What are you thankful for in life? To whom are you most grateful? Even though Thanksgiving in the US has passed, it's never too late to be thankful. As a matter of fact, we should make each day a day of giving thanks. And the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what we're most grateful of during the entire year. Therefore, for this issue, I would like us to take a moment to give thanks to the people around us, and for the things we are blessed enough to have.

I will start the thanks-giving, shall I?

I am extremely thankful of three most important people in my life, and am thankful for too many things to list here, but below is a rundown of whom and what I'm most thankful of.

I am thankful to the most important Person in not only my life but in the universe: Jehovah God Almighty. I would like to thank Jehovah for...

• Giving me my life. Life is the most precious present Jehovah has given to each and every one of us. When you're given life, cherish it. I cherish my life; I hold on to every moment and don't let happiness pass me by.

It's true that I've lost my eyesight and the ability to walk, but I'm never scornful. Instead, I'm simply grateful for having owned these powers before. Plus, I'm still the owner of so many other wonderful gifts. I can still talk, I can still hear; I'm still alive, so I utilize all these factors to become an award-winning author with 21 book awards and a motivational speaker to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring humor, hope, healing, and above all, the Word of God.

• Letting me know Him by reading His personal profile: the Bible. I am so honored beyond words to know such a loving Being, who is the very representation of love (1 John 4:8). I am so honored to know His personal name, Jehovah, as the first step in developing an intimate, sacred relationship with Him. "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10) I am so blessed to have the privilege to call Him "Father." I am so honored to receive His guidance, His provisions. And I eagerly await each moment when I can learn more about the most supreme Being of the universe: our Heavenly Father, Jehovah.

• Helping me conquer fiery oceans and thorny jungles to come out with stars in my arms. Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. But I wouldn't be able to do it all without letting the hope in Jehovah haul me high!

I am able to overcome my multiple physical disabilities and blindness. Is it because of my own strength or the strength God has given me? I am able to do so not because I have the strength within myself, but because Jehovah gave me this strength. I do not rely on myself—I rely on my very Life-Giver. To say I am capable on my own is only a lie. Without Jehovah, I would be powerless. He is my strength!

• Assisting me to find and open a better door when a door is closed to me. If I hadn't lost my eyesight, I would have simply gone to college, have gotten my degrees, and become a scientist, and as a consequence, I would not bring the kind of spiritual food to others that far surpasses any other worldly achievements and influences. Indeed, Jehovah has exchanged my eyesight with a new spiritual vision.

• Bestowing me a great purpose for existence. After taking up Jesus' Great Commission, for the first time in my life, I've found my purpose of existence. For the first time, I have sight of where I'm headed, and most importantly, that I'm heading in the right direction, for there's no better guidance than that from my very Life-Giver. I'm living the life of my wildest dream, a life I never imagined I would be privileged enough to live, a life that I hope will transcend duty, beyond mere humanly accomplishments, to a life of service for the betterment of humanity, a life offered in love for Jehovah.

• Exercising my spirit and faith with life's challenges and obstacles. The Bible says, "It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22, HCS Challenges are exercise machines for our spirits. The loss of my eyesight is another challenge that strengthens my faith and spirit, and draws me closer to God in various ways. Like a child in need, I call on God for strength; all the while spreading the messages of God to others.

• Giving me the best mother possible: my dearest, most beloved mother Juliet Cheng, who is the cornerstone and light of my life, the foundation of my happiness, strength, and success, besides my Heavenly Father, of course!

Whenever stress threatens me, I think about my Heavenly Father and my beloved earthly mother, and I become so grateful and happy to have them that I no longer find my situation stressful; I am then able to endure the negative circumstances so much better.

• But above all, for His infinite love, grace, and the gift of salvation through His Son. Jehovah's greatest personal sacrifice is sacrificing His beloved Son, Jesus, our Messiah, in order to cleanse us of our sins and give us the chance for an everlasting life of love and fellowship with Jehovah. This Father-Son team is the epitome of selfless love and devotion, and one must be in awe of Their love for each other, and for us sinners. Could you imagine the pain Jehovah must have gone through to see Jesus suffer physically, mentally, and spiritually?

Next, I must thank Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for...

• His endless love for his Father and for us. Jesus is an obedient Son from beginning to end, even unto death. His love for his Father is beyond measure, transcending any and all known darkness. He's willing to do the will of his Father, even when that meant innocently dying in order to save us.

Can you imagine being impaled with long nails driven through your wrists and ankles while you are alive, and left there to die slowly under the blazing sun? That's exactly what happened to Jesus!

Because of his sacrifice, Jesus has opened the door that leads us to Jehovah. Without this atonement, we would all parish, without ever having the hope of a resurrection unto life.

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

Jehovah God is the King of His Kingdom, which will be entrusted to Jesus as King for one thousand years. If we cannot connect with God, we surely cannot enter His Kingdom. So when we can have connection with God only through His Son, it means we can enter the Kingdom only through Jesus. No one can enter the Kingdom without accepting Jesus as Savior. He is the "way" to salvation. He is our eternal "life." He is the "truth" that will lead us to God and God's Kingdom. Jesus is "Yahooshua" in Hebrew, which means "Jehovah Is Salvation." "Christ" means "the Appointed One." So Jesus is the one appointed by God to provide us salvation, while salvation ultimately comes from Jehovah.

Lastly, a huge "Thank you" goes to my mother Juliet Cheng for...

• Providing me with overflowing love, support, understanding, and care. If it hadn't been for my mom, I wouldn't be here today. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't be born, but it meant my life wouldn't be sustained. My mother saved my life numerous times from the grasp of death. I've had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy, and by my thirteenth month of life, I was knocking on death door. Mother took me to china for six times in a span of ten years to seek treatment, thus prolonging my life. With her constant love and care, I'm able to remain happy, content, hopeful, and faithful. Maternal love is the greatest love Jehovah has created, and I'll be forever grateful to God for bestowing this wonderful gem upon me.

My Best Gift

To narrow it down, the two best blessings I've received: that God has given me my life (which contains all the other blessings), and that I'm privileged to know Him. I wonder, which one of these two is the most wonderful? If I didn't exist, I wouldn't know God. Yet, if I lived without knowing God, my life would be meaningless. I'll leave it for you to decide.

How about you? What are you most thankful for? For what would you like to say, "Thank you, Jehovah"?

~*~Q&A with Shirley~*~

This month's question is from Roger D. Casterline, who was a high school guidance counselor for 27 years, and an FBI agent for 10 years. He's now retired, and is a full time author, writing motivational books for teenagers. His most recent book is entitled "The IKE Disease," a one-on-one counseling session with the readers (teenagers) encouraging them to make decisions leading to a successful, happy life. www.eloquentbooks.com/TheIkeDisease.html

Question: If God is the Creator of all life, how can man think it is alright to destroy His creations through abortion?

Answer: I certainly don't think it's okay to destroy God's creation through abortion. Some people condone abortion because they either 1) don't realize it's wrong or 2) don't care about what God thinks. The Bible says no adultery, no fornication, no divorce (except for specific reasons, like marital unfaithfulness), no stealing, no murdering, no false oaths or testimonies, no greed, no cursing parents, and no rebelling against authority, among others. Do we listen? No, just the same way we ignore God's value of life.

Jehovah takes every life very seriously, and we must likewise. Children are gifts from God, who entrusted these precious treasures to us. Sadly, not everyone values this privilege we are given.

We must take more responsibility for our actions. God gives us enough wisdom and common sense to deal with everyday living. When we exercise these resources and heed God's Word, we would be able to live a fruitful life. For instance, when we obey God's commandments such as not committing adultery and fornication, we will be able to prevent many unwanted pregnancies, along with STDs. Less unwanted pregnancies equals less abortion.

~*~Shirley's Corner~*~

Black Friday may be over, but savings at www.ShirleyCheng.com have just begun! The Bible is the best gift you can give someone this holiday season. My award-winning book "Do You Love Jehovah?" is the second best present. To commemorate Jesus Christ's birth over 2000 years ago (even though he wasn't born on 12/25), I'm offering autographed copies of my book 40-percent lower than the regular retail, so e-mail me while this special offer lasts! That's not all—if you get two or more copies, you get half off! This is exclusive to only you, my loyal reader. I can autograph the book to whomever you wish, so drop me a note by going to www.shirleycheng.com/contact.html But do hurry, for the specials end on 12/10! To learn more about my book, visit: www.shirleycheng.com

The ebook edition of "Do You Love Jehovah?" has just been released! Now you can read my book on your computer. Why don't you check it out? Come on in: tinyurl.com/yeem3kz

Well, friend, this concludes the last issue of 2009. I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely amazed by the speed of time. Before I leave you, I would like to give my last thanks for now. Thank you, my loyal reader; thank you for your support, for your confidence, for your interest in what I do. It's you who motivates me to write each and every issue of this Inspiration from a Blind newsletter. I hope it has delivered its promises this year. If you have comments, suggestions, or questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. I would love to hear from you!

I wish that your New Year 2010 will be filled with love, joy, peace, and a new or better relationship with Jehovah, for a relationship with Him is the most sacred and fulfilling of all relationships. May God continually bless you with daily provisions as you strive to live the best life possible, for yourself, for others, and above all, for Jehovah, in the name of Christ.

Take great care, and see you on New Year 2010!

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Best regards,

Shirley Cheng

Award-Winning Author with 21 Book Awards
9-Time Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award Winner
Mom's Choice Awards Recipient
Miracle survivor, inspiring author and contributor to 28 books by age 26, poet, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, advocate, and a co-author in the bestselling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love book series
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club
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