So Thankful for God's House

Yesterday was such a good day. I love being in God's house! I found so many things to give thanks for throughout the day. The Lord is so good in my life.

Another excellent message by Dr. S.M. Davis, How to Use Acceptance to Build Others. My dad has been in the Lower 48 since mid-May for shoulder reconstruction surgery (he will be home in only 10 more days!!!) and we have been showing preaching videos by Dr. Davis since the pulpit has been empty. I love my dad's preaching and I can't wait to hear him preach the Word of God again soon, but these messages have been so good. So many needed truths have been made so clear; I have received so much good counsel; it has made a difference in the our lives.

The difference a smile can make. It is the clearest way of showing acceptance to others. It is a ministry!

Quiet, restful Sunday afternoons.

A Sunday school lesson to prepare. We have been teaching through the Old Testament at a very thorough pace to give our children a good, solid understanding of these timeless stories. Those of us who grew up in Christian homes can't remember a time when we didn't know about David or Daniel or other Bible heroes. These children have never heard them before. Oh, what a privilege it is to teach them! I have taken these incredible stories (true stories that happened to real people!) of God's faithfulness and power for granted. Lately we've been learning about Joseph. As I have been preparing my lessons, God has been showing me such remarkable things about him that I never saw before. One of the best ways to learn God's Word for yourself is to teach others!

Happy, smiling little faces. Laura. Justus. Kayla and Tera (twin sisters). Kevin. Tiana. The children that come to Bible Time are some of my very favorite people in the whole world. We've made an investment in each others' lives; the difference they've made in mine is the greater. They give me so much joy!

Maak and Cora. Two dear ladies who come to church faithfully.

A quick, refreshing walk along the beach. After church as we were fellowshiping, someone called saying that a herd of belugas was swimming past the village. My mom drove my sister and me down so I could get some pictures. Sadly they had already passed that area and had been herded into the lagoon (yes, to be slaughtered =), but I got some beautiful pictures anyway. Oh, the lighting was just divine!

These were taken at around 8:30 PM. We have 24 hours of sunlight now. If you think you wouldn't be able to stand sunlight all day and night, you'd better get ready for Heaven (Rev. 21:23). (chuckle) I love it! Heaven will be so wonderful!

What I'm Thankful For Today

Light in the sky from the moment I awake, beaming into our home all through the day, softly glowing in my bedroom as I drift off to sleep. I love this time of year. The terrible darkness of winter is past! It's a glimpse of Heaven.

Laughter. It truly doeth good like a medicine. 

Joy and rejoicing in the house of God, and the blessing of cheerfulness.

Correction. Because I need it and it's good for me. =)

My God who specializes in miracles. "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things." (Ps. 72:18) He never does things according to the ordinary! Everything He does is wondrous! He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph 3:20)

Grand old hymns written by Eliza E. Hewitt, especially Our Father's on the Throne. That song has been making melody in my heart so often lately. It reminds me that He really does have everything under control.

This amazing website I just found! Historic Hymnals. Wow, what a treasure trove! Oh, just take a look at this wonderful old song. Isn't that good!?

Answers to prayer that will come. He promises, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jer. 33:3) He tells us to ask. I'm beginning to learn it doesn't hurt to do that, because He is too faithful to disappoint. He is our Heavenly Father, we are His children. If He chooses not to give us what we ask for, it is only because He has something better in mind! He is worthy of my trust in His choice of what is best.

He gets all the glory when I ask and He answers!

God's perfect plan for my life. "Blessed is he who has never thwarted the working of the divine ideal." (F.B. Meyer)

Many projects to fill my days with. 

Material blessings in such abundance that I can share them with others.

Counting those good and perfect gifts... 96-108.

I'm Thankful the Water Is Out

For ten reasons.

We were prepared. We have two or three seven-gallon jugs filled up with water.

We've done this before. I am so spoiled, folks! When we lived in the village of Ruby, we were without running water for a year. How quickly one becomes accustomed to a life of ease. =D

I'm reminded not to take running water for granted. I mean, we live in a little village in Alaska! I need to realize that the fact we do have running water at all is an incredible provision. Thank You, Lord!

We were able to easily heat water to wash dishes.

The combined efforts of six hands to get those dishes sparkling and put away. Our time around the kitchen sink wasn't quite as light-hearted as usual -- no humming and whistling was heard -- but we managed to keep up a good spirit regardless.

I'll have some interesting stories to tell my children. Won't they be impressed with Mommy? =)

I just might have to do things like this on a regular basis someday. You just never know how or where the Lord might lead.

I should be able to get a shower tomorrow. (Please, please, PLEASE! Four days is just TOO much.)

Progress is being made in keeping up the maintenance of our village's water system. I'd much rather suffer just a day or two without water than weeks without water. Yes, indeed.

I find it is true! I can "in every thing give thanks"! You give me joy even when things don't go my way. Because life always happens the way You've planned.

86-95. Blessings abound!

Riches of Gratitude

In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more

than we give, and that it is only with gratitude 

that life becomes rich.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This is not an ordinary life that we live in Christ Jesus our Lord. When we live our lives as God has laid out for us in His Word, life far surpasses the ordinary. In Jesus, ordinary life becomes abundant life.

When we learn to live that abundant life with a spirit of gratitude, life is taken to an even richer level. God gives each one of us exceeding abundantly beyond what we could ever give back to Him. But those blessings do absolutely nothing for us unless we are truly, consciously grateful for them! Psalm 103:2 is such a good reminder: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." We surely can't recall all the blessings God pours upon us, but neither should we forget them all. Let's try to remember as many as we can, shall we? The Lord is oh so worthy of our thanks.

He is worthy of my thanks.

My happy family. I so often take the happiness in my home for granted. We aren't a perfect family but we are richly blessed of God. We are kept from the strife Satan desires to sow in our home. We are well established on the Word of God. And it makes all the difference.

A good, faithful man to call my dad. He trusts God. He keeps on preaching the Word. He works hard to keep our building and vehicle in good repair when the weather keeps wearing them down. He helps me to be a better daughter/future wife even when I don't like his methods. =) I'm beginning to learn how right my dad is when he quietly but firmly says, "Don't argue." And I'm coming to realize that when I do just that with the right spirit, the next time it is a whole lot easier to quench disagreeable words when I feel them rising up in my heart. I need help. I need those firm reminders to stop doing what is wrong (disagreeing) and obey God.  Even if the disagreement seems such a little thing, and you may be right, arguing is never right. A fighting, contentious spirit will get you nowhere, girls. It also opens the door to the work of the enemy. A gentle, agreeable spirit is a blessing but it is very hard to come by. However, peace in our hearts and homes is always worth anything we have to lay down, particularly pride. I mean, really! Which would we rather have: satisfaction in wicked pride or satisfaction in sweet perfect peace? The key is keeping our minds stayed on the LORD JEHOVAH! (Isa. 26:3-4) So, to reiterate, I'm thankful for my dad. =) Having a happy home doesn't happen by accident. It takes work. And it's worth it, praise God!

The grace of God. It is enough and more. These past few months in our ministry have been difficult.  The Lord is keeping us encouraged in the work, but  from all appearances it seems that all our labor in this village over the past six years has come to nothing. Many of our church services have been unattended in the past three months, and attendance is low (one to three people) the rest of the time. If you think to, please pray for our little church, the needy people of our village, and for my pastor-dad. I praise God for the grace we have experienced through this time.

Good Bible preaching on DVD. We have been having "guest preachers" on Wednesday nights for church lately. =) I know it encourages my dad to hear preaching rather than being the one doing it all the time. It's been good for us all.

Our Bible Time children. I thank the Lord for them over and over and over. We have Sunday School for the children at 4 o'clock every Sunday. Around eight children (sometimes more) come faithfully most every week. This is one of God's graces to us. We're reaching the children. The Lord is doing a work in their tender hearts. I don't know how I could carry on without seeing their happy faces every week. God is faithful!!!

81-85.

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Edwin Excell

I am commanded to give thanks in everything. Yes, every thing. The downright bad things as well as the really good things.

To say "Thank You, Lord!" for:

A blank, ominously dark computer screen this morning.

The dread that filled my heart, turned into such relief because of...

A solution discovered. (Yay for Google!)

The mind of Jesus working in me, turning my whole attitude around.

A way to back up valuable files.

Being forced to do something that I've put off for quite some time. (wink)

Another laptop to use in the meantime.

Quietness that stills my soul and helps me to reflect and realize, "Wow, God has been good through this!"

Fresh understanding of the foolishness of my heart.

Lessons my Lord teaches me in conciously acknowledging and choosing to be grateful for the disguised things He does for me. Even when I don't understand, unlike this situation. Like the song says, I get surprised by my good and loving Lord! =)

What wonderful things He does for me,

Though only one step each day I see,

The joy of my life indeed is He,

Oh, what a dear friend is Jesus!

Lizzie DeArmond

71-80. It's truly amazing what praising can do!

To give unto [me]...

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...

t h a t  H e  m i g h t  b e  g l o r i f i e d .

Isaiah 61:3

O Lord, I Need to Thank You for...

41. The thankful Pharisee in Luke 18 who actually helped me today by making realize what a hopeless sinner I am.

42. And the publican who, like me, realized how needy we are of Your mercy.

43. Answers to prayer that are better than the best I can think of.

44. When I pray that You would humble me, You send me trials that stir up my pride and force me to see if I am truly sincere in my desire for a meek and quiet spirit.

45. When I see Your hand in sending me those trials, for the grace You give to lay down myself and do what pleases You. And then you give me such a joy I can't express!

46. Many other such answers to prayer!

47. Giving me another day of life.

48. The missionaries to Malawi, Africa who will arrive on Thursday and be with us until Monday. I'm encouraged already! That our people will have the opportunity to hear about Your work in a land so distant and different from ours, and of the precious souls there who need You just as much as they do.

49. The fifteen children to came to Sunday Bible Time yesterday afternoon! I love them so much, dear Lord. For their sweet, happy faces that I love to look into as I lead them in singing songs to You each week. For their open hearts. Their faithfulness. Their rapt attention as Mom tells stories of Bible heroes that they never knew existed, causing me to marvel at the incredible "His-stories" of Your Word which I take for granted. For their excitement as they shoot their hands into the air, hoping to be the one picked to answer a review question. They are learning from Your Word and I am so thrilled, Lord! What a priceless privilege it is to love these precious children whom You love so much.

50. Your will for me today: To serve You with gladness.

Savior, I Want to Praise You for...

I began this list of thankfulness before my family departed for furlough. I'm thankful for these things still, so I'll post them anyway... and add a few new ones towards the end.

31. Fulfilling my hope and allowing me to to capture some photos of our snowbirds, a sure sign of spring.  I was so thrilled! They happened to be gathering some straw in our yard to take away to their snug little nest

Aren't they just beautiful? I wish you could hear their cheery, melodious song. How it rejoices my heart! I just learned that snowbirds are also called snow buntings, snowflakes, and snow larks. What sweet names for such pretty creatures. I like snow larks best. Their music is what I'd define as "lark-ish." =)

32. A camera with 20x zoom which enables my family to see the incredible. A little cropping and I was STUNNED. I don't care that the resolution is poor--we can see whaling boats on the open water across twenty miles of sea ice!

33. A preacher with a great burden and vision from the Lord... to help missionaries. For doing "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" in sending him to us. In the three days he has been with us, Brother Sutphin has encouraged my family in amazing ways. The Lord knows our needs and he is using Bro. Sutphin to meet them. God will use those who are willing to serve Him in ways we cannot measure. Please pray for this preacher during the next seven weeks as he carries our burden and does our work while we are away. (He did a wonderful work for us while we were away, indeed! Praise God! Bro. Sutphin was blessed by the experience and is excited about helping other missionaries in Alaska in the future.)

Lord, You Deserve My Thanks for...

21. My sweet little friends who love playing in the snow. So fun! =)

22. The beautiful music of wind chimes -- it reminds me of spring. It causes me to anticipate the day when it will be warm enough to open the windows, allowing the clean spring air to cleanse our stuffy house and set the wind chimes singing! Forty-degree temperatures will feel glorious. I long to see water drip-dropping from roofs, creating crystal-clear puddles all around. And what joy 'twill be to hear the notes of songbirds as they break the winter silence! (thrilled sigh) Although the snow in the Arctic has not yet had even the slightest notion of melting, nor will it for many weeks more...

There is springtime in my soul today

For when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow'rs of grace appear.

Lord, Today I am Grateful for...

11. The rapturous sunset of Monday, February 22, the first my eyes beheld since November.

12. Delicate, feather-like ice crystals on the window, vividly aglow with the setting sun. For manifold beauties so intricate and diverse which I admire and appreciate.

13. Keeping the church vehicle running throughout the harsh Arctic winter! Praise God that we can continue to pick up folks for services!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for...

1. My family's new camera which brings Your wondrous works of creation into sharper, closer focus -- and for the excellent price we purchased it at. It is a superior tool and I am so grateful for it! May it be used for Your glory alone.

2. The warm home you have given us -- it is a refuge from this evil world, and shelter from last weekend's blizzard, besides.

 

3. My hardworking dad and brother; they shoulder the heaviest loads with determination.

Growing a Grateful Heart

During moments of impatience, or irritation, or discouragement, or injustice, what is it that can flood the obscurity with sunlight?

Praise.

"Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road." -- John Henry Jowett

Searching for good in the unpredictable and unfortunate circumstances of life is something even the lost can achieve; they call it optimism. But for the children of God, it is pure gratefulness. And it extends far beyond lightheartedness.

It is recognizing God's hand -- working in love, benevolence, and mercy -- in every minute detail... of every single day. It produces in the depths of the soul an unutterable joy because we realize fully that "every good gift and every perfect is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

Seeing the joy of the LORD
in the boyish grin of my (big =) little brother.

Understanding that when others try my patience, 

it is an opportunity to respond as my Lord would...

to, in a small way, be gracious 

as He is unfathomably, tirelessly gracious to me!