HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

~ Psalm 100

May each of you be blessed as you walk with the Lord and delight in Him. He is so good and I praise Him for all of you!

In His love, 

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!

1 Corinthians 1:4

"I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 

~ 1 Corinthians 1:4

Blessings

This week,  I was blessed by the following gifts from God.
Sunday: Church.
Monday: God's presence.
Tuesday: More snow!
Wednesday: Bright Lights.
Thursday: Scripture - giving my heart peace.
Friday: Family - Such wonderful people!
Saturday: Home!

"In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah." 

~ Psalm 44:8

God is so good! 

In Him,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory! 

Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplicationwith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

~ Philippians 4:4-7

Bright Lights: November 19th, 2014

Last night was cold and snowy, but we were privileged to gather together in a warm church building to talk about ministering to others. Through songs, prayer, teaching, small groups, snack, crafts, a special testimony, and sweet fellowship, we encouraged each other to look for ways to serve and reach out in ministry. In the beginning of the video, there are several pictures, then I share our lesson. At the end of the video, I share some of my story about how God led me to serve in girls discipleship ministry. Enjoy and be blessed!

Follow this link to watch the video: http://vimeo.com/112431143.

Love in Christ,
Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!

1 Corinthians 15:57

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

~ 1 Corinthians 15:57

This Week I'm Thankful For…

Don't worry. I'm not going to flood the blog and emails with snowy pictures yet, but I am interrupting the autumn pictures to give you glimpse into my backyard. These snowy pictures display the biggest thing I'm thankful for this week. Snow!

I've been a little ditzy the last couple days (as my family and a couple friends could attest). Something exciting gets in my blood when it snows and I've just been ecstatic and delighted every time I see how beautiful the world is, covered with soft whiteness. Each year I wonder if I'll still be so happy and excited about the snow. I'm always afraid I'll outgrow it. But even though I'm almost twenty, I still feel like a little girl again when it snows. The sparkling beauty that covers the brown and makes all things new renews my heart. I know you may not all enjoy the snow, but I hope you'll reflect on how God has cleansed you and made you as white as snow. In the meantime, I'm lovin' every minute!

Besides snow, this week, I've been thankful for...
1. Music - it praises God, blesses others, moves my heart, and brings me joy!
2. A glorious sunset of orange intermingled with the blue sky, making everything look "peachy".
3. My teenage sister with whom I share so much.
4. My identity in Christ.
5. Snow!
6. Pink ankle socks.
7. Life in Christ - satisfying, fulfilling, and full of joy!

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, 

and I will glorify your name forever." 

~ Psalm 86:12

I can't wait to see your lists for this week! Keep giving thanks. And stay warm!

Blessings,
Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!

Photo Credits: Leanna B.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Simple Things

My friend and I sat down together in a coffee shop, the sun streaming in on us through the windows as we sipped our hot tea. We conversed about our lives and the Lord. At one point in our conversation, my friend said something about being thankful for God's hand in our lives. 

I piped in saying, "I'm so thankful for all God has done in my life with my college, ministry, work…" and she gently and lovingly interrupted, saying, "What about just the fact that you have parents who love you and each other?" It caught me. How quickly I thought about God's hand and my mind immediately went to the "bigger things" in my life that are wonderful (yet aren't really more important!), but it is so easy to allow them to cause me to forget to be grateful for the simplest things in my life. Loving parents…five really cute and special siblings…a warm house…clothes…There are so many things. And I added to my friend, "You know, we can be grateful even just for the love of God." We tend to "think big" and forget to think smaller and think of the little things God has blessed us with, which, in reality, are much bigger than we think. 

God has given each of us gifts. Yours may not be the same as mine, or they may. Either way, all of us who have trusted Christ for salvation have the love of God. Nothing can take that from us. All other gifts are from Him. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). His goodness and grace are so amazing. He is worthy of thanks and worship. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 106:1).

So, this month, as you think about being thankful, don't forget to be grateful for the numerous, amazing little blessings God sends your way. Right now as I write, sitting on my living room floor, I'm thinking of heat, kettle corn, blogging, soft lights, a fleece top, carpet, and my brother. What can you think of, right now, that you are thankful for? Lift your heart to God in praise for His marvelous gifts. Let's not forget to be thankful for the simple things. They add so much beauty to life and if we miss them, we miss so much. 

Learning to give thanks with you,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." 

~ Psalm 28:7

I'm Thankful For….

Hi, Friends! The first week of our "thanksgiving" has concluded! I have enjoyed reading a few of your lists already and seeing your photos! Looking forward to having more come in tonight and tomorrow! Let's keep praising God each day and being aware of and grateful for all the things He blesses us with, little and big.

This week, I've been thankful for so much, including:

1. The love of God.
2. Rest for my body and heart.
3. Scripture.
4. People - family, friends, and acquaintances.
5. God's goodness and grace.
6. Kettle Corn - sweet and salty: perfect!
7. Rainy Days - cool, dark, and cozy.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!"

~ 1 Chronicles 16:24

I'm grateful for all of you! 

In God's grace,

Christina

Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!

Hebrews 13:20-21

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, 

the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 

equip you with everything good that you may do his will,

working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, 

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

~ Hebrews 13:20-21