give thanks to him and praise his name.”
When the psalmist scripted these words, he had a tangible image in mind. The temple.
To enter the temple, one passed through the gates, to the outer courts, and then to the inner courts. This led to the holy of holies, the very presence of God, only permissible once a year by one priest alone.
The sojourn begins with thanksgiving.
First the Old Covenant. Then the New.
The sacrifice on the cross renders the veil in shards. His presence now envelopes every believing soul.
Offering thanks still takes us through another gate, an invisible but ever so real passage. It’s the beginning, like a small tide, leading to praise, a rolling wave, swelling to worship, experiencing His presence.
Could thanksgiving still bring us to a place where His presence is more palpable?
My small tide . . .
11. a quiet weekend on the horizon
12. larks singing outside my window
13. misty mornings in May
14. my husband cooking dinner on a Tuesday night
15. an elderly neighbor who ensures our children are safe
16. a book you can’t put down
17. squishy pillows
18. a recipe that actually works (if you know my history with cooking, you understand)
19. a birthday bouquet of something sweet
20. the Word made flesh
While reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I started keeping a list of the things I am thankful for. What are you thankful for today?
Ann Voskamp continues her thoughts on thanksgiving every Monday at aholyexperience.com.
Denise J. Hughes 
I've been keeping the 1000 gifts list for about a year now and what a blessing! I'm up to 295 I think. I plan to buy the book as birthday presents for all my close friends this year, because it's been such an amazing experience for me.
I am thankful for my husband who loves me. This is a beautiful post. Praise God for His Word!
Being thankful for both the good and the bad – that is the crux, the heart-shaping, life-defining crux.
Using “heart” as a verb – cool.
It's nice to “meet” you. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Thanks. I look forward to visiting your blog later. 🙂
Most of the time, my “cooking” doesn't come together as it should. It's not my forte. So I am thankful all the more on the rare occasions when it does! 🙂
Beth, I would love that too!
I love this! I would love to be able to sit down with you and study His amazing Word!
I reallly liked #18. I'm well known as the “crabby gourmet” only because I pick recipes that are always out of my comfort zone. I then get irritated because it doesn't come togogether as it should. We don't have larks here, but have heard their song and it is beautiful. So good to have been here today! God bless you!
stopping by to say “hi” from 1000 gifts! great list and pics. Happy day to you!
I loved your description of
entering into the temple – and the requirements thereof. I believe that Ann has
it down – if we can get to the point where we can, in our hearts, be thankful
for everything in our life – good and bad – that's where peace lies. I hearted
your list – if you read me a bit you’ll find that one of my favorite words is
heart used as a verb. I never once used it as a verb before blogging – now I
can't stop. Your list? Beautiful – my favorite – number 20 – and I heart that
you've underlined the words. I'm thankful that I read this today. God bless you
and your and all of yours!