Happy Thanksgiving! Counting blessings : ) (Psalm 103)

A Doodle to say, "I'm thankful for you!"
Watercolor & Colored Pencil

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I wanted to take a break from Revelation to just think about what I'm thankful for.  I honestly can't believe how well this blog has done.  I was reading my Bible one day and found so much encouragement.  Then the still small voice whispered, "Everyone should read this."

It's been a great experience trying to figure out how to make this inspiring and fun.  And a little intimidating.  There's times I sit and stare wondering if what I wrote makes any sense at all!  Was I too harsh?  Then I lift up my eyes and ask, "Are You pleased Father?"

Peace usually comes soon after.  And some edits now and then. 

Hahaha there's been bad days I've just sat and thought, "I'm thankful for: a car, a place to live, gifts and talents, blankets, the Bible, Church, paintbrushes, cameras, God's creation.  For my husband, my 2 cats, our beautiful state, sunshine, snow, flowers.  So much to shoot so little time : )"  It's amazing how I feel better when I count my blessings.

As we go through Revelation it's hard not to be a little scared about it all.  Especially because we know so much more about science.  We also know so much more now about the universe, sun, moon, and stars.  Ok I love astronomy!  I'm grateful for the constellations and every detail God put out in the night sky.  

So I got some turkey for my husband and I, some cranberries, and good stuff for tomorrow.  We're supposed to get some snow tonight.  Here's one of my favorite Thanksgiving Psalms. 

Psalm 103

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: 
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, 
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed. 
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel. 
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever. 
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust. 
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all. 

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word. 
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! 
NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for your patience with us and your never-ending love.  I pray You will bless us all with creative ways to serve You.  So much talent out there.  Please be present with those who don't have much this year.  I lift up Israel (peace in Jerusalem), Ukraine, and all those who need more.  You are God You know all and see all.  Thank You so very much for this wonderful life you've given me.
In Jesus Name, Amen.


My favorite Thanksgiving song-  Thanks Matt!
Matt Redman, 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (link)

Singing with Thanksgiving and JOY in Carnegie Hall! (Psalms 95:1-7, Psalms 96:1-13, Isaiah 40:31)

Wow Carnegie Hall is something else! And the music was so amazing : ) I woke up this morning with these words in my mind, "God is real. He's not an imaginary friend. He lives!" The concert went really well. I downloaded some photos for you that were taken by the concert photographer (free to us).

"Long shot of the choir on the Carnegie Hall stage."

"Our Fearless Leaders!  Talk about faith..."
The guy in the center is the composer, "Dr. Phil Barfoot,"
2 men to the right is my Choir Director, "John Cavicchio."

"Inside Carnegie - view of the seats"

"The top circle is me, and the one on the right is my hubby."
I didn't squeak "Woohoo!"

"America's not done yet."

That was such a fantastic experience.  I am so glad we did it.  It was the, "American Festival Choir."  The ladies that stood on either side of me confessed that they sang over the solo and missed a high note or two just like me.  I was so relieved and we all had a laugh. 

The composer was very fun to work with.  He challenged us to worship as we sang.  Hope we'll all meet up again someday and sing.  

US Congressman, Louie Gohmert, from Texas stopped in to say, "Hi" to us.  He was in NYC.  He told us how grateful he was that we were singing Christian music.  It's discouraging in the White House right now.  He said that there aren't many people singing about God.  His family always taught about God and family.

The song must go on. Here's the Hallelujah Chorus (link) give it a try and see if you can get those high notes : )  Eesh it's a challenge for sure!  The trick is to sing with your abdomen.

Here are some awesome Psalms about singing and thanksgiving.  May everyone in the USA, have a wonderful holiday this year.


1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
5 The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand
(Psalms 95:1-7 NKJV)

1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns;
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved;
He shall judge the peoples righteously.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.
13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness,
And the peoples with His truth.
(Psalms 96:1-13 NKJV) 

31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint
(Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

I'll be back into Hebrews on Friday.  May God bless you abundantly!
Karen Kyle Ericson