Thursday Encouragement-on a Friday

I used to do Thursday encouragement posts weekly...but my last one was in 2021! I am not sure what got me derailed, but I need all the encouragement I can get. So, I am going to try to resurrect this practice in the hopes that I can offer you some encouragement, or if no one reads it, a place to put things that have encouraged me, or that I am thankful for, or that made me laugh. So, it's probably going to be more of a catchall post.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Things I am thankful for today:

• an unexpected day off work (I could mourn the loss of income, I choose to be thankful for time to catch up on things)
• I was able to get a walk in today because of ↑
• I was able to get my meals planned for the next two weeks and get my grocery order in, and picked up! 
• The perfect weather (I am soaking up all the sunshine before winter sets in)
• Elijah made it through his first week of college!

Made an impact:

This post from Forrest Frank about Charlie Kirk on Instagram

My devotional today from the First5 app

From John Ortberg's book, God is Closer Than You Think

 

It's not like I didn't already know this, but sometimes we need a reminder! 

From The Easy Bible Study Method by Ashley Armijo

Made me laugh:

Some places I find encouragement:

I don't remember when I started following Amy Hale on Instagram, but I love her posts!

I love listening to Cain music and here are a few of their songs that have spoken to me recently. 

This is their newest release Jesus Lifted Me with Brooke Ligertwood-

Some lyrics...I thank God day and night I'm not where I used to be...When I was a sinner Jesus lifted me,I was a sinner So blind I could not see Before He ever crossed my mind He took the cross from me

Glory hallelujah, Jesus lifted me...I am forgiven Jesus You lifted me I am forgiven All my sins washed clean Because You gave Your life for me I will give You everything...

Another song of theirs is I'm So Blessed- Trouble knocking at my door today I ain't gonna let it in And worry wanna steal my joy away But I ain't gonna let it win (this song came on twice in a row when I was thinking about this post-someone needs to hear it!)

I recently did a post on Cain's song I Made It, which you can read here, if you are interested. 

I have heard a lot of people say this week has been hard, and it has. But for some of us, life has had a lot of hard moments over the last year, or even longer. I hope that this brings a little bit of light into this dark world, and brought you a little bit of encouragement. Now it's your turn! Share something you are thankful for, or where you find encouragement, or what has recently made you laugh, or whatever else you feel like sharing that could be an encouragement to me or others. 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11