Thanksgiving Joy

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Wenatchee River

On Thanksgiving three things I am thankful for:
First, because of unending grace God doesn’t keep score.
Second, God sent the Spirit to empower my life for Him;
and last, my family can enjoy singing this most amazing hymn.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8 NIV

Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5 NIV

Tranquil Thought

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

Oh, how wonderful the thought,
Jesus cares for me.
I can cast all my troubles on Him,
because He cares for me.
He wants me to humbly bring my worries to Him.
For Jesus truly cares.
No matter what happens
I hold onto this marvelous certainty—
Jesus loves and cares for me.
Oh! How good is that?

Waiting for Morning

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Sunrise Over Wedge Mountain

When I am anxious—
And every moment brings new worries.
I remember my hope is in the Lord.
I wait for Him as watchmen wait for morning.
Longing for the Lord to come and hold me.
I quiet myself remembering the Lord’s great love.
Still I must wait.
His love will never leave me.
In stillness I wait
His mercy has shattered death and removes my shame.
In gratitude I wait
His love is better than life.
In thanksgiving I wait
His peace which surpasses all understanding guards my heart and mind,
And in His love I wait.
I rejoice in waiting,
for when He draws near, I forget about the waiting.

Growing Old

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When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” 
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 
When the cares of my heart are many, 
your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19 ESV

In elder years I begin to fret.
Forgetting things makes me upset.
Is this normal, a mind that’s blurry,
or do I have cause for greater worry?

I forget the date and peoples names.
I forget instructions to children’s games.
In my angst I lose my sight,
that Jesus is with me through the night.

I’m tempted to fear what may be.
Angry at God for the hardship I see.
Feelings takeover and hide the truth—
I must rely on His strength as I lose my youth.

Thankfully He’s numbered the days that groan,
and holds my hand to guide me home.
Amazing grace from above,
Embraced forever in unfailing love.

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. Psalm 32:10 NLT

Hard to Believe the Beauty

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Autumn Glory

Overwhelming goodness
reserved for us in Jesus.
Unfailing love,
surrounding us in Jesus.
Unending mercy,
Given to us through Jesus.
Unspeakable joy,
songs to sing with Jesus.
Wonderful grace,
lavished upon us in Jesus.
unbelievable kindness,
showered upon us in Jesus.
Glorious grace upon grace,
poured out on us in Jesus.
all this God wanted to do for us
for it gave Him great pleasure.

If you find it hard to believe this. Pinch yourself by reading— Ephesians 1:3-14

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Romans 12:2 NIV

How can I keep from singing

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Wenatchee River

Warm sunshine
The gentle wind
Scent of pines
Crickets calling out
The first leaves of fall come tumbling down
A day shouting to God’s glory.
Will I hear and join in the praise?

Waking the mountains

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Sunrise over the Cascades

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 NIV

How can I love and praise the Lord if I am asleep with worry or guilt?

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:8 NIV

Wake up heart!
Sing to the Lord a new song
Give thanks for the Lord is good,
and His love unfailing forever.

Wake up soul!
Sing with thanksgiving and praise.
for Jesus has conquered death
You are free to live in Him forever.

Wake up mind!
sing and rejoice. 
God has given me His Spirit—
as a guarantee of His everlasting goodness and mercy.

Wake up!
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
He will never leave me nor forsake me.
For He takes joy in me.

Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

Hearing the Quiet

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It is hard to hear the Lord
over the loudness of my voice.
I need His help to keep me quiet,
and His Spirit to direct my choice.

Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever.He is the Spirit of Truth. John 14:16-17 NLV

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 ESV

Quiet!

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Quiet has a voice,
Stronger than the guns of war,
Louder than the wail of grief.
Calling us out of our anxiety.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10

Delightful

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Fireweed along the trail

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Jesus wants us to bring all our cares to Him.
Be at ease, none are too small, none too petty.
How good and loving He is to us.
Never chastising us for wasting His time.
Always ready to listen.

Delight yourself in the LORD,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5 BSB

Take time to delight in the LORD,
savor the moment.
Let your anxiety fall upon Him
trust in Him
rest in Him
find Your everlasting pleasure in Him.