THANKFUL THURSDAY...what is perfect?

Just once I would like to have a perfect day. Whatever that is. Perhaps the sun shining, no traffic jams, enough money in the bank, the children cleaning their rooms without being told, the house cleaned and dinner on the table before I arrive home from work. Such pleasant thoughts.

What comes to your mind when you think of perfect? Some of the same things, or perhaps a perfect job, or a perfect spouse? Do you envision all the hassles and inconveniences melting away? Samuel talks about God making his way perfect but somehow I don't think he was talking about the cleanliness of his home or the stability of his finances...

"God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:33

God's view of "perfect" is different than my view. Perfect doesn't always come in a nice, clean, organized package. In fact, God's "perfect" way may actually be what I consider hard and painful. After all, if everything was silk and lace in our life, how often would we reach out and cling to God's strong arms? Often times, it is in the difficulties that God forms us, thus perfecting us along the way, as we trust Him and lean upon His understanding, not ours.

I don't always understand why bad things happen to good people or why good people have bad days. I can't always see the path that I have chosen clearly, but in hindsight, I can look back over my day, my life and see that God has been pulling me and leading me in a very different direction, all so that He can make my way "perfect".

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and today as I share my grateful heart with you, I reflect on all of the ups, the downs, the joys, and the disappointments of my life...each one having a plan and purpose as ordained by God, so that His way can be perfected in me.

What are you grateful for today? We would love to have you join us this week for THANKFUL THURSDAY, please link up below.

THANKFUL THURSDAY...we are chosen

A few years ago when my husband and I walked the halls of the Louvre Museum in Paris, our breath was taken away as we took in the beauty of amazing works of art. Artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, with each stroke, created masterpieces.

There are alot of people who have an eye for art, and there is none like the Master of all Masterpieces, God can spot a masterpiece even before the first stroke of paint is applied. Unfortunately, few of us comprehend that we have value far greater than any masterpiece that can be housed at such great art museums like the Louvre where the famous Mona Lisa resides. Most of us instead see our value more like one that could be found at the corner garage sale, marked down for a quick sale. Most of us see ourselves as something just ordinary and not worth much.

I guess, most of us, at some point in our lives have experienced some sense of feeling thrown away like a rummage sale special, either by divorce, a friends rejection, criticism from others or even rebellion of a teen child. No matter who we are or what social position we hold in society, we all long to hear the words, "I love you" and feel like we have value.  Such words are like drops of water on our love starved souls. There is no monetary value that can be placed upon such a feeling.

One of the greatest values that I have stumbled across is found in the book of Isaiah...

"I have chosen you and have not rejected you." Isaiah 41:9

We have been chosen?

Absolutely! Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and I am ever so grateful that heavenly treasures are never thrown away. We are not garage sale throw aways....we are God's treasured masterpieces.

What are you grateful for today? Please join us this week by linking up your TT post below.

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Is there a good samaritan in the house?

Every day I drive by an intersection where someone is begging for help. Alittle money, a cup of coffee to stay warm or a small bag from McDonald's would all be helpful to these that stand on the corner, seemingly in need.

Often times, as I drive by, I try to look in the faces of these that are considered beggars. I wonder about their story. How is it that they have come to stand on this corner, being in such dire need? Was life so tough that they found themselves in an impossible situation or did they make choices that brought them to this corner?

No matter what their story is, we hold the power in our hand to either help or drive by. I have to admit, most days I just drive by, not just those on the corner of the street but I drive by those I rub shoulders with day in and day out.

Face it, we are surrounded by the poor and needy. Not just those who have little food, but the wealthy executive who seems to have things together but inside has a impoverished soul. So many needs represent themselves daily to us, we may feel overwhelmed, like there is no difference we can make. After all, who can feed an entire community or house all those who are homeless and have nowhere to go?

Proverbs 31:8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

Helping those in need does not require us to do for them what they can do for themselves. We cannot live their lives for them. We cannot make their choices. But what helping the needy requires is that we show them that we care.

Whether it be the homeless on the corner or the one at the office that feels hopeless...the best way we can help them is to genuinely care about them and care about what they are in need of.

My question to you today is: "Is there a good Samaritan in the house?"

Would the REAL good Samaritan please stand up.

THANKFUL THURSDAY...the REAL issue

Many of you probably sat down and watched the Presidential debate tonight. I asked my husband who he thought won, he didn't really have an answer to that question. I don't know if there are really any winners of debates, after all election time only means that candidates try their best to identify what our problems are and then they try to convince us that they hold the key to the solution.

Debates can't really identify how good candidates can solve problems, debates only determine who can talk the smoothest. Truth be told, most candidates don't really know what the real issues are or even how to resolve them.

Only One Person can do that. God has already identified what the real issue is. And He has also given us the solution.

The issue? Mankind is lost. The solution? Accepting God's love and forgiveness

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so WHOSOEVER believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." -John 3:16

There's no debate about it...God desires for ALL to come to know Him and that my friend is the REAL issue at hand. Let's pray for our politicians. For our country. And for the lost.

May God surely BLESS the good ole USA!

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and I am glad that you joined us. I will be hosting TT this month and I am looking forward to hearing what is on your grateful heart! Join us by linking up below.

LACED WITH GRACE...The central core of our being

Today you can find me over at LACED WITH GRACE, where I have shared a devo with the readers entitled, "The Central Core of our Being"...

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HAVE YOU EVER SLICED AN APPLE?
One of the greatest things about apple slices is that no matter how you slice it, the apple core always remains. No matter if you cut it in half or in fourths, you cannot get around the core. Just as the core is what keeps the apple intact, we also have a core that keeps us intact. Our heart is the central core of our being, or at least it should be....

CLICK THE LINK to read this entire post!

THANKFUL THURSDAY...be a godparent

Many of us were given a "godparent" when we were born. My Aunt and Uncle were my godparents. I can remember when I was a child, how much more they lavished on me than they did my brothers. I guess it was because they felt more of a responsibility for me.

I can remember the summers that I went with them to their summer place. It is here that I most recall lessons being taught to me by my godparents. During these summertime visits, I learned how to pick blackberries, I learned how to fish...not only how to fish but what kind of lure to put on your hook, I learned how to appreciate nature, and I learned how to play shuffleboard.

In all of these lessons passed down to me by my godparents, I learned one crucial element...CHARACTER! When I think of good character, I automatically think of my Uncle. In all of the years that I spent with him, I cannot recall ever a time that I saw him mad. Oh, I'm sure he got mad, but I never saw it. When I think of my Uncle, I see a giving, tender hearted, hard working, sincere and loving man. A man of good character.

It has been said that "Character is what you do when nobody is watching" and "Character is how you treat people when they can do nothing for you". Character is how you act when the pressure is on. Character is deciding beforehand that doing the right thing IS the right thing.

Having a godly character is really important. My godfather taught me alot of things, but most importantly he taught me what having good character looks like. This week my godfather went to be with the Lord and I thought how sad that the lessons he taught has come to an end. But then I realized that he is still teaching me...thru his legacy.

Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them."

It is my prayer that you and I can have the heart of a "godparent", one that is loving, nurturing and displaying godly character to those around us. Whether we are legally a godparent to a child or not, realistically we are all godparents, as we pave the way, leading others to Christ.

Who are you influencing today and what is your character saying about you? May we all leave a spirit filled legacy behind.

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and IRIS is hosting. Next week we will meet here where you will find TT for the month of October. I am looking forward to visiting with each of you and it is my prayer that each of us will have thanks in our heart not just today but everyday until He calls us home.

Excessive baggage

If you have traveled recently, you know that the rules and regulations for traveling with baggage has changed drastically. How many bags allowed per traveler and the weights of the bags are much less now than ever. If you are traveling for any length of time, this could pose problems.

But having baggage problems is surely not a new problem to most of us, we have been dealing with baggage issues for years!

Imagine going to the airport to check your luggage, but your bag is just too heavy, so someone comes along and picks up your bag and handles it for you. Now, you and I both know that this is against the rules. To have someone else handle your baggage is a definite no-no.

I do not know why we do not heed to the same rules and regulations with the personal baggage that we carry. I am not talking about your Samsonite bag, I am talking about all of the stuff from our past that we cannot let go of.

Imagine what it would be like if the same penalties were applied to us for having overweight baggage or if the same punishment was implemented if we passed our baggage off to someone else. I would imagine that if this happened, we would be quicker to relinquish those things that we hang onto.

This is perhaps what Paul is referring to in his letter to the church at Corinth:

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold , all things become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Old things are forgiven, cleansed and forgotten. This is what God does. But unfortunately, we do not do it. We hang onto the hurts, the disappointments and the failures, thus, becoming baggage. We not only hang onto it, but often times, we pass our baggage unto others. It isn't enough that we condemn ourselves and keep ourselves bogged down with this weight, but those close to us get the excess weight thrust upon them.

When we ask God to empower us, it is possible to leave old baggage behind. All we have to do is open up to the Holy Spirit and name each piece one by one, and before you know it, your bag will be unpacked.

Isn't it time for you to be set free? Go ahead and unpack your bags today!