My table is set to celebrate. Including glasses emblazoned with John Soules Foods who generously gives to provide Bethesda Health Clinic for our community.
❤️Speaking of blessings, if you’re wondering how to fill the last spots on your Christmas list, think Book Bananza at Potpourri this Tuesday. Books signed by local authors. Because we’re bananas about books! Book Bananza means you can skip Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Your Christmas can be Fun and Done! Plus, for those wanting to write, our Writing Friends PopUP Seminar. More below. ❤️
The Power of Thanksgiving
What’s the big deal about counting your blessings. I squirmed in the pew. Just another little kid with a paper turkey in her hand from Sunday school. Pilgrims. Indians. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just want pecan pie.
I remember taking blessings for granted. But not anymore.
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him….” ~from Ephesians 1:15-17.
I wanted to paste in ALL of Chapter 1; there’s so much more. You can find the whole thing here.
Left Behind
Early settlers we call Native Americans took risks, made sacrifices, and many prospered. So did all those who followed them.
America exists because brave men and women followed their heart to find religious liberty in the 1600s. Many lost their lives.
All along the way, there were those who for selfish reasons put the wellbeing of others at risk. Still, they were often — but not always — held accountable.
Many Americans still understand the balance of mercy and justice found in the Bible and described as personal responsibility. I hope we rise up and reclaim personal responsibility as an American value.
In honor of those who died recently in Afghanistan, we’re leaving our prayer banner up to remind us to pray for their families.
I’m listing their names here: David Lee Espinoza, Nicole L. Gee, Darin Taylor Hoover, Ryan Knauss, Hunter Lopez, Rylee J. McCollum, Dylan H. Merola, Kareem M. Nikoui, Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Humbarto A. Sanchez, Jared M. Schmitz, Maxton W. Soviak, Daegan W. Page.
I am thankful for the families who raised these heroes. We must not forget what happened. I refuse to forget.
We are counting our blessings and they include YOU!
Thank you for reading, listening to, and sharing our stuff. You are such an important player when it comes to uplifting our culture. We make a great team.
Additionally, I’m thankful for our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar sponsors:
Sponsors keep your Writing Friends PopUp Seminar cost really low. Plan to join us December 2 & 3rd. Quit calling it a journal. Call it YOUR book!
Please pray for new authors to get the help they need, complete manuscripts, and get their messages out there.
And don’t miss our Book Bananza on next Tuesday, November 30th, when a dozen local authors will show up at Potpourri to sign their books. 4:00-7:00 P.M.
Homelessness in America
Homelessness is just another symptoms our culture needs rebooting.
If you’ve been following my stories with PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson, thank you! I bet her stories of hard-won success fill you with gratitude, too.
Next week, we’ll finish the series with more about PATH’s Transitional Housing Program. Dave and I are so grateful to live in East Texas where neighbors help each other.
Writing is a Team Sport
On a personal note, this year I’m especially thankful for the local authors who are teaming up to make writing dreams come true at our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar: Tony Johnson, April Coker, Renee Goodwin, Betty Rose, Candace Hudson, Gina Butler, and, yep, me.
If you know God wants you to write your book, please sign up. Everyone needs a friend to help them write.
Writing Friends PopUp Seminar happens Thursday and Friday evenings, December 2 and 3.
The Blessing of Forgiveness
Sitting in church as a little girl, I had no idea what the Savior had done for me on the cross. For myself, the greatest gift I ever received was forgiveness for my sin.
Jesus’ sacrifice and love are the source of every blessing in my life. I pray you experience that same redeeming, refreshing love of the Savior. (Find out how to become a Christian here.)
Finally today, I’ll close with one of David’s favorite verses. If you wonder what God wants you to do with your life, He spend it out clearly.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~Thessalonians 5:16-18
I thank God in every thought of you, dear one!
🙂
Cathy
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
Which blessing meant the most to you this year? When you count your earthly blessings who comes to mind first and why? How do you plan to bless others during the holidays?
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, my heart needs to be reminded to count my blessings. We forget how blessed we are. Help us see past the aches, the pains, and the petty annoyances in this life. Show us the glory of a God who loves us enough to send His Son to claim us for His own. If there is anyone reading today who does not know Your love, I pray now specifically that they would encounter You through the good will of one of Your followers. May You be praised for Your goodness, O Lord! Thank You for blessing us now because that’s Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
For Book-Lovers:
Next Tuesday, November 30th, local authors gather to bless East Texas. Get your gift books signed by the author.
Book Bananza: because we’re bananas about books!
Then, on Thursday and Friday evenings, we’re following up with another amazing event!
Writing Friends PopUp Seminar
Get tickets to our Writing Friends PopUp Seminar! Local, published authors WILL SHARE THEIR SECRETS so you, too, can quit calling it a journal and call it a book. YOUR book! Register now!
Thank You, God, for Our Sponsors!
Sponsors for the Writing Friends PopUp Seminar include:
And Don’t Forget
Tell your friends, too. Share the blessings! You can join the Fireside Tribe and receive all our FREE podcasts, blogs, and interviews with experts. Did I say for FREE? Yep. Because we LOVE you.
❤️Truth with a Texas! ❤️
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. We welcome your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com.
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