Saturday, November 2, 2013

November 2, 2013

Good morning all-

Well October is a thing of the past and we are off to November.  Have you ever noticed how the months seem to dissipate in a blink of an eye?  They come and go so fast anymore I can't seem to even enjoy them.  Soon, I will have Thanksgiving at my house and then Christmas will be upon us and then, a new year will dawn.

I love this time of year.  Mainly because people give of themselves.  Thanksgiving is a time of true family tradition.  Anyone that ever had a family meal knows what I'm talking about.  I can remember not having much money, my parents scraping for every cent but there was always a nice fat turkey on the table, dressing, and mashed potatoes.  Those are the foods I remember most.  My mom liked things like cranberry dressing and pickled beets; I still get nauseated thinking about those but the memories are precious.

I got up early today and thought about what I would write.  This time holds many precious moments for me and memories I will take to my grave.  Family was a part of who my parents were.  My mom ingrained us to think about family and to remember that each one of us held the key that would take us into the next generations.  We are family and with that there is a responsibility to care and nurture that family.

I am so glad to be the matriarch now but with it comes much responsibility.  On Thanksgiving, I'm hosting the last of my mom's siblings and my cousins for Thanksgiving.  I'm a little nervous about it but every time I want to get stressed; I just think to myself, this is family. 

I know that in the US this is a big celebration.  I'm sure in other countries you may have similar holidays to express family but this is ours.  Our founding fathers wouldn't have survived the harsh winters without the help of the Indians.  Them breaking bread together is what our history is founded on. In the US more people travel during Thanksgiving than any other time of the year.  All you have to do is book a flight around November 26 in the US and you will see what I'm talking about.

It's known that people will travel for a few short days to break bread with their families.  It's a wonderful tradition and one that hasn't left the US.  Now only if this Thanksgiving could be more about family getting together.  It would be great if Thanksgiving became a time of spiritual awakening.  I will have many different people at my table this November.  Some will know Christ and some won't but I'm going to give the prayer just as I have for the last 20 years.  I have said the prayer since I was 17 years old and I will continue until my death.  Why?  Because I have food on my table because of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is in the world. We may not be able to see Him but every act of kindness, every smile and every triumph comes from God.  With every sunset and every sun rise we should know that no matter where we live in the world, Jesus lives!  He is not a figment of our imagination.  He lived, He rose and He will come again.  For all the skeptics in the world there are many of us that know that He saved a wretch like me.  He did not come here for His own gratification but to do His Father's will.  He is One inside a Holy Trinity and we should never forget that everything under the sun belongs to Him including us.

My prayer this season leading to Christmas is that every generation will experience a revival in Christ.  I'm praying for the doubter and the addict.  I'm praying for those that judge and have much pride.  And at the end of the day, I'm praying that people will unite all over the world and sing to the One that deserves our praise.  It's not easy in these times.  Many are fearing for their lives, many are starving and many need a Savior.  I know how lucky I am and in that I praise the name of Jesus.  I would be lost without Him, no matter my wealth.  I must rely on a God that is merciful because at the end of this day; I'm still a sinner and I know it.  As we step into this month and next, please pray that a Christmas miracle would reach every country on this earth.  I'm praying that many will come to know my Father and finally see His hand on their lives.  I'm also praying that I would know Him more, love Him more dearly and follow Him all my days.  On that note, I'm praying the same for you.  We must be His hands and feet.  Why? Because we are commissioned to spread the good news and not be silent.

I hope today is filled with knowing Him and loving Him.  He is amazing in every way!  Take care today and know that you are on my mind.  If you are brave, tell your story by commenting on this blog.  Let us all join to pray for your needs and to glorify our God.  Be well my sisters and know that Christ is near!

1 Chronicles 23:30 NIV

     They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord.  They were to do the same in the evening.

1 Chronicles 29:12 NIV

     Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things, in your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, my Father, how worthy are you?  You have more worth than the most precious stones.  I look upon You and see Your mighty hand on this earth and thank You for Your tremendous gifts.  Lives are being changed all over the world and only You can do that!  We are impressed when our pantries are full, our mortgages are paid and our bellies are full.  We praise You when everything is going our way, when we have abundance and when we feel safe.  Lord, I ask that You would grant us peace in turmoil, prosperity in destruction and thanksgiving in sadness.  These are the times when we often go off into ourselves and these are the times we need You the most.  Today is a day to thank You, not for the abundance of riches or health but because You, alone, gave Your life for us.  We never deserved a gift as precious as You and yet, You saw fit to give Your life.  I pray today for the lost and ask that men and women that love You would embrace Your call and love others.  I pray that we would love our neighbors more than we love ourselves.  At the end of every day, I pray that we are singing and praising You for who You are and not what You provide.  Our lives are about us but when we look upon You, they become about others.  As we go into the season of Thanksgiving, I pray that we will repent of our sins, ask for wisdom and pray for the masses.  Only You can encourage us to be the men and women You need in this battle. Our time is now to do Your will and to seek You first.  In everything, I give You thanks and ask for a revival throughout Your kingdom.  For all is Yours!  Be with us today and help us be Your servants.  Protect us as we go about preaching Your word and blind us to the things that are false, only revealing the things You want us to know.  We come before You, loving You more today than yesterday and asking for Your Holy Spirit to steer us today!  You are our King... In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

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