Is it not appropriate to thank God for His continuous provision in our lives?
So here’s a thread we can do that in, whenever we are moved to pray prayers of thanksgiving.
I’ll start with a few very current things.
I’m thankful to God for:
~ my 4-digit tax return that has helped me in my newest jobless season;
~ a saving on my Paris/London/Hong Kong airfare - $3119 total, instead of up to $5741..a nice deal!!
~ the Flight Centre travel expo this last weekend that made it all so economical
~ opening doors for me to be going this far.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5, verses 18, 17 and 18.
June/July - high season and the most expensive time, so I’m happy.
I could have gotten it cheaper if
a) I was willing to have more stop-overs, e.g. Melbourne, Perth, Asian cities other than Bangkok or HK;
b) I hadn’t insisted on British Airways and Qantas - and gone with maybe Cathay Pacific instead! But for long flights in economy (11 to 23 hours’ long) I’ve heard that BA and QF are more comfortable than some other airlines.
Oh, a few more thanksgiving points since I’m here; TGF:
~ ballet classes and the joys to be found in dancing
~ safe travel home with no accidents;
~ loving if neglected immediate family;
~ an entitlement payout from my health fund.. .. ..just what I need, having spent $3119 on flying!!
~ ballet classes and the joys to be found in dancing
~ safe travel home with no accidents;
~ loving if neglected immediate family;
~ an entitlement payout from my health fund.. .. ..just what I need, having spent $3119 on flying!!
Wow that’s a lot to thank for!
My one’s more usual in nature. Thanks to God that there was very good weather last Sunday arvo and a high turnout for my church’s Workers Group walk (we did the Oatley-Como return walk).
How recently did you use Qantas, and from/to where?
My youngest step-brother just got here from Portland, Oregon (USA); he flew home last Wednesday 28th with Qantas and seemed quite OK with it. And to fly from the US to Sydney takes around the same time as flying from Europe.
Anyway, let it not be forgotten that this is a thanksgiving thread..!
Today, thanks be to God that Sydney weather’s not as stinkingly hot as it could otherwise be right now. And that I don’t have to swot away in a classroom with 31 students and no air-conditioning (like this time two years ago, ie. 2007!!).
I just spent the last of $400-worth of gift cards, presented to me in Dec.‘08 by last year’s parents-of-the-300-students-I-taught-Music-to.
I’m really thankful to God for their generosity, as it meant I didn’t have to worry about buying a lot of basics (food, new work clothes, non-prescription medications) for the last 2.5 months.
Yesterday evening while in the presence of my older sisters, I had a terrible lapse into anger, rage, malice and I’m afraid to say what else (if you are twisted enough to want more details of my transgressions, just go read Colossians 3:8, as it pretty much sums up my conduct - if you must, you’ll have to skip to ch.3 using the arrow button at this link).
In light of that dreadfully dishonourable episode, I thank God so much for His forgiveness and mercy in Jesus, who died just once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.
Thanks be to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord! (From Romans 7:21-8:2.)
TZ.
P.S. Additionally, thank God for:
* graciously providing 1.5 days of casual teaching work next week, which will ease my financial pressures just a tad;
* an unsolicited interview with an independent school next Wednesday 25/2 - looks promising, though I’m not sure what role they might want me to fill (as I did not apply for any specific positions).. .. ..
* I’m currently on CFA study (Chartered Financial Analyst), I realised it is damn hard than I thought it would be. As I know last year CFA Lv 1 exam got 35% pass rate. I know Full time work + study will kill me straight. I thanks for the time I have right now to do my study.
But in my reality, I want to have a job and wisdom to complete that course…............................ CFA, I’m highly uncertain about that. I just try to do my best.
* I’m currently on CFA study (Chartered Financial Analyst), I realised it is damn hard than I thought it would be. As I know last year CFA Lv 1 exam got 35% pass rate. I know Full time work + study will kill me straight. I thanks for the time I have right now to do my study.
I’m doing CFA too, Level 2, Book 5 of 6. No easier or harder than Level 1 which still requires a lot of constant time and dedication. All the best Ray!
Haha I can try to answer some questions, but don’t rely on me as the absolute source! Only scraped a pass in Level 1 when other people I know passed convincingly.
Praise God for a new initiative in our church, Grace Church Kogarah. We are starting a night Cantonese (Chinese) service from tonight with a young and vibrant pastor of Cantonese background.
It is rare (if not non-existent) for a Chinese service to be run at night, so we’ll pray and see how it goes!
Of course, we are still looking for a pastor for my English congregation, so I guess the same response applies.
The New Atheists….if it wasn’t for them and their books I would probably not have thought so much about God and then got off the fence and become a follower of Jesus Christ!!
I’m still yet to get through a couple of books about the history of Christianity, early/modern European history etc but I’m pretty sure when I read about the experience in some Asian countries (e.g China and South Korea) that the Gospel has always spread faster when Christian’s suffer from persecution. That’s why I’m not really worried about the New Atheists. They have their place (the Atheists Bus Slogan generator is also good for a few laughs http://ruletheweb.co.uk/b3ta/bus/) and I do think we need to be worried the sense that there is room for reflection and growth, because part of their is true. I imagine we all know how Christians at times have behaved very badly, and not at all in keeping with the teachings of Christ instead we’ve acted more like the Pharisees he liked to rebuke. This is something that is an opportunity for deep thought, reflection and correction. I also think the worry needs to cause greater thought by Christians into the reasons supporting their worldview. Being contenders for the faith is something all Christian’s are called upon to do. I would like to see Church’s getting into apologetics and doctrine a lot more than has happened (in my experience). Whether you like him or not I think Mark Driscoll’s final 18pt address in Sydney last year was on the mark in many ways.
[ Edited: 23 February 2009 04:48 PM by Tim Stacey]
* 2 more days of casual teaching - the money earned (of course), & the mercy shown in that the kids were mostly settled
* my little Jewish students - many among this year’s Year 2 (an extremely wild set who I’ve taught over 2 years) appear to have matured much more in behaviour over the holidays than I expected. Hope it lasts!!
Thanks be to God for the nine people getting baptised in my church today. I’ve added a prayer item in the right column; a prayer of encouragement for them.
* my older sister’s interest in reconnecting with a church community - she’s been to the same church twice now & is keen to join a Bible study group (!!);
* God’s gracious gradual-answers to my prayers about the above sister;
* God’s unchangeable promise that He provides all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.. .. ..
No angel in heaven could be rejoicing as much as ME!!
Tonight had the incredible, absolutely exhilarating privilege of meeting an “answered prayer” - a student I taught back in 2002 (nearly 7 years ago) for whom, along with 49 of his young classmates, I had been praying. Mainly regarding his/their turning to our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
3 years ago, this former student L - - - - - - became a Christian and was baptised!!! And now attends church regularly!!!!
For this tremendously uplifting and brilliant answer to years of prayers: THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOD!!!!!
Praise and thanks to God also for my closest friends. While I don’t believe they’re Christian yet, they’re becoming a lot more regular at my church now and so great opportunity to hear the gospel over Easter!
I got a little 3-figure sum cheque from the government yesterday (ie. that somewhat controversial economic stimulus package). I was starting to struggle a bit so it’s a fantastic gift from God.
Also got a half-day of casual work next Wednesday, so another praise point!
Moreover, TGF:
* my elder sister returning to a church she visited last month and trying out a Bible study group there;
* my youngest step-brother getting baptised (again! as a sign of re-commitment to Christ).
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