“And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them.
Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.
Pray diligently.
Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.”
Colossians 2:1-2 (Message)
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Click on the photo above to learn more about this star – M33.
“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created the stars? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:26 (ESV)
General ThanksgivingWHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour;…George Washington, 1789
by the President of the United States of America
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.…Abraham Lincoln, 1863
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I am grateful that Father God still rules in the affairs of men. I am grateful that His hand holds the universe and everything is under his control. I need never fear the future for He goes before me and prepares the way.
I am grateful for the faith God instills in men who still seek His face. I am grateful God gives hope for the future. I am grateful God sheds His love daily by His mercy and grace.
Father – Thank you that in times past and in the present you instilled in men the wisdom and knowledge to fear you and look to you for guidance. God, help me to honor you in all I say and all I do. Father, bless those who look to you, who acknowledge you, who obey you. May your presence surround them and carry them wherever they go.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thankful List #811-820
Check out Ann’s inspiring blog to learn more about 1000 gifts and The Gratitude Community.
The play of light and dark catches my attention. Photographs that have both those elements speak to a deep place inside. Sometimes God seems that way, hidden in the shadows. He dances between the light and dark. Yet His presence is with me in both places.
“Afflictions are but the shadows of God’s wings.” George MacDonald
Here are some of my favorite photographers, let me tell you why…
1. Her photos evoke a sense of peace…
2. Her photos led to worship…
3. His photos feel mysterious…
4. Her photos are simple and playful…
Finally a favorite from my collection. Past the shadows there is beauty.
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She asks for five, but I’m late to play so I could only come up with four. I appreciate that Claire has made me think about what I find interesting in a photograph. Click here for the link to The High Calling Photoplay.
The changes are not drastic, taking down the old suspended ceiling, putting in a new light fixture, a little paint, a lot of elbow grease, and the outdated kitchen gets a fresh look. This is what the better part of the last two weeks has looked like around here as we work together to remodel the kitchen in this old house.
In my old heart Father God does a total transformation.
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
He does not merely fix me, He makes me a new creation.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
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| Photo by Nancy Kourmoulis 2010 |
treasure is exquisite to behold.  |
| Photo by Nancy Kourmoulis |
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)
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Thanking God that He brings me to these verses this weekend. I just completed Beth Moore’s Stepping Up Bible study and He alone continues to bring me every step of the way!
The Father pours His grace into my life and I give voice to gratitude and pray it echoes in my life for His glory. Father, I am grateful for…
791. Those who privileged me to facilitate a Wednesday night Bible study
792. Encouraging words shared among Godly women
793. For the Godly sister who was so faithful to help with this class
794. An opportunity to serve during retreat this upcoming weekend
795. Your provision of a way for me to attend retreat
796. Avenues of service you are opening among hurting women
797. Excitement in a Godly sister’s voice as we plan a way to reach out
798. Gifts of creativity you open before me
799. God you are a strong foundation
800. A Precious husband who gives me freedom to stretch my wings and fly
She starts with Psalm 84…
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” v.5
The journey is ending and Beth brings us back full circle to this verse and those surrounding (Psalm 84:1-7) Tonight the Beth Moore Stepping Up Bible study I have been facilitating comes to an end. The pilgrimage I am on will never end until the day I see Jesus face-to-face. Even then I image I will continue to be stretched by the Lord, just no longer with the pain and trials faced here.
What a joy and privilege it has been to walk this path with these ladies. They have shown me so much grace, it has been a long time since I taught anyone besides my children. Each week they have come hungry and we have placed our feet in the water of God’s word and been refreshed together. Along the way I have been encouraged and God has given a greater courage to step up on my own walk with Him.
As I consider the pilgrimage I have taken, words begin to meander and mix with my thoughts and feelings. With a recommendation from L.L. here I “try writing a poem using the catalog technique.” I feel satisfied and summoned all at the same time – living a lifelong…
Pilgrimage
I’ve journeyed, feet worn and weary
I’ve journeyed, legs feeble and faint
I’ve journeyed, hands empty and exhausted
I’ve journeyed, heart bruised and burdened
I’ve journeyed, God has brought me here
I’ve journeyed, through this valley of tears
I’ve journeyed, right where I belong
I’ve journeyed, this pilgrimage was not wrong
I’ve journeyed, wandered through weakness
I’ve journeyed, relied upon His strength
I’ve journeyed, eaten manna in the wilderness
I’ve journeyed, living His grace and glory
--Nancy Kourmoulis
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
The days all rush together and some of them are ardous. In the daily discipline of children I forget we can have fun together. When Precious husband suggests a break and a day at the farm we all jump for joy. We load in the truck, hauling treats and hay for horses.
As the trees shed their leaves and become bare, their limbs showing for all to see, I feel exposed as well. Places that have been raw and hurting begin to mend as roots stretch deep into the soil. I sit under a tree and read, “If we don’t put our hope in God, we can talk ourselves into a pit.” (Beth Moore) I lean hard into David’s words,
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.” Psalm 130:1-2, 5-7
Today hope is found in the Lord and I wait, watching, trusting, in the Lord’s unfailing love and full redemption. Before the Lord I record days, moments, for which I am grateful. Days in which He grants me deep peace and joy in His presence. Father, living this life of gratitude brings me joy in the midst of discouragement. You always surround me with blessings…reasons to smile and rejoice…I am grateful for…
781. 
Wind in his hair
782. 
Princess daughter with rust colored dog and pony
783. 
A quiet trail
784. 
Bird’s eye view
785. 
Soft pine spot to read and relax
786. 
Gold-hearted mom trying new things
787. 
Blazing colors
788. 
Moments to overcome fears, everyone wants a treat at one time
789. 
Stepping out, becoming bold
790. 
Precious husband’s loving care for us all
She has a sukkot and graciously offers it to be assembled in the upstairs room where I am facilitating Beth Moore’s Stepping Up Bible study. We load poles and electric piano into my minivan along with three boys. She and my Princess daughter follow behind in her car as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles together.
“You shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths; that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 23:43-44
Booths, tabernacles are the same word in Hebrew – sukkot – a temporary shelter. The Israelites erected temporary shelters as they journeyed through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. God provided and sustained them during the 40 year pilgrimage.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
This verse I have been pondering all year. The words grace and glory have been filling me up because the Word dwells among us. His dwelling, literally, the word meaning tabernacle – skenoo - in the Greek. Jesus provides and sustains me during my pilgrimage on this earth.
We worship beneath the sukkot, God’s spirit fills the room, and my spirit and soul again long for the day when…
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
On that day His grace and glory will totally transform all.
For today I rejoice in the grace and glory of His manifest presence among His people and living in me.
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On Wednesday’s I have been teaching a Beth Moore Bible Study – Stepping Up, The Psalms of Ascent. Through this study Beth has been teaching about the Feasts of the Lord. As a class we take a break and celebrate each of the great feasts. The links below will take you to some of my thoughts on the other Feasts of the Lord.
Do you ever have weeks where life seems to have been thrown off course? Weeks when the distractions and disappointments pile up so high you can’t see over them? Such has been the last several weeks for me. I am not used to having a regular routine. Having a fire fighter for a husband and six children has kept me flexible. Unfortunately lately my flexibility feels stretched to the limit.
Some of the stretching has been great! What a joy and blessing it has been to gather in an upper room and study the Psalms of Ascent with a group of ladies. To pray and ponder the Scriptures with them has filled my cup.
To watch my darling daughter grow and become heavy with child is another blessing. We are entering those countdown weeks. Hopefully sometime before the new year (actually before Christmas) a little baby boy will enter our lives, healthy, whole, and safely delivered for his mother.
Parts of the stretching where I grow weary – sibling rivalry. Our desire as parents has always been for a loving, close family. Sadly the squabbling among my children, the selfish sin natures, have left many hurt and wounded. Have left mom and dad disappointed, struggling with a sense of failure.
Other areas where the stretching brings fatigue - disappointments about a job, uncertainty in our future (truly aren’t all our futures uncertain), decisions to be made (some made for us – seeming to not benefitting us at all). And yet, I trust in these words…
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
God,
all grace,
at all times,
all that I need!
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I am taking a break from the book of John thoughts as I stop and listen to the Lord. Receiving all His grace for this moment.
(Oh, sensitive son is not literally running a marathon above. It was only a two mile run/walk.)
