Special Gratitude Edition

“The trumpets and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: ‘His is good; His love endures forever.’ Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” – 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

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“The Lord afflicts us at times; but it is always a thousand times less than we deserve, and much less than many of our fellow-creatures are suffering around us. Let us, therefore, pray for grace to be humble, thankful, and patient.” – John Newton

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“God has taken such good care of me. God gave me an awesome life companion in Diane. I get to be involved in our children’s lives regularly and our grandchildren’s lives also. He has given me a life to love and serve others. We have friends, family, and a church to love and keep us pointed toward heaven. My mother is still regularly in my life, and I feel better everyday I’m around her. My brothers are a constant anchor for me, and I’m so glad we are still together and get along so well. From my perspective, our extended family is awesome. God has been with me through all of life’s phases, and that has continued into my retirement years. I’m still learning to love and serve, and I’m grateful God does that in me. I could go on and on as God’s blessings surround me. While I know our salvation is not earned, my prayer is my life appropriately reflects the expectations He has for me and the gifts given me.” – Greg V.

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“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:3

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“The older I get the more I can see how God is always working in ways we cannot see at the time - to orchestrate blessings for us every single day. Example: I spend a week every month helping my youngest son with the kids. This week I took a blow-up mattress and linens to use for sleeping.  My middle son, who had never even been to his brother’s house, decided I needed to sleep on his special cot with 4” foam so he brought it to me and set it up. My blow-up mattress and linens stayed in my car. The very next night, my grandson started vomiting repeatedly - everywhere, to include his dad’s bed. I jumped up to help. He had stripped the bed, and I could hear the washer going and asked him where clean sheets were so I could remake the bed. He did not have any. But guess what? God had secured a set of queen-sized sheets in my car. 💁🏻 There is no other explanation than God. He works in this way every day, and if I am still and watch, I can see it. The other thing I’m thankful for is friends for a season. Girl. You know what I mean. Someone God holds in place for “such a time as this” and then introduces you, and poof just like that you’re great friends and then when that season is over poof off one of you will go. Sometimes that friend for a season reappears in your life and you know - yep there’s God bringing her back. But sometimes you never see that friend again. And you also know - there’s God, providing me with who I need when I need them. Answering my prayers for a friend.” – Melinda A.

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“Spiritual joy is what you experience when you choose to give thanks to God no matter what happens – even when things go wrong.” – Jim George

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God With Us – Immanuel – we thank You for Your faithfulness, most especially when we walk through challenges or trials. In those hard times, You gift us with the opportunity to grow our faith in You. You surprise us with Your exact provision in the exact moment of need. You bless us with friends and family to walk the journey of faith with us. Best of all, You walk with us! Thank You, God, for Your “withness.” We never have to walk alone, and we never have to doubt that we’re always loved. Our hearts overflow with gratitude in the beautiful Name of Jesus! Amen.