Joyfull Living

We've welcomed November and watched as it moves quickly along! One week from today is Thanksgiving - which switches our lives into holiday mode for the rest of the year. Looking ahead, we know these days will be filled with more activity, more tasks, busyness and a shift from our normal routines. When we look at the holidays from that perspective, it makes my heart rate increase and an anxious feeling begin in stomach! But as a Christian, I know there is a beauty in savoring the season when I remind myself that these days can be filled with peace and joy instead of dread and anxiety. Thanksgiving and the Christmas season are opportunities to sit and ponder the blessings of God. We begin by counting our blessings and thanking Him for them. This often requires us to look past our pain, struggles and situations and look for a spark of hope, a tiny thread of something good we can grasp. When we look, we can always find something good and something to be thankful for. This season offers...

Hello November! If there was ever a season I would like to hit the pause button to be able for time to stand still, November would be it! Fall is all around us, early November finds our hearts leaning toward gratitude and anticipating upcoming time with family and friends. From this point on, the rest of the year will be filled with sights and sounds of thankfulness and then will quickly move on to embrace the spirit of Christmas. The first of November is a time to reset our hearts. It is a month that recognizes gratitude and thankfulness. Through the years, I've participated in thankful challenges, made gratitude lists, daily thanksgiving journals, you name it, I probably have done it in the quest to capture a thankful heart and attitude. Over the years while counting my blessings, the list is usually the same...Faith, Family, Friends etc. But a heart of gratitude is more than simply naming a blessing, but digging deeper to get to the heart. Why are we thankful - how can I in turn...

Hello November!  Welcome cooler weather, cute and cozy sweaters, autumn scented candles, open windows, fall baking and pumpkin everything! I LOVE fall! The beginning of November is an exciting time as the beauty of fall is here but the rush and stress of the holidays are still at a distance.  Of course we know that November means that Thanksgiving is close! It usually means gathering with friends and family to enjoy a meal and fellowship together.  It sounds so cozy and wonderful doesn't it?  But, in real life, families may be a bit more complicated!  Sometimes spending hours on end with family turns cozy into confined. Relaxed gatherings become stressful as conversation lulls and we begin to wonder, what are we going to do now? Age differences, various seasons of life and just a general difference in perspective can cause communication barriers.  How do we prepare for those awkward Thanksgiving home moments?  It can begin with you! The...

Happy November! I LOVE November, well actually, I LOVE all fall months!  But November is special because some anticipation is building for the upcoming  holidays.  It's ok to begin browsing the Christmas section at the store (which has been up for a few months now!), it's a time to plan for some family time at Thanksgiving and while all that anticipation is beginning, it is a time to slow down and count your blessings. There are several detailed plans that encourage us to count our blessings from sharing a blessing a day to 30 day gratitude devotions, to writing notes of thanksgiving to others.  It's never been easier to count your blessings!   This year I found something a little different.  It is Thanksgiving Journal Prompts . Through writing I've learned 'prompts ' are little nudges of creativity that can jump start the thought process and focus the direction of writing. It reigns in focus and encourages deliberate intentionally on...

It may be last minute, but I'm sharing the remaining days of November blessings!  As one who loves to begin new projects, challenges and ideas, but struggles to finish, this November counting daily blessings has been completed.   This November instead of seeking daily blessings (which is so important), my desire was to be reminded of the promises of God, mainly in who He is and His attributes.  Here is the remainder of November: November 20: Forgiveness.  Being forgiven by God and overwhelmed enough to pass it on. November 21:  God of Comfort.  No trial is in vain, the comfort given to us, can be shared with others. November 22:  Holy:  God is Holy and the Holiest of all.  Hard to grasp, but brings awe. November 23:  The Fruit of the Spirit.  found in Galatians 5...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness...the qualities we want to grow in our lives! November 24:  God Reigns...above all November 25: Fai...

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. By taking deliberate time to count our blessings, it has a very positive affect on our attitudes and actions.  Through my journey of thanking God for who He is, I'm finding those beautiful blessings from Him are to be manifest in us and shared through us.  Here are some powerful things I've found this week: November 14 : God's love.   this is so vast and so mighty, but so basic.. ."and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 November 15:  God's Divine Power:  The power of God that is only ascribed to Him, is shared with us, to equip us in our daily life...

This has been an intense week. While committed to share a blessing about the Lord each day, if there was a week to be distracted, this would have been it!  Much time was spent praying for our nation, followed by begin glued to the television for news about the election.  When the though of 'finally the election is over', upheaval and emotion about the outcome seemed to fly from everywhere.  If our focus or trust leans away from God, hope wanes, trials of life are magnified and confusion reigns. But, Christians have a hope that endures, promises from God's Word to cling to and the ability to trust in the One True God who reigns supremely. So this week, before the craziness of the day would begin, some time in God's Word became not only a blessing, but peace, comfort and strength for the day. November 7 :  Jesus is the Light of the World ..in Him, there is no darkness. November 8:  Jesus is the King of Kings . A commentary quoted..."in Revelati...

Thankfulness is on our minds this month and it seems we try to slow down, look around and count our blessings.  While we work towards attitude of gratitude, it usually sets off a chain reaction. We identify a blessing, feel thankful for it and express our thanks to God.   Truly, God deserves our praise and thanksgiving, but many of our blessings are people and they are all around us.  The old saying, "It's the thought that counts" isn't true. As long as the thought remains in your head, it accomplishes nothing. But when it motivates you to express gratitude to someone, it becomes fruitful and a shared blessing.  Gratitude can be expressed in many languages. Every person in your life has a dominant gratitude language. Learning to speak those languages can improve your relationships at home, at work, and at church. In the process, you'll become a better communicator of the overflowing love of God. Adapted from the 5 Love Languages, here are way...

This was a fabulous weekend to continue 'counting my blessings'!  A short shot of cooler air hit our area which made the weekend feel wonderful.  That in itself is a huge 'Thank You, Lord'!  This was a weekend at home, open windows, cleaning house, no rushing around.  Some call it boring, I love a weekend like this every now and again! November 5 - thankful for morning runs and podcasts.  Was able to log in good distance and listen and grow from 3 podcasts...learning about leadership, missions and God's purpose. November 6 - Sweet hubby had to work the weekend.  Usually on those weekends, the boys and I grab a quick lunch out.  One of my son's friends called and was planning to drop by on Sunday.  Then he asked, is 'your mom cooking'?  What a blessing Sunday lunch is, being able to prepare it and knowing it is more than food, but fellowship and love expressed. 

The first week of November is in full swing and my goal of finding gratitude through God's Word has brought much grace and thankfulness to my heart this week.  It is so true that you usually find what you are looking for. With open eyes and attentive ears, we are more likely to be sensitive and aware. Reading God's Word while searching for one of His characteristics renewed an awareness of how great He is. I'm hoping to keep a running list of November days to correspond with what I'm so thankful for.  Here is this week's list: 1 ,  God is merciful .  Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Mercy is giving something to someone that they don't deserve. When people come to faith, trust and salvation in Jesus Christ, the punishment for their sins is forgiven, all paid for by Him on the cross. This is God's greatest mercy.  Luke 6:36 tells us to ... "Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."  This verse reminds me of Go...

We are a pretty traditional family. Like most people, we have certain routines we cling to and usually don't stray from!  Holidays are special and traditions run deep.  So, this year a rather quick trip to the mountains was planned and the only time we could go, was the week of Thanksgiving.  So we packed up as many family members as could go and off we went! It wasn't the regular lunch at Nana's with the family.  It was beautiful lakes...     Gorgeous fall colors     Enjoying lots of outside time  Thanksgiving meal in a cozy cabin!       Lots of mountain walking      And a lot of being still and enjoying God's creation.  

We don't choose our family, God places in the one where we need to be!  I'm thankful to have been raised in a family that loved me and did their best for me.  My parents have passed on, but leave wonderful memories of their love to hold on to.  The family I was raised in is small in number, but big in love. The family I married into, was also ordained by God and I am so thankful!!  Much bigger and more traditional, but a true blessing.  AAHHH, family...and I'm so thankful for them!

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Of course one of my blessings is that of 3 sons.  God's gift and each one is unique and cherished.   After all those years of 'boy life', action packed days, God blessed our family with a sweet girl...a daughter in law - love.  Love these people!!  Makes my heart smile!!

For a Christian wife, the highest human relationship (under God) is her husband.  God showed me extra grace, because He gave me one better than I deserve.  25 years of marriage and each day I still thank God.

Here we are at the week of Thanksgiving!  All those plans to stop and give thanks daily through the month of November....began strong and then life happened!  Most days, I've tried to notice and be thankful for the abundant blessings God has given me.   But this week, I want to focus each day on the biggies!   Day 1 - Salvation   I didn't come from a Christian family.  By following the natural road of life familiar to me, many wrong choices were mad along with many wrong actions and the path to destruction was wide and I was heading full force down it.    God graciously reached into my heart and shined His light to help me realize, there is something better and it is called grace. Grace given in spite of my sin to bring about a lasting change in my life. Christ died on the cross to forgive all of our sin and shame. His Word promised a new life when we accept His forgiveness.    Some of my favourite verses are Psalms...

Can you believe it is November...already??  In a blink of an eye, Thanksgiving will be here and then....you  know what is next, I won't rush it!! but...the holidays are coming!!   For the last few years, instead of 'counting my blessings' the week before Thanksgiving, I've tried to use the month of November to slow down, take notice of the everyday blessings that are all around.  Many of my Facebook friends do the same thing, they find something to be thankful for and share it each day.  I recently found an online "thankful journal" that gives a thought to be thankful for along with some action to express that gratitude.  Here is the list:   Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) :  Express your gratitude in a note, phone call, text or email to a person(s) whose ministry in daily life nurtures your faith. Thank God for this saint. Consider how you may be used as a “saint” to others and be thankful!   Nov. 2:  Take time to enjoy somethin...

Time Warp Wife is a blog filled with godly wisdom for women, but also some great free printables. There is something powerful that comes from a beautiful reminder of the qualities and virtues of a godly wife and mother.  The theme of Time Warp Wife is "Empowering Wives To Joyfully Serve".  What a great week (Thanksgiving week) for us to be reminded of the joy of serving with a thankful heart.  Here is the link for some free printable bookmarks: http://www.artbookbindery.net/timewarpwife/BookMarkPrintable.jpg Here is the link for some beautiful free printables: http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/search/label/Inspiring%20Images This will be a very busy week for many of us.  May we rejoice in God's blessings and allow them to flow from our heart into our family, our  home and the lives of those we come in contact with.

Happy November!!!  Beginning in September, I think each new fall month is my favorite!  September marks the promise of fall, October finally brings some relief from summer heat but November marks full blown fall blessings!  November kicks in with the anticipation of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.  The beginning of November means there is some time to prepare before the busy season and can be used as a month to prepare our hearts to truly enjoy these holidays. Gratitude, thankfulness and contentment are some qualities of November and Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping to use the entire month, not just the week of Thanksgiving to prepare and cultivate a thankful heart.  A timely newsletter arrived in my inbox this morning with some great thoughts to begin this month:  This excerpt from the book "The Resolution For Women" by Priscilla Shirer often describes my attitude: "Instead of relishing each moment, each year, each oppo...

As we enter the month of November, I'm going to particpate in the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by  Leah .  A running daily list will be in my sidebar. As a homeschool assignment and to hopefully ingrain a spirit of thankfulness in the heart of my son, he will be doing a thankful journal for the month also.  Graham Family Ministries offered a free month long journal for children.  Gratitude in the heart sometimes gets buried under the stresses of life. It takes practice and diligence to seek out and remember our blessings.  But " daily, our Lord loads us with benefits' and what a beautiful act of worship to train ourselves to thank Him for all He has done.