Thanks + Giving = Joy -- Still Counting to 1000 Gifts

What a wonderful way to start the week by working out mathematical formulas!  Right?  No?  Well, math isn't my favorite thing to do, but I was pondering the word "thanksgiving" for no real reason, and came up with this formula:

• Thanks means to express gratitude.  Add to that --

• Giving means to make a gift something, offer something, and those together equal

• Joy meaning a feeling of excitement, exultation.

If math or algebra class had proffered such formulas to work out, I think I'd have been a happier student!

God gives so generously of His love for us in innumerable ways that to not give back to Him in gratitude is disrespectful, thoughtless and unthinkable, at least in my opinion.

So, won't you share in the joy of giving back to God in thanks today for the ways He has been good to you this past week?  We're gathering over at A Holy Experience today to do just that.

516.  The devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
517.  Successful surgery for our son and the start of a great recovery.
518.  Answered prayers.
519.  Joy expressed by friends at the beginning of summer vacation.
520.  Love of a good man shown in so many ways.
521.  Breakthroughs in my writing.
522.  Study of James with friends.
523.  Lovely connections with so many Christian bloggers.
524.  Gift of praying for friends in difficult situations.

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

~~ Refrain from hymn, Praise Him, Praise Him

(Words by Fanny Crosby, music by Chester G. Allen, 1869)

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

Unexpected Joy!

Lately, the gray skies of fall and winter have begun descending on the Pacific Northwest.  With those skies come what I call the doldrums.  Hard to wake in the mornings, unmotivated throughout the day, longing for sunlight, wondering if you suffer from SAD, taking extra Vitamin D just in case.  Add to that the fact that we live under approximately 25 old growth Doug firs and our home is often dark these days requiring lighting almost all day.

And yet this morning has dawned gloriously with sunlight streaming through our windows.  The sky is blue, and the birds are singing!  What an unexpected joy this day is!  The mere sight of sunlight casting its wondrous beams on our floors lifts my heart and makes my soul sing. 

www.fridaville.blogspot.com



"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth."

Psalm 96:1 (NASB)

I wish you unexpected joy in your day!