Monday, November 21, 2016

On Living With Abounding Gratitude



Not what we say about our blessings 

but how we use them

is the true measure of our thanksgiving.
~ W.T. Purkiser ~




Oh Heavenly Lord,

Since we're so obviously human and confined to this space and time we can't even begin to get a glimpse of Your most majestic sacred glory.  It's just simply beyond our earthly comprehension.

But we can tell you that we deeply adore You for who You are.  Holy.  Holy.  Holy.

You are worthy to be praised with all that's deep within us, even if we won't ever be able to get our hands around Your awesomely supreme nature, Your perfect character, Your never ending loving grace and perfect judgement.

Yes, we surely see the blessings You've rained down on us ... You, the powerful Healer and Protector of our souls.  The faithful Giver of our daily bread and butter.  The discerning Provider of our endless needs.  The constant comforting companionship of Your sweet sacred Spirit.

And yes, Jesus, Jesus, the brutal sacrifice of Your life's blood shed so freely.

We are overflowing with an abounding gratitude laced with peace-filled joy.

Accept the praises that we bring. You have been so incredibly faithful.

Propel us forward to share our myriad of blessings with a waiting world.  Move us to live with an eye toward radiant generosity, to love fully without keeping score, and to joyfully sacrifice convenience and comfort.

We bow the knee in Jesus Name ~
Amen.



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stopping by 

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56 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. A blessed Thanksgiving to your tribe, Lulu ... I can imagine the exuberant activity around your table ...

      ;-}

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    2. Thank you, Linda, for the prayer. Have a grateful day on Thursday, and every day. Love you.
      Muriel 🧔

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    3. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Muriel. I hope you're well and thriving ...
      xo

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  2. Thank you for this post. I really needed it. Going through some hard times right now, and need to keep my eyes fixed on what matters and keep things in perspective! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Oh Gingi, somehow the holidays don't help, do they ... but yet I pray that by God's mercy, they will.

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  3. Linda,
    Amen. Thank you for this beautiful prayer. Praying you and yours enjoy a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving, my friend :-) love and hugs!

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    1. And you, too, friend. I'm grateful for all you've taught me in recent months ...

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  4. Oh Linda, what a beautiful, inspirational prayer that reflects your deep faith and love in God. Thank you for sharing it with all of us, so we can be reminded of our own faith, and know that you will always support our mutually celebrated love of God.
    May you be abundantly blessed,
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Don't you just love praying with friends?

      How gracious of God to have connected us, one by one by one.

      Praying for you even as we speak, dear Ceil ... I know this Thanksgiving won't necessarily be an easy one for you ...

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  5. It's always good when I stop by your blog Linda. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving xx

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    1. And I always love to see you when you're able to come by ...

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family.

    God bless.

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    1. I'm just plain grateful that it doesn't have to be a prescribed holiday for us to all join thankful hearts in prayer!

      Blessings to you in the UK, friend ...

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  7. Beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, Linda! Our Thanksgiving has passed but grateful for my American friends who continue to remind my of the spirit of gratitude. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!

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    1. Yes indeed, Lynn ... our hearts are of one accord on living our gratitude out loud ... no matter where we call home.

      I'm grateful to celebrate His goodness with you today!

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  8. Your blog today is just beyond description in not only the beauty of presentation but in the contents of what you have so graciously written, Linda.

    {via email}

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    1. Thanks! I love writing my prayers ... and sometimes feel the need to pray one with you all.

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  9. My beautiful friend, inside and out,
    How I am thankful for you. For your faith and words in sharing.
    You are precious to me, always.
    Love you and Happy Thanksgiving!

    {via email}

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    1. May your whole family enjoy a wonderful holiday around a bountiful table, friend.

      Thanks for connecting today ... miss you guys!

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  10. What a beautiful prayer!

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  11. Love this, Linda. And to paraphrase James, graitutde without action is dead...we're enjoined by Christ to make our thanksgiving immanent in our outreach, to bring hope to the weary.

    Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/11/your-dying-spouse-235-caregiving-and.html

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    1. I hope and pray that you'll be feeling well enough to enjoy some pockets of joy during this coming weekend, friend ...

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  12. Amen! Beautiful prayer, and I love the quote too! I hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks for the lovely wishes from the UK, friend! Giving thanks knows no borders, thankfully!

      ;-}

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  13. Amen! Thank you for this beautiful prayer, Linda. So heartfelt. As you said, we can't even begin to get a glimpse of His sacred majestic glory. May God be with your family in a special way this Thanksgiving and fill your aching hearts with His love! Hugs!

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  14. Your prayer echoes the cry of my heart too. My praise can never come close to expressing to Him what I feel and know in Him. Beautiful Linda! May the Lord bless your Thanksgiving this year with blessings upon blessings!

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    1. You're so right, my Idaho pal ... sometimes there are simply . no . words ...

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  15. Amen! May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with more opportunities to bless and receive blessings!

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    1. Thank you for being here bright and early this morning, Anita!

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  16. Oh this is so beautiful Linda. I love your heart for the Lord. "We are overflowing with an abounding gratitude laced with peace-filled joy." Yes! Happy Thanksgiving friend! xoxo

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    1. Where would we be without Jesus? I am so grateful to share Him here ...

      Blessings to you this Thanksgiving, Nicki.

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  17. I love the quote at the beginning and your prayer. Beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. The world is indeed waiting. Let it begin with me. A beautiful prayer, Linda. Blessings on your beautiful heart.

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    1. We too often need that 'let it begin with me' prompt, don't we ...

      May your holiday be filled with joy, friend.

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  19. Amen. Thank you for this beautiful prayer. Praying your family is blessed with a happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Oh, it's so very good to see you again, Alecia! I hope you're doing well and that this weekend will be an encouragement to you ...

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  20. A beautiful prayer for Thanksgiving, Linda! Many blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving Eve.

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    1. Oh Thanksgiving Eve! I've never heard this evening coined that way! It brings to mind all kinds of warm and cozy images of Christmas Eve.

      Love this thought. Thank you, June, for taking me {us all!} there.

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  21. Beautiful worship to our God!!! Thanks for praying with us and I thank God for you, dear friend.

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    1. Oh I am so thankful for you, Carol. I miss you so ...

      Have a blast with your crew this weekend!

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  22. Amen! Thank you for your prayer of gratitude. I am thanking God for our friendship as I write this.

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    1. Amen, friend. And for this iron-sharpening-iron online friendship? I am so very thankful, too. God is good!

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  23. I do enjoy reading your blogs faithfully. You have shared some really deep stuff and I know it blesses many and articulates feelings many share but might not otherwise give permission to acknowledge or deal with.

    {via email}

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    1. What a treat to connect with you again, dear childhood friend and encourager!

      It's always a huge blessing to hear that someone I know is a reader ... I keep no lists of subscribers and unless a reader lets me know, I have no idea who's a part of this community.

      Thank you for this oh so meaningful Thanksgiving gift ...

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  24. Amen. Thank you, Linda, for putting beautiful words to our thankful hearts. Hope your family had a sweet Thanksgiving day. xoxo

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    1. Thanks for visiting this morning, Brenda! I hope this weekend finds your soul quiet, reflective, joyful ...

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  25. Amen Linda. I love this prayer. Blessings to you.

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    1. Thanks for praying with me this evening, Paula. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

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