November 21, 2012

"If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will
your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
Matthew 7:11 (NLT)

I still think that one of the two or three best daily spiritual practices is being thankful.....just    tell God, "thank you" in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Do it all the time, it never gets old.  Your confidence in God will grow, your joy will increase, you will complain less    
 and you will see the world optimistically more often.                                                               

               
Try this.  At your Thanksgiving table before dinner give everyone a kernel of corn.  Then pass a jar around the table.  Each places their kernel of corn into the jar after verbalizing what they are grateful for.  Then conclude with a prayer of Thanksgiving.  If you want to get really biblical, pray as Jesus taught us to pray, saying (with a Thanksgiving twist). . . .

     "Our Father in heaven,
            may your name always be kept holy.
     May your kingdom come
            and what you want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven.
     (Thank You for giving) us the (abundance of) food (family and friends)
            we need for each day.
     Forgive us for our sins,
            just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.
     And do not cause us to be tempted
            but save us from the 'Evil One'.
     (For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever and ever, Amen)"
                                                                        Matthew 6:9-13 (NCV)