I have anxiously waited for “THURSDAY”….not only because it happens to be next door to Friday either!
A day devoted to being thankful!
Just a few of the MANY things I am thankful for:
I am thankful for Iris, for being a friend….and encouraging me….and allowing me to share my faith in Jesus and ALL He has done in my life with a larger group! A group of extremely talented and awesome ladies! I am nothing! But I have learned God can make something from nothing….so I trust that He will take the words and touch a heart. Maybe bring a soul into communion with Him!
I am thankful (and a wee bit nervous), that we will be hosting a “20 Something Bible Study” in our home on two Tuesday nights of each month! Please begin to pray with us for these small group meetings….for lives to be changed for Christ! To do the will of the Father!
I am thankful that Iris pointed me in the bloggy direction of the “random drawing calculator”! It was neat! And—-I was so pleasantly surprised to see who won!!!
I am thankful that “Barnes & Noble opened last night in Dothan! Yipee!!! AND I am thankful that when I called to inquire about two books by R.T. Kendall that my brother-in-law recommended—-they can get it for me QUICK!
I am thankful that my SWEET man does not seem to mind too much my addiction to books!
I am thankful for a precious sister-in-Christ who directed me on the phone (which is next best to in person), through something I had never done before!!! AND I was able to retain that knowledge!!!
I am thankful that my SWEET man shared his testimony at our Youth Group meeting tonight and it was so good! I am thankful that he “listened” to the voice of God over 26 years ago!
I am thankful for a wonderful church full of precious people! I REJOICE in that!!!!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 Iris has shared these verses….wow! Rejoice ALWAYS!
Is that hard to do or what!
This week I found it hard at some points. To be called a fool for believing in someone….for believing in salvation and that it can CHANGE lives….that hurt. I even let it get to me….but I forgot something…something I read last Thursday on a precious sister blog. Tami from The Next Step shared with us something that “helped me” THIS WEEK! As I laid my head on the lap of my Savior and my tears fell fast He gently reminded me what I had read….
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV
This inner struggle was feeling akin to a pit. It was hard. It was tough. It was showing in my attitude and outlook. Robin from Heart of Wisdom said this today, “The darkness lasts as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose.” Wow….do you see what I see? We may be in a dark place….but He has a flashlight….it is His Word—and it brings healing. His Word is EVERYTHING we need in life. When I went to bed that night, I placed my Bible across my chest open to the Psalms. I had read several passages from the study I was in, but I wanted to feel the “weight” of it against my heart. I wanted it to “sink” in. I wanted my Lord to hold me….and Mamma Doodle….He did. Just like you have told me many times that He does for you!
I have always encouraged my daughters, “take every problem to Jesus”….”He can fix it! He is waiting”….why did I struggle with this one? Because I am human. But I let it go.
As Jeff and I sat at supper the next evening, and I shared my pain with him, he ministered to my soul. He gave me my words right back that I have uttered to him and our girls time and time again. He reminded me that God was big enough to take care of anything.
I was discussing with the Lord the next morning the times that I had tried so hard to witness to this person. How I had shared with this individual of the great love the Father had for him. How He had spared his life. Watched over him. How Christ died for him. I am reminded by Jeff that I have done and said all I should. I am to let God do the rest.
I promise I will. I have made a promise with someone to pray everyday for the salvation of this young soul. And I will.
I love you girls (and anyone else reading!). Each one of you touch my heart with comments of encouragement, (((hugs)))) and love all along the way. If I start naming blogs, I will miss a favorite. They are all special and unique….just like their owner! So, do yourself a favor…..visit as many as you can! Comment on as many as you can…you have no idea how it blesses the writer! We are here for the same purpose—-“win the lost to Christ”—through every means possible!!!
I expect more blessings from reading the great “thankful posts” this week! Get on over to sweet Iris’s place and read more Thankful Thursdays!
Jeff and Angie Knight 
October 10th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Thanks for stopping by my site. 🙂 You definitely must try gnocchi! It’s so yummy.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Such lovely things to be thankful for dear one.
October 11th, 2007 at 2:09 am
really there’s so much to be thankful for..thansk for sharing your list..God bless! happy TT!
October 11th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Oh, Angie, your pain and your trust in the Lord to take it away are palpable to me this morning. Though we’ve never met IRL, I can imagine sitting down to coffee with you and and seeing the tears in your eyes as you talk about this. I thank God you look to Him to restore you and give you validation. He will and He does and He wants to. You are most definitely wholly and dearly loved. Thanks for being vulnerable and touching my heart this day. (And also for your kind words and link.)This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoicing with you this day, my friend. . .
October 11th, 2007 at 7:13 am
Sometimes we don’t understand things, we just have to trust Him to make it all good–and He will in His time.I often ask “why”. But I have learned to just trust (some days it is easier than others).I love that you laid with your Bible on your chest to just have it soak into your heart :).It is amazing who we can minister to each other here in bloggyland.Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.Be blessed today and always.
October 11th, 2007 at 8:19 am
Angie, I love your tender heart. So thankful with you today.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Oh Angie, I am so sorry you were hurt. But I am so happy you have found peace and comfort through Jesus and His Word. You are such a wonderful teacher – I always appreciate how you “practice what you preach”. And isn’t it such a wonderful feeling when we finally let go and give it all to Jesus?! He is so good to us and He so freely takes all our pain upon Himself. It’s hard to wrap my head around that!Bless you friend – may His healing and love wrap you up like a blanket and keep you warm in the breath of His love!
October 11th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Wonderful! So much to be thankful for! I pray your Bible study go across smoothly and that God be totally glorified and the people changed in body, mind and spirit!I am a fool for Christ! Amen!God Bless!
October 11th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Angie,My prayer has been for a long time now that I WOULD not have a doubt WHERE to turn when the world turns on me…Your words are such encouragements…I followed Robin this week too, and you both have such wise perspectives…I have learned to ‘give it away, to Jesus…’ not always easy, but necessary to see what HE is doing…and it’s always better than what I could have imagined..no matter how painful…and you mentioned Dothan..a great mentor in my life is from Dothan..cool!!keep inspiring…you are a blessing!peace,lori
October 11th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I love your list of thankfulness…it reminds me of even more things that I am thankful for too!! 🙂
October 11th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I am sorry it has taken me so long to tell you how delighted I am you will be writing for LWG. I know you are going to be a huge blessing to whoever reads your devotionals. Welcome Angie
October 11th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Praise God He ministered to you so sweetly through Godly friends and your dear hubby. Blessings as you rest in Christ with the future of this young one. You are such a kind lady, Angie.
October 12th, 2007 at 8:11 am
What a great list. You stir my heart. 🙂 My hubby and I have 20 somethings in our house every Sunday. They drive 65 miles or more to come to our church. Very cool. They love hanging out with us, which is so amazing to me cause I feel so inadequate to minister to this age. But God’s grace abounds! We have what we call “informal mentoring” with these kids. I love to see God touch their hearts. Thanks for sharing! Blessings on your weekend.
October 12th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Your blog made me a bit teary. Very reassuring, thank you for posting!
October 14th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Hello, I just returned from out of town. You sweet heart. Life is Good the battles are a challenge to be sure. Hormones I understand that! 🙂I am so glad that my TT meant so much to you. I typed it out of the heart of the moment:)
October 15th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I’m a little late getting to the Thankful Thursday Blog, but the Lord knows when we need feeding and today was my day. Thank you for being my precious prayer partner. Thank you for understanding when this mama’s heart is hurting for her child. Thank you for loving a child and listening about an illness that is so strange, but that has been a part of our lives for so long.