Look at the birds of the air; They do not sow or reap or store way in barns; And yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

This last spring we had a bird’s nest in the tree next to our house and right outside my home office window.  It was pure joy to watch the mama and daddy cardinal sitting on the eggs, watching over the nest and then feeding the little baby birds.  And now we have four sets of cardinal pairs instead of two.

One of the joys of my life these days is seeing all the birds around the house.  They serve as a constant reminder of the Father’s love for me.  I am stand (well, usually sit – these days) at the glory of the Father’s creativity.  On any one day, we see at least 10-15 different varieties of birds.

On those days, when I am not feeling particularly valuable.  The Father speaks in soft and loving tone “You are valuable to me” through those birds.

Today I am grateful for:

Reconnecting with old friends

Bright sunshine on a crisp cold day

Small successes

Wood burning stoves that  not only heat the house but great to watch and listen to the wood crackle and pop

My body even when it feels like it is betraying me

The Provision of Abba Father

What are you grateful for?

This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm

Today I am thankful for:

• puppies who snuggle in my lap on cold days
• a supportive husband
• peach yogurt
• my continuing weight loss
• Jesus who chose me to die for, who continues to choose me to love no matter what (Jesus who choses you to die for, who continues to choose you to love no matter what)

What are you glad about today?

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.