When we look to Jesus and keep our eyes fixed on Him, we never lose our way or our bearings. He is our guiding light and guiding star in all the darkness of the world and our lives. He shines bright in the murkiness, showing us the right way to go. The safe and straight small lane to eternity with Him.
As we look back over our lives and especially over this last year, we can see how His hand has been on us, our lives and our actions. We can see where the decision we have made has led on to amazing things. The right person to talk to at the correct time. The phone call that has encouraged at the exact time and place we needed. We can see how He has shaped events or our reactions to those events. It gives us an idea of how to live in the future. Looking back and seeing His hand guiding us can help us to nurture thankful hearts.
We need to discipline ourselves to be thankful. Its not an easy in a world that is based on Self and self motivation way of life. Learn to “count your blessings”. At the beginning we may seem childlike or unsure of how to start to be thankful. Start small, and practice. God will honour any attempt even for the small things. Its not something most of us are taught to do. Keep being thankful as much as you can. Nurture it and help yourself grow into new depths with our Lord.
Psalm 100
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before Him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
go into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and His faithfulness continues to each generation.
The Minstrel's Wife 
Jan 01, 2014 @ 13:14:04
Thank you for sharing your positive focus The Minstrel’s Wife, I Love the song that is based on Psalm 100 and I sing it often with great joy to The Lord.
To be honest I did not appreciate even God’s creation, like I do today although I loved animals and enjoyed the beach to look at as I don’t swim and I appreciated gifts of flowers etc but not the same as I do now, it was such a wonderful, Loving realization given to me from God, that I still feel great Joy whenever I remember and I love to share about it.
I was asked if I would create a Power point about Carnations for a friend, it was my first one and I thought to myself Hmmmm red and white and both together how boring but half way through collecting the Pictures I broke down and cried, I was in awe of the incredible beauty and variety of God’s creation even with Carnations alone, I had taken it for granted.
I asked forgiveness and with tears of Joy I continued creating the Power point. I have never been the same since and every time I see a flower now or even a Tree, I feel the awe all over again and often thank God for opening my eyes so I could really see the beauty of His creation. He gave us flowers to enjoy and some are also used for medicine, fragrance and food. I only wish I had smell a vision with my Power points to enjoy their beautiful fragrance that delights our senses.
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
Jan 03, 2014 @ 02:03:08
I could do NOTHING without knowing that Jesus walks at my side. I love Him as no other and He has blessed me with gifts for which I can but kiss His feet in gratitude. Thank you for following my blog.