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


Thankful Thursday ~ Life

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ~ John 3:16-17
(ESVemphasis mine)

This week the ‘theme’ life – physical and spiritual life – kept running through my mind…Normally I share a list with you, but this week I would like to share some thoughts with you.

On Monday the mood at work was a little somber. One of my co-workers passed away on Saturday – unexpectedly. He was my age — heart attack. That really brought life back into perspective; how short it can be. Here today, gone tomorrow came to mind.

How do I spend my life that was given to me? Do I make a difference in someone’s life? Do I live life for myself; for others? Do I live my life fully for Him, in Him?

Yes, I know – a lot of questions. You do not want to know what is going on in my head most of the time…always thinking.

That brings me to today’s passage I chose for myself to reflect on. I am currently reading Max Lucado’s book “3:16” (you can find a link in my sidebar). How many times have I heard/read the passage? Too many to count. Did I ever reflect on it fully? Do I truly understand what it means? In reading the book, I have to admit – no!!! But those thoughts are for another post 😉 .

Eternal Life??? In today’s world, not many put their focus on eternal life, but life here and now. Live life to the fullest — with no regrets. To be honest, I don’t want to live life like that. I am thankful that because of Christ’s sacrifice, I can not only enjoy a physical life here and now, but also have eternal life.

Without the hope of eternal life, or even the spiritual life, I don’t know where I would be today. There are many people in my personal life that have suffered greatly – physically speaking. But they all had the hope that one day, there would be no more pain, no more tears. They all fixed their eyes on heaven; lived through their physical challenges because of the hope Christ gave them…Yeah – I want to live life like that…with hope of a better tomorrow…

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

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: John 3:16 😛 …no matter what life throws at you, He already redeemed you in giving His life for yours.

Be blessed today and as always…

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Lynn (Spiritually Unequal Marriage)
2. Twinkle Mom @ Sunflower Faith
3. Felicity @ The Voice of FMLL
4. Laurie @ womentakingastand
5. Serendipity Park
6. micey
7. Gina @ chats with an old lady
8. Jennifer @ Through The Storms of Life
9. Linda
10. Melanie
11. Dana~from chaos to Grace
12. lambofHisflock
13. Mary
14. Michele
15. Jenn
16. BP
17. Tammy
18. Peggy@aMazing Grace..
19. Denise
20. Cheryl
21. Susanne (post scheduled for tomorrow)
22. Tiffany
23. Alicia, The Snowflake
24. Angie
25. mama meji
26. Laurie Ann
27. Willow @ A Journey In Faith
28. To Know Him
29. Mary
30. Rocks
31. Ann-past due
32. Alycia@Where Your Treasures Are
33. Tarah@ Eyeglasses & Endzones
34. Kris
35. Tracy @ Thirsty for Him
36. Heather A.
37. Willnette
38. Sweeta
39. Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage
40. Amy (Kings Table)
41. mom2my9 (Life in Mexico)
42. Miriam Pauline
43. Alicia @ More Than Words
44. Angela
45. Denise @ Teacups & Time
46. Katie (for the sun)
47. JesuLalaine
48. Erica
49. Lisa@Family Life
50. GRAMMY
51. Kim
52. Schotzy
53. Kathy – Mom of Many
54. He & Me 3
55. Jennifer’s Joyride
56. Heather@mommymonk
57. Diane @ Partners in Prayer
58. Dina @ 4 Lettre Words
59. Saleslady371
60. hip chick
61. Debbies Digest
62. Heather @ Not a DIY Life
63. Heather
64. Jill – will you help today?
65. Mariposa
66. Tammy ~@~
67. Lisa
68. Charlotte
69. Newlyweds
70. Amanda at OneSacrifice
71. Chelsey at Joyfully Living
72. Esthermay@The Heart of a Pastor’s Wife
73. Esthermay – This is the proper Link 🙂
74. Susie “Pink Carnation in Bloom”
75. Jerri
76. Lea
77. Debbie @ Heart Choices
78. Pam @ Without Fear
79. Lana@Right Now
80. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace
81. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum
82. Tea with Tiffany
83. gail @ challenges & adventures
84. Bonnie @ Thugater
85. It’s All About Him!
86. Aisha
87. Jane Anne@GravityofMotion
88. Tammy @ Pink Stinx (Hebrews 4:12)
89. Heather @ A Day In My Life
90. Isunji @ The “Quiet” One
91. Sherry
92. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings
93. Patricia@TypingOne-Handed
94. Kathleen Marie
95. Diane ~ Sunflower Songs
96. Ruth A Stiles
97. Heather
98. Tonni
99. In the Masters Hands
100. Lisa N
101. Penny Raine
102. Speaking from the Heart
103. Shannon@The Beautiful Letdown
104. Melinda @ Shore\’s End
105. Tessa @ Jesus-Filled Hope
106. Marsha (Kenya Bound!)
107. Cara Kipp
108. Catherine
109. Joyce T.
110. Sarah’s Everyday Elegance
111. Donetta at a life uncommon
112. mari
113. tanya

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.