‘Just a note:

What has ever happened to this year? Time just flies when you’re serving the Lord. It seems just like last week that we celebrated Thanksgiving, and here it is again. We all have so much to be thankful for; we take so much for granted. For instance, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the job we have, the roof over our heads, the food in our fridge, the fridge, the electricity that runs the fridge, etc. It’s all God’s, isn’t it? We get so proud and haughty; we think it’s ours and we did it.

I’m so proud of my husband, Pastor Tom. What an awesome man of God he is. He stepped up to the plate tonight and hit another home run for the Lord. What a privilege it was when he was asked to give the Thanksgiving Sermon in the Choctaw Nation, at Lighthouse Baptist Church. God used him to make us more aware of the blessings that God has given us. But the one thing that stands out most in my mind was when Pastor Tom spoke about the greatest gift any one of us has or could have, and that was the free gift of salvation  because of the work of Jesus Christ.

It was amazing how I watched him thread the needle and weave the yarn as he got everybody in that congregation to understand the gift of salvation and how they stood up in unison, all of them, and said the Sinner’s prayer. Hallelujah! More family members added to the kingdom of God. Let us not forget that it’s really not about us, but it’s about Jesus.

My husband, Thomas, mentioned to me that they wanted him to come back at a future time to deliver the word, again, which, of course, he said he would. It is so powerful, as I sit and watch the movement of the Holy Spirit in this one small church of the Choctaw Nation. I had the wonderful opportunity of singing two of my songs, which ministered to them just before my husband preached. I could see by gazing into my husband’s eyes, how proud he was of me, as I sang unto the Lord. When we walked into that church earlier, it was like we were coming home, for you see, this is not the first time Victory Family Outreach has been asked to come preach at this church. We thank God that he has opened up a door to the Choctaw Nation, to spread the good news about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We are building up friendship and bonds which will never be broken. Pray for us as we do the work of the Lord.

Now moving on…I was at the VA Hospital today, talking with someone in travel pay, and we were belaboring the Thanksgiving Dinners we were all planning to eat tomorrow…some of us even have more than one dinner to attend! We agreed that the inevitable weight gain was on the way and that the New Year’s Resolutions were soon to follow the Holidays, Amen? Once again, we must operate moderation when engaging in the festivities. It’s like the wiles of the enemy; we are familiar with his schemes, and we are certainly familiar with gorging ourselves with all that dressing and familiar fare; we do so every year! And so, I pray for God’s guidance in this; no need to be what my husband calls a “piglet”.

On another note: Amanda, my bestest friend, accompanied me to Jackson today, and we didn’t even get lost! Hallelujah! Now you would think that my years spent city dwelling would make me less intimidated by the traffic and the big city, but NO! I already got “crunched” back in August for easing over a pothole, much to my embarrassment. People look at my great little car and call it a “wreck” now, but it still runs well, and probably always will, God willing.  I have a friend from Church looking for a new left quarter panel to replace the sizable “wrinkle” there. ‘Lost a hubcap, too…what an unfortunate turn of events, ey? But as I said, it’s dependable. I thank God for that car!

I give thanks for this song in my heart, something that was pointed out by a dear friend of mine who knew me “when”. I used to babysit her children when I was eleven years old, and today the children have all grown up and have children all of their own.  Granted, there was a time when I lost that song, but I testify today that God has replaced my sorrow with Joy and my mourning has been turned to laughter.  That’s the great and mighty and wondrous God that I serve, and I’m sure that many of you serve Him, too.

Grace gave me something I didn’t deserve, while mercy held back what I did deserve. That should be said again, even though it’s been said previously in other places of this blog. I am covered by the blood!

I’m thankful for my VA benefits and for the travel I got to do when I was young.  I’m thankful for all the places I’ve seen and for all the good-quality people I know and have known.

I’m thankful that my DAD is 81 and still gets around like a “cat squirrel”, as the neighbor puts it. I pray that I have him around a lot more years; ever the hero, he said to me once, that he would never leave me. I cherish the relationship we have and he makes me smile.

I’m thankful for my Pastor(s) and my church family. I’m thankful for Brother Jack, Sister Karen, Sister Kitty and Brother Byron, Brother Ricky Rogers, Brother Mike and Sister Gail, Brother Bragston, Sister Sherry, Pastor Steve and Sister Julie, Pastors Joe and Carmen, Pastor Frank Medders and Sister Teresa Medders, Sister Theresa Nuncio, and all the rest of the people who have poured their love, correction, and instruction into me and encouraged me and lifted me up in prayer on more than one occasion.

I’m also thankful to all the folks who have donated deer and meat and vegetables, and fruits, and other foods to the Home…folks like Sister Bobby and Brother Tom. They truly are the salt of the earth.  

I’m so very thankful for the excellent wife that my DAD found in Ms Emma.

I’m thankful for the time in history which I live.

I’m so very thankful for my wonderful Lord, Savior, and friend, Jesus Christ! That’s first and foremost.  I’m thankful that God chose to save me…and you, and the multitude that will stand before the Throne of God someday soon and sing a new song, the song of redemption!

I’m thankful for this tool to get our message out to the people about God’s work here in Philadelphia, Miss.

I’m thankful to Jan Cooper, an excellent teacher for Christian Women’s Job Corps, who invited me to become a mentor and give back to the community some of the great wealth I have received of the kingdom of God. Thanks to Mickey, Sandi, Ms. Mary, Ms. Roberta and all the rest! You’re really the best! I’m thankful that Glennis and Edna and Caroline and Kathy all are newly-graduated and ready to take on the world! I’m thankful for what I learned from them.  To be tenacious, dedicated, trusting, faithful, and most of all, to have the love of God inside. They were precious; I felt honored to take part in the program.

I’m thankful that, no matter what the economy does and whether the end comes, God will still be in control and that FAITH will see me through. Now that, I’m deeply thankful for!

I’m so thankful that I have my health; that is hard to recover when lost.

I’m thankful for our Bible studies at the House of Hope every week and for my dear friend, teacher, and fellow blogger, Caroline Hollingsworth, at:  CHOLLINGSWORTHMINISTRIES.ORG  .

I’m so very thankful for the young men that I adopted as my sons for this last two years. They have made me proud and I have grown to love each and every one.  Even those who need to come back and give this program more than lip service.

I am thankful for the Word of God! What a blessing that is, just as Prayer is for me, too.

God is good.

I’m thankful for wholesome programming, and good books, and sobriety. I’m thankful for my stepdaughter, Jaime, and my niece and nephew, Michelle and James. And yes, I’m thankful for Facebook; how else would I keep up with my family and friends?

What are you thankful for today? Is it material? Or tangible, or abstract? Is it spiritual or physical? Or all of the above? Remember God today, as He has given ALL the increase. He defies words; He is WORTHY of our praise and He alone is God; I worship HIM! AMEN.