"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now..." Philippians 1:3-5
I am thankful for God and all He has done in my life and all He is going to do.
And, I always thank God for you,
brothers and sisters, because your faith is growing
more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is
increasing.
Happy Thanksgiving....
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"...rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him!" 1 Peter 1:6-8
As those on the Mayflower sailed the treacherous ocean, they persevered through vast struggles clinging to God.
When the ship rocked... they kept looking up and praying and praising God.
When food was scarce... they kept looking up and praying and praising God.
When death struck... they kept looking up and praying and praising God.
When cold, bitter winds blew... they kept looking up and praying and praising God.
When all hope seemed lost... they kept looking up and praying and praising God.
Through their example we are reminded life is not always easy or ''on course". But because of God and His immense love for us, we rest in the fact we are not forgotten, ignored, tossed aside. He loves... cares... and provides for us.
This Thanksgiving season, may we thank Him first. Because when the seas of life are uncertain, we are assured of a safe, complete journey when we sail on with God.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"... the cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
When fixing your plate for a meal, what do you pile on first? If you are anything like me, you fill your plate first with your favorite foods.
I believe most students followed the same principle when listing what they were thankful for on Thanksgiving. I noticed a repetitive priority theme on the "plates of thanks" in the hallway. What a joy to see so many putting God and Jesus first on their plate of thanks!
Was it a coincidence, or did they know the real reason for Thanksgiving? A time set aside to thank God for His abundant blessings for our country and lives.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
As we lead and teach children, may we remember they also are good teachers to us.
Jesus said, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Father, Feasting on a life with You brings joy, peace and purpose. May my service and thanks always belong first to You.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I was going to complain, then i read the news. I decided to count my blessings instead.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life..." Proverbs 13:14
They may squirm in their seats, talk out of turn, forget their homework, push your last button, or spill the beans... but there is one fact which still remains true.
Students honestly appreciate and love their teachers. On silly days, pouty days, moody days and all days in between, they desire to please and bring a smile to your face. Whatever the day holds for you in your classroom, remember it is still filled with love for you.
Never doubt how much your teaching, sharing and caring provides life, light and hope to others.
friend, you are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." 1 Chronicles 16: 8
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever..." Psalm 100:4-5
In response to the prompt, "I have many things to be thankful for that might sound strange, but have you ever stopped to thing about...," the bulletin board was filled with a great variety of answers.
books for learning,veterans for defending us, animals for survival, teachers for learning, holidays for celebrating our beliefs, birthdays for growing, vacations for relaxing, food for growing, sisters for talking, oceans for living, brothers for playing, bikes for getting around, glasses to see, freedom to make decisions, etc.
The answers were creative, thoughtful and heartfelt. But the number one reason for Thanksgiving is still best.
In reading about our Thanksgiving holiday, i was encouraged to know it was first established by our Presidents as a national holiday set aside to thank God for His blessings to us. From George Washington to Lincoln to our current Presidents, God is acknowledged and thanked.
Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations include the following statements:
(Obama 2013), "mindful of the grace bestowed on us by God" (Obama 2012), "thank God for the blessings of freedom and prosperity" (Bush 2002), "express heartfelt thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us" (Clinton 1999), "thank God for our families, friends, and neighbors" (Reagan 1985), and "express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God" (Kennedy 1963).
For additional teaching tools and information, you might like to visit the link below:
The federal government's establishment of Thanksgiving (History Channel Video)
If you are interested in more links regarding this, let me know and i will email to you.
As we celebrate the many wonderful reasons why Thanksgiving is important to us, i pray we always remember who we should thank first.
Thank You, Father! from whom all blessings flow!
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
Instead of plucking feathers for Thanksgiving, students are adding them to their artwork. Each feather tells of something they are thankful for in their life... parents, teachers, pets, food, church, God, heroes, doctors, etc.
My prayer for you today is simple --
If you were sticking feathers-of-blessings on a turkey, you would not be able to make a turkey large enough to hold all the feathers.
Start counting.... and giving thanks. We are truly blessed.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Students are smarter (and some more daring) these days. If you tell them to make a line, you better be specific or you might not get what you intended. In their defense, all lines are not necessarily straight. Some are wavy, curved or zigzag. The clearer the directions, the greater the possibility of getting the behavior desired.
Father, thank You for providing clear, precise directions in your Word on how to live. May we indulge, digest and follow Your good and perfect Truth. In doing so, we share Your light and love with others... and Your eternal Kingdom grows, as You desire.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:19
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
Jesus said...
"Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13
Every saying we hear isn't true, but i know two that are. Many hands make light the work, and it takes an army to keep our country safe. Today, Veteran's Day, we stop to remember and give thanks to the many fine soldiers who have sacrificed their time, and some even their life to protect us and our country.
What a joy to be involved in one of many schools recognizing the importance of our Veterans. Honor, respect and courage are alive and well in the United States. What wonderful mentors for each and every one of us.
We humbly give thanks for having these special warriors in our schools today, whether in spirit or body... as positive role models to our students. They represent true citizenship, commitment unity and love for one another at its best.
Father, Thank You for our soldiers. May Your grace and goodness always be with them. Bless them and their families... as they have and continue to bless and sustain our freedom.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" Isaiah 6:8
Teachers absolutely love it: hands eagerly flying in the air responding to a question. It's like watching a flock of seagulls soaring over the ocean -- beautiful. There is one sure fire way of accomplishing this type of response. Ask for a volunteer to deliver a message, run an errand, or anything else for the opportunity to depart from the routine classroom learning and there won't be a hand left in a lap.
As students of the Word, are we as eager to respond to our Teacher's requests? God is constantly searching for volunteers to deliver His message, to do His work and to leave the routine of classroom learning for some hands-on action.
Listen. He's asking right now for a volunteer. "Who will share My love with the unlovable? Who will provide help to the needy? Who will stand up for the abused?"
Is your hand in the air?
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Are you blue?
Whatever we are feeding on, others can usually see and tell by how we act and treat them.
Father,
Help rid my diet of unhealthy bitterness, worry and busyness. I want to feed more on Your healthy goodness -- patience, compassion, kindness, love, understanding forgiveness.
May others see and know Your Greatness through my words and actions.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."
Throwing his clock aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
"What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:49-52
Could you benefit from a slight revision of the above verses? Something like this --
Jesus stopped and said, "Call, (your name)."
So they called to me, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."
Throwing my (troubles, worries, doubts, fears) aside, I jumped to my feet and went to Jesus.
"What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
I answered, "Jesus, I want (my need)."
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
Immediately my need was met, and I will follow Jesus for the rest of my days.
He calls, He cares, He can.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men/women who must give an account." Hebrews 13:17
Father, may You be the guiding force and conscience of all elected to serve, represent and care for the welfare of us, Your children. We pray for Your strength and wisdom to prevail in all issues. Help us to be obedient to You in respecting and praying for our leaders - of the church, government and other groups.
One day they, as well as us, will be held accountable for our actions. May it be good.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them,
'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For
who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is
it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'" Luke 22:24-27
Father, guide us to elect ones who serve You first. In Jesus' name we pray...
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
"Moses answered the people, (you and me), 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today... You need only to remain calm; the LORD will fight for you.'" Exodus 14:13-14
It's the start of a new week, and the need for strength to do what must be done. Our Mighty Warrior is ready.
Thank You, Father, as we rely on You for strength, guidance, comfort, confidence and peace.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... and you can too.
friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal
