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

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45 Replies to “Thankful Thursday ~ Life”

  1. Hi Iris,

    I was wondering about you this week. I could feel you were maybe a little down. I tellyou sometimes it is good to have to think about how we are investing our time in this world. Can be heavy…

    I want you to know that you have invested so much in me. I am thankful from the bottom of my heart.

    Have a wonderful TT….

    PS. I have sent you a few emails. Wondering if they are going into your spam? Write me when you get a sec. Hugs.

    Lynn Donovan’s last blog post..Letting Go

  2. I love your post – encouraging and convicting at the same time. I am sorry for the loss of your co-worker…prayers going up for the family & friends. Thank you for sharing your heart with us…

    Tammy’s last blog post..Faith

  3. I’m so sorry to hear about your co-worker. You had a beautiful post today and I was touched by it. May you feel God lifting you up and wrapping His arms around you during this sad time in your life.

    Happy TT!

    Jennifer’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday!

  4. Iris, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend/co-worker. Death does put life into full perspective. It causes us all to realize all our frailties.

    You are such a blessing–I am sorry I missed last Thursday—life has been hectic!

    I love you dearly!

    Angie’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday EVERYDAY!

  5. Blessings Iris…My sympathies for the loss of your co-worker and the heaviness around your work place!
    Let your light shine! May the Comforter surround you with thoughts of LIFE and life to the fullest in Him! I so glad you chose LIFE…it fit in with my post for tomorrow very nicely & my GOD IS LIGHT…today. LIFE & LIGHT & LIVING WATER flowing down from HIS throne! Cover yourself with 3:16…Max Lucado is so gifted with vivid LIFE illustrations…I get his UP WORDS once a week and many are excerpts of this book and more recently of Cast of Characters, where he shared about Martha & Mary…and others, also.

    I’m so glad you have your eyes fixed on JESUS! Hope is Jesus Christ gives us LIFE & eternal LIFE! May God bless you & be with you as you continue to share from a grateful heart! BIG HUG for the slump & somber!

    Peggy’s last blog post..THANKFUL for a special LIFE!

  6. What a great theme for Thankful Thursday! Oh, how thankful I am for the gift of life! Happy Thankful Thursday to you, and thank you for hosting this wonderful meme!

    Laurie Ann’s last blog post..

  7. Iris, thank you for this topic. I’m sorry about your coworker. Death is hard, particularly in someone who is young and one of our peers.

    You got me to think, though, about the wonderful things I have in my life and I’m very appreciative of that!

    Willow’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday — Life

  8. Thank you for leading us in TT and sharing your heart. I am so sorry to hear of the loss in your life – life is so precious and each moment of each day should be cherished. What a great reminder to all of us that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow – may we all live each day to the fullest, honoring and glorifying the Lord! -Happy TT! -Blessings, Laurie

    Laurie Adams’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY…healthy food

  9. Our preacher spoke, this week, about living an abundant life. We are to “invest” in our life, in relationships, in our community, in our church. Basically live our life with no regrets, and always in a manner that is pleasing to our Lord. It really touched me. I have not been living my life as fully as I should, and not investing in relationships as I should. Your post reminded me of the sermon.

    Lisa@BlessedwithGrace’s last blog post..Works for Me Wednesday-Ped Egg

  10. Oops, my comment was lost! 🙁

    Iris, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I pray that you will be filled with His comfort and peace.

    I read John 3:16, too. Very good book.

    Thanks so much for TT, Iris. What a way to glorify God- to speak His praises in thankfulness.

    Blessings, friend!

    Tracy @ Thirsty for Him’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday

  11. I’m so sorry for the loss of your co-worker.
    As a first-time participant in Thanksful Thursday despite following it for several weeks now, I wrote a children’s poem in thanks for God’s gifts.
    Thank you for connecting all of us!
    Katie

    Katie’s last blog post..If Walls Could Talk…

  12. Iris, it’s interesting how God works our thoughts to be on the same page sometimes! My aunt just had a heart attack and though she’s still alive, it has made me appreciate life too. It also makes me think of eternal life and what hope we have. Praying for some peace in those thoughts this week! (P.s. Having read 3:16 yet but it sure sounds good)>

    Heather@mommymonk’s last blog post..Life Vacuums

  13. Iris,

    Thanks for sharing this. I so agree that our perspective must be on eternal life, and not just living physical life to the fullness. Yes, we should enjoy our life and not waste it, but it’s only the stepping stone to our real life that lasts forever!

    Jerri’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday – Life

  14. What a theme; LIFE! Although I write about heart health on my blog, I believe mind, body and spirit all impact our lives. I pray that my post on this topic today will reach not only believers but also those who haven’t accepted Christ as their personal savior. Thanks Iris.

    Debbie’s last blog post..Pets And Your Health

  15. I was just reminded when writing up my blessings today just how much we have. Imagine–no other generation in history has been as blessed as we are, no matter how much we complain.

    What a luxury a simple thing like a bubble bath is! And it makes me very humbled and gracious that God chose us to live at such a time as this!

    Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!

  16. Iris…thank you for your post today. I am so sorry for the loss of your co-worker and can understand the atmosphere at the office. We have all been tip-toeing around the elephant in the living room ourselves all week. I will be praying for you, your office and your co-worker’s family. Blessings to you!

    Bonnie’s last blog post..Thankful Thursdays – Life

  17. Iris
    I can greatly relate to your post today, as we are grieving the death of my cousin who was 34. I too was reminded that life is precious and that we have no guarantee of tomorrow, so we need to live life in a way that matters for eternity. It is my goal to live my life in light of eternity, but sadly sometimes my focus drifts at times, but this past week has made me take more of an inventory of my life and whether I am living for eternity or the hear and now…

    Praying for peace and comfort for all those affected by the passing of your co-worker, and also praising Him for the hope that we all have.

    Blessings, and thanks for hosting us!

    Tricia’s last blog post..Thankful Thursdays

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