Tonight’s Bible study was a little different than most. My preacher/teacher/husband gave us some Scriptures to read about giving thanks: First Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 5:16-20: “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise … always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
We talked a little about giving thanks, then we each took an 8.5-by-11 piece of paper and for the next 10 minutes we did nothing but write down things we were thankful for. I came up with more than 100 things to thank God for. Here are some of them.
God Himself — His sovereignty. The Holy Spirit — His comfort. Jesus Christ — His sacrifice. The Bible.
My husband. Our marriage. Two great children. Four delightful grandchildren. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. My grandma Delsa Stewart. Mom. Dad (Vernon Legg was the best father in the world). Bob Adams, who made my mother so happy after my father passed away. My wonderful and much-missed sister, Diana.
Colors (especially purple and lime green). Flowers. Air. Water. Mountains. Lakes. Rivers. Snow. Diet Coke. Tomatoes. Grandma Stewart’s antique quilt. Music. Books. Authors such as Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis, Lisa Scottoline, Colleen Coble, Lisa Gardner, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Ken Follett, James Grippando, and James Patterson.
Soap. Shampoo. Hot water heaters. Air conditioners. The schools I attended: Collett Elementary, McLean and Otter Creek Middle Schools, Garfield High School, Indiana State University, Lincoln Christian University. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Milky Way Simply Caramel candy bars.
Rainbows. Grocery stores. The medication I take every day that makes me feel better. The shot I give myself every day that keeps my diabetes manageable enough to live with.
My house. My car. Good roads. Interstate highways. A reliable GPS. Scenic drives through the country on a lazy afternoon with my husband. Gloves to wear on a cold day. Umbrellas. Comfortable shoes. Great looking dress shoes (no matter how uncomfortable). Wind chimes. Telephones. Televisions. Freshly laundered sheets on my bed. Fluffy towels straight from the dryer.
Maplewood Christian Church, full of great people who helped lay the foundation for my faith; State Line Christian Church, full of loving and gracious people of the Lord; Frankton Christian Church, full of wonderful friends generous with their love.
Sunday school. Choirs singing praise. Noodles. Jobs God gave me: working at three great libraries—Lincoln Christian University, Indiana State University, and Frankton Community Library; teaching at Ivy Tech State College and John Paul II High School; writing columns for the Terre Haute Tribune-Star and the Anderson Herald Bulletin.
OK. Grab yourself a piece of paper. Set the timer for 10 minutes. Write down the things you are thankful for. Chances are your list will have more than 100 things, too. Ready? On your mark. Get set. Start being thankful.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, may be reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: On your mark, get set, start being thankful
- Religion
-
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
-
The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
-
Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
-
Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
-
THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
-
Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
-
THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
-
Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
-
Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
-
THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
-
Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
-
THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
-
African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 23, 2013
-
Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
- More Religion Headlines
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
