Happy Thanksgiving!

Follow
FacebookpinterestlinkedininstagramFacebookpinterestlinkedininstagram
Share
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Subscribe: Apple Podcast | CastboxSpotify | Podbean | RSS

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration. We have so much to be grateful for even when life is difficult or painful. The blessings co-exist alongside the difficulties.

I encourage you to take a moment this week to reflect on the many blessings that fill your life each day.

Sometimes it helps to try to picture what your life would be without those wonderful gifts. Imagining the absence better defines a life overflowing with good things. It also stirs up gratitude in your heart.

How to Identify Blessings in Difficult Times

In the stresses and disappointments of every day, and even in the middle of painful experiences, you can still choose to be thankful. This is not a feeling. Rather it is remembering good things are still present in your life. Get in touch with these things by engaging 2 simple steps: pause to contemplate, and discipline to make a list. This is the very spirit under this holiday of Thanksgiving.

Fun Activity for a Thanksgiving Gathering

My family has participated in a very fun activity for many years at Thanksgiving. Whether we are by ourselves a particular year or the house is crowded with guests, this activity has become a tradition. Little ones and big ones all enjoy it. Teens even get creative with the activity.

Tape a big paper or poster board on a wall or door. It can even be the size of your door if you have a large roll of paper. Then put out a jar or basket filled with color pencils, crayons, or markers. Put some kind of title at the top, like “Our Blessings,” or “Grateful Poster,” or “Things I’m Thankful For.”

Then encourage all your guests to write as many blessings as they can think of on this poster all through the day. Plant an idea with kids and teens to draw pictures of what they are grateful for. Lead by example and start writing your blessings.

You will have joy as you watch everyone visit this posting several times to add more things. Make a promise to your family/group that after it is filled, you will make a big batch of popcorn for everyone to enjoy. You might even make caramel corn. It’s a lovely way to end a full day of feasting – with a thoughtful light snack. While the corn is popping, have the kids read out the many blessings to everyone. Ask everyone to bow in a prayer as an adult thanks God for incredible blessings.

Holiday Season

Now that most of the leaves have fallen in many climates, we enter the holiday season. We are getting to the end of another year, closing in on the special celebration – Christmas. The candles, spices, goodies, and gifts are right around the corner.

These traditions and special moments remind us God became a human baby to be our substitute sacrifice for sin. Our greatest gifts are forgiveness, freedom, and friendship with the loving God of the Heavens. What better way to enter this time than to have prepared your heart through thanksgiving!

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Pause and thank God! Feast and have fun!

 

Christmas Right Around the Corner

With Christmas and December right around the corner, I want to mention my book Celebrate Advent: A Life Response to Emmanuel. This small, beautiful holiday book gives you a short inspirational thought for each day of December to prepare your heart for Christmas. The week between Christmas and New Years guides you through action steps to go into the next year with purpose and goals. This little book even includes the Scriptures written on one side of the page. In a busy month, you don’t have to look them up. There is a short section where you can journal your thoughts about the brief reading. The beautiful pages invite you to participate. This is my most popular book.

Order your copy of this little book to help you focus on the reason for Christmas in the midst of a very busy month. To get it before December, order now! This book is a wonderful gift to help someone else navigate the holiday season and stay intentional in celebrating God’s gift of Jesus.

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR GOD!!

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Email Sign Up Gift

Connect with Us!

SIGN UP for helpful content to live an Alive and Active Life each day.  Subscribe to our podcast with your favorite app.

Subscribe

* indicates required

When God Weeps – Scripture Dissection

Have you ever thought about God crying? Well, it’s true. God weeps!

When God weeps, He connects with you and me. Actually, that’s a very comforting thing. Plus, it gives permission to you to weep when your life overflows with disappointment.

What Does God Weep About? Let’s explore together . . . Read More …

Read More »

Improve Your Character – 10 Action Points

There’s a whole section in published books called “self-help” books. Some have helpful information. Others – not-so-much. I happen to know a very effective book that covers all topics of your life! Further, it provides focus points to improve your character.

Incidentally, the ten points in today’s content help you be like Christ’s. They are practical, fairly easy to practice, and help in your relationships. Let’s look together. Read More …

Read More »

Can You Look At God?

I’m sure you’ve heard warnings about looking straight at the sun during an eclipse. Well, what about looking straight at God? Recently, we published “Turn Your Face Toward It.” I recommend this article/podcast which explores a phrase right out of Scripture – “turn your face toward it.” The intent? Well, to turn your face toward God’s face. Especially interesting because Scripture says no one can look at Him and live!

So, the question is – can you look at God? Read More …

Read More »

The Shame Thing – Scripture Dissection

I remember a funny quote in the movie, “Mulan.” : “Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow . . . ” Do you remember it? Incidentally, this rebuke is spoken by Mushu, a Chinese dragon – Mulan’s companion.

Actually, dishonor is something like shame. In fact, dishonor is a strong match for shame according to a thesaurus. You might wonder if I’m going to suggest – – under no circumstances should you allow yourself to experience shame. Not so. Unfortunately, too many people don’t have healthy contrition anymore. Conversely, many people don’t know what to do with undeserved shame.

Let’s explore the shame thing. Read More …

Read More »

Perspective When You’re Down

When I’m driving somewhere, I always look for road markers and signs to assure I’m in the right place, ready for what’s coming. In fact, road markers help you stay in the right place in every day life. Knowing your surroundings provides perspective and management options – particularly when you’re down.

Let’s explore two verses that give helpful actions steps to manage difficult times and still keep you on a good path. Read More …

Read More »

Turn Your Face Toward It

In the first few months of a New Year, there’s a unique opportunity to change – or tweek – perspectives. However, to do this, you need to “turn your face toward it.”

In today’s content, we’ll explore this interesting phrase. Oddly, it comes straight out of Scripture. Actually, it gives you an effective and powerful tool to maintain a healthy, balanced life. Read More …

Read More »

Login to Alive and Active Life