Thankful

It's Sunday today..I love Sundays, I always have.  I have always imagined a serene mist settling on the Earth as Gods people gather together to worship Him.  

This post is truly a thankful post, there is no telling myself to be thankful, it's a deep down heartfelt outpouring.

* not my photo - blacktomato travel site

Today I am thankful to live in California - yep I said it.  I'm really really thankful that God brought me here at this time and point in history.  I'm thankful that of all the states I could live in within the US he chose California for me. 

Today I am thankful for being able to look back and remind myself of Psalm 40, a word picture of what God has done in my life.

NIV: Psalm 40

    For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

 1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

   he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

   out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

   and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

   a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD

   and put their trust in him.

 4 Blessed is the one

   who trusts in the LORD,

who does not look to the proud,

   to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]

5 Many, LORD my God,

   are the wonders you have done,

   the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

   were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

   they would be too many to declare.

 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

   but my ears you have opened[c]—

   burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

   it is written about me in the scroll.[e]

8 I desire to do your will, my God;

   your law is within my heart.”

 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

   I do not seal my lips, LORD,

   as you know.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

   I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

   from the great assembly.

 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;

   may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;

   my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

   and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased to save me, LORD;

   come quickly, LORD, to help me.

 14 May all who want to take my life

   be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

   be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

   be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you

   rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

   “The LORD is great!”

 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;

   may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

   you are my God, do not delay.

The Mesage: Psalm 40

A David Psalm

 1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.

   He lifted me out of the ditch,

      pulled me from deep mud.

   He stood me up on a solid rock

      to make sure I wouldn't slip.

   He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,

      a praise-song to our God.

   More and more people are seeing this:

      they enter the mystery,

      abandoning themselves to God.

 4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,

      turn your backs on the world's "sure thing,"

      ignore what the world worships;

   The world's a huge stockpile

      of God-wonders and God-thoughts.

   Nothing and no one

      comes close to you!

   I start talking about you, telling what I know,

      and quickly run out of words.

   Neither numbers nor words

      account for you.

 6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—

      that's not what you're after.

   Being religious, acting pious—

      that's not what you're asking for.

   You've opened my ears

      so I can listen.

 7-8 So I answered, "I'm coming.

      I read in your letter what you wrote about me,

   And I'm coming to the party

      you're throwing for me."

   That's when God's Word entered my life,

      became part of my very being.

 9-10 I've preached you to the whole congregation,

      I've kept back nothing, God—you know that.

   I didn't keep the news of your ways

      a secret, didn't keep it to myself.

   I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.

      I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth

   For myself alone. I told it all,

      let the congregation know the whole story.

 11-12 Now God, don't hold out on me,

      don't hold back your passion.

   Your love and truth

      are all that keeps me together.

   When troubles ganged up on me,

      a mob of sins past counting,

   I was so swamped by guilt

      I couldn't see my way clear.

   More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,

      so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.

 13-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;

      hurry and get me some help,

   So those who are trying to kidnap my soul

      will be embarrassed and lose face,

   So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable

      will be heckled and disgraced,

   So those who pray for my ruin

      will be booed and jeered without mercy.

 16-17 But all who are hunting for you—

      oh, let them sing and be happy.

   Let those who know what you're all about

      tell the world you're great and not quitting.

   And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing:

      make something of me.

   You can do it; you've got what it takes—

      but God, don't put it off.

That's a lot to be thankful for right there, but there is more.

Today I'm thankful for another first, I went to church alone and walked home.  This was a big deal, venturing outside the safety and security of my cubicle without my husband to a very public, busy place where you are expected to be vunerable and friendly all at the same time..wow!  I ended up sat in a row of about 5 males...during thr service we had to hold hands at least 3 times.  Yep I'm thankful for those godly men, who were at church and didn't make me feel creeped out.  I'm thankful for the sunny walk home peppered with friendly faces.

Today I'm thankful for all the hopes and dreams inside of my heart that have been buried the longest and hold the most value are starting to slowly float upwards.  I'm way too excited, I feel like my heart could burst and my eyes just stream with joyous tears.

Today I am thankful for the journey that brought me to this place.  I'm thankful for all the hard times, when I learnt to hear Gods voice and praise.  I'm thankful for all the teaching, advice and people who have walked this journey with me.  I'm thankful for my parents and siblings.  I'm most thankful for the things that never happened even though I pursued them...things that would have led me down a different road.

Today I am thankful for old friends and new companions.

Today I am thankful for my leather bracelets that have turned out pretty cool.

Today I am thankful for the colour 9c tea stash I found, which although aren't quite 'Twinnings' quality are pleasant enough and very colourful!

Today I am thankful for the long summer months that lie ahead, not have to wear layers and layers of clothing.

Today I am thankful for my camera  and all the family members that put together to help me achieve another dream, as they always have.

Today I am thankful for my library, for new books, CDs and DVDs that entertain and inspire.

Today I am thankful for small victories, family peace and for friends getting to rest.

Today I am thankful for my salvation and this adventurous life hidden in Christ!