Thanks: Giving It Right

Thanks:  Giving it Right is the title of my husband's sermon this morning!  Taken from Hebrews 12:28-13:16, it challenges me...
  • To be thankful IN the primary (and unshakable) setting of God’s Kingdom (12:28)
  • To be thankful BY a practical showing of that thanksgiving (13:1-5)
  • To be thankful BECAUSE of the Perfect Savior (13:5-8)
  • To be thankful FOR our precious salvation (13:9)
  • To be thankful THROUGH a personal separation (13:13)
  •  And to be thankful WITH a perpetual sacrifice of lips and service (13:15-16)
P.S.  Almost as if to test me to see if I have learned the "Thanksgiving Lesson" well,
I have developed a case of painful shingles!  I WILL give thanks anyway.  
The blessings of my life far outweigh the temporary pain that I am experiencing.  

18 comments:

  1. What a beautiful message. Praying for you, Ms. Rebecca that your shingles outbreak is short-lived...and God will take away the pain!

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  2. oh no Rebecca! I will be praying you are healed of that QUICKLY!
    The first point grabs me this morning: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Approaching God in worship with a thankful heart (because of what He IS DOING for us) appears to be key in worshipping Him "acceptably". If I can get my arms around THAT I'll try progressing through the other points! Thanks to Gary for these thoughts this morning. (We'll be going to the late service...accidentally overslept this morning!)

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  3. Jacquelyn, Keeping my eyes on the "unshakable" part helps me be thankful....and the consuming fire, keeps me reverent and in awe....

    Thanks for your prayers.

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  4. It's humbling isn't it? So thankful HE is "steady on" when I "droop".
    Hope you feel better soon...I've never had shingles, but understand it is very painful!

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  5. Beautiful reminder post, Rebecca.
    But I am so sorry to hear about your shingles, I have never experienced it myself, but I know many people who have, and from what I've witnessed it is very painful. I'm so sorry, and I will keep you in my prayers.
    I love your positive and grateful attitude, it is an inspiration.
    Love and Prayers,
    Eileen

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  6. Rebecca, Gary's sermon will be a blessing
    to all I'm sure with such excellent points.
    I am so sorry to learn you have shingles.
    My dear dad suffered with that many years
    ago and I've never forgotten it. I just
    prayed, and will continue, for the Lord
    to bring this to a quick end and that even
    by Thanksgiving you'll be whole and able
    to enjoy your family.
    Bless your sweet heart.
    Love,
    Sandy

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  7. Sandy, Thank you SO much for your prayers. I KNOW there is grace for this.

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  8. I know your congregation was blessed and challenged by the message! Our pastor preached a wonderful message, too, from Psalm 16.

    I'm so sorry that you have shingles; I've heard from family members how painful it is. I appreciate your thankful spirit in spite of pain! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. I am so sorry Rebecca! Jake had that last year along with celuitis. He was in the hospital for days and had to have IV treatments for a week after that everyday twice a day. It was very painful, I hope you don't have it that bad? Please take care. Love Di ♥

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  10. No, DI! I don't have it that bad! I started on some medication within 72 hours of the rash and am believing that will control the spread and long-term pain that some experience!

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  11. Oh Rebecca, I am so sorry, I hope you heal before Thanksgiving and only you would give thanks for the good as well as the pain. Be well my friend and I am saying a prayer for you and your health....:-)Hugs

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  12. Oh! my dear Rebecca,
    I am so sorry that you have shingles, I had them in Jan. this year, and I can feel your pain. We had dinner today at my mothers and my sister has them as well, our pastor just got over them, it must be the year for shingles.

    I can empathize so well and will be praying for healing.

    Beautiful sermon your husband prepared and I know it was such a blessing. I too feel challenged by these points, and would loved to of heard him elaborate on all of them.
    Rest and get well soon.
    HUgs,
    Sue

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  13. Hey Sweet Friend,
    How come I never knew your husband is a pastor?
    Mine also devotes his life to serving a congregation for the Lord.
    I'll definitely be praying for your quick recovery and am so grateful you started on them meds right away. I experienced one bout with shingles Thanksgiving Eve, 1992, but got on the medication immediately and breezed through it.
    Blessings and HUGS!

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  14. Oh Rebecca....to give thanks in all things is one of the most difficult things for me.
    I do pray that your shingles are gone soon...Continue to take care of you, my friend.
    With love and prayers...
    Jackie

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  15. Rebecca, no doubt a powerful sermon indeed!

    I'm very sorry to hear you have shingles. I'm praying for you now as you continue to give thanks to GOD in the midst of it all.

    Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family.
    Lisa

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  16. Such a good outline for a sermon. I wish I could have heard it.

    Knowing you have shingles makes me sad. From what others say it is very painful. Pain I know and it's not fun. I'll be praying. We have tradition in our home. We take three or four of our friends who are in need of God's help and our daughter prays for each of them at our dinner table. We still have other prayer times but we have chosen this way to be specific in our prayer. You will be in our dinner prayers during the Thanksgiving season.

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  17. Oh my, Rebecca! I am so sorry that you have shingles! I will pray that God will heal your body soon. Were you able to get on medicine quickly? I am just so sorry to hear this.

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)