Think on These Things Thursday--Belated

Philippians 4:8--Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.

Thanksgiving Thoughts--Part One

Gratitude is an attitude: it should mold and shape our lives – not just be something we do or say. In the Old Testament, "sacrifices" of thanksgiving were offered. (Leviticus 7:12, 13, 15) Some Levites were even "appointed" to the office of giving thanks – indicating its great importance.
1Ch 16:4 And he appointed [certain] of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

God commands us to be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18–In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Psalms 50:14, 97:12; 100:4; 105:1; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-3, 26, Ephesians 5:3, 4, 19, 20; Colossians 1:12; 2:6, 7; 3:16, 17; 4:2
The benefits of thankfulness-- Being thankful is "good" for us.

Psalms 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord..
1. It is helps our prayers/relationship with God.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving...Psalms 100:4 Psalms 140:1
2. It yields the peace of God in our hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:6, 7–Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
3. It is God's will.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this isthe will of God...

4. Being thankful is a good indicator of our spiritual condition.
1. The wicked are ungrateful:

"For ... they did not honor him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21)
2. In contrast: "the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name." (Psalms 140:1)

How should we give thanks?
1. With our voice, not just in our thoughts.
Psalms 34:1 (cp. Psalms 71:8; 109:30) ...in my mouth...Psalms 35:28 ... with my tongue...Hebrews 13:15... let us offer... the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
2. In music.--2 Samuel 22:50 ...I will sing praises unto thy name.
3. With prayer.--Philippians 4:6--Be careful (anxious; worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Trips and Kids

My journey to the northern most part of Minnesota went well. Listened to Ann of Avonlea which made the trip go much faster. :o) The office manager and I had a nice time. I even got to visit Warroad! Not many people have heard of Warroad, much less been there! It is the home of Marvin Windows. I got to eat venison roast cooked by an avid hunter, it had nice flavor. Unfortunately, it was not enjoyed so much by the newest hunter in the home and my hostess. It looks like I may be taking more trips to the Roosevelt area than I had planned on. My nurse's health is not very good at the moment. Maybe I'll get to listen to all of the Anne of Green Gables books. :o)

Just this morning, we were discussing a lady who had emergency surgery for a tumor in her colon, after we discussed what the colon was (where you food goes after your stomach and turns into poo), "E" shook her head and said, "I wonder how they find out such things!"

Weekend Recap

Started my Christmas shopping on Friday night. The kids really "enjoyed" it. It seems they only like shopping for themselves.

On Saturday, I enjoyed fixing goodies for the stamping get together at my house. We had a nice time. I know what I am doing for Christmas cards and have the pieces all ready to assemble-- which is 3/4 of the work. :o) I think we enjoyed visiting with each other as much as stamping.

I will be out of town until late Tuesday night. Going way up North to Roosevelt. I giggle now when I here people say we live in Northern Minnesota, there is a whole other world north of here!

Recipe Request

Marinated Mozzarella Cubes

1 pound mozzarella cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 jar (7oz.) roasted red peppers, drained, cut into bite size pieces
6 fresh thyme sprigs
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 c. olive or canola oil
2 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. basil
bread or crackers

1. In a quart jar with a tight fitting lid, layer a third of the cheese, peppers, thyme, and garlic.
2. Repeat layers twice.
3. In a small bowl, combine oil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
4. Pour into jar, seal and turn upside down.
5. Refrigerate overnight, turning several times.
6. Serve with bread or crackers.
*After the cheese has been eaten, you can use the oil mixture to dip bread in.

Think on These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8--Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity to take things for granted. Aldous Huxley

This quote really made me stop and think. It is so easy to take things for granted. I would make a list of all the things I take for granted, but I am pretty sure it would be hugely incomplete. So often, we find ourselves bent out of shape about something, but if we stopped to think we really should be thankful for how good we've had it up to this small bump in the road. If we made a list of all the things we have to be thankful for it would FAR outweigh any difficulties we have in our lives.

I Thessalonians 5:18--In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This verse does not say that we need to be thankful for everything, but rather that in any situation we can find something to be thankful for. Remember that God is always going to be in control. :o)

Kid "Wisdom"

Today I told the kids who had all gathered on my bed (along with the dog) that I needed to get ready for work. This brought on the following conversation:

E: Why don't you just call in sick?
Me: But I'm not, so would that be true?
E: No
Me: So would that be the right thing to do?
E: No
Z: You could jump out the window and then it would be true.

Work has been a bit stressful lately, but not THAT bad!!!

This brought on another conversation about how I didn't work in the hospital, so what DID I do as a nurse??? I explained I make sure the PCAs take good care of the patients. Z didn't think that I could possibly know how to take care of people since I hadn't worked in a hospital. He doesn't seem to think that college and experience count for anything. Glad he's not my boss.

It's all in how you look at things...

The last three weeks have not been easy. Not horrific, just stressful. Part of the difficulty is that I am waiting to put my ducks in a row, but can't seem to find the ducks to put in a row!!! When things get difficult, I generally mull things over in my mind until I can find a positive/humorous way to look at them. Lately, though it seems that the rose colored glasses have been difficult to keep on. I have been rathered annoyed at myself also because I haven't been so good at leaving the burdens at God's feet. I keep finding them strapped to my back AGAIN. VERY silly of me, I know!

I found these quotes also (thanks mom for the Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul book):
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. E. E. Hale

The ability to laugh at life is right at the top with love and communication, in the hierarchy of our needs. Humor has much to do with pain; it exaggerates the anxieties and absurdities we feel, so that we gain distance and through laughter, relief--Sara Davidson

I am going to meditate on these verses and pray when I start feeling panicked. I think that looking at things in the light of God's Word should make the day/week/month go better. :o)
I Peter 5:7--Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Job 39:11 Wilt thou trust Him, because His strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to Him?