30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 29

          I am thankful for the Name of God! With just a moment of thought, these are some of the names of God I came up with…

Messiah ~ Jehovah ~ Ancient of Days ~ Hiding Place

Lion of Judah ~ Everlasting Father ~ Wonderful Counselor

Alpha and Omega (beginning & end) ~ Emmanuel – God is WITH us

Jehovah-Jireh  (God will provide) ~ Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord is peace)

Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord who is present ) ~ El Roi (The God Who sees)

Jehovah-Rapha  (The Lord our healer) ~ El-Shaddai  (God Almighty)

Faithful & True ~ Living Word ~ Abba ~ Good Shepherd ~ Strong Tower

Great High Priest ~ Rabboni (teacher) ~ Prince of peace ~ Savior

Lamb of God ~ I Am

          When I hear or speak the Name of God I am reminded of Who He is – and His character. That is why only the Name of God can bring joy and comfort to my hurt and discouraged heart or bring healing and peace.

          God’s Name - it represents Him in all the fullness and glory that is Him! I think that is why it brings me to tears when I hear people use God’s name in swearing or flippant ways. It especially breaks my heart to hear people who wear His Name (Christians) use God’s name so casually as filler or in an angry response. We who love God and walk with Him should speak the Name with absolute awe and reverence it can’t help but be noticed by those who don’t know our Creator~Redeemer. Why? Because His Name is – wonderful!

“Your Name and renown are the desires of our hearts…”

Isaiah 26:8

30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 28

        I am thankful for Cracker Barrel ~ a place that has a yummy breakfast and a kind waitress who is willing to figure out the best price for what you would like to order.

        But more than that, I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with a friend for a couple of hours

        ~ a friend who will listen to my hurts and joys and respect them both

        ~ a friend who gives great encouragement because they know the true Source of encouragement!

        ~ a friend who is willing to share what they are learning in life and ask for the same input from me

        ~ a friend who is a friend in the good times as well as the bad

        I am blessed to have several friends who fill this description ~ and I am grateful for each one and the times (no matter where) we can get together and share our hearts!

30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 27

            I am thankful for my home where I can…

teach piano lessons

sit in a comfy chair and read a favorite book

listen to Christmas music

have friends over

talk with my husband

bake and cook

play my piano

be creative

be at rest

30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 26

        I am thankful for sunshine, blue skies, and big puffy white clouds! It brings a smile to your face when you pause for a moment in your day and see a bright day outside. If it is warm enough, it might lure you to go for a walk.

        I love that we have different season and I’m glad the Creator gave us all kinds of days to enjoy. I love the rainy, blustery days and the gently falling snow days.,, but this morning I love the beautiful sunshine that God blessed me with today!

30 Days of Gratitude ~ Day 23

          I’m glad I have people in my life that have a good sense of humor and aren’t afraid to use it! It certainly brightens up a day. I love a day with lots of laughter in it – especially when it is shared with family and friends as we talk or play games.

          I love that times of laughter and joy can balance the sad and discouraging moments. I see how it can physically relax the body. I also love that as we live our neighbors and friends they can see where our joy comes from – the peace and assurance of a right relationship with God that can direct us through anything that happens in life!

 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,
 “The Lord has done great things for them.”
 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy

Psalm 126:2-3