Thanksgiving at Home

From 1 Chronicles 16:34:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”

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Another Thanksgiving

Patiently waits on deck

Staying safely at home

Asking for a rain check

 

Missing our family

Sending our blessed love

Watching over our home

Holy God, high above

 

Remember gatherings

From numerous years past

Memories still linger

Let us not be downcast

 

Past months filled with darkness

Yet, family stands strong

Boosting one another

Faith in God, sings along

 

Chairs around our table

May look empty this year

But, God’s blessings offer

Love, filled with grace sincere

 

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While my wife and I will be celebrating the blessings of Thanksgiving at a table for two, we will still be thinking of our family in both Ohio and Montana.  We have much to be grateful for.

Thanksgiving Blessings

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English author, Charles Dickens

Reflect upon your present blessings–of which every many has many–not on past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

 

German-born poet and theologian, Johannes A. Gaertner

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

 

American poet and humorist, Wilbur D. Nesbit

Forever on Thanksgiving Day, the heart will find the pathway home.

 

Life’s Blessed Gifts (Haiku Series #106)

Welcoming Sound

Hearing little feet

Lasting gifts of family—

Blessed grandchildren

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Maturity

Impatient in youth

Tempered by life’s long journey—

With age comes patience

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Blessing 

Quiet morning hour

Quality productive time—

Confidence and peace

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Saturday’s Sweetness

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Free and quiet morning

Saturday adorning

 

Reading God’s Holy Word

Clear thoughts, no longer blurred

 

Sun rises and brightens

Calmness breathes, enlightens

 

Workweek taking its break

Making buckwheat pancakes

 

Listening to new song

Beat of life moves along

 

One more coffee cup sings

Caffeine never hamstrings

 

Good vibes fueling this life

Waiting for lovely wife

 

Looking forward as one

Day brings plenty of fun

 

Watching Buckeyes’ football

Scarlet and Gray now call

 

Excuse our loud cheering

Assisting team’s steering

 

Night closing and ending

Sleep soon, not pretending

 

Each week’s sweetest, fun day

Always, be Saturday

 

This photo was taken at the annual Scarlet and Gray Spring Game at Ohio State’s renowned Horseshoe back in 2015. Nearly every seat was filled for what was basically a scrimmage and practice. Go Bucks!

Billy Graham Quote

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Think of the blessings we so easily take for granted:  Life itself; preservation from danger; every bit of healthy we enjoy; every hour of liberty; the ability to see, to hear, to speak, to think, and to imagine all this comes from the hand of God.

From 2 Corinthians 9:7:  “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Taste His Goodness

David praises the greatness of God through Scripture found in Psalm 145, and these verses inspire this poem.

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Each day life seems too normal

Monotonous and mundane

Beautiful bundle arrives

Hallmarks of our Lord’s domain

 

Blessing us each precious day

Spontaneous surprises

Praising our Father’s great name

Goodness comes in all sizes

 

Reaching depths of every sea

Loving each generation

Eclipsing highest heavens

Honoring God’s creation

 

Awesome and vast deeds come forth

Witnessing God’s mighty acts

Glorious splendor singing

Filling what life truly lacks

 

God’s everlasting kingdom

Harvesting abundant gifts

Faithful words stir greatest feats

Balancing life’s slips and shifts

 

Singing of God’s righteousness

Showering with compassion

Tasting His Holy goodness

Remembering His passion

 

Blessing His name forever

Amen

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From Psalm 145:8:  “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Witnessing a Foretaste

Looking outside from the kitchen table offers a view each morning of how our Lord presents each day as a precious gift.  Here is a mini sonnet which witnesses a foretaste of the feast to come.

photo of red flowering trees beside body of water

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Viewing the early morning

Welcoming each libation

Peering from kitchen’s window

Witnessing God’s creation

 

Growing greener, grass below

Blooming, flowers spelling love

Witnessing creative hands

Working each day from above

 

Taking in this peaceful scene

Witnessing each day’s foretaste

Blessing each feast, more to come

Tasting moments, without haste

 

Witnessing God’s daily Grace

Making life a happy place

wood light vacation picnic

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From Lutheran Communion liturgy, Christ’s people sing:  “Grace our table with Your presence, and give us a foretaste of the Feast to come.”

 

 

Countless Blessings

Psalm 106:1:  “Praise the Lord!  O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”

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Life’s journey hurries along

Blessing with joy and her song

 

Remembering His blessings each day

Our mighty God molds us like clay

 

God crafts His creation with love

Offering His blessings from above

 

Rising from cold, darkened tomb

Christ restores light to every room

 

Filling with Spirit, no more strife

Savior extends His bread of life

 Hiding, dark enemy ready to harm and take

Christ’s way conquers, with love He makes

 

Son of Man submits to our Holy Lord

Paying for sin’s ransom, so climb aboard

 

Being gracious for everything that shines

God, Savior, family, home, and love so fine

 

Life’s possessions are meager, they are

Blessings from God will carry us, truly far

 

Pause and consider, dropping to knees and bow

Praising God for infinite blessings, do it now

 

 Psalm 29:11:  May the Lord give strength to His people!  May the Lord bless His people with peace.”

Experiencing Contentment

Living in Christ brings believers true and faithful contentment.  Apostle Paul writes much about experiencing content with our faith and remaining true to God’s calling.  His writings inspire this poem.

brown and silver cross table decor

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Encourage others as God encourages each of us

Be forgiving toward others, adding to life’s plus

 

Give thanks for all of Father’s grace

Be His prayer warrior at every place

 

Allow Christ to shine through in all we do

Be filled with the Spirit, faithful and true

 

Hold dear to our hearts, all that is good

Be thankful to God, as we always should

 

Fiery ordeals and daily trials will always challenge all

Be an eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings, never to fall

 

God is sovereign and forever in control of it all

Be aware, all things work together, forever tall

 

When God’s glory is finally revealed on that day

Be shouting with amazing grace, sing as we may

 

We bring nothing into this world we live

Be content with little, the rest God gives

 

The love of money brings evil times

Be taking nothing, not even a dime

 

Bring together godliness with contentment

Be willing to follow every Commandment

 

Despite our weaknesses, Christ dwells within thee

Be content with calamities and hardships we see

 

God’s Grace is sufficient for everyone

Be thankful for the sacrifice of His Son

 

Christ resides in our hearts, He yearns to save

Be strengthened with blood and body He gave

 

Always rely on God’s strength and mighty clout

Be content, following His Word, never in doubt

 

Love of Christ surpasses all that we ever see

Be grateful and shower blessings, take a knee

How does God’s Word bring you contentment?  Does a special verse of Scripture sing out to you?