Category: Grateful

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Grateful for Grateful People

Have you ever been in a gathering where everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves but no one was expressing gratitude to the event planner or party host? However, let one person speak up and say how nice it was to be invited or what a beautiful evening it has been and the others around begin to express their gratitude and thanks as well.

I am grateful for grateful people.

The reverse is also true. How many of us have been in a group of people when someone starts to complain? It could be about the price of gasoline and groceries, political viewpoints, health, the weather, disrespectful teenagers, crazy drivers – any one of a thousand things and suddenly the whole group is grumbling and complaining.

I am grateful for grateful people.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing. 15 Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world,” Philippians 2:14-15 CEV

This is something Dave and I have had to work on – looking for the best in every person and not grumbling or complaining. At one point, we were dealing with a particularly disagreeable person nearly everyday in our business. We found ourselves complaining…a lot. Finally, we came to a place where we determined if the only good thing we could say about that person is they had clean fingernails then that’s what we would focus on. One day, after a long, trying conversation we looked at each other, laughed and said “yep, their fingernails are clean”.

Why is it so important to be grateful and not critical? Look at these two verses from God’s word.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLT

“For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition (envying and strife, in another translation), there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16 NLT

We have a choice. We can be full of joy and give everything over to the Lord and experience peace or we can be selfish in our thinking, defending ourselves, criticizing others and experience disorder.

I choose to be grateful. Grateful for those who are grateful and prayer-full for those who aren’t. I have found that it’s always better to follow the example of Jesus and the instruction that I find in God’s word.

“My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. 20 If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. 21 You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you. 22 Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. 23 If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror 24 and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. 25 But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget. 26 If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.” James 1:19-26 CEV

A good portion of the book of James is devoted to controlling our tongue. We are instructed to not just hear God’s word but to DO IT. God wants us to speak blessings into the lives of those around us. He loves each of us the same. God’s love doesn’t increase or decrease because of who we are or what we do; God so loves the WORLD that He gave.

I’m sure I have irritated and frustrated many in my day and I feel badly for that. I know some see me and can only compliment me on my nice fingernails. It’s important for me to remember that God loves and forgives those I find obnoxious and misdirected with the same loving heart that He forgives me.

Be grateful. There are those who will be glad that we are!

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Counting Is Good Exercise

No, I’m not talking about counting calories or carbs; not sit-ups or miles walked but what I am choosing to count is blessings.

One of the things I put on my grateful list was no daylight saving time. Here in Arizona we don’t fall back or spring forward. Our clocks stay the same; we’re consistent. That is a blessing. I was grateful that yesterday I was able to spend time with our youngest daughter; she, her youngest daughter (only 3 weeks old) and I went to the craft faire at her church. Then, last evening I was able to sit and enjoy time with Dave. That’s one of my favorite things.

Those are a few of the things I counted. There are some things that are innumerable and I am so grateful for them.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:16-18 NLT

Do you see that? Every day was laid out before a single day passed. WOW! God’s thoughts about us are innumerable. They are more than the grains of sand on the seashore. If we could count all particles of sand on every beach throughout the world and add to it all the sand in the deserts, God’s loving thoughts toward us would be greater.

All His thoughts of us are good because He has refused to remember our sins and our iniquities.

“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.” Hebrews 10:16-18 NLT

So, when you start your list of things you’re grateful for today – start there. Start by putting the Father’s love at the top of the list. He thinks the best of us. That’s what love does!

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

The word Gospel can be defined as Good News, more accurately is means the nearly too good to be true news. The Father’s good thoughts toward us are nearly too good to be true but that’s how He is.

Let’s begin to build up our gratitude muscle. Counting God’s thoughts about us is good exercise!

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Gratitude Month

Welcome to November!

I don’t know about you but I am ready to start a month of gratitude. Thirty days before us in this month of Thanksgiving. I challenge you to find something/some things to be grateful for each day and to write them down.

Maybe your coming to the end of a long week and not sure you have all that much to be thankful for? Then make King David’s words yours.

“Then David praised the Lord in front of all the people who were gathered together. David said, “Lord, the God of Israel, our Father, may you be praised forever and ever!
11 Greatness, power, glory, victory, and honor belong to you, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you! The kingdom belongs to you, Lord! You are the head, the Ruler over everything. 12 Riches and honor come from you. You rule everything. You have the power and strength in your hand! And in your hand is the power to make anyone great and powerful! 13 Now, our God, we thank you, and we praise your glorious name! 14 All these things didn’t come from me and my people. All these things come from you. We are only giving back to you things that came from you.” I Chronicles 29:10-15 ERV

Look for things to be grateful for today. Let’s be honest, you may be grateful that you held your tongue and didn’t say the first thing that came to your mind. Possibly, you were up in time to see a beautiful sunrise or it could be the practical stuff (payday, lighter traffic on the freeway, a good doctor’s report), safe travel and clear roads. But, write it down because there will be days that you don’t think there’s much to be thankful for and on those days you can be thankful that you have a list of blessings to go back and re-read.

Make a gratitude list!

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father and we give Him thanks for all that He has done in loving us!

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Love Sweet Love

Just two days ago I shared with you the prayer that Jesus prayed for us. He wanted us to know that the Father loves us as much as the Father loves Him – that concept is beyond mental comprehension and can only be received by faith.

Then yesterday I shared with you what Jesus has done to redeem us, to purchase us – He paid a price that no one else could.

So what do we do with this wonderful outpouring of love from the Father and from Jesus. We can never repay what’s been given, however, there is something we can do to express our gratitude for so great a love.

What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love sweet love, no, not just for some but for everyone. We must follow the example that Jesus set for us and love others.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrrews 12:2-3 ERV

Since we must never stop looking at Jesus let’s go back into that room where Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover. Jesus has washed feet, Judas is gone to betray Him and this is what happens next.

“Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a short time more. You will look for me, but I tell you now what I told the Jewish leaders: Where I am going you cannot come. 34 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:33-35 ERV

Love one another…how is this love examplified – by washing the feet of others (taking care of their base needs), by being patient with those that betray us, and by loving those with good intentions but little follow through.

We are often critical of Judas and his betrayal because it was intentional – he used his connection with Jesus for monetary gain. However, Peter’s betrayal was just as damning but instead of being prompted by greed, he was motivated by fear. That night Jesus wasn’t surrounded by just one man who would betray Him but by a room filled with men who would run off and leave him alone.

“Simon Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow now. But you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to die for you!” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you really give your life for me? The truth is, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” John 13:36-38 ERV

We mustn’t let the end of the chapter stop us from continuing with the events of that night. We must go into chapter 14 to see the instruction that Jesus continued to give. How can we live free from fear and love with the unconditional love that Jesus did? It’s by realizing that God, the Father, has a much bigger and better plan for us than just life on this earth.

“Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-3 ERV

Here’s Jesus answer to fear. Don’t worry, trust the Father and trust me. I’m going away but I’ll be back for you so don’t worry!

Let’s come back to our song – what the world needs now is love. They need to see us loving them, loving other christians, living without fear in a pretty unsettling time and doing all of it because we trust the Father and know that He is in control!

How do we express our gratitude for the wonderful love we have received from our heavenly Father? We share it with those around us, the deserving and the undeserving.

What the world needs NOW is love, the sweet love of Jesus!

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Thankful

We should always have a thankful heart. Those of you who are my “friends” on Facebook know that yesterday I have lots to be thankful for.

Our newest granddaughter was born at 12:01 am on October 13. She is healthy, whole and beautiful. Her momma is doing well and hopefully will be dismissed today and come home. Dave and I have been having fun with her older siblings, ages 4 and 2, while her momma and daddy have been at the hospital with her.

Each day should be started with thoughts of gratitude. If we wake up grumbling about the events and activities that are ahead of us we rob ourselves of joyful mornings. However, if we get up and thank God that the roof didn’t leak last night, the house didn’t catch fire and that there’s food in the refrigerator this morning, we can set the course of our day on a path of gratitude.

Thankfulness!

Sitting here this morning while it’s still dark out and feeling the cool of the fall, enjoying the warmth of a good cup of coffee and seeking the Father for the day’s direction, I am very thankful. Thankful that my Father is still in control; He hasn’t fallen off His throne, His omniscience is superior to the knowledge of the world’s wisest men and His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe. All is under His control, Jesus tells us:

“My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.
28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:27-29 CEV

Jesus has taken the time to tell us about the Father and not only that, but Jesus made a way for us to be adopted by the Father so that we can call Him “Abba Father” (Papa or Daddy) and we can experience firsthand His love and compassion.

Just like our newest grandchild is already experiencing the love of her parents, we experience the daily love of our Father. Kisses on the forehead, cuddled in close to the chest, hearing our Daddy’s heart beat and the words “I love you, you’re perfect”. And then if that isn’t enough, He says lean on me, I will give you rest.

Thankfulness!

I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to learn by “hard knocks”. I can trust the Father and learn from Him.

“With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Enjoy your day and let the Father lead you and there you will find rest.

Be thankful!

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Good Medicine

We have friends visiting us this weekend. Dear friends! Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon and the evening sitting on the back patio just talking. At one point we all ended up laughing so hard that our sides were aching and our eyes were watering. It had been a long time since I have laughed that hard – it felt so good.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 NLT

“If you are cheerful,  you feel good;  if you are sad, you hurt all over.” Proverbs 17:22 CEV

God’s word is true. A cheerful heart is good medicine. I didn’t realize until just now that this ties in with yesterday’s blog on happiness. God intends for us to have happy hearts. It’s His medicine for our souls.

I know the Lord is in favor of joy and laughter because we are told that in heaven all sorrow and tears will be wiped away. There will be continual joy. That’s how it is when we are in God’s presence. We don’t have to wait for heaven to have joy; we can experience it each day by spending time with the Father.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

Our joy and happiness is a good measure of our trust and dependence on the Lord. It’s easy to get discouraged when things in life aren’t going as planned; illness, financial reversal, relationship issues can all deplete our reservoir of joy. That’s why we need to stay focused on the Father’s love for us and his goodness. Counting our blessings is a good way to encourage ourselves and to restore joy.

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. 16 Better to have little, with fear (reverence) for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.” Proverbs 15:15-16 NLT

I know I’ve told you this story before but it’s worth repeating. I heard Zig Ziglar, the motivational speaker, tell it years ago.

Two little girls were each placed in a room filled with manure and left alone for a short while. When the door was opened they found one little girl in tears. She thought this was an awful experience. But when they opened the door to the second room they found the other little girl laughing and playing in the manure. When they asked her why she was so happy she replied “With all this manure, there must be a pony in here somewhere”. This girl had a merry heart!

The one little girl looked at life’s circumstance and became despondent while the other looked for the blessing and remained joy filled.

Laughter is good! How long has it been since you had a good belly laugh – the kind that makes your sides ache and tears roll down your cheeks? If you’re feeling “heart sick” it’s time to take your medicine.

Laughter is good medicine!

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The Bucket List

A few years back a movie was released with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, Bucket List. I’m not a big fan of either actor but had heard about the movie and it was on TV so Dave and I watched it. The premise: What do you want to do before you die, what would make life feel complete. And not long after the movie’s release people began to ask “what’s on your bucket list” and to say “that’s on my bucket list”.

I’ve never made a bucket list. Imagine that. Sixty-six years old and no bucket list. I don’t believe it’s because I am not adventurous or that I’m unimaginative. No, quiet the contrary, but God has filled my life so full that there is nothing that I still need to do to feel my life is fulfilled. I have a wonderful husband, loving children and grandchildren, I get to share God’s word with you each day and I have a home I enjoy. I am blessed!

Oh yes, there are some things I would like to do – a Cinderella night with Dave, catch a marlin and go on a resort-style vacation but I live enjoying each day and what is in it.

Years ago I dealt with some issues of low self-esteem and loneliness. I needed to be needed. During that dark time the Lord showed me that what I needed was more of an awareness of His love and constant companionship. Jesus and I became a team; everything I needed was in Him. I guess you could say He became my bucket list. His name is at the top, the middle and the bottom.

In the 1980’s, a worship chorus was being sung in churches everywhere. It echoed what I felt in my heart.

“Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares to you.

Lord, your love is higher than mountains. Lord, your love is deeper than seas. Lord, your love encompasses the nations, and yet, you live right here inside of me!”

There are many mornings, like today, when I wake up and those are the words that I going through my heart and my head. Yes, that is my bucket list – there is nothing that I desire that compares to the Lord.

“And let God All-Powerful be your gold. Let him be your pile of silver. 26 Then you will enjoy God All-Powerful, and you will look up to him.” Job 22:25-26 ERV

“Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14 Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.” Proverbs 3:13-15 ERV

In the book of James we are told to ask the Lord if we lack wisdom and He will give it to us generously. His Word is THE source of wisdom and it is provided to us freely.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom.” James 1:5 ERV

Now there is nothing wrong with compiling a bucket list as long as we don’t base our happiness and joy on the items we place there. Jesus said He came to give us an abundant and overflowing life. Just make sure that the first item on the list is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and our relationship with them. That truly is what makes life complete.


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Good Morning Lord!

Getting up this morning did you give thanks to the Lord or did you complain about what your day has in store? My day started with waking to the sound of a gentle rain. Nice!

Are you able to drive to work instead of walk? Praise the Lord! If you have no car are you able to walk? Praise the Lord! Do you have a job to go to? Praise the Lord.

Do you have people in your life that are abrasive and aggravating? Or folks who are loving, kind and fun to be around? Then Praise the Lord! The aggravating help you appreciate the loving.

Were you able to have a hot cup of coffee and even some breakfast? Praise the Lord.
Ok, so do you see where I’m going with this – there is always something to Praise the Lord for.

“Thank the LORD for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people.
9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:7-8

What is it in your life that you consider good? Health, friends, family, career, cash in your pocket, a nice car, your boat, a new home, a well-trained horse, a shot gun, the right to bear arms – what?

If it’s good, it’s a gift from God so make sure you thank Him today and that you look at all you have to be thankful for instead of wasting precious time being resentful for something “more” you think you should have.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:17-18

Let praise be the start and the end of your conversations today.

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A Lump in My Throat

I have such a great love for our country and the principles it was founded upon. I am patriotic through and through. I grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in my classroom at school. (At the time I didn’t realize what that pledge meant but I knew it was important.)

In those days we had music class one day a week. It was there that Mrs. Martinez taught us the words to the National Anthem, God Bless America, America the Beautiful, You’re a Grand Old Flag and my favorite, The Battle Hymn of the Republic. You know because I’ve told you many times that music and song lyrics have a very important place in my heart.

I get a lump in my throat each time I sing our National Anthem, The Battle Hymn of the Republic and God Bless America. I remember right after 9-11 when our military personnel who stand to sing God Bless America at ball games and public assemblies, there was never a dry eye in the crowds. It wasn’t just a patriotic song; it was a prayer from our lips.

The people who came here to colonize this land, came fleeing persecution of all kinds but one of the primary things they wanted to establish was a freedom to worship God as they pleased. They held fast to their beliefs and built them into the very fabric of our foundation.

Today we celebrate our nation’s birthday, 243 years!

We are a land of imperfect people yet we have a freedom and way of life that is envied the world round. Folks desire to come here for a better way of life; God has blessed us!

I am including the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic this morning. They are so stirring. They are my prayer as I give thanks for our country. I ask the Lord to bring this nation to a place of faith and trust in Him, once again.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on

Glory, Glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal”
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
While God is marching on

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on” lyrics by Julia Ward Howe 1861

Happy Birthday America!

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 NKJV

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Please and Thank You

Yesterday we had a very pleasant experience. We stayed at a Raddison Hotel in Yuma. Everyone we dealt with was very kind and polite. This was such a pleasant change to what we so often experience.

Is it just me or have the rest of you noticed that a large portion of society has forgotten how to be polite? Good manners aren’t archaic; they aren’t old fashion; they should be as en vogue today as they were 100 years ago. Saying please and thank you should be as natural as breathing; showing respect to parents, elders, teachers and those in authority is a sign of good upbringing. We shouldn’t demand, we should ask.

“You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. 2 People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, 3 heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything that is good. 4 They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. 5 Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real. Don’t have anything to do with such people.” II Timothy 3:1-5 ERV

These verses were written almost 2000 years ago and yet they sound like the reports on the evening news. We need to raise our children and influence our grandchildren to avoid such characteristics as are listed above. It’s not our words that will influence and teach, it’s by our actions. Do you see anything in those verses that would point out areas of correction to you? If so, repent and change. Live a life that will be a walking example to those around you.

Make sure you are thankful to God as well. He and He alone is worthy of all honor and praise and glory!

“Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.” Jude 24-25

Gratitude is a heart condition. Too often we fail to appreciate the kindnesses of others. It’s important that we don’t adopt the attitude that much of society is preaching – entitlement. When we feel we are “owed” something, we’re entitled to it for one reason or another, we often become demanding and rude. We really need to guard against this mindset.

“My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:16-18 ERV

Every good gift we receive comes from our heavenly Father. It may bring it through the hands of an employer, a friend or loved one but ultimately He was the source.

Let’s show our gratitude but expressing sincere appreciation for the likenesses we receive. That way we can be an example of the Father.

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