Jim

Jim
Tender, humble,
Emotional,
ignited by the Spirit of Christ.
Strong and steady, it was his gift.
A manner of quietness, but ready to lead,

with a handshake, a smile, and a twinkle in his eye.
He brought up his family to know the Savior,
And his wife--- he so loved.

His testimony...he lived it each day.
He welcomed with welcoming words.
And the laughter that rang out from the pew,
we will miss that.

The blessings, they keep coming....
Our cup is full, overflowing full.
Celebrate!
Jim

#123 the blessings of Jim - he is loved

From Cindy Kipp

GIVE THANKS EVERY DAY

Although this is a special day of thanksgiving, we should give our thanks for each and every day. For our lives, our families, our homes, our jobs, our friends; for God's creation all around us and His Spirit within. For Christian brothers and sisters who encourage us, pray with us and for us in times of need or joy; who serve our congration, our community and our world. Today we give thanks for a special, godly man, Jim Kler, who went last night to be with our Lord Jesus. We are grateful for his kindness, his service, his great optimism and his family.

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life rich in fulfillment comes to those
who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

From "Western Cowman" magazine, November 2011

Things to be thankful for....

*Trains, cars, airplanes, horses and buggies that allow us to travel great distances to share thanksgiving with our loved ones.
*The spouse who complains when dinner is not on time, because s/he is home with me, not with someone else.
*The teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home and not on the streets.
*The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
*The taxes I pay because it means that I am employed.
*The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
*My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
*A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
*All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
*The space I find at the far on end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
*My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
*The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear her.
*The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
*Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
*The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.
*Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.

From Western Cowman magazine, November 2011

"JOY"

I may feel disappointment and the despair may flood high but to give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these are not mere pulsing emotions. While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy, begins in the action of thanksgiving.

And true saints know that the place where all joy comes from is far deeper than that of feelings; joy comes from the place of the very presence of God. Joy is God and God is joy and joy doesn't negate all other emotions - joy transcends all other emotions.

Joy is a flame that glimmers only in the palm of the open and humble hand. In an open and humble palm, released and surrendered to receive, light dances, flickers, happily entertains. The moment the hand's clenched tight, fingers all pointing toward self and rights and demands, joy is snuffed out.

It speaks to the whole of my life and the vision brands me: the demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy -- nothing else.

From "God in the Moment" daily devotional by Ann Voskamp

When Thanksgiving becomes Thanksgiving

If you have not yet read Ann Voskamps blog, www.aholyexperience.com I invite you to do so today. She and her husband are in Ecuador for Compassion International this week. Her first entry is "When thanksgiving becomes thanksgiving". There are daily posts that are just wonderful complete with photos and music. Enjoy! Earline

a while back.

from my journal:

95. Kitchen help standing on a stool
96. New shiny glasses
97. Grammy and Pappy
98. Long. Hard. Days.
99. Escapes to the Park
100. Jr. High Girl Sleepovers
101. Big Boy Loving supper

And as I write it occurs to me that it has been a week
or more since I wrote anything down.
I am so thankful that even if I neglect my God,
Forget to be grateful,
Rush through life,
He never forgets me,
And welcomes me back with Open Arms....

Holly

Forgiveness

I couldn't stop thinking about it. My frustration. My wrong attitude. My anger. Even later, doing a project on the computer, I kept remembering the way things went that morning. Remembering the things I should not have thought, the words I should not have said. I certainly wasn't very Christian. I said a prayer, telling God I was sorry for my actions, my unkind words, my bad attitude. Asking for forgiveness.

130. I can ask for forgiveness because Jesus paid the price
131. I am forgiven in Him

Earline Schuppe