Giving Thanks

This personal Collection page is inspired by my wife, Sarah's, battle with breast cancer in 2004. Despite the uncertain outcome, she gave thanks to God. Displaying "IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS" in our kitchen served as a daily reminder. Anchored in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we questioned how to give thanks in the face of fear and helplessness. Sam Ericsson, founder of Advocates International, lived a life of thanksgiving, partying in victory and defeat. Explore this collection to uncover the power of gratitude and life-changing "coincidences".

Articles

During Tough Financial Times

Cal Rychener, the pastor of Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, Illinois, shared this poignant memory with me. “I remember a situation from 1979. I was home for Christmas from college and one afternoon when just my mom, dad, and I were home for lunch, I saw my dad at the table with his head down in his arms. That was very unlike him and I said, ‘Dad, what’s the matter?’ He said, ‘I’ve got a $300 fuel bill that I don’t know how I’m going to pay.’

During Tough Financial Times

Christian Life

min read

Sarah Stepped To The Microphone In Faith

He felt like he lived in a pit, troubles beyond count surrounded him, and people wished for his death. Yet, we hear King David in Psalm 40:3 declaring, “you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the LORD God” (CEV). During David's duress the Israelites observed David's authentic relationship with God and then they chose to honor and trust God as well. Psalm 40:3 impacted my wife Sarah during a life-threatening period.

Sarah Stepped To The Microphone In Faith

Christian Life

min read

Podcast

Saying "Thanks" Versus Being Grateful - Part II

We can say "thanks" but not be grateful. We can mouth words but our hearts are elsewhere. We are fixated on ourselves. We have probably all seen this in ourselves. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:2 that people can be "lovers of self... ungrateful." We can even sing a song of thanks while in a worship service at church but inwardly dwell on the hurt and offense we feel toward someone who wronged us the day before. Join Emerson and Jonathan in part 2 this week as they continue the conversation about gratefulness, but focusing on the intangible.

Saying "Thanks" Versus Being Grateful - Part II

Saying "Thanks" Versus Being Grateful - Part I

We can say "thanks" but not be grateful. We can mouth words but our hearts are elsewhere. We are fixated on ourselves. We have probably all seen this in ourselves. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:2 that people can be "lovers of self... ungrateful." We can even sing a song of thanks while in a worship service at church but inwardly dwell on the hurt and offense we feel toward someone who wronged us the day before. Join Emerson and Jonathan this week in this two part series which starts with how we can be grateful for the tangible things in our lives.

Saying "Thanks" Versus Being Grateful - Part I

Do You Remain Thankful During The Tough Times?

Are you thankful in the good times? Are you thankful in the difficult times? The Bible states that it is God's will that we be thankful, no matter the circumstances, although not necessarily for the circumstances. Join Emerson and Jonathan this week as they discuss this important topic during the Thanksgiving season.

Christian Life

Episode

33:57

Do You Remain Thankful During The Tough Times?

Six “Thank You” Statements to Say to Your Spouse

In the book, Love & Respect, “love” is spelled to a wife using the acronym C.O.U.P.L.E. and “respect” to a husband using the acronym C.H.A.I.R.S. This week Emerson and Jonathan ask listeners to consider how they might express thankfulness to their spouse in one of these six areas, asking wives to thank their husband for at least one of the ways he shows love and asking husbands to thank their wife for at least one of the ways she shows respect.

Marriage

Episode

29:10

Six “Thank You” Statements to Say to Your Spouse