Jesus the Word. Jesus the Truth.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” ~ Colossians 3:16

I am so thankful for the above-mentioned word of Christ that is available to dwell in us richly. In a world of humanistic ideas/ideology. Where reason trumps truth, and guessing on the origins of man becomes religiously believed as truth. Where the killing of innocent babies becomes a choice or a right. Where good is called evil and evil is called good. Where standing up for truth is called phobic, intolerant or judgemental. I am thankful for the anchor in our soul. The Rock that we have to lean on. The living, powerful word of God- sustaining us.

A simple story comes to mind. A little girl in school, hears the bully's taunting comments, they tell her that she is useless, ugly and needs to stay away from them. The little girl goes home to her daddy and cries from the pain of the rejection from her day. Daddy tells her the truth about herself and his love. He assures her she is valuable, beautiful and he wants her near him all the time. The knowledge of what her daddy tells her carries her through the next day and the day after that with the continual badgering she receives. She keeps coming home, receiving the truth from her source. Daily spending time with Daddy. As long as she can come home to such love, she knows in her heart that the bullies are wrong. She begins to have compassion on them because she understands that they don't have such a love to live for...

The Truth is this little girl's sustenance. It is her fortress, her stronghold. Her joy.

Thank you Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Light, the Life, the Answer, the Bridge, the Source, the Sustenance, the Guide, The Rock, the Cornerstone, the Firm Foundation...I could fill the page. Thank you for giving us YOU!!

Now the little girl is asking her daddy if he can help the bullies. Asking what she can do to help them see the truth. That they are loved by the Truth. That He died for them. She begins to smile at them when she sees them and hold her head high. Fear dissipates in the knowledge that she is loved.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Today and every day I am THANKFUL FOR THE TRUTH!

Go visit Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday posts.

Change...Newness of life.

It was the end of 2006 when I closed my one year Bible, and a thought came to me that seemed so simple and yet so profound...Every ending is another new beginning. After having lost so many loved ones in the preceding years, I had experienced many endings. And they had all experienced new beginnings...eternity.I am thankful for:

• the new season we are in...autumn and it's beauty!
• a new heart...that God is still working on me and changing it to be more like His!
• my new computer...it is a blessing to be able to use it anywhere!
• God's new mercies every morning...now matter what happened yesterday-it is past!
• the daily "news"...like fresh laundry, good food, a full gas tank...!
• my new nephew...my baby sister is a new mom today!! Congrats, Steph!
• a new perspective on an old issue...I delight in the Light!
• a new part for our furnace...let there be heat!

1. 

A little late in the day, but wow!! Let the list begin!! I am thankful for:

This perfect day! The weather was like a kiss from the King!

The beauty of God's creation. My yard is in full bloom, and the grass is mowed and I was able to just sit and look at it for awhile today.

My house is a house of prayer...2 people stopped over for prayer Tuesday, one was a neighbor who is being tested for lukemia next week, and another "sister" from my small group looking for support. The cool thing is they were here at the same time, so Jodi (neighbor) got two to pray for her!!

My prayer time with Ethan in the morning. His name means "Steadfast Heart" and when he prays I can see him living up to it!

My husband had a breakthrough on Sunday. He was under a dark cloud for the last several weeks, and I was awakened @ 3am Sunday to pray. I cried out to the Lord. During the service the Lord spoke to him and he has been walking in light since then!!

Kayla will be coming home Sunday from her summer @ camp as counselor, and a week later we will be attending the Barlow Girl concert (16th) and on to vacation in the UP of Michigan!

My young friend, Reverie, who I have mentored over the past few years sent me a beautiful mug that says "mocha". Thanks Rev!! I love ya! She just started a blog...

And finally, just had to let you know again I am thankful I got to meet Heather on Monday! & Between her and Angela I was able to figure out the linking thing!! Thanks girls!!

Woo Hoo!! I did it!! Thanks Robin for the heads up on the "edit html". I am so slow. Please laugh with me not at me (smile!)

I am very thankful that I was able to go to She Speaks and learn to get the little picture on here. I am still working on some other things like "tags". (Angela, I have tried and hopefully will get it!)

I am thankful that my God is so good and answers prayers.

I am thankful for my church which is growing in having a heart for prayer.

I am thankful for blogworld and all the beautiful Christlike sisters I have met and been encouraged by.

I am thankful I get to meet Heather on Monday, and that she is getting a wonderful Bible Study published in September.

I am thankful for the 24 kids at our VBS tonight, and that I got to pray with a 5th grade boy to recieve the Wonderful Gift of Jesus. I was in awe knowing that our Savior is living in his little heart and will be with him always. Please pray for him as he is from an unchurched/broken home and is just transitioning into living with his dad and going to a new school this fall. Guess what his name is...Christian!! I wonder if his mama knew it was prophetic when she named him!

I am thankful for my beautiful daughter who has given up her summers for the last 5 years to be a missionary and lead little ones/and this summer bigger ones to Jesus.

I am thankful for my son who loves Truth and Righteousness and stands strong in his faith. And for his humor.

I am thankful for my husband and how hard he works. That we can have true fellowship in the Lord and that he has prayed with me recently.

I am thankful for my friend Holly who means the world to me. Who God is doing some amazing things for and for her perseverence, by His grace.

I am thankful for the amazing Promised Land/ the Living Word, my Bible.

Sweet Sweetness. That's all I gotta say!