A Thankful Heart - Thanksgiving


	Mentoring Moments for Christian Women Practical encouragement based on the biblical principles of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 for today's woman

	Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
	Thanksgiving Blessings A Thankful Heart

Five Kernels Prayer

Kellie Renfroe
Let friends and family know how much you appreciate them at Thanksgiving by sending the Five Kernels Prayer as a card or email.

To mail, print out the following poem on orange card stock (it looks nice with a horn of plenty graphic at the bottom). Sign the card by letting the recipient know what a blessing they are to your family. For added effect glue a five kernels of corn to the card.

Five Kernel Prayer

The first winter the pilgrims spent in America was very cold. Some days all they had was enough for each person to have only five kernels of corn. When spring came the pilgrims planted their corn. The corn crop flourished and they had lots of food the next year. From that time on at Thanksgiving, the pilgrims each kept kernels of corn at their plates to remind them of God's blessings.

Blessings Brunch

Kellie Renfroe
During the month of November consider hosting a Blessings Brunch. Set aside a morning during the month to host women in your life who have been a blessing to you.

Over brunch go around the table and tell each lady specifically what she means to you. For example, "Jackie, I appreciate your positive attitude and laughter. You always have a kind and gracious word to say about everyone. Your desire to bless and speak life into women has encouraged me and lifted my spirits when I felt down. Your desire to serve the Lord is a powerful witness to me--you are a godly woman."

Another idea is to write your feelings in a card or letter and present to each woman as a gift. This can be a powerful encouragement to each of them.

Visit Mentoring Moment's Recipe Box for the following brunch menu recipes:
Michelle's French toast, grits casserole, fresh fruit with dip, pumpkin chocolate chip loaf, tea coffee, juice.

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Family Communion

Patti Hummel

For many years we have held Communion after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It was first hosted by my late husband. After his death we had one of our male guests take over for the next many years until my sons were old enough to host it. For many who have joined us at these seasonal meals this is a new concept to have Communion outside the church. But, we believe that this is an appropriate time to remember what the Lord did for us at Calvary and show our thanks to Him.

After Communion at Thanksgiving we also decide on a mission project or a charitable need that we can support for Christmas and make individual commitments to earn money in a creative way for that project. Following Communion on Christmas day we put our offering into a basket and if possible deliver it that day or mail it the following day. Often we have had our dinner guests contribute as well to our project.

One year after my husband died, several men in the neighborhood were helping me and my sons rake leaves. My sons had on their mind their commitment to earn money (something not so easy for little boys). An idea came to them and they brought out their red wagon and loaded it with paper bags filled with freshly raked leaves from our yard. They walked up and down the street selling their bags of leaves to every neighbor on the street earning money to place in the missions offering on Christmas day.

Communion after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner helps to put things into perspective and a special offering to someone or a ministry in need encourages kids and adults alike to gain a deeper appreciation of the greatest gift ever, the Lord Jesus, and of the importance of sharing with others out of our abundance.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Adoring Hearts

Stasi Eldredge, excerpt from Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
Okay, we've all heard the story. Martha and Mary. Don't be such a Martha. Got it. But we've often wondered what the "one thing" was that was needed. Some of you might have heard teaching that it was one simple casserole dish, that Martha was busy making a complicated meal when only one simple food was needed. No. That is not what Jesus is saying. Jesus has again spoken straight into the heart of the matter. The one thing that is needed is a captivated, adoring heart, a heart that responds to the extravagant love of God with worship.
Our hearts are made to worship. It is what we do; we can't help it. Now, worship is one of those words made sickly by religion. We hear "worship" and we think, she's talking about going to church. Singing hymns. Nope. Worship is far more passionate, far more abandoned. Worship is what we give our hearts away to in return for a promise of Life. Some worship fashion; others worship a boyfriend or husband. We really are limitless in what we will give our hearts away to. Movies, food, shopping, gossip, you name it, I've bowed before them all.
But Jesus is the only one worthy of our heart's devotion. Mary recognized who Jesus was--the source of all Life. Love Incarnate. She did what you and I hope we, too, would have done. She dropped everything and sat at his feet, fixing the gaze of her eyes and the gaze of her heart upon him.
Women hold a special place in the heart of God. A woman's worship brings Jesus immense pleasure and a deep ministry. You can minister to the heart of God. You impact Him. You matter. Jesus desires you to pour out your love on Him in extravagant worship that ministers to His heart. This is not just for women who have the time, women who are really spiritual..offer your heart to Him.

Our Favorite Things

Throughout November MMCW will be sharing all our favorites - recipes, websites, books, music, movies, cleaning products, make-up, homeschool tips, and more on our blog. Come share your favorites too! http://Mentoringblog.mentoringmoments.net

12 Days of Christmas

Our annual 12 Days of Christmas series will begin December 1st. Christmas devotions, ideas, homemade gifts and goodies, new podcasts and more! To get a head start on the holidays check out last year's series at The 12 Days of Christmas.

58644: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
By Eric Metaxas, illustrated by Shannon Stirnweis / Thomas Nelson. This entertaining and historical story shows that the actual hero of the first Thanksgiving was neither white nor Indian, but God. In 1608, English traders came to Massachusetts and captured a 12-year-old Indian, Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was raised by Christians and taught faith in God. Ten years later he was sent home to America. Upon arrival, he learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. But God had plans for Squanto. God delivered a Thanksgiving miracle: An English-speaking Indian living in the exact place where the Pilgrims land in a strange new world. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.

248795: Stories Behind America&quot;s Hymns of Faith: Songs That Unite Our Nation

Stories Behind America's Hymns of Faith: Songs That Unite Our Nation
By Ace Collins / Zondervan

Throughout our country's history, music has brought us closer to God. From the heights of "God Bless America" and "How Great Thou Art" to the depths of "It Is Well with My Soul," you'll be fascinated by this look at a nation where church and state are legally separated but never far apart. 192 pages, hardcover from Zondervan.