“This Thanksgiving Tips”

Thanking God for Helpful Hints

This Thanksgiving, first give  thanks to our Lord on High; so gracious, so loving. This we cannot deny.

This Thanksgiving, praise God, the “One and Only Living”, who provides comfort, peace, and the joy in giving.

If, this Thanksgiving, you don’t get to feast on chicken, lamb, roast, or turkey, be grateful anyway; and feast on God’s never-ending mercy. Remember, gratitude is the real “soul” food.

If, this Thanksgiving, things do not go your way, don’t flip. Just try to remember these simple Thanksgiving Tips.

“The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all his works.” Psalm 145:9 kjv   In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

**Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and thank you for visiting my site. God bless you and your family this wonderful holiday season.

“Just Saying…”

Here I am this morning Lord, wide awake just saying, “thanks” and feeling great. Thanks  for blessings to rise another day, to give You glory and praise in this prayer I pray. I lift my hands in adoration to the one and only King, who provides goodness and mercy in everything. Just saying…”thanks” for the joy You bring.

I come this morning out of love and respect for You, to read, meditate, pray and praise, just saying…”thanks” for seeing many days.

You brought me through each one, even when I didn’t realize it was You, God’s only Son; who bled and died on the cross for me, and rose again from the grave that I may be free. Just saying…”thanks” my Lord to thee.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15 kjv    Just saying, in God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

 

“This Way Up!”

Thanking God for the Upward Way.

With all the uproar going on in the world today, we’re not surprised some are feeling pretty discouraged. Let me encourage you, “don’t  uprise, rise up! Set your focus on a higher sight that your spirit won’t be so heavy, but light. Set your focus on Christ. Here are a few suggestions to get started on this way up! You may have a few of your own. Please share.

Wake Up, Get Up, Look Up, Be Up, Offer Up, Pray Up, Think Up, Stand Up, Come Up, Say Up! Climb Up, Grow Up, Tune Up, Round Up, Fess Up, Listen Up, Push Up, Check Up, Spring Up, Dress Up.

Hear Up, Speak Up, Warm Up, Pull Up, Go Up, Strive Up, Take Up, Turn up, Help Up, Show Up! Build Up, Lift Up, Set Up, Sit Up, Step Up, Lighten Up, Own Up, Live Up, Move Up, Hurry Up! Tighten Up.

Rack Up, Fix Up, Bridle Up, Catch Up, Free Up, Toss Up, Pick Up, Pump Up, Power Up, Keep Up! Jump Up, Buddy Up, Loosen Up, Talk Up, Pick Up, Roll Up, Open Up, Hold Up, Walk Up,

Bungle Up, Wash Up, Clean Up, Straighten Up, Make Up, Fill Up, Pay Up, See Up, Leap Up, Aim Up, Stretch Up, Reach Up!

Thumbs Up everybody!

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3 kjv   In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington.

 

 

 

Simple Blessings

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Thanking God for answering simple requests:  A Short Story

My five year old grandson called me the other day asking if I had his stuffed animal, Squirrelly. I had bought Squirrelly about four months ago. Somehow he couldn’t find him, and asked did I know where he was. Seeing the sadness on his face, I regretably said, “No…I do not.” He whinned , “I want Squiiirrrrelllly.”  When I assured him I didn’t have Squirrelly, he wanted to know if I could go to the store to get “him” again. He also requested that Squirrelly  squeaked as before. That was a tall order! However, I told him, “I will go to the store and get Squirrelly a brother.” Because they were in limited quantity at that time, I knew the odds were less than slim that there would be another Squirrelly in that store. But because of  the urgency in his voice, I decided to go.

When I got to the store, there were many stuffed animals on the shelves, but no Squirrelly to be found. I looked up and down and all around. I finally located a blue bear that squeaked. I was happy! ‘Maybe he’ll be satisfied with this stuffed animal since he too could squeak’, I thought. I mean, a squeak is a squeak; it shouldn’t matter the stuffed animal as long as it squeaked, right?

After convincing myself he would love the squeaking bear and forget about Squirrelly, I decided to browse around in the store a little. I happened to wander over against a wall and looked down. To my surprise, more stuffed animals! I stooped down and began leisurely looking through the stuffed animals. Finding Squirrelly wasn’t really on my mind anymore (since I had convinced myself he would love the squeaking bear).  However, as I dug  into the pile, I couldn’t believe my eyes! There it was…another Squirrelly! (the only one left in the store). My intention was to buy him a supply of Squirrelies if available.

“Wow,” I said, “Thank you Jesus for hearing the simple cry of my grandson!” What was the odds that there was another Squirrelly in the store; the only one? I had no doubt it was God leading me to the place where He was going to answer a child simple request. God, once again reminded me He does hear our fainted most minutest prayer!  I continued to thank and Praise God for His kindness toward this little child…and even to all His children, young and old. The moral of this story: we must never stop making our requests known to God, no matter how small; He does hear us. Out of the mouth of a babe, this request was made.

Truly I was grateful my grandson had called that day. My heart was blessed to give Glory and Praise to God for being our “Prayer Answerer!” My heart was further encouraged  to keep on thanking Him no matter what, even for our smallest unexpected requests.

Needless to say, my grandson was off the chain to have Squirrelly again! After grasping Squirrelly, he hugged me so tight I could hardly breathe. He yelled, “Squirrelly!” Then just as loud,  he said, “Thank you Grandma Kitty!”  As he was thanking me, I was thanking God. Everyone should  keep on thanking God in everything, no matter how small.

Mind Working Overtime

Thanking God for Inspiration

When I woke up this morning, I was feeling fine. Though I hadn’t risen from bed, it seemed like my mind was already working overtime. The sun had yet to rise. Still, I wasn’t surprised that I was contemplating a new enterprise.

I said, Lord what now? Are you moving me to rise and write when I desire to sleep through the night? Can I hold this thought until the morning light? Why so early am I having this insatiable appetite…to write? Then I remembered, God’s timing in not like mine. “My ways are not like your ways”, so said His Word. When God provides insight, I crave to write. I am inspired no matter the time of day, or the time of night.

Know that whenever inspiration strikes our mind, God is working, but not overtime. There is no need to wonder, worry, or fret. Since God is motivating us to write, He’ll keep us from overwhelming stress. In due time He’ll provide the rest.

When our spirit and our mind seem to be working overtime, submit to it, and watch God’s purpose shine. Don’t be confused or doubt in dismay. Know through you, God has something to say. So let’s rise up, be obedient, and fall in line, thankful that God brings the needed inspiration at the right time.

“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer” Psalm 45:1  kjv.

All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16  kjv. In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

 

 

 

Let’s Dance!

Thanking God in the Dance

I love to dance! I love to dance before, to, and for the Lord. Dancing is one of the ways  I express and demonstrate my love and devotion to Him. When I’m dancing, I know I’m dancing with the best. He always stays on beat. He knows how to lead me around and around, never stepping on my feet!

I love to dance in my church, my shower, and my room, as I move to my Partner’s glorious tune. He is always ready to groove; anytime He can cut a move! I love to dance with Him in the melody of the Good News. I’m still amazed (though I skip a beat), He chose to dance with me, forever and always!!! So as we have the chance, let’s dance!

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness” Psalm 30:11 kjv.

“And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod” 2 Samuel 6:14  kjv.

“Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the trimbrel and harp’ Psalm 149:3, kjv. 

Praise him with the trimble and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs” Psalm 150:4 kjv.

 

 

“I Thank You”

I thank you Lord, my King. I thank you in everything.

I thank you through sunshine and rain. I thank you through sorrow and pain.

I thank you for the birds that sing. I thank you for the joy you bring.

 I thank you, my Lord, my King.

“Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

I Chronicles 29:13  In God, I will keep on thanking.

“Jesus Got Comeback”

Thanking God for the Right Response

Did you know there are some people when verbally confronted or challenged, appears to be always ready to give a quick comeback? Before your thought can leave your mind, they have something to say.  This could leave you spellbound with your mouth hanging open! Some comebacks may be intentional, and some may not. But nevertheless, you think, wow, where did that come from?

Some people have learned to be “quick” when verbally confronted. They do not give the slightest thought as to what is proceeding from their lips.They have practiced being naturally reactive. I’m not suggesting their comebacks are excused, warranted, accurate, or appropriate. Some do occur in a timely manner at times. But many are  given with the intent to momentarily shut the thought processes down, leaving one speechless. They tend to catch you off guard, leaving behind a sense of uncomfortableness. I’m aware we all are human, and not exempt when we give our fleshly nature control; anything may burst out at anytime, and anywhere. It pays to remember what the Word said, “But the tongue can no man tame…” James 3:8 (kjv).”

But thanks be to God there is one who can tame the tongue. His comeback is always warranted, accurate, and appropriate, leaving one without excuse. His comeback is not like ours. His comeback is “quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword,” only leaving room to accept or reject, follow and obey. Jesus said, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” James 1:19 (esv).

As you may know throughout Scripture Jesus had many comebacks. I’m thinking of the woman that got caught in the act of adultery, waiting fearfully to be stoned by her accusers. Jesus’s comeback to the crowd was not spontaneous, but powerful. He first wrote on the ground, and afterwards said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her,” John 8:7 (kjv). Wow, no further comments necessary! Enough said. Like Jesus, let us also consider before we give a comeback.

What about the time when Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil? Though He hadn’t eaten for forty days and forty nights, and physically hungry (according to the flesh), notice how calm and serene Jesus’s behavior was! Jesus was patient, but still had comeback! His comeback was, “It is written.” Let us aspire to pattern our responses after our Savior’s, and let our comeback be the Word of God with the right attitude. It always works.

Knowing this, Lord, we pray, don’t let our “comeback” be a “snapback!” Help us to listen first, then respond accordingly. Now Lord, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer” Psalm 19:14 (kjv). In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

“The All-around God”

Through thick and thin, losses and wins; rough and smooth, warmth and cool, you are The All-around God.

Through big and little, sweet and bitter; highs and lows, comes and goes, you are The All-around God.

Through certainty and doubts; ins and outs; sitting still or running about, you are The All-around God.

Through shouts and calm; in safety or alarm, ups and downs, thank you Lord for being all around.

“Whither shall I go from  thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I accend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10  In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

“Facing Reality”

Reality. Reality. As a child of the Most High God, have you ever asked yourself, “what is my reality?” One might say, I do a lot of things. I go a lot of places. I’m involved in so much! What is the purpose? Where is it all heading to? Is this my reality? To live a life constantly facing one problem after the next, one situation or another?

After considering questions like these, I’ve come to realize my reality doesn’t begin nor end in the things that involves or surrounds me. My reality begins and ends with God, and His divine purpose. Facing my reality is: No matter what I’m going through, God is keeping me; I’m thankful. No matter how much I come up short, God is still blessing me; I magnify Him. No matter how I feel the strong wind blowing sometimes, God is constantly covering me; I praise Him.

Even though I’m in Satan’s aim of attack, God is definitely shielding me; I adore Him. Even though I’m subject to the elements of this world, God is my Savior; I exalt Him. Even though I’ve lost some battles, God has already won; I bless His name.

I must keep my eyes on Him that I may not lose sight of my reality! God through Jesus Christ our Lord is my ‘true reality’. He is my Keeper, my Blesser, my Coverer, my Shield. my Savior, and my Winner. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ” (Romans 8:38-39 kjv).  In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington