Change

     The first year of Everyday Thankfulness comes to a close today and tomorrows a new day dawns.  For the new year I'm going to change the way I've been posting.  Instead of a new post every morning with different themes each month - I'm going to do the main post every two weeks with each one being devoted to a different letter of the English alphabet. Please feel free to comment on what your thankful for that begins with that letter.

Month Twelve

      As the final month of 2011 comes to a close, here is a quick recap of my 4 goals for the past year..

#1 Start a blog called Everyday Thankfulness to encouraging thankfulness.

#2 Start a blog called Pupperville Ponderings where I can post all my puppet stories with some added thoughts to ponder.

#3 Finish making the rest of my unfinished puppets.

#4 Finish studying out the book of Revelation

      So, How did I do?

#1 I've continued posting daily to the Everyday Thankfulness and with this post will have posted 365 times on something to be thankful for. This goal was successfully completed and for the coming year I planning to keep this blog running but under a different format.

#2 All though I took a 5 week break during the busy soccer season, Pupperville Ponderings has had just under 50 stories posted and is gearing up for another year. I would say this goal was successfully completed.

#3 As for my puppets I'm not sure if I'll find the extra decorations I would like for three of them but the puppets are done and if I can ever get a camera working I'll get the pictures taken and posted on the above blog. As of now, I'm not planning to build more puppets. This goal was reached.

#4 My study of Revelation completed it's next leg of its journey a while ago and I'm thinking I will start turning my notes into a deeper study to be used as lessons along with some new puppet stories later in 2012. For what I wanted to accomplish, I think I got one leg of the journey completed but more is to come.

      Did you reach your goals? Do you have goals for the new year? I'm working on mine.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the ability to set goals to work towards
• For making progress towards fulfilling them

Variety

     As I was thinking of one last post before the wrap up the idea of variety came to mind Are you thankful for variety? For the variety we have in people so we're not all the same, the variety in the foods we eat, the landscape, the seasons, the music, the books we read, the rooms and decor of buildings, and the list could go on. Even with this list there has been a wide variety of things for which we can be thankful for.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For variety

The way, The Truth, The Life

     John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)

      There are those who look for life, there are those who want to know the truth, there are those who seek for God. For those, Jesus is the answer for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life., if we would only turn to Him.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For giving us the Way, Truth and Life

Bread Of Life

     John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (ESV)

      My wife makes fresh baked bread and when it's topped with home made jamb it is awesome but it nothing I comparison to Jesus as the Bread of Life For while the brad my wife may make may nourish the physical body, Jesus nourishes the soul and more.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the Bread of Life

Gifts

     Well, Christmas is over and travel is done but the spirit of Christmas goes on. We exchanged many gifts over the last couple weeks and I would like to say thank you for the gifts I have received. This year I have received slippers (two pairs) a shirt (hand made) candy, swiss rolls, and a couple of gift card for Amazon I can use to get some books I would like to add to my library.

      What did you get this year that you're thankful for?

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For all the gifts I received this year.

Home

     Over the last couple of weekends we have been celebrating Christmas away from home and that has meant lots of driving. And while going to visit family is enjoyable – there's no place like home. And before this day is over, Lord willing, we will be home.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For home

Jesus

      Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (ESV)

      Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (ESV)

      The name Jesus sane as Joshua means savior for as the angel stated Jesus came to save.

      Dear Lord,Thank you

• For Jesus

Family

     Tonight our family will be celebrating Christmas with my side of the family. As long as I can remember, my parents always opened gifts Christmas eve, usually after having a wonderful evening meal at my grandparents house on my dad's side of the family while Christmas Day was spent with my mom's side of the family. We still try to get to my parents for Christmas eve as much as possible while getting together with my wife's family varies from a week or two before Christmas to Christmas day.

      Family is a wonderful thing to have and to spend time with this time of year. I enjoy the family get together on both sides of our family and I enjoy the family I have right at home.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For family

Annual Meeting

      Today is the annual meeting where I work, well, almost where I work. For many years they would clean out a big area and hold the meeting in the plant but now they hold it at the main ice arena. Donuts, rolls, cookies, sub sandwiches, pop, water and coffee are served and there is entertainment and door prizes before the meeting gets under way. The meeting itself is led started with prayer and than the big bosses make their speeches. Last year and this year we have and will receive a ham as a bonus gift as we have not been receiving a cash bonus due to the sluggish building industry.

      I've always enjoyed going to the meetings and many of my family have too.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the annual meeting

High Priest

     Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)

      To fully understand Jesus as High Priest it would take much study – I'm not going to do that but I'll say this – that the priests and high priests of the Old Testament had special roles given to them by God, especially as a go between between the people and God. Jesus has become such but on a greater level for each of us. A lot more could be said but again, I want to keep this short and simple so....

     Dear Lord, thank you

• For making Jesus our Great high Priest

Savior

     Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (ESV)

      Another name for Jesus that we may want to think about is that of Savior. When the Angel earlier had talked to Joseph in his dream, the angel told him that Jesus would save His people from their sins. While most of the world goes on not realizing that they need to be saved from their sins either ignorantly or purposely, we all need to be saved for we are told that the penalty for sin is death, a death that involves more than ceasing to be upon this earth, something that none of us can avoid on our own.

      In Jesus we have the salvation we need because of what He has done for us.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the Savior, Jesus

Master

     Luke 8:24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. (NAS)

      More than once Jesus is called Master a name that shows that Jesus has authority,authority over the wind and the sea, authority over life and death, authority over all creation and if we allow Him, authority over our lives. Can we as the disciples look to Jesus and call Him Master?

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For making Jesus Master
• Help us to make Him our Master

19 on the 19th

     They say that when your age is the same as your birth date it's your golden birthday. What if it's your anniversary?

      I'm not certain as to when we first met but I do remember when she first caught my attention. I used to be called a kid magnet and she was one of those little kids that would gather around me when I was at different church events or so she says but it was at Bible camp (I was faculty and she was a last year student) down on the soccer field where she caught my attention – always in my way (she was on the other team) and flirting with me (Sticking her tongue out at me with her thumbs in her ears.)

     The fall of that year the camp was sponsoring something called Christian Olympics. I was bringing a car load of kids down and she wanted to go so I traveled north to Bemidji (90miles) to get her and bring her down and than returned her afterwards. Well, as it turned out, she forgot her all important calculator in the car and she needed it for her college math courses so I got an envelope and an index card to write a note on and sent it to her and our letter writing back and forth started. Over time I started going to visit the family when the church in Bemidji was having their softball nights.

      I can't say that we dated much but eventually her 19^th birthday rolled around and I gave her a ring with the intention of proposing to her that night – I didn't. Due to a death in the family that same weekend I put off my proposal by a week  or so and on August 4^th 1991 we became engaged. In the coming year I moved to Warroad , MN and took on a higher paying job than I had, and found a place to live and on December 19^th, 1992 we were married. While the plant was on a two week shut down and she was on break from college. Than after a honeymoon along the North Shore of Lake Superior (water falls covered in ice are beautiful) and celebrating Christmas with both sides of the family, we made it home so I could go back to work and my new wife could go back to Bemidji to college.

      Actually, I think when it comes to anniversaries, the 50^th is the golden – both of my Grandparents celebrated theres and my parents will be before to much longer and Lord willing, I hope to do the same -31 years from now.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For my wonderful wife Shelly

Prince of Peace

     Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV)

      In a world full of Chaos it's nice to know that there is peace to be found in Jesus. On the night He was born the angels proclaimed “Peace on earth....”

      Matthew Henry looks at the name in this way - He is the prince of peace. As a King, he preserves the peace, commands peace, nay, he creates peace, in his kingdom. He is our peace, and it is his peace that both keeps the hearts of his people and rules in them. He is not only a peaceable prince, and his reign peaceable, but he is the author and giver of all good, all that peace which is the present and future bliss of his subjects.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the peace we can have from the Prince of Peace.

In-Laws

     This weekend we have been spending time with my wife's side of the family – my in-laws. Now I know there seems to be a lot of jokes out there about in-laws that put them down and I don't like that – To me in-laws are an important part of the family and I appreciate them very much – after all, with out them I wouldn't have my wonderful wife. Growing up I had wonderful examples of how in-laws get along and appreciate one another so today I say....

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For my in-laws

Everlasting Father

     Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV)

      I find this name interesting in that Jesus Himself addressed God as Father and not Himself. Yet as we noted earlier, Jesus is God and since He is God He is also Father. Furthermore He is everlasting unlike our earthly fathers Here's what Matthew Henry had to say about this name.

      He is the everlasting Father, or the Father of eternity; he is God, one with the Father, who is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the author of everlasting life and happiness to them, and so is the Father of a blessed eternity to them. He is the Father of the world to come (so the Septuagint reads it), the father of the gospel-state, which is put in subjection to him, not to the angels, Hebrews 2:5. He was, from eternity, Father of the great work of redemption: his heart was upon it; it was the product of his wisdom as the counselor, of his love as the everlasting Father.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Jesus' Fatherly role towards us

Mighty God

     Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV)

     The second title or name in Isaiah 9:6 is Mighty God. When we think of Jesus at Christmas time we usually think of a tiny baby and yet in that tiny shell of a human being resided our Mighty God. The Gospel of John reminds us that Jesus while he was with God was also God and that through Him and by Him were all things created but there's more reason than that to think of Him as Mighty.

     Matthew Henry says this in his commentary He is the mighty God-God, the mighty One. As he has wisdom, so he has strength, to go through with his undertaking: he is able to save to the utmost; and such is the work of the Mediator that no less a power than that of the mighty God could accomplish it.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the mightiness of Jesus

Back to 32

     It seems like the company I work for has been in the news quite a bit this year and was even mentioned in a speech bu the President of the United States. Why all the publicity? It's because Marvin Windows and Doors has failed to follow the rest of the window manufacturers. What hasn't it done? It hasn't laid people off or closed plants. Instead it has cut in other areas so It can keep people working and customers satisfied.

     One of the cuts revolves around the hours worked per week, and next week the cut in hours from 40 to 32 until orders pick up will go into affect. When combined with our new work schedule we will be working Monday through Thursday with three day weekends every week.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the 40 hour weeks we've had
• For the 32 hour weeks to come as we still have jobs
• For Marvin Windows and Doors for keeping us working.

Wonderful Counselor

     Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV)

      This verse in Isaiah gives us four names relating to Jesus. I'm not going to cover all the names today just one and that is the first one... Wonderful Counselor. When it comes to the counsel or advice of men it may seem to make sense and may seem to work. When it comes to the counsel or advice from Jesus it often doesn't make sense and seems like it shouldn't work. When it comes to reality it's not man's counsel but Jesus' that works right. Too bad we don't always follow it.

      Here's what Matthew Henry's commentary says - Justly is he called wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints; in his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, he was wonderful. A constant series of wonders attended him, and, without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness concerning him. He is the counselor, for he was intimately acquainted with the counsels of God from eternity, and he gives counsel to the children of men, in which he consults our welfare. It is by him that God has given us counsel, Psalms. 16:7; Revelation 3:18. He is the wisdom of the Father, and is made of God to us wisdom. Some join these together: He is the wonderful counselor, a wonder or miracle of a counselor; in this, as in other things, he has the per-eminence; none teaches like him.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the Wonderful Counselor

Chips and Salsa

      Do you have a favorite snack food? I'm not sure exactly when I got started on it but chips and salsa has become one of my favorite snacks. Most of my kids enjoy them as well. Over the years it's been enjoyable to watch the youngest learn to eat them, especially if the salsa has some spice to it. I usually like to eat them with a Pepsi ( a favorite drink)

      What kind of snacks are thankful for?

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For chips and salsa

King of Kings

      Revelation 17:14 Together they will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones. (NLT)

      We live in times when many are dissatisfied with their leaders, rulers, etc whatever they may be called for all human rulers are, well, human and as such are far from perfect. Jesus, on the other hand, is perfect and is above all rulers whether they be presidents, governors, dictators, kings or whatever. As such we can know He is the ultimate authority and us ultimately in control even when we can't see it. Someday He will be the only King.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For making Jesus King of Kings

New Shoes

     Every once in awhile one needs to go out and buy some new shoes. While there are those who would buy shoes just because they don't have anything to match their wardroom, I try to only buy shoes when the last pair has worn out. My last pair – a pair of steel toed shoes – finally wore out. The sides had developed holes and the steel in the toes was digging into my toes and the heals had lost their support. Since it is almost Christmas, the local Alco store runs a 30% off almost anything coupon each week before Christmas. I chose to use it on a new pair of shoes. Yes, they look nice to me, and they aren't full of holes and feel half way comfortable for not being broke in. I think I'm really going to like them.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For new shoes

Lamb

     John 1:35-36 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said*, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (NAS) Yesterday I talked of Jesus as the Great Shepherd, today I'll think of Him as the Lamb of God. No, He's not likened to a sheep because He's dumb but because He is the sacrifice for our sins.

     Hebrews 9:22 says that according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (NAS) When you read through the O.T. You find that the lamb is one of the most sacrificed animals and is mentioned as the animal needed to be sacrificed for an atonement of ones sins, but it had to be done time and time again. With Jesus as the ultimate lamb, no more sacrifices need be made.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For making Jesus the ultimate sacrificial lamb.

Shepherd

     I have heard that sheep are not very smart – maybe that's why people are often compared to sheep in the Bible. If that's why, I'd have to agree but it's not sheep I'm thinking of today but the shepherd, the one who cares for the sheep. In John 10:11 Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. (NAS) A few verses later He again claims to be the Good Shepherd.

      As sheep, we can be thankful for such a great shepherd who takes care of us. One might think of the 23^rd Psalms - The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NAS)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For a Shepherd that cares for us

Light

     In the first chapter of Genesis we read that God created light – the light the we use to see by as we walk along a path, the light we see to read by, the light that removes physical darkness. But there's more to this world than physical darkness – there is also spiritual darkness, moral darkness, emotional darkness, etc. and for that we need a a different kind of light and Jesus is that light - John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (NASB)

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For the Light Jesus is

Cornerstone

     Ephesians 2:19-20 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (ESV)

      Jesus is a cornerstone. A cornerstone is the important first stone upon which a foundation is laid for the building of a house. If the cornerstone is not perfect the foundation will not be either. As a cornerstone for the foundation of our lives He will never fail but if we choose another, no matter how hard we try we'll always fail in the end.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For making Jesus our Cornerstone

Amazon Shopping

     With the Christmas season upon us, I've been doing lots of shopping but instead of fighting the crowds at the stores I've been sitting in front of my computer. The number one place I've been shopping is Amazon. Amazon has made shopping easy with its wide variety and free shipping right to the door – or mailbox.

Dear Lord, Thank you

• For Amazon shopping

Immanuel

     Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (NKJV)

      We are told that the name Immanuel means “God with us” What a thing to be thankful for knowing that God is with us wherever we night be.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For being with us

Inventory

     Today marks the last Saturday I should have to work for a while as the work schedule is changing and will eliminate Saturdays. As it stands last Saturday should have been my last Saturday but this weekend is inventory and I was requested to help. Inventory time comes once a year just after Thanksgiving. It's a time when all production comes to a halt and everybody cleans, organizes and counts, re counts and triple counts everything in the plant. I have only missed one inventory since I started 19 ½ years ago (due to a baby being born) and while some complain about them, I like them. I like them because things get cleaned up and in general it is a relaxing day

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For inventory day

Drain Field

     This past week something really big was digging in my yard. It was a big cat – the metal kind with a big scoop on the front end. Why was it digging? It was extending the drain field for our septic system.

      I'm not sure I know of anybody who wants to be thinking about sewage and the like and unless something goes wrong, we don't, we just take it for granted so today I'd like yo be thankful for a working septic system and drain field.

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For a working septic system and drain field

Names For Jesus

     It's a new month and time for on last theme. Since this is the month in which we have chose to celebrate the birthday of God's son, I thought it would be appropriate to look at various names or titles given to him in the scriptures to help us focus on Him and be thankful for His coming to earth as a little child

      Dear Lord, Thank you

• For sending Your Son into this world