Thanks!
November 1st, 2007 by Todd Johnson“Thanks” is something that not one of us can give enough of. It seems complaining comes much more naturally. Let’s take this opportunity to express to God and to one another our thankfulness. I (and I’m sure many others as well) would love to hear what God has done in your lives for which you are thankful. Maybe you’re more of a blog lurker than a writer, that’s OK… but here’s your chance to enter into the conversation and encourage someone with a simple comment.
The words of Paul to the Colossians:
“…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:15-17 ESV)
With deep gratitude to God,
Todd
18 Responses to “Thanks!”
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About Todd
Name: Todd Johnson
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Contact: todd@crossroadslive.com
About: Todd is the husband of Sharon, the father of Morgan, Caleb, Makenzie & Claire, and a pastor at Crossroads Church. He considers each of these roles the greatest of privileges.
Verse of the Week
“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ”
- 1 Cor 1:20-21 ESV
Now
Reading:
“The Reason for God” by Tim Keller
“Memoir and Remains of R.M.M’Cheyne” by Andrew A. Bonar
“Above All Earthly Pow’rs by David F. Wells
“The Supremacy of God in Preaching” by John Piper
“Jesus and the Eyewitnesses” by Richard Bauckham
Listening:
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Archives:
- Devotionals (2)
- Quotes (1)
- Recommended Links (4)
- Recommended Resource (5)
- Sermon Wrap-up (5)
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November 2nd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
There are so many things I am thankful for: my wife, my kids, grandkids, home, etc. Beyond all those things God has graciously given to me, I think I am thankful for daily forgiveness and daily patience given by God to me. I ask Him to change me; He gives me trials, then I drag my feet about them.I ask Him to make Himself known to me, and then those trials get answered. So,I repent of my lowlife attitude, (very unbecoming of a “believer”), and then I start the process all over again in some other area. So, I think, no,I know, I am truly grateful for God’s forgiveness and patience!
November 4th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Initial reaction was: Is their sufficient time, space, or vocabulary with which to express my thanks to God? Yes, infinity. It left me groping for words. I’m thankful for my life, my first life in Adam & my subsequent redeemed /ransomed life in Christ. I am in a state of constant awe and thanks for my breath of life, my being, and my senses: to see, hear, touch, smell and taste; For the ability to think and commune with my creator and his creation, however limited it may be for now. Then, the icing on the cake: Christ, Grace, and redemption!
I’m thankful for countless blessings & provisions: Savior, Holy Spirit, His Word, Truth, family, friends, food, clothing, shelter, and freedoms.
Aren’t some of the “ kids-eye-view of thanksgiving” at the ccgv.org web site just hilarious, as well as insightful? Like the one: “ I am thankful for God, family and water” ☺
November 4th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I am thankful to have found Victorious Christian Living class with Eric and Susie Jensen! Eric helped me accept God into my life a little over a year ago, and they (Eric and Susie) continue to lead and teach all of us who attend, about the Word and how it affects and helps us through our daily lives. The class is grateful and honored that Eric is there for us every week and we all have found such a spritual bond, that we feel safe and blessed to be able to share our lives with one another. I thank God, that he lead me to VCL, as it is just what I needed in my life at that time. And now I have also been able to enjoy the fellowship of the church family, who have opened their arms with smiles and love.
And of course I am thankful to live where we live as we can see God’s love just driving down Hwy 49 being surrounded by beautiful trees and greenery.(You don’t often see that in So. Calif where I am from.) There are also countless other things I am grateful for and I thank God for the blessed life I live.
Susanne Reed
November 4th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Every day, I have something to be thankful & to be blessed for. A young person giving me a hug & saying, they love me and ask me to pray for them. A young women crying in church and I can pray with her, I am blessed. The trials that the Lord puts in my life, so I can grow. Don’t like them sometimes,
but…..
Driving #49 and HE keeps me safe.
A hug from a greeter at church, after I had not been there & they say, they have missed me. I am blessed.
To send a card to a neighbors daugher that has cancer & tell her I am praying for her, I am blessed.
That the gophers don’t eat my bulbs & I can enjoy the garden the Lord has given me. I am thankful.
To beable to sit on my front porch in a swing, when it is snowing and watch the Lords work.
And, most of all, I am so BLESSED & THANKFUL for these many years that HE has loved me.
Blessings.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I am already encouraged by reading what each of you has written. What a perfect way to end a Sunday. Thank you.
Todd
November 5th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I am thankful that God is good. He has been so gracious in my life, providing hope in times of darkness, and joy in times of sorrow. I am so thankful that His kindness is never dependent on my faithfulness, but comes richly at every turn in life.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I am thankful for my mom and dad. They built my son and I a home and have shown me such grace and mercy during my recovery. I cannot thank them enough… I love you both so much!!! I am also thankful for Trevor. He loves the Lord and continues to make me laugh every day. I am thankful for our Church and for Victorious Christian Living! VCL we rock!!!!
November 7th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I am thankful for God’s love and grace!!! I love you God!!!!!
November 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I feel so blessed everyday with the little things in life that most people take for granted. Especially when I am driving in the car alone, which isn’t often as I have four kids, I thank God for the hawk that flew above me, for the squirrel that scampered in the field to eat his nut he found, when my son calls me outside to hurry and share the sunset with him. I thank him every day for my children He blessed me with and how he put the seed in their heart to follow Him and to be able to watch them grow in Christ.
I have learned to start my day out by asking Him to have His will be done in my day and to give me strength to respond accordingly in His will. I have found that I am so much more blessed when He has His way instead of me taking mine.
I thank Him continually for the friends, and now family, I have met in CCGV. I thank Him for Todd as he blesses me with his following of Christ and shares it with us all. May you all have a wonderful day!
Lori Roberts
November 8th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
impossible to count the blessings. I am thankful that I found Christ when I did, that GRACE exists.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I am thankful for all the trails and difficulties that God has us in the middle of, right now. What a beautiful, but hard, way to remember that He takes care of us, He provides for us, and He is the Creator of the univerise. How much He loves me is not measured in the number of things I have or how easy life is, but in the way He takes care of my everyday needs. Praise God for these times because they will be over in a heartbeat. At least that’s what I am told!
November 13th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
It’s interesting how we make a special day to say thank you, when we must teach ourselves to be thankful every day through good and bad. I truly am thankful for everyday God gives me with my husband. Thankful to God that he healed my husband of cancer and blessed that we went through cancer together. I am thankful for our three teenage children even on the days my hair goes gray from their trials, because I know God is in the trials with us and he is carrying us through them. I am thankful that God loves me even when I am not a nice person. How thankful I am that we as Christians can express ourselves on a site and each of us can read our love for God. Thank you God for who you are and Thank you to the Johnson family for letting us have time to hear God’s word through Pastor Todd.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:30 am
I am so thankful to God for taking my daughter, Eva Grace, to heaven last year. He is so faithful! He has taken me and held me closer to Him. He has given me that peace that passes all understanding.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:56 am
As I read all of these I am so thankful for this church family that God has allowed me to be a part of. I am so thankful that He has put contentment in my heart. Even in the midst of “mommy I need you” 700 times a day, disappointments and trials, I can say because of Him I am Thankful, I am Blessed, I am Full, because no matter what happens around me the TRUTH is, I have a Savior who loves me and died for me. Thank You, it doesn’t seem like an adequate response, but my heart is truly Thankful.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Man, it’s tough to ignore self-counsel! Now that I’m thinking about it and mindful of it, especially when I’m beating myself up over a situation, a mistake or poor choice I made. It’s a whole lot better to take God’s counsel and listen to the Holy Spirit instead. I’ve asked my wife to keep reminding me of that.
December 12th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Trials, turbulent times that make us understand that we are not in control. Internal strife that requires a moment-to-moment, hour-to-hour, day-to-day approach. Only then can we submit to God and appreciate the daily gifts (such as a warm bed) that can often be taken for granted. Crises isn’t ever easy but sometimes necessary to gain the ultimate prize! Thus, I am thankful for trials.
December 12th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I agree Jay. We rarely appreciate the gifts of God until they are gone, or until we hurt. God knows this, and He also knows that trials bring us back in a way nothing else does. (James 1)
December 29th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Lord, I want to thank you for your love and mercy.
I want to thank you for the way you awaken me every morning with heartfelt thoughts of you. I no longer cringe in getting out of bed, but look forward to the adventures laid out before me as I seek your wonderful promises.
You have brought back my joy and the peace to this family of 3. Violence and destruction ruled our lives until I finally trusted in you. You have been my husband and provider, and the girls and I have not gone without. You have protected and shielded us from the devastation of what could have been, and you have been faithful.
I also want to thank you for the new found friendships, kindred spirits and warm hugs you bring into my life daily. I’m very blessed and I have you to thank for all of it! The world would view my joy in all this as foolishness, but I have no complaints or regrets.
I’m looking forward to the adventures and trials that lay ahead so that I may return them all as praise and thanks to you.