WORDS OF THANKSGIVING!

Every breath I take,
Every move I make,
Every thought of thee
You created me,
I am thanking you!

Every Song I sing,
Every summer and spring,
Every flower I smell,
I got a story to tell,
I am thanking you!

Thank you for my job,
Thank you for my mom,
Thank you for my dad,
All the love I've had,
I am thanking you!

Every sight I see,
Every friend I meet,
Every tune I hear,
Wiping off a tear,
I am thanking you!

Every prayer I pray,
Every single day,
Every hug and kiss,
All the ones I miss,
I am thanking you!

Every dance I dance,
Every circumstance,
Every surf and swim,
All the places I've been
I am thanking you!

Thanks for my kids,
Thanks for my grandkids,
Thanks for all those I can bless,
Your Holy presence
I am thanking you!

Thank you for my sister,
And the one I never met,
Thank you for my brothers,
And the one I can't forget
I am thanking you!

Thanks for family and friends,
Thanks for love that never ends,
Thanks for kind acts from strangers,
And love laying in a manger.
I am thanking you!

Every river that flows,
Every plant that grows,
Every baby born,
You're amazing Lord
I am thanking you!

Every horse to ride,
Every cat beside,
Every loyal pet,
that I ever met
I am thanking you!

Thank you for your son,
Thank you your three in one,
Thank you for choosing me,
Opening my eyes to see,
I am thanking you!

Thankful to those who died,
Preserving country pride,
Thankful to those who stand,
Protecting this great land,
I am thanking you!

Every meal I eat,
Every sweet treat,
Every single day,
I will always say,
I am thanking you!

Every rain drop,
Every soda pop,
Every snow flake,
Every day I wake,
I am thanking you!

Thank you for the word of life,
that comforts all our strife,
Thank you for eternity,
Looking forward to see,
I am thanking you!

Thank you for love, peace, and joy
For patience, goodness, and kindness,
For faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
For the fruit of the spirit--
I am thanking you!

There is so much more,
Lord I can't even say
Everything I am thankful for
Everyday!
Thank you for life, thank you for loving me,
Thank you for calling me to be your own.

Day Thirty-One: The Right Hand of Fellowship



So Happy You're Here


     "What is the right hand of fellowship?" More Christian lingo, I thought. Wikipedia defines the Right Hand of Fellowship as an act of acceptance by the church to those deemed worthy. However, when those esteemed as pillars of the new testament church gave the right hand of fellowship to Paul and Barnabas it was because they recognized the grace given to them not because they thought they were worthy of it. I can only imagine that even though the church knew of their past sins they were confident they had accepted Christ as their saviour from those sins. "We know who you were, we know the grace you were given, and we are excited to see what God is going to do with you now."
     "James, Cephas[a] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me." Galatians 2:8-10
     When I became a member of my new church, I had come from several churches that didn't have formal membership. I stood before the church and the pastor announced my decision to become a member. The pastor asked the congregation to, "Come and extend the right hand of fellowship to our new members." I just thought it was a greeting, a welcome, or a way to just meet the new people. Slowly as I grow in membership to the church I realize it is more than a welcome. How exciting! "Not a mere welcome to the church but rather 'Welcome to your new life in Christ!'"
    People love to belong. The need to feel part of something is why there are so many ways to identify yourself with a group. It is wonderful to belong to the Kingdom of Christ and when churches come together to celebrate that it is a very moving thing. If you've ever attended a Women of Faith conference or a Promise Keepers meeting you know how powerful that can feel. However, belonging to a small, local fellowship is a huge part of that Kingdom life. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-26
     That fellowship begins by the recognition that others give you as a believer. Not only are you accepted for who you are but you are accepted for the grace that you have been given. It's more than unconditional love; it is being accepted as an imperfect human being perfected by Christ. The Right Hand of Fellowship is given as a formal acknowledgement of the grace we share between us."

Hard Work

 "So I decided there is nothing better under the sun than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in one's work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God."  Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NLT)

Pleasures from the hand of God

   Last night after putting up square bales in the barn with my son, I realized how blessed I was to enjoy hard work. There is a great satisifaction in a job well done. We worked together as a team, helping each other overcome our weaknesses, and laughing when the bales got the best of us. Today as I worked at my other job I felt the sting of last night's adventure on my knuckles and smiled. My body felt strong  from the workout and the reminder on my knuckles of that blessed time watching my son enjoying hardwork and team work made me smile.

   Sometimes I wonder what I would be doing if I wasn't spending my days off tyring to keep up with the ranch and my home. I can only imagine I'd be wandering around trying to find some unproductive activities to do to fill up my days. Each of my children relate to the ranch in different ways, all a blessing, and not one of them is afraid of hard work. 
   I am truly blessed with a job that I love and hard work on the ranch that I enjoy so much. And doubly blessed to be able to share it with others, especially when I get to share it with my children and soon my grandchildren.