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Giving Thanks in the Midst of Grief

Daniel and Sarah

“When Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, and to give thanks in all circumstances, we can know that we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15), and that he has left us an example, so that we might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).” – Jon Bloom

My heart swells giving thanks to God on this Thanksgiving Day even in the midst of grief. I am so thankful this year for all that God has done in growing and strengthening my faith. I am thankful that Sarah’s long physical suffering came to an end and she’s in the glory of heaven. I am thankful for the countless people who supported and encouraged me all year long. I am thankful for the wonderful conversations that Sarah and I were able to have this year as she looked ahead to the challenges I would face. I am thankful for more than I can even comprehend.

I can truly and completely “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thes. 5:8) because of who my God is and what He has and continues to do for me.

How a Heavy Heart Gives Thanks

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Meditations on the Brevity of Life

My life is transitory…I need an eternal perspective:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” – James 4:13-15

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! – Psalm 39:5

Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. – Job 14:1-2

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. – Psalm 90:10

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The Difference between Happiness and Joy

“Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to Him.” — D.L. Moody

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Veteran’s Day Memory

Veterans Day Memory

On this Veteran’s Day weekend, cherishing the memories of how Sarah supported me in countless ways throughout our marriage. Love this picture of us after I returned from my deployment only 6 months after we got married of which we had only spent 2.5 months together before I had to leave. Don’t forget to thank and support those on the home front too!