| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2013 Registered: 3-2004  |
Next Thursday is thanksgiving. So my question is For what are you thankful this year?? For me, it is many things. I am thankful one sister brought another sister to Las Vegas and because of this the second sister and I have gotten to know each other like sisters should. She is a lovely lady and I am so glad she is my sister. I am thankful for my son, daughter in law and gorgeous grandson. I will be with them for thanksgiving day in Arkansas. I am thankful that I have reached the age of 65 and can still work and drive a stick shift, a 5 speed at that. I am thankful for my job, friends, other family members. The thing for which I am most thankful is the relationship Jesus and I are developing. It gets better every day. He led me to the truth in the Bible and it is so satisfying. He led me to my church and from there I have made friends. He led me here and I have many friends from here. Some I have met in person and hopefully will meet the rest at the reunion in Feb 2006. God has been so good to me and I cannot help but praise Him and thank Him. I could go on and on for the things for which I am thankful. He is so awesome. For what are you thankful this year??? Diana | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 90 Registered: 10-2005 |
Diana, Right now I am thankful and grateful for my salvation. Losing faith in Adventism drew me close to unbelief. I held myself together for my children. Now I am seeing positive changes at home. Everyone seems healthier and free. I'm actually taking my children to a Sunday church every week and I'm not afraid of it. I am grateful for my change in heart. We are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend since we have other plans for Thanksgiving. I definately will be getting baptized again on Sunday. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2014 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lynne, Congratulations on your upcoming baptism. Praise God that you are getting baptized for the right reason. It is your love for Jesus Christ. That is so awesome, when God makes changes in us. I wish I could be there to see you baptized, but God will see it and He will continue to be with you and your family. Diana | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 91 Registered: 10-2005 |
Diane - Thank you. It is absolutely for my love of Jesus Christ. It feels so good in my heart. My husbands cousin goes to Mark Martins church in North Phoenix sometimes. They moved here to Phoenix about 6 months ago. We are hoping that her son, his wife and daughter will come to see me get baptized. Her son is close to my age and was just married to a catholic. He doesn't go to church. When I told my husband I was saved, he said he always believed I would be - Acts 16:31 -"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your house. Lynne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2934 Registered: 12-2003  |
Lynne, congratulations on your pending baptism! What a wonderful thing! Diana, thank you for this thread. I am deeply grateful for Jesus and His word and for literally reaching down and awakening my heart and understanding to Him. I am thankful for Richard and Roy and Nathanael and for His work in their lives, too. I'm thankful for all of you and how you help me grow. I'm thankful that God puts us together as His body and ministers to us through each other. I praise Him for redeeming my past in Jesus. Colleen | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2005 |
Lynne, Praise God and a hearty "AMEN!" as you come up from the watery grave in newness in Christ! If you hear "that" Amen, just smile and pretend it was mine! :c) Colleen I love your expression of gratitude for "redeeming (your) past in Jesus." That is so true and a lovely way of expressing what, I'm sure, we all are thankful for. The other morning I just happened to notice - because the mantel clock chimes - that we had been giving thanks and expressing gratitude to God for twenty minutes. Hardly a day goes by that we do not thank Father again for revealing the authentic Gospel to me, and for Bonnie's seeing it and embracing it with me. My heart bleeds for those whose mates who have yet to see the glorious beauty of the freedom Christ offers us in Himself. I now, also rejoice, over the Holy Spirit of Truth opening my cell door and like the angel with Peter, leading me outside the cell, the prison house and the camp itself to become a part of God's true Church - His sheep-saints everywhere. :c) My mind is in a state of awed dis-belief over how wondrously glorious is the truth that God chose me before the foundation of the earth was laid and predestined me to be an adopted son of His. He is the Father I never knew, and the passion of my life now is the grand experiment in learning how to come to know Him better until His transforming union brings Him "nearer than breathing, closer than hands and feet." Praise You, Lord, thank You Lord "for redeeming my past in Jesus" too! Jess | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1191 Registered: 7-2003  |
I am increasingly becoming aware of all the ways God has protected me from myself and what I was so sure i "wanted" just a few short years ago. It is quite an awesome thing to wake up from what seemed like such tragedy and loss and heartache to recognize that God has had his hand of protection around me from myself. He has developed a strength in me that I can't describe or even totally comprehend. Though I have moments of sadness and fear and doubt, the most prevalent emotion is peace, and that is truly a blessing. Though this has been a sad year with the loss of my grandfather, the return of my father's cancer, and now my grandmother's problems (normal, I supposed after losing one's partner of nearly 70 years), it is hard to miss the glorious blessings as well in my new home and many other things too numerous to mention. "Count your many blessings, name them one by one".... When you do that, it's really hard to feel sorry for yourself. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2939 Registered: 12-2003 |
Melissa, I relate to your statement that God has protected you from yourself. That is an amazing awareness, and I thank Him for the same thing. I am so thankful for your experience of peace. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2016 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lynne, Do you live in or near Phoenix??? I have a very dear friend who now lives near Phoenix. When I go visit her, I want to visit M Martin's church. Maybe we can meet when I go!! I would like that. Again, God you are awesome in how you lead people to You. Diana | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2005 |
Diana - Absolutely. I live in Phoenix and would love to meet with you! My husbands cousin goes to Mark Martins church when she can. Her son owns a nursing home by the church so she is often unable to go because she is taking care of it for him. I left my contact information with moderator to give you. Lynne | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2017 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lynne, Isn't it amazing how God gives us brothers and sister when we leave Adventism. He leaves me with my mouth hanging open. I am so thankful. Diana | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 94 Registered: 6-2005 |
Cindy Morgan said this so well. From the album "The Loving Kind" (comments mine) Praise Him in the morning For tall and lofty trees (OH YES) And praise Him in the evening For children on their knees (AWEsome) Oh and praise Him in the noon day For gentle birds that sing (Jehovah Jira) Oh praise Him all ye people Praise the King And praise Him for a peaceful porch A nd rocking chairs that sway (  , and java) Praise Him for the rolling hills Where children laugh and play (and dogs) Oh and praise Him for the wandering soul That never lost their way (its me oh Lord) Oh praise Him all ye people Praise the King Chorus: Praise the King Praise the King Let it ring Praise the King Praise the King Praise the King Let it ring Praise the King And praise Him for the blood that fell And bloomed a rose that day (speechless) And praise Him that He suffered through the guilt, the grief, the shame (mine) Oh and praise Him that His tender love will still forgive today (thank you Jesus) Oh praise Him all ye people praise the King (chorus) Scripture Reference "And He Led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praise and blessing God. Amen." Luke 24:50-53 NKJV Try to listen to this song, without turning the music up full blast, singing the chorus at the top of your lungs, with tears streaming down your face.... JavaGirl 4excape@bellsouth.net Hugs and happy thanksgiving! | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 117 Registered: 3-2005 |
My sister broke her neck. She can walk and use her right arm. I am so grateful to God that he spared her life and is giving her strength to cope. It's up hill all the way as there is pain and therapy and her life has changed so much, but she's alive and I'm so thankful for that. I'm thankful for husband. He is such an amazing guy, and is becoming a spiritual leader...something I've never seen in my life ever. I'm thankful for my awesome kids. I wonder where they came from and how they are MY kids when they are so smart and beautiful and gifted.... And most of all I'm thankful for all the healing that's taken place over this year as now I am experiencing so much peace about our decision to leave Adventism, and peace about where we are... new Covenant Christians dependant on Christ for our salvation (and attending a CMA Church). Then there's the dirt work we did this summer... a miracle that God gave us strength to get it done and looking good. It's a very long story, but it was a mess and now it's a wonderful yard. Then there's health issues... God is helping me one day at a time to make better choices in regard to my physical health. Then there's my house... can you believe God can even help a stay at home mom do better with housework... well, He has. Oh, I can't forget our van...we finally got a good vehicle after years of driving bombs with 300+K on them (Honda's and Toyota's). I feel like a princess driving a car that's only 4 years old!! Well, I won't go on, but I'm very thankful, and for you all too, for your heart sharing Lisa | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2005 |
I am thankfull that I survived my time in the Military, thankfull that I am married to a wonderful wife and have a house full of 4 legged children. And most of all, I am so very thankful that I FINALLY got a new job and was able to quit working at the "puzzle palace" the GC!!!! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2025 Registered: 3-2004 |
91steps, How is the new Job? Diana | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1022 Registered: 3-2005 |
Diana, I will also say, thanks for starting this thread. Javagirl, Thanks for posting that beautifu praise song! Jess, Amen and Amen--the everlasting gospel of grace tops my list everyday just realizing that there is absolutely nothing I can do to earn acceptance with God. Next in order of importance would be my wife Marti of 25 years. God has done a marvelous work of healing in her life in the last year since she had her career ending stroke, and this event brought us much closer together than ever before, and God used this event to bring me much closer to Him, with renewed passion for the things of God. I am thankful for the two wonderful parents who gave me life. I am also thankful to be raised SDA by them, and then to see the wonderful transforming work of grace that God did in their lives. I am thankful for a great job as a hospital based internist, which allows me in a small way to administer God's grace in healing to my patients. I am also thankful for the fellowship this forum has offered during some difficult times, and I thank God for introducing me to the FAF Friday night Bible study with the great Bible teaching, support, prayer, and fellowship that brings. I consider this my extended family. I am thankful for this great country of ours and the freedoms we enjoy. Thanks to the fighting men and women who made all this possible. You know, it is so great to think about all the things we are thankful for, instead of all the bad things happening out there. And thanks again for all of you! Stan | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2005 |
I have a few more things I would like to add to my gratitude list. Stan, I am thankful for this forum as well. It is so full of the true Spirit of Prophecy. I haven't been here long, but I do really appreciate the support. I remember about 9 years ago going to a Calvary Church with my husband and my husband telling somebody we were talking with that I was a Seventh Day Adventist. The mans eyes grew big and he said he would really like to chat with me. When we left I told my husband not to tell people I was adventist because that guy didn't like adventists and some people don't like adventists and we never went back because of that. The adventist teachings are definately subtle and deep and I was afraid of that man. It is funny that over the years I've gone to Sunday churches. I figured it was okay, because I never rejected the adventist teachings and I felt strong that God knew my heart. That I sincerely wanted to follow Him, even if I couldn't live up to it. I'm grateful that works are no longer binding and blinding me. I'm grateful for the internet and to those websites such as Mark Martins. But I am truely the most grateful to Jesus and for what He has done for me! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2029 Registered: 3-2004 |
But I am truely the most grateful to Jesus and for what He has done for me. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Diana | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 96 Registered: 6-2005 |
Congratulations on your baptism Lynne. Was that the angels I heard singing way down here! Im thankful that every day I feel thankful! This is such a drastic change. Only the Holy Spirit could transfer my cynical, somewhat depressed nature. I am now around six months into understanding grace, really getting the big picture, and experiencing the transforming power of the resurected Christ. I have experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in the past, but it never lasted more than a few moments, or a few days. Part of me wonders if it will last. A big part of me cannot imagine living without it. THe thought of returning to my old self without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is devastating. For some of you that have been free longer, I hope to here from you that this experience is lasting, and not just fleeting. Does the richness of the relationship with Christ continue to grow stronger? Or does it fade with time after you have been free awhile... This freedom of being In Christ, relying on Him for my Salvation, continues to expand and grow. Gratitude increases in my heart, Praise wells up inside of me. I cant explain it, maybe some of you know. Here is the miracle: I want to pray I want to study the word I want to praise. I no longer TRY to want these things, or go thru the motions. Actually I have to praise. It is spontaneous. My eyes tear up in moments throughtout the day in gratitude, without even a conscious awareness of anything in particular I am grateful for. This is my first Thanksgiving with something to focus on besides myself. Thanksgiving started early for me this year. Thank you Richard and Colleen for actively feeding His sheep. Hugs all JavaGirl 4excape@bellsouth.net | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 573 Registered: 7-2004 |
Java, What beautiful, moving thoughts you share. You echo the same song I feel deep in my soul. Thank you for sharing. I am back from the land of moving...I will be in touch soon! |
