“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1
“Give Thanks”
by Fatima Soriano
Maybe you won’t have a happy family get-together,
a home with an abundance of food,
or the absence of painful memories on Thanksgiving Day.
But regardless of your circumstances, I sincerely hope
you have a special day thinking of the one constant hope –
Jesus cares and always will.
He has suffered in our place so we could be
set free from sin and all the troubles in this world.
No matter what you’re going through, He’ll get you through it.
His love remains constant even when our lives feel upside-down.
May we be truly grateful for His faithful love and His boundless blessings!
Books
I am not always able to keep up with the abundance of books that promote hope, healing, and freedom, so I haven’t always read every one I post here and on the Books Page. Though many are on my long wish list. 🙂 I find many of them because I read about them on someone’s blog post. If you ever know of a book that is not listed and that supports this website’s mission, please let me know. 🙂
✎ How Jesus Broke the Rules to Set You Free: God’s Plan for Women to Walk in Power and Purpose
“Popular speaker, teacher, and author Sharon Jaynes offers fresh understanding to the meaningful encounters women in the Bible had with Jesus. She spends time with Jesus’ mother, the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, and others, and she brings to life their experiences with the forgiveness, healing, and compassion of Jesus.
As you explore with Sharon how God interacted with these women, you’ll uncover exciting and wonderful encounters, and you’ll see that He has great dreams for you today. He continues to transform women from
– insignificant to highly esteemed
– disgraced to full of grace
– guilty to forgiven
You will discover God’s heart and hope for you as He lovingly exchanges your heartache, hopelessness, or shame for the beauty of wholeness.” (Amazon Review)
✎ Making It Home: Finding My Way to Peace, Identity, and Purpose
“For women who have grown up in the tension between third-wave feminism and Martha Stewart, it can be a struggle to define and embrace the meaning of home. There is constant pressure to do things a certain way, and sometimes intense criticism from those who think you’re doing it wrong. But what if home isn’t really about whether or not you homeschool or have a career? What if it’s more about who you are than what you do?
A self-proclaimed “former subversive,” Emily T. Wierenga has learned the art of making a home and the joy of settling down. Emily takes readers on an unconventional journey through marriage, miscarriage, foster parenting, and the daily struggle of longing to be known, inviting them into a quest for identity in the midst of life’s daily interruptions. Through soul-stirring writing, she helps women understand that homemaking is much more than old-fashioned tradition; rather, it’s a timeless art requiring mind, body, and spirit.” (Amazon Review)
Hope Harbor
❀ I Give Up – A great reminder by Michelle about surrendering our insecurities, shame, etc., to God and His healing promises
❀ Thank You For the Fleas – How can one be thankful for fleas?! This is an article about how and why Betsie thanked God for the fleas in the concentration camp. (Excerpts from The Hiding Place) An amazing example of how God turns bad things into our good and His glory.
❀ What God Thinks About You – an article by John Rinehart about our identity in Christ with proof from many Scripture passages
Nature Retreat
“Lots of people talk to animals,” said Pooh…
“Not very many listen, though,” he said.
Benjamin Hoff
“Listen to the voice of nature,
for it holds treasures for you.”
Native American (Huron) Proverb
More of God’s Amazing Creatures
(Cicada photo was taken by my brother, John V.V.
All other photos were taken by myself.)
➺ Conservation Institute: Earth Matters – Awesome photos and animal facts that “instill a sense of awe and reverence for this incredible world we live in by showcasing the beauty and wonder of nature.”
➺ God’s Beautiful Creation – Breathtaking scenes of nature that will put you in awe of the Amazing Creator. In the background, Brian Doerksen sings “Creation Calls.”
➺ Nikon’s Small World – Astounding photos that capture “the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope.”
Quotes
I’m adding a new category on my Quote Page – Gratitude. That warm feeling of appreciativeness and thankfulness for gifts and blessings bestowed on us. It’s not always easy to “feel” that way, especially if we’re in the depths of pain or depression. I know it’s something I need to work on – To even in the midst of suffering, intentionally focus on what God’s gifts are. It can help us to look more through God’s perspective and live more hope-filled.
❤︎ “Giving thanks is that: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God when Satan and all the world would sneer at us to recant.” ~ Ann Voskamp
❤︎ “Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich
❤︎ “Gratitude’s not a natural posture. The prince of darkness is ultimately a spoiled ingrate, and I’ve spent most of my life as kin to the fist-shaker.”~ Ann Voskamp
❤︎ “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.” ~ Thomas Merton
❤︎ “We give thanks to God not because of how we feel but because of who He is.” ~ Ann Voskamp
❤︎ “When I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me.” ~ Ann Voskamp
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Barbie – Weekend Whispers
Freed to Fly 
Hi Trudy! What a delight to read your encouraging words, quotes and books here. I know I’ve said it before, but I just don’t know where you get the time to read so much! I am in awe…
You are a very gifted photographer! That first squirrel photo is such a hoot, he’s so adorable!
Thank you for all the encouragement I’ve found here in this past year. It’s great to be connected to you through our blogs. I look forward to continuing in 2016! Have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!
Blessings always,
Ceil
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Thank you, Ceil, for your kind words and blessings. I’m so glad you were encouraged. I am so encouraged by your posts as well. I do read quite a bit, but I am not able to read as many as I recommend here. I have a long wish list. 🙂 If it’s a book that one of my blogger friends recommends or has reviewed, I list it here, too, if it promotes hope, healing, and freedom. Yes, that squirrel really was a hoot. He was scolding me in other snapshots. I suppose he thought he’d appear bigger if he stood up. 🙂 I’ll be looking forward to you returning in 2016. You have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, too! May God fill you with peace, love, and joy in Jesus! Hugs!
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Oh my goodness! So much great information here! WOW! What a goldmine! Love the gratitude quotes, particularly. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you, Liz. I’m so glad you love the gratitude quotes. They are really meaningful, aren’t they? Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! May God fill you with peace and joy! Hugs!
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Great post, Trudy. I especially love all the Gratitude quotes, but this one really spoke to me today: “Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.” It’s all about perspective, isn’t it? Joy to you today!
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Thank you, Lois. That quote really touched me, too. Gratitude really does change our perspective, doesn’t it? Have a Blessed Thanksgiving! May God fill you with you, too! Hugs!
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You always add great books to my to be read list with these monthly posts, my friend! I absolutely love the first squirrel picture. That is such a perfect shot! Thank you for the gratitude quotes. They are always much needed. I’m grateful this week for friends like you :). I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving, Trudy.
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Thank you, Candace. That squirrel still gives me smiles. 🙂 I’m grateful for you, too, my friend! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving! May God fill your heart with joy and peace! Hugs!
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You provide a rich treasure store here, Trudy! I especially love the gratitude quotes and this one: “We give thanks to God not because of how we feel but because of who He is.” ~ Ann Voskamp” suggests that gratitude is a deliberate act of worship and a sacrifice of praise regardless of our circumstances. In the very act of recognising God’s hand at work in mundane moments we make way to sense His ever-present glory more readily.
Thank you for a new book to add to my ever-growing wish list! I loved Emily Wierenga’s ‘Making it Home’ book and I’m sure your readers will too.
Strangely enough, I’ve just read the excerpt you mention from ‘The Hiding Place’ about Betsie and the fleas in my daily devotionals. It made me smile at yet another great example of seeing the good even in life’s irritations and problems.
And what wonderful captures of creation in your beautiful photos! You amaze me with the great resources you share each month. We find such good soul food here. May you be nourished as you take time out to spend with your family. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Blessings and love. Xx ❤
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Thank you for all your kind words of support and prayers, Joy. I’m so glad you find “good soul food” here. 🙂 That quote reminded me to focus more on who God is than on how I feel. He is unchangeable and always good and always deserves our highest praise no matter what we’re going through. I hope I will remember that more often. May God hold you and carry you through each day with His special strengthening grace! Hugs!
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Hey Trudy … I hope that your Thanksgiving was filled with memories that will sustain, joy that will fill, love that brings a smile …
;-}
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Thank you, Linda. You have given me smiles today. I am so worn out and not feeling the best because of all the busyness, but yes, I have some more precious memories to store in my heart. I’m so sorry you had to miss your grandchild and your dad this Thanksgiving. I’m sure it’s especially hard during these times of family gatherings. May God strengthen and sustain you and give you peace as you grieve these tremendous losses! Hugs!
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I love how you set this up with a little bit of everything. What a beautiful way to provide resources for things that we would like. The photos are gorgeous and the books sound great. I actually have read Making it Home and it is worth reading. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
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Thank you, Mary. I did have a nice Thanksgiving. I hope you did, too. God gives us so much more than we even realize, doesn’t He? May God fill your heart with joy during this season of remembering Immanuel has come! Hugs!
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I love the way you encourage others by your writing, sharing the quotes, photos and other resources. Your blog is a pure delight!
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Thank you for your kind words, Barbie. I’m so glad you are encouraged. Your blog often blesses me, too. 🙂 May God give you strength and peace for each day! Hugs!
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