Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 30 - In Everything

"in everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

            1 Thessalonians 5:18

As we reach the end of our Thirty Days of Thanksgiving I want to share one of my favorite verses. It is one that I have turned to many times during my years as a Christian. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that we are to give thanks in everything for this is God's will for us. We are not just to give thanks during the good, happy times, but also during the times of trials, suffering, and distress. 

This is a learning process because it is not really in our nature to give thanks when things go wrong. However the reality is that no matter what our circumstances are, God is still God, still holy, righteous, and sovereign. He is still worthy of praise and thanksgiving even if our situation does not warrant thanksgiving at the time, there is always reason to be thankful and God can work all circumstances for good. We often cannot see the big picture when we are in the midst of a difficult time but God is good and faithful and worthy of our trust and gratitude.

I want to thank you for reading this series, I know I only have a small group of readers, but I appreciate you and am thankful for you. I hope that we will continue each day to find ways to be thankful and cultivate that attitude of gratitude!

In everything....give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 29 - Spiritual Fruits

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

                                    Galatians 5:22-25

God has given us so much for which I am thankful, today I am giving thanks that as a believer in Christ I have been blessed with the Holy Spirit in my life. As we learn to walk by the Spirit and are surrendered to His leading we begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We can try to cultivate these qualities but the source is the Spirit of God from whom all good things flow.

It is a joy to experience the fruit of the Spirit and to be able to bless and encourage others through those spiritual fruits. As these qualities become  more evident in our lives we are better able to represent the love of God to those around us. It is good to take time to focus on each of the fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and examine our lives for their presence.

Give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 28 - The Free Gift

"For the wages of sin is death,

but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

               Romans 6:23

As we approach the Christmas season gift giving becomes more prominent in our thoughts. It really is fun to give gifts to others, there is much joy experienced by the giver, especially when you are giving to your family whom you love. It is also a blessing to give gifts to strangers, to meet the needs of someone unexpectedly.

We need not wait for Christmas for an opportunity to give and bless others, of course. We can give at any time of year but as we approach the time of year when we traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus, somehow hearts become softened and more generous.

The nice thing about a gift is that it is free, you don't pay the giver, it is just that - a gift. You receive the gift with thanksgiving and sometimes in response to the kindness shown to you, you might offer something in return to express your gratitude, though it is typically not expected.

God has offered us a gift, it does not cost us anything to receive it, He has paid the price and presents it to whomever will receive it. That gift is eternal life - can you think of any greater gift? The price He paid was high, but He considered us worthy of the cost, the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

I give thanks that God has given me the most precious gift, it can be yours also. Will you take this most valuable gift offered to you today? I pray you will, and that you will join me in thanksgiving.

Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 27 - Hope

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil"

                     Hebrews 6:19

What do you hope for? Do you hope for health, happiness, wealth, peace, love? Or do you hope for a relationship with a real, living God, full of love, truth and grace? My hope is in the Lord and I give thanks that He has given me this hope, which is my anchor, steadfast and sure.

Jesus has prepared the way. He has gone before us, torn the veil which separated us from the holy presence of God. We can come as we are and enter the throne room of God, washed clean by the sacrificial blood of Jesus. I am so thankful that I do not have to wonder if I am loved by God or whether I will be welcomed into His kingdom. God has given me assurance in His word that Jesus has prepared the way, that He is the way, the truth and the life and that it is only through Him that I can come to the Father (John 14:6).

This is the hope that I have: that in Jesus, God has granted me eternal life, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. For this I give thanks today and always!

Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 26 - God's Provision

"Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide,

as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."

                                 Genesis 22:14

At Thanksgiving we give thanks for many things but often the emphasis is upon God's provision for us. As God blessed the pilgrims with a successful harvest they celebrated with a bountiful feast and so the tradition continues today.

In Genesis, God revealed Himself to Abraham as Jehovah Jireh - the Lord provides. God put Abraham to the test; after waiting for his promised son all those years, God had blessed him with Isaac and now he had asked him to offer Isaac back to him as a sacrifice. Abraham must have been tormented within, he loved Isaac, how could he sacrifice him on the altar? Abraham however trusted God, God had been faithful to him and his love for God and obedience to Him was victorious. When Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the offering was, Abraham replied that God would provide. And so, at the last minute God prevented Abraham from slaying his son, Abraham passed the test and God provided a ram for the offering.

I believe God provides everything we need, not necessarily everything we want, and sometimes it is hard for us to see what we really need. God is sovereign and all-knowing. He does know what is best for us and He makes sure we have the provisions we need.

So today, as you celebrate Thanksgiving, give thanks to God for His provision for you in every aspect of your life!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 25 - The Lord, My Shepherd

"The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

"He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

                                   Psalm 23

The role of a shepherd is to care for his flock. Sheep are well known for being kind of dumb; if they are not led safely they will walk obliviously into danger, fall prey to predators and eat and drink things which could be disastrous for them. Sadly, we are often likened to sheep in the Bible and though it is uncomplimentary there is much truth in the analogy. Left to our own devices, we will also fall prey to our enemy, the devil; we will most likely head down a path of destruction taking in things which are not good for us either physically or spiritually.

Thanks be to God that He is our Shepherd - Jehovah Raah. As a shepherd cares for his sheep, so does our Shepherd care for us. Psalm 23 is one of the most well known passages of scripture; even non-Christians can often quote parts of it. The Psalm expresses the many ways that our Father cares for us and meets our needs; it offers words of comfort and strength during life's dark days, provision for our every need, and an assurance of God's unfailing love.

For some it is difficult to admit any need to be cared for, it may seem to imply weakness. Perhaps that is true if you put your faith in yourself and in your own abilities, however no man can save Himself, therefore come to God in humility and acknowledge He is Lord, allow Him to be the Shepherd of your soul. There is no other who can or will care for you like God, and no greater joy than to know Him.

With thanksgiving for the care of the Lord, my Shepherd.
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 24 - My All-Sufficient One

"Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old,

the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.""

                   Genesis 17:1

God had promised Abraham that He would make him the father of nations, yet he and his wife Sarai were getting on in years and it seemed impossible. So God appeared to Abraham and revealed to him that He is God Almighty - El Shaddai. This name represents the power and might of God and has often been translated as the All-Sufficient One.

When you think of the word sufficient, what comes to mind? Does it imply to you a feeling of receiving all that you need and having no need for any more? It does to me, and therefore the name El Shaddai brings me great comfort and peace. We strive and struggle for so many things today, we are looking for needs to be met by our spouses, children, co-workers, and more. When our physical, material, and emotional needs are met on a human level are we satisfied? No, because we really have only one vital need - the need to be loved by our Creator.

God is El Shaddai, the all-sufficient God who meets our deepest need, only in Him can we be truly satisfied. Yes, there are many passing pleasures in life which meet our needs of the moment but God alone is sufficient to satisfy the needs of our heart and soul.

Give thanks that God is sufficient for all you need!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 23 - A Strong Tower

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe"

              Proverbs 18:10

Years ago I took part in a study of the names of God - "Lord, I Want to Know You" by Kay Arthur. Before I began the study I had no idea what a blessing it would be to study the names of God, I soon discovered that there are many names given in the Bible for God and each of them reveals something to us about His character and allows us to get to know Him better. In the days to come I will share a few of those names and why I am thankful for that aspect of God's character.

Today I am thankful that God has made Himself known to us and that His name is a strong tower for me, a place of refuge and security. It is where I can run and know that I am safe, I am protected there from the attacks of the enemy. When I feel alone, He is there... Jehovah Shammah. Who do you turn to in times of need?

I highly recommend the study book I mentioned, here is a link for it at Amazon if you want to check it out.

With thanksgiving,
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 22 - The Love of Christ

"and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

           Ephesians 3:19

The Bible is the greatest love story ever told. It tells us of the love of God who created us, created a beautiful world for us to live in, created everything we need and blessed us with abundance. It tells of the love of a heavenly Father who loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son in order that we could dwell with Him eternally. (John 3:16)

God has placed within each of us the capacity for love and it is the greatest and most powerful emotion. Love motivates, inspires, forgives, is not selfish and never fails (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8). Jesus told us that the greatest commandments are first to love God and secondly to love others. Without a doubt the central theme of the Bible and thus for our lives, is love.

I love my husband and children with an immense love yet it does not compare to the love of Christ spoken of in Ephesians 3:19 which surpasses knowledge. God not only wants us to know this love but to be filled up to all the fullness of God. His love is beyond measure and I give thanks today for the love of Christ.

Listen to the words of Third Day in Love Song which speak of a love beyond measure.

Be blessed and give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 21 - The Peace of Christ

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

to which indeed you were called in one body;

and be thankful.”

                      Colossians 3:15

I am late writing today's blog. It has been a long, busy day, with much of it spent travelling to and from the hospital to visit a family member who was seriously injured in a car crash. So I am keeping it short.

In the midst of tragic situations it is easy to become fearful and anxious. But the best place to turn is to God; the verse I chose today calls us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, not fear or anxiety. Also to be thankful. I am thankful again that God does not leave us alone; He has given us the Comforter - the Holy Spirit to bring us comfort during painful times.

Giving thanks for the peace of Christ and asking for your prayers.
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 20 - Shelter from the Storms

"There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day,

and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain."

                                 Isaiah 4:6

As I mentioned a few days ago we have been subjected to a series of storms and lots of rain these past few weeks. In fact it seems like the rain has just been incessant. I have been putting off my trip to the grocery store to purchase food for our Thanksgiving meal because I really dislike grocery shopping on wet and windy days. Today, I decided it must be accomplished because the store will be really busy over the weekend, and I need that turkey by Monday so that it can begin to thaw! God blessed, and the rain held off for the entire shopping trip. I like to be thankful for the small things, don't you?

Anyway, all this rain reminded me to be thankful for the shelter that is provided for me. I am thankful for my home; it is so good to sit inside on a rainy day and observe the rain in comfort and warmth. I am thankful to have a vehicle to travel in which protects me from the rain. During my childhood years, my family never had a car therefore we walked everywhere or occasionally took a bus or taxi. Getting wet walking to and from school everyday was just part of life, so I really appreciate my vehicle now!

Of course, I am most thankful for the shelter given to me by my Heavenly Father. He protects me from the storms of life. Do you ever wonder how many catastrophes we are unknowingly spared from? Have you ever driven by the scene of a car accident and realized if you had passed just moments earlier it could have been you? Those storms which do come our way, we manage to get through them because God carries us in His mighty arms with the love of a Father. To be safe and secure in the shelter of the Almighty God provides a warmth and comfort to which there is no other comparison.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

                     Psalm 91:1

Remember to give thanks for God's shelter!

Linda

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

So, I haven't made this pumpkin pie recipe before but this is the one I am going to use next week. It is the number 1 rated pumpkin pie recipe on allrecipes.com, it uses condensed milk rather than evaporated milk so be sure to purchase the correct one if you decide to try it.


Here's a short Thanksgiving poem which showed up in my inbox today. Thought you might like it!

A Thanksgiving Poem

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious,
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Have a wonderful day,
Smart Mom






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Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 19 - No Condemnation

"Therefore there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

has set you free from the law of sin and of death."

                                          Romans 8:1-2

Everything in life bears consequences, we are continually trying to teach this to our children, that whatever their actions, consequences will result. Some good, some bad. We want them to learn to be responsible and make good choices in the small things so that as they mature into adults they will have discernment and wisdom.

We live in a world with laws to which we must abide. If we break those laws we must bear the consequences; we may have to appear before a judge and jury to stand trial for our crimes and be determined guilty or innocent. With guilt comes condemnation and ultimately punishment.

God provided laws for man to live by several thousand years ago, they were given to provide guidance for man, to restrain from sinful living. I believe God knows what is best for us and in giving the law He wanted to protect us from the consequences of our sin. However, it was impossible for any man to keep the whole law and though their sins were covered through the rituals of sacrifice, there was no remission of sin on permanent basis. Until Christ.

Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice; the propitiation for our sins that we might be declared righteous before a holy God. In doing so, He took upon Himself the condemnation for all our sin that we might be set free!

Today I am thankful that as a believer in Christ there is no condemnation for me. Yes, I am a sinner, but I have been set free from the law of sin and the resulting death. This does not mean that I am free to go on sinning; rather I am to pursue godliness in all my ways, but the condemnation has been removed.

Giving thanks again....
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 18 - Escape from Temptation

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;

and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able,

but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,

so that you will be able to endure it."

       1 Corinthians 10:13

Many years ago when my husband and I were living in San Diego we participated in a small group Bible study which placed an emphasis upon memorizing a series of scriptures. 1 Corinthians 10:13 was one of those scriptures I learned at that time and I have never forgotten it. It is etched in my mind along with some of the memories of our small group times of fellowship where we quizzed each other on our verses, encouraging and laughing together.

We are all faced with temptation, sometimes daily. It is not God who tempts us toward evil, it is the devil who wants us to sin and fail, he does not want us to live victorious lives as believers in Christ, set free from the bondage of our sin. So he is constantly trying to lure us back to sinful living that we might feel discouraged and defeated. 

We are not alone in our temptation, all men have been tempted and Jesus Himself experienced temptation after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 1-11). God allows temptation in our lives but He will never give us more than we can handle and He always provides us a way of escape. Sometimes that way of escape is simply to flee - if you find yourself in a situation where you have a particular weakness, don't stick around - get out of there as fast as you can!

God also gives us His word to overcome temptation. Jesus quoted scripture to rebuke Satan; likewise if we hide God's word in our heart we will be able to stand firm knowing God's truth and promises when temptation comes our way. Psalm 119:11 encourages us about the power of memorizing scripture "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

So when temptation comes your way, stand firm in God's word and give thanks that God has not left you alone, he knows what you are going through and will give you strength to escape and endure.

With thanksgiving,
Linda

Classic Pecan Pie

This morning my kids and I planned our Thanksgiving dinner menu, it was pretty easy because we tend to like the same menu each year but it is fun to talk about it and anticipate the yummy flavors. So, you're right I haven't shopped for Thanksgiving yet, I'm planning to do that later today or tomorrow. I really don't stress about Thanksgiving, I find it a fun meal to prepare.

Anyway, after giving you a recipe for pie crust a couple of days ago, today I want to share my favorite Pecan pie recipe. It is on our menu for next week and I am so looking forward to it. Before I made pecan pie for the first time I thought it would be really difficult to make so I was hesitant to try it. I was so wrong! It is delightfully easy to make, and mine have always turned out good. Most pecan pie recipes are pretty similar, I have always used the one from the Better Homes and Garden New Cook Book (not so new however, mine is almost 20 years old!). Here it is:

3 eggs
1 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups pecan halves
Pastry for single crust pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare pastry for single crust pie according to directions, line pie plate with pastry trimming to 1/2 inch beyond edge of plate; fold under extra pastry. Make a fluted or scalloped edge.

For filling, in a mixing bowl beat eggs lightly with a rotary beater or fork till combined. Stir in corn syrup, sugar, margarine or butter, and vanilla. Stir well. Stir in pecan halves.
Place a pastry-lined 9-inch pie plate on the oven rack. Pour the filling into the pastry-lined pie plate. Cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes.
Remove foil; bake for 20-25 minutes more or till a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool pie on a wire rack. Cover and chill to store. Makes 8 servings.

Smart Mom's notes:
I always use extra pecan halves, probably about 2 cups total. Also, I typically pour the filling into the pie plate, cover the edges with my pie crust shield or foil, then carefully transfer it to the oven. I don't like trying to do all that over my hot oven. Sometimes I leave the edges covered for longer, and just remove the shield/foil during the last 10 minutes so that the crust doesn't get too done. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream!

Enjoy!
Smart Mom



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Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 17 - The Power of God

"For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--

all things have been created through Him and for Him."

                                               Colossians 1:16

We have been experiencing a series of storms here in the Pacific Northwest; over the last few days we have had heavy rain and strong winds which has knocked out the power to our home three or four times. This morning I am thankful that the worst of the storm has passed and our power supply to our home has been restored.

We rely so heavily on electricity to power our lives; to provide light and warmth, to enable us to cook meals, brew coffee, watch TV and use our computers. That source of power is so vulnerable and when it's taken from us we are left scurrying for flashlights, candles and warm blankets. The power of God is not like the electrical power supply to our homes and businesses, and for that I am so thankful.

The power of God is beyond our comprehension and able to withstand any storm; even if we lose faith in that power it is still there. His power is sufficient to create and sustain all things, both seen and unseen. God wants us to rely on His power for our lives, we won't be disappointed or left in the dark!

Giving thanks for the power of God!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 16 - Thankful for Trials?

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result,

so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

             James 1: 2-4

This morning my Bible reading brought me to the book of James and I read the familiar verses quoted above regarding trials in our lives. This topic was not one that I had planned out on my list for the Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, but it reminded me that I should be thankful for the trials in my life.

It seems over the years that my husband and I have gone through more than our fair share of trials. As a pastor and pastor's wife we have had the privilege of serving the Lord in those capacities and experiencing the many joys and blessings which come with the ministry. However, it seems that adversity also comes with the calling and without going into details, we often have felt like we were put through the wringer!

In the book of James, we are told to consider it all joy when we experience various trials... that is hard to do when you are right in the middle of a painful situation and you can't see the end in sight. So why consider it joy? Because God can use every situation for good if we allow Him to; He uses those very trials to test our faith, and that testing refines and purifies us. When we go through traumatic times and keep hanging on to our faith, knowing that God loves us and is sovereign over our lives, we are enduring or persevering. That endurance does have a positive result. We come through the trial with a deeper, stronger faith and trust in God. With more faith we become more Christlike, we are able to share our faith in and love for God in a more meaningful way with others.

I know sometimes it is so hard to see the good in the trials you face, but trust in God that He has a plan, He wants you to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Someday you will be able to look back at where you came from and see that God was at work in your midst.

Give thanks for trials.
Linda

Easy as Pie

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to bake and eat pie; I love pie (I would choose it over cake any day of the week), and my favorite is pecan. If you have never baked a pie, don't be afraid to give it a go, homemade pies are way better than store bought, you can really taste the difference. Thankfully, the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies served at Thanksgiving are easy to make.

Start with a good recipe for the crust. You can buy ready prepared crusts, that's ok, but my preference is to make it yourself, it doesn't take that much time, and for Thanksgiving I definitely recommend making your pies the day before.
Here is an easy recipe for pie crust which works well for fruit pies. It is enough for one double crust ,or two single crust pies.

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup butter flavored shortening
ice water (approx 1/2 cup)

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Gradually mix in ice water 1 Tbsp at a time until a soft dough forms.
Divide into two equal portions and roll out onto a well-floured pastry mat.

Tips for successful pastry:

• Keep the ingredients cool, ice water is best. Shortening can be chilled if you like although I don't personally do that.
• White sugar or confectioners sugar can be used. Dough will be slightly more sticky with white sugar, however.
• Don't overwork the dough; mix quickly and handle as little as possible to avoid the pastry becoming tough.
• Use a lightly-floured pastry mat and rolling pin. Make sure your rolling pin is long enough and of sufficient weight to roll the pastry evenly.
• Roll the dough from the center, turning a quarter turn after each roll to ensure even rolling in the shape of a circle.
• Roll pastry to form a circle 1" larger than the size of your pie plate.
• Transfer the pastry to the pie plate by gently rolling it over your rolling pin and unrolling over the plate. Gently press pasty into the pie plate. 

Specific baking instructions will vary depending on the type of pie you are baking. I will share my favorite pie recipes with you in the coming days.

Good tools are helpful in the kitchen, I was a consultant for The Pampered Chef for a number of years, so I have a well-stocked kitchen. I highly recommend their products, I get great results with their pastry blender and stoneware deep dish pie plate. If you need a consultant to purchase from I would be happy to recommend one for you.

Happy baking!
Smart Mom





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Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 15 - Great is Thy Faithfulness

"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

                               Lamentations 3:22-23

This morning in church we sang about the steadfast love of the Lord, how it never ceases, how His mercies never come to an end -they are new every morning; great is God's faithfulness. We also sang the familiar hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness. This brought a smile to my face as I remembered singing it at my wedding ceremony, it caused me to reflect and give thanks for God's faithfulness.

• God has been faithful to love me.
• God has been faithful to work in my life and heart.
• God has been faithful to hear my prayers.
• God has been faithful to my husband and me throughout our marriage; He has blessed us with love and commitment.
• God has been faithful to strengthen and protect me.
• God has been faithful to keep His word.

I am so thankful that God is faithful and unchanging, that when things around me are uncertain, He is always there, always holy and righteous, full of compassion and mercy.
Great is Thy faithfulness O God!

Give thanks!
Linda

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 14 - Never Alone

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money,

being content with what you have; for He Himself has said,

"I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," "

                           Hebrews 13:5

We are almost halfway through our Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, are you finding new things for which to be thankful each day?

Today my thanksgiving is for the promise from God that He will never leave nor forsake me. This world that we live in and the experiences we go through can leave us feeling worn down and exhausted, sometimes alone. People often let us down, even those we have considered trusted friends will hurt or betray us. It is just human nature, no one is perfect and we all fail. So thanks be to God that He is perfect in every way, and He will not abandon us.

So many things vie for our attention and devotion these days, yet God wants us to be devoted to Him, to be content with what we have and whatever comes our way. He promises to be with us through the good and the bad, and to carry us through the difficult times. When we come to Him in faith, we know we can trust Him and He will not leave us. 

Please take courage in this promise and give thanks for it!

Linda

Turkey Tips

If you are planning to serve turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, it is worthwhile to spend a little time researching and planning so that you can be assured of a moist, delicious turkey.

Turkey has acquired quite a reputation over the years and it's not all been good! I'm sure you've heard many a turkey tale and enjoyed laughing about it over the Thanksgiving meal. Early on in our marriage, my husband and I dined out on Thanksgiving because our turkey was still frozen. I have fought with turkeys to remove the giblets and neck from the cavity (don't know why they have to put those in there anyway... I never use them!), and then tried to hold onto the slippery bird in the sink while rinsing it out. No, this is not a task for the faint-hearted, but take courage these trials can be overcome and after cooking a few turkeys you will find out it's really not that complicated or difficult to successfully cook a turkey.

Well, there are numerous suggestions and tips to assist you along the way, I'm going to refer you today to the Butterball website, because they really know their turkey and it looks like they've got their act together. They have a complete Thanksgiving Guide, I recommend you check it out and get lots of tips for planning a great Thanksgiving celebration. They also have some great calculators to help you with:

• How long to thaw?
• Planning perfect portions
• How long to cook?

I'll be bringing you some more Thanksgiving tips and recipes in the coming days so be sure to subscribe to my blog to stay in touch, and of course I always love to hear from you!

Smart Mom



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Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 13 - Work in Progress

"For I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

                 Philippians 1:6

How awesome that we can come to Christ just as we are! We do not have to correct all of our flaws and fix our mistakes to receive His forgiveness and be welcomed into His family. God accepts us just as we are, yet He does not leave us that way.

There is no salvation in good works or righteous behavior, but good works and righteous living are the fruits of a life surrendered to Christ. Those who belong to Christ Jesus and seek to live and walk by the Spirit will bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-26). Thankfully God's work in our lives does not stop at salvation; He has promised to continue to work in us, perfecting us until the day of Christ Jesus!

People often place higher expectations and standards upon Christians which is sometimes frustrating because we know that we struggle with sin and temptation just like everyone else. Yet it is also good because it keeps us accountable to practice what we preach! God does not expect us to become Christlike by our own strength. He will accomplish that work in our hearts if we allow Him to. We are indeed, a work in progress.

Today, give thanks that God has not left you alone, that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!

Linda

The First Thanksgiving

As a homeschooling parent, I have learned to look for opportunities to teach my children in a variety of ways. It is so fun to make the most of holiday celebrations and bring history to life as we follow traditions passed down. Thanksgiving is one of those wonderful celebrations, it truly provides a learning experience, an opportunity to teach and reinforce the history of this nation to our future generations.

Here is a nice resource on The First Thanksgiving. I received the link to this website from another mom on a homeschooling Yahoo group, and when I checked it out I immediately thought it would be a great resource for me to use with my children. So I want to share it with you also; perhaps you have not seen it and would enjoy it, even if you don't have kids to share it with. Also, I know some of my readers are not in the US, so maybe you don't know that much about the history of the Thanksgiving celebration - I really didn't before I met my husband and moved here. It is always good to learn something new!

So take a look at The First Thanksgiving there are student activities and lots of interesting facts. I hope you find it useful!

Smart Mom



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Amazing Offer for Cooking Light

Just have to share this special offer with you. I rarely buy magazines because I think they are over-priced and typically are full of pages of advertisements, but I do enjoy browsing a magazine for the relaxation benefit. Plus I love to look at new recipes and try some out.


So when I saw this deal for a 1 year subscription of Cooking Light for only $5, I wanted to share it with you. That's 90% off retail, and only $0.42 per issue. I consider that a good deal! The offer is only valid through this Saturday, so don't wait, you can even give a gift subscription to someone else!

Smart Mom



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Countdown to Thanksgiving

Just in case you didn't already know, I am not originally from the United States. I was born in Scotland and moved here to the US at age 22 with my husband, who is American, and at that time was in the US Navy. I miss my home country but have really enjoyed living here and experiencing this different way of life. So, I did not grow up with the tradition of Thanksgiving  but it is one which I was happy to adopt and celebrate, and I love it. (I have been amazed over the years at how many people here have asked me if we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.K., I have to remind them it is an American holiday!)

Well, it is only 2 weeks until Thanksgiving so it's time to get planning. Do you have a traditional turkey dinner? We are having turkey this year, my hubby isn't crazy about turkey but my kids and I love the whole turkey meal. I promised to cook roast beef the day before Thanksgiving to keep my husband happy - he can eat leftover beef instead of turkey if he wants!

So... having said all that, I will try to share some Thanksgiving tips and recipes for you over the next 2 weeks, and I really would love to receive your input. Please share your tips and favorite Thanksgiving recipes with me. I will gladly give you credit and/or link to your blog posts if you have them.

At this time, the best tip I can give you is start planning your Thanksgiving celebration.

• Where will you spend Thanksgiving?
• Will you invite guests to your home? If so, now is the time to extend those invitations, don't wait or they will make other plans!
• Plan the menu if you are hosting the meal.
• Decide if you will ask your guests to bring a dish to share.
• How can you make the celebration extra special?

Don't worry if you can't answer all of these questions right away, just get started if you haven't already. Also, don't forget this is a time to give thanks, not just to eat a big meal. Visit me for Thirty Days of Thanksgiving at In All Your Ways each day this month to help direct your thoughts toward giving thanks.

Stay tuned.....

Smart Mom

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Thirty Days of Thanksgiving: Day 12 - The Word of God

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

                            Hebrews 4:12

If you read my post yesterday, you will know that I have been a Christian for 23 years. I have spent a lot of time reading God's word, though not always as consistently as I would have liked. This year, however, I have been able to establish and maintain my Bible reading and devotional time with God and the blessing has been tremendous. I start my day at around 6.30 am, and the first thing I do is fill my coffee cup and sit down with my Bible. After reading, I join my husband in prayer. I have read through the entire Bible in the last 8 months and am now reading some new Testament books before I begin a new reading schedule.

I can hardly begin to give thanks for God's word, it nourishes me and satisfies my thirst, yet the more I take, the more I want! The depth of knowledge of God and the power of His Word is often overwhelming, sometimes I have to just sit back and absorb the magnitude of what He has given us.

I fully believe in God's word as absolute truth and it is the authority in my life. God has provided for us His plan of salvation; from the beginning in Genesis through Revelation, He has revealed to us who He is, His purpose for His people and the promise of our future. It is the greatest love story ever told and the most captivating book I have ever read.

Make time in your life for God's word if you don't already, allow Him to minister to your heart and spirit as you study the Bible. Seek His truth for all aspects of your life, you will find it in His word. As you spend time in His word, and draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. You will begin to see things God's way and I pray you will surrender your will to Him.

I am including one of my favorite songs "Word of God Speak" by Mercy Me. I hope you take a few minutes to watch the video and meditate on God's word.




So thankful that I have the freedom to read God's word each day!

Linda

Shopping Savings Tips

Well, I guess I have neglected my Smart Mom Savings blog lately,(sorry!) I've been kind of busy with my other blog In All Your Ways I am really enjoying it, if you'd like, take a few minutes to check it out. Of course I've been busy in many other ways too, however.... here I am and I wanted to share some tips today to help you out with your wardrobe.

Perhaps you are like me and you don't have an abundance of money to spend on new clothing, so in that situation, we have to stretch our dollars and still try to find ways to feel good about our clothing. I don't go shopping very often, however yesterday I was in the mall with my kiddos because they need some new boots for winter. It has been raining so much these last few weeks that I'm sure the snow is just around the corner so we went on a hunt for winter boots. I have to confess that I tend to get sticker shock in the department stores, the discount stores are more often in my budget. Anyway that got me thinking about how to get nice clothing items at a good price.

• Never pay full price! If it's not on sale, it probably will be soon. Retail is very competitive business and most of the stores are offering sales on a regular basis. Check the sales fliers in the newspapers or online before you head out the door, you could save a lot just by waiting a day or two.
• Look for discount coupons in your mailbox, that junk mail could save you money if you take a few minutes to sort through it before you toss it.
• Keep it simple. Ladies, if you are buying for yourself and can't afford a lot of variety, choose classic style pants and skirts in black then liven them up with different color tops. You will then be able to wear black shoes, boots, purse etc. to easily match any outfit, therefore saving you money on accessories.
• Resist the urge to spend a lot on the latest style. What looks really hip and trendy today will be outdated next year, and you probably won't want to wear it.
• Check out the thrift stores and consignment shops if you have any good ones nearby. You may have to sift through to find something just right for you, but the savings could make it worth your time.
• Don't pay for designer labels! Need I say more?
• Check clothing labels for cleaning instructions, if it's dry clean only, consider whether you will want to pay for that service. I bought a comforter set on sale a couple of years ago without realizing it needed to be dry cleaned. At around $40 per cleaning, it was not a good investment, I won't make that mistake again!

Do you have any more tips to share? Leave a comment please, I'd love to hear them.

Have a wonderful day.
Smart Mom

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