You're not here by accident. Remember, God can use anything to speak to His precious children, even a blog.
My name is Joanne. I am a writer, speaker, and women's- ministry-encourager! I desire to bring Jesus glory and honor all the days of my life. (Of course, some days are much easier than others!)
I am a grateful mother to four beautiful children and wife to God's greatest gift to me. Christ has made all things new in my life. Rev. 21:5 I pray you will seek Him with all your heart...He wants to do the same for you.
From one Blessed...child of God to another, I hope you will be inspired by what you read, laugh out loud, and find joy in my journey.
There is an awful lot going on in my life right now. From articles to book proposals, a new church home, and let's not forget my family. Life is happening at a fast and furious pace, so it's time I take a little break from Blessed...
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to refocus on the number one calling in my life - my husband and my children.
I am not sure if I will be gone a day or a week. But, I am sure of this, I am going to seek God for the answer. Until then, my hearts cry to all of you is "be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
As you can tell, by my most recent post, I am a BIG lover of all things Thanksgiving. Yes, I do love Christmas too, but have been discouraged with what the world has done to the holiday. Commercialism has given Christmas a big black-eye.
There are only 38 days left until Christmas, so please join in and head on over to Susan's to check out this holiday challenge. Post about it on your blogs. It's time we made the holiday season about Him and not about us.
So, believing that God can do amazing things in your life over the next 40 days, I am sharing a challenge with you - that together we can each have a revival in our personal lives and can influence those around us to draw close to God as well.
My desire is not that you get into the Christmas spirit.....
but that you be filled with the Holy Spirit. -Susan
Santa is the biggest bully on the block. Don't believe me? Just ask Thanksgiving. He'll tell ya. Every year, the moment Mr. Tom Turkey takes his rightful place on stage, Santa busts in on the act. The older I get, the angrier it makes me.
According to the four seasons rule-book, the Fall season begins on or around September 22nd and ends on or around December 22nd. Thanksgiving has already given up over three weeks of Fall time to this holiday-dictator. But, it's never enough. Why isn't Santa playing by the rules? I'm beginning to dislike Mr. Jolly Ol' Fall-hater.
Those of us who love the changing of the leaves, have to bite our tongues as we shop for our pumpkin candles and Thanksgiving turkey, all the while, being serenaded by music before it's time.
On November 10th, no one shopping at the Dollar Store should have to consider if it's beginning look a lot like Christmas everywhere we go.
On December 25th, at my house, when up on our housetop reindeer pause, and out jumps good ol' Santa Claus...he will get a swift kick in the shins from me!
Where would we be without our American veterans? Scary thought isn't it? With the recent murders at Ft. Hood in Texas, I was brought to tears many times this week, once again overwhelmed with gratitude for those who have volunteered to serve our country.
Most of you know I was raised by a U.S. Marine. Words like honor,integrity, hard work, and never-say-quit, were taught to me at a very young age. The same traits nurtured in our American soldier. Love of our country runs deep in our family. It has become part of our heritage, our genetic makeup.
It shows itself in the ways we remember those who have given their lives, and those serving today. Though we live in a neighborhood of houses side by side, our home is pretty easy to spot. It is the only one with a 20ft flagpole out front with our flag flying proudly. If someone ever decides to remove it, they will find Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12 etched by my own hand in the cement base.
If you were to enter my front room you would see framed pictures of my uncles, father, and grandfathers, all dressed in their military attire. World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam, are each represented on my buttercream wall. I am grateful for each and every one of them, thankful for their sacrifice, for their service.
Today my prayers of gratitude are for those serving right now. Men and women who have left their families behind to fight on foreign soil. Sacrificing their luxuries and peaceful existence in America for the benefit of ours.
May the Lord bless each life serving today. And may they somehow feel the whispers of our thankful prayers caress their faces, as they lay their heads down tonight.
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