Thankful Thursday ~ Grace, Love & Mercy

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
(Ephesians 4:7 ESV)

This may be a strange title for Thankful Thursday, but these are the things that I am thankful for each and every morning. As I get ready to get into my car, I walk around it and thank God for His grace, love and mercy.

Without His grace, love and mercy I could not make it to heaven. Think about it!?! All the goodness I would have to perform, would not get me even close to heaven. I really try to be ‘good’ every single day, but to be honest, I slip up quite often. Not necessarily the things I do, but the things I think.

But because of His love, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). It is good to know that He is faithful even when I am faithless.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: It is by grace you have been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8).

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Tami @ The Next Step
2. Sweet and Simple Thursday
3. Your Gift
4. Attentiveness vs. Distraction
5. For When You Fail
6. Being uniquely transparent!
7. Laughing @ Teaching What Is Good
8. Melanie @ M&M
9. bp
10. becky aka theRAV
11. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
12. Chelle-nothing that can harm you
13. God on Trial – Can We Stop Putting Him There?
14. 50 Shades @ Upward Not Inward
15. Angel @ Finding the Inspiring
16. Kathleen @ Joyful Servant
17. Daily Journey
18. Jhona O. @ We Weirdos
19. False Trinity: Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet
20. Kayla @ Practicing Prudence
21. Style N Season: Be Prepared, Do Your Best, N Let God Takes Care of The Rest
22. the Songs on the Way
23. Gilligan & Maryanne

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 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 2:11-14 ESV)

The last couple of years have been really low key at our home around the Christmas time. I haven’t had a Christmas tree up for years; actually since our son moved out in 2007. I am not sure why, but it seems like we don’t have a need for it anymore.

Every year though I pick a Christmas devotion that I like to follow for the season. No different this year; I subscribed to Sarah Young’s ‘Jesus Calling – Christmas’ offered by Thomas Nelson Bibles. The devotional has really helped me to keep the focus on the Reason for the season.

Every year it amazes me anew that Jesus left heaven to be born in a lowly manger so that we can spend eternity in heaven with Him. Why would He go through all the trouble? Because of God’s great love for all humankind! Amazing, isn’t it…

I have enjoyed the peace and quiet around our home; no hassle and bustle. Even my shopping is all finished (except for groceries); I love shopping online for Christmas ?…

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by this week; remember: keep your focus on the Reason for the season.

Merry Christmas my sweet friends…

Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Shanda @ A Pause on the Path
2. LaughingLady
3. jackie
4. Stefanie @ UpLIFTing Words
5. Slenderella Jenn
6. Simple or sparkle
7. Denise
8. Tami @ The Next Step
9. Aisling Beatha
10. Jann
11. bp
12. Melanie @ M&M
13. Ms. Kathleen
14. LovelyLici @ Conchsaladesque
15. Comparisons…
16. Cora @ Inside the Life of a Pastor’s Family
17. Hands of Time – Hazel Moon
18. Interface – Robert Moon
19. Jenny Anne@Royal Little Lambs
20. Inspirations from Phather Phil – Thankful… Friday?: That Greatest of Gifts

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Unexpected Blessings

Today, I am linking up with my friend Joan to share His Beauty. Click on the image below to read more of His Beauty…

Beauty in His Grip Button

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:37-39 ESV)

Last week I had shared with my readers that I had ‘A Perfect Day’. Let me share a little more with you how it came to pass and how it ended up a day of unexpected blessings.

You see, since I am not a US Citizen (by choice I keep my German citizenship), I have to renew my ‘green’ card every ten years. Honestly, I was a little nervous; much has changed over the past 10 years. Since 9/11/2001 (the year I renewed last) as you can imagine, applications to stay in this country as a foreigner have become more complicated.

The biggest changes were put in place last year with a new law on how you have to renew your ‘green’ card. You no longer can go to the local office; you have to fill out a form online to receive an appointment for the local office.

On my appointment day I was so nervous, I sent a couple of text messages to some very close friends to pray for me. On the way to Phoenix I thought my husband would have to pull over; I was sick to my stomach. My heart knew that everything would be fine, but I could not get my tummy to follow my heart.

When we got to the USCIS office in Phoenix, I was still nervous.  I noticed that I was not the only one how had butterflies in the tummy 🙂 …I have to say, the employees at the USCIS office were the nicest people. There were many people with appointments that morning, but I was done within 45 minutes (fingerprints, photo etc). I almost skipped out of the office.

Pancho's Enchiladas As I mentioned, my husband went with me and we took the opportunity to stay for almost 3 hours in Phoenix. We had a wonderful lunch and took a walk, photographing. I had a smile on my face all afternoon (the weather was perfect too). I told my husband at least a hundred times how much I enjoyed spending the day with him.

By the way, we even found a parking spot we didn’t have to pay for (long story for another day :))

You see, sometimes God blesses us unexpectedly. Even if a day does not start out to promising, God will give us something to remember. I sure will remember the day I had to renew my green card for years to come…and will be smiling.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love and peace,
Iris

What a Friend

Corky_14Read: John 15:12-17

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
~ John 15:12 (ESV)

Friendships are vital in our lives. God has blessed me with some incredible friends, near and far. My friends comfort, pray, and encourage me when I need it most.

To read the rest of the devotion, please head on over to Laced with Grace.

Have a blessed Friday and weekend!