Thankful Thursday -

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

Wow, can you believe July is almost over. I had a blast hosting Thankful Thursday in July. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

My month of hosting Thankful Thursday is at an end. We will meet back here again in October. Wow, fall is around the corner. Next week let's find each other for another week of praise over at Laurie's place.

Before we leave summer too quickly, I want to share something from my summer with you. Take a look at this photo I snapped a few weeks ago. It a photograph of a morning glory that vines on the little picket fence surrounding my garden.

 

It may be difficult to see in this small version but if you click on the photo you can see a larger photo. What I want to show you is the Awe of our God.

Now look at the center. Do you see it? It actually glows. It glows in a brilliant white. 

How does God do that?

I am often moved to moments of awe and wonder of our God in the small details of our world. Most people would miss this amazing phenomenon of a glowing flower but I didn't. When I look upon such amazing beauty and mystery, I am moved by the Lord.

I am moved to thank the Creator, my Lord, for the majesty and mystery and magnificence of His creation.

Today, share a photo with me of something that inspires awe in your heart and let's honor the Lord with our worship and thanks. Be blessed, Lynn

PS. I would be so thrilled if you would join me in a few weeks for The Intentional Marriage. It will be on August 13th and I have a challenge for you and your marriage. I promise it will be worth your time. You can write about the challenge on your own blog and link up here.

God created the design of marriage to help us understand His relationship to us and our relationship to Him. That is what The Intentional Marriage is all about. Let's discover more about growing in our love for Jesus and our spouse. See you soon. Lynn

(turn on the speakers because the music is happy *grin*)

Thankful Thursday - Another Adventure... can you believe it???

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are spending the HOT month of July here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Wow, I have to tell you that God gives good ideas. And one idea He has growing in Dineen and I is joining up with Christian Women Affiliate and hosting our own Television broadcast.

Our Broadcast title is: The Intentional Marriage. You can read more about it when you have time.

I am so thankful and stand utterly amazed at all the Lord does in the life of an ordinary gal.

What are you thankful for? 

Link up, write up and visit up... Let's honor Jesus with our thanksgiving and praises. Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday -

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are spending the HOT month of July here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Several years ago, I found myself in what I would describe a very real spiritual battle. I had been praying for my unsaved husband and the spiritual warfare over him was intense.

At that time I began to pray for angels to be dispatched from the Lord's throne to my home. To stand guard at every window and door, with their swords drawn ready to fight for me, my husband and our family. 

God listened and Wow, what a battle it was. One day I will have to share what happened. Too much for now. I am utterly convinced God dispatched those angels and they have been standing over this home ever since. 

But, one of the amazing little miracle that came from that period of time were the doves.

DOVES

In God's Word we learn that after the flood the Lord sent a rainbow as a promise He would never again destroy the world by flood.

Genesis 9:13-15 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Now this might seem a little strange but in the same way God has sent a promise to me through the doves. 

Ever since that time of battle, I have noticed that doves are all around. In the late afternoon two doves arrive to sit outside of my kitchen window on the fence. I see them on the back fence from time-to-time as well.

This morning on my jog and praise, I spotted a dove sitting on the light post above the path where I was jogging. And as I finished my jog and was walking toward my home during my cool-down, there it was.... A small dove just walking down the sidewalk in front of me about 20 feet.

If you could have seen me, I burst into the broadest smile and started praising God and thanking Him for the angels that He sent to protect and care for me and my family. (yep, the neighbors think I'm strange)

I can't help but praise the Lord .... out loud.... in the street because He is so very good to me.

Psalm 91:9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;  they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

How amazing and awesome is that passage? It's true.

What promises has the Lord given you? Let's praise Him for He is a God of promises and promises kept. I can't wait to read your stories. Leave me a comment and link up, then visit at least one other blog. Honor Jesus through our words of praise. Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - Friendships

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are spending the HOT month of July here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Hi Everyone. So glad you joined me to give praise and thanksgiving to our Lord. Over the weekend I enjoyed celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary and visiting with my childhood friends.

It was a blast. We reminisced. We laughed. They all reminded me about some of the trouble I got us all into. I guess I was quit ornery. Sheesh!  

The story of lighting the backyard on fire was relieved. YEP, knew THAT would come up as well as a few others that I sure would like to forget. However, it was so much fun to remember our childhood. My heart grew full with love as we renewed our friendship as "grownups."

So, today I give thanks that the Lord allowed me to return to my childhood home and say to these precious people for the first time in 30 years, "I love you."

 God is indeed Good.

Who is He calling you to telephone or visit and say these precious words, "I love you." Don't put it off. Call right now and let love flow into a past friendship which you treasure.

I can't WAIT to read your post this Thursday. 

Honor Jesus with your thankful heart.

BIG hugs, Lynn

PS. Because we were celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, I took a moment to ask Rosie what the secret was to a 50 year marriage. Find out what she said at Laced With Grace and read, The Best Wedding Advice EVER!.

Thankful Thursday -

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are spending the HOT month of July here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Next month we will meet up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Hi Everyone. So glad you joined me to give praise and thanksgiving to our Lord. 

I have so many things to be thankful as we start the second half of 2010. SAY WHAT?  Half the year has rushed passed already. Whoa!

I must pause on this July 1st to give thanks for the privileges of living in America. As we celebrate our 234th birthday, I do pause to ask all of you to pray along with me for this nation, it's leaders and especially the people and animals affected by the Gulf oil spill.

On another note, I want to share one of my favorite people with you. Okay, he's not a people but he thinks he is.

 

This is Peanut.

Believe it or not, I learn a great deal about unconditional love and loyalty from this mutt. I also see so many parallels in living for the Lord as this little pup lives for the joy of our family.

Peanut was born a happy, playful and pretty much a giddy little dog. He was sweet and curious and always up for adventure. He would prance around the kitchen when he received a dog bone and he would race to the front door when it was time for a walk.

But..... life happened to Peanut.

Early in his life he slipped away from the safety of our home late at night. He was met, we think, by one or two coyotes who were looking for a meal. I don't know how he escaped but he limped home, torn, bleeding and full of fear.

Five days later I visited Peanut at the veterinarian hospital and the vet pronounced, "I think Peanut has decided to live."

Whew! We took the little guy home. But that's not all. 

He tore his foot open at the park. Another vet visit

He was jumped by a big dog on a walk. Gash in the side, Another visit to the all night animal hospital

Seizure. Another late night to the Animal hospital. Etc.

I have spent more money on this dogs injuries than all of my other pets I have own my entire life combined. There is a brand spankin' new addition to the vet's office that is named after the Donovans *grin*.

Sheesh!                                                              

The many traumas this little guy has experienced has changed my dog. He is often frightened. Won't go outside for long. He trembles over any loud noise and is jumpy and hesitant. I've watched as fear has taken up residence and squashed his once adventurous spirit. 

He has learned the hard way, much like we do, that we live in a dangerous world at times. He has also learned that under our protection he is safe well cared for and receives enormous amounts of pets on the back each evening.

I think about the times I ran away from the Lord during my prodigal years. How I encountered danger and struggle. Those dark years were often scary and uncertain. I made bad choices and today, bare the consequences of my actions. There were wolves disguised in sheep's clothing waiting to tear my heart apart......

However, I returned home.

My Lord doctored me up. Invested enormous amounts of love and care into my healing. His Son paid a heavy price to have a mansion built for me. 

So, as I look down at my little Peanut tonight and smile at him with love and stroke his back to give him comfort and security, my big imagination comes to life. I see my Lord, reaching down with a gentle smile, a hand of comfort and a heart of grace as he gently speaks soothing words to the broken places in my soul.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 

I read this passage this morning as my dog sat with my on the couch during my quiet time. Tears flooded my eyes. He indeed, heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

and..... those of little dogs as well.  

Be blessed, Lynn

What are you thankful for. Write your Thankful Thursday post, then link up here, visit a few of the others and mostly offer praise for the Lord is good and He is faithful. Hugs, Lynn

Thankful Thursday 2 Timothy 1:7

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are meeting with Iris of Grace Alone. We will meet back here in July.

I'm a tad behind with my Thankful Thursday post and just have a quick moment to share something before I rush out to the courthouse to report for Jury Duty.

Today my mind is drawn to this scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.

I recall Lysa TerKeurst speaking about this passage a few weeks ago. It still is present in my mind how we must stand of the truths we know and reign in our emotions.

I believe this passage became absolutely real to me in the past several weeks. I am so thankful for the truth of God's Word and it's ever present power in the life of an ordinary woman.

What are you thankful for? 

Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - School's Out!

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are meeting with Iris of Grace Alone. We will meet back here in July.

Well, this is the last week of school here in California. Yep, the school year is long, well into June and it's a short summer as the next school year begins August 11th. Sheesh. My daughter is fit to be tied. 

Thoughts of school flood my mind. All of the firsts. It was my daughter's freshman year of high school. I am thankful mostly that the Lord stood by her side and she grew a little more into the woman she is going to be. 

So today, I am thankful for teachers. The teachers in our very large high school, for the most part, are amazing. My shy daughter blossomed under the direction of her Performing Arts teacher. It was so cool to watch her change into a confident young woman. Thank you.

Awards ceremony: Performing Arts

I am thankful for all teachers. Those who teach our children and those who taught us when we were small. I am thankful for those who continue to teach us even as adults. 

One of my goals has always been to learn something new everyday. I do. 

I give thanks to the Lord for teachers. Happy Thankful Thursday. Be Blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are meeting with Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and then in June we will share our thanks over at Iris of Grace Alone. Back here in July.

Well my schedule has slowed a tiny bit and this past week I was able to spend some time in my garden. Wow, things are growing. It is a delight for me to walk through it everyday and watch as God's creation changes before my eyes.

I am thankful for my garden. lettuce, red potatoes, gold potatoes, corn, zucchini, pumpkins, peppers (all sorts) tomatoes (yum, salsa), herbs, sunflowers (seeds). All of it in a small patch of earth. Yipee!

  

Romaine (above) and tomato blossoms. 

 

Corn... It's looking like it will be knee high by 4th of July. (who made this saying up anyway????)

Oh, and that is Doo Doo below in the last photo. He's a hoot! He guards my potatoes. Not doing a very good job of it either as the horn worms are having a field day.

Happy TT. What are you giving thanks for this week? Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are meeting with Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and then in June we will share our thanks over at Iris of Grace Alone. Back here in July.

So many thoughts crowd my mind as I am thinking upon my blessings.

• My daughter's opening night performance in the High School Musical, Bye Bye Birdie is tonight. I can't wait to watch her sing and dance across the stage.
• My husband is crazy busy at work. I am so thankful he has a job.
• My Mom is visiting from Colorado. Wow, we always have the most amazing talks. 
• Life is finally slowing a bit and I hear the Lord calling me to pray with intensity for many marriages. I count it a privilege to stand in the gap.

I am deeply thankful for all these things and so much more. I am thankful for all of you my friends. What are you thankful for this week? Hugging all of you, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - A Husband

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month we are meeting with Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and then in June we will share our thanks over at Iris of Grace Alone. Back here in July. Wow, are we talking the hot months of summer already.

This week I have been richly blessed by all the speakers from A Woman Inspired, One Marriage Conference. It was a time where I was able to see God alive and well and working in our marriages. 

I am thankful for my husband. That man loves me and I adore him. We have over come so many challenges and I see growing old together as a great and grand gift.

The Lord is good. He has done great things in the life of an ordinary woman, an ordinary wife.

What has the Lord given you through marriage? Be blessed, Lynn