Thankful Thursday - Gratitude Journals

Today is Thankful Thursday!

As I've shared before...John and I are really working with our kids to help them develop a genuine spirit of gratiude and thankfulness. (Have you ever seen a group of whiny, ungrateful kids with the "gimmes"? That's exactly the direction our children were heading! Yuck!) We quickly realized the importance of teaching and modeling gratitude to our kids (and just at Thanksgiving time was not going to be enough!) We needed a plan!

So this summer, we started Gratitude Journals. (I picked up a whole assortment of journals from Party City for 99 Cents. They are working out great. You could also make your own journal by just stapling paper together. We did that when Jake was younger and we still have his!).

Each morning, the kids have listed on their "Morning Things to Do" chart, to write (or draw) in their Gratitude Journal. I originally asked them to write/draw 5 things that they are grateful for (or want to say "thank you" to God for). Most days, each child does have a chance to write in their journals. (but not always). And for my littler ones, usually one or two pictures is what they are able to do. That's ok. Mostly I'm trying to instill a habit of stopping and reflecting on the many blessings they have in their lives and saying thank you to God. It's definitely a process, but it feels good to have started the journey. And wouldn't that be awesome if they continue this habit into their adult years?? Oh, a mom can pray!! :)

Once a week (usually Thursday's), we sit around the table and share with each other some of the things we have listed in our journal. I think it's important for the kids to get comfortable with sharing their feelings aloud, and it's also a blessing for us to hear what we are each grateful for.

Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I saw one of my little Sarah's drawings. (pictured at the top of this post). She shared she is thankful for a home that is filled with love! Oh, thank You God!! (I've been feeling overwhelmed this week with summer and kids and camps and full schedules...so her picture brought more joy to my soul than you can imagine!!)

In the book of 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances". In the midst of a hot, tiring, exhausting week...I'm thankful for Jesus and life in His Name, my husband/best friend John, my four precious kids that bring me so much JOY (even if they wear me out), for our home, my family that all lives so close, for ministry opportunities, the many amazing friends God has blessed me with, and His powerful Word. I could go on and on. Thank You, Lord!! I woke up tired and weary and not ready for another full day, but by stopping and listing a few of my many blessings, it has helped get my focus back Up. I'm off to go draw in my Gratitude Journal!!

Today is Thankful Thursday! What are you thankful for??

Let's pray...Oh Lord, Thank You for the many, many blessings You have provided for us. Help us to give thanks to You in all circumstances! Please fill us afresh with Your Spirit, and use us to draw others to You. For Your purpose. For Your Glory alone. In the Powerful Name of Jesus we pray. Amen!! :)

Fantastic Friday!!

Wow ~ what a full week it has been! Please accept my apologies for not updating my blog more ~ the truth is we've been out having a blast this week!!

On Saturday, two of our dear friends from Cairo, Egypt flew in to stay with us. Hady is 16 and Farah is 13. Their mom Maha is one of my closest and dearest friends. Maha and I met back in 2003 when she came to Michigan to learn more about our church. Our hearts instantly connected. Maha and I both share a love for the Lord, prayer, our families, and ministry. Maha is like the big sister I didn't have, but have always wanted!!

Over the past 6 years, Maha has come back to the states (with her family), and John and I have had the opportunity to serve at her church in Egypt. What a blessing this year for Maha to trust us with the privilege of caring for Farah and Hady for a week. They've been busy boating and shopping and eating ice cream and Taco Bell and playing and eating more Taco Bell (their absolute favorite!). What a fun, fun time we have shared!!

Today is our last day together ~ so we are off to create more memories! It is a FANTASTIC FRIDAY at our home ~ and we are going to experience LIFE to the FULL (and probably have one more meal at Taco Bell)!!!

May your day be filled with much love, joy, peace, and FUN!! :) Jesus has come that we might have life more abundantly...let's experience ALL that He has for us!!!

It's coming! Magnificent Monday's are back!!! :)

Woo Hoo!! I can hardly wait!! This Monday, June 15th starts a new season of Bible Study with my friends at Sunshine Church. My Monday's are going to be Magnificent this summer!! :) Yippee!!

We'll be studying Priscilla Shirer's newest study "One in a Million". (Priscilla is one of my favorite Bible teachers ~ and this study is hot off the press!) The topic is perfect...as you know, I am passionate about living the full, free life in Christ ~ and that's exactly what this Bible study is all about!! WooHoo!!

And here's the best part! You are invited!!! If you live in the Grand Rapids area, please join us! We meet at Sunshine Church at 7 PM. This past spring, we had 55 women ~ all different ages, from all different churches, all friendly, amazing and fun! ~ come together to learn, share, and grow in Christ. (For more specific details, shoot me an e-mail and I'll forward a flyer to you).

If you are unable to come on Monday's OR live outside of Michigan ...please, please, please...may I encourage you to have a Bible Study plan this summer?!

So often I hear women say, "I'm just going to take the summer off". NO! Please don't!! The enemy DOES NOT take the summer off...and how he would love to get us away from the Truth of God's Word. Let's continue to fill our mind with TRUTH and live VICTORIOUSLY this summer!

Here are some ideas to stay in the Word over the summer months :)

* Select a good Bible study (I'm always happy to recommend some favorites) and maybe ask some girlfriends to join you. Accountability and community is such a beautiful thing!.

* Follow a Bible reading plan. John Piper has a fabulous resource for us. You can print it out here.

* Beth Moore (another favorite Bible teacher!) is forming an on-line community to study Me, Myself, and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild (which I highly recommend!). You can learn more about Beth's opportunity here.

* Join us on Magnificent Monday's at Sunshine Church!!

What's your Summer Bible reading plan?? I'd love to hear more how you stay "plugged in" to God's Word during the summer months. Share with us please!!

Let's pray...Oh Lord, Thank You for Your Word! Thank You that we can study Your Word openly and freely and that we have so many options and opportunities to choose from! Thank You for the power and the life that comes from time spent in Your Word! Oh Lord, as we head into the "care free" days of summer, would you please protect our time with You? Please remove distractions and obstacles, challenges and circumstances ~ so that we might have time to rest in Your presence. Empower us, O Lord, for Your Kingdom purposes. For Your Glory.

In Jesus' Strong, Powerful, and Mightly Name I pray!! Amen :)

Thankful Thursday ~ Sharing My Story

Today is Thankful Thursday at our home! One of my hopes (and prayers) is to raise children with hearts of gratitude. Hopefully every day we are finding ways to express thanks to God and to one another ~ but today especially we will pause to acknowledge and thank God for His goodness in our lives!

For me personally, I am grateful for so many things! For my handsome husband, our precious kids, my amazing friends, my family, our health, our home, our neighborhood, summer, VBS...I could go on and on! And for today, I'm particularly mindful and thankful for the new life I have in Christ.

Many of you know my story...I did not come to know Jesus until the age of 26. And not only did I not know Jesus all those years, I experienced way more of the world than necessary. I've wrestled with addiction to food, alcohol, shopping, drugs... You name it, I've tried it. I often joke that my life before Christ is like a bad TV movie. It was empty and defeated living.

But here's the Good News! Not only did Christ come to my rescue and deliver me, He gave me a new place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God (Psalm 40). He gave me a new, clean, pure heart. Jesus has given me hope and a future. He filled my heart with love and joy and peace and satisfaction. And, praise the Lord, Jesus gave me a whole new reputation. Only Jesus can transform an empty, insecure girl into a woman who is able to live a life of freedom and fullness. Only Jesus!

I'm blown away by the opportunities the Lord has provided for me to share my story. Not one time have I ever pursued me "speaking" somewhere, but doors keep opening. Most recently, a woman named Melissa contacted me from West Virginia to be interviewed on her blogtalkradio show. (She interviewed me on the air yesterday. You can listen to it here). Me?? Really?? That God would risk His reputation on me is humbling. It makes me want to serve Him and worship Him all the more!!

Thank You, Jesus, for delivering me from a life of darkness and bringing me into Your Kingdom of light!! Thank You for the beauty of abundant life in You!! Thank You that there is no one too far gone...and thank You for the satisfaction that You alone can bring!!!

How about for you?? What are you thankful for today??