Burst onto song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees Isaiah 44:23

Once I heard a pastor one time ask a group of children “How does a tree give glory to God?  How does an elephant give glory?” His answer has had a profound effect on my outlook especially on days like today when I am physically feeling really awful. His answer was “Just by being a tree.  Just by being an elephant.” Gloriously colored trees in the fall of year always remind me of this.  A hillside filled with trees giving glory to God just by being.   Just by being what we are created to be, we give glory to the One who created us.  Now on some days that makes for a busy day and on other days,  like today, I can rest in knowing I give glory to God by being what He created me to be.   The beauty of a foggy mist among the trees on the hill this morning

Today even though I feel awful and I choose to be thankful for:

• Abba Father who watches over me, forgives me and loves me right where I am
• His provision and healing touch
• Puppies who sleep in my lap and beg for my chicken
• Old movies that I can enjoy with my daughter

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land – a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills. Deuteronomy 8:7

Our paster, Brian Wade, from Belmont Church in Nashville, TN has discussed over the recent weeks about knowing that God is there for us on mountain tops and in the valleys of life. It is easy to know the God is there on the mountain tops

• when our relationships are in order,
• when our jobs and finances are going well,
• when we feel His presence,
• in short, when everything feels good.

When the opposite things are true:

• when relationships are in disarray,
• We have lost of job or are worried about our jobs, finances or the economy,
• when nothing seems to be going the way we expected or to be honest, just plain want,
• and we may not feel his presence.

Today, I read this verse something jumped out at me. Abba Father is bringing me and you into a good land. That is the promise. This has streams, springs and pools of water. But what else does that “good land” also have. This land has mountain and valley. Both the mountain tops experiences and the valley where we have Jesus – our Living Water – make up the “good land“

Abba Father, today I give thanks for:

• The Living Word in my life as I live in the good land that you have provided and are bringing me into
• Laughter
• Christmas songs
• Honest relationship
• Progress even in the small steps

All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Dear Lord,

Today, at this hour and this moment, I choose to look by faith and believe your promise for me and for those I love. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

from http://www.disciplecrafts.net

Today I give thanks

• That I live in a land I love surrounded by family
• For heat on cold day – there are those in this world who do not have that luxury
• The joy of watching cardinals and blue jays eating seeds off the driveway
• A hillside full of trees
• A Father who promises to work ALL things together for my good.

What are you thankful for today?

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalms 18:28

Have you ever been in a pitch black room with no light source? We live out in the country with no street lamps or other outdoor light sources. On a moonless or a cloudy night when the lights are all out, it is so dark you can not see a hand in front of your face. Now I have lived in this house long enough to know where everything is – but one of those cloudy nights, if there is not a light on somewhere, I run into furniture. Or find the door to go from one room to another.

When I am in “my darkness” of life, it is like my house in so many ways. I do not know where things are. Things that seem so obvious in the light are no longer obvious. I go the wrong way. I can’t find my way. I get hurt because I trip over things.

Oh, what a difference just a little light makes. I can see the way to go. In fact, the way is obvious.

Jesus promises to “keep my lamp burning and to “turn my darkness into light.” He does not, however, promise how much light.

Enough to walk by faith, yes. Enough to learn to trust, yes. Enough to give me choice.

Today, now, this moment - will I walk in the light – His light or will I turn my back and walk towards the darkness?

Today I am grateful for:

• my little white dog who likes to snuggle
• my aunt who still lovingly calls me “kid” (even though I am 53)
• beautiful red cardinal outside my window this morning
• smiling babies
• my Lord who turns my darkness into light.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— who always was, who is, and who is to come Rev. 4:8b

My Abba Father is Holy.

This is a verse which over the years has taken me into His presence. The Hebrew word for Holy is hagios. In considering scripture, I have often found it particularly useful to examine the words etymology – that, is the origins of a word. This is especially true for the word Holy. It comes from a the word hagos and is related to:hagnos meaning exciting reverence and pure and thalpō related to warm, keep warm and 2) to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care

So now before you all go to sleep on me.

My Abba Father is to be approached with an exciting reverence or veneration. The same kind of thing veneration that we might see when a child runs into the arms of their daddy after dad has been at work all day. Running with their arms outstretched, a great big smile and jumping into his arms. My Abba Father is pure. He knows what we need and when we it. – Even it seems like it is taking to long to me – My Abba Father is always there to cherish you and me with His tender love. His love keeps my heart and soul warm and tender. For all that to be true, my Lord Jesus Christ left His throne at the right hand of the Father, so that I could have a relationship with Him.

Jesus – who was – He was with me in the difficult times of the past.

Jesus – who is - He has my back and walks beside me today.

Jesus - who is to come - who one day soon I will meet in clouds. He walks before me into my future. He is my bright and shining light into my tomorrows.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— who always was, who is, and who is to come.

Today I am thankful for:

• My Abba Father
• Puppies that wrestle on the floor
• Red cardinals and Bluejays that took turns sharing the food in the bird feeder this morning
• Small successes
• The love of my family

Joyful, Joyful…

Lord we adore Thee
The God of glory
The Lord of love

This song was running through my head today, as I was considering  writing this. Sometimes it is so easy to let the circumstances of life, block our view of reality. The reality that Jesus left the glory of heaven and chose me. The reality and mystery that the God who created the vast incredible universe chose to die so that I might have a relationship with the Father. The God of glory and the Lord of Love makes it possible for you and me to have Joy. A joy that is the result of His love and healing in my life.

from www.disciplescraft.net

Today I am grateful for…

• Ears to hear the wind blowing the trees on a cold crisp morning
• Eyes to see a sunset where the white fluffy clouds turns shades of pink and purple against a brilliant blue sky
• Hugs
• the God of glory, Lord of love

And here are the rest of the words to the song

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Lyrics

Words by Henry van Dyke
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day
All Thy works with joy surround Thee

full lyrics

more Steve Green lyrics

In beginning…

Today I am grateful for:

• Faith that reminds me that the Father knows the plans He has for me and you – plans to prosper me and not to harm you and me, plans to give us a hope and a future. Jer 29:11
  • Raining days It makes the days with blue skies and puffy white clouds that much more special.
    • Cardinals in the tree outside my window
      • My husband He is there for me even in the midst of his grief and he celebrates such different things than I do.
        • My daughter Her unconditional acceptance of the people in her life is incredible and she has the courage to call me on my stuff.

One of things in life that I really love is saving money and helping people.

To that end, when I find a really great deal, I well let you know about them. Birdbath.com is currently have a Super Sale with savings as much as 50% off. Birdbath.com has been around since 2003. I have pulled just 3 examples to give you an idea. Check ‘em out!

Fountain Bird Bath is only $62 – a savings of 50%. As 9:50 pm on Dec. 11th there are only 75 available.

The solar bird bath is on sale for $99.98 that is 41% savings. That is the Lowest Price of the Season and you can get it by Christmas with FREE shipping.

Bird on a Leaf Bird The Bird on a Leaf is 50% off for $24.98 and you can get it by Christmas with FREE shipping.

Holidays getting to you? They have also have a Holiday Survival Guide that have some fun and informative information.

( http://holiday.birdbaths.com/Holiday/Holiday-Survival-Kit.aspx)