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Thankful Thursday ~ Looking Back

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Yes, I am glad that 2008 is behind us; I am looking forward to 2009. I would love all of you to join us at Laurel Wreath’s Reflection over the next week to share your hopes, dreams, or goals for 2009. To find out more about our ‘New Year’s Meditation’, please read Laurel’s post here

Last week I had asked you to look back on 2008 to share what or who had the most impact on you in 2008? I know, looking back is sometimes painful, but you know what; even in painful times there is always something on the horizon that we can be thankful for…

I have shared with you the passage of Jeremiah because it was ‘my’ verse for 2008. Believe me, the verse has been very vital to me in 2008 — I have clung to it like nothing else. I know that I needed to grow; I just didn’t like painful part.

  • Lord, I am thankful for your pruning in 2008. I didn’t like it, but I know that I needed to get rid of some stuff. Why, Lord, does the issue of pride always rears its ugly head? Will this be my thorn until I enter eternity? I sure hope not. Please help me in 2009 to be more aware of it; help me to nip it when it starts…
  • Lord, I am thankful for our marriage. Although we had some waves hitting our marriage, I thank You for keeping a hedge around it to protect it from evil forces…
  • Lord, I am thankful for our son’s growth this year. Lord, this was the most painful experience for me this past year; to let go and let You handle the rest. I know I should be glad to have our son all grown-up, but it is hard to let go. Lord, I thank You for the strength You gave me to keep going…
  • Lord, I am thankful for friends that speak the truth. Yes, it sure is not easy to admit failures, but I rather have truthful friends than someone who is just saying nice things…
  • Lord, most of all, I am thankful for Your faithfulness. The days I didn’t feel like doing much, You reminded me that I needed to let Your light shine. For when I was weak, Your Word gave me the strength. When I felt low, You reminded me of the sacrifice You made sending Your son to rescue me…
  • Lord, last but not least, I am thankful for the book “3:16″. I believe ‘picking apart’ the passage of John 3:16 has made it clear to me that You do not wish that anyone perishes, but that all who believe can be saved. Yes, I have read the passage more than once, but the impact it had on me in 2008 is indescribable…

What are you thankful for this week? I hope you share with us by leaving your link below. Remember: God has a plan for you – to prosper you and not to harm you – believe my sweet friend!!!!

Blessings to you today and always…

grace_iris1


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Looking ahead to 2009

NewYear

Do you remember 2 years ago? Laurel hosted a marvelous “New Year’s Meditation“. Well, my sweet friend is hosting again this year. Click on the graphic on top of this post to find out more about it.

As for me, I am looking forward to 2009. 2008 has not been a great year, but I know that I needed the growing experience :wink: . I am glad that I had Jeremiah 29:11 as ‘my verse’ for 2008. I hope that God will reveal a verse for 2009 soon.

Well, I hope you will join Laurel, me and others on January 1st to meditate on 2009.

Thanks for stopping by today. Blessings to you and yours…

grace_iris1

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Thankful Thursday ~ Christmas Past

Before I share my Christmas Thankful post with you, I would like to ask you to reflect on this past year for next weeks Thankful Thursday. What or who had the most impact on you in 2008? I would love to read your thoughts on 2008 and what it has brought/meant to you…

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
~ Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)

Oh, I so love Christmas. How about you? I had asked you last week if you are willing to go down memory lane for this week’s Thankful Thursday post. Do you have some precious memories of Christmas past from your childhood? If not, that is okay…

christmas-time_1

I like to remember my childhood Christmases. They were filled with traditions, family time and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Let me share a little about my childhood Christmases…

The weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with Sunday night gatherings around the Advent wreath. My dad would play his little home organ, my sister would play the guitar, and my mom’s voice would fill the air with her wonderful voice. My favorite song her singing was ‘Holy Night’.

On Christmas Eve morning my dad would ‘hunt down’ the best live Christmas tree his money could by. They were not majestic trees, but they always smelled good – just like a forest :) . My favorite part of the tree were the wax-candles and the angel. When we were older, my sister and I took turns to place the angel on top – what a special treat :)

After we decorated the tree, we all took a little afternoon nap (most of the time my sister and I didn’t sleep because of the excitement building :lol: ). The supper on Christmas Eve was preceded by the Children’s Christmas service at 6pm.

Upon our return from church, we had a little supper that consisted of potato salad and Wiener Wuerstchen. My mom changed that over the years to fondue. I think as we got older, we rather had the family gathering than the gift giving. Yes, we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. We didn’t hear a “HoHoHo”, but the soft sounding of a silver bell. My mom told us that the silver bell announced the arrival of the Christ child…

Yes, the memories of my childhood Christmases still warm my heart to this day. I am thankful that my parents taught us that Christmas is about Christ. The greatest gift ever known to mankind.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Christmas is not only once a year, but 365 days a year if you have received His freely given gift – the Christ Child.

Merry Christmas – Glory to God in the Highest…

grace_iris1

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Angela
2. Willnette
3. BP
4. micey
5. Jennifer @ Through The Storms of Life
6. Rita
7. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
8. Denise
9. Michele
10. Marsha
11. Alicia @ More Than Words
12. Linda
13. Melissa Multitaskingmama
14. grammy
15. Speaking from the Heart
16. Liza\’s Eyeview
17. saleslady371
18. Debbie ~ Heart Choices
19. Peggy
20. lambofHisflock
21. Tammy ~@~
22. Mary
23. Bonnie
24. cheryl
25. Tes (My Bags)
26. Amanda
27. Blessed Mama 2
28. BERNICE

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Thankful Thursday ~ Random

“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.” ~ Psalm 30:4 (ESV)

First I want to thank the visitors last week who took part in the poll for Christmas Day. Although it was tight (22 – in favor to 17), I will be hosting Thankful Thursday on Christmas Day :razz: .

Lets do something special for Christmas Day. I would like you to think back (way back for some of us – :lol: ). I would love for you to share with us a Christmas from you childhood – what stayed in your mind all these years…what you are thankful for…

This week I want to share just some random thoughts, if you don’t mind…

  • Lord, I am thankful for Your pure awesomeness. Although often I think I am worth nothing; to You I am worth everything. You sent Your One and Only Son to die for my sins…
  • Lord, thank You for my beloved. Although he does not enjoy clothes-shopping, he goes with me so I don’t have to go alone…
  • Lord, thank You for ‘clearing’ my calendar so I could finish up the book “3:16” – what a marvelous read. Thank You for using Max Lucado to really show me what John 3:16 truly means – that you are giving everyone the same chance to believe through the gift of Your Holy Spirit…
  • Lord, I am thankful for the Laced with Grace team you have assembled for 2009. We are all excited for what You will do through this ministry…
  • Last, but not least, Lord I am thankful for the Thankful Thursday community this past year. I know that because of them, I have kept my focus on You and Your goodness…

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us in leaving your link below.

Thank you for stopping by today…Remember: The Lord is awesome and His love endures forever…



Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Stacy – heart transplant
2. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
3. lambofHisflock
4. Denise
5. Laurie @ womentakingastand
6. To Know Him
7. Nancie
8. Melanie
9. Linda
10. Bogie
11. Aisha
12. GRAMMY
13. Felicity @ The Voice of FMLL
14. BP
15. cheryl
16. Laurie Ann
17. Willnette
18. Christelle@ Beloved MaMa
19. Ann
20. Angie
21. Kathy@Joyful Journey Journal
22. Tiffany
23. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home
24. Serendipity Park
25. mom2my9 (Christmas Before the Twins)
26. Jennifer @ Through The Storms of Life
27. Alicia @ More Than Words
28. Debbie ~ Heart Choices
29. Irene @The GreenGreek
30. micey
31. I am heading towards my destiny!
32. Willow
33. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
34. Melissa Multitaskingmama
35. Jill
36. Melissa@Thorn in My Side
37. Tammy
38. Michele
39. Devita
40. Darlene@Everything to Me
41. lisa@familylife
42. Dana-from chaos to Grace
43. Amanda
44. Susan @ Forever His
45. Mary
46. Christy – giving praise
47. Heather @ S-A-M
48. Tammy ~@~
49. Diane ~ Sunflower Songs
50. Speaking from the Heart
51. Rita
52. Bonnie @ Thugater
53. Diane (the one who is winking)
54. Ruth A. Stiles
55. gail @ challenges&adventures
56. SharonB
57. Lynn
58. Erica
59. He & Me 3
60. Donetta at a life uncommon
61. Joyce T.
62. Sandy
63. Tess
64. Tea with Tiffany
65. Tricia Schmid
66. Are You For Real? (Our Super-Sized Lunchbox!)
67. Newlyweds
68. Blessed Mama 2
69. Anastasia
70. Marsha
71. Transparent Life
72. Amber @ Classic Housewife/ Modern World
73. Patricia@TypingOne-Handed
74. Mauie
75. saleslady371
76. Angie (respect)
77. ~hon~
78. Sam Chen

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