Thanksgiving for Creation
November 18th, 2009Wednesday’s Reflection
DEAR GOD, THANK YOU so much for creating
such an amazing world for us to live in.
When we take time simply to look around us,
we see an astounding number of examples of your love for us.
Please help us not to take these for granted.
Guide us and our leaders to truly appreciate your world
and not to continue on the path of destroying it, as we seem inclined to do.
Lord, your proof of love is everywhere.
Truly, how could we not believe?
For it is in Jesus’ name that we ask these things. Amen.
- Keith McCartney
“Waiting for Openness to the Beauty of God’s Creation”
Waiting: A Time to Hear God’s Voice
From p. 47 of Waiting: A Time to Hear God’s Voice by Fred Cloud. Copyright © 2009 by the author. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission of Upper Room Books. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Advent begins on November 29, 2009. Consider the new book, The Uncluttered Heart by Beth A. Richardson, as a part of your Advent discipline this year. Purchase your copy today. Join Beth for daily conversation at unclutteredheart.org.
Today’s Question
Where do you see proof of God’s love in the world around you? Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
“My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king.”
- John 18:36, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for the Scriptures and inspirational writings. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Get Ready for Advent. Advent starts on November 29. This important Christian season helps us get our spirits ready for the coming of the Christ child. Prepare your heart — observe Advent.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Gertrude the Great of Helfta (November 16).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 18th, 2009 at 4:25 am
I see proof of God’s love around me in the steadfastness of the employees at work. Even though things are changing and becoming more difficult, changes out of our control, we continue to hang in – impacting what we can…at least some of us.
I see proof of God’s love around me in creation -this Fall that has continued to linger, along with the sun – what a blessing. I have so appreciated being able to take a walk during my lunch hour – to put work aside and to crunch in the beautiful leaves along the road. Feeling the sun on my back – a gift indeed where I live.
I see proof of God’s love each morning, right here. To all of you – more love for God and from God today. Keep reaching out to Him – He is there. Thank You Father.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I see proof of God’s love all around me, starting with my ‘new life’ with Him. “I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind, but now I see”-Amazing Grace. Whereas before, I was so lost, addicted to drugs, concerned only with myself, I didn’t ’see’ anything or anyone around me, I had tunnel vision.
Now that I’ve handed my life over to my Savior, I see beauty in everything, starting right here at home, in my family. I see now how much my husband, dad, sons and stepdaughter love me. I appreciate the ‘little things’ like going for a walk, the trees and the pond on our property…it’s as though I’m seeing them for the first time.
I see hope in my life and that hope comes from the Lord, whom without,I wouldn’t be here today. He has brought me to this beautiful place in my life and I’m so grateful. I may not be exactly where I want to be in life, but thank God I’m not where I was.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Where do I NOT see proof of God’s love in the world around me? Always in the best of circumstances but especially in the worst of circumstances, God is there comforting, healing, loving, encouraging, and guiding his wounded children to reach out and comfort, heal, love, encourage others in the same way. God is in all the details of my life including in my role as caregiver of my Mother who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, depression, having to move to a memory care wing against her wishes; in my husband’s Crohn’s Disease; in my daughter’s two miscarriages this year; in my Mother-in-law’s battle with cancer this year; in our crippled economy; in our rising secular society; and in our political correctness obliterating being able to wish and be wished “Merry Christmas”. However, as I watch the sun rise this glorious fall morning, and begin it’s celebratory dance among the beautiful red oak leaves across the street, I am reminded that the earth is full of God’s glory and constantly reflects his faithfulness and love to us in the changing of the seasons, the beauty of nature and wildlife, and his generous outpouring of blessings to those who choose to look for them. I thank and praise God for giving me eyes to see Him everywhere and in everything. I am also grateful for seeing examples of God’s love and healing in the Upper Room Daily Reflections which have become a daily blessing for me.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:02 am
In the overflowing secret gifts and blessings that God gives to me each and every day.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
When I wake up and look out my window and see the beauty before me I see God’s love. He prepared this earth for us as a gift to our senses.
I also see God’s love in the faces of my friends.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
You all have already given my answers!
Where NOT, indeed. God is so good, so present, so wonderful.
How can we NOT believe???
November 18th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I see and feel his love in the blessings of my children, my husband, my mother and father and my friends who are there for me through him, when I need them and for giving me beautiful weather on my Birthday and throughout the week this year in November for me to enjoy and extend my celebration-for a change.:-)
November 18th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I see proof of Gods Love around me, by his providing for me. Such as…a place to live, food, finance and family and his Loving arms, around me all the time. The air that we breath and the beautiful nature around us…Amen
November 18th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
All I have to do is look at my family and friends and I see God surrounding me. The beauty of nature, the sunrise and sunset. When I hold the hand of a dying patient and watch their face transform as the time nears, I know they are looking on the face of God and it is pleasing to their sight. All it takes is a touch from my husband or a hug from my daughter and I know that God lives in and around me.