Obtaining Mercy

November 26, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

for beauty.

 

There is a time to be sober and see the pain of those who are hurting so that we can empathize with them.  There is a time to acknowledge the pain that we are feeling ourselves, rather than live a life of denial.

However, we cannot stay focused on that all the time.  If we do, our souls begin to wither and die.

We must take time to recognize the beauty around us, to stop and smell the roses, to drink in all of nature's splendor.

I have found that on the days when the pain, whether physical or emotional, is overwhelming me, I can choose to focus my mind on beauty:

• the beauty of Scripture,
• music,
• a lovely story,
• pretty crafts,
• a handful of colorful beads,
• my son's laughter,
• a growing plant,
• the pleasant breeze blowing.

There is beauty everywhere, if we will only take the time to notice it. 

Noticing beauty draws our hearts into attitudes of thankfulness. 

Attitudes of thankfulness focus our hearts on the God we are thanking.

Focusing on the greatness of our God brings our heart peace.

When we look at it that way, beauty brings peace.

{Now, that is something to be thankful for!}

November 25, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for you,

my bloggy friend!

May God's richest blessing be poured out on you today,

Alesha

November 25, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for you,

my bloggy friend!

May God's richest blessing be poured out on you today,

Alesha

November 24, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

that even in the darkness, God is near!

II Samuel 22:10-12 – He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

 

II Samuel 22:29 – 31 – For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

 

 II Chronicles 5:13-II Chronicles 6:1 – It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

 

Psalm 97:1-2 – The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

 

"All-loving Father, sometimes we have walked under starless skies that dripped darkness like drenching rain.  We despaired of starshine or moonlight or sunrise.  The sullen blackness gloomed above us as if it would last forever.  And out of the dark there spoke no soothing voice to mend our broken hearts.  We would gladly have welcomed some wild thunder peal to break the torturing stillness of that over-brooding night.

"But Thy winsome whisper of eternal love spoke more sweetly to our bruised and bleeding souls than any winds that breathe to us.  We were listening and we heard.  We looked and saw Thy face radiant with the light of love.  And when we heard Thy voice and saw Thy face, new life came back to us as life comes back to withered blooms that drink the summer rain." ~Streams in the Desert

November 24, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

that even in the darkness, God is near!

II Samuel 22:10-12 – He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

 

II Samuel 22:29 – 31 – For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

 

 II Chronicles 5:13-II Chronicles 6:1 – It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

 

Psalm 97:1-2 – The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

 

"All-loving Father, sometimes we have walked under starless skies that dripped darkness like drenching rain.  We despaired of starshine or moonlight or sunrise.  The sullen blackness gloomed above us as if it would last forever.  And out of the dark there spoke no soothing voice to mend our broken hearts.  We would gladly have welcomed some wild thunder peal to break the torturing stillness of that over-brooding night.

"But Thy winsome whisper of eternal love spoke more sweetly to our bruised and bleeding souls than any winds that breathe to us.  We were listening and we heard.  We looked and saw Thy face radiant with the light of love.  And when we heard Thy voice and saw Thy face, new life came back to us as life comes back to withered blooms that drink the summer rain." ~Streams in the Desert

November 22 & 23, 2010

Yesterday and Today I am Thankful…

…for these two:

***

***

***

***

***

***

I thought it would be all right if I used two days for my two boys. 🙂

I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart, but aside from Him, I live my life for these two.  I love them both passionately and would give my life for either of them.

I cannot imagine my life without them, and I can honestly say that I chose them both. 😉

I thank God for the purpose that Doug and Isaac give to my life.

I am grateful that I am, as my email signature line says,

"Joyful wife to Doug and mommy to Isaac."

We have a saying in our house that expresses exactly how I feel about them:

"Love, love, love."

I think that says it all.

🙂

November 22 & 23, 2010

Yesterday and Today I am Thankful…

…for these two:

***

***

***

***

***

***

I thought it would be all right if I used two days for my two boys. 🙂

I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart, but aside from Him, I live my life for these two.  I love them both passionately and would give my life for either of them.

I cannot imagine my life without them, and I can honestly say that I chose them both. 😉

I thank God for the purpose that Doug and Isaac give to my life.

I am grateful that I am, as my email signature line says,

"Joyful wife to Doug and mommy to Isaac."

We have a saying in our house that expresses exactly how I feel about them:

"Love, love, love."

I think that says it all.

🙂