Thanksgiving Day Thanks

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 107:1, 118:1, 29, 136:1,3 This year I spent a big portion of Thanksgiving at the house of some very dear friends. It was a day smiles and tears, stories and fellowship. All surrounded with fabulous food, including Thanksgiving burritos! It sounds weird, but so amazing, (its buttered lefse with mashed potatoes and stuffing inside.) I also worked both of my jobs this Thanksgiving. In fact, I am at work now. During and after the events of today, I started thinking; what am I thankful for this year? If I were to list all of the things I am thankful for this post would never end, but I am going to list a few things. I am thankful for: the house God has provided me this year, the fact that my car still runs very well, that I have very special friends who love and care about me, and I got to spend part of the day with some of them, that in a time when we are constantly hearing about the bad economy, God has provided me with more jobs than I can even handle, that God gives mercy, strength, and peace when we need it most, and lastly for this list, I am thankful that God has blessed me with people in my life who are important enough to miss, and have left lasting impressions on my heart and life. Praise be to God! Happy Thanksgiving. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Play's the Thing

Last night, I was able to attend the Sleepy Eye high school production of "It's a Wonderful Life." Leah, from The White Woods, played a main character in the play. It was a fun evening, and the cast gave an excellent performance. The romantic scenes between George and Mary were sweet. The famous line, "Every time a bell rings and angel gets his wings" was delivered by a very cute little girl with curly blond locks. Although the idea of this 2nd class angel being sent down to earn is wings, is not the picture of Biblical accuracy, the play does display the reality that your life, and the choices you make, have a big impact on the lives of the people around you. It was a very enjoyable evening, and I would encourage anyone reading to catch one of the remaining showings, if possible. Performances: Saturday, November 21 & Monday, November 23 at 7:30pm. See Leah's blog The White Woods for some behind scenes & preparation posts regarding the play.

Painting to the Glory of God

Last weekend Cheryl from my church sacrificed 8hrs of her Saturday to help me transform the look of my upstairs room. We pulled down a border, spackled, scraped, primed, and double coated the walls in paint. All the while I talked her ear off again (same thing happened the previous weekend when I was helping her run a table at the women's expo.) believe it or not the blue was actually darker than it looks in these pictures. It was alot of work, but the company and the results made the effort worthwhile.

Who Really Plans Your Day? (Revised)

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 Well, its Friday morning. We are nearing the end of the week, and I was thinking over the events of this week so far. Monday, I forgot what time I worked, and ended up being a 1/2hr late. Tuesday, I intended to print off a card to take to a visitation, but I was out of ink. Later, I went to the visitation to be a comfort and encouragement, and wound up crying more than the family, and did not have much to say. Wednesday, I tried to put ink in my printer to print off the card, and I think I managed to break my printer. (I'll have to look at it when I am not tired and frustrated to be certain.) I intended to go to a funeral on Wednesday, but after a long night of working and an hour of sleep I realized I would not be able to make it through the funeral and work. Thursday, I got off of work at 9 and intended to get up and lift weights and go to kickboxing class. Instead I slept for a few more hours, and got up in time to go meet a friend for dinner, followed by work, which I wasn't scheduled for until Thursday morning. Do you notice a pattern? As I was thinking about my week, and all my plans that had changed, and been frustrated, I was reminded that I am not the one who plans the events of my day. Similar to 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 I make plans with good intentions to follow through, but my yes is only yes if God wills, and my no, is only no, through Him. So many times I plan to accomplish my To Do List, and I fail. I am so grateful that God is the one who determines what needs to be done in a day. God's plan is perfect and never fails. No matter how many tasks are left unchecked on my list at the end of the day, His list is complete. And, He who works in us both to will and to do (Philippians 2:13), will always cause us to accomplish His will. Have you ever thought about that when you were running 10 steps behind yourself, trying to catch up, and everything seemed to be falling through the cracks? God is Sovereign. He causes all things to work together for good. Romans 8:28. He works all things after the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11.) And so no matter what we did not accomplish in a day was always meant to be undone that day. We have no reason to worry, or be concerned (for you Cheryl), about the items left on the list, because God chose for us to not accomplish them. The same is true at the beginning of a long crazy day. As you look at your plans and think, "There is no way I can possibly accomplish all that I need to get done today." I would submit that we are always able a prepared to accomplish everything we need to get done in whatever day we are in, by the grace of God. Although, there is often quite a difference between what we need to do and what we think we need to do. We may have some days that our To Do List matches God's Will Be Done List, but even then it is God who works in us both to will and to do. (Philipians 2:13). "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." Job 23:13-14 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 And yet another change of plans. I have to go before finishing this. More to come. Additions in blue. James 4:14-15 Proverbs 16:9 (Proverbs 19:21) Psalm 33:10-11 Proverbs 16:1,3, &9