Thursday, November 8, 2007

Thankful Thursday--the 23rd Psalm

Many thanks to Crystal for hosting this week's Thankful Thursday!

The kids are studying the 23rd Psalm, and since I'm teaching, it's a natural guide for my not-feeling-so-thankful-at-the-moment, but-knowing-there-is-lots-to-be-thankful-for heart. As I've been working on it, there is SO much there! So this week is going to be the first three verses, since that's what I'm teaching on Sunday. Stay tuned for the last half next week :)

The LORD is my shepherd,
Thanks, Lord, that you guide us, care for us, watch over us, and don't let us wander too far off. Thanks for your vision that exceeds ours, and that you direct us towards safety and away from danger before we can even see it. Thanks that you bind up our wounds and work tirelessly for us, your sometimes ungrateful sheep.

I shall not want.
Thank you for providing above and beyond our needs--good jobs, stable housing, a budget that has room for the extras. Thanks for Crown Financial Ministries, Dave Ramsey, and other groups that encourage Christians (and others) to "not want"--and realize how blessed they are.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Thanks for a nice bed in a safe house...and that I don't have to sleep outside in the grass! Thanks for the kids enjoying the leaves this week.

He leads me beside quiet waters.
Thanks for the tranquility that I often find beside bodies of water. Thanks that you refresh us with your living water, even when we wrestle with you. Thanks for River Vineyard Church, and the impact it's had already in both individuals and our community.

He restores my soul;
Thanks that you heal and restore people both physically and emotionally. Thanks for how you use music to restore our soul, and I'm thankful for the many musical settings of this Psalm, especially "The King of Love my Shepherd is" and "Yea though I wander" (track 7 of this CD) that I learned in choir...and my entire college choir career.

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Thanks, Lord that you not only KNOW the way, you ARE the way. Thanks for revealing yourself to us, and for bringing glory to you through your leading. Help us to be good followers.

17 comments:

Aunt Angie said...

I LOVED that! The Lord must be "speaking to me"! He reminded me of that same Psalm while on vacation and I blogged about it over the weekend! My how good our Father is!
Your blog is so encouraging and uplifting! Thank you for the precious reminder of His shepherding ways with His devoted children!
You blessed me!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I really like how you did your Thankful post. Using these verses to give thanks to God is wonderful!

Hope you have a wonderful week!
Karen
http://thetagblog.blogspot.com/

Crystal said...

Psalms 23 is one of the greatest psalms. Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings

Denise said...

This was so awesome.

Donetta said...

Oh ya!

lori said...

I think I am with everyone else...I LOVE THAT!!!
what a wonderful post...your inspiration was perfect...

It's in the details I tell you...the details!
blessings and peace,
lori

Kim said...

Sweet!

Mom to 5...Daughter of the King said...

That is great! What a wonderful reminder of how the Word wants us to be thankful! Loved the WW too!

Melissa Sheldon said...

That was so beautiful, it is hard to come up with a comment, for the tears in my eyes. Thank YOU for sharing.

Jen said...

Oh! I have this book you might want to read (in all your spare time--ha ha!). It's titled "A Shepherd Looks At The 23rd Psalm." I loved it and plan to re-read it over and over. Lots of insight into the ways God sees us sheep...you can borrow mine!

Ms. Kathleen said...

How wonderful! You really did an awesome prayer with the psalm. God Bless!

Talk..to..Grams said...

I am like every one else I think this is great how you made a prayer and thankful list out of the 23rd Psalm! Love that! Thanks for your visit! Blessings ,Grams

Nise' said...

Awesome! I am reading this little book called Safe in the Shephard's Arms - Hope and Encourgment from Psalm 23! It is wonderful.

Heather said...

I'm glad I'm not sleeping on the grass either! What a great application of God's Word to your lfe.

Love Bears All Things said...

I loved all of your list. Thank you.
Mama Bear

Mary said...

Thank you for sharing! Praise God for His goodness to us. Blessings on your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I am just able to carve out time now to visit your TT post. I am so glad I visited. Wonderful list. Thank you for sharing your praise! Love and hugs, Lynn