Gratefulness

As I begin my challenge for 2009, I wanted to spend some time in prayer and Bible Study regarding the subject of gratefulness. Thankfulness means nothing if we are not directing that gratitude to the One who is the giver of all things. This past year, one lesson I have learned more than any other is that I am so in need of a savior. I can do nothing to get to heaven without Jesus Christ and His passionate desire to see His Children walking in the truth...

I came across this writing from my Pastor, John Piper...

"Proud people can't be grateful. So here are three very humbling truths for the sake of your thankfulness.
1. Nature teaches us that an infinitely marvelous, eternally powerful being created us and all we have. Therefore we are his creatures. He owns us. Our life, our breath, and everything we have is a gift. Our duty is simply to be thankful to him from our heart and to cherish his glory.
2. All of us have fallen short of this duty. We have not consistently prized the diamond of God's glory with an affection anywhere near its value. Instead, we've exchanged it again and again for the cracked marbles that in our great "wisdom" we have determined are more valuable.
3. God, in his great mercy, sent his Son to suffer the judgment of people who are broken and contrite in spirit and who trust in him.
Proud people don't say thanks, but people who believe these three truths do. We are utterly dependent; we are depraved sinners; and we are redeemed and forgiven through contrite faith.
If this penetrates our hearts today, we will be emptied of pride and filled with thankfulness to God. "

Julie

Tyler

I thought I would introduce the family a little bit at a time. When Tyler had just turned two years old, he was already asking the big questions in life. I remember exactly where we were sitting at what the weather felt like outside when he asked me "How do we know that God is really real?" I knew then that Tyler was going to challenge us with his incredible mind and his intense personality.
Tyler is a student at Bethel University this year. He is technically still a Senior in high school but is a PSEO (Post Secondary Education Option) student. He is still challenging the status quo and he doesn't just accept what he hears, he wants to know without a doubt that it is true. He is faithful follower of Jesus Christ and an inspiration to me.
Tyler is so funny. I love to spend time with him because he makes me laugh so much. He is an incredible writer. He would so hate to hear that I was writing about him.
I am so thankful that Tyler is home from school over Christmas. Being the big brother to 9 siblings is not an easy task for anyone--he makes it look pretty easy...

Family Picture Elijah's Adoption Day, 2008

Welcome to this Blog!

I am new to the blogging world. I have been following the blogs of a few of my favorite people in the whole world and I appreciate their insights and observations about life. I want to start something for 2009. Each day, I am going to attempt to share something that I am really thankful for. I think an attitude of thankfulness changes how we live day to day. I have a great family, unbelievable friends, and an incredible Saviour who gives me new mercies each day as I stumble through this journey He has placed me on. This blog is primarily for me. It is my honest, rambling thoughts on life as I know it. It is my journey through this next year. If you stumble upon it...Welcome!