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Monday, April 30, 2012

Day 880 of Giving Thanks


Hi God... it is wonderful to know You are here. Thank You for Your ever-presence and reminding me of it when I need You most. All is great in my life because I have the assurance of You in my life. Thank You Jesus.

Today, as in every new day, I thank You Father for loving me and giving me the desires of my heart that truly makes sense above all things. I thank You that I desire to be Yours wholly, please You in amazing ways, honor You daily and glorify Your name in all things I do.

Today, as in every new day, I thank You Father I can act in faith…

“It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards people who try to find Him.” ~Hebrews 11:6 (Common English Bible)

Faith. 
Faith in the God of Abraham.
Faith in the cross and it's perfection.
Faith in God's control of all things.

Faith, of the unseen, but the reality of a Creator who loves us intensely and intently.

"Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith". ~Hebrews 11:1-2 (Common English Bible)

Are things a mess right now?

God is the restorer of all things, but we have to let Him do it. Have you said, "this is little, I can do this", and it still gets messed up? Step aside and let the perfecter of your life take over completely. Give yourself a rest from failure in doing things your way.

As I sit here and think of heaven, and how awesome that would be, I remembered hearing that our Lord Jesus, reminds us to not dwell in the past, or live in the future, but to live for today and make the most of this life - to live this life for Him. What an honor it is to know that He desires us to live this life, in this wretched and evil world, in hope, joyfully and honoring Him. So, as you think of heaven, dwell in the good things of the LORD; salvation through Christ, His presence, the unending strength and power through the Holy Spirit and our Creator who did, does and will do all things because He loves us so greatly.

As you head into your day and end your day, remember Him. As you think upon the things of your life, remember Him. As you hit a hard patch, remember Him. As you recognize and receive His blessings, remember what He did, so that you can live eternally in heaven. Always remember, we are at home with Him, because He dwells within us.

How do I relay how grateful I am to be a child of God? How often shall I raise my hands in praise, bend a knee in prayer and joyfully cry out to my LORD God? It will never be enough, because all He did and has given is more than enough!

I praise, pray and thank in every breath, because with every breath I am reminded of Jesus' love, finished work through resurrection and gift of life for me.

Every moment would not be enough, but every moment desiring more moments is closer to being enough!

I love You God.

Our circumstances will change, the desires for our life as God sees it, will not. Thankfully seeking Him today, as I know He is the solution to all circumstances. He is FAITHFUL. He desires You to depend on Him, come to Him, believe Him... Today, trust in LORD God, through Jesus and in the perfect power of the Holy Spirit. Know that all things are possible. All things.

LORD, thank You for the reminder that just a couple years ago, I was at the "end" of my marriage. That all things I knew were in complete ruin, severe devastation. And, through trusting You, all has been repaired and restored, and I continue and wait in hope as my husband too is repaired and restored to be Yours. In the mess of the demolition, thank You for keeping me in Your presence.

Although all that has happened, would not have been my choosing, I am grateful. For the illness that brought You to the forefront and removed all the idols from my life, thank You Father. For the losses and the need to continue to seek You, thank You Father. For the leaving me behind as the old, and discovering the new in You me, thank You Father. For being the center, the beginning, the end and all that comes my way, thank You Father. Today, as in every new day, thank You Father for loving me and giving me the desire of my heart that truly makes sense above all things. Thank You that I desire to be Yours wholly, please You in amazing ways, honor You daily and glorify Your name in all things I do.

“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” ~Matthew 6:33 (Common English Bible)

Today, as in every new day, thank You Father... thank You Father. Amen.




© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Day 879 of Giving Thanks

When you mention, "I had a massage" to most people, they always say, "lucky you"... as I think about my 60 minutes of "therapy" last night, I definitely don't think, "lucky me", but I do thank God for yet another opportunity to change my focus. Tonight as I sit here, 24 hours later, I am amazed at how much I am able to ignore on a daily basis. That is a huge praise. I write this here, because this is why this page ((I am not) Broken Glass) has the name it does. As this tiny, Chinese woman shared her gift of touch, I experienced the sensation that has been a part of my life for so long. As she touched me, I grimaced and prayed. As she found "the spots", my mind worked diligently to distract what was being experienced. And I made it through, and here I am tonight, feeling like I had the hardest workout in years. I am supposed to have this deep tissue therapy every week, yet, it takes every effort to get there every two to three weeks.

I am still learning to let go of the past, and for me, sometimes, it is the pain of just a few minutes ago – a daily focus on God’s plans, purpose and the healing already accomplished is the true relief from this world.

"Focus your eyes straight ahead; keep your gaze on what is in front of you. Watch your feet on the way, and all your paths will be secure." ~Proverbs 4:25-26 (Common English Bible)

I know LORD, there are many in pain, many who find it takes every ounce of energy and will to get out of bed, or step one foot in front of the other, to take a breath, and many other things that for most of us comes effortlessly. I pray for those Father who need Your strength to do everything in their day. I pray for those whose pain takes everything out of them. And, I stand grateful that You carry mine completely and tenderly. In humility and embarrassment for the complaining I have done, I ask for forgiveness and I fully recognize that You already know what this body can handle. Thank You LORD for always being here to lift me up, pull me through and keep me focused on what is truly important. Thank You for healing me of the worst illness of all and that is eternal death, separation from You. Let me always know gratitude, and the love You have for me. In the mighty name of Jesus, let us know healing and Your mercy. Amen.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ~Proverbs 17:22 (New International Version)

Joyfully, I proceed in this life, expectantly, in hope, through love and all because He loved me first. There is hope in the healing already provided, and hope in the healing yet to come, in this life or the next, is up to my God, my Creator, my Redeemer, my Life. He has always promised healing to those He loves.

“The LORD said, “If you are careful to obey the LORD your God, do what God thinks is right, pay attention to his commandments, and keep all of his regulations, then I won’t bring on you any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the LORD who heals you.” ~Exodus 15:26 (Common English Bible)

Are you waiting for healing today? I pray with you – for strength, like no other strength of the LORD. I pray with you – for courage, like nothing you have ever experienced before through the LORD. I pray with you – for hope, for days that pour blessings over you like the sun shines upon the earth. I pray with you, for joy, from the depth of your soul and radiates His goodness. And, we can be sure, Jesus intercedes for all this an more for each and every one of us, whom He loves. 

“Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?
Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?” ~Romans 8:34-35 (Amplified Bible)


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Day 878 of Giving Thanks

LORD, I just want to thank You today, for the little things and all the major things, in the mighty name of Jesus. And, my life continues to be a prayer of praise. I am grateful for so many things. And, as I share what is on my heart, the moments of my day, you tell me what you think, a day of major things or little things?

OK, so here is my God story for today. Three Saturdays ago, while at the dealership getting Chris' new tires, we determined that I too needed all four. There was a sale through the end of month. And, since then I kept "meaning" to set the appointment to get them done. Well, it's the 25th, right? I was going to go in on Friday, maybe even Saturday before the end of the month.

As I pulled into work this morning, got out of the car and walked behind it, I heard, 'sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss'. I dropped down on one knee at the rear, passenger tire and discovered where the noise was coming from - a nice big screw.

Guess God wanted it taken care of today - so, task started, at work and ready to move to the next task... do not hesitate, or procrastinate, do it now. When I do what I am supposed to do, I never have to wonder, “if I”, not that I ever should, but know this, I expect to come out just fine, no matter what. 

Thank You LORD that You watch over me. Even in my negligence, You protect me and keep me going down the safest path. Thank You LORD, that I can expect good things to happen, even through the not so good times, moments and storms.

It's not that we are not supposed to expect much, it's that we are not to expect perfection here in this life. We are to revel in the moments, because we have God in us 24/7 we can overcome all the imperfections this life delivers and in that we can expect all that He has for us.

So, for me, I expect perfect hope, perfect love, perfect salvation and the perfect moment after perfect moments and I will bloom among the weeds. I will grow deep roots that will withstand all that the harshness of this world delivers.

This all came about as I came to the end of myself - that was what got my attention. It was not until I knew I was done, that I would let God take it. You've heard, "Let go and let God", it's a simple command, but not the easiest thing to do - wanna know why? Because of pride and fear. We have to decide which one we are holding onto.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” ~Colossians 2:6-7, 9-12 (New International Version)


Every moment of every day is a moment to be grateful. And, my life continues to be a prayer of praise, how about yours? 





© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

*****************
We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Day 877 of Giving Thanks by Tina Wetor


The moment we are born we are in the process of dying, life is the journey between it.   Life is a journey whether good or bad, it’s has tremendous opportunities to learn from.  Some lessons are repeated because we are too stubborn to either repent or change.  So, instead of getting to the destination, we are planted firmly in the desert.  Nevertheless, the desert has a beautiful purpose, its preparation ground.
   
Besides being dry, covered with sand, and extremely hot the desert has purpose.  The desert causes us to crave water; it makes us to die to ourselves, and prepares us for the Lord’s purpose.  The journey to the Promise Land wasn’t a delay in God’s Word; it was Israel learning to rely upon it.  Whether it was the water from the rock, manna from Heaven, or walking with God’s presence (Pillar of Fire at night/Cloud by Day) Israel had to learn to trust God.  Although Israel made some terrible choices, God remained faithful to His people.  God never departed from them; He walked with them to the Promised Land.  Some lessons are easily learned, others we have to be cracked over the head.  Pride and stubbornness truly caused major delays in Israel getting their promise.  It doesn’t mean God never corrected them, He did.  Yet, through it all God never stopped loving them or providing for them, He remained FAITHFUL!

"During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet." ~Deuteronomy 29:5 (New International Version)

On the other hand, the desert doesn’t mean it has to do with being corrected.  According to the Word, the Spirit led Christ into the desert.   In the desert, Christ was tempted by the enemy.  (Matthew 4:1-11) Satan came to entice Christ to sin, forsake His purpose, and His mission.  Yet, Christ overcome it all, His faith stood the test, so we could overcome whatever obstacle Satan throws.  So the desert will prepare us for the work of the Lord.  After Christ was tempted, He was able start His public ministry.  So, if you are in the desert, allow the Spirit to empower you, draw you closer, and prepare your heart. The desert is only preparation ground, so wait on Him. Don't get impatient!
   
Our faith will be tested; we will go through the fire.  Yet, we will not be burned.  As the three Hebrew men stood in the fiery furnace, a fourth man stood in their midst.  All of the Hebrew men came out of it unharmed, without smelling like fire, and victorious over their enemy.  All of the men were challenged for their faith, they overcome it.
     
The desert must cause us to hunger for the water, the living water.  It’s only through the desert; we learn who our source-Jesus is.  We will never be led anywhere without the Spirit, He is our comforter.  Yet, we must learn to come to the end of ourselves, so Christ can shine.  So, don’t be upset about the desert, realize you are being prepared for God’s purpose.  It’s just time to become an empty vessel, He can fill.



© 2012 Remains with the original author, Tina Wetor

To read more of Tina's writing, visit her at
Anointed Manna
Web: http://www.anointedmanna.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anointed-Manna/164352940332663




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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Monday, April 23, 2012

Day 876 of Giving Thanks


When you "believe" that you are at the end, physically, mentally and emotionally, know that His strength for you never ends. Believe that He has you covered with His blood, He holds you up, He intercedes continually for you and you are protected. Believe that coming to Him will give you rest. Today, I am counting on this. Today, I am seeking His presence often, as yet more comes my way. I am not asking “why” LORD, but I will ask “how”.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” ~Matthew 11:28 (Amplified Bible)

How do I stay encouraged? And, You remind me that You already shared that with me – encourage others.


How do I show You in my daily actions? And, You again remind me that I must focus on others when times are the toughest and You will work out the details of my circumstances.

How do I keep praising You? You remind me that I am Yours… and I remember what You did on the cross for me.

LORD, thank You that I am constantly reminded of Your goodness in my life.

I need Your help today LORD, not sure how to do all that has been set out for me today. I am overwhelmed mentally, but seek to be overwhelmed in Your comfort and strength. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Don’t you just love that? “I will ease your souls.”

“And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

My best lesson is that of prayer and dependence on the Answerer of all prayer. Coming to a mighty and faithful God, diligently, urgently and through all my moments is what I was made for. That is my learned lesson. It is my desire.

Psalm 29
A psalm of David.
“You, divine beings! Give to the Lord—give to the Lord glory and power!Give to the Lord the glory due his name!Bow down to the Lord in holy splendor!The Lord’s voice is over the waters;the glorious God thunders;the Lord is over the mighty waters.The Lord’s voice is strong;the Lord’s voice is majestic.The Lord’s voice breaks cedar treesyes, the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.He makes Lebanon jump around like a young bull,makes Sirion jump around like a young wild ox.The Lord’s voice unleashes fiery flames;the Lord’s voice shakes the wilderness—yes, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.The Lord’s voice convulses the oaks,strips the forests bare,but in his temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”The Lord sits enthroned over the floodwaters;the Lord sits enthroned—king forever!Let the Lord give strength to his people!Let the Lord bless his people with peace!(Common English Bible)

Resting in Him comes through coming to Him, in all my circumstances. I can rest in Him in the good times as well as the bad. Because when I come to Him in the good, I can be readied for all the other times; and all times are good when we depend on the LORD, for I am healed, redeemed and He is revealed.



© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

*****************
We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Day 875 of Giving Thanks

It's really strange (to me, not to God) that I really no longer "feel" despaired. He gives me the strength to "shake it off" so to speak.

We (society and believers) have lost the power of our words... and coming from years of despair and "unhappiness", I believe I do have a handle on the true meaning of joy... Thanks to all that He has done and has given. Reflection on the work, His work does that every time. We are not in pursuit of happiness in this life, but will be happy in our moments. Through this journey, we discover all the joy our LORD has for us. We begin to recognize joy when we realize who God is and who we are because of God's grace through Jesus and in the strength and power toward perfection of the Holy Spirit. Quite honestly, I am happy to admit, that it is He who has shown me to be joyful, no matter what our circumstances are.

The enemy is out in full force. Be prepared - in the Word - in prayer - in thanksgiving - in His presence...

There is nothing more important than knowing that we have an amazing God who is here in our every moments. The moments of need. The moments of hurt and pain. The moments we "believe" all to be perfect and just. The moments we need Him most... every moment is for dwelling in pure heart.

Earlier tonight there was a post that drew all of us together to pray. It is a time of great pain and challenges in this world. It is the time before His return, a time that proves to needs saving. The world cannot be saved, but you can. When we know that we need a savior, we know that there must be more, then we can turn to our Creator, and ask for His gift of life eternal. I am a sinner, God, and I cannot be healed of this great deceptions of this life without the saving blood of Christ. I come to You LORD and lay all this sin before You and ask that I be covered by the robe of righteousness that only Jesus can provide. It is through my need and my willingness to seek You that this gift is received. I know mighty God that it is freely given to everyone, but only the asking shall receive it. Thank You in Jesus' name that I too can be saved. Amen.

He is here for you, take His gift and live for Him.

At some point, you have to decide to "live". Live a new life in Him... Live in love and hope. Live because He created you to do so. At some point, you have to make the choice of a lifetime and that is to live in victory, not for what you do, but because He loved you first and He loves you the most.

Decide to live, choose Jesus.

"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." ~Romans 5:10-11 (New Living Translation)


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

*****************
We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Day 874 of Giving Thanks

"The Lord rules over the deep waters; He rules as king forever. The Lord gives strength to his people and blesses them with peace." ~Psalm 29:10-11 (Good News Translation)

It truly seems like it has been such a long time since I have been in hopelessness and despair is a very distant memory. Is it that I do not have life challenges, being alone in my faith, harsh circumstances, emotional hurt or loss or physical pain? No, it’s because I have recognized that I am not and have never been alone.

I am often reminded that I am not alone in this journey, although I may be spiritually single in my household, I have brothers and sisters who will pray with me, stand with me and above all, I have a mighty God who is always here. How do I know this? I have years of doing my own thing, after I felt the nudge to do His thing – then submitting and watching Him bring everything back to right order. Now I revel in waiting; waiting for Him, resting in Him and depending on His lead.

As I rest, I am comforted by His Word.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." ~Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)

As an ambassador, what is it that we are to do? Daily? Moment to moment? 

Be grateful, hopeful and obedient, through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit… that is the best advice I ever took to heart, and truly, it is the best advice you can take to heart as well.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Day 873 of Giving Thanks

In the sequences of the day, there are many parts of the day that just don’t seem to fit together. Today was one of those days. It seemed disconnected from the time I woke up.

Oh how your creator loves you. (John 3:16)

I will say that my life and all that I come to is a place of worship, and not a place of debate. I believe my Creator chose to save me, but I received all that He gave. May I just reflect on the amazing grace of our LORD, who, yes chose me, and I responded to His gift. For without me accepting His gift, I would not reap the benefits of His grace.

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
 "For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him." ~John 3:16-17 (Amplified Bible)

Victory is yours when you choose to be a child of God.

God so loved the world that He gave His son, of Himself so that we can live in eternity with Him... That is an amazing thing to hold onto, regardless of which way you believe it to be.

John 1:12-13 says, "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.
“Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]" (Amplified Bible)

Today (meaning every new day), I remember to reflect on who He is and what He did, more than on what the disagreements of doctrine we have. This use to really bother me, but I have come to know that God has a plan for every one of us, we must keep His desires for our lives in check, in focus and in perspective.

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live
“And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-21 (Amplified Bible)

So, where do I dwell? In Him, daily – daily I choose to dwell and rest in the promises. And, for that I am truly grateful. And when I do this, all the moments make sense, maybe not in the moment, but always in reflection. Thank You God for placing the sequences of my days perfectly.


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150418958162809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Friday, April 13, 2012

Day 872 of Giving Thanks

“Are you always positive?” came the question… and I looked her straight in the eye and said, “I am positive that I have an amazing God who loves me perfectly. So, yes, I am always positive…” In all honesty, that is what it’s all about. As I think about my life, what it is like now, compared to how it was, I am completely blown away.

There were many times when friends would have to pull me out of the “woe is me” mode; the words that came out of my mouth were not very edifying personally or helpful to those around me. Yes, I smiled, joked around and appeared to be very positive – yet I was beating myself up completely on the inside. I see that with so many today. It’s funny how we can see ourselves in others, especially when we are changed… for me the word transformed, hits home. It is maturity, along with dependence.

“Yet every advantage that I had gained I considered lost for Christ’s sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ. For now my place is in him, and I am not dependent upon any of the self-achieved righteousness of the Law. God has given me that genuine righteousness which comes from faith in Christ. How changed are my ambitions! Now I long to know Christ and the power shown by his resurrection: now I long to share his sufferings, even to die as he died, so that I may perhaps attain as he did, the resurrection from the dead.
“Yet, my brothers, I do not consider myself to have “arrived”, spiritually, nor do I consider myself already perfect. But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me. My brothers, I do not consider myself to have fully grasped it even now. But I do concentrate on this: I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal—my reward the honour of being called by God in Christ. 
My ambition is the true goal of the spiritually adult: make it yours
“All of us who are spiritually adult should set ourselves this sort of ambition, and if at present you cannot see this, yet you will find that this is the attitude which God is leading you to adopt. It is important that we go forward in the light of such truth as we have ourselves attained to.” ~ Philippians 3:7-15 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

So, how did I change? 
Truly, I allowed change to happen. I submitted to God’s promises, Word and believed that He created me for something other than self-condemnation. I am so grateful for having a God who loves me like that.

I continue to change by living in the moment. Living in the moment, requires us to not dwell in the past. Know that He holds all the answers, all our hope and what is to come. What has been is no longer, what will be belongs to Him.

Let my life be pleasing to You LORD, let me always pray, give thanks and seek to know You more deeply. Let me think differently, to live differently. 

“[The Resurrection of Christ] Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 (New International Version)

Yes, I am positive that I have an amazing God who loves me perfectly. So, yes, I am always positive…


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Day 871 of Giving Thanks

Everyday is an exercise in exercising faith. Daily, I wake up, get moving and trust that the day will go according to plan - His plan. How about you?

I need You God. Thank You that You remind me during my days. Thank You that You are there for every time I call. How often my circumstances remind me to stand on God's promises each day, not within my circumstances.

It was a very busy day all the way around. My day started early; getting with God to just “chat”, no agenda, no plan, no formality, just to talk. What a great time! I started with praying for the team, covering my day and giving all of what is to come to him.

I am also reminded so often of how much God has done. Daily, I am amazed by the strength I see in those around me because of Him in them. Those are who I lift today. Father, it is my prayer today for all those who trust Your plans for their lives, it is my prayer today for all those who stand strong in Your will and it is my prayer to be one of them every day as I walk this earth and live this life. I praise all that You are for all of us LORD, Your mercies, grace and unending love. In the mighty blood of Jesus, I lift all my brothers and sisters up to You and that they too will trust Your plans, stand strong in Your will and walk in Your steps each day. Thank You for the strength of the Holy Spirit that comes, limitlessly to us, let us recognize it often. Thank You Jesus for interceding unceasingly. Amen.

It is a good day LORD, regardless of how I feel because I know I can always come to You. Father, I am calling... because I know You always answer my cries.


“Have faith in God,” replied Jesus to them. “I tell you that if anyone should say to this hill, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea’, and without any doubt in his heart believe that what he says will happen, then it will happen! That is why I tell you, whatever you pray about and ask for, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, you must forgive anything that you are holding against anyone else, and your Heavenly Father will forgive you your sins.” ~ Mark 11:22-26 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

As the enemy tries to thwart your efforts today, dwell on God's promises, bask in His presence, and oh yes go to Him often. Prayer has been the most amazing comfort for me; yet there was a time, early in faith, that prayer was a struggle – “What do I say?” “Am I praying right?” “How long do I pray?” were some of my questions, now it’s simple, as I wake up, I pray. As I step out the door, I praise. As I arrive at my destination, I give thanks. What do I say? Whatever comes to mind, whatever is on my heart, and always in gratitude! How do I know I am praying right? There is no wrong way to pray, when you come to the LORD in pure heart and motive. How long do I pray? I pray constantly praying, never ceasing, always thanking. 

Be forewarned and forearmed in your spiritual conflict“In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.” ~Ephesians 6:18 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Almighty Father, perfect Creator, gracious and merciful God, we come to You AS YOUR CHILDREN, imperfect in this treacherous, deceitful and despiteful world waiting and ready to be wholly in Your presence, while knowing You have work for us. It's time LORD that we all come to You and BOLDLY seek Your restoration of heart, soul and thoughts. I ask LORD that the prince of this world, the slithering, unhealthy and hurtful words that he feeds to us be removed. We thank You Father God that You know all things, all our actions and hearts before we do, and have known for long before they occur. Thank You that we are here to encourage, but have our brothers and sisters to encourage us as we are attacked, and feeling a sense of defeat.
Let us ALWAYS know the victory of the cross, the victory of Your win for us. Let us ALWAYS know that Satan has already been defeated and that is the only defeat we should every know deep in our hearts. As we stand before our King, our Savior, our Healer, our Redeemer, our Hope and our perfect everything, let our edifiers be daily edified to know LORD God, that "we did good", "we did rightly by You"... that her actions were those of a wonderful and graceful God, loving, tender, merciful and in the right heart of Jesus. All these things God, we praise Your name, Your work and love You for loving us, teach us through this Lord Jesus, in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, we pray and praise. Amen.


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Day 870 of Giving Thanks by Darci Escandon

“I''m really not a morning person,” I don’t know how many times I have caught myself saying this. What I should really be saying is that I don’t like waking up in the morning. Staying in bed and pulling the cover over my eyes seems to be so much more pleasurable than getting up at the crack of dawn and starting my day.

The truth is, that I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me and although I may be more of a night owl than early bird, there isn’t anything I can’t do if I allow Him to help me. I don’t like hearing myself say,“I’m not this and I’m not that….” These are self defeating thoughts and words and the more I feed them, the more in bondage to them that I become.

Before knowing God, I lived in the ways of the world. I entertained worldly thoughts and actions… and I knew nothing about what God could provide for me and do in my life. When I became born again, I learned that there was a new way to do life, God’s way. However, I still struggle with the pains and hurts of my past and even, the bad habits of thinking negatively about myself. Author Neil T. Anderson writes, “When you become a new creation in Christ, nobody pushed the delete button in your memory bank.”

God’s Word tells us:
“Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at Him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and Him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with Himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; He's already a friend with you.” ~2 Corinthians 5:16-20 (The Message Bible)

Wow, these 4 verses speak so much to me. So much is new and available to us when we are born again. Although nobody pushed the delete button in my memory bank it doesn’t mean that the delete button isn’t there. We are made new in Him. The old is gone. There is no more looking backwards. We have a future in Him, we have new beginnings in Him. We no longer have to entertain the self defeating thoughts that run through our minds. We are something to Him.

What this means to me is that I can become a morning person. I may not enjoy it, but I can become it.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version)

God an help us with anything, we just have to be willing to work on it and allow Him to work in our lives. What bad habits are you still struggling with? What hurts are you still struggling with? The truth of the matter is that you truly don’t have to struggle anymore. Letting Go and Letting God will give you more freedom that you can ever imagine. Allow God to press that delete button in your mind and see what type of life He has waiting for you.

Lord, thank you for convicting me of my self defeating thoughts. Lord, thank you for showing me my self worth and for showing me how I can live for you. Thank you for my struggles as they bring me closer to you and most importantly, thank you for giving me Your Word to study and grow in. Lord, help me to become a morning person and learn to greet each day and sunrise with joy and thanksgiving rather than tiredness and laziness. Lord, I turn these thoughts over into your hands and I ask that you help me wipe these thoughts from my mind so that I can continue to do your work. I fall on my knees before You Lord, and I praise Your name! Amen.




© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Darci Escandon
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Day 869 of Giving Thanks

Fear no longer defines me, victory does. All around me there is a battlefield, one that I cannot see, touch or even comprehend. A battlefield that many years ago kept me in fear, darkness and despair, constantly in dismay. Today, I stand in the light of all hope through the LORD and know that although that battlefield still rages all around me, I am safe in the blood of my Savior, constantly in confidence. I remember every day to stand on God's promises today, not within your circumstances.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” ~2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible)

Tonight I stand in prayer with you all. We come together with You LORD and ask that You reveal all that You have for us, Your children. As we stand before You, let us have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to be wholly Yours. We lift the sick and needy, the weak and tired, the anxious and despaired and trust Your work for those who desire You and accept Your truth. Let us come to You in love and seek Your light for all things. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

“Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.” ~Exodus 14:13 (Amplified Bible)

The enemy loves chaos, when we buy into it, and we allow it. I sit and listen to the rain pouring down outside, and it’s a great reminder that the storm will go on outside and around me, but inside is a calm and perfection of a God who loves us, desires us to realize His calm and perfection. And, tonight as I listen to the storm, I am immediately calmed. I am grateful for the amazing transformation. I was speaking with a friend today, and we both noticed the same thing. That we can truly “get it”, or as we said, “get God”; meaning that we now understand that it’s always God in us that is the calm, for without His presence, chaos would persist. I am grateful for the amazing realizations that I now recognize in my life.

Be Anxious for Nothing 
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds [and thoughts] in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:4-7 (Lexham English Bible)

I am grateful for all of His promises. 

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” ~Palm 91:1-6 (New International Version)



© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Monday, April 9, 2012

Day 868 of Giving Thanks

I choose to stand on the work of Jesus, speaking the truth and delivering as He guides me. I often think of the first commandment, and so many times, I thought, how could this be difficult to follow? Then I remember, I live in a fallen world.

I am grateful for God’s work in me, the evolution of my life, growth even in the storms and especially through the trials.


Every day the enticements of this world bombard us, sometimes these “idols” are obvious but mostly they are subtle and come on slowly. A couple years ago, I realized that I had been living “this Christian life”, but with God as a close second to many things; which really meant my God, my Savior and Redeemer, who died for me and has promised eternity, was nowhere near being first.

It has taken a long time, the loss of much and many trials and tribulations, but God has shown me his corrections and right ways. Now when I say loss, I realize that my loss is my gain according to His will. Wonderful news, isn’t it?

For me, in summary... 
I see all of this as obedience to the first commandment.

“THEN GOD spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.’” ~Exodus 20:1–3 (Amplified Bible)

Depending on the Holy Spirit and following His lead, makes it easier when asking for help with the outcome. In Your will by Your lead O'God, take me deeper into knowledge and confident in my actions.


Today, I live for Christ. He died for me. 

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His [resurrection] life.” Romans 5:10 (Amplified Bible)

Every day as the enticements of this world come at me, I know that it is already finished. I have victory. I am His, and that is everything I need. And the most amazing thing is that as I was in the thralls of living through “whatever” comes my way, God’s grace is ever-present, and the Holy Spirit is dependable. Wonderful news, isn't it?



© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Friday, April 6, 2012

Day 867 of Giving Thanks

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (New International Version)

This week (meaning every new week), remember Jesus' work on the cross. Dwell in Him and His good works for your life. God is good, is He not?

Every day as I approach the throne, I ask, "Father reveal in me what I need to be protected from. Help me to see the damage that I project onto myself, yet blame others for our heartache and pain." Many times I have walked away hurt and claiming the victim role, when really it was my own thoughts that unraveled and disallowed me to see what was mine and what was real.

We must ask ourselves, daily, "What are you hanging onto today that is keeping you from His blessings or help?" And, at the same time, stand strong before the throne and let the Holy Spirit lift and assist You tonight. It's time to be right before the LORD, it's time to let go so peace can enter. Let tonight be the night.

We stand with you in prayer.
Father we come to You in awe daily for what You do with us and what You did for us because You love us. We come to You, broken and disobedient, in need and often times reluctantly through our trials. We love You and need Your guidance constantly, and thank You whole heartedly for always giving us You when we are so undeserving. Thank You for giving us Your love unconditionally through our Savior Jesus. 
As we remember the resurrection, it is every day we celebrate our living God through our life here. Daily we remember the suffering, death and resurrection, we pray for discernment to be Your witnesses, we pray for boldness to speak truth, love and Your promises with others. We pray Father for the constant Spirit of desire to be wholly Yours. Awesome, mighty, perfect God, we are everything with You and nothing without You; thank You that we have chosen well, choose to be righteous, yet know we are fallible, will sin and will need You always. Thank You for Your reminders when we forget, and Your love when we are so unlovable at times and Your correction that we need more often than not. Thank You in the name of Jesus, that we have Jesus, need and trust Jesus and come to You through Jesus. Amen.
Often I hang onto "wanting to help (fix) others"; and that has been my downfall in the past. I worked so hard, exhaustively hard, to do for others, make their life easier or better, when really all I was doing was making them see themselves without need or desire to know they needed saving. What I have learned about myself is that I just thought I could do it better or easier. What arrogance!

"By this the children of God and the children of the devil are evident: everyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, namely, the one who does not love his brother.
God is Love, so Love One Another
"For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another, not as Cain, who was of the evil one and violently murdered his brother. And for what reason did he violently murder him? Because his deeds were evil and the deeds of his brother were righteous. 
"Do not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed over from death to life because we love the brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that every murderer does not have eternal life residing in him. We have come to know love by this: that he laid down his life on behalf of us, and we ought to lay down our lives on behalf of the brothers." ~1 John 3:10-16 (Lexham English Bible)

Today, I encourage others to reach for God's hand, ask for His strength and courage, and they are encouraged, and He is edified. 

If there is something stopping you, it's important to know what that is. If you are hindered in praise, do it anyway. If you struggle with prayer, pray anyway. If you feel the need to continue in a behavior regardless of what you know God has directed and confirmed, stop and seek Him, while beginning a habit of discipline. Need help? If you feel you are all alone, seek help from a friend and open up, regardless of how you feel. Sometimes we put up walls of protection from others, when it is really our own thoughts that we need protecting from.

It's time to dismiss the habits of the enemy, and embrace the desires of Your LORD God and Savior to glorify Him.

Try this... if you dare. ;-)

Feeling down, go encourage someone and try to feel down when you see a smile. Need prayer, but don't know who to ask, go pray for someone else and watch God work your needs out during the process. Feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated or overworked, set boundaries and seek value from the One who gives you all your value. Are you doing so much for others, that you cannot hear God?

Sometimes we have to stop doing and allow others to do. Take care of the small and weak, pray for the others. You are a mighty child of God, use His strength to say no to what harms you; the enemy will keep you tired and overwrought and make you feel guilty for "not doing for ......" Sometimes it's the strength to "not do for others" that the LORD provides.

My biggest blessings have been realized when I see others doing what I painfully did for them. It is when they realize that they too are valued and accomplished.

He is risen, and I live because He lives.


© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Complacency to Despair to Jesus (testimony series) by Robin Magraw

A Journey from Complacency to the Depth of Despair to Jesus
by Robin Magraw

We lost our Mom and our Dad lost his wife, his only love he had known, they were high school sweethearts, and our kids lost their Grandmother. She got Lyme disease and the infection went into her brain as it can do, as the Lyme organisms burrow deep into fatty tissue, i.e. brain, heart, muscle, and into joints. Mom went from being a youthful, active, always on the go, always-positive person to eventually being so weak she was unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. I was there by my parent's side through the whole experience and watched as this experience nearly killed Dad. It tore him to his inner being... she was his best friend, his soul mate, the love of his life. Mom was my friend, one of the only people in the world I could tell anything to besides my husband, yet she was the only person I can honestly say loved me unconditionally, no matter what I did, she loved me... that is what Moms do.


My life was very easy-going, no major disastrous things happened for the first 40 years. I was complacent in my harmonious life. In the blink of an eye, all that changed… My journey of despair began when our oldest daughter was sexually assaulted at a graduation party nine years ago; this experience nearly shattered our daughter’s life and our lives too. Our daughter was drawn to Jesus shortly after that happened but the journey had just begun. After several years of suffering depression, anxiety, and fear, she was able to overcome this devastating, life-changing experience and she found Jesus, Jesus found her, He saved her. He stayed with her through the whole process and she finally realized that He was always there, she just did not see Him, she does now, thank you God! …This experience was very difficult for our family, at times, the entire experience was overwhelming, and I did not think we could survive. In hindsight, my own battle with depression was intensified at that point…
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New International Version)

This same summer Mom was starting to experience dementia-like symptoms from the Lyme disease in her brain…Mom’s condition kept deteriorating; the Doctors did not know what had happened, or what was wrong with her. After much research on the Internet, my search kept coming back to Lyme disease. Doctors in the United States do not want to acknowledge Lyme disease because of the expensive treatment costs when it gets to the late chronic stage, so we had to travel to Vancouver, Canada to meet with a Lyme disease specialist. He interviewed Mom and Dad and did DNA testing … he called us a couple of weeks later and was very concerned; he told us she had late stage chronic Lyme disease. We then went to several doctors around the United States and tried several treatments, even hyperbaric chambers and IV drug treatments for the best part of three years, all to no avail. One day in late February 2006, Mom stopped breathing in the living room of their home. When the medics got there, they could not get her to start breathing again, on the way to the hospital, they resuscitated her, anyway it was too late, and she was brain dead, only being kept alive by machines.

Shortly after that, we had to make the unthinkable decision to take Mom off life support, as there was little to no brain activity left and those were her instructions should that ever happen. Our oldest daughter Chelsea and our son Ryan were away at college at the same university. My husband had to travel to pick them up as they were a six-hour drive away and we did not want to tell them over the phone. That left Maddie, our youngest daughter, Dad and me. Maddie was only thirteen at the time, and really close to her Gammy, my Mom, and this nearly devastated her. We did not want her or any of our kids to be in the room as we unplugged life support from Mom, so that left Dad and me in the room during those final moments. It was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, to watch Mom take her last breaths as my Dad was sitting there holding her and crying, telling her it was okay to go home to Jesus now, reading the Bible to her, Dad told her we will all see her again and we will all be alright. We watched her slowly stop breathing, finally her respiration slowed until it just stopped, and even then Dad held her, arranged her hair, brushed her hair and I held her hand. We sat there for a timeless period and cried, until the nurses came in and hugged us and told us it was time to leave the room. I have never discussed this moment with anyone before, as it was so painful, I can barely think about it, as I re-experience it all over again. It nearly killed Dad, we kissed Mom, held her one last time, we had to leave her, seeing and holding her for the last time on this earth. It was heart wrenching and I would not ever want anyone to experience this, it changed me, it changed Dad, it changed our entire family, and life will never be the same again. Yet, slowly and surely God intervenes, at just the right moment He lifts the veil and you see that through Jesus, you can experience peace and hope again. It is not the same, it will never be the same, but there is peace, hope and a future! …
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)

After that experience, Maddie our youngest daughter was really sick, migraines all the time, anxiety, loss of being able to concentrate or focus due to depression and anxiety. She started taking pills unbeknown to us out of the medicine cabinet, she took some muscle relaxers, painkillers, she overdosed twice by taking 2 complete bottles of cough medicine at one time, she had to eat charcoal to clean her stomach out! She survived both experiences only to overdose one more time, this time on Ambian. She took almost a whole bottle, not to commit suicide, just to get sleep she said, as she was now suffering from insomnia too, sleeping only 3 to 6 hours every 2 to 3 days… After several trips to the psychiatrist, they diagnosed depression, anxiety, and ADHD. They gave her almost every medication you can think of, only causing the symptoms to worsen. Now she had chronic insomnia.

During this whole entire period of time, I lived life on a precipice of fear, I thought I was a Christian because I went to church, I prayed, I read the Holy Bible, but in hindsight I did not really know Jesus yet! I lived moment-to-moment waiting for the next emergency or bad thing to happen. I lived in a world of anxiety and fear, and I was a numb walking zombie. Now I realize none of us really knew Jesus, Mom did but she had passed on, and as she had been the one person in our family that did have a living relationship with Jesus, none of us understood what that meant at the time… After a couple of years or so of just living life in utter depression, worry, stress, and a lack of peace in our family, Maddie met her second boyfriend. He was great at first, then after a year of them dating, he changed, and behind closed doors, he would beat her. He would hit her in the arms and legs where we could not see the bruises, and verbally abuse her in order to control her. He was a sociopath, charming on the outside, a devil on the inside. I saw her legs one day and her back and they were covered with bruises, she finally told me what happened and we went straight to the police. He was arrested for domestic violence and put in jail, went to trial, plead guilty, and served only 20 days of a 365-day sentence. (She has posted this before as her testimony so she will not mind me telling you this.) This occurrence was finally, what brought our youngest daughter Maddie to Jesus. He came to her room one evening, He spoke to her as she rested in her loft bed, in an audible voice He called out to her and told her she needed to get to know Him, she went straight to her Bible and started reading it, and ever since then she has not put it down! She stopped taking her anti-depressants, she stopped taking her Adderal, her anxiety improved, her insomnia improved. He is her Savior, He is my Savior, and He is everyone’s Savior! Thank you LORD!
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8 (English Standard Version)

Throughout this entire journey, the LORD was transforming me, I did not even realize it until in the depth of my despair, in a quiet moment, I found Jesus, or He found me. The Holy Spirit found me, He found all of us! Our family was nearly obliterated by the pain we had experienced. I had suffered right along with my Mom and Dad, and with our two daughters. As I think back, I was nearly lost in all of this but Jesus had me all along. When I watched my Mom take her last breath as my Father held her in his arms, something stirred deep inside of me, and at that great moment of despair, I started to transform from the inside out, I heard His call but it was a faint whisper and I was not ready to surrender to Him yet. I watched as Dad was nearly devastated by the loss of his soul mate, Mom. I suffered along through the aftermath of our oldest daughter being sexually assaulted by a boyfriend and experienced the turmoil of our youngest daughter’s addiction and trauma after being abused by her ex-boyfriend.

Our daughters both suffered great bouts of depression, anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, as did I. Our youngest daughter tried to fill her emptiness with prescription drugs, nearly overdosing not once but three times to the point of going to the hospital in an ambulance in near life threatening episodes. Her abusive boyfriend had threatened her, our family; he even bought a gun, a crossbow and threatened to hurt her or us if she ever left him. Yet, during much of this time, I was leaning on my own understanding to get me through, instead of relying on God! I wish I knew then what I know now, but God had a plan, His ways are not our ways…
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-8 (English Standard Version)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Isaiah 55:8-9 (English Standard Version) 

That all said, I know that God has a purpose in everything He does... this journey was the catalyst that caused me to turn to the LORD, my family and my Dad too! It was a process, and lots of bad things happened but I only grew in my faith, my love, my adoration of the LORD... though our family was nearly destroyed, in the end it was saved, literally saved for all of eternity!  I do not understand why God allowed Mom to die young and after great suffering or why He would allow our daughters to be assaulted and abused by their boyfriends. I only know that because of these events, our family was drawn to God, He called out to us… He comforts us... He provides a peace that surpasses all understanding in our hearts and minds through our LORD Jesus Christ. Amen!
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:7 (English Standard Version) … 

God is the reason we survived this whole ordeal, He is the reason we have all become stronger, He is the reason we have grown to love Jesus, the reason we have all started a living relationship with Jesus Christ, being led by the Holy Spirit... without Him our lives would have been obliterated! God brought us through it all ... without Him we would have lost it all ... instead, we found it all, we found Him!

Dad remarried on December 29 of last year. Donna his new wife had a similar experience, she lost her husband of 40 years to cancer, and in less than 6 months from his diagnosis, he was gone. They both realize and know they are not the love of each other's life, they already found and lost that, but they do love each other, and they do have a happy marriage... It is difficult to move forward without Mom, and the kids without their Gammy, but we all want Dad, their Gumps to be happy! He is youthful and so much life left, we are happy he will not spend it alone. Dad and Donna are in Bible study, they are both studying God’s Word, and finally, I can say that Dad is getting to know Jesus!  It is so amazing to see Maddie share the Good News of Jesus with her Gumps! 

Maddie triumphed over all her days of illness, addiction, insomnia, anxiety, and physical abuse from her ex-boyfriend. Maddie recently graduated with above a 3.2 cumulative GPA and eventually wants to become a Christian counselor... or to work with elderly people who want to learn about Jesus! God works in mysterious ways but He always has a plan, He knew of our lives before the world was even created!
"No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:7 (New Living Translation)

All said and done, after all the pain, all the suffering, and trials, God has drawn our family closer to Himself. The Holy Spirit reveals amazing new things to me everyday; things that I did not realize were possible just the day before. Though life will not ever be the same again, when we meet Mom in Heaven, it will be an amazingly happy and joyous occasion and we will be together for eternity. Our relationships will not be the same, but it will be good! God will be there to guide us… who knows, our relationships in heaven, I think, promise to be even better than our relationships here, for the very fact that there will be no pain, sorrow, remorse, grieving, fear, and anxiety. There will only the positive aspects of our relationships, companionship, warmth, happiness, support, love, I am sure there will be lots of love in Heaven, God is love… we will finally see Jesus face-to-face, oh glorious day!  Thank you Jesus for all that you do for us, because of You our family will be together for eternity!
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ~ Psalm 16:11 (English Standard Version) 
"But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9 (English Standard Version)




© 2011 All Rights Remain with the Author, Robin Magraw
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809 

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Day 866 of Giving Thanks

Not many people know this, but there were some very dark times in my life. Times that turning around made no difference and waking up seemed to be a disappointment. Hard to believe, right? It is for me too.

Often I look back, and so much has changed that the reflection is skewed, almost like remembering a movie that you watched but were very disinterested in or overhearing a story that hurts to listen to, so you tune a lot of it out. I don’t know if you can relate, but this is what those really dark times are to me. I know that we are not to dwell in the past, yet I also realize that the light I now live in, can be lived in for all of us… we just have to keep turning around, waking up and taking the next step.

Where are You taking this tonight LORD? Is this a story to share? Keep me focused on You, as I look back into the darkness to relay Your light, in the blood of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

There was a moment in my memory of weight upon me, I was frightened, suffocating in that moment, then there was no more to the memory. I was not quite in school, but the smell of aftershave, the feel of rough skin and the unknown taunted me for years. And the enemy used it.

There were insecurities, so many insecurities and lacks, that I can’t define now, and they overwhelmed my young mind. The voice in my head was constant, “You’re not good enough. You’re too fat or stupid”. The teasing and taunting that came from other children kept me awake at night as a child, “I was so small, ugly, stupid”. On the mats, balance beam or uneven bars, I was in control, I was the best, I was unstoppable. Then plagued by an ankle injury… winning was all I wanted, but competing was near impossible. One day during practice, I let go of the top bar; as I lay on the floor, unable to move, horror struck me, “I was done”.

By some miracle, my back injury recovered, and new issues persisted, the voices in my head; coach changes, team changes and way too many changes. I started to spiral emotionally. School was harder. Home was harder. I was having nightmares, insomnia and drastic weight loss – I was twelve. I was still an elite athlete outwardly, but in my head, I just couldn’t measure up. I was up at 5:30 and at the gym, school for a few hours, then back at the gym. By the time I was 14, there was talk of the Olympics. Then the news came. My dad needed to leave L.A., he was suffocating from the smog; he had emphysema and he needed a better climate. In December, of my freshman year in high school, we moved. Everything I had worked for was gone. There was no team, no practice, no Olympics, no more “me”. I had an opportunity to stay behind, but my parents didn’t want that.

I tried to fit in, but could not. It was too different. I went from a high school of over 3,000 students, where, as a freshman I was on the varsity gymnastic team and moved to a town of 3,000 residents. The adjustment was hard to say the least. The enemy told me many lies during these times.

I was involved in a few things, youth group at church (but I hadn't known Jesus yet), a club here and there, cheerleading one year, barely passing grades and always a smile on my face, I was dying inside. Right before my sophomore year, my weight had gone down to under 90 lbs, granted I was quite small, but for 4’11”, and a girl in puberty, that was drastic. One night I was home alone, and opened the aspirin bottle and took a handful, not enough to do much damage under normal circumstances, but I am allergic to aspirin. I really don’t remember much of the next day or so, I do remember feeling horrible for the strain and stress I caused my parents. This was 1980, and I never talked about it again until last week.

Why am I telling this? Because there is hope in our testimonies. There is God’s work in the messes and misunderstandings of our circumstances. Through the years, the enemy continued to speak to me in whispers, bold lies and falsehoods that shaped my thoughts. But I am here to tell you that he is nothing; Satan has already lost, and he is angry. He does not care about anything except his need to be worshiped (in every dismissal of God's pleas on our lives, we worship evil) and his need to see God’s people not worship our Creator. I am here to tell you that there is healing beyond comprehension and restoration toward perfection. I am here to tell you that God loves you; always has. He never wants you to hurt or make bad decisions, but is there to pick you up. I am here to tell you that in the dark, when you attempt to turn to light, He is shining it, drawing you near and reaching for you. I am here to tell you that your thoughts can change. I am here to tell you I am grateful for my journey, even and especially the dark times, because I now know that God never left me, I shut Him out, yet He kept calling me. Now, that is an amazing God.

He created me, wonderfully and amazingly. Today, there is a “me”; whom my God loves so greatly. The enemy used much in the past, but God uses it all for His good and the furthering of the Kingdom. I encourage you to share your testimony. He will turn your misery into His ministry.



© 2012 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta
Web: http://shawnsgivingthanksdaily.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150327530757809

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We are Wonderfully Made (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wonderfully-Made/130178720330362), living to encourage and Equip His People (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equip-His-People-Ephesians-411-13/170487976325407) and completely committed to believing greatly Psalm 139 with purpose (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Psalm-139-with-purpose/183264461708034).

Shawn Delia Boreta

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