Giving Thanks

Today's Thoughts

Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! This snowy scene is the view from our window.

My sweet sister, Joy, and her husband, chef Dave, are again hosting the clan for Thanksgiving and what a delight it always is!

It occurred to me that as families gather to give thanks to God and enjoy one another, it's wise to remember the central role Christ plays in all our blessings.

I'm not sure how old I was, but I definitely was an adult, when I learned that "Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see... everything has been created through Him and for Him. He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together." Quoted from Scripture, Colossians 1:16-17, NLT. 

Thanks to  God who is:

Meaning-maker for my life,

Architect and builder of my mansion, 

Defier of daily demons,

Sustenance-giver of all that is.

What an amazing God we thank!

I love to meditate on who God is and the amazing relationship He invites each of us to have with Him. If you'd like to read more meditations they're in a collection called Breathless, Minute Meditations for Connecting Your Heart to God's available through www.fantasticfamily.org

Today's Thoughts

I’m a prayer-learner and shall be until I have my face-to-face flat down, collapsed in awe, first-ever encounter with God in heaven. In the meantime, I’ve learned a few things about the prayer process, which I humbly share. 

Prayer for me is opening myself through thought and inner conversation to the spiritual relationship I have with my dearly beloved and mystifyingly in-love-with-me lover - the Almighty God over all.

A day without prayer seems dry and without meaning. This action of praying enables me to sanctify many moments of my days. It reminds me to be ever watchful of what’s happening and observe the actions of the One Who is the Great-Co-coordinator of every life.

Prayer for me happens at the work places I enter, as I open the door trying to be mindful of the Holy Spirit of God whose presence I desire to bring into these surroundings. It occurs in the super market and the department store. I rarely walk the aisles without thinking, Wow, thanks, for all the choices, what a privilege to live in this great country!

Every time I go outdoors, whatever the season, I move straight into the creative natural realm of Christ which always leads me breathlessly into a form of typical Jewish prayer - spontaneous outburst – used often by Jesus. The picture above shows me doing just that in Breckenridge, Colorado while dwarfed by God's majesty surrounding me.

I embrace all types of prayer: rigid and rote, as well as prayer thoughts straight out of the wild blue. To the Our Father each bedtime, which I share with my husband, I add my own petitions of protection and guidance for those I love and for the whole world. Sometimes my prayer is pure listening to discover new truths about my God, your God, our God. I pray because I know the One to whom I’m speaking.

Did you ever learn: "Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as it was now ever shall be, world without end. Amen?" This is an old, ever fresh great prayer. How many saints have said those words?

What are your triggers, your reminders your process, your favorites? Whatever system of continual prayer works for you, if you're willing to share some of your thoughts feel free to post them below.

© Judith Rolfs 2008

Chapter 11 of my women’s book, A Women’s Guide: 52 Way’s to Choose Happiness & Fulfillment, entitled Praying Well, has more ideas about what, when, where and how to pray. Available at Christianbook.com

My prayer for you today is from Scripture from Colossians 1: 9 & 10

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Speak it forth: God is our rock.

I began my speech this past Saturday on the topic of Trusting in God for the Women at the Well Women’s Gathering in Harvard, Illinois  by noting how privileged we are even to speak the name of God that ancients in the faith would not presume to mention.

Despite many efforts to redefine God in our culture or to displace Him entirely, we are at this moment in America able to speak of God and worship freely. Such a privilege really hit home yesterday when I spoke with a female missionary to Uzbekistan, primarily a Muslim country. She’s not allowed to publicly speak of her faith let alone practice it in Uzbekistan, which allows no Christian churches.

I don’t ever want to take for granted or fail to take advantage of the opportunity to speak of God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.

As I stressed to my delightful ladies’ group Saturday, only our triune God is the true God. Within the Trinity the love of the Father is pointed to by Jesus, Who reconnected us with the Father through His sacrificial death, and left us the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us to live out this love and fulfill our life purpose through His giftings.

May we never be deceived to think Jesus or the Holy Spirit are fictional beings who can be left out of our concept of Who God is. The battle for this truth wages behind the scenes. May America always remain a sanctuary for Christian religious freedom exercised with respect and boldness. I pray this for my grandchildren and yours.

The picture below was taken in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee during a hiking adventure with our children and grandchildren. What vivid depictions of God’s creative power!

Psalm 18: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

My Breathless Meditations has inspirational prose/poetry to enhance your awe of our God.

 

 

Today's Thoughts

Today's Thoughts

What joy! Yesterday I held five-month-old Oliver briefly during tea at Starbucks with his Grandmom, novelist Becky Melby. My delight accentuated my sadness at the thought of 3000 babies being aborted daily in America.

Today I read in the Chicago Tribune that the American bishops announced at their conference they will shut down all Catholic hospitals rather than allow one baby to be aborted by government mandate at one of their facilities. One bishop proclaimed that each man in attendance would gladly give his life to end abortion on demand in our country. A bold and courageous statement from men whose "Inform your conscience" effort failed woefully to prevent the election of a president who endorses this intrinsic evil.  I commend the bishops for courage and commitment to truth befitting of the church Christ founded.

 I have only compassion for the men and women who were deceived into thinking that abortion was a solution. May each know the forgiveness and abundant merciful love of our God.

By the way, I suggest that pro-choice is not an accurate term and thus shouldn't be used. Pro-murder, pro-abort yes. The opposite of pro-life is pro-death. Let us bravely speak the truth and act on the truth.

What would each of us do to save the life of a child?

My mystery fantasy children's book series, Adventures of Tommy Smurlee, teaches children ages 9-14 in delightful ways the importance of truth-speaking. Available at Iuniverse.com.

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." John 8: 32

Today's Thoughts

Pillows, I'm so grateful for them. This morning I thanked God for two to put behind my back so I could sit in bed Veteran's Day morning thanking God for all those who sacrificed not just familiar, comfortable things from home, but gave up life itself - the ultimate, unspeakably great act of caring for others. I pray that these precious veterans are now in the company of God's angels.

Shortly afterwards I demonstrated irritation instead of kindness, when I had to wait patiently for my husband to finish using the computer so I could begin to write. How quickly life can be reduced to inconveniences, trivial and petty. I must reword that. How petty and trivial I can allow myself to become. 

Lord, keep my mind grateful, keep my eyes on acts of value and valor.

Blessings on your day!

Staying faithful in a marriage requires valor and loyalty also. The book, 52 Ways To Keep Your Promises As A Man, Husband, and Father, is a practical help. Available at www.fantasticfamily.org

Blessed is the man or woman whose delight is the law of the Lord and on His word meditates day and night. Psalm 1, verse 2.

Today's Thoughts

A dear friend and former neighbor died peacefully yesterday with his wife at his side. I sobbed when I got the news- Louis lives in Florida and we're in Wisconsin, but we'd walked the journey of cancer every step with him for several years. How we hoped he could enjoy more than 62 years.

Louis was the epitome of goodness, a model of integrity. His uncomplaining kindness to others others modeled Christ. He'd been in the military, excelled as an engineer, owned his own company, yet I never heard him raise his voice at his wife or sons. He did menial tasks humbly. Louis was a good and gentle man. Psalm 1 say, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...but his delight is the law of the Lord..."

You may wonder what this has to do with the picture of me and our then four-year -old grand twins, Joshua and Anna, having a tea party. I'm thinking the important things of life can be taught at tea parties. Anna, had just reminded Joshua to use his saucer so as not to spill crumbs. It would be unkind to make a mess and leave it for someone else to clean up. Being polite and considerate has value in this world.  Anna then turned to tell Grandpa to put down his camera and come join the party. In this post-election world it's good to focus on what's truly important - enjoying simple moments, celebrating with tea and love for the ones we're blessed to live with while we have them.

Blessings,

Judith

Amazon sells copies of my book, Love Always, Mom. It will make you laugh and cry and appreciate those you love even more.