Thankful Hearts

There's a Veggie Tales song about Thankful Hearts. One of the lines goes something like, "a thankful heart is a happy heart, I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy place to start..."

Let me wax philosophical for a moment here. I am a poli sci major after all. Somewhere along the road, as a nation we've lost the ability to be thankful for what we have. I remember seeing news clips where people on welfare state that cable tv is a staple, a necessity of their lives. It's an American way of life.

How often do we step back and cultivate an attitude of being thankful for what we have? Happy with what we have? Blessed with what God has granted?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines thankful as: Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. The Random House Unabridged Dictionary compares thankful and grateful in the following way: Grateful indicates a warm or deep appreciation of personal kindness as shown to one: grateful for favors; grateful to one's neighbors for help in time of trouble. Thankful indicates a disposition to express gratitude by giving thanks, as to a benefactor or to a merciful Providence; there is often a sense of deliverance as well as of appreciation: thankful that one's life was spared in an accident; thankful for the comfort of one's general situation.

I want to cultivate a life that is grateful for what's been given to me. I drive a nice, dependable vehicle. Why should I covet what somebody else has? God has provided a wonderful job to Eric that in turn provides a great roof over our heads. The home is large, and allows us to host many different groups, something that is important to me. Why should I want for more? My closet is full of stylish clothes that fit. My bookshelves are lined with books I love and movies I enjoy. What more could I ask for.

Yet it's easy to slip into an attitude that covets the house my friends has on two acres in th ecountry. (Do I really want to live in the country?!?!? Me thinks the yard might be overwhelming). Or I think I need more clothes, more books, more fill in the blank here.

And as I raise my kids, this sense of entitlement to more is placed squarely in front of my face. I want to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in them. A spirit that turns to their heavenly Father to provide all of their needs. A spirit that can distinguish between needs and wants. It's a challenge, but I want to rise to meet it.

So as Thanksgiving approaches here are a few more things I am thankful for:

• A husband who provides very well for his family.
• A husband who works hard so that we do not want for anything.
• A God who provides all of our needs according to His riches and glory.
• A home that more than adequately shelters us.
• A home that can be a ministry tool as we open it up to others.
• Vehicles that are dependable to get us to jobs and ministries.
• A God who loves me without abandon, and who's mercies are new every morning.
• A God of second chances.
• A God who does not waste any experience that I have.
  

So what do you do in your family to cultivate thankfulness? And what are you thankful for this year?

Canteen Dreams

So many of you asked about where you can get my first book. Thank you! Yesterday I was at Carpenter's Son and they have a shelf of them! So feel free to go get it there -- cost $2.97.

Also on December 1 from 1-3, Carpenter's Son will host a booksigning for me and six other Indiana authors including Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter, Brandt Dodson and Jamie Carie. I'd love to have you stop by.

Cara

Getting out of that Pit and Lies about Sin

Tomorrow night we will examine three steps that we can take to cooperate with God as we ask Him to not only lift us from the pit but also heal us completely. Cry out, confess, and consent. I think God has a lot to show us, and I'm excited to discuss these steps with you and learn from you.

On Sunday, we'll look at the next two lies we believes about sin. So don't miss it!

Don't forget

Clocks fall back an hour Saturday night. So set them one hour back Saturday night so you arrive at Sunday School and service on time. :-)

Sunday School

This week in the Ladies Sunday School class we will discuss the last two lies that women believe about themselves. These lies are:
1) Physical beauty matters more than inner beauty and
Proverbs 31:30
I Samuel 16:7, I Timothy 2:9, and I Peter 3:3-5
2) I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.
Romans 8:23, 25; Ephesians 3:11, Hebrews 11:13-16
Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 34:8-10, and Philippians 3:20-4:1

We've had some very provocative discussions as we've addressed other lies that we believe about ourselves. My personal favorite is I can't help the way I am followed closely by I have my rights. Aren't those dangerous!

Join us Sunday as we dig into the lies AND the truth.

Cara

Canteen Dreams

My friend Crystal Miller has a fun interview up with me. She interviews lots of authors with fun questions about their childhoods. To read the interview and enter a drawing for the book, go here. Also, my sister has a great new blog called Cornhusker Academy. She interviewed me this week, too. And we're giving away another copy of my book, so be sure to hop over and leave a comment. And check out her other posts. She's got some great reviews posted as well as thoughtful posts on homeschooling.

The book signing for Canteen Dreams will be held at Carpenter's Son on December 1st from 1-3. That will be your first opportunity to get the book here in town other than from me. I'll get you invitations later, but wanted to let you know now.

Cara