November Contest... I AM THANKFUL FOR... !

I don't know about you... but as soon as I turn the corner and walk into November, thanksgiving fills my heart and thoughts. And not just the looking forward to the family gathering and fabulous food... even though I do... but I become more aware of all that I have to be thankful for. We have no less to be grateful throughout the rest of the year, but somehow an attitude of gratitude can easily get lost in the midst of the mundane challenges of everyday life, can't it? So... with the holidays ahead ... thanksgiving makes it way to the top of the list... where it takes its rightful place.

There are so many verses in the Bible that instruct, exhort and encourage us to give thanks and I have many favorites among them. I want to spend some time throughout the rest of this month, exploring some of those verses and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and discoveries with you along the way. One of the simplest and yet most powerful is "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus" found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I've been designing a new line of products and one of them is a plaque with that verse on it.

This wonderful plaque is also one of the items that will be in the GOODY GIVEAWAY BAG for the NOVEMBER CONTEST... how appropriate!  There will be a few other goodies in this months giveaway as well, but I decided to have some fun and tell you about them one at a time!

So here's HOW TO ENTER for this month...
    Comment on this post and tell me five things you're thankful for... (I know you have way more to be thankful for then you have time to write down... so five will be fine) and you can do it in three ways...
        1. Simply list the five things you're thankful for... this is the quickest for sure.
        2. List the five things and tell us why on one or all. It's good to give God the glory for the great things He has done.
        3. OR... you can list your five things on your blog... leave a comment to let me know when you do and I'll include a special link to your blog from mine under a separate post.

Gratitude can be contagious... by sharing your thanksgiving you might just inspire an attitude of gratitude in someone else who may just need a touch of encouragement today.

I will list five of my own a little later... but gotta run for now.  Love you all... and I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU!

Lord, thank you so much for loving us and giving us SO MUCH to be thankful for. Unite our hearts together this month in declaring your praises that all our thanksgiving might bring great glory and honor to You! Amen and amen!

Comments

[Lesha]

I'm thankful for God, because without him, I would'nt know where I would be.
I'm thankful for my parents.
I'm thankful for my son.
I'm thankful for my sister, because she is my best friend.
I'm thankful for my friends.

[Lynn Naylor]

I am thankful for God and all that He has done and for my Savior Jesus Christ for His saving grace that continually leaves me with a heart of thanksgiving!!
I am thankful for my husband, Watson, and our two sons Luke and Adam who bring so much joy, laughter and love!!
I am thankful for my mom, my one brother and seven sisters, all of my many nieces and nephews and my mother and father -in-law who have always treated me like their daughter and the rest of my extended family.
I am thankful for my church family and all of the love, encouragement and care they have given to me and my family through the years!!! God is so good!!!
I am thankful for two of my very best friends Donna and Clyde. They inspire me to be a better person every day!!
I am thankful for my job that I know without God's hand on it would have never been possible. God ALWAYS provides!!!
I could go on and on but I want to thank you Karla for being such a wonderful witness for Jesus Christ and allowing me to be a part of that!! May God continue to bless you and to inspire you with His goodness, love and grace!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Lynn Naylor

[Terrie]

- First and foremost, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior who loves me, guides me and showers grace and mercy on me daily.
- I am thankful I live in a country where I can freely worship and proclaim His name.
- I am thankful for my husband who stands beside me & supports me in valleys as well as mountaintops
- I am thankful for friends who love me as I am
- I am thankful for people like you Karla, who openly witness on the net, and bring joy to our days

[Grace]

1. I am thankful that God is a God of new beginnings and that His love never fails, His mercy never ceases and His grace is unparalleled.

2. I'm thankful that God brought my husband and I together in such a miraculous, prayer-filed way that no matter what storms life tosses at us, we know we are one because God intended it.

3. I'm thankful that I have so many friends, blog and in real life, who truly care about me, who pray for me and are willing to be my iron that sharpens iron, when necessary.

4. I'm thankful that I have food to eat, a home to live in and that God provides for me, even though so often I only see the lack, the want, the glass half-emptied.

5. I'm thankful for the way we are all so different, and yet because of those differences, we inspire each other, prompt each other to think a little deeper, and simply open each other's minds to a world outside the one between our own two ears.

[*Heidi*]

1. I'm thankful for Jesus, who died on the cross for me...little ol' me.
2. I'm thankful for a Powerful God.
3. I'm thankful I was raised in a Christian home and came to know the Lord at an early age (not that my life was easy, I've made choices that put in situations where God continued to teach me...)
4. I'm thankful my husband came to know the Lord about 20 years ago (we've been married 26+ yrs)
5. I'm thankful for our two beautiful daughters, for our son-in-law and our precious grandson and the new grandchild due the end of this month. (and I'm thankful my married daughter's family continues to serve and love the Lord and raise our grandchildren the same!)

Whew...you're right...I think I could go on all day long...I have so much I'm thankful for!

[Annie]

I am thankful for:
God's touch throughout my DH's surgery this month; for my DD's who bring great joy to my life; for my Mom and Dad who taught us the principals we still live with today; for my friends who are with me throughout life's challenges; for my wonderful neighbors and friends; for the daily needs that HE provides for...our health, food and our home. (And, for the technology that provides wonderful places like this to share the joy of living.)

[Sue Gray]

Among my most important 'thankfuls' are "Sister/Friends" - and I have many! At least I THINK I do! I have been an only child my entire life - so I have 'adopted' many sister/friends - like you, Karla. God has blessed me over and over through your books, writings, pictures, but most importantly seeing and enjoying the love of the Lord through you in friendship -
Another of my 'thankfuls' is that even tho the hills and valleys of my life have been many and constant, the heart of God has always given me a heart TO BE thankful. I have often thanked Him when something seemingly 'small and insignificant' happened, but then realized HE is the One who showed me HOW to be thankful and gave me that desire -
For sure one of my most fun 'thankfuls' is my family - 3 grown boys who added 3 absolutely incredible grandkids, plus 3 dogs and 1 cat!!!!! A husband who loves me even after 45 years of marriage!
My 'thankful' number 4 is the 'gift' God has given me to be able to write, sing, and play music. Truly I can say that has been simply an extention of the 'Who' that lives inside of me. Music and especially playing the piano - is as natural as breathing to me and I would love to be able to do it more and more often - ALL to the glory of God and in worship of Him!
Which leads me to the most important 'thankful' - for eternal life, Heaven, the Word, and ever having heard and known there was a God that loved me, created me, blessed me and has lived IN me to bring about HIS glory in my life. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - be praised and glorified - I am so thankful!

[joyful]

1. I am thankful someone shared Jesus with me one day, my life has never been the same.

2. I am thankful for another day of life.

3. I am thankful for God's strength, joy,
and hope even during a difficult illness.

4. I am thankful for my husband and little girl for being patient, kind, and understanding, even during my challenging moments.

5. I am thankful for wonderful girlfriends who pray and encourage me each day.

These past 6 months have challenged me spiritually, emotionally, physically, as well as mentally going through chemo and other treatments for my liver. Yet I have never felt alone I thank the Lord for allowing me to snuggle in the palm of his hands as he carries me through each day. And for my loving family, and dear friends for cheering me on with their prayers, and encouragement..I'm thankful for most intimate times with the Lord I have ever experienced.

[bobbie calgaro]

I am thankful for the fact that God loved us enough to send His son to die for us even though we can be pretty unlovable.
I am thankful that I still have my parents even though I'm 54 and they are 84 and 80 respectively and that they are in good health for the most part.
I am thankful for my husband and daughter and the sweetness that they bring to my life.
I am thankful that I have plenty to eat, a warm loving home to come home to everyday, and the things I need to be comfortable and to be able to share with others.
I am thankful for the season of fall when God's colors and glory really shine.

[Deb]

Hi Karla ~ I've written my thankful list on our blog. You can find it here:
http://girottifamily.typepad.com/mountain_musings/2007/11/a-circle-of-tha.html

[Tammy]

I am thankful for being a child of God.

I am thankful for my husband and 2 children

I am thankful for my husband's new job-no more traveling

I am thankful for our church and friends

I am thankful for my Aunt Clarice and Uncle Mike-they took me in when I was 13 years old.

[Robin in New Jersey]

1. I am thankful for Jesus, the Rock of my salvation who has carried me through some very difficult times this past year.
2. I am thankful for my husband who I can always count on to help me through the rough times.
3. I am thankful that all three of my older children are walking with the Lord and seeking him for their futures.
4. I am thankful that two of my children were married this year to believers and desire to serve the Lord.
5. I am thankful that God saw fit to bless my oldest with a child and I now have a beautiful grandbaby to love!

[jenny harpster]

I am thankful for the changing seasons, in the weather, and in my life.
I am thankful for my husband who is my completer. I am thankful that he loves me just the way I am.
I am thankful for a quiver full of children who are also my friends now that they are grown. I am thankful that God loves them more than I do. I am thankful that He works in their lives.
I am thankful for my grandchildren who keep me young at heart.
I am thankful for the observable presence of God during the illness and death of my 5 year old granddaughter Hannah. Without Him it would be impossible to get out of bed each morning.

[Dorothy]

1. I am thankful that God delivered me from darkness at the age of 21, lifted me from the mire and set my feet on a Solid Rock!
2. I am thankful for a godly husband who loves the Lord and loves his family.
3. I am thankful for a wayward son who has repented and come home...not only to us, but to Jesus, and for the other two children who have chosen to love and obey God and show mercy towards their brother.
4. I am thankful for prayer and the fact that God desires me to fellowship with him and cast all my cares on Him because He cares for me!
5. I am thankful for family and friends that bless and encourage me each and every day.

[Jane]

1.Above all things I am thankful for my Saviour.
2.I'm thankful for good music. The kind that brings glory to the Lord and encourages my heart.That would have to include my husband and my children since I love to hear them sing.
3. I'm thankful for giggles. That would have to include my little granddaughter and her sweet laughter.
4. I'm thankful for colors. That would have to include my daughter, the artist, and her talent from the Lord.
5. I'm thankful to be a Mom and of course that would include my two daughters and one son.

[Morgan]

I've posted it on my blog:

http://www.morgandenise.com/?p=657

Thank you for inviting me to join in! :)

Morgan

[Jamie Lentzner]

I listed actually 10 things I am thankful for on my blog. I found you through reading your daughters blog - you are both fabulous artists!

[Sherry]

I'll be listing my thankful-5 in a few moments. Thank you for paving the way for this. :o)

[Sherry aka Haus Frau]

Haus Frau's thankful for ...
1. my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ
2. challenging times because they bring me closer to Him
3. my loving, supportive & protective husband
4. my precious daughter & her morning hugs
5. warmth & welcome of home
6. extended family near & far
7. the privilege of living in the United States of America
8. our military who willingly serve to maintain our freedoms,
though we often take it for granted. May we be reminded.
9. crisp air and falling leaves
10. orthodics ;o)

yes, that's 10 things. 10 is the new 5 today. *smile*

[Erika]

I just wrote a blog entry for this contest. And thanks to you for giving me pause to think about this subject in the middle of a busy day. We should all do this more often!

[Michelle]

1. Christian Parents who brought me up in a house who put the Lord first.
2. Close friends
3. A good job in the city I prayed it would be in.
4. My cat Floofster, I lover her so :)
5. The Lord of course, who never leaves me or forsakes me, ever.

[Mrs. Rabe]

I posted my Thankful 5 on my blog, www.mrsrabe.blogspot.com

Fun idea!

[Deborah]

I posted my five thankful things on my blog: http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/

[Donna R. Clark]

I am thankful to my God first and foremost.
Without him I know where I would be or end up.
1. I am thankful for my compassionate husband; who invited my mom to live w/ us. Then built her an apt of her own in our basement. Attention to details too! her own entrance, mailbox, doorbell. He has always shared me w/ her but now we are more complete. I also do a lot less running! Well almost...up and down the steps I go.
2. My children Danielle a wonderful Christian woman. Whose husband is about to be deployed to Iraq. He will leave in Jan. for training.
3. My son Ben. Who I have been reminded that I might not like his life choices but I am still proud of him and love him.
4.My church and especially my woman's Sunday School class.
5.The elderly that I serve every day..As I take care of them I am reminded to treat them w/ dignity. It humbles me and I think but by the Grace of God go I.

[Kelli]

) I am thankful that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and though I fail him every day I KNOW every day He welcomes me with open arms.

2) I am thankful that I was created to serve those in need and bring Glory to God through that service.

3) I am thankful that I am no good at superficial friendships.

4) I am thankful for my husband, home, animals and friends like Erin, Erin (2 diff ones), Michele, Julia, Val, Amy and Raisa

5) I'm thankful to know that when I'm feeding my animals, filing hoofs or scooping poop I'm happy and feel I'm doing what I was made to do...working hard outdoors on my own land