Category Archives: Endless_Gifts

Remember How God has Filled Your Empty Baskets -and Give Thanks-

Posted on by
4
©Shiloh Photography

 

“Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?” Matthew 16:8-10 (Go to Matthew 15: 32-39, to read the second time Jesus multiplies the bread and fish to feed a hungry crowd)

C.H. Spurgeon says about this passage:

“Our Lord as as says to them, ‘Why begin raising questions as to what can be done under this small difficulty? Have I not your own personal wants been richly supplied? Has your store been exhausted even when all your thoughts have gone out towards the multitude, and all your store of bread and fish has been given up to them? What occasion can there be for anxiety in my presence, when I have always supplied your wants?

How foolish they were, but how like we are to them! We seem to learn nothing. After years of experience, our Lord has to say, ‘Do you not yet understand, neither remember?’ … How are our minds dwells on the bread which we are wanting, and how readily it forgets former times when all such wants were abundantly supplied! The many baskets which so amply filled by former providences were the disciples’ own share and store, and therefore they ought not to have forgotten the miraculous festivals. Even the empty baskets should have refreshed their memories, and reminded them of how they had  twice been filled. If it were not for our wretched little faith, and our reasoning among ourselves, the memory of our former deliverances would lift us up beyond all tendency mistrust our God.”

I do not want to forget how my Heavenly Father has filled my empty baskets in the past (and no, I am not necessarily talking about physical provision only) on the contrary, I want to remember and give thanks. And as I remember,  as I read the pages of my gratitude journal, I clearly see how my faith is strengthen and renewed. He has always been faithful, no matter where I have been.

Today I remember and give thanks…

#1465- 1474

How He had mercy on me while I was lost seeking my own glory and not His.

I remember the day when our oldest son was very young and had a high fever seizure, and couldn’t come to his senses for several minutes. The doctors feared some brain damage. Our son has none. God delivered us that day, and I still remember and give thanks when I see him doing so well in College.

I remember how God had mercy on my mom and healed her from a terminable cancer when I was a young girl. My children can enjoy today her embrace and her wonderful food.

I remember how God brought my husband and I together. I still love to wake up by his side every morning.

I remember how God has been so good to us in giving us four children.  Each one of them is a miracle.

I remember today how my sister and I,  in our teen years, had nothing in common, nothing; and I am so grateful to see how much we share now in common. That is a gift from God, and I am grateful.

I remember when my basket was full of discontentment; I am grateful to see how the Lord has filled it, little by little with contentment.

I remember how many times people have said that in this life you can hardly friends, but as I look around I see how God has blessed us with so many friends in Christ. We are blessed indeed!

I remember how I battled to have a disciplined spiritual life. Today by God’s grace alone, He has helped me to seek Him early and abide in His Word.

I remember how difficult it was to lose her, but I also remember how the Lord gave us words to sustain us, hope not to faint, and prayers from friends that embraced us. I need to remember this over and over again.

As I remember I am drawn to give thanks to God for filling my baskets with His Providence so many times!

What do you remember today that makes you give thanks?

Becky

 

Saying Grace

Posted on by
6

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” –G. K. Chesterton

#1442- 1464

I say grace when…

We are welcomed at the airport by wonderful friends.

When I hug my son and see his eyes.

When I see my children hugging each other, and friends smiling and joy is overflowing.

When I see the wonderful family of God that loves us and welcomes us with a warm heart; what a gift!

When an honorable young man gives me my lost cell-phone (I dropped it on the snow-covered street, and did not notice until few hours later!)

When two little girls play for hours, and hours and hours.

When we feel at home at our friends’ home.

When we have apple-puffed pancake for breakfast.

When it snows, and I am feeling my son’s embrace.

When brothers meet and laughter is present.

Our oldest is standing on a hill, they are about the same height (a note to those who know them personally)

I give thanks when snow seems to be falling only for us.

 

I give thanks when snow falls and the girls play and forget to eat (and remember how hungry they are when they start making “ice-cream” with the snow)

When I hear the bagpipes…

Ad visit our friends in their farm: Oh, how much they teach us!

When yummy bread is out of the oven, ready to serve as potato soup bowl.

I give thanks for a dear friend that is an inspiration.

I give grace for great food, great company, great friends.

Isn’t this beautiful? Helping hands, little chefs, willing to help, ready to serve. I give thanks for them.

I give thanks when we are granted moments that turn into beautiful memories.

 

When we find a place on the table to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family in Spokane, WA.

I give thanks when I hear laughter in the kitchen over “mid-night snacks”

I give thanks for all of my friends who are praying through The Valley of Vision with me.

I give thanks when I miss my Beloved Husband and I count the days to be in his arms again (less than three days!)

I give thanks when is late at night and I go to bed and think to myself: God is good indeed!

May we abound in thanksgiving and singing; may we learn to give thanks in all.

 

Thanks to my daughter for letting me use some of her pictures for this post.

Rest and Give Thanks

Posted on by
1
Annie Pliego Photography©

Rest and Give Thanks

“This motto was inscribed on a fountain, intended for the accommodation of travelers. Weary, the traveler needs rest. Thirsty, he needs drink. Both are provided and presented to him freely, he may well therefore be directed to give thanks. The fact is,we are not half thankful enough. Perhaps if we were kept in more need — we would be more grateful for what we have. But the Lord daily loads us with his benefits. Most of us have cause to say, “My cup runs over!” The lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places, yes, we have a goodly heritage… But I fear we are very ungrateful, and are apt to dwell more on a few trials — than on a thousand mercies. May the Lord, by his Holy Spirit, open a fountain of gratitude in all our hearts.

But the motto of the fountain, is very much like the gospel. That calls us to REST:

To rest from labor and useless toil.

To rest from cares and fears.

To rest from doubts and misgivings.

To rest in the midst of a restless world.

To rest at the feet of Jesus.

To rest on the Word of Jesus.

To rest on the finished work of Jesus.

To rest and be safe.

To rest and be happy.

Faith, is resting on Jesus — staying ourselves on his Word, on his perfect work. Trusting him to save us. Confiding in him to answer for our sins, provides for us a title to Heaven, and prepares us for going there.

Jesus gives . . .
rest to the troubled conscience,
rest to the weary heart,
rest to the anxious spirit,
the moment we believe on him.

Sinner, here is rest for you. Carry your burden no further. Labor for life no longer. You are heavy laden, “Rest and Give Thanks!”

Thank God for such a precious Savior.

Thank God for such a seasonable rest.

Thank God for a fountain of living water.

Thank God for a free salvation — a full salvation;

so that it is represented by an ever full, an ever flowing fountain.

Thank God that you live in such a day — in such a place.

Rest and enjoy yourself, and then praise God.

Drink and satisfy your soul, and for such a favor give God thanks.

May I, as I pass along the journey of life, and amidst all its weariness, keep my eye on Jesus, and “rest and give thanks.”

James Smith, 1860

I am grateful because the Lord is teaching me what it means to pray without ceasing.

The Valley of Vision and my friends who are praying along.

For the examples of women of faith who have challenged me to consider how I am living in the moment of History in which it has pleased God to frame my life.

“I Thank you for showing me the vast difference between knowing things by reason, and knowing them by the Spirit of faith” The Valley of Vision

Being reminded that “good works are our response to the finished good work of Christ…that good works as worship are acts of thankfulness and joy” J.C. Wilson, Gospel Wakefulness

It is Monday, today we start our labor, our business, but I’d like to encourage you, whenever you feel weary, tired, when the burdens of the day are many, when the bad news come, when the day seems too long, when the tears can’t find a way out because your children are seeing you, when your soul feels heavy to take time during the day, to seek him,  to just “rest and give thanks”.

Under His sun and by His grace,

Becky

 

Bless the Lord, O My Soul- Giving Thanks Based on Psalm 103-

Posted on by
5
©Katie Lloyd Photography

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits….
(#1416- 1441)
You, O Lord, have forgiven all my iniquity
and  healed all my diseases, all my spiritual infirmities,
 it has pleased you to redeem my life from the pit
and crown me with your steadfast love and mercy.
How great are your works O Lord!
O my soul, do not forget all his benefits!
Thank you that you O Lord, satisfies my soul,
That your grace is sufficient,
your grace is my all.
You renew my strength, my soul,
just like the eagle’s.
Forget not, O my soul!
You, O Father, have worked righteousness and
justice when I was oppressed by my sins.
You have made your ways known to me
through the Scriptures;
Your Word has enlightened my path.
Give thanks , O my soul,
to God for He alone is merciful and gracious
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Give thanks O my soul,
and do not forget all His benefits!
Give thanks for He will not chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
Do not stop praising and giving thanks to Him,
O my soul,
see that the Lord has not dealt with you
according to your sins,
nor repay you according to your iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does He removed your transgressions, O my soul, from you.
Give thanks to God, O my soul,
for He has called you to be his child,
and just as a Father shows compassion to his children
so the Lord has shown compassion to you
because you have feared his name.
Give thanks, O my soul,
to God, who knows your frame
and remembers that you are dust,
and gives you hope,
He reminds you of how short this life is,
and teaches you to fix your eyes on eternity,
on His steadfast love,
a love that never ceases,
that is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him.
Give thanks for His righteousness
is even for my children’s children,
for those who keep His covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord reigns!
Give thanks, O my soul,
to one who is sitting on the throne,
Give thanks to the LORD who has established
his throne in the heavens,
and whose kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

 

Becky

Grace as Gift

Posted on by
5

“What we do with a gift afterward is simply show our gratitude, our thanksgiving…”

And that is what I do today, publicly give thanks to God who has given me grace upon grace….

(#1397- 1415)

Gifts to bless others

My books

My girl’s beautiful heart, music, and wonderful photography!

Having a son who makes our days more interesting and is always up to something new, like making chainmail.

My son in a faraway land, seeing him so happy; and for the wonderful community of believers  in which he is immersed, who lives the gospel in such a vivid way.

Pictures and words that travel thousands of kilometers through the space to meet those that I love so much, in less than a second!

Having had our pretty Saint Bernard, Kima, for four years. She was a wonderful dog, and we will miss her very much. (She died last Friday)

Diligent students

The gift of being able to teach

A pretty wedding

Deep blue skies

A new coffee maker

The book of James in the Bible

Art on my window

Small verses that have me thinking, praying and mediating.

“Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another”. Mark 9: 50

The Holy Spirit dwelling in me.

The Lord speaking to my heart through His Word.

These words:

“I doubt that there is such a thing as a measure of spirituality, but if there is, gratitude would be it. Only the grateful are paying attention. They are grateful because they pay attention, and they pay attention because they are so grateful” (Barnes, The Pastor as Minor Poet, quoted by Douglas Wilson).

I pray I will live every day paying attention…

Becky

Endless Gifts, the Way of Contentment

Thanking God for Those Who Endure Trials

Posted on by
4

Facing fiery trials is part of our Christian life, and yet we must be reminded of Peter’s words very often:

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” I Peter 4: 12

Today is Gratitude Monday in this blog, and I want to thank the Lord, with tears in my eyes, for my sisters in Christ who are going through trials and are enduring faithfully and patiently. I admire each one of you* and praise God for your faithfulness. You are an example to me and I continually keep you in my prayers.

(#1389- 1396)

Lord, thank you for the hope of your coming. Help us to wait patiently until we see your face.

Thank you for each one of my friends who endure trials with a humble heart.

Thank you, Father, for my sister, who recognizes that even the hardest providences are providences of love.

Thank you for my friend Trisha, who in the midst of many losses, acknowledges that your grace is all sufficient.

Thank you for my friend who is struggling with her health; and at the same time battles against the flesh because she does not want to sin against you in the midst of her trials.

Thank you for friends who are struggling and suffering, but do not raise their voices against you.

Thank you for my sisters in a far away land who suffer persecutions. Lord, have mercy on them. Hear their cry, and help them stand firm.

Thank you for those women, saints who have gone before us and have endured hardships, losses, and trials, but have never denied your name.

Thank you for their example. O how they bless the church when with their works, they show their living faith.

Thank you for ______________, you know her name; Lord. She reads these words of mine today and loves your ways. She is going through a hard and bitter providence but keeps a quiet spirit and a humble heart. Lord, strengthen her faith today and help her to keep her eyes fixed on you.

Humbly, giving thanks…

Becky

*For the sake of prudence I am not mentioning all my sisters in Christ whose trials are many; but you know who you are and how much I love you and pray for you.