Thankful Thursday--faith in action

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for....By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death....These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised."

Hebrews 11:1-2, 17-19, 39
This week I'm thankful for:
River Vineyard Church and it's mission. Tony has been doing an awesome sermon series based on it--to experience and extend the life, love, healing and hope of Jesus Christ. Two things that stuck with me from this last week are "Faith is spelled R-I-S-K" and "The seven hardest words to say--"Can I pray with you right now?"

Abraham's story. He moved from not really trusting God (trying to pass Sarah off as his sister) to trying to fulfill God's promises through human means (God, you promised me ancestors but aren't delivering, so we'll take things into our own hands and have Ishmael) to not only believing that God would fulfill His promises but also living them out--in being willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice, even though it didn't make any sense in the context of the promise he had been given. I'm thankful for that model of faith--that even when it all doesn't make sense, that God is working and doing things in his way.

Henry and Harmony's preschool/daycare and the teachers there. They really love the kids, and really model kind interactions.

And thanks to Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday, and for all of your thankful hearts! Please visit her and share your thanks...and read everyone else's. It's amazing to see how God is working.