"Now is Born . . . ." Christmas Music!

I am so thankful for the lift Christmas music brings!! Here's one example by a quartet group!

Thanksgiving Gifts and Giving!

The day has arrived!! Yes, I am thankful for the good food I will eat later today and family fun. I am thankful that I have family and friends. I am thankful for joy, hope and peace. All of these are gifts and the greatest, of course, is Love!

Here is a cute little thought about Thanksgiving Day being a time of giving!!

Over the River and through the Woods -- Thanksgivings with Family

I can hardly believe that it is only one day before Thanksgiving already! I remember thanksgivings with my grandmothers, although the location was the home of my aunts. My dad’s mother lived with my aunt and her family in Ohio. I remember a few different occasions going up there in the snow and enjoying Thanksgiving there with my grandmother, aunt, uncle and my cousins before they were married. Happy memories there!

Then, my other grandmother lived with my mother’s sister in Boise, Idaho. I spent a few Thanksgivings with them and other extended family members some of my other aunts, uncles and cousins as well as some of my cousins’ children! We all ate together, and then many of us played some card and dominoes games.

Now, both grandmothers are gone, and I am not as much of a traveller as I used to be. I would love to travel to be with some of my relatives, but I am looking forward to the dinner with my parents. Small celebrations are special just as larger ones are. Maybe we can call some of our family when I am at my parent’s house.

I thank God for family and extended family. Those who have passed on and those who are living mean so much and add so much to my life. Then, some friends have been like family and I am so thankful for them as well! I think of those who do not have any close family. For them and for myself, I look forward to when we are with our forever family when God takes us to our forever home! That will be a real Thanksgiving Day and celebration. Everyone will belong, never to be alone again!

Here is a great version with traditional pictures of "Over the River and through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go!"

When Everyone Will Sing!

“Let all Things now Living” is one of my favourite Thanksgiving songs. It goes on and on about all God has done for us from creation to the present day. The song also calls on everyone to sing a song thanking God for His goodness to us! Can you imagine how wonderful it would sound if everyone in the world gathered and sang together this song!! Someday, everyone living will sing together and we will hear the glad sounds and words of praise from thousands of voices in unison! Let’s be there to help with that singing!!! Here is a great version of the song with pretty photography.

History, Faith and Hope

I am glad we have so much rich world history to which we can look back and see the leading of God in people’s lives! It encourages hope and faith for today! Happy Monday before Thanksgiving everyone!!! Here's a clip from Peanuts about the holiday!

Thoughts on This Year's Celebrations

Just a few thoughts this morning! Of course, there are many ways to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving.  I found this cute and funny review of the sort of traditional celebration!  ;-)  I think that a lot of people like me are looking forward to the holidays, but they know that this season will be somewhat different this year. I think about so many people who are struggling just to have a home. So many people around the world are in a war zone.  I am so thankful for what I have, but I remain aware of troublesome times.  Subdued” may be a good word.

I am so glad to hear that many people in Greece are taking the hard times the right way and turning to Jesus as never before!  I am so excited to hear about the revival in Greece! And I want to have a similar response. Then, I can still have real joy, peace and thankfulness during the holidays and on into the New Year. I know there is room for laughter as well because innocent laughter helps make every day better!

Thankful for His Presence!

I am thankful today because God is always there with His mercy and love. I think of the words to the song, “Now, Thank We all Our God.” I can look over my life and say, “Yes! He has blessed me on my way ‘with countless gifts of love’ and He still is mine today!” I love His Presence. I am not perfect, but I have hope. I see that I am growing, learning and improving! I love Him more and see that He is everything. I enjoy experiencing life every day with Him! No matter what I am going through, life is so much better with Him! That this is what life with God is all about for each of us is awesome! Here is a beautiful version of the song, "Now, Thank We all Our God."

Thanksgiving Prayer

I am thankful for my family and friends! I want to pass on this pretty little prayer for each one!!

Thankful for Little Scenes of Nature

Today, I am thankful for quiet moments to look at the beauty of nature. I like just to look at a leaf or study a flower or tree while I am out walking the dog. All around in the natural world is evidence of the Creator. I am thankful He is my friend and has left little scenes in the sky and on the ground for me to enjoy. I realize His love in the littlest things like the way sunlight filters through the leaves on a tree branch or shines on flower petals at sunrise. Here is a YouTube instrumental version of “We GatherTogether.” The autumn nature photos are lovely.

Thankful for Hope and Freedom

I am so thankful for the hope that comes when thinking about God’s goodness as well about the great times we can have together thanking God! I have often felt uncomfortable with these words in the song, “let Thy congregation escape tribulation.” I know that Jesus promised that we would have trouble in this old world, but in His mercy He can “make us free.” There is hope in this thought!! Then, pilgrims escaped to a new world to worship God. . . . Here's a great version of the song, "We Gather Together," with fun Thanksgiving time pictures!

The song “We Gather Together” was written in the 1600s in the Netherlands and was widely sung among Christians. The pilgrims coming over from the Netherlands very likely knew the song and sung it. I love the words to this great song, and I may share links to a couple more versions of this it over the next few days.

Thanks for Service

One group of people for whom it is very appropriate to express appreciation are veterans. No matter what people's political views, these veterans have worked hard and sacrificed so much. Here is a YouTube tribute to the veterans of the United States of America.

Thinking about the Meaning

I’m suggesting this fabulous video on YouTube about the meaning of Thanksgiving. The piece is lovely, fabulous and well-done!! The holiday has been special through the years and it is special today. I am so thankful for a positive holiday that can help us draw together as family and friends before God. 

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Today, my thoughts are on Psalm 107. I love the way it reads in different versions of the Bible with the different words used to expand the thoughts in each verse. I think I do too little of telling what the Lord is doing for me. I am so thankful for how He helps me work each day and have what I need to live each moment. I need Him, and I am happy to know it. I have made mistakes in my life, and He always helps me when I ask Him!! I just say, “Lord, please help me!” and He is there helping me through whatever I must face! His mercy is there for me!  Here is a beautiful presentation of Psalm 107 with lovely photos of the Northwestern United States.

The Story of the Pilgrim's Day of Thanksgiving

Certainly the pilgrim's day of thanksgiving is a good story to remember when we are in the struggles of life. We see mercy showed by the Native Americans, the hope that only God and the care of others can give and the wisdom of taking time to celebrate with others the goodness of God! Here is a simple short story with fabulous pictures of the Pilgrim's day of thanksgiving.

Thankful for Autumn out in Nature

The beauty of the autumn season is a pleasure to see and experience! I love to look at the changing colors of the trees and to crunch the dry leaves under my feet. Old fashioned leaf raking is something enjoy. I thank God for the simple pleasures of this season!

Of course, I also love to listen to Vivaldi's "Autumn." Here is a wonderful version done in Wales with lovely scenes of fall! "Vivaldi Autumn The Four Seasons High Quality"

Counting Blessings Instead of Sheep

When I really need to sleep at night and I am awake, I can think of the little song that says "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep." I certainly never count sheep until sleep comes, but I can think of all the good things God has done for me in my life and especially in the day just past instead of thinking of regrets and the negative things that always happen. The quiet hours of night are meant to rebuild us for the coming day, and resting in the dark is a blessing even if sleep doesn't come!

Here is a classic version of this little "Count Your Blessings" song sung by Bing Crosby.

The Pilgrim Thanksgiving

I love the story of the thanksgiving that William Bradford and the others had long ago after their months and months of hardship and death. The goodwill  and thanksgiving feast and games day with the Native Americans is such a highlight in the story. Here is a little clip of Peanuts reciting William Bradford's prayer of thanks.

Thankful for those Special People

Today, Dear Lord, I am thanking You for that special someone or those special people that you place in our lives and all they mean to us. Human love in its simplest and unselfish sharing life together is just a taste of what we will have in a better life one day, that coming day made possible because of Jesus. Thank You for giving us this taste! 

Here is a sweet Thanksgiving song by Johnny Cash on YouTube.

I Really Am so Blessed!

Here is a lovely short video from YouTube that has gorgeous nature photographs. The song repeats itself, but what it is saying is worth repeating. I know I am so blessed and I am grateful. I want to thank God for what He has done in my life, like letting me know about Him and live my life with Him every day. I want Him to help me be much more grateful for life and the beauty of nature all around in this old world. Then, I am glad that there is hope of a better life to come!

Thanking God for My Senses and other Blessings

Taking time to think of the blessings of my senses is immense. Each one is precious. Still if I did not have one of them or if I lost my thought processes so that I could not perceive my senses or much of anything else, God would still be there and He is always something for which thanks is due.  Here is a fabulous little YouTube video thanking God for the blessings of life..