Sunday, December 9, 2012

Day 39

Last night in downtown Cincinnati, I witnessed something I had never seen before... and I don't know that I will ever see it again.  It was the invasion of Santa Clauses.  Did you notice the plural?  Yep, there were Santa Clauses everywhere... roaming the streets, in the restaurant we ate at.  And these Santas were in full blown outfits... not just a t-shirt and a hat.  Oh no, they were decked out in the complete Santa garb... red suit, hat, some even with beards.  And the Santas were not without helpers.  Elves were out in full force too.  It was fun to watch.  And I just had to get a picture so you could experience the Santa invasion too.  I'm the only one NOT dressed like Santa and his helpers in the picture... and no, I don't know any of these people either.


While Santa lives in the North Pole, I was able to get glimpses of him last night.  Santa was everywhere.  And even if you don't believe in Santa, you couldn't deny that there were Santas out last night.

It kinda reminds me of Hebrews 11:27 from Day 37:  By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.  This verse is talking about Moses' amazing faith in God, even while Pharaoh was trying to kill him.  On day 37, I posed a question... I wonder if Moses was a thankful guy and if that helped him while he fled to the desert?

I love how God provides answers.  I was reading a book on Saturday and ran across a verse that not only gave me more insight into God's invisible qualities, but also hit on thankfulness too.  Let's check out the verses and see what we can learn.

For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Romans 1:20-21

It's pretty cool that the Bible explains how Moses was able to see God who was invisible. He could see God because "The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."  (Psalm 19:1) God reveals Himself through creation, through changed lives, through answered prayer... and our faith grows stronger as we catch glimpses of Him throughout our day, much like I caught glimpses of Santa all over the place on Saturday night.

My next thought regarding these verses is Ouch!  Did you catch what verse 21 said about thankfulness?  Let's read it again:  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

This verse tells us what happens when we don't choose thankfulness.  Our thinking becomes futile and our hearts become darkened.  Yikes!  I'm slowly learning that the benefits of thanksgiving go far beyond our lists.  Thanksgiving has the power to change our hearts. 

I have to confess that today, I did not wear thanksgiving like my favorite outfit (see Day 36).  And ironically enough, I had plenty to be thankful for AND I even wore my favorite outfit.  A few circumstances, combined with being tired, led to a lack of thanksgiving on my part.  And I must admit that my heart was more dark than light today.  How can I tell?  Because earlier this week, when I did choose thanksgiving, I was more joyful and handled my circumstances with a much more positive outlook.  I love how the Bible helps me understand that my lack of thanksgiving impacts my heart.  Romans 1:21 is now my memory verse for this week. 

The Bible sure has a lot to say about thanksgiving.  And I'm so glad that God teaches us not only about the benefits of choosing thankfulness, but also the costs of not being thankful.  I can't wait to see what else God will teach us over the next 27 days!

Tonight, I am thankful for...

1.  Sleeping in
2.  Yummy brunch with my hubby at a revolving restaurant
3.  Fresh fruit
4.  Made to order omelet created by the Omelet Master
5.  The boys having so much fun with Oma and their uncle
6.  Nap in the car
7.  Walking into my clean house and it smelling like Christmas
8.  Boys putting up our outside Christmas decorations with their daddy
9.  Learning more about thanksgiving through Romans 1:20-21
10.  My God Who forgives
11.  Nothing can separate me from God's love
12.  Watching Prep and Landing with the boys
13.  Getting spontaneous snuggles while watching TV - warms my heart!
14.  Writing in my journal
15.  That I can be honest with God

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 5,847 to go...





26 comments:

  1. I am thankful for
    1. Taking leftovers from my party to Sunday
    School and not having to bring them home.
    2. One of the kids giving me a hug for bringing
    in the goodies.
    3. The same kid telling us we were the best
    teachers.
    4. Having a restful afternoon.
    5. Going to Sam's with my husband to get my
    ham for Christmas.(another party)
    6. Finishing my Christmas book.
    7. Watching Miracle on 34th Street with my
    husband.
    8. Eating popcorn and pumpkin spice ice cream
    for dinner.(not good for you but YUM)
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am thankful for
    Mondays - cram study day
    Knowing that 26 hours from now I will be finished with my Old Testament final !
    The feeling of relief that the above item will bring regardless of the grade
    Christmas music
    Coffee
    Praying friends
    Unexpected hugs from people I love like family
    Knowing with all certainty that I am not alone

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am thankful for
    1. playing video games with my son
    2 getting a chance to be a part of a very cool birthday party for Jake
    3. how much fun my kids are having with the elf on a shelf
    4. a great worship service yesterday
    5. my mac computer
    6. a gracious God that is always providing
    7. Heather doing this experiment

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am thankful for

    1. My wife
    2. My family
    3. A warm home
    4. My job
    5. Edens easy going attitude

    Russ

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1. God
    2. Jesus
    3. Earth
    4. Mom and Dad
    5. love

    elle

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. phil driving to swimming tonight
    2. lillian's amazing game!
    3. john's bravery
    4. sarah and lillian's friendship
    5. patience

    e

    ReplyDelete
  7. 1. Pixal
    2. finishing homework
    3. God
    4. church
    5. Jesus

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. joy
    2. contentment
    3. my bed
    4. my dark quiet room
    5. sleep

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1. the ocean
    2. our city
    3. our church
    4. a full tank of gas
    5. cold medicine
    6. sharpies
    7. tape
    8. for anna's sweetness and friendship to adelaide
    9. for elle's ability to learn
    10. for these daughters
    11. for richard and buddy and philip and each of their INCREDIBLE wives

    more from lenihans


    more from lenihans

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. Nativity reinactments.
    2. Genuine love between friends.
    3. A night of rest after a busy a weekend.
    4. That my parents finally got a computer and are learning email.
    5. Seeing Evie at dance and realizing she goes to our church.
    6. Oreo cookies.
    7. Protein peanut butter balls.
    8. Heat in the house.
    9. That I found a good, inexpensive craft for teacher gifts.
    10. That our neighbors are back in church.
    11. Snowflakes.
    12. Funny stuff that happens by accident.
    13. My marriage.
    14. Cherry cordial yogurt.
    15. An ink pen that flows easily and writes well.
    16. A nice and yummy Christmas breakfast with friends.
    17. That God is everywhere all the time.
    18. Coconut oil for my dry skin.
    19. That I live close to walmart.
    20. Warm, fuzzy blankets.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1. God
    2. Pixal
    3. Axel
    4. my family
    5. Jesus
    6. Lulu
    7. aunts and uncles
    8. chase
    9. izzy
    10. my friends

    adelaide

    ReplyDelete
  12. Today I'm thankful for...in no particular order:
    1. Safe return of my children from their dads every week.
    2. Heat when Im cold.
    3. Pets that bring us joy.
    4. Friends that encourage me and help me grow.
    5. The children with whom I work.
    6. Money to buy dinner.
    7. Snow!
    8. Technology that makes little things easier.
    9. My car that gets me to work everyday.
    10. Doctors who help us when we're sick.

    Sydney Ansell

    ReplyDelete
  13. 1. for bonnie!
    2. for ginny's amazing bible study dedication!
    3. for heather listening to God and getting us to think of all we are thankful for!
    4. for not coughing right now!
    5. for cathy nagy- for all the obvious reasons.. she listens to God!
    6. for meredith and that little baby #3
    7. for charity's enthusiasm
    8. for my parents support always
    9. for community clubhouse and all the people who tutor there
    10. for anna's new liver!

    e

    ReplyDelete
  14. 1. for not having a lot of homework to do today!
    2. going Christmas shopping with my mom and finding some really fun gifts
    3. baking pumpkin chocolate chip bread
    4. having soup for dinner on a cold night
    5. having only 2 more days of school till its Christmas break! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. For Christmas lights
    2. For Judge Feeley(he did the adoptions of all three of our girls and we saw him at dinner tonight)
    3. For the girls being excited to see him also
    4. For technology
    5. For my husband surprise celebrating my 30lb weight loss(my surprise is coming in the mail)
    6. For knowing that not having a trouble free life causes me to be more dependent on God
    7. For hearing the girls sing Christmas songs in the car while we looked at lights
    8. For pets

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Way to go Lisa !!!!!! 30 lbs gone !!!!!!! HOOT !!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you - hugs !!!!!

      Delete
    2. Thank you Bonnie! I am just now reading this reply. You are an awesome supporter and encourager.

      Delete
  16. One more.... For my Jesus Calling devotional

    Oh and forgot to put who I am

    LisaD

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am thankful for:
    1. the freedom to be able to drive where I need to go
    2. a wonderful conversation about wives and husbands - Eph 5, 1 Peter, Genesis 12-23
    3. a new mentor/mentee relationship that is bringing me such joy
    4. the Trinity
    5. a fun shopping trip with my daughter
    6. devotions in, "Jesus Calling" - a great gift from Heather
    7. my hubby is feeling better after a week of being sick
    8. a very comfortable mattress to sleep on
    9. my trusty winter coat, affectionately called, "Big Purple"
    10. all of our cars have names, thanks to my daughter, and that we actually call the cars by their names - Ally, Miff, and Lil'Red!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thankful for...
    1. Not going into labor while Reg was in Lexington
    2. Shopping with my mom
    3. Listening to Weston play drums with my dad
    4. Coen wanting to read our Christmas devotional every night
    5. A Jars of Clay song on the radio that reminded me of my first real steps into wanting to know God and love Him
    6. God loving me first
    Meredith B.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Purple Pam
    1) Thankful that God's in control when things don't make sense.
    2) Thankful for 4 yr old Gboys who make me laugh.
    3) Thankful that time heals.
    4) Thankful for encouragers who reach out & bless you even when you don't realize you need.
    5) Thankful that I didn't have to get out on a rainy cold day.
    6) Thankful for when Scripture jumps off the page at me.
    7) Thankful for how happy Tiff's new hair makes her feel.
    8) Thankful that Monday only comes one day a week!
    9) Thankful that tomorrow's another day to praise the Lord!
    10) Thankful for purple cause it's fun!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. AMANDA
    I'm thankful for Mondays.
    I'm thankful for Leslie Thomas.
    I'm thankful for Cathy Jo summers.
    I'm thankful for Melissa goforth .
    I'm thankful for spending time with Steve making cookies.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1. My hubby suggesting dinner out.
    2. Daughter's science fair project going to regionals.
    3. Sunday's movie viewing/snugglefest in A's bed.
    4. When my family is appreciative of my labors.
    5. The help I got cleaning this weekend.
    6. My cousin's cut finally getting proper care and God keeping her safe through the initial event.
    7. A chance to get to know some of my co-workers better.
    8. Amazon.com delivering my shopping right to my door.
    9. The feeling of safety when I am encircled in my hubby's arms.
    10. God's gentle correction of my perceptions and attitudes.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am thankful for...
    1. My husband an daughter getting to go to church
    2. Sleep
    3. Homemade potato soup from a neighbor
    4. A decent night's sleep for being sick
    5. Christmas movies
    6. Laughter I heard from the bedroom of husband and children playing
    7. Alphabet and number videos to break up the day for my daughter
    8. Prayer
    9. Peace that can only come from God
    10. My season of life

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am thankful for...
    1) Heather's 'Ouch' reminder of Roman's 1:21 (Lord, help me to grow ever-increasingly thankful to You)
    2) the fun afternoon with sweet friends
    3) cough medicine to help my son sleep
    4) "Jesus Calling" devotional
    5) Sylvia Gunter's prayer books

    ReplyDelete
  24. 1. An awesome supervisor who can keep me level headed
    2. Dinner date with my man
    3. Baby snuggles with chunky Xen at church
    4. Fellowship
    5. Early bedtimes

    ReplyDelete