Fruitbearers

We thank God for His presence, provision, and protection this past year. How thankful we are that God is always in control and that He is good and loving all the time! 2012 has been a memorable year in many ways. 1. After having MRI done, I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis.  I chose to not have my uterus removed and just to live with pain :). 2. Alyssa (our 19 yo daughter)'s short story, " Deadly Delirium " was published as an e-book by Musa Publishing in February. It's available on Amazon.com and on Musa Publishing's website . 3. This year, Alyssa passed the baton to Isaiah (our 11 yo son) in being a fundraiser for Steps for Life. We're so proud of him for raising $1,500 for Pregnancy Resource Centers; he got 2nd place in his age group. 4. In June, I took a trip to Thailand (after being away for 20 years) to visit my ailing dad. He passed away while I was there. I was extremely grateful that God allowed me the opportunity to see and share the Gospel wit

  Joy to the  world; the Savior has come!  It's the most wonderful time of the year because people around the world join one another in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Immanuel. We hope and pray that you and your family will savor the season of worship and fellowship as the year draws to an end. Please keep in your prayers those who are grieving and mourning during this time as we cannot imagine how hard it must be for them. How thankful we are that God is always in control and that He is good and loving all the time! 2012 has been a memorable year in many ways. Alyssa is now 19 and will be majoring in Digital Communication Arts (with an emphasis in video production) at Oregon State University in Fall 2013 while going through AFROTC there. A third generation Beaver :)! She has received the Academic Achievement Award so far and is waiting to hear if she gets the Presidential Scholarship or not. Alyssa's short story, " Deadly Delirium " was published as an e-

For the month of November, I posted on Facebook daily what I was thankful for. I'd like to be able to look back someday so I'm reposting all of my 30 thankful status here. 1. I'm thankful for restful sleep. I hardly ever have trouble sleeping. It's truly a blessing. " I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. " Psalm 4:8 2. I'm thankful for LJ Fellowship. I thank God for giving me opportunities to share His love with the international students and to serve Him alongside a group of awesome brothers and sisters in Christ. I love God and people ♥; His love causes me to love loving everyone :)! " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments ." ~Jesus   3. I'm thankful that

" You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord " Isaiah 62:3 I'm so excited to tell you about this wonderful ministry called " Crowned By the King ". A beautiful crown necklace is used as a tool to share God's love in a unique, creative way. When you give away a necklace to a girl or woman, also known as a "Crowned Moment", you send her a message of hope and worth at the same time. She will be reminded of her true identity in Christ. Check out how the ministry works here . There are three kinds of "Crowned Moment" opportunities: the Compliment Crowned Moment, the Need Crowned Moment, and the Gift Crowned Moment. I really like the idea of the Compliment Crowned Moment so I prayed and asked God to show me whom I should give a necklace to. While I was praying, a specific young lady came to my mind so I thought if nobody compliments on the necklace, I would just give it to this lady (the Gift Crowned Moment). However, this eveni

I Thank God for My Home When sunrise lights the morning skies Over our village paradise And roosters crow their "wake-up" call For us to hear, both one and all, I thank God for my home. It's not a palace for a king; It's just a country cottage, small, But, oh, the joys it ever brings, Joys nestled there within its walls. Here family lives with God as Guide; Here love for one another reigns. All things are taken in their stride; Concern for each one never wanes. The windowsills hold flowers, bright, That shed a ray of welcome here And beckon to the flowers outside, The gardens with their floral cheer. When sunup fills the earthen floor And touches on each village door And folks begin their work each day In their same good old-fashioned way, I thank God for my home. ~Loise Pinkerton Fritz " A thankful heart is not only a happy heart, but also a healthy and beautiful heart! " ~Me " Let the Word of Chris

I Offer Thanks I offer thanks for friends so dear, For every word of joy and cheer, The quiet moments I so love And blue skies there so high above, The special dreams that are my own And every beauty I have known. I offer thanks for Springtime days And happiness on country ways, The precious laughter of a child And tiny violets growing wild, The brook that murmurs as it flows, The magic of a Junetime rose. For sun and rain and gentle earth The miracle of Spring's rebirth, Each Autumn color bright and bold, For snowflakes soft and Winter's cold, The sea that rushes to its banks, For God and love--I offer thanks. ~Garnett Ann Schultz " Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. " Psalm 136:3-4

Sing with Thanksgiving! Keep a happy song in your heart Wherever you may go-- And sing it out in praise to God, Then feel the blessings flow! Our God is pleased when we sing praise And offer Him our love-- So He will bless our hearts with joy, And comfort from above. Think of the peace He offers you Through the privilege of prayer-- And how He's always near to you To show how much He cares. Consider the world He's given us With plants and birds and trees-- There's so much to be thankful for! We should be on our knees... So sing with thanksgiving in your heart For all that God has done-- And thank Him most especially... For Jesus Christ, His Son! ~Denise A. DeWald "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:7

Thank God for Little Things Thank You, God, for little things that often come our way, The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray, The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed, A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need-- Oh make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces That come to us with "sweet surprise" from never-dreamed-of places. ~Helen Steiner Rice " All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. " 2 Corinthians 4:15

Thank You I thank You, God For little things, Happiness that Children bring... Fuzzy kittens, Soft to touch, Frisky puppies, Birds and such. Clouds suspended In the sky Raindrops on the Meadow, dry... Freshened grasses Shrubs and trees, Flowers kissed By honey-bees. Frozen droplets Cycled ice... Snowflakes on my Nose...oh, nice! I thank You, God, Each little thing Tells Your love, Makes my heart sing! ~Anna Lee Edwards McAlpin " I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your Name forever. " Psalm 86:12

Lord, I Thank You Lord, I watched the dawn this morning As the sunlight filtered through, And I thought about how Your love Streams from heaven and warms me, too. Then I heard the birds sweet chorus And I thought about Your care. For I know You watch the sparrow-- When one falls You are aware. As I gazed upon the flowers, Lord, I found Your peace was there. Little flowers do not worry-- They just rest within Your care. Lord, I thank You for the beauty As I greeted this new day, And especially for the lessons That You taught in Your own way; For the sun and birds and flowers Are reminders of Your care, And of promise for provision To Your children everywhere. ~Beverly J. Andreson " Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of you Father. And event the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows ." Matthew 10:29-3

I Thank Thee, God I thank Thee God, Thou Father mine, For all that Thou hast made; For having sent down Thy dear Son, Who succors, seeks, and saves! I thank Thee God, Creator mine, For all the lovely things; Such as the bird in joyous flight, Which makes one's cares take wing! For Autumn leaves in varied hues, So pleasing to the eye; And even Winter's stormy blasts, When snow descends from sky! Especially, oh Thou Father mine, For tender warmth of Spring; When budding leaves and flowers in bloom, Make saddened hearts to sing! For Spring's not only pleasing be, For seeing flowers in bloom; But most of all symbolic be, of Christ, Who rose from tomb! And even Summer, oft times hot, Means walks along the shore; Where seagulls in their joyous flight, Can make the spirit soar! But most important thing of all, My Father God above; Is joy through which we scale the heights,  And depth of Thy great Love! ~San

Thanksgiving Day Everyday Oh precious Father, as we bow Before Thy throne today, We count the many blessings Thou hast showered upon our way. The comfort of our humble homes Our health and happiness, The strength provided for each day To meet the strain and stress. We thank Thee for Thy precious Son Who brought salvation free, And for this mighty land of ours, A land of liberty! So, Lord, help us to give Thee thanks For all that we hold dear, Not only on Thanksgiving Day But each day of the year. ~Unknown " As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone . " Psalm 71:14-16

Our Prayer of Thanks We humbly bow before You, Lord On this Thanksgiving Day, To lift our prayers of gratitude For all Your caring ways. As You have blessed our harvest, Lord, Let us remember, too, That we should share with those in need As You would have us do. Around this festive board today Are those we hold most dear, And in our midst Your presence, Lord, Seems so very near. We're thankful for this land we love, For sod and sky and tree, For pilgrims who braved unknown seas That all may worship free. We're thankful for each blessing, Lord, You send along our way; But may our greater "thanks" be shown In serving You each day. ~Kay Hoffman " And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him....joyfully giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. " Colossia

We Thank Thee We thank Thee, Lord, for ev'ry blessing Flowing from Thy bountiful hand-- Golden field and orchard laden, Harvest rich throughout our land; All Thy beauty of creation, Foaming sea and silver strand, Verdant vale 'neath purple mountain, Forest green and shining sand. We thank Thee, Lord, for friends and loved ones, And sweet joy and love they give Through blest fellowship and kindness, Making rich this life we live; For our homes where love abideth, Where those weary may receive Rest and comfort by our fireside, Where tired spirits may revive. We thank Thee, Lord, for Thy salvation Given through Thy wonderful Son, Through His sacrifice at Calv'ry On the cross--the vict'ry won! When we climb the heights to Heaven, After work on earth is done, We shall thank Thee, Lord, forever, For Thy greatest Gift--Thy Son. ~Kathryn Thorne Bowsher " So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continu

In Thanksgiving With a heart of thanksgiving And a heart filled with love, Gracious Father, we thank You For Your gifts from above... For Your manifold blessings You bestow day by day, For Your love and Your guidance As we travel life's way. Lord, we thank You for good times, For unhappy times, too, Because often in trials We draw closer to You. Blessed Father, we're grateful We are safe in Your care, With no fear of tomorrow Knowing You will be there. For Your greatness and goodness, And Your excellent ways-- In thanksgiving we offer You our love and our praise. ~Beverly J. Anderson " Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. " Psalm 100:4

Be Thankful For smiling faces--helping hands A friend who always understands, The very greatest of all lands Be thankful! For golden sun up in the sky A cloud of white that's sailing by, A mountain that is climbing high Be thankful! For joys so rich--each shining dawn The dewdrops on a summer lawn, And sunset when the day is gone Be thankful! A God of love--a whispered prayer A hope when life would send a care, A liberty and freedom rare Be thankful! ~Garnett Ann Schultz "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28

Every Day's Thanksgiving A sunrise every morning, The moon and stars at night, A garden in the springtime Ablaze with colors bright... A cottage filled with laughter, A field of golden grain, A picnic with your loved ones, A rainbow after rain... A sunset in the meadow, Twilight on the sea, The majesty of autumn, Each day a memory... A bride and groom in summer, A mother's lullaby, A snowfall in December, The smell of pumpkin pie... These little things remind me My God, how great Thou art! And every day's Thanksgiving Within my humble heart. ~Clay Harrison " Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. " Colossians 3:15

Things To Be Thankful For The good, green earth beneath our feet, The air we breathe, the food we eat, Some work to do, a goal to win, A hidden longing deep within That spurs us on to bigger things And helps us meet what each day brings, All these things and many more Are things we should be thankful for... And most of all our thankful prayers Should rise to God because He cares! ~Helen Steiner Rice " Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. " 1 Peter 5:7 " Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. " Colossians 4:2

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Renée Bondi and the book: Still I Will Praise: The Power of Praising God Even When You Don't Feel Like It CLC Publications (August 24, 2012) ***Special thanks to Blythe Daniel for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Renée Bondi is a popular speaker and recording artist who has shared the stage with Sandi Patty, Larry King and Point of Grace. She has been featured in magazines such as T

A Prayer of Thanks Thank You, God, for everything I've experienced here on earth Thank You for protecting me from the moment of my birth And thank You for the beauty around me everywhere, The gentle rain and glistening dew, the sunshine and the air, The joyous gift of "feeling" the soul's soft, whispering voice That speaks to me from deep within and makes my heart rejoice Oh, God, no words are great enough to thank You for just living, And that is why every day is a day for real Thanksgiving. ~Helen Steiner Rice "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice." Psalm 105:1-3

I Thank Thee, Lord I thank Thee, Lord, for all You do To help me make my dreams come true I thank You for the sun that shines, Good health and for my peace of mind. When things go well I oft forget That I am always in Your debt. I ask for help when times are tough And when the going is hard and rough But oft forget to thank Thee when All things go well and right again. So thank Thee, Lord, for all You do To help me make my dreams come true. ~Dolores Karides  "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night." Psalm 92:1-2

God's Wondrous Blessings We are grateful for bountiful harvests, Blessed in golden fruit and grain. We are grateful for richly fertile fields, Blessed in showers of falling rain. We are grateful for a steadfast family, Blessed in unity's loving touch. We are grateful for bonds of friendship, Blessed with smiles that mean so much. We are grateful to go to churches where Blessed in faith, we bow our heads in prayer. We are grateful to have God's gifts divine, Blessed in wonders of His love and care. ~Elisabeth Weaver Winstead " I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations...The heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones . " Psalm 89:1, 5

Thank You, Lord Thank You, Lord, for all You've done To make this day a pleasant one And for Your love and gentle care That catered to my needs and fare; And thank You, too, for guiding me Around the falls I could not see-- And for each choice  You helped me make On many roads  I had to take. It's been a very happy day-- Because You walked, with me, today-- But I would be, twice blessed, anew-- If we could walk tomorrow, too. ~Michael Dubina " I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation ." Psalm 118:21

God's Blessings I thank God for the blessings That He bestows on me, I know I am not worthy And cannot hope to be. He always has inclined His ear When I seek Him in prayer, And when I need a helping hand I always find Him there. I kneel to Him each new born morn And, too, at close of day, And offer my most grateful thanks In my own humble way. Without His countless blessings So void my life would be. He has enriched it every way By blessings given me. ~Harold F. Mohn " I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live...I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving ." Psalm 116:1-2, 17a

For the Blessings of the Year For each beauty that I know, For the gifts Thou dost bestow: Clothing, home, and family dear, For my friends both far and near; Thank You, Lord, You giveth me Every blessing full and free. Thank You, Lord, for snows that fall, Summer rains, and birds that call; Thank You, Lord, for food we eat; Fruit and grain; and seasons sweet. Thank You, Lord, You marked by hand Every bounty of the land. Thank You, Lord, for healing sure, Goodly moments, calm and pure; For Thy guidance, peace and cheer, For each blessing of the year... Lord, these words I lift to Thee Knowing well Thou lovest me. ~Roxie Lusk Smith " O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever ." Psalm 30:12b

Praise the Lord! If you can smile when your heart is broken and laugh in sorrow's face... If you can ignore the harsh word spoken with humility and grace, Praise the Lord! If you can resist the next temptation and rebound when you fail... If you can sing through tribulation and pray when fears assail, Praise the Lord! If you can finish the race you started knowing the race is won... If you can sail the course you charted through storm and setting sun, Praise the Lord! If you can forgive the sins of others who brought you pain today... If you can respect all men as brothers and always earn your pay, Praise the Lord! If you can befriend the lost and friendless with kindness from your cup... If you can prevail when doubts seem endless refusing to give up, Praise the Lord! ~Clay Harrison " I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips ." Psalm 34:1

Thoughts of Thankfulness For happy times of joy and mirth, for harvest riches from the earth, for challenges that test our worth-- we thank You, Lord, for all of these. For nursery songs a mother sings, for fireflies and bluebirds' wings, for all life's gentle, little things-- we thank You, Lord, for such as these. For peace that sheathes the warrior's sword, for noble deed and kindly word, for lands where freedom's voice is heard-- we thank You, Lord, grant these increase! For home and hearth where we can rest among the dear ones we know best, for all good things whereby we're blessed-- we thank You, Lord, for gifts like these. For every church and holy place  where we may come to seek Your grace and know that no one's rank or race will cause Your love for us to cease. We thank You, Lord, and pray that we may closer grow in harmony till goodwill clothes humanity in robes of brotherhood and peace!

Let Us Take Time Let us take time every morning To turn to our God and say Thanks for another restful night And the dawn of a brand-new day. Thank You for the blessings and gifts You've given us all these years, And for the times You helped us through Life's many heartaches and tears. Thank You for this beautiful world-- For the flowers, the birds, and the trees, And for so many precious children. We thank You for all of these. Your blessings and gifts outnumber, by far, The stars that shine above, But the one we treasure the most of all Is Your overwhelming love! ~Doris A. Orth "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

Oh God, how great is Thy handiwork Of nature's mighty works on display, For miles of breathtaking beauty, No pen of man could portray. Such splendor is given to Thy landscapes, To places both high and low, So that great or small might behold it, We know that our Lord planned it so. I thank God for eyes to behold such splendor And for a heart attuned to His own, So I can appreciate the wonders of autumn Long after it has come and gone. I thank You, God, for each season Whichever it may be, For I know there is beauty to be found If only our eyes will see. Let me not take for granted this great universe You've given for us to enjoy and share, We know from Your Word, eye has not seen or ear heard The joys You've prepared for us there. ~Thelma Grace Ide "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2

Blessings Counted... ...For sunshine, for quenching rain, For relief of our pain. ...For green leaves on trees so tall. For winter, spring, summer, and fall. ...For midnight, for afternoon, For starlight and for the moon. ...For laughter, For children's smiles, For walking with us across the miles. ...For tears of joy, for hearts that care. For the ability to love, For the ability to share. For gentle guidance, For constant love, We owe our thanks to God above. ~Marsha Smith Meigs "I will bless them...there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 "Blessings crown the head of the righteous." Proverbs 10:6a

Father, We Thank Thee For flowers that bloom about our feet, Father, we thank Thee; For tender grass so fresh and sweet, Father, we thank Thee; For the song of bird and hum of bee, For all things fair we hear or see, Father in Heaven, we thank Thee. For this new morning with its light, Father, we thank Thee; For rest and shelter of the night, Father, we thank Thee; For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends, Father in Heaven, we thank Thee. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson " Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus ." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thank You, Lord I marvel at the splendor that surrounds me, The beauty that expands from sky to sea. Oh God...how can I ever start to thank You... For all the wondrous things You've given me? I thank You, Lord, for trees that grace the woodlands For every growing thing that's bright and fair, For mountains high and every golden meadow For wherever there is beauty...You are there. I see the stars...I feel the sun Your majesty spreads far and wide. I've seen the light...I feel Your love I am safe because I know You're at my side. I thank You, Lord, for many countless blessings For promises and answers to my prayer. I never want, or fear...because You love me. Dearest Lord...because I know You truly care. Thank You, Lord...for loving me and being there. ~Patience Allison Hartbauer "Sing to Him, sing His praise, proclaim all His wondrous deeds." 1 Chronicles 16:9

Thankfulness My God, I thank Thee Who hast made The earth so bright; So full of splendor and of joy, Beauty and light; So many glorious things are here, Noble and right! I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made Joy to abound; So many gentle thoughts and deeds Circling us round, That in the darkest spot of earth Some love is found. I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept The best in store; We have enough, yet not too much To long for more: A yearning for a deeper peace, Not known before. I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls, Though amply blest, Can never find, although they seek, A perfect rest, Nor ever shall, until they lean On Jesus' breast! ~Adelaide Anne Procter " Thou hast made us, O Lord, for Thyself and our heart shall find no rest till it rests in Thee ." ~St. Augustine

Author Bio Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday.  The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace.  Jill hopes that  The Sparkle Box  will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.   Illustrator Bio At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life.  After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children's books began to take shape.  She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.   Website:  http://www.idealsbooks.com/The-Sparkle-Box-Jill-Hardie/dp/0824956478 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks Book Trailer:  https://vimeo.com/49762666 Author Video:  https://vimeo.com/49763494 M

Thank You, Lord Thank You, Lord, for all You do, For all Your love both warm and true, For Your caring, loving heart, For all graces You impart. Thank You, Lord, for blessings You've given me each day, My cup is overflowing, Lord, You hear me when I pray. I thank Thee, Lord, for all the years, That You've watched over me, You've moved my every mountain, And calmed my every sea. My Lord, my God, Thou art to me, After a storm, tranquility, The heavenly brightness of Your light, Helps me through the darkest night. My head is filled with words of love, Words of joy and praise for Thee, In everything I do You share With Your tender loving care. Heavenly Father, hear my prayer, Keep me always in Thy care, Jesus, Son of God and man, Gentle Jesus, hold my hand. Walk with me throughout each day, Be with me whene'er I pray, Cover me with Thy protective light, Through each day and through the night. O Lord, my God, I give Thee thanks, For all

Unexpected Blessings Thank You, God, for little things that come unexpectedly -- To brighten up a dreary day that dawned so dismally-- Thank You, God, for sending a happy thought my way to blot out my depression on a disappointing day-- Thank You, God, for brushing the dark clouds from my mind-- And leaving only sunshine and joy of heart behind. Oh, God, the list is endless of things to thank You for But I take them all for granted  and unconsciously ignore that everything I think or do, each movement that I make, each measured rhythmic heartbeat, each breath of life I take Is something You have given me for which there is no way for me in all my smallness to in any way repay. ~Helen Steiner Rice "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2