April 18, 2008

• What I am Thankful for

  For some time I've been wanting to post on what I am thankful for. There is no way I could list everything, but I will make a good start today in sharing some of what comes to mind.

  I am thankful for the gift of salvation. I am in awe that the God of the universe, in His righteousness, holiness, and justice has reached down to place in my heart the knowledge of my sin and a need for His salvation. There are many times when I am overwhelmed at the thought of my adoption into His family. He is so kind, merciful, and gracious!

  I am thankful for God's Word. Reading it, is like eating at a feast every day! It is life giving and nourishing to my soul. What a wonder that He speaks to me every day through His Word!

  I am thankful for the avenue of prayer. It is almost too awesome to believe, that I can actually speak to the God of the universe and that He hears me and even delights to hear my praise and petitions! Not only that, but I can address Him as Father!

  I am thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit in continually sanctifying me. This, too, is a great wonder. A Person of the Godhead reaching down to mold and shape me, to chip away the many rough edges, to pull out the weeds of sin and the love of sin from my heart. He works on me daily, never giving up, but purposefully and intentionally moving my heart and character towards the heart and character of my faithful Lord Jesus Christ. Absolutely astounding!

  I am thankful for the Heidleberg Catechism. It's richness, beauty, truth, and comfort have aided me innumerous times to "keep on keeping on". I highly reccommend reading one question and answer every morning throughout one's life.

  I am thankful for the countless beautiful and rich hymns that I have come to learn over the years. Since I was a baby, psalms and hymns have been an integral part of my life. They have catechized me, encouraged me, convicted me of sin, inspired me to faith and godliness, deepened my love for the Lord...What rich treasures!

  I am thankful for Pastor VanderVeen's faithful preaching every Sunday morning and evening. He truly loves our congregation and is committed to teaching us what we need to hear for our edification and for our work. He wants us to grow in our knowledge and love of the Lord and for one another and is constantly challenging us, even when it is painful and uncomfortable, all the while encouraging us.

  I am thankful for Dr. Rayburn's sermons. He was our pastor in Tacoma from 1985 till we moved away in 1993. We have received his sermons weekly throughout the 15 years since and I listen to them over and over. I think I have listened to five this week already. I've often wondered how my life would be different if the Lord hadn't brought us under Pastor Rayburn's teaching when He did. I don't think I want to know. He has been a tremendous encouragement in the faith over and over and over again.

  I am thankful that all six of our children have a genuine love for the Lord and His kingdom.

  I am thankful for Natasha: for her gentle and sweet spirit, her unwavering convictions and her steadfastness in all of her life, her willingness to learn contentment and to work hard at whatever the Lord puts before her.

  I am thankful for Cassie: for her amazing self-discipline that is evident in every area of her life, her tender heart to the Lord's work at sanctifying her, and her soft, kind spirit to those who are in need.

  I am thankful for Isaac: for his big dreams and his determination, his willingness to stand up for what is right even when it means standing alone, his optimistic outlook on life, and his desire to hammer things out.

  I am thankful for Seth: for his level-headedness, his tender heart to God's Word, his great sense of humor which makes us laugh often, and his dependability.

  I am thankful for Abigail: for her cheerfulness, her creativity, her willingness to see things in herself and to work at change, her ability to make friends easily, and her eagerness to be helpful.

  I am thankful for Titus: for his love for his family, his enthusiasm each morning for what the day ahead holds, his attention to detail, and his kind, sensitive heart.

  I am thankful for Jim: for his faithfulness in working so hard to provide for our family, for his willingness to look at his heart and to be honest about what he sees there, and more and more, his determination to gain wisdom to lead our family in the ways of the Lord.

  I am thankful for the opportunity to care for my aging parents.

  I am thankful for the abundance of friends that the Lord has blessed me with and especially thankful for that handful with whom I can truly speak my heart: those who know me almost better than I know myself who are able to encourage me and set my thinking clear when it gets muddled.

  I am thankful for many, many composers, but especially for Handel, Mendelssohn, and Bach.

  I am thankful for daffodils.

  The list could go on and on. Maybe I'll continue on xanga another day. But I'm forever continuing on in my heart!

  • 12:24 pm
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