Come Ye Thankful People Come

I was browsing on facebook the other day, and I noticed that some of you are commenting on one thing you are thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. I'm not sure when this started--I saw one gal that was on number 5 of her list.

Since I'm getting a late start, I decided I would take a few minutes and just list everything that I can think of for which I am very grateful. I know before I even start, that it won't be all inclusive.

• At the top of my list is without a doubt, my Lord and Saviour. He has loved me unconditionally, saved me, kept me through sad and joyful times, and is my source of peace, joy and strength. Great is His faithfulness!
• My loving and wonderful husband. (I have been doubly blessed, as I have enjoyed two wonderful marriages.) I am loved and cherished and provided for in every way possible. Lynn is a lover, friend and soulmate.
• My son, Tim. We have been through so much together in the last 7 years, with much heartache, but the Lord has worked miraculously in his life. He loves the Lord, and is back on track, wanting to live a productive life and find God's purpose for his life. For all the Lord has done for him, I am extremely thankful.
• My family. More and more I've come to realize how rare it is to have a christian family. We enjoy spending time together, we support and pray for each other, and there is harmony--even among our extended family of aunts (only 3 left), one uncle and many cousins. I also so much appreciate my mother-in-law, Gloria; she has become a dear friend.
• My many friends. I have old friends (meaning they've been friends a long time, ) friends I've made at church, and blogger friends (yes I consider so many of you my friends!), and I continue to meet new people along the way that I'm sure will become good friends. I am so thankful for friendship, which is so important in our lives.
• I am very thankful for my home. Although it is not large or beautiful, it is my safe haven.
• For my health. There are so many that I know that deal with chronic illness and pain every day. Both Lynn and I have enjoyed relatively good health.
• I am so thankful for the freedoms that we have, living in this country. Our freedom has come at great cost to many men and women, and we are indebted to them. In spite of the fact that we see things going on in our country that are cause for concern, we still have freedom of speech, freedom to work and live as we chose, and most importantly, freedom to worship openly. We need to do what is within our means to maintain these freedoms, and never take them for granted.

I'm sure there are things I've forgotten or left out. This is what I know for sure. The Lord has blessed me, beyond what I could have ever imagined or expected. He is an awesome God! I will never be able to adequately thank Him for what He has done, is currently doing, and will continue to do in my life and the lives of my family.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth here His voice!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus His Son,
and give Him the Glory, great things He hath done.

Needing a Second Touch

I have been back home in Indiana for a week since going to Oklahoma to get Tim settled and re-established after getting out of jail. I have talked to him several times since I've been home; he seems to be keeping on track with what he needs to do so far.

A few days ago I listened to a message that I missed while I was gone. Pastor Joel preached on the healing of the blind man. He called the message "Second Touch". He said that Jesus spit on the man's eyes and put His hands on him and asked if he could see. The man said, I see people but they look like trees walking around. Then Jesus put his hands on his eyes again, and when he opened his eyes he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8).

The pastor said we know that Jesus could have healed his eyes completely the first time. But he chose to do this miracle in two stages. He went on to say that the Lord still works that way sometimes. In order to accomplish a needed miracle in our lives, He may do it in stages. He may use a "second touch".

I believe that the Lord has worked a miracle in my son's life. He was mentally, emotionally and spiritually very ill. But it seems as though the Lord has restored him in so many ways. He is mentally alert and focused, emotionally stable, and he is back to a real relationship with the Lord. He has not been doing this well for at least 6 years. For me this is truly a miracle.

However, now I'm praying for a "second touch" for Tim. I know it will be an uphill battle for him to stay focused, and to resist Satan's temptations. He will need to stay in right relationship with the Lord to continue to comply with his probation requirements, to get a job(a challenge in itself because of his background), and in general to become a responsible, productive young man. At this time he does have a desire to do all those things.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us. I am so very thankful that we have an awesome God who is in control and who is able to provide that "second touch".

Creator of the Universe--still in control

I am currently sitting in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport waiting for my plane. I was originally scheduled to go through Chicago and be home by 5:15 pm. The flight to Chicago was cancelled so I won't get home till 9:30 pm. Thus I've become an airport junkie today--wanting to eat, knowing I shouldn't, reading, using the computer, and meditating.

I told you that Tim was to get out of jail on Monday, and I was really looking forward to being with him again. However, there was a glich. I finally called the jail Tuesday morning and they told me that he would not be released until his city charges were taken care of. (His court date on Monday was for the county). It seems that the city waited until his county charges were settled and then re-filed some outstanding charges that they have. I couldn't bail him out, as bail was $6150. He now has 2 court dates for the city--July 1st and July 9th. So I will go back in 3 weeks and hope that this will be resolved.

I went to see Tim on Wednesday afternoon at the jail. He was of course frustrated, as was I, about this turn of events. However, he seemed to still be in good spirits. I said, "I'm so sorry this happened--I was expecting you to be out and spend some time with you." He said, "Mom, don't worry; I know the Creator of the Universe personally, and He's still watching out for me."

I started reading the Yada Yada Prayer Group book on this trip; so I've decided I just need to praise the Lord, and thank Him for what he's going to do in Tim's life. One of the books in the Bible that bears Timothy's name, says "God is the blessed controller of all things" ( I Timothy 6: 15 Phillips translation ) Nothing is a surprise for Him and nothing is too hard for Him. So we will trust Him for the outcome.

Answered Prayer!

Some typical houses close to the beach in Haiti

My husband is very much involved with the Radio ministry in Haiti, called Radio Lumiere--radio of light. he left 2 weeks ago for a mission trip with 2 other engineers to try to get one of the transmitters and antenna systems working, so that the radio tower at one site in southern Haiti would be back on the air. He will be back home tomorrow night.

We are very grateful to many who have prayed for this trip. It is exciting to report that they were able to get the transmitter working and the radio station is back on the air. They have already received many calls from this area of Haiti, people praising the Lord to have their christian radio station back on the air. This was definitely an answer to prayer!

The 4th 'P'---Praise!

I just read the Anchor Friday post from Joan. She gave us the 3 "P's' for successful weight loss. I have to admit, I'm totally not there yet. I just recently started back to committing to losing some weight. I don't have a good place to exercise in the winter--as I'd much rather walk than do floor exercise ( Ugh!). But I did lose 1.5 pounds in the last week. I decided to add another 'P' to the one's Joan gave--Praise.

I was reading Psalm 100; in my Bible it says "A psalm. For giving thanks"

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Knw that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

I know there are others like me that have some challenges with their children. I believe we have the Lord's promise, that if we are faithful and if we will honor Him with our praise, He will be faithful in working in the lives of our children.

Praise is a choice we make, so I am chosing to praise Him, even in the things that are tough, such as weight loss and trusting Him with my son.