Give Thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
-1 Chronicles 16:34

These are a few of the things that I thank God for everyday:

*Jesus being sent to this earth to die for my sins so that I may live eternally.
*My husband, Jordan, for loving me so much and being my best friend. He is too good to me.
*Caroline and Peyton, my dogs, because they always know how to make me happy.
*My parents for always loving me even though sometimes they don't agree with the things I do, giving me everything they possibly can/could, and trying to protect me from all evils.
*Unemployment for showing me that God is control of every situation and that my worrying will do nothing for me. Also for showing me how God works in mysterious ways.
*My brothers for making me the person I am today. Without their constant picking and joking, who knows how tender-hearted and serious I would be today. I'm also thankful for their love and support through the years. Also for marrying such wonderful women to give me the sisters that I have been longing for. And for giving me 3 wonderful nieces.
*The two jobs that Jordan and I now have. We are finally happy and couldn't be more thankful for the places that God brought us.
*My in-laws who always teach me something new and for the good times we have together.
*My freedom and my brother and sister-in-law who safely returned from Iraq this year.
*The best friends in the entire world who always know what I am thinking and how to make me smile.
*Neighbors who are friends.
*My church, Rushing Wind Christian Fellowship, for being a true sanctuary to everyone regardless of their color, bank account, or past.
*Our house, cars, and everything else that God allows us to have and keep.
*My job at Landrum Middle School for preparing me for my current job. I knew all those hoops I was jumping through was not just for show..God knew.

I'll probably continue to add to this list throughout this week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mary or Martha

So, I've started reading Chasing God Serving Man. It's a book that describes how Mary (the God chaser) and Martha (the man server) both are important in ministry. So many people throw Martha under the bus because she didn't fall at Jesus' feet, but instead worried about the house and the meal. The main point this book makes was Jesus not also human? He loved the worship from Mary, but he needed the nourishment from Martha.

Matthew 8:20 says, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Jesus felt that he didn't have a place where he could feel comfortable, except Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha. He loved Bethany because the needs of his divinity of humanity were found in Mary and Martha. There are both Mary and Marthas in the church. I know I am a Martha. I need Marys to meet the worship side of Christ.

We have our gifts as women of the church. These ladies need to love one another and not work against one another. Tenney, the author, describes the division between Mary and Martha as an argument between siblings in the backseat on a road trip. Our father does not want us arguing about particulars, but working together!! Tenney does warn Marys of trying to find the Holy Spirit when he isn't there, but welcoming him when he comes. He also warns Marthas of being too pushy and walking all over Marys.

Matthew 25:34-36 says, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Marys and Marthas have to work together to meet the needs of our Savior and of the church. Which are you?

More contenders for our Christmas card

Our Sunday Afternoon!