In which there are 1,000 thank you’s to God (#’s 587-602)

by Craig on October 10, 2011

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I mean

 

 

Mondays are for thank you’s…
maybe we should have a Grumble Tuesday…
just a thought…
but love isn’t grumbly…
and there’s too much to be thankful for anyway…

So…

Thank You God…

#587… that Your love doesn’t pick or prefer sides and make for discord.

#588… that as St. Francis put it, I can choose to be like You…an instrument of Your peace…sow pardon…faith…hope…light…joy…and that I may console…understand…love.

#589… that You bring warm Spring from Winter…
and life where there’s no breath…
and rob from death victory…
and cancel it’s sting. (1Cor 15:55)

#590… that with the ancient religions order always came after chaos began things. In the religion Abraham’s family believed, everything came from chaos, but You found him, and taught him that You existed first, then we existed because of You, and then chaos ensued.

#591… that chaos is what happens without You. With You there is order…

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…and pattern, and plan and harmony and peace and unity in diversity.

#592… that there is more to this life than just this life.

#593… that like a child in the womb is the beginning of life, this life I know (we know) is only the beginning of life…
and as a child is born, so I will be, so we will be, born…
again.

#594… That everything You do is in its own little fullness of time. Everything You do could be done at other times and still work out perfectly. But everything You do is done in the best time, the best way.

#595… that the more I seek to be like You, the more my timing will be better. Because the more I seek to be like You, the more like You I become.

#596… that I am (we are) privileged that You allow me (us) to crawl up on Your lap and sit on the throne with You. But it’s always Your throne. You are the Potter. I am (we are) the clay.

#597… that You are Father, I am child. You are King, I am the servant. You are God, I am not, and will never be.

#598… for being a little a little lonely…

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and knowing that through it You have a way, a plan, a place for me.

#599… for being a little sad, and knowing that I have a Someone to take my sad to.

#600… for thank You lists.

#601… that I’m suddenly not so grumbly anymore, because I said thank You, and in the thank You’s came peace, and a smile, and that they push away the grumbly.

#602… that I now have no need for a “Grumble Tuesday” – because 1,000 gifts, Multitude Monday seems to suffice.

{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

Elizabeth October 10, 2011 at 10:40 am

Praying that Your loneliness drives you ever closer to the One Who is Love. Praying that all of His good plans and purposes for you are revealed.

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:50 pm

the best place for lonely – is God. Actually, he’s the best place lonely or not. And I heart being alone with him – not so much being lonely with him. You know? I’m okay with it, I’m thankful anyway, but I don’t like it much. Generally speaking, “it is not good for [this] man to be alone.” And thank you for your prayers. Thank you. And God bless you, Elizabeth!

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Victoria October 10, 2011 at 10:52 am

this is nice.

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:52 pm

short but sweet – I wore you out with my last post didn’t I? ツ God bless you, Victoria!

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Victoria October 10, 2011 at 11:11 pm

haha…no not at all. I actually read this one first. Sometimes I think when it comes to a comment, less is more. And I noticed that when I got to the end, my feeling was, this is nice. :)

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Andrea Dawn October 10, 2011 at 10:54 am

“With You there is order and pattern, and plan and harmony and peace and unity in diversity.” Love this thought . . . even what we may think is randomness on God’s part has purpose and plan . . . and only the Spirit of God could bring such sweet peace and unity in the midst of such diversely fashioned individuals.

In Canada, we are celebrating Thanksgiving today and I thankful for you, Craig, and your voice . . . your presence in cyberspace. I am blessed to have connected with you (and Laska, too).

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:54 pm

and I know about Thanksgiving – I tweeted this – this morning

ƪ(◠‿◠)╯ ☆.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•.☆ HAPPY ☆.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•.☆ THANKSGIVING ☆.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•.☆ CANADA ☆.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•.☆ ƪ(◠‿◠)╯

and Andrea Dawn – I’m blessed to have connected with you too. God bless.

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Sylvia October 10, 2011 at 11:00 am

Yes, a blessing. (Reminder of the best cure for the grumblies.) Thank you.

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:56 pm

Sylvia, thank you. I had actually forgotten that thankfulness can be a cure for the grumblies – and then suddenly at the end of my thankful list, I noticed I wasn’t grumbly anymore – go figure – so I wrote it is a thank you and put a number by it. God bless you Sylvia, and thank YOU!

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Cora October 10, 2011 at 11:41 am

I love that teddy! I’ve felt like that this week — alone with gray days. I’ve eaten Grumbles and had lots of left overs for the whole week! There is something about a thank-you list that crumples up the Grumbles and you are so right, we end up not needing Grumble Tuesdays.

A child of the King! My favorite today. Just to know I can enter the throne room and race into His arms and call Him Daddy! Even better, to know that He actually waits for me to come, and stretches out His arms when hears my feet running down the hallways of Heaven! Perfect for any lonely soul!!!!

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Cora – it was actually a tossup between that Teddy – and another Teddy. The other one might get a chance to appear tomorrow. And although I didn’t need a Grumble Tuesday this time – I’m wondering – maybe…

nah….

And Cora – good to know that we can go to Him whenever we want – even if he’s in the middle of a big “Royal” meeting – yeah – perfect for any lonely soul. God bless you Cora!

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Kara October 10, 2011 at 12:15 pm

Craig,

This today:

#590… that with the ancient religions order always came after chaos began things. In the religion Abraham’s family believed, everything came from chaos, but You found him, and taught him that You existed first, then we existed because of You, and then chaos ensued.

#591… that chaos is what happens without You. With You there is order…

and this:

#588… that as St. Francis put it, I can choose to be like You…an instrument of Your peace…sow pardon…faith…hope…light…joy…and that I may console…understand…love.

Two separate thoughts I am trying to marry.

I think you pick the best pictures for your blog. :) I am sorry that you have been feeling lonely. When I, myself, have been like that Teddy on the shore I remember the great loneliness that He has felt… how he can identify so perfectly. I know you know that too…. a man of many sorrows was He, and so “our griefs to bear”….

Blessing to you dear brother,
Kara

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 2:04 pm

… marrying #591 and #588 – I think I’d like to see that wedding!

and Kara – thank you, thank you, thank you for noticing the pictures – I spend so, so, so much time trying to pick out the perfect ones. Thank you for noticing. (ˆ◡ˆ) and don’t worry, I haven’t been feeling lonely all the time – but you know – even if it’s not all the time – well – I don’t heart that. And I forget – HE does know exactly what lonely feels like. Thank you for the reminder. Blessings to you, my sister!!

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GLENNA October 10, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Craig, First of all thanks for visitng my site I welcome you to become a follower of me .
I love your list of thankfulness # 592 sums it up great …that there is more to this life ….

Holding to the unseen hand
Glenna

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 2:05 pm

I heart how you ended here, Glenna, “holding the unseen hand” – heart that! And Amen – it is so, so, so good that there is MORE than just this life. Thank you, Glenna, and God bless and keep you.

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-t- October 10, 2011 at 1:58 pm

i stopped by another fellow counter’s blog this day and read of her loneliness too. it seems a season of loneliness for many. a season in which we are learning that He is more than enough, if we’ll but let Him be…

and yes, isn’t it beautiful the way gratitude leads to Grace and grace chases away grumbling.

~ ~
i pause here:
#587… that Your love doesn’t pick or prefer sides and make for discord.

i think long. i hear His Word:

These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. (James 1:1)

and:

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10)

so much for me to think upon. thanks for the food for thought & thank you for your counting!

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Craig October 10, 2011 at 2:08 pm

so much Scripture! WOW! I smiled all the way through the reading of it. And amen – I heart how thankfulness is a cure for the grumbly’s. Thank you for bringing the smile on my face. God bless you -t-.

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Nacole October 10, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Craig,

i LOVED #589, 590 and 591–brings peace to my heart. He does bring order to chaos–this is especially encouraging today. i wrote a little about this in my post. still haven’t written the one you prayed about. heh heh. i will, though–me thinks tomorrow…

hoping and praying that you get over the sad and lonely and that God lifts your burdens. sorry you felt grumbly. and just in case no one else has said it, what are we, chopped liver?! don’t make me come back there! as you say. haha. sorry–it was a joke meant to make you laugh. we are your friends and we don’t want you to feel lonely. praying for you now.

blessings,

Nacole

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 5:44 am

and as I write this to you, Nicole, I’m not really so lonely, and I’m not very sad, and I’m smiling. The chopped liver line – my mom used to say that. “What am I? Chopped liver” and liver is really gross – so I kinda get it! And yes – your joke made me laugh – thank you. I only have my one baby sister – but since writing these blogs – I have now found sisters all over the world – I’m chock-full of sisters – and I heart having so many – I heart that you are one! And thank you for prayers – obviously – writing you this reply so late because my blog was down all day yesterday – obviously they worked. Blessings to you too my southern sister.

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Nacole October 10, 2011 at 6:06 pm

OOPS! i forgot to say…the first picture, Grumble, Grumble, had me chuckling, and when I read, “OOPS!” “I mean…Thank You!” i was laughing out loud. you said it so well–what a lot of us are thinking on most mondays. :)

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 5:51 am

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donna rae October 10, 2011 at 7:22 pm

#592… “that there is more to this life than just this life.” So true, dear Craig. Thanks for stopping by the Farm the other day and for your sweet words. I’ve been unwrapping a hard gift over the last few weeks, but God is good, all the time.

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 5:52 am

oh, the hard gifts – the hard hallelujahs – I don’t know the details – but know this – I just finished praying for you my friend. God bless you, Donna Rae.

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Layla Payton October 10, 2011 at 8:47 pm

#595 & # 596

*LOVE*

Okay, because I suffer from the grumbles too, I would like to share the verse our Father has given me for this season of my life:

Psalm 16:5-6
 “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

I have been studying every aspect of this verse, and with different versions of the Bible. I have been astonished at the unending amount of knowledge one can gain from the study of a single verse. Awesome God!!!

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 5:54 am

Maybe I should dig into translating it and studying it myself for you – it would be a gift of a few posts – would you like that? I’ll get to work on it if you would. ツ

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Layla Payton October 10, 2011 at 9:01 pm

Craig, I really, really, really do NOT want to be a self blog promoter, but with all humbleness, I suggest you scoot on over to this post: http://flattiredhomeschool.blogspot.com/2011/09/cursed-and-unimportant.html

Go straight to the video I posted. There is one scene that God seared into my memory (powerful video). Every time my tummy grumbles, or I grumble, that mental picture changes my perspective.

I am not reprimanding you (no, friend, no!). I am hoping to bless you with the same window that God allowed me to peer through. We all go through hard times. It just helps me to look beyond myself (which you so gracefully do in your posts). I just want you to remember that you are not alone. You are WAY to precious…you belong to The King!

Watch the video. Look for Jesus. You’ll see Him. He is there, and He cares more deeply than we can fathom.

Be blessed.

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 6:02 am

done and done -and promote your blog over here anytime – I can’t read you enough :)

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Layla Payton October 13, 2011 at 12:31 am

A humble thank you. (And right back at ya!)

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shannon October 11, 2011 at 4:15 pm

592-597 :)
we had a worship conference for our youth girls a few weeks ago. and one of the biggest things God taught me was that “Our worship is an expression of the inflow!” and that He knows when we’re ready to change.

:) So glad He doesn’t ever give up on us…no matter how stubborn we are. :)

blessings to you Craig!

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 6:04 am

“So glad He doesn’t ever give up on us…no matter how stubborn we are.” Amen!! Thank you Shannon. Thank you – and God Bless!!

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Layla Payton October 12, 2011 at 9:36 am

Would I like that??? YES! That would be amazing!

And thank you for what you posted on my blog. I am in absolute tears. (I left you a response.)

You, Craig, are a friend who sticks closer than a brother. You absolutely have a sister in Oklahoma!

Compassion, encouragement, the gift of putting God’s love into words…a few of your many gifts. I refuse to ponder never having met you…and your sweet friends…and the beautiful way that God blends it all together.

Manna. That’s what all of this is. Sweet manna. :)

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Craig October 12, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I never expected the friendships that I would develop with this blog and the other one. I heard of it – but never expected it. I’m glad my expectations were wrong. Thank you Layla, your words mean much. And sometime in the next couple of weeks I’ll go and study in depth your verse – and write some posts just for you – my friend. God bless and keep you!

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Layla Payton October 13, 2011 at 12:30 am

Craig, me either! Less than two years ago, I have never even READ a blog!

I am positively exploding with excitement over your future posts. What a precious gift. I can’t wait to read your friends’ comments too. Your blog is the only one where I go back and read the other people’s comments on a regular basis.

May your night be filled with rest, and your kitty warm & fuzzy. :)

~Blessings~

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Craig October 13, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Layla, a year ago I had never read a blog! And Layla, I really, really, really heart my comments section – it is so full of wisdom – wisdom not from me. I’m glad I’m finally listening to the wisdom of others – there were many years that I didn’t. Like your wisdom – I heart your wisdom. I hope, too, for rest – although I’m pretty resigned to just taking what comes. But I do have the love Kitty – and we are just about to go for our evening walk – he knows it’s time – must be the position of the sun or something – and it’s blustery outside – he doesn’t have very much experience with wind – we’ll see how it goes ツGod bless you my friend.

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