then get a free gift for yourself. You will have lots of recipes to try out in the coming months and can read about some more great books! And right now Amazon is having a special deal if you buy 3 books under $10 you get one free!

It’s a win/win deal! You can do your shopping with a couple clicks and not have to battle all the crowds!

To whet your appetite I am including my version of my Southern-style dressing copied from the book.

Recipe Title: Best Dressing Recipe Ever! 

Book info: Christmas Belles of Georgia, Barbour Publishing, 2011. My novella is entitled Nick’s Christmas Carol.

Recipe: Start early in the morning (or can do the night before): cook 2 Jiffy cornbread mixes per package instructions in a 13x9 pan at 400 degrees until done. (15-20 min.) Let cool then crumble into bite-sized pieces. (I cut into 1 in. squares in pan and then crumble it up.) Toast 12 slices bread (I like whole wheat but have used white) cool, then pulse in the food processor until tiny crumbs. Pour breadcrumb mixture on top of crumbled corn bread.

Next (or next day after you get the turkey in the oven) prepare turkey broth by cooking the giblets in 4-6 cups of water or use 4 chicken bouillon cubes in water or prepared chicken stock. Use food processor to chop one medium onion, then 3 or 4 stalks of celery. Place skillet on top of stove on medium and melt one stick of margarine, then add 1 pound pork sausage and cook, chopping it into small pieces with spatula. To this mixture add the celery and onion and cook together.

To the 13x9 pan with cornbread and bread mixture add 1 t. pepper, 1 t. sage, 1 t. poultry seasoning and mix throughout. Then pour everything in the skillet on top and blend together in pan. Then pour 2 cups of the broth over this, adding more broth ½ cup at a time until it forms a stiff dough. It can now be cooked in a couple buttered baking dishes for 20-25  min. at 350 degrees if you prefer your dressing soft. My husband’s mother always made dressing balls, so if you wish to do that you can roll the mixture into balls or I scoop it with a buttered ¼ cup measuring cup and place the humps into a buttered dish and cook at 350 for 25 minutes. This recipe will make 28- ¼ cup balls which should serve around 14 guests.

Blurb: The hero’s aunt who raised him makes this recipe for Thanksgiving dinner each year. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, so is a great southern cook. This is also the recipe I make for my Thanksgiving dinner each year. It is a several-steps process, but well-worth the effort—just ask my kids who don’t like anyone else's dressing as much as mine! I got the basic recipe from the cooks at the school where I taught for two years in South Carolina and have gradually tweaked it to make it my own.

Rose McCauley is a Christian author and speaker. Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, MOPS mentor and Moppet worker, scrapbooker, wife, Mom and Grandmother give Rose a wide field of ministry to women.

Rose has been happily married for almost 43 years to her college sweetheart. They have lived and raised their family of two daughters and a son on a farm of rolling hills in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky where their neighbors tease them that their cows must have legs shorter on one side from walking around the hills. Their family is growing with the addition of a two sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren who are definitely GRAND!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

Book Showcase - Christmas Belles of Georgia by Rose McCauley

Thanksgiving – What does it mean to you?

Thanksgiving is a concept as old as civilization itself. Webster defines it as the following:  the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.

As Christians, we acknowledge God’s goodness and provision in our expression of thanksgiving. God’s Word implores us to give thanks to Him. Both Old and New Testament books of the Bible encourage us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Psalm 50:14 tells us to, “Offer to God thanksgiving.” Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…” The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6 declares, “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We are to develop and display a grateful heart.

Our expression of gratefulness to God is found in our praise of Who God IS.  He is El Elyon – The Most High. In Genesis 14, Melchizedek, King of Salem blessed Abram and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High [El Elyon], possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He is the omnipotent God, the one who rules and reigns eternal. He is also Adonai – Lord, Master, and Owner. In Genesis 15, God told Abram he would be his shield and reward. Abram said, “O Lord [Adonai], GOD [Jehovah], what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless?” God was his Lord and Master of all things concerning him. The most sacred name for God is Jehovah GOD (Yahweh). He is the all self-existent God who spoke everything into being. In Exodus 3 we see the dialog between Moses and Jehovah as follows: “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and later He said, “The LORD [Jehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” Heartfelt thanksgiving for Who God IS blesses us and blesses Him.

We don’t often display thankfulness for those closest to us. Family, friends and co-workers can fall off the radar-screen when it comes to giving thanks. We all but forget their worthiness of our expressions of gratefulness. I thank God for my husband who is generous, devoted, trustworthy, and responsible. Thanking God for our children, though not perfect, keeps them at the center of our prayers and praises. Find a friend and thank them for their encouragement or support during a difficult time. Your co-worker needs thanking for the kind comment they shared at the last office meeting. Thank a stranger for their service and dedication to their profession. Thank your pastor or lay-minister for a message or bible study they shared. Thank your parents for their valuable love and wisdom afforded you over the years. Express your thanksgiving in a tangible way. Express it always and often in love.

Finally, thank Jesus for your salvation. If we had nothing else to be thankful for, that would be sufficient. Oh, how we thank Him for rescuing us from certain destruction and eternal doom. In II Corinthians 9:15 Paul says this, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” May we continually strive to express that Gift to all we meet.

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessings Abound Always and in All Things!

Thanksgiving – What does it mean to you?