Blog One-- Here we go!
Thanks to everyone who signed-up to be a part of this Bible Study! My plan is to post every Wednesday, and then continue the discussion throughout the week in the comments, so please participate!
This week, I've started my studies/group with the kids at MBH, the kids/teens at MCH, and the CARES ladies. They obviously all have different needs, and are therefore working on different studies, but it's been interesting the thread of "Thankfulness" that has seemed to run its way through each study, regardless of the main topic at hand.
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I wanted for us to discuss the topic of Thankfulness.
A simple suggestion that I gave the MCH kids this week was to say "Thank You" to God for the same number of things that they asked Him for. It's a simple suggestion, but its also something I can't say that I follow all of the time. And we know the big things that we are thankful for-- of course our families, our homes, our job, our friends, our health.
We are SO blessed, though. Even when we all we may be able to see in front of us is the expenses of Christmas around the corner, or as we may be facing a first Holiday season where a loved one will be missing from our table, or when we are exhausted from work, or from family, or from a combination of both-- even in those circumstances, we can be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us that it's God's will for us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. This is not always easy, but gratefully, we don't have to do it alone. God is with us in these difficulties, so if nothing else, we can be thankful that He has promised to be with us in the hard times.
My challenge for you this week is to thank God. Thank Him for the little things, thank Him when you ask for something, and thank Him for the hard times. Because, as one of our clients reminded me this week, "God uses hard times to show you how strong you are." How strong you are, AND, how strong He is.
Questions for Comment:
Intro question: What food are you excited about eating at your Thanksgiving next week?
Discussion Question: What little thing OR difficult thing are you thankful for?
Also-- feel free to post any prayer requests you'd like the group to see. (And again, you can e-mail me directly to share any requests you don't want made public!) ashores@methodistfamily.org
This week, I've started my studies/group with the kids at MBH, the kids/teens at MCH, and the CARES ladies. They obviously all have different needs, and are therefore working on different studies, but it's been interesting the thread of "Thankfulness" that has seemed to run its way through each study, regardless of the main topic at hand.
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I wanted for us to discuss the topic of Thankfulness.
A simple suggestion that I gave the MCH kids this week was to say "Thank You" to God for the same number of things that they asked Him for. It's a simple suggestion, but its also something I can't say that I follow all of the time. And we know the big things that we are thankful for-- of course our families, our homes, our job, our friends, our health.
We are SO blessed, though. Even when we all we may be able to see in front of us is the expenses of Christmas around the corner, or as we may be facing a first Holiday season where a loved one will be missing from our table, or when we are exhausted from work, or from family, or from a combination of both-- even in those circumstances, we can be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us that it's God's will for us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. This is not always easy, but gratefully, we don't have to do it alone. God is with us in these difficulties, so if nothing else, we can be thankful that He has promised to be with us in the hard times.
My challenge for you this week is to thank God. Thank Him for the little things, thank Him when you ask for something, and thank Him for the hard times. Because, as one of our clients reminded me this week, "God uses hard times to show you how strong you are." How strong you are, AND, how strong He is.
Questions for Comment:
Intro question: What food are you excited about eating at your Thanksgiving next week?
Discussion Question: What little thing OR difficult thing are you thankful for?
Also-- feel free to post any prayer requests you'd like the group to see. (And again, you can e-mail me directly to share any requests you don't want made public!) ashores@methodistfamily.org
Dressing with cranberries is the food that excites me at this time of year. Mainly because its a once a year treat.
ReplyDeleteMy failures in the past are the things that come to my mind more than anything. I am like everyone else in that I don't start off with an intent to fail. I am just like everyone else and fear it. But the fear still doesn't stop it from happening sometimes. I accept/recognize my failures as just another way to learn and what I am most thankful about today, is that I get to work in an environment with others that have an encouraging and supportive attitude toward others.
So true! Failures are not fun, but it is so cool that God can redeem those experiences to help us learn and grow!
DeleteI'm really excited to eat LOTS of my grandmother's famous banana pudding! This is my favorite Thanksgiving dish because every time I eat it, I instantly feel at home and I feel like a kid all over again.
ReplyDeleteOne difficult thing I am thankful for is my big heart! I have so much love to give and I give it unconditionally to anyone, most times. The problem is that sometimes I get frustrated and discouraged when the kids we help don't recognize that someone loves them. They get so wrapped up in their feelings that they cant accept or give love, and that is often hard for my big ole' heart to handle. But persistence and consistency is key, and I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to demonstrate to kids how to love others in a healthy way. I am even more thankful that I get to teach that to our clients!
That's funny-- one of my prayers yesterday was that every kid understand how much they are loved, and that they have value and importance in the sight of God! I think you're right though-- persistence (and prayer) are needed!!
DeleteMy dad's dressing.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for all of the challenges I've faced. God has used each one in a unique way. It is comforting to know He can always take my brokenness and redeem it for something beautiful. It helps me live with out fear of the future.
So good--- brokenness redeemed for beauty is a hard thing to face in the moment, but it's so awesome to see on the other side of it!
DeleteI'm excited about dressing and homemade rolls :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful for my family....This year has been one of many transitions as we have moved and began pastoring a church. I wouldn't trade it for the world....I'm so grateful for my beautiful, healthy kids and loving husband. I plan on passing on love and blessings to others this season.....He's been too good to me to keep it to myself! Happy Thanksgiving Methodist Family!
Homemade rolls are the best! And yes-- lots to be thankful for!!! :)
DeleteI'm so excited about my mom's stuffing. It's my grandmother's recipe and my mom continues to make it every year. I am also excited to contribute to our family's meal this year with my green beans!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for my family and being able to be a mom. This is my daughter's second Thanksgiving, but each holiday continues to be more fun with her than the last. I am so thankful that God chose me to be a mom. It is the best job I will ever have and I thank Him day after day for that!
That's so fun!! Kids make every holiday so much better!
DeleteI am excited about green bean casserole and corn casserole! It has been a tradition since I was a kid to always have them both! YUM.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for my family! Growing up in a military family we moved around every two years but we always "came home" for the holidays! Even as an adult my extended family is still close and I am so thankful for that!
Green bean casserole is awesome!!! That's one that I'm FOR SURE looking forward to! And that's such a blessing to be able to see your extended family! This is my first thanksgiving to be married, so I'm thankful to be accepted in to my husband's big extended family this year!
DeleteExcited about dressing and yams!
ReplyDeleteAt this current season of my life, I simply thank God for peace and being ever present even when I feel alone.
Peace can definitely be difficult to receive sometimes!
DeleteI'm excited about eating my dad's and mother in-law's dressing and some new dish my husband said he's going to try (shrimp & crawfish mac & cheese!)
ReplyDeleteThe difficult thing that I'm thankful for is VERY difficult for me right now. I was always told that if you work hard and do what you're supposed to do, good things will come to you. Well, I had a goal for me & my husband to meet at the end of the year. Unfortunately, last month we were given a reality check on some things we didn't know were as severe as they are... A moment where someone took advantage of a situation and it appears that our goal can't be met because of it. It hurts because it's no fault of our own and I'm unsure of how it can be fixed, but I'm thankful that even in the midst of this things are still well in our lives. So I'm thankful for the reminder that even in hard times, God will show us how strong we are and how strong He is.
That mac and cheese sounds AMAZING!!!
DeleteAnd yes-- that sounds like a very difficult situation! I'm glad that you guys are able to handle it with grace and strength, and aren't allowing it to change your perspective on God's goodness!