Thanking God for Follow-ship

What happens when we follow Jesus? According to the 27 verses in James chapter 1 something definitely occurs when we follow Jesus:

1. Following Jesus helps us to meet and greet with the right attitude, and count it all joy (v:1-2).
2. Following Jesus helps us let patience have its perfect work, and gain wisdom (v:3-5).
3. Following Jesus helps us to stay focus, and rejoice (v:6-11).
4.  Following Jesus helps us to endure temptation, and get to know the Father of Lights (v:12-14,18).
5. Following Jesus helps us to be slow to speak, but quick to hear (v:19-21).
6. Following Jesus helps us become doers of the Word, and not hears only (v:22-23).
7. Following Jesus helps us to remember what manner of person we are (v:24-25)
8. Following Jesus helps us to know what true religion is (v:26-27)                “Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God, and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God” (Luke 18:43  ESV). In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thanking God for Miracles

Have you ever experienced a miracle? As we know, many agree miracles happens everyday. Some are noticed and some may go unnoticed. Nevertheless, many say they do occur.

How you define a miracle may differ from one person to the next. But I define a miracle as an extreme phenomenon that happens when at all odds (as seen by the naked eye), was impossible to occur, or not; a surprising occurrence that is considered to be the work of a divine agency. This brings me to my story.

One beautiful sunshiny Saturday morning I was driving on the streets of LA to attend a caregiver’s meeting. I was accompanied by a close friend. Traffic was light. A few minutes earlier for no particular reason, I decided to change lanes. I changed from driving in the right outer lane to the middle left lane.

A few minutes later something happened. My friend echoed a scream to the top of her voice with both hands raised. Needless to say, I was beyond startled! It was no wonder I didn’t let go of the wheel when I heard such an out cry! I immediately glanced in the direction of her scream. I then saw a black pick-up truck quickly approaching from the passenger side of my car where my friend was sitting. It was headed straight for us. the truck had failed to turn onto the clearly available right lane. It was coming directly into the left lane where I was driving. I knew there was no way of avoiding the impact. I remembered praying and thinking; thinking and praying, ‘please Lord don’t let my friend get hit’; all the while seeing from the look of things, it was impossible for her not to be. But praise God she did not get hit.

When I realized my friend wasn’t hurt, (still driving) I began bracing myself for the impending impact to the passenger rear side of the car. In my view, an impact was still unavoidable. The truck was just that close. I knew it was going to hit my car “somewhere”. But thanks be to God, the truck swirled as if someone had literally placed a cushion between us and the truck, thereby preventing what was surely about to take place.

My friend and I gave a big sigh of relief. We knew something had just happen beyond any man’s control. This was indeed a miracle; a truck coming straight for us fail to hit us.  Being obviously shaken, we still gave praise and thanks to God for His divine protective care by providing that miracle on the road. In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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