Giving Thanks....

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Isaiah 12:4

In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Today we will spend tons of time creating, decorating, and making food for those we love. Spending countless hours basting turkeys, smashing potatoes, and setting the perfect table. Hoping it all comes together, our kids behave, and that our company enjoys themselves. Lots of pressure, lots to do, and only so many hours in the day! 

A few days ago, I began to think of all the preparation that goes into Thanksgiving and Christmas. The time, effort, and love that flows into our happenings. But I realized that many times, in the fast paced - trying to get it all done- wanting it to be perfect - day - we can forget to praise the One whom it all comes from. We can leave God completely out of our day- not because we don't love him - but because we are consumed with all the other busyness going on. 

So my challenge to you this Thanksgiving (and Christmas too) is to incorporate and create some traditions, into your day, where you can enjoy your kids & company,  and still create a space in time where your focus and praise can be placed on Jesus. 

A few ideas....

1. Reading a scripture verse about thanks. Each tell one thing thankful for.

2. Have everyone trace their hand, cut it out, & answer a question

    on each finger. 

       WHO - Who are you thankful for?

       WHAT- What are you thankful for?

       WHEN- When is a time (past, present or future) that you are thankful for?

       WHERE- Where is a place you are thankful for?

       WHY - Why are you thankful? 

3. Place two kernels of corn (or any thing you have plenty of) on each place 

    and ask each person to share two things they are thankful for - no repeats:)

 

What are your thanksgiving traditions? How will you incorporate Christ into your day of thanks? Enjoy, have fun, and create memories!  

L. Y. B.

            I’ve been reminiscing about the good things my parents did during my growing up years; as a parents, as mates, as citizens, as God’s children.  Dad encouraged us to be punctual.  Mom always made sure as babies that our shoes had been cleaned and polished after each wearing.  They gave RC Colas to the garbage men and gave us one once a week on grocery day.

            My parents ended up with family “traditions” that weren’t even intentional but have found their ways into our hearts of “the good ole days!”  I have mentioned before that once my brothers and I hung up our metal “Little House on The Prairie” and “Star Wars” lunch boxes, Mom creatively began to customize our brown paper bags.

Google Image

            Mom would lay down four brown lunch bags on the counter every school day.  I distinctly remember the sandwiches. They would rotate from: peanut butter and banana to bologna to the famous cheese and pickle sandwich (obviously necessity is THE mother of invention.)  We always had chips in a baggie, some sort of sweet (how I hoped for Oreos) and a piece of fruit (which usually was returned.)

            It wasn’t what was on the inside of those brown paper bags as much as it was what was on the outside.  Mom would write our names (in her beautiful “before the day” font) and then write a message or a series of letters.  These letters could be as short as “L. Y. B.” to “L. Y. B. T. A. T. L. G. I. T. W. W. W. P. C.”

            We would spend our lunchtime trying to figure out the message.  Most of the time I could handle the shorter messages but struggled with those longer than 3 letters.  Our family had many code words and sentences.  They are words and sentences that only a “Bryant” would know.

            Moms it’s important to encourage our children to form camaraderie within our families.  This will bring a sense of security that can’t be built through a fortified house or bank account.  Don’t downplay the value our children place on emotional security.

            Consider the traditions you are building in your children that brings security. (In case you wondered…LYB stands for Love You Better…which means Mom loves me more than I love her…so not true!  Here's a little something for you to ponder over your lunch:  L. J. M. B. T. A. T. O. M. I. T. W. W. W. P. C!”)

Psalm 102: 18  “Let this be recorded for a generation to come,  so that a people yet to be created may praise The Lord.”

Leading My Family in Thankfulness

A couple of years ago, we were blessed to host some good friends for the Thanksgiving season. They were in town to visit some family members and needed a place to stay, but they also carved out some time to “kick the can” with us. We had a great time! After they left, I realized that Kate had placed a little thank you card on my dresser along with a Thanksgiving card from Family Life.

Such a sweet gift of gratitude! On the back of the card, was a little exercise to complete with our family. I thought it would be a great idea to make this little “assignment” together a tradition in our family…perhaps sweetened by a cup of tea, cider…or hot chocolate with marshmallows for the kids.

The exercise is a fill-in-the-blank “walk down memory lane” that we complete (verbally) as a family. It is my pleasure and joy to share it with you… J

Complete the following statements together:

• I remember when we needed ________________ and God provided ________________. (Read Phillippians 4:12-13, 19).
• I am thankful that God brought ___________________ (person’s name or another family) into my life because he has used them to _______________. (Read Ephesians 4:11-13).
• I am thankful for ________________ that God gives us every day. (Read Deuteronomy 8:3).
• I am thankful that God is teaching me ____________________. (Read Hebrews 12:4-11_.
• Despite (and even because of) _______________, I thank you for ____________. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and James 1:2-4).
• We can’t help but thank you for ________________!  You are so good, Lord. (Read Psalm 23: 5-6).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer,

Lord, for YOU we are truly thankful! You have washed us clean of our sins, even though we do not deserve it. You bless us with good things. You desire relationship with us, and we are blessed by your Spirit and your truth. Thank you, Lord!

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Halloween: "Truth & Treat"

                          photo taken from Happyhomefairy.com


What is your family traditions for Halloween? Picking out your child's perfect costume? Decorating your house with orange and black? Is it going to a local Harvest Gathering? Trick or treating around your neighborhood? Special art & craft? Sometimes we can get consumed with the candy consumption/distribution part that we completely miss out on ministry opportunities that abound if we are a willing vessel :)




I love this! A friend of ours posted on Facebook their family's Halloween outreach for tomorrow: "Truth & Treat" bags! Scripture hand written by their kiddos along with a sweet treat too! A small way to bring a bright light on a holiday that can be dark.

Another idea is collecting canned goods for the hungry instead of candy. It's a great way to allow our neighbors to be a part of ministry too.  It helps to have a brightly colored handout reminding of items needed and when they will be picked up.

These are just two of the many ideas of how you can be a bright light on a dark night :) Pray and see how HE might use you to make an impact for Christ.  Ask your kids for suggestions. They are full of ideas and will LOVE being part of the planning in your "adventure" on Halloween. Be creative. Be safe. Have fun. Reflect Jesus!

What are your family Halloween traditions?

Want to make some new ones?? Try one of the above suggestions or create your own!

Allow Him to use you mightily on Halloween!!