With Gratitude

October 23,2025

It has been a beautiful fall in Iowa.. The colors were the best I've seen in many years, it seems. It has been a good harvest season. Iowa even experienced amazingly vivid northern lights this week. The weather is warm again for a few days so we can finish up any outdoor cleanup we need to do. There is so much to be thankful for. What surprised me was how fast the colorful leaves fell from the trees. We have a view of a lovely maple tree that shed its leaves almost overnight. Those who have deciduous trees will have a bountiful raking job. We only have one oak tree in our yard and it holds most of its leaves until spring. It has been a lovely bronze color this fall. God's artistry is amazing!

"We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy," (Acts 14:15-17 NIV).

November 12, 2025

There is a simple song by Brandon Lake called, "Gratitude" that expresses the way we can offer our praise to God for all He has done.           

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

Chorus
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a king
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arms stretched wide I will worship You

Bridge
Come on my soul
Oh don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of our praise. We are surrounded by beauty Your hands created. Thank You for the blessings that overflow in our lives. Hear our gratitude and Hallelujah's from thankful hearts. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.