Thank You

Good morning, and welcome to a glorious Sunday at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge. I am today's challenge hostess - what a privilege!

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The scripture that I chose for our challenge today is: For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. ~1 Timothy 4:4.

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Our challenge this week is "Thank You". Our sponsor is Doodle Pantry. Thank you, Laurie Wilson, for your generosity!

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My card today features a wonderful sentiment, and a beautiful pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry. I can't wait to see your beautiful Thank You cards this week! You could win some goodies from Doodle Pantry!

Supplies: Image and sentiment from Doodle Pantry, CS:Bazzill, Embossing Folder: Stampin'Up, DP:DCWV Mat Stack, button and ribbon from stash, Scrapper's Floss from The Angel Company, Distressing with Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink.

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In the above scripture, I think that Paul was speaking to Timothy, who was a young man, probably going into the ministry. Paul was preparing Timothy for some of the challenges he would soon face as a young preacher. I think, in verse 4, Paul was telling Timothy that everything God has made is good, that we are to look upon our food and many other blessings as that which God has created, that we have it from Him, and must use it for Him, and that these blessings are double sweet when received with thanksgiving, and sanctified by the word of God, and by prayer to God.

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Having a gift from God is not good enough. To ignore an opportunity to thank God for these gifts is to neglect them. Sometimes, in our hectic and crazy lifes, 'life' gets in the way, and we forget to thank Him.

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My dear husband is usually cheerful and wide awake within seconds of waking up each morning, and within minutes, he is singing, humming, and has the news playing on the TV. I need just a wee bit more quiet time prior to being quite that cheerful, but over the years, we have both found that being cheerful and thankful is the best and only way to start our day.

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Today, dear friends, I woke up thankful. I have counted my blessings, and have given thanks for them. I am thankful for family and friends - they know me so well, and choose to love me anyway! I am thankful for the chance to laugh, talk, pray, and eat together. I know that I have many blessings that I have forgotten to count, and pray that God will help me see these missed blessings.

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I dug out some old dictionaries, and was saddened to see the definition of thanksgiving change over the years. In 1959, it included 'praising God for his mercies'. Over the years, "God" has changed to a small reference of 'divine goodness'.

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I hope that all of you have woken up thankful today. Maybe your life is not perfect, maybe you have needs and wants that have not yet been fulfilled, but my prayer for you today is that you wake up counting your many blessings, with an attitude of gratitude!

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Again, our challenge is: Thank You. It is amazing to see the talent that you bring to our challenges each week, and we are eager to see what visions of beauty that you create this week!

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Hugs, and blessings!

Patti J.