Sabbath Keeping

"Give thanks to the Lord

for He is good

His love endures forever."

~ 1 Chronicles 16:34 ~

"There is always a reason to be thankful."

"Happiness isn't about getting what you want,
it's about being thankful for what you have."

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it 

is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

~ William Arthur Ward ~

"The more you thank God,
the more He'll make you aware of your blessings."

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given to you." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnack ~

"Thank God you aren't where you were."

"Life is full of give and take.
Give thanks and take nothing for granted."

"Be thankful for all the difficult people in your life.
They have shown you who you do not want to be."

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others."
~ Cicero ~

Your list for top ten reasons to be thankful:
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9.
X.

"What if you woke up today 

with only the things 

you thanked God for yesterday?"

"And whatever you do, 

in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

~ Colossians 3:17 ~

Please pray for ~ fire fighters in eastern TN, KY and southwest VA ~ Nancy ~ Anita ~ Bonnie ~ Stephanie ~ Maxine ~ Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

his steadfast love endures forever."

~ Psalm 136:1 ~

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
~ Albert Schweitzer ~ 

"Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel."

~ proverb~

"Instead of complaining that God had hidden himself, you will give him thanks for having revealed so much of himself." ~ Blaise Pascal ~ 

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."

~ G. B. Stern ~

"A man who is eating, or lying with his wife, or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance, is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride." ~ C. S. Lewis ~ 
"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G. K. Chesterton ~ 

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. 

Have you used one to say "thank you?""

~ William A. Ward ~ 

"The only people with whom you should try to get even, are those who have helped you."
~ John E. Southard ~ 

"Who does not thank for little, 

will not thank for much." 

~ proverb ~

"A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the spirit of God. It prevails with him unspeakably." ~ John Bunyan ~ 
"An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed, knowing that God's bonds are as good as ready money." ~ Matthew Henry ~

"Thanksgiving comes after Christmas." 

~ anonymous ~

"For everything created by God is good, 

and nothing is to be rejected,

if it is received with gratitude; 

for it is sanctified by means

of the word of God

and prayer."

~ I Timothy 4:4-5 ~

If you'd like a name added to the prayer list, please let me know...but no anonymous requests, please. Names will be kept until end of the year and then removed so the list can begin anew in January. Around the world, people are praying.

Prayer Keeping ~ Maxine ~ Roland ~ Jason and Sara ~ Patty ~ Lizzie ~ Pamela ~ Marydon ~ Katie ~ Debbie ~ Sandy ~ Geoffrey and Terry ~ Jane and Lance ~ Misha and J ~ Timi's family ~ Stephanie's family ~ Quesenberry family ~ Smith family ~ Jones family ~ LindaSue ~ Raeann ~ Mike ~ Wayne ~ Steve and Gwen ~ Greg ~ Ethan ~ Mildred and John ~ Billy ~ Charles and Cassie ~ Erik and Jessica ~ Ally Belle ~ Claudie ~ Maryann and family ~ Annie's family ~ Evan ~ Minnie ~ LaShon ~ Sparky ~ Kathie ~ Charlotte ~ John ~ me ~

5 Months...but who's counting...

Here we are, in the tropics of Alaska, also known as Barrow. When we were packing for this trip, I told Dave, "Honey, you need to take a jacket or sweater." He barely glanced my direction. "Oh no. I'll be fine; it's not going to be that cold." I looked askance. "Dave, it's Alaska and not only Alaska, we're going to Barrow, the northernmost point in Alaska." Did he listen? Oh no. So, when we got off the plane in Barrow, the first thing we did was go shopping! Let me tell you something, shopping in Barrow, Alaska is swift and sweet because there's only one store and if they don't have it, you don't need it.
So, he bought his black hooded zippered jacket and wore that baby constantly! It looked great on him too -smile-.
It's five months today and, guess what? I'm okay. I'm actually doing okay; nothing great or fabulous but, mostly, I'm remembering to breath normally, I'm eating one decent meal a day and I've been on a mile walk because Sophie decided to go walkabout and I had to chase the dratted thing!
Grief is funny and strange. Sometimes I natter on because I'm so overwhelmed by grief that I need to pour it all out. I also need your comments; I cherish your comments and your prayers and know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that a lot of days, it's your prayers that keep me going forward. Today, I'm talking about grief because, unfortunately, some of you will, eventually, need to know.

Grief is funny and strange. It's a visitor that shows up at will; like an On/Off switch but I haven't a clue where to find that switch. Grief comes, unbidden...trust me, totally unbidden...stays as long as it wants, does what it wants, is as terrible as it wants, extracts whatever price it wants, and then, suddenly, one morning it's gone. Gone for how long, only God knows.
Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about; you've been there, before me, and you know you do the best you can, most of the time, and sometimes even that isn't good enough. Still, one struggles and muddles through, knowing God is carrying the load, when we allow.

If you're interested, you can do something to lighten someone's load. Send a card, bake a casserole, take someone to lunch, offer to clean house, take their car to be washed, return books to the library, buy stamps or take their mail to the post office, take lunch and tea to their house and share a quiet hour or two. There are hundreds of ways to tell let show someone you care! Why should you? Because one day, dear heart, it's going to be you waiting, waiting, waiting and if you've sown sparingly, you'll reap sparingly and who wants or needs that? Sow with abandon, broadcast good works and deeds among everyone you know and yes, even that one person you don't really care for but s/he needs someone to care. It could be you making the difference between them making a stupid mistake in their life. Some of you have sent cards, e-notes, e-cards and all have blessed me. Sometimes those cards have arrived at a time and made the difference between grief and despair; bless you mightily for doing not such a small thing!

Last week someone mentioned to me they were out of town when someone they know passed away. This woman asked me, "I haven't called the family or sent a card and it's been a month. Is it too late?" Bless her for asking! No, it's not too late and if a phone call makes you uncomfortable...what shall I say, what if they start crying, what if, what if, what if...then, by all means, send a card. It's safe and easy and, from personal experience, know your card will be kept in a special place and read, re-read over and over and over... Is there anyone who gets tired of knowing someone cared enough to send a card? Not me! I told someone, "If God can't get me through this (grief), I won't go!" But He will, He's faithful and I choose to trust Him.
A few minutes ago, I looked at the statistics for this blog. More than 100,000 people have visited my Thistle Cove Farm blog and I am shocked; thank you so much! I started TCF blog in May 2005 and it's chronicled our life on the farm and our travels. It's been a great way to meet so many wonderful people both virtually and in person. Bless you; God bless us, everyone!

Blessings ~ TCF blog ~ travels ~ friends ~ faithfulness ~ a good few days ~

Be Thankful

~ Carly and son, Samuel ~

Be thankful you don't already have everything you desire,

if you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times;

during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations;

they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge;

it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes;

they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary

it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those

who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

and they can become your blessings. 

 

~ Author Unknown to me ~

Rebecca Writes of November gratitude; my grateful heart is full.

Blessings ~ November ~ almost, December ~ a full life ~ overflowing gratitude ~ my animals - dogs, cats, horses, sheep ~ all my needs fulfilled ~

Merry Christmas,
  ~ Sandra