Blessings to Recall

"God particularly pours out His blessings upon those who know how much they need Him."

Unknown

 

As I was pondering what to write for the last week of 2019, I needed a little encouragement. So I decided to write down what I'm thankful for and the blessings I have. A good way to end the year I think. I added in a few pictures to enjoy.

I have much to be thankful for and hope these blessings I've written down will spur you to think of your own blessings.

The biggest and most important blessing is my faith in God. It's been over 40 years now since I was saved, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. If not for this, my life would have held none of the joy and encouragement I've been blessed to receive.

Jerry, my husband, must come next. For 34 years we've shared our lives and grown together. He is a kind, caring and helpful man.

My daughter, Sandy, is my next blessing. Although we share no relationship, I will always love her and pray for her until my life ends here on earth.

My bouquet of friends is full of loving, caring and encouraging people. It is my friends who have been with me though all times of my life, helping me, laughing with me, crying with me and influencing me. I've had a full bouquet in which I am thankful.

 

My 55th birthday party: "Celebration of Friends."  One of the top five things I've done in my life.

My health has been good most of my life. I am now five years cancer free, and I'm thankful to have reached the age of 70 and still able to get around well.

I am most thankful for the gifts my Lord has given me in which to serve Him. Writing encourages my heart and through note writing and writing for my blog, I've been able to share His love with countless people.

 
I'm also thankful for the gift of photography that I've used to bring joy to others. What a thrill it is to capture a scene from God's creation and share it with others.

 A favorite snap!

I'm thankful for my sister, Kathy, and her husband, David, who has helped me many times. Although far away, they are very close in heart.

 I've been blessed by the church families I've been a part of through the years. That's where so many of my friends have come from that I hold dear to my heart. I'm thankful for my present church family that I worship with and serve with.

I'm thankful for a handful of men I've sat under as they taught and encouraged from the pulpit. My home church pastor, Robert Crowley, who is now with the Lord, taught me, a new Christian, how to be a Christian and live for Christ. Other men that touched my heart: two men I worked for at the Baptist Convention: Aubrey Stewart and Tom Stolle; my pastor in MD at Mt. Airy Baptist Church, Mike Trammell, and my present pastor, Jim Fillhart. I have, indeed, been blessed.

The skills God gave me made it possible to work in jobs I enjoyed and able to support myself as a single parent. The local telephone company provided for me 21 years, and the Baptist Convention of MD/DE provided for me 16 years. There were a few shorter jobs, but these two companies made it possible for me to support myself.

 Celebrating retirement!

I've enjoyed a number of dogs through the years that always gave me love and happiness. Abby and Jo are still with me.

 This is Sam and we were sharing a good laugh together!

Although my family is very small in number, I'm thankful God always provided a friend to share life with. I don't know what a big, happy family is like, but I do know what a big happy bouquet of friends are like.

I'm thankful for memories. Good memories. Happy memories. Funny memories.

A favorite job and first check for a published article.

I'm thankful God made me able to sleep well. Most of my life, sleep comes five minutes after I lay down. That is a true blessing.

I'm thankful for the Hope I've received in knowing God. As one of my favorite verses says: "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14

I'm thankful for the life verse God gave me to serve Him: " . . . he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

One of my posters when I talked about note writing.

I'm thankful for all that I've learned through all the trials and burdens in my life. None of them were easy, but God was always with me, and I'm thankful I had Him to turn to, to carry me through.

I have much to be thankful for. I encourage you, as this year comes to an end, to think about your blessings and what you are most thankful for. We may live in perilous times, but our Anchor holds! Thank you, Father!

May silent thanks at least to God be given with a full heart. Our thoughts are heard in heaven."

William Wordsworth (1770-1830)

 

Let the Bells Ring!

One Christmas I found these angels in front of a house. I loved the display!

I love to hear church bells ring. I just have to stop and listen, enjoying the sound. YouTube has several videos if you want to take a moment and enjoy the sound.

Last Sunday we sang the carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," during the worship service. Before singing, we were told the story behind this song. I enjoy reading how a song is conceived. What circumstances brought the words to the hymnist. Tom Stewart shared these words of how this Carol came to be.

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

"One ofAmerica's best known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow contributed to the wealth of carols sung each Christmasa season when he composed the words to "I Heard the Bells on Christ Day" on December 25th, 1864," Stewart wrote.

"The carol was originally a poem, 'Christmas Bells,' . . . and were penned when America was months away from Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court house. This poem reflected the prior years of the war's despair, while ending with a confident hope of triumphant.

" As with any composition that touches the heart . . . the words flowed not only from the tragedy of the war, but the personal experience of Longfellow--involving the tragic death of his wife Fanny and the crippling injury of his son, Charles from war.

" . . . The third and fourth verse could be said of us today when our nation is divided between good and bad."

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

'God is not dead, nor doth he sleep,

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men"

Til, ringing, singing, on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

God is not dead. He is alive. We can enjoy much peace in our hearts knowing He is in control of all things, and His goodwill will prevail in the end.

A "Refreshing" Gift

"The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of his other children."

Henry Drummond, 1851-1897

 I love bows! Big, fluffy beautiful bows! A few years ago I purchased three large bows from Etsy, and I place them around the Christmas decorations I put out each year. They just make me smile.

Rereading some of my earlier Christmas posts, I decided this one at Christmas 2013 needed to be shared. I've been in the shoes of those who need encouraging at Christmas. Consider what you can do to bring joy to another at this time.

"He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 This proverb has returned to me over and over again. As my friend, Carol, said: "It always brings me joy to brighten someone's day." Think on these words as you consider what you can do as you read through this post.

As you go through this week and into Christmas week, whether you are excited about the coming Christmas celebrations or hurting and discouraged about the festivities to come, look around and you will see someone whose heart needs encouraging. There are always people who are hurting at this season of the year.

The bows are actually tree toppers with four long strands of ribbon to wrap around a tree.

Bring with you an extra baked treat, your smile, or an invitation to Christmas Eve festivities or Christmas dinner. Even a small inexpensive gift, wrapped beautifully will delight a hurting someone.

Below is how I used this lovely bow this year!

Can you recall a time when you were hurting and discouraged, and someone came up to you and offered cheer? I sure do! And it was that invitation to Christmas dinner, and that invitation to attend Christmas Eve services, and that delicious homemade treat that helped me through hard Christmases.

Even with a house full of family, inviting that one person who needs encouraging to share it with you will make a difference. I thank many a friend who included me in special occasions to lift my heart.

The heart of Christmas is giving, and the most perfect gift is Jesus. He comes in many forms, and is always perfect. Your hands are His to share! Give Him to another.

I've always wore gloves during the winter months, but a few weeks ago I lost one of my gloves. I saw these mittens sitting in my winter scarf bag and decided to try them out. They were a lovely gift from someone. I love them! I think I just became a mitten girl.

Look around you this year, at coworkers, neighbors, friends; check out workers at your favorite store, and give that special touch to light the heart of someone.

There was a lovely full moon a few nights ago. I let the girls out for their nightly walk and loved the display! I'm not a nighttime photographer, but I do like the way this came out.

As I've encouraged you to give that special touch, I'll be doing the same thing this week to those who need a touch of God's encouragement. And while you're at it, how about a special note, or a friendly word to your pastor who stands before you every week and teaches God's Word. Each Sunday I'm filled with God's truth, knowing my pastor has studied and prayed about the message he brings.

Turn up your Christmas music, write that encouraging note, bake that delicious treat, make that cheerful telephone call, and make Christmas a happier time for someone else. You have the best gift of all in your heart. Share it with someone with a smile!

"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness and small obligations win and preserve the heart."

Humphrey Davy, 1778-1829

Sing a Song

A little Christmas around our home.

Can you carry a tune? I use to be able to carry a tune, but after a muscle spasm in my throat, I can't carry a tune anymore. I can still sing, though, just softly or my throat starts too hurt.

This is the season for singing all those lovely Christmas Carols. Everybody has their favorite. Just listening to Christmas Carols puts a smile on my face.

But there's one thing all of us can do whether we can carry a tune or not. Our singing can be a prayer.

I found this song the other day that will help us along.

My Singing is a Prayer

My singing is a prayer, O Lord, A prayer of thanks and praise;

In music, Lord, I worship Thee; Thy beauty fills my days.

I give my talents, Lord, to Thee, My mind and heart and voice,

For Thou alone art worthy, Lord; in Thee I do rejoice.

Accept the worship of my heart, Accept my music, too;

Help me to live always for Thee, Lord, keep me strong and true.

O bless me, Lord, and help me sing Thy love so full and free;

And bless all those who listen, Lord, Help them to worship Thee.

Novella D. Preston Jordan, (1901- )

In David Jeremiah's magazine, Turning Point, he shared the story of who wrote the Christmas Carol O Holy Night. "It was written by a nonreligious Frenchman, set to music by a Jewish man who didn't celebrate the Lord's birthday, and translated into English by a Unitarian preacher who would capture the hearts of us all for the last 172 years." God uses whoever He wants to achieve His purposes. O Holy Night  may be one of the Carols you sing this Christmas. Sing it loud. Sing it everywhere. Sing it from your heart!

 
 Whether you can carry a tune or not, as you go through this Christmas season, may your heart be aware of the words you sing and your words a song of worship.

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new glorious morn

Fall on your knees

O hear the angels' voice

O night divine

O night when Christ was born

O night divine O night

O night divine"

"A bird doesn't sing because he has an answer--he sings because he has a song." Joan Anglund. Sing, my friend! We have the answer!

A Special Gift

 
Many of us are thinking about gifts to buy, and some of us have already bought them! I'd like you to consider another gift to give this year.

I read this hymn the other morning and thought it the perfect poem to guide our thoughts this Christmas season. This gift is for someone special. And it can be a lifelong gift.

Something for Thee

Savior, Thy dying love Thou gavest me,

Not should I aught withhold, Dear Lord, from Thee:

In love my soul would bow, My heart fulfill its vow,

Some of'fring bring Thee now, Something for Thee.

At the blest mercy seat, Pleading for me,

My feeble faith looks up, Jesus, to Thee:

Help me the cross to bear, Thy wondrous love declare,

Some song to raise, or pray'r, Something for Thee.

Give me a faithful heart, Likeness to Thee,

That each departing day Henceforth may see

Some work of love begun, Some deed of kindness done,

Some wand'rer sought and won, Something for Thee.

All that I am and have, Thy gifts so free,

In joy, in grief, thro' life, Dear Lord, for Thee!

And when Thy face I see, My ransom'd soul shall be,

Thro' all eternity, Something for Thee.

Sylvanus D. Phelps, 1816-1895 

 Don't forget to give the greatest gift you can give this Christmas season. Yourself for Christ.