7 Quick Takes (Volume 160)--The Thanksgiving Edition

1) We spent Thanksgiving at Kevin's parents' house. You know how families tend to congregate in the kitchen? Get a load of these pictures with the grandkids and my mom.


Can you tell these cousins haven't seen each other in a while?


2) Remember Ladies Man's mishap with a frozen turkey last week? How's this for funny? Our youth group leaders gave us the turkey! We didn't cut into it for Thanksgiving, but we will eat that guy. Oh yes we will.


Can you imagine this frozen hunk whacking you in the head? No wonder Ladies Man complained of headaches for a few days. The scar, however, is healing nicely.


3) Are you a Black Friday shopper? We've done it when there was a deal on something we couldn't afford without the deep discount, but I'm not a big lover of shopping. My poor mother spent years with me, fingering racks and sighing, finding something wrong with everything without trying anything on (I'm SO SORRY, Mom!). I still fight the tendency. Truth be told, I often pray before venturing out to clothes shop. I've got too many bad memories from childhood of having a hard time finding anything to fit my pudgy frame. My husband says I look for reasons NOT to buy things. Does anyone understand why a man would have a problem with that?!

4) I got some great pics of our family. First just the kids, arranged in birth order--Drummer Boy, Drama Queen, Ladies Man and Miss Innocent One.


Proof that boys will always be boys.


Who love to harass their sisters.


One of me with my girls.


And Kevin and the boys.



5) Should one be concerned when they see a sign like this at their mother-in-law's house?



And here's why it should probably stay a secret. Drummer Boy needed an ugly sweater for a pep band gig, so Grandma suggested he look through her closet. Why, I don't know! She's a little bitty thing! Here's the one Drummer Boy decided to use.


Of course, Ladies Man had to get in on the fun.


Then their cousin joined in. Is this just ridiculous or what? Three big guys in teeny Grandma's sweaters. You think she has a soft spot for her grandsons?


6) And yet another reason what happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's. Drummer Boy and Grandma have a race eating a pickle. (Email subscribers will have to click over to the blog to see this video.)


Yes, we are a crazy bunch. Now you see where it comes from. Go Grandma!

7) Surely you knew this was coming. Gotta plug the musical another time. It opens in less than a week!


Hope to see you there!

I hope your Thanksgiving was as enjoyable as ours. Read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

We Have Been Blessed Far Beyond

"We thank thee with all our hearts for every gracious dispensation, for all the blessings that have attended our lives, for every hour of safety, health, and peace, of domestic comfort and innocent enjoyment. We feel that we have been blessed far beyond anything that we have deserved; and though we cannot but pray for a continuance of all these mercies, we acknowledge our unworthiness of them and implore thee to pardon the presumption of our desires.

Keep us oh! Heavenly Father from evil this night. Bring us in safety to the beginning of another day and grant that we may rise again with every serious and religious feeling which now directs us.

May thy mercy be extended over all mankind, bringing the ignorant to the knowledge of thy truth, awakening the impenitent, touching the hardened. Look with compassion upon the afflicted of every condition, assuage the pangs of disease, comfort the broken in spirit."

by Jane Austen


Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

A Way to Say Thank You

I have much to be thankful for--a good marriage, peaceful home life, good relationships with family and friends, good health, opportunities.

But having much to be thankful for, makes me responsible for much. Because I'm in a good place right now (one never knows what a day will bring), I'm in a position (and expected) to help others who aren't. God wants me building others up, helping them do what He's asked, whether I feel like it or not. I need to fulfill obligations in every opportunity that comes my way, requiring time and energy. When I've been down, others have come alongside to pick me up, to keep me going. Now it's my turn.

“Let us remember that, as much as has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”
Theodore Roosevelt

How do I thank God for His blessings?

Love His people.

Listen to them. Encourage them. Work for them. Show them how important they are to God. Be in their corner. Cheer them on. Feed them. Hold them up. Speak truth.

Love them.

. . . I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

The best way to honor God, to offer Him true gratitude, is to love as He does.

Tall order? Sure, but He doesn't ask more of us than He's given Himself. And doesn't He deserve it?

Now it's your turn. What does this quote inspire in you? Write a post and link up here.

I Don't Know Why

Lord, I don't know why You've blessed me.

I don't know why You gave me the desires of my heart in a husband who loves me more than I thought possible, who will forever be in my corner, holding my hand, navigating the rocky seas of life.

I don't know why You've given us children who love You, who aren't afraid to think for themselves, who fill our home with activity and laughter.

I don't know why You decided to make our extended families a treasured part of our lives, parents who back us up yet trust us to live our own lives, siblings we want to see more, cousins and nieces and nephews who enhance us.

I don't know why You've granted me quality relationships, people who see the real me and even like it, people who support me and love me and tell me what's true, wonderful friends who think the best without expectations.

I don't know why You've enriched our lives with an amazing church body, servants who love You and encourage us to do the same, who worship and think and challenge.

I don't know why You've given us gifts and the opportunities to use them.

Lord, I don't know why You chose me, a selfish, quiet, insignificant little girl. Why did You think I would be fit for Your family? Why did You decide to pour Your Spirit on me and let me be a part of Your work? Why have You surrounded me, my whole life, with people who lead me in Your way?

I don't know why You have blessed me, Lord.

But I am so very thankful. May I live my life in sincere gratitude to You.

Thank You dear Jesus.



Photo Credit: Puzzler4879

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17

May you see His grace, feel His peace and know His love this day.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

Happy Thanksgiving

I've been trying to come up with something profound and poignant to post for Thanksgiving, but alas, two days have gone by and I've got nothing.

Instead, let me say I am especially thankful this year for the amazing people I have been surrounded with. I am blessed with great relationships, priceless treasures I do not take for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends and family. I am better because of you.

I'm thankful to be a Christian because. . .

I know this life is not all there is.

Peace comes at unexpected times in unexplainable ways.

When I don't understand, I am comforted knowing a bigger plan is in place.

No matter the circumstance, I can be happy.

Each day contains purpose.

There is no end to the wonder in my world.

There are no mistakes.

When anxiety wakes me up in the middle of the night, meditating on Truth and uttering the name of Jesus stills my heart.

Nothing is insignificant.

Even if the rest of the world cannot find my value, God tells me I am chosen, holy and dearly loved.

I know how to live, guided by the inspired Word and Holy Spirit.

I am never alone.

Lord Jesus, thank You for a gift I can't comprehend. Thank You for grace and peace and love. I have been changed, for the better. Thank You.


Click here to read why others are thankful to be a Christian.


Photo credit: aewolf

Group Writing Project

Announcing the first-ever group writing project sponsored by On the Horizon, The Next Step, and Proverbs 31 Woman Wanna Be:

“I AM THANKFUL TO BE A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE . . . “
Write a post with that title and submit it no later than Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at midnight (Pacific time).

All entries will be collected and the link to each published at On the Horizon, The Next Step, and Proverbs 31 Woman Wanna Be on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, just in time for Thanksgiving.

One post per blog, please, but you may submit a post that you write specifically for this group project or one that you have previously published on your site. There is no minimum or maximum number of words required and, in fact, you may feel free to submit a post containing a video presentation, artwork, or other media so long as it is consistent with the theme, i.e., conveys to the reader the basis and rationale for your belief that Jesus Christ is the One true son of God and died for your sins in order that you might have eternal life. This project is open to members of any and all or no specific church or denomination. (No vulgarity, profanity or hate speech, please. The owners of the individual host sites will have discretion and the final authority regarding the appropriateness of posts to which they will link from their blogs.)

Questions? Concerns? Drop an e-mail to admin at hopefulspirit dot com!

Hopeful Spirit, Shalene, and I look forward to reading your wonderful thoughts about being thankful!

November 16, 2007 Update: If you have submitted a post, we apologize but must ask you to resubmit via email to hopefulspirit at comcast dot net. It appears that there is a problem with the submission form and notifications are not being received. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.