• Home
  • About
  • !!! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER – FREE GIFT !!!
  • Blog
  • Contact

Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breads – Quick & Yeast
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Canning & Freezing
    • Entertaining
    • Holidays
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Pork
    • Pasta
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Soups & Stews
    • Sweet Treats
      • Biscotti
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies & Bars
      • Desserts
      • Muffins
      • Pies & Cobblers
      • Scones
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Visit My Galleries
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • Knitting
    • More Crafts
    • Visit My Galleries
  • Faith
  • Home and Garden
    • Birds & Butterflies
    • Flowers Plants & Herbs
    • Home Decorating & DIY
  • Family
    • Family & Friends
    • Grandchildren
  • Resourses
    • Gift Guides
    • Photography Equipment
    • Food Styling Photo Props
    • Sock Hop Party Shopping Guide
  • Travel
  • Vintage

Growth in the New Year

By Lorraine

Growth in the new year - In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 If you have ever grown houseplants you have noticed that they will bend and twist toward the light source. For many indoor plants, more light is better for them to be their healthiest and most vibrant. As humans, we can be affected by light as well. The lack of sunshine during the winter months can cause our mood to sink. Both plants and people can find growth in the new year by bathing in the light.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith

Even When Song

By Lorraine

Who doesn't, at least occasionally, hit hard spots. Some resolve quickly. Other times we find ourselves in the valley of the shadows. Even When is a beautiful song by Micah Tyler that brings encouragement to fight the good fight. Knowing God is with us through it all and God is with us even then.Who doesn’t, at least occasionally, hit hard spots. Some resolve quickly. Other times we find ourselves in the valley of the shadows. Even When is a beautiful song by Micah Tyler that brings encouragement to fight the good fight. Know God is with us through it all and He is with us even when.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, lyrics, video

I will Lie Down and Sleep

By Lorraine

Encouraging words from the bible when worry and anxiety grip us. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8Encouraging words from the bible when worry and anxiety grip us. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, printables

Amazing Grace

By Lorraine

The words by John Newton in his beloved hymn, Amazing Grace never cease to move and humble with its message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed through the mercy of God.The words by John Newton in his beloved hymn, Amazing Grace, never cease to move and humble with its message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed through the mercy of God.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, hymn

The Kindest Thing

By Lorraine

What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Was it a gift, an action, an encouraging word at just the right time? What was your response and how did it help you? Plus a collection of 20 quotes and verses that speak on KINDNESS.February. It is the month of love. The month we celebrate all things “love”. Not that we don’t show love all year through but February contains Valentine’s Day with its love focus.

We send Valentines, go to fancy restaurants for a fancy dinner, buy flowers and jewelry and give candy in heart-shaped boxes. All gestures to tell someone about our love and concern for them.

But love isn’t always best expressed with these sweet and thoughtful intentions. Sometimes people feel most loved when an act touches them in a deep, personal way. That brings me to this question… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith, Holidays Tagged With: Encouragement, Love, Valentine's Day

Psalm 91

By Lorraine

Encouraging, Psalm 91 with each verse illustrated with a beautiful flower photo. Lovely to reflect on remembering we are not alone even through the hard things.Psalm 91 is one of the most encouraging passages of scripture to me.  After completing the book, Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, our community group Bible study is finished the year studying Psalm 91. It is a beautiful Psalm and I am sharing each verse with a photo of a blossom from my garden this past spring.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, Garden, Think On These Things

Choose Prayer over Despair

By Lorraine

Situations and circumstances can easily produce anxiety. Counter those hard places by determining to Choose Prayer over Despair. Max Lucado quote.

Are you prone to anxiety? Faced with problems that you haven’t much control over?  If you are like me, worry is your default. Situations and circumstances can easily produce anxiety. Counter those hard places by determining to Choose Prayer over Despair.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement

Break Every Chain

By Lorraine

Hope. Truth. There is power in the Name of Jesus. To break every chain. Every chain. Video and song lyrics from Jesus culture.

There is good news. There is HOPE. It is what I am holding on to. There is Someone who has the power to break every chain. There is power in the Name of Jesus.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

 

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Encouragement, lyrics, video

The Way I Should Go

By Lorraine

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
What is the number one question you are seeking an answer to? The thing you are most looking to understand? The prayer you are praying most often? For me, the frequent question is knowing the way I should go.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, zinnia

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By Lorraine

Morning by morning new mercies I see is a true mark Gods faithfulness toward me classic hymn - Great is thy Faithfulness Thomas O. ChisholmThink on These Things thoughts from John…

Have you ever questioned God’s faithfulness? Did you ever think that He has left you or forsaken you? These are questions we sometimes are uncomfortable voicing or admitting. As you contemplate your answer, think of times of disappointment, loneliness, grief or despair. This is when we are most vulnerable to the thought that God had forsaken us. God uses His Word and sometimes a person, a quote, a book or even a hymn to remind us that He is and will always be faithful to His children. One of these classic hymns is my focus on today’s post… Great is Thy Faithfulness.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, John, Think On These Things, video

It is Well by Kristene DiMarco, You Make Me Brave

By Lorraine

Think on These Things thoughts from John…



I recently watched a song video titled, It is Well, that inspired this week’s Sunday post. I’ve included the video at the bottom of this post. I was blown away by the words and the music. Though I really wish I could, I can’t sing. So, when I hear these very talented young people sing like Kristene, my heart praises God that He has given them the ability to write and sing songs that speak to my heart.


In It is Well, Kristene was able to marry a song of her own to the beloved old hymn…’It is Well with My Soul’. It begins soft and slow but continues to build into an awe-inspiring crescendo that literally gave me goosebumps. It ends soft and slow leaving you surrounded in God’s presence.

Toward the end of the song, a stanza struck me to ponder further…’The waves and wind still know His name’. That phrase immediately took me to the Bible passage in Mark 4:37-41…



A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”


As we fast forward two millennia, to 2017…’The waves and wind still know His name’.


Curious to know a little more about Kristene and this song, I found a short backstory clip that was very interesting. In that clip she says…’I bet you everything knows His name and I bet you that everything we’ll ever face has already tasted some level of defeat or the entirety of defeat because of what He did. And so, there is really nothing to be afraid of.’ Wow, they are insightful words that really got me thinking. That took me to Romans 8:19-21…


For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

All of creation knows Him and awaits liberation from bondage and frustration caused by the first Adam’s sin into the freedom and glory of the children of God in the second Adam’s righteousness—Christ Himself! Praise be to God!

So, this takes me to what I believe is the most important stanza in the song for us to grasp in order to most effectively deal with our fears…’My eyes are on You’… Yes, as long as our eyes are on Him our worries and fears seem to melt away. I’m reminded of Matthew 14:29-31, the passage when Peter was in the boat and the Lord asked him to walk to Him on the water. He got out of the boat and started to walk as he focused on looking at Jesus but as he was distracted by the waves and the water, his fear over took him and started to sink…

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

This hustle bustle world we live in today has many things to distract us so we need to be diligent to focus on Him to keep us from our worries and fears.

‘Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me’

Yes, Praise God that it is possible that we can really say… ‘It is well, It is well with my soul’.

Thanks for listening,
John

It Is Well
Kristene DiMarco 
Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
because of who you are, Lord

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, Quote, Think On These Things

All Your Promises are Yes and Amem

By Lorraine

 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20
Have you heard this song titled, Yes and Amen? It was new to me until we sang it in church last week. I came home and looked up the words to mull them over. I don’t know about you but I appreciate reminders of God’s faithfulness to combat the daily discouragement and frustrations that can accumulate. You can read the lyrics and listen to a video below. It is a great worship song and one that will encourage you 🙂

 
Yes And Amen
Chris Tomlin
Father of kindness
You have poured out grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Beautiful Saviour
You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed redeemer
You have set this captive free
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Songwriters: Tony Brown / Chris McClamey / Nate Moore
Elements in the graphics in this post were from Free Graphic Blue Crush @ Twigs and Twine
.
.
www.gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, Think On These Things

The Will of God

By Lorraine

The Will of God
The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

(The rest of this encouraging poem follows below)

The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot not overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you,
Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.
Author unknown

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, poem, Think On These Things

God speaks to me in Springtime

By Lorraine

God speaks to me in springtime
When the earth is wet with dew
In the meadows and the prairies
As the grass comes poking through.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Encouragement, Faith, flowers, poem, Think On These Things

Living He Loved Me

By Lorraine

 
Oh, Glorious Day! Living HE loved me. Easter song by Casting Crowns.

Oh, Glorious Day! Living HE loved me. Easter song by Casting Crowns.

 
 
Happy Easter! Living He Loved Me! Oh, Glorious Day!  Sending heartfelt wishes for a beautiful Easter day to you and yours and that the words of this song will fill you with hope and encouragement.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, Think On These Things

What Will You Say When the Question Comes?

By Lorraine

 Thoughts of Good Friday are on my mind. Thoughts of the immensity of what the cross means and what it means for me. Thoughts of a love that goes far beyond my ability to grasp. But it is real.
In the words of an old hymn writer… What shall I do with Jesus?  What shall my answer be? Question with question I answer, What will He do with me?


This hymn, written in the late 1800’s, caught my attention asking the question of utmost importance. A personal question. A question that can make us feel uncomfortable.

You have probably heard the Easter story. About forgiveness and redemption and that word no one likes to talk about, namely sin. It is a word that makes us want to walk away and think about other stuff. But sin is supremely important to God because it separates us and puts an impassable chasm between Himself and his beloved. Important enough to God that he provided a solution for it. A costly solution.

The Easter story tells of Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, His glorious resurrection in triumphant over sin and death, His ascension into heaven where He reigns as our Lord and Savior. This gives us HOPE and JOY. We no longer have to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus paid it in full. We can be forgiven and accepted and forever enjoy fellowship with God through Jesus. That is what Jesus meant when He uttered His last Words, “It is finished”.  That heavy burden of sin we carry is dropped from our shoulders. That is amazing grace.

I hope you, dear reader, will take a moment to listen to the beautiful video below, listen to the words and if you haven’t already, consider the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Because, neutral you just can’t be.

What Will You Do With Jesus?
Excerpt from David T. Clydesdale’s “How Great Thou Art”

Jesus is standing there in Pilates’ hall; friendless, forsaken, He’s been betrayed
by all.  Suddenly comes the fateful call, “What will you do with Jesus?”

Now Jesus stands alone on trial, ready to face the crowd.  To walk His
destined mile. In your heart you’re hearing all the while, “What will
you do with Jesus?”

Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will You do with me?”

Will you deny Him just like Peter’s done? Will you reject Him?  He is the
living Son.  What will you say when the question comes?  What will
you do with Jesus?

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be.  Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be.  Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
What will he do with me?

Below are the words of the original hymn. They are similar to the words in the video and were probably the inspiration for it.

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall

Author: Albert B. Simpson (1905)
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall–
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!
What will you do with Jesus?
Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful thro’ good or ill:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:
“This I will do with Jesus!” (Chorus)

What will you say when the question comes?
Neutral you just can’t be 
someday your heart will be asking
what will He do with me
What shall I do with Jesus?
What shall my answer be?
Question with question I answer,
What will He do with me?

 


Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20


For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Easter, Encouragement, Faith, Quote, Think On These Things

Previous Entries
Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

Follow Us!

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis