Monday, November 11, 2013

We Remember


We Remember

This is from facebook. Wrote this a few years ago in honour of my great-grandfather and all the men and women who have served our country. May we never forget.

November 11, 2010 at 12:11am


We Remember
dedicated to my Great-Grandfather, William Whitney
by Stephanie Steeves

We remember those who fought-
Who with their lives our freedom bought.They left their homes, families, their all
because they heard the oppressed man's call.

"Lest we forget!" the cry is heard.
Be telling others, spread the word.
The responsibility belongs to you and me,
Share their story from sea to sea.

We remember those who went-
Some volunteered, others were sent.
They all served their country well.
Our job is now to go and tell.

We remember those who fought-
Who with their lives our freedom bought.
They were willing to go and die
Because they heard the oppressed man's cry.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

10,000 Reasons [to Praise the Lord]

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Copyright Matt Redman

Verse 1: The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning.
It's time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, Oh my soul.
I'll worship Your Holy Name.

Verse 2:
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Chorus:

Verse 3:
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending.
Ten thousand years and then forever more.

Chorus:

We sang this song in choir last week. It's one of my new favorites. Thanksgiving (if you are Canadian) was a couple weeks ago, and (if you're American) is in a few weeks. It's the season of being grateful for everything we have.

Please note: I think every day is a good day to be grateful. We just tend to emphasize it more this time of the year, so I'm writing my yearly "what are you thankful for?" post. I'm also taking up the challenge of doing a "something I'm thankful for" every day for this month, at least until Thanksgiving.

The song above really challenges me every time I hear it. Every day, there are thousands of God's mercies evident in my life. Some are big, some are small. But I need to remember to be grateful.


Well???

What would you have left??? Would you have life? Air to breath? Food? Friends? A Bible? A house to live in? Just the fact that you have them (and still have them) are evidence of God's love and care for you.

At the beginning of this semester, I had my prayer group write a list of things they were thankful for. I challenged them to write 50 things they could praise God for, whether big or small. Most of the girls were kind of surprised when I mentioned 50, but once we got quiet and started working, most were able to come up with 50. Once you get in the habit of praising God, it's easy to notice more things you can be thankful.

So what are you thankful for?

Here's a list I created. No, there aren't 10,000 reasons I can praise God, but here's some suggestions for you as you create your "I am thankful for" list. (please note, this is in no particular order).


  1. Friends (in general)
  2. Family
  3. Salvation
  4. Lisa's car
  5. Lisa
  6. Beca
  7. God's Word
  8. Salvation 
  9. Eternal Security
  10. Second Chances
  11. MOUNTAIN DEW! (and other forms of caffeine)
  12. My students
  13. Drivers liscence
  14. My senses
  15. Chocolate
  16. Chinese Food
  17. The fact that student teaching is over half-way done
  18. Hebrews 13:5
  19. Jeremiah 33:3
  20. Books
  21. Being able to read
  22. The Greenville Public Library's conference rooms
  23. Health
  24. Christian School
  25. Godly teachers who care about me
  26. My pastors
  27. My church at home
  28. My church in Greenville
  29. Learning from mistakes
  30. Good times
  31. Bad times
  32. Going to Antigua
  33. Creativity
  34. God's creativity
  35. INTERNET!
  36. Social media
  37. Music
  38. Uniqueness
  39. Shoes
  40. Maxi skirts
  41. Jeans
  42. Hoodies
  43. Heaven
  44. Relationship with Christ
  45. Seat belts
  46. Free WiFi in airports
  47. Bacon
  48. Skiing
  49. Movies and TV series
  50. Laughter

Go make your own list. Post it somewhere you see it everyday (mine is on my bunk above my head). Praise God. Rejoice in His goodness.

Live a life of thankfulness. 

See the 10,000 (+) reasons to bless the Lord.