Grace Alone…

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
(Psalm 9:1-2 ESV)

Honestly I could not come up with just one thing to write about this week for Thankful Thursday. There are just so many things on a daily basis I am thankful for .

In no particular order, here is my ‘random’ list from my thankful heart…

• God’s protection – not only for me, but for my family and friends. I had used the van pool for almost a year, but I had to switch back driving myself to work. I work often later than the hours of the van pool. God has been protecting me on the crazy roads of Arizona (you have no idea how wild these people drive).
• God providing our ‘daily bread’. We have a roof over our head, food to eat, money to pay the bills and help out others when needed.
• My husband’s love for me. You have to understand, I am a little ‘wild’ sometimes – I start dancing or start cracking jokes out of the blue.
• Our son’s independence. Sometimes I can’t believe that he will be 27 this June. He has done well for himself. And he is very smart with money. I just hope he changes his mind moving back to Europe this year. But then again, I just had him as a ‘loan’; God will guide his steps.
• My friends far and near, who don’t mind if I ask for prayers. I try to be a good friend as well as they are. I hope I am.

So, what are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Thankful

Tags: Daily Bread, Family, Friends, God's Provision

9 responses so far Iris on February 8th, 2012

This week’s Marriage Monday, we are to share about how we get rid of boredom and apathy in our marriage. I totally love her idea about making a list of things to do. I need to incorporate that in our marriage …

My hubby and I have been married for some time (29 years in May). It has not been always smooth sailing, but for the most part, it has been a very happy marriage. For me the hardest part was leaving my family in Germany 21 years ago to follow my husband to the United States.

I still do not like living here, far away from my family, but I am committed to the marriage. I was a little afraid when our son moved out in 2007, but we soon found something that we both enjoy greatly; photography.

Although we both have very different styles and what to photograph, we still make it work. We take turns on where to go to take photographs. You see, my husband loves architecture, lines, etc – I am more a nature girl …

We also like to go out to eat once in a while; trying new restaurants is a great thing. I also like to try out new recipes at home. There is nothing better for me when I can put a smile on husband’s face with some great food that is home-cooked …

I think that if we love someone (more than just the physical part), we find new and exiting ways to keep our marriages fresh.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: making a marriage work takes 3 (God, your spouse and you).

Love & peace,
Iris

Tags: Apathy, Boredom, Food, Photography

7 responses so far Iris on February 6th, 2012

The winner of my Capturing Couture giveaway is comment #11 – Tara

Congratulations, Tara!!! I will email you so that I can get your mailing address.

On Monday, February 13th, I will host another giveaway. The price? Wonderful dinnerware by “Fiestaware”, made in the United States of America …

Thank you all for stopping by last week and supporting American made products.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Happy

Tags: Capturing Couture, Photography, Winner

No responses yet Iris on February 5th, 2012

“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
(Luke 22:41-42 ESV ~ emphasis mine)

Many times I pray short prayers; prayers for family or friends. I pray throughout the day; I really do not have a specific time for prayer. However, if there is something really on my heart, and I need to let go of a certain situation, I pull out my little prayer book.

What I have noticed that when I write down my prayers, my focus changes. It is not so much that I want to change God’s mind over a situation, but He changes mine. Read again what Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane…”not my will, but yours”…

Isn’t that what prayer really is? To align with God’s will? I know that I need to sometimes spell it out (thus my prayer book). I need to be reminded that He is in control. I am thankful for those times when things become a little clearer to me through prayer. So, this week I am thankful for the power of prayer.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

What are your thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today; remember: through prayer your vision becomes clearer.

Love & peace,
Iris

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Current Mood: Thankful

Tags: God, Hope, Life, peace, Scripture

13 responses so far Iris on February 1st, 2012