Thanking God for Rick

With our tenth anniversary only days away I am reposting a list of thanksgiving I first wrote for Ten Things Tuesday back on September 9, 2008.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Let me take a bit of creative license here and say: "Why do I thank God for Rick? Let me count the ways."

Rick loves God above all else. That keeps his other priorities aligned.

Rick is not afraid to say "I'm sorry"

Rick has the same quirky sense of humour I do. We laugh often.

Rick is a lifelong learner.

Rick is quick to encourage and support me in whatever I believe God is asking me to do.

Rick's bag of tricks, his knowledge and abilities fill in the gaps and compliment my own.

Rick has a heart that has been kneaded, molded and softened by the Lord.

Rick always finds new ways to surprise me with his kindness.

Rick handles our finances with skill and Kingdom mindedness.

Rick is Rick! He is exactly who God created him to be but open to the Lord's ongoing and never ending work in his life. God is taking him from glory to glory, and I get to come along for the ride.

My Ten Things for Tuesday May 5th

It has been far too long since I have a written a "10 Things for Tuesday" post, and I'm happy to be back, anxious to enter my Lord's gates with thanksgiving and praise!

1. I'm thankful that Xbox Wife has found some time to be back online with us. We've missed you Jill!
2. I'm thankful that the possibilities of snow are diminishing with each passing day. Yes, it can and has still snowed here in the Manitoba Parklands as late as June!
3. I'm thankful for the movie Fireproof and how churches are using it as an effective outreach tool.
4. I am thankful that Rick and I have made a choice (before trouble ever comes) to fight for our marriage, believing that there is no plan B.
5. I am thankful that God is for us! "What, then, can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
6. I am thankful that when Rick went out to check the lawn mowers Sunday afternoon both of them started with no problem.
7. I am thankful that I should be able to start the endless cycle of grass cutting this week. Though it often seems like a thankless job I find that I am able to spend quality time with my Lord as I circle the yard again and again and again and no one else can hear me singing as my voice is covered by the sound of the lawn tractor motor!
8. I would like to say that I'm thankful for wood ticks, but after seeing my first of the season this morning I am feeling itchy and crawly. From the time the snow melts until mid-summer we have these nagging pests wandering through the grass. I AM however thankful for the Preventic spray we can drench Faith in to keep her protected.
9. I am thankful for the garlic that is already up in the garden, and for all the peas Rick was able to plant yesterday. More seeds will go in the ground this evening. Thank God for days that grow increasingly longer giving Rick more time to accomplish his planting after work.
10. I am thankful that though I do not have a clue what's around the next corner, God does!
    "I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

What are you thankful for this week? Join Mrs. Brownstone at Xbox Wife and share your chorus of thanksigving.

My Ten Things for Tuesday December 2

1. Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Tea, hot and strong with a splash of milk
2. The birds that have chosen to feed in our yard for the winter. Their beauty and antics add life and colour to what could be a much duller view from our kitchen window. It is well worth the cost of feed and suet and seed bells to care for these creatures God created.
3. Kleenex! I'm not sure how many boxes I've used in the past week fighting a head/chest cold. Never mind that I already go through so much because of the tender heart God gave me that weeps without a moment's notice.
4. Cough syrup that helps me rest through the night.
5. A loving husband who agreed it was a good idea for me to take a "sick-day" today and stay home to rest, heal and study.
6. 3 - 1/2 weeks of revival meetings ended Sunday night. Now we have time to process all that God was trying to say and do in our lives and communities. Though I will miss the nightly gatherings, I am thankful for the time to get on with what God is asking us to do next. My prayer is that we do not simply return to "business as usual".
7. God accepts us just as we are, but He loves us too much to let us remain that way. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18
8. Life in a free nation. In the midst of turmoil (see here) I have liberty to state my opinions without fear of persecution. I pray that I would be as bold even if the stakes were higher.
9. The approaching Christmas season. This is the one time of year I can say God bless to you to everyone and no one seems to take offense!
10. Snow crystals that sparkle like diamonds in our headlights as we drive down our lane coming home at night. They remind me that I am nothing but a lump of coal that God is continually working on to create a thing of beauty that reflects His light.

What things are you thankful for today? Join Jill at Xbox Wife to share your list.

My Ten Things for Tuesday November 18

1. Today I am thankful that I have these few minutes to join in the chorus of thanks
2. Today I am thankful to be able to arrange and rearrange my schedule so I am able to attend so many of the revival meetings that are being held in town.
3. Today I am thankful that God has touched my heart in a way that makes me desire to attend as many meetings as possible.
4. Today I am thankful that our precious Lord Jesus is a gentleman and will not force anything upon us, but rather waits with exquisite patience for us to welcome Him into each and every area of our hearts.
5. Today I am thankful for the teaching, preaching, praying and exhorting that God's servants have been led to share in obedience
6. Today I am thankful for all of those who have given of their time and services to attend to all of the various ministries of helps that are needed when the body comes together day after day, night after night.
7. Today I am thankful and blessed to have opportunity to be counted among those who have served.
8. Today I am thankful for the hungry spirit God has placed inside of me. My prayer is that I never reach a point of satisfaction but continue to seek Him, asking for more.
9. Today I am thankful for my beloved husband who feels called as well to seek for more and more and more of all the things God wants to show us.
10. Today I am thankful for the promise in Jeremiah 29:13 "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

What are you thankful for today? Visit Jill at Xbox-Wife to join in the circle of thanksgiving.

My Ten Things for Tuesday November 4

1. Today I am thankful to serve a God Who chooses to speak to His children in dreams, words and visions. To read what He showed me this morning look here
2. Today I am thankful for the warm and wonderful weekend weather we enjoyed
3. Today I am thankful for Beth Moore's study on the life of Daniel. This is a moment in time when we need to know how to live with integrity.
4. Today I am thankful to know that whatever the future brings I will not walk through it alone, for my Lord promises in His Word "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
5. Today I am thankful for words. Words that worship. Words that praise. Words that can tell the world about the God I love.
6. Today I am thankful for those whom God chooses to share His secrets with who then can teach those truths to others
7. Today I am thankful that my beloed and I walk the narrow road together
8. Today I am thankful to walk the streets of a land at peace
9. Today I am thankful that nothing I can do will make God love me more than He does at this moment, and nothing I can do will make Him love me less.
10. Today I am thankful for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit that lives in me.

Our amazing God loves a thankful heart. What are you thankful for today? Join Jill at Xbox Wife and share your list of gratitude.

My Ten Things for Tuesday October 28

1. Today I am thankful to be back here posting My Ten Things
2. Today I am thankful for no travel for work in the near future
3. Today I am thankful for the "A" I received on my last course
4. Today I am thankful that my next course is already on it's way to me
5. Today I am thankful to serve a sovereign God "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22
6. Today I am thankful for friends who listen for God's words and are willing to share them
7. Today I am thankful for the freedom to worship without fear of harm. This is a right we so often take for granted. Please remember the persecuted church in your prayers.
8. Today I am thankful for the diagnostic imaging that caught a malignancy in my mother's breast when it was very, very small so they can perform a lumpectomy instead of more extensive surgery
9. Today I am thankful I remembered to put our heated mattress pad on yesterday. What a treat to climb into a warm bed on a cold night
10. Today I am thankful for my beloved Rick who shares that bed with me!

What are you thankful for today? Join Jill at Xbox Wife and share your gratitude.

My Ten Things for Tuesday October 7

Once again, it's Ten Things Tuesday. This feels like more of a stretch for me than most weeks. I am tired, indeed weary to the bone. Not because of my weekend away, but because I would prefer to not return to my day to day work life. It is good for me to take a moment to recall all I have to be thankful for.

1 -- I am a child of the Most High God.

2 -- God is most IN control when I am out of control.

3 -- This is Day 30 of the 30 Day Encourage Your Husband Challenge and not only have Rick and I grown closer, I have spent the month counting my blessings because I never had to struggle a bit to think of positive things to say about my beloved!

4 -- God is painting the landscape in new ways every morning and evening. Sunrises and sunsets are brief this time of year, and all the more precious in their glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

5 -- I have shelter from any storm, both in the natural and spiritual realm.

6 -- Our weekend travel was safe, with no snags or delays. I am always blessed by the favour we have with customs, immigration and security officials, no matter where we go.

7 -- My nephew is now beginning a new season of his life as a married man. I was able to be a witness to their vows and celebrate with family the joy of their union.

8 -- Once again I rejoice in the healing and restoration God worked between my brother and myself. We are able to truly enjoy each other. Our time together this weekend was wonderful. We laughed and cried and laughed some more.

9 -- Faith has a safe place to stay when we travel. I am excited to pick her up this afternoon and receive all the dog kisses I've missed since Thursday.

10 -- The peace of God. "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 New Living Translation

What are you thankful for? Join Jill and the rest of us here to add your own list of gratitude!

Listing "L" and My Ten Things for Tuesday September 30

Mrs. Brownstone posted last Saturday “Brainstorming B” about a game where you receive a letter of the alphabet and have to list ten things you love in your life that begin with that letter.

She challenged me with the letter “L”.

Since tomorrow is Tuesday, I am combining this game with “My Ten Things” and listing 10 things I love and am thankful for, all beginning with the letter “L”

Life! Wonderful, precious, God given life! Life in all forms and all stages. To read about how God moved me from “pro-choice” to “no-choice – pro-life” go here.

Light. God made the sun and the moon and the stars, all as lights to guide our way. More than that, He Himself is the real light that shines upon us to direct our steps!

Love. God IS love. Jesus is our example and our model of true love. There is no better teacher.

Lessons. I am always learning. Often I have to learn “the hard way” through tests and trials, but I am thankful that God loves me so much that He is not content for me to remain the way I am, but desires that I grow and move from glory to glory.

Ladies’ Ministry Nights. We have begun what promises to be a powerful and impactful study by Beth Moore on the life of Daniel. Though I may miss several of the session, I am expecting great things. We have a truly awesome group of women involved. Considering that in the past I never enjoyed the company of women, this is a remarkable statement for me.

Land. I was born, raised and lived 43 years as an urbanite. Now I cannot find words to express the joy of living on 20 acres of Canadian prairie land.

Letters! I know that now most communication I receive is by email, but when they are from friends, they are letters none-the-less and a joy to read.

Lentil Soup. Red lentils, onion, garlic, tomatoes, butter and a touch of dill. Slow cooked until transformed into a total body warming pot of deliciousness. If you want the recipe, just ask.

Lilacs. I like the look of them and love the scent of them and plan to plant some near the house eventually.

Lazy days. Sometimes, and more and more often, I enjoy a day of doing nothing but resting in the arms of my Father, worshipping Jesus, learning to abide and receive all that He longs to pour into my life.

Join us at X-Box Wife and add your “Ten Things”

Ten Things Tuesday for September 23

This week I thought I would take a moment to thank God for things that I usually seem to take for granted, forgetting that each are a special gift from Him.

1. He has given me eyes to see the beauty that surrounds me. "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun." Ecclesiastes 11:7
2. He has given me ears to hear, a cry, a laugh, a whisper, the call of a bird, the beat of a drum, a chorus of praise. "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." Matthew 13:16
3. He has given me the sense of taste, salty, sweet, bitter, what would food be without this one? "Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste." Proverbs 24:13
4. He has given me a nose that smells, and those smells all seem to link up with memories. "If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?" 1 Corinthians 12:17
5. He has given me the sense of touch, hard, soft, smooth, hot, cold, all these sensations that connect me to life on this earth. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." John 1:1
6. He has given me a tongue to speak and language skills to express myself. "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just." Psalm 37:30
7. He has given me emotions so that I may feel, joy, sorrow, pain and love. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
8. He has given me feet to stand and to walk. "My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD." Psalm 26:12
9. He has given me hands that I can lift to Him in worship. "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psalm 63:4
10. He has given me my husband Rick who also has received al the gifts above and shares them with me. "My beloved is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:16a

Join us at Xbox Wife and share your ten things!