Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

• See the last photos uploaded to our Gallery

"Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live."

Titus 1:16 NLT


Embarrassing God


Not so long ago I saw a man shopping in a grocery store while his young son ran up and down the aisles. The boy was unleashed and hyper, making a complete nuisance of himself. The father kept calling his son's name, but the boy only ran faster — up one aisle and down the other.

Just as the father caught up with him, the boy reached out and grabbed a handful of candy bars. The father tried to take them away, but the boy held on tightly. Then he started to scream. It was a high-pitched, piercing scream that reverberated throughout the store. Clerks and customers turned to look from every direction as the frustrated father tried his best to squelch his son's cries. The boy only screamed louder and started to kick. Finally the father let him go, and once again he ran down the aisle with all his might, chocolate still clutched in his greedy little grip.

I caught a glimpse of the father's face. It was the look of complete and total embarrassment. Although I'm sure he loved his son dearly, at this moment he was ashamed to be his father.

Do you think God ever feels that way with his children? Imagine how he must feel when we become so earthly minded that we run through life, ignoring his voice and oblivious to his warning, grabbing things as we go and holding them tightly.

Do you think God doesn't get embarrassed by the way his children act? Our life is a reflection of his authority. And when we disobey, he is the One the world scoffs at.

From Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 148

JudyB:  thank you for what should be a daily reminder.

Larry:  Did you have pain on the left side?  I am so glad that you are able to take antibiotics for this episode.  They didn't tell you how not to have the same problem occur, did they? 

Al:  It was good to read that Rachel came for a visit as it shows that she does care.  Blessings to you in bunches!

We are happy and very grateful that we discovered a leaky pipe under the new faucet in the basement as that meant only one or two inches of water was on the bottom and some on the flooring.  Discovered before damage and that is the main thing.  I don't even know why Don went downstairs so early - such a blessing.  More work for the people who have been in and out of here for weeks and should finish their three day job this week.  We are hopeful. 

Taking time out to watch a documentary on the Dust Bowl years.  Have a great week!

Judy, what a great reminder the devotional is!  I hope to never (again) cause my heavenly father embarrassment.

Al, I am so happy for the renewed family contact.  God bless you all.

Larry, I do hope the new problem is solved for you, physically.  You never cease to inspire me!

Carol, you and Don are really being given opportunities to learn PATIENCE, with the work on your house!  And I do know how you feel....but am so thankful I never "blew my stack" at Lon before he got done here.  There were plenty of chances, but I wanted to preserve the friendship, and did.  He's a good guy, even though he has issues.  So glad Don found that leak before damage occurred! 

Carol, we watched the documentary on the dust bowl last night, too. Since I grew up in the area of extreme SE Colorado, only 27 ,miles from Boise City, the epicenter of the dust bowl, I recognized lots of the names and places, and even a few of the people who were interviewed.  I sure hope we never again make the mistakes that caused that disaster.  We still have dust storms, but nothing to compare to those awful Black Dusters!  We plan to watch the rest of it tonight.

I am going to post Beth's story for the series, even if it is out of order, I know that won't matter to you folks.  I have it ready, as I just emailed it to the paper.

Have a great week with our loving Lord--and don't forget to pray for Israel and Jerusalem!

                                                  BETH BRANDT



Beth A. Brandt was born August 28, 1962 in Boise City, Oklahoma.  She grew up there for the first part of her life, with two older sisters, one younger sister and one brother.  Her parents owned and operated a greenhouse and nursery business.

She attended Boise City Elementary school through sixth grade.  Then the family moved to Ulysses, Kansas, where Beth went to junior high and high school, graduating in 1980.

Following graduation, she attended Seward County Community College for a while, and then transferred to Ft. Hays State University, where she spent three years.  She still wishes she had continued with her education through college graduation, even though Neurofibromatosis and its accompanying problems such as dyslexia made it very difficult.

While a child, Beth enjoyed playing Red Rover, tag, hide and seek and jumping rope.  She never really dated.

Beth's first job away from home was rouging in the milo fields, which she thoroughly detested.  Later, she worked at the day care in Ulysses (at the mental health center) and later, while in high school, she got her CNA and began working at Western Prairie Care Home.  While at SCCC, she worked in a nursing home in Liberal.  After attending FHSU, she took care of an elderly lady in South Hutchinson; then she moved to Dallas, where she was employed as a nanny for a handicapped boy for three years.  She then moved to Reston, Virginia, to be a nanny for two young children.  She was in that position for three years.  Then she moved back to Dallas to care for the daughter of a long-time family friend for one year before coming back to Ulysses.  Following jobs included working for High Plains Educational Co-Op, working as a bus aid, working at McDonald's and finally she spent seven years working for Seaboard farms, until her disability caused her not to be able to work at all anymore.

Beth is only 50 years old, but she sees a big difference in the world from when she was a kid, in that "People can't let their kids play outside anymore after dark, for fear of kidnappings, etc."

Her hobby, before becoming disabled, was stamping.  She made greeting cards and similar items and really enjoyed that.

Beth loves to travel, and got to go a number of places while she was ambulatory.  She learned to scuba dive, and went to Cozumel, Mexico once for diving and five times to Roatan, Honduras.  She has been to California, to Tijuana and also Juarez, Mexico (when it was safe to go there), to Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Ocean City, Maryland, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas, and several times to Utica, New York.  She once rode the train to Kansas City.

Beth's worst experience while on vacation was almost being kicked off the plane to come home from Roatan, Honduras.  The flight attendant didn't understand the tumors she saw on Beth did not signal the presence of a communicable disease, and Beth's mom had to explain the condition to her, and then to the pilots, before they allowed Beth to fly home.

The thing she has been able to do that gives Beth the most satisfaction is that she was able to live on her own and to travel for several years before her disability reared its ugly head and forced her to stop.

She says the best period of her life is still to come!  (Her continual attitude of optimism is an inspiration to all who know her.)

The first thing Beth saved up her money to buy was a car—a 1973 Comet, blue in color.  It cost $900 (used), and she bought it in 1979, while working at Western Prairie.

The strangest thing she ever did to earn money was pulling weeds while at the day care center.  She wanted to take care of the kids, not pull weeds!

The wildest thing she did as a teenager was roasting marshmallows over a candle in her dorm room at FHSU.

She played the part of an angel in a school play when she was in about fourth grade.

Her favorite holiday song is O Come All Ye Faithful; her favorite foods are Bierocks and chicken fried steak, and her favorite movie is Dolphin's Tale.

Something she regrets is not having finished college.  She really wanted to work with disabled or special needs children.

She was taught to drive by Mr. Bender, in drivers' education class.

Her scariest time was when she had a very realistic nightmare while in college, about someone being outside her window and trying to get into her room.

Her hope for the future of our country is for Obama to accept and follow the Lord.  That would be a start toward getting our country back on the right track.

The person who most inspired Beth is her mother, because "She always believed in me and never put me down.  She always told me, 'You can do anything you want to do!'"

The people she most admires are her mother and her aunts (mother's sisters) and her Uncle Vernon, because "They always believed in me."

The single biggest change she has seen in her lifetime is the internet.

The strangest advice she ever got from a doctor was when she was 4 or 5 years old.  Her legs were crooked, and the doctor told her not to "sit like an Indian"...in other words, not to sit cross-legged, the way she always sat on the floor.  She had to be constantly reminded to change positions.

The first president for whom Beth cast a vote was Ronald Reagan; the biggest achievements of the USA was putting a man on the moon, and our history of sending out missionaries all over the world to tell the good news of the Gospel.

Beth remembers having her mouth washed out with soap!

Her favorite comic strips are Hi and Lois and Peanuts.  Her favorite novel is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Beth took piano lessons for a short time, didn't like it.

She remembers one really bad dirt storm while she was in high school.  "We got out of school early because there was so much dust in the air we couldn't see the lights," she said.

Beth was taken to church from the time she was a baby.  She accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of eight, and still attends church most Sundays, when her parents can take her.

The worst thing that ever happened to Beth was becoming disabled and having her doctors force her to move into the care home at such a young age.

The best thing that has happened in her life was finding John Hamelin, the love of her life!

What she learned from these things is "If you never give up, things WILL get better!  I was ready to throw in the towel, but I decided to wait a little longer, and love found me!" she said, with a big smile.

Beth wants to be remembered as a nice person, someone who thinks of others.

Her family always tries to get together for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and as many family birthdays as possible throughout the year.

The greatest lesson Beth has learned during her life is "Don't ever give up!  Life will happen, just give it a chance."

Beth's favorite kind of music is Christian, favorite scripture is "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16)

Her current favorite TV show is Blue Bloods.  She always listens to Joel Osteen's and Joseph Prince's programs, to keep her optimism and her faith strong.

The method of punishment she had as a child, both at home and at school, was spanking.

Nicknames Beth has or has had include "Buffin", "Buffin-Muffin" and "Beefer."

The best pet she ever had was a Chihuahua dog named Mieka.  She also had a pet monkey named Toby.

Beth remembers being bullied at school---a lot!  (This was after moving to Ulysses; she was never bullied while in Boise City.)

Her favorite flowers are irises and roses.

Beth is always happy to welcome visitors, so please come to the Legacy and see her!


Note:  A more complete account of Beth's life, her struggles with Neurofibromatosis, and her wonderful attitude of optimism can be read in the book Rising Above: Facing the Dragon of Neurofibromatosis, written by Janet Damon.  The book is available at the Grant County Library, hospital gift shop, Dr. Saxon's office, the museum gift shop, from the author (just call 356-3232) and from the website: www.JanetDamon.com.

Janet, thanks so much for Beth's bio.  She is one of my heros, you know.   

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast day here in Georgia but not too cold.  I heard back from my doctor on the CT scan I had done Saturday and it turns out I do have a hernia in the abdominal wall rather than diverticulitis.  He said it usually does not require intervention.  It has been feeling better the last couple of days.  I am to stop the antibiotics as don't need them.  So this is good news.  I did not attend church yesterday as was exhausted from some choirs I had performed around the house earlier in the morning and spent most of the day laying down.  I feel better today and Pat's toe isn't as painful and she said she probably could tolerate a shoe but will give it another day.  We met at Burger King this morning for coffee.  I have my usual Monday men's luncheon at 1 pm.  The housekeepers were here this morning and the yard people just arrived to get the leaves picked up from the yard. 

Janet, I suggest you call Amazon (Kindle) and ask for help in setting the device up.  They are very helpful.  You have to have an account with Amazon and use that username and password to setup the connection to your wi-fi.  I read Beth's story and what is a bierock? 

Judy, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.  It is a good one.

Carol, as I wrote above I was right all along on the hernia.  I knew the pain I felt was very reminiscent of the previous hernia pain I had felt.  Leaky pipes are not a good thing.  Glad you didn't have any damage from it.  I have always been thankful that our hot water heater is in the garage.   

Jeanne, I agree with you on Beth being a hero and Janet has to be right their along side. 

Janet:  Blessings for you and Beth.  Your book is a remarkable story on how to overcome major setbacks. 

Larry:  Good that you now have the correct diagnosis and can proceed on that plan.  The leak was from the person who did not fit the new faucet correctly - they are always in such a hurry.  We had two faucets changed in both sinks and showers as the old round types were really difficult to pull out for washing.  The house is only 20 years old but things just do not last.  I grew up in a house that was at least 80 years old and the fixtures remained the same except they had put in a bathroom before we lived there - thank goodness for that!   

Don is off today to talk to another hearing specialist company - so they say.  I am thawing the turkey and have made a To Do list for each day.  Only 7 of us at the table this year but everyone is fine so for  that we are grateful.  One son has an offer on his cabin that is so isolated we thought he would never sell - apparently, some people like to live amongst the bears.  He had it framed and did everything else himself so it was his first structure and hard to let go.  Otherwise, we cannot sell our place that we and another son worked on to just for some extra income, especially for him.   

Praying for Israel.  Praying for our country. Praying for good and faithful neighbors and friends under heavy medical constrictions. 

Great reading again about Beth...our sweet Beth.  The wonderful gal that is in my prayers every day. 

Well, the Harvest Dinner was great.  I ate too much but that isn't surprising!  Then I came home to a wonderful nap.

This morning was going to the pool and Walmart.  Then I decided I needed gas and went to the station at Lapel.  I have a rewards card there that saves you ten cents a gallon.  Second time I couldn't get the card to work!  Doesn't save you money unless the card works!!  Kept saying my PIN was wrong!  Grrr!

Now I need to get in the kitchen and make a Layered Salad for Euchre tomorrow!

THANK YOU to Jeanne, Larry, Carol and Etta Sue for the comments on Beth's story.  To know you still pray for her warms this Mom's heart!

Larry, so glad you have the correct diagnosis now and that you are in less pain.  Do take good care of our very dear friend Larry!

Crazy busy today, got most of the stuff done that I felt was hanging over my head.  Now, to make a grocery list and work on dishes for Thursday.  Glad I'm not doing the whole meal!

Janet I like Beth's story, thank you for sharing it with us.

Larry I am getting used to my new computer, I also have the old pc hooked up in case I need to transfer files to my external HD  then add to this one.
It has been raining here for a week and the wind has really picked up something fierce. I cn see the big old fir trees swaying in the wind from my seat here at my desk.

Hi everyone.  Pat and I are just back from Steak and Shake where we had a very filling breakfast.  It is a very nice day here and didn't get as cold as it has been for several nights.  Not much on the schedule for today.  I seem to be very tired this morning even after a good nights sleep so will rest a lot today.

I am waiting on the termite inspector to come and inspect the house and the garage.  Mom had termites in this house 15 years ago so I have inspection every year.  Something I will always do. Here he comes!! 

I wonder who is sending me a big email?  Ever since I turned on the laptop, the 'POP3 Server is not responding.  Would you like to wait another 90 seconds for the server to respond?'  I always click 'Yes'.  And when an email comes, it is one with a lot of kbs-mbs.  I wish people would do that.  I am sure with dial up it is really a problem.  I have DSL but it could be faster!

I have Pecan Brickle ready to make as soon as the termite guy leaves. 

Today is Euchre and I need to make one more phone call to see if she wants to ride with Ivalou, Janet and I. 

Cloudy and overcast but the temps are wonderful!

Computer jitters here.  Whenever something is changed, I lose my Favorites and Don tells me that is an app that someone has to change back so I can see it. 

We had wonderful news that a old friend pulled through a heart valve procedure yesterday and the doctor called it a "Textbook procedure".  This should help him feel better.  Without it, he could not have his desire to have a hip replacement.  So, that is Thanksgiving for sure. 

I must take time to calculate the cooking of an 18 lb. turkey  to be ready by 1 PM tomorrow.  I was hoping that they would want to eat at 3 PM but I know that a son-in-law will want to watch his Cowboy game.  All of our family couldn't care less about the Cowboy's even though we lived in Texas for nine years. 

The bible study I have been using is the history theme through Olive Trees - online.  It is very convenient, as an app on my iPod.  Something good out of technology. 

Etta Sue:  Pecan Brittle sounds so good.  the gal who cuts my hair gave me a cranberry recipe and I gave her a tip on dresssing which frees up the oven so she was happy. 

Some want to change the name of Thanksgiving to Black Thursday for their shopping sales.  That is just too sad for words. 

Yes, Carol, and a lot of the big retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving Day this year, for the first time.  Little by little, our foundations are being eroded.  What can we do?  Pray!  But then prayer should be followed by action!  I just am not sure WHAT actions!

Yes, Etta Sue, pecan brittle sounds yummy!  Both Darrel and I are trying to lose some weight, and were doing good until yesterday.  We decided to go to Pizza Hut for lunch, had the buffet, and, woe unto us!  The scales said UP 4# for me this morning, and his blood sugar was up along with his weight.  So we MUST be careful tomorrow.      

I am making two chocolate pies for tomorrow.  Don't know if I will do that this evening or wait until morning.  They are so much better when they are really fresh!

We had a big surprise yesterday.  The phone rang, and when I answered, the lady said, "This is a voice from Darrel's past!  I am his cousin, Paquita.  Is he home?"  She is the daughter of his Uncle Howard, his dad's brother, and they had lost contact many years ago.  I had heard both him and his brother Don speak of her and her two sisters, but I never met any of them.  Anyway, she wanted to tell us that there were photos of their family on the Dust Bowl documentary.  Grandma and Grandpa Damon and the dog, Googles, were in the first episode; and then her mother, her sister Marilene and Marilene's daughter Ginny were shown at the beginning and the end of both episodes.  She sent me the photos, and I remembered seeing the one but hadn't any idea of the family connection.  She talked to Darrel for a while, and then she and I had a really nice conversation.  I'd love to get to know her.  She lives in Washington State.  So that was our excitement for the day!  She is a member of Ancestry.com and had seen Darrel's Mom's obituary there, got his sister's number, and the rest is history!

I stayed home and mostly read yesterday.  Finished Pride and Prejudice on the ereader, all 400+ pages of it.  It got more interesting after I got used to the old words we don't use now, and the stiff, formal manner of address used many, many years ago.  So now I can say I enjoyed it.  I will take the device to Hugoton with me tomorrow and see if one of the boys can help me learn better how to use it.They have a Nook Tablet on sale for $40 now, is that a good buy, Larry?  Darrel said if I enjoy reading on the one I got, I can get him one. 

Grandson Mark is tired of waiting and looking for work in the airline industry, so he is moving to St. Louis to go back to school.  He will take a one year course in Airline Mechanics this time.  He has already flown there, enrolled, and found an apartment.  How I pray for that young man!  He really is a good guy, and things just don't seem to 'jell' for him.

Sorry!  I must be feeling chatty today!  I'm outa here now! 

I got the Pecan Brickle made.  It is Brickle...not Brittle.  Not teeth-breaking hard.  The recipe calls for Almonds but I have Pecans.  And I don't toast the pecans...just chop them up fine.   

---

Chocolate Almond Brickle
2 1/2 cups almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped, divided
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups (from 11.55-ounce package) milk chocolate morsels
Directions
Sprinkle 1 1/4 cup nuts over the bottom of a well-greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.
Melt the butter in a medium, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 280 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 7 minutes.
Pour the hot mixture over the nuts; let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with morsels. Let stand until morsels melt and become shiny and soft, about 5 minutes. Spread evenly.

---

It is so easy to make....the hardest thing is finding your candy thermometer...

Euchre was fun with a great meal at the end of the evening. 

Today is making Corn Salad and maybe putting red bows on my white deck outside for Christmas.  I found new bows...my old ones are pink due to sun fading!  I need to reinforce them with wire ties so the wind doesn't tear them apart...learned that from the 'pink' ones!

Other than that just thinking about turkey day tomorrow. 

By the way, has anyone heard from Mieka lately or in the last few years?  When I read about Mieka, the dog, I thought of Mieka, our little friend.

And Sonja Foos wrote on Facebook,

QuoteQuick favor.... Would you keep my son Zachery in your morning prayers. He is having his intestines reattached today. No more colostomy bag. Yeah! Thank you!

I have often wondered about Zachary.  I met him and his family and he's a cute kid!  How old is he now? 

Tales From My iPad

I was upstairs watching all the activity in the garden and feeling very blessed. 8 Quail, 3 grey Squirrels, 1 black Squirrel, Blue Jays,scads of small birds, Anna's
Hummingbird......all of them getting along together...it is expensive to feed all these critters, but the kids get them all their special foods. Here they have a safe home as all the building has destroyed their homes.  On a dark road the other night my GG hit a black bear. She is okay and called the conservation people...a few months ago she swerved to avoid a deer and hit a tree.  Will be buying a new car soon, so hope the next thing will not be one of the Cougars that have come to the area.  We live in a highly populated , almost city, area!

I am learning this iPad and quite like it.  Will look into the keyboard you suggested Larry, but they are expensive in this country...Still want my computer fixed and miss some of the features...like Flash,etc.  Is there a substitute for Flash that is used on Apple? I finally figured out how to BookMark on this tablet....do not like typing with 2 fingers...

Found a free Bible App and would love to know if anyone can recommend the best one.  My eyesight is very bad now due to Glaucoma...will probably have to have the Laser treatment again soon, according to the Dr.  Getting a vision test from the optometrist this Friday and sure hope new lenses will help. Wish that the medical opt.still did that...seems they are too busy to test for eyeglasses!

Time to go, oh, I have that Siri voice thing on this iPad.  Its kind of creepy!

God Bless and keep on praying.....

Liz.   

Hi everyone.  It was a very full morning and we just got back from Atlanta where I picked up Stacey at her apartment. I took the transport chair with me and used that to get Stacey from the apartment to the car.  I thought that would save a trip back up to apartment in the powerchair, which I find hard to control with the rear wheel steering. Before we came on home I stopped at Publix for the Thanksgiving Turkey and trimming box and a few other items.  I was surprised that I was able to use an electric cart.  So hopefully am finished going for today.  Pat was just finishing up a cherry pie, which is now in the oven.  She also plans on making 2 pumpkin pies so there will be some for the kids to take home with them.  I just  finished lunch  and am laying down to rest.  Not as tired as I was yesterday when I spent almost the entire day laying down with my eyes closed and then went to bed early and slept very well.

Etta Sue, we experienced termites twice in the big house we had before coming to this house and we have annual inspections.

Carol, our turkey and other items are cooked and just need to warm them tomorrow. The turkey does look good and everything was wrapped in sealed containers so easy to store.  This is only a six to eight pound turkey which will be plenty for our small family. I agree with you totally about how shameful that some big stores are opening at eight pm tomorrow night and of one store opening at midnight.

Janet, I guess the idea is that these big companies can never have too much money not that I want anyone to decide for them what is enough.  I haven't had a chocolate pie in a long time and that is one of my favorites.  How nice to hear from Darrel's long lost relative.  You should not need the Nook if you have that app and the one for Kindle on your device.  Forty dollars does sound reasonable but probably can just read books, although don't know. Hope this experience for Mark results in work for him in the airline industry.

Liz, I found one application that would play flash but after a trial period there was a monthly charge.  I really don't need flash as also use my desktop and laptop. 

Hi everyone.  It is  beautiful day for Thanksgiving here in Georgia.  Things are just about ready for the big day.  Breakfast is over and we have a few more things to do but need to rest for a few minutes.  We will ask our son to do the final preparations of getting the things from the refrigerator and heating them up.  Still need to make the green bean casserole, which Stacey is providing for the meal.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!!

Like Larry, I am about ready with my part of the meal.  I have been up since 5:00 (sure wish I could sleep better!)  I hadn't made cream pies for some time, had sort of forgotten how much work they are!  But so worth it, and I guess that keeps me from making them too often; usually only for special occasions.

We are to pick Beth up at 9:30, and it's almost 9 now, but I wanted to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American froends!

I pray today and everyday that everyone has safe travels to and from your Thanksgiving dinner. 

Here in central Indiana we couldn't have more perfect weather for traveling.  Bright and sunny and warm...right now 42 but raising!  I am going to Ivalou's home...just 70 steps east but two of her daughters and their families are coming from the Dayton area of Ohio.  Her son and his family live about 12 miles southwest, toward Indy.  She said the other day that she thought there would be over 20 and not all are coming today!  So Christmas should be more!

I bought some pretty red plastic bows for my white deck.  They look mighty festive blowing in the wind! 

Just received this in an email.

Paul's Epistle...
"In Everything? Really?"

Last week Shelia and I went to Walmart to pick up a few things. Entering, we found no greeter on duty – no one to pull out a shopping cart for us. So, while Shelia went ahead to look at something on a shelf, I pulled out one of the carts from where they're all jammed together just inside the door. To my amazement, I no sooner got it loose and pulled it out than a lady behind me grabbed it and said, "Thank you." I said, "You're very welcome." And off she went.

I told Shelia later that I must be of a certain age to be mistaken for a Walmart greeter.

But at least the lady said, "Thank you." A lot of people don't. In fact, a Lenox Etiquette Poll found that half of Americans usually just don't bother.

Do you? And, more to the point, are you a thankful person? Do you live in a spirit of thankfulness? We thank each other, sure, but the One we should be absolutely certain to thank is God. After all, James 1:17 tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..."

But there is one Scripture about thankfulness that's difficult to understand if we are to take it at face value. The Apostle Paul, in 1st Thessalonians 5:18 says, "in everything give thanks..." Note that it says, "in everything." Observe that it doesn't say "be thankful to God for all good things." It says "everything." What's included in "everything?" Everything!

Thanking God is easy to do when everything's going well. But it's more difficult – sometimes seemingly impossible – to express thanks to God when everything's not going well. And yet, that's exactly when we our need to express thanks to God is greatest. That's when it's most beneficial. Even secular science has confirmed this. A psychological study by Emmons & McCollough found that there are quantifiable, observable benefits that accrue to a thankful person. They have greater optimism; they recover from illnesses more quickly; they are more likely to feel loved; they take better care of themselves; they sleep better; they get sick less often.

Why should this be? Because God made us in such a way that thankfulness would actually benefit us in tangible ways. That's why He tells us to be thankful — it's good for us!  He never ceases to amaze.

But to be thankful "in everything?" Even the bad stuff? Yes, even the bad stuff. Think of the worst thing that happened to you in the past week or month. Go ahead, I'll wait... Now, what was it about that "worst thing" for which you could be thankful? Yes, there is something. Obviously, you survived it. It could have been worse. You probably learned something from it. In fact, God may have been teaching you something through it. Did you thank the Lord in the midst of it? Or since?

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to difficulties. And that's putting it mildly. Read 2nd Corinthians 11:24-27 and you'll quickly find that he was put through more than any average person could bear. But Paul was still a thankful person. Throughout his writings he is constantly expressing thanks to God.

Why should we express thanks to God for such difficulties?

Well, let me cite one of my favorite verses, Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." If "all things" are working together for good, then we must remember that "all things" includes what we might see as the bad stuff. But God is working through it for your good. No, we don't always understand it, but He is. And someday we'll see how.

On the other side of the equation, thankfulness is not a common characteristic among unbelievers. Paul, in Romans 1:21, cited several characteristics of unbelievers: "they did not glorify...God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts..." Paul gave another such list in 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, which includes this: "...in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful..." and the list goes on. But it's clear that unthankfulness is a characteristic of an unregenerate life.

What else contributes to thanklessness?

•Pride – the sin that God Satan kicked out of heaven.
•Pride – the sin of supposed self-sufficiency.
•Worldliness – pleasures and pursuits that have nothing to do with God.
•A critical spirit – some people just like to be negative about everything.
•Impatience – "God, I want it right NOW! (Not just in Your time.)"
•Busy-ness – "I'm just too busy to take time to give thanks."
•Godlessness – They simply have no one to thank.

But something else that suppresses thankfulness, even for many Christians, is doubt.

•Doubts about God's love.
•Doubts about God's power.
•Doubts about God's ability to do things in your life.
•Doubts that God can really handle problems you're facing.

Doubt is a serious sin. To doubt God is to say that you can't trust what He's told us about Himself. It says you can't trust Him to do what He says He will do.

On the other hand, if you're a thankful Christian, you are more likely to have...

•A grip on the goodness of God in your life.
•An awareness of God's activity in your life.
•An understanding of God's purpose in your life.
•An appreciation of God's provision in your life.
•A recognition of God's will for your life.

If you are aware of all of those things, how could you not be thankful?

So, why should we be thankful "in everything?" The end of that same verse – 1st Thess. 5:18 – has the answer: "...for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Not being thankful would quite literally be going against God's will.

So, can we be thankful in everything? Really?

Thankfully (and absolutely), "Yes!"

This is a day set aside for thankfulness and I was brought up in a family that did say "Thank You" for anyone who held a door or set a plate of food in front of us and all the little things.  The main reason I go to church many times is just to give thanks.  I hope I am optomistic but I have to say that there have been a few definite times in my life that I was not thankful and that was for tragedies. 

Liz:  Quail are so cute and we wish they were here.  They are in Arizona as when we go there, it is so much fun to watch their little waddle walk.  It is against my nature to feed the wild but I am so temped to buy a block of quail seed just to watch them closer.  An App that is really interesting to me regarding bible study is:  "Olive Tree".  For me, it is on the history of the bible and I just set there and can even take notes -- it begins with Joshua. 

Etta Sue:  Thanks, I did copy the Pecan Brickle. 

Just worn out after two days of food prep, and having to clean the kitchen twice.  This floor shows everything.  Daughter & granddaughter were delightful helpers and we had seven here.  One son was on his way to the cabin so we loaded him with food for an entire weekend.  He called and said he was so grateful so that is nice to hear. 

Janet:  Were in Washington does this relative live?  I know someone in eastern Washington with your last name.  We only saw the first part of Dust Bowl.  Everyone is talking about it. 

Carol, I don't know yet where Paquita lives, only have her email address so far!  But I'm quite sure we will stay in touch.  But her maiden name was also Damon.  I took the big book I bought at our museum, of the Dust Bowl, (done by Ken Burns and following the documentary closely) along yesterday so daughter Diane could look at it, and she really was interested in it.  I spent about two hours reading in it last night when I couldn't sleep and got only halfway through the book.  That was a terrible, tragic time for our area of the world.  I was born in 1940 but things were still tough for years after that.  My parents weathered it and hung on, and boy! do I admire their strength and tenacity!  Tough people!  Darrel's family, as well.

About the devotional Judy posted:  (which I enjoyed!)  It says in the Word-- IN all things, give thanks, NOT-- FOR all things!  But even in the worst of times, we can find something for which to thank the Lord.  I am consciously trying each day to live in an attitude of gratitude.  Yesterday I thought so much about family, and thanked the Lord for each one.

I love quail, too!  My dad used to feed them so they would stay close to the homeplace and not be out where hunters could shoot them.  He always said that when they were shot, there was barely anything left of them to eat.  If we wanted some to eat, we trapped them, so there was no damage to them.

Are any of you partaking of "Black Friday?"  The only thing I'm going to do is go out to one of our lumber yards to buy some LED Christmas lights they have on sale today.  They were SO expensive last year!  And they stay cool and use much less power than the others so it's a good thing.

See you later!

Hi everyone.  Just back from taking Stacey back to her apartment.  There was very light traffic today, which I appreciated.  We had a wonderful time with family yesterday but am exhausted today.  I will rest the remainder of the day.  I did go to coffee this morning with 5 other men.

Hi, friends, after such a long time absent. I didn't realize I was slowly getting ill. Ended up in the hospital and stayed 8 days while the doctors and staff worked to get all the blood and blood sugar stuff "fixed" again.

So, I'm home, feeling much better, and most likely will get out to take care of 2 little items of business in a few moments.

It will take time for me to go back and catch up on what I've missed here, but do know I love and appreciate each of you, your prayers, and loving way you share our burdens.

How thankful I am for life iteself, for family (all of whom were so good to me while I was ill), for church and faith, and...and...and... Y'all can add in more from your own stash of thanksgivings.

Much love to everyone, and ALL love, adoration, honor and glory to our wonderful Lord.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann:  Welcome Home!  You were away much too long and now it is good to know that all your sugar levels and so forth are "fixed". 

Janet:  We knew a pastor & wife who always said, "Gratitude is an Attitude".  The t.v. news had a segment on these sales and there were a lot of things really higher priced than six months ago but they called it a sale.  Our prices have been sneaking up and the grocery store is where it has been most noticeable. 

Ruth Ann, we missed you.  We sure didn't think you were in the hospital for 8 days!  Glad everything is regulated and fixed once again!

Well, I am all decorated for Christmas.  I haven't done any decorating....even a tree for about 4 years.  Now that it is all done again, I remember why I didn't decorate for about 4 years...it all has to come down!!  But it is festive looking right now!  Hope the cats stay out of the tree and leave things alone! 

We are having a terribly windy day today after a very warm, calm Thanksgiving.  I put a few things outside and I didn't stay out long.  It felt good to come back in the warm house!

Now I am waiting for dark to see how the lights all look!

Well, it's time to go to bed for the evening. Much love to all,

Ruth Ann