Thanks-giving

"Happy Thanksgiving!" "Yeah, you too." "What are you doing for thanksgiving this year?" "Oh, eating some pumpkin pie...hanging out with relatives...you know, the usual." "Neat. Well...see you around." Hmmm...how often have we had conversations like the above example? It seems like "Thanksgiving" just rolls off of our tongues without a second thought. Thanksgiving is not about fat turkeys or pumpkin pie. It is about celebrating the sovereign hand of God which protected the pilgrims, as they began life in this New World. We should also remember with thankfulness all that God has done in our lives thus far. But "Thanksgiving" is not the only time we should give thanks to God. Psalm 50:14 "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High." 1 Corinthians 1:4 "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We should be giving thanks ALWAYS - in ALL circumstances. And do you notice what Psalm 50:14 says? It says "a sacrifice of thanksgiving". What does that mean to us? Well, what is a sacrifice? It is surrendering something that is important to us. That verse seems to imply that we will not always feel like giving thanks - in fact, sometimes it may be downright hard. But God blesses those who do give a sacrifice of thanksgiving. First Thessalonians also says that we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Think God is trying to tell us something here? Psalm 50:23 "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!" It may seem a whole lot easier to complain or grumble or shake your fist sometimes, but God is in control, even when things seem like they are going haywire. More than likely he is testing us, to see what our response will be (see Job)...but no matter what happens, he is more than worthy of our adoration and thanks. Do others think of you as thankful? Start cultivating an attitude of thankfulness to God today. ~Lady Tai

Blogging With A Purpose Award!

"Blogging with a Purpose - 2nd Award Post November 11th, 2007 Who I am Awarding Tai ~ Maiden of Honor I’ve only know Tai for around two months, but I’ve visited her blog quite a bit. The reason I keep coming back is because she really does blog from her heart. Tai is a strong Christian and you can really tell it from her writing. Almost all of her entries are on a spiritual subject. Her site Maiden of Honor is a really great blog to visit. She is blogging with a purpose." Well, I was pleasantly surprised today to have received a comment on my blog from Eric Novac (founder of the Blogging With A Purpose Award) letting me know that he had decided to give me said award! I was blessed...especially at this time when I had been considering possibly shutting down my blogs, because it seemed that no one ever visited them any more. I guess you never REALLY know who you may be reaching when you blog...and that was definitely and encouragement for me to press on. Plus now I get to display the award on my blogs! Yippee! ;) Here is the original post. Thank-you! ~Lady Tai

Living Like The Moon

Photo by: Tai Sophia Polczynski (c) 2007 You Are The Sun Sarah Groves You are the sun shining down on everyone Light of the world giving light to everything I see Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in And everywhere you are is warmth and light And I am the moon with no light of my own Still you have made me to shine And as I glow in this cold dark night I know I can't be a light unless I turn my face to you Shine on me with your light Without you I'm a cold dark stone Shine on me I have no light of my own You are the sun, you are the sun, you are the sun And I am the moon I was reflecting (pun intended) on the characteristics of the moon the other day, and the song above came rolling into my mind. It's easy to hear words to a song, and even sing along without really paying attention. I know - I do it all of the time. But as I looked at the moon, and hummed the song, I was amazed once again at how God was speaking to me through his creation (which brought to mind another song...but I'll save that for another time)! He was reminding me again that, without him - I am nothing. Without HIS light causing me to shine, I would be just another cold, dark stone. I can start thinking "Oh, look at me shining in this dark world!" Buuuttt...it's not really me shining, is it? Without God, I would really and truly be nothing, but it is HIS GRACE that shines on me, when I look to him as my source of life, hope, and my EVERYTHING...my all-in-all! I want it to be no other way: when others look at me, what they are really seeing is a reflection of God. And we could never truly see even during the day unless Jesus is lighting up our ways. May the trials of this world never eclipse the power of his amazing grace in my life. Until next time, ~Lady Tai P.S. I am sorry that I keep having a lull in updating, BUT blogger.com keeps having some issues, and when that happens, it will not allow me to even log into my account, let alone make a post. Alas. ;)