Revka talks about the most beautiful kind of creativity!

Michele at Chasing Contentment thinks about how even painting a bathroom wall can remind us of God’s creativity.

Heather speaks about being creative in the gifts she gives her family, particularly mentioning some of her creative ideas for Valentine’s Day, some recent creative crafts she’s made, and her favorite recipe for whole-grain pancakes.

Giving thanks to God is a wonderful testimony to those around us. Join Susanna as she reflects on the subject of Thanks Giving.

A Dusty Frame shares what she is thankful for on this thanksgiving.

Interestingly, Kim Anderson’s post at Mother-Lode is about being grateful for God’s gifts even when they are hidden and confusing. She invites us to consider the difference between Faith & Insanity.

And of course, I can’t forget my own post about how thankful I am for the WONDERFUL parents God has given me!!!

One of the most calming things about tonight is that I decided to light a candle. Again, I love candles, and lighting them is something I enjoy, but I just never seem to have the time to light one. If I even think of it, I usually need to leave sometime soon, so I know I’m gonna have to blow it out, so I just don’t light them much. But I did tonight, and it got me thinking.

For something that can be so dangerous, fire is truly beautiful. There are sometimes when fire can be a raging nightmare, and consume everything in its path. But when carefully watched, maintained, and fed, it can offer light and comfort. The flame from my candle is about an inch high, and it points straight up. Sometimes my breath catches in it, and it wavers, but it goes back to its steady stance and offers me warms and a relaxing aroma (not just the scent of the candle, but the smell of the flame itself).

Fire can be misused, such as arson, or it can lose control and devour helpless and harmless creatures, like a forest fire. But it can be used for so many good things too.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

I see our passion for Christ to be like fire. Much like my little flame, our faith can warm us and lighten our spirits. It can be used as a beacon when we are pummeled by the hardships that life throws our way, or it can be a small, quiet reminder of all that is bright in our world. When misused, our faith can cause others to be turned off by Christianity, or it can be the excuse for certain ways of thinking and acting. Our faith can consume us so that we may grow like the dead that is fertilized by the ashes of previous dead things, or it can take control so that we lose track of the reason for the faith to begin with.

And most importantly of all, no matter how small your flame is, you can always share it with someone else. If I take my candle to yours, then you will have a fire as well, and my fire won’t be diminished. From one flame grows another, and we both can enjoy the light. May we all join together with lighted candles and rejoice in the warmth from our Father.

It was incredible! I’d never seen anything like it! It seemed like the entire campus was ablaze, and there were crunchy piles of leaves everywhere. People were constantly outside in the cool weather. It was 50 degrees outside, and instead of hiding inside like people do at home, everyone was playing football and frisbee, and every time I turned around there was the smell of someone’s fireplace on, which is one of my favorite smells.

How had I missed this time of year? I had always associated the fall with the end of summer, not as a unique and special time in its own right!

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

The Lord has created a beautiful place for us to live. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how petty our lives become, how prejudiced and jaded we become, no matter who is fighting with who . . . God always paints a landscape that I could not even fathom. Go outside, and enjoy autumn while it is here! Appreciate all that God has given to you – it takes no wealth whatsoever to visit the most beautiful art gallery of all.

The Carnival of Beauty is hosted this week by Allison at The Autumn Rain.