I am GrateFULL!!

This week in the "Stressed to Blessed 15 Week Challenge" we were challenged to find ways to be grateful. Carmalyn challenged us to write 25 things we were thankful for! It is our "Blue Print of Blessings." So, I had a few minutes at the end of my work day and I sat at my desk and started free thinking. Everything I thought I typed. I didn't edit or re-think. I stopped when I naturally stopped and here you go:

Mike (my husband)
Siezure Meds
Doctors
Brain surgeons
Travis
Simplicity
Complexity
Nature
Blogs
Halloween costumes
Transportation
Safety
Curiosity
Bravery
Honesty
Quiet
Music
Gardens
Hydrangeas
Worship
Communion
Confession
Forgiveness
Time
Sleep
Family – Blood
Family- Church
Family- Genuine friends

There are 30 in my list and I will continue to focus on my blessings this week (and beyond). Thank God for his abundant blessings! In everything, give thanks!

Stressed?

I am so excited about the "15 week Challenge - From Stressed to Blessed" group on Facebook. Last year I enjoyed participating each week and now I'm excited because I will be guest posting! This week the challenge focuses on CHERISHING Life.

Since last February, I've been an absentee blogger. I'm new to the blogging world so I'm getting started again. Check back soon as I chronicle my life and the craziness that insues. Hopefully I will be joining the other 250 people as we move from "stressed to blessed".

If you are interested in reading more search for us on Facebook "15 Week Challenge - From Stressed to Blessed." You can also check out my friend Carmalyn McCracken's blog, You Got Joy!

Cherish!

I had my quiet time (QT) tonight and cherished the time I spent in God's Word and in prayer. I am participating in a “Good Morning Girl” group and I am studying James! This might sound silly but I look forward to my QT like I look forward to a date with Mike (my husband)! I just love it! I love Mike, I love dates, I love Jesus, I love quiet times!

One of my Good Morning Girls goes to a church in North Carolina and she told me about "My One Word," a new kind of resolution. I have been thinking a lot about it and wanted to share "My One Word" with you!

I decided I would pick the word CHERISH! I originally thought I would pick the word “hope” but I just couldn't commit to it. Something about it just didn't fit. I wanted a verb, an action word...something I could do! I believe that after 2010, an arduous year with Mike's diagnosis & treatment and my Dad's passing this is the perfect word for 2011.

I want to CHERISH the gifts God has given me! I want to CHERISH my quiet times...my relationship with Jesus. I want to CHERISH my husband, child and family. I want to CHERISH each moment... moments I have with others....moments to share my faith...moments to love.

According to Miriam-Webster's the Definition of CHERISH is...

transitive verb
1
a : to hold dear : feel or show affection for b : to keep or cultivate with care and affection : nurture
2
: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely

I believe that "My One Word" will help me follow God's greatest commandment, "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ " (Matthew 22: 37-39).
(What is a QT? Here is a YL article I liked.)

Can you smell God?

Today I continued my study of Jesus’ Parables. I'm working my way through Matthew Chapter 13. This particular segment of my bible study made me think about how I can experience Jesus more fully through my senses. For instance "I tasted God goodness when...", "I heard God voice when...", "I saw Christ when...", "I touched my savior when...", " I smelled the fragrance of God when....". I thought this was an interesting way to think about my faith.

Last night I prepared a Crockpot meal for tonight’s dinner. When I walked in the door this afternoon, I thought about my study. The fragrance of my meal cooking made me appreciate the goodness of God. He has provided each of us with exactly the sustenance we need. Not only am I blessed to have food to eat but I have church community, friends and the Word of God to nourish me spiritually.

I know there are many people not as fortunate. I know there are families who struggle each day to provide for their children. There are adults and children who will go to bed hungry. Tonight I pray for those people. Not only that they will have nutrition but that they will be satisfied by God’s Word.

As I completed my study today, one verse stood out to me, "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

High Heels and Hot Rollers

So, yesterday was not my finest day! I experienced a wide range of emotions. There were moments when I was boiling mad, tearful, anxious, laughing, quiet and even screaming! I was up to my eye balls in pent up energy and emotion and it ALL came out. Yesterday was a pretty rough day for me...

So, I was challenged to focus on the positive...hmmm positive...as I grumbled I looked down and saw my high heels. I laughed and thought (genuinely thought)...I love high heels! A few moments later I saw my reflection in a window and laughed again. I thought...I love hot rollers. These few blessings, as silly as they seem, completely changed my outlook on life!

So, I hope when you have a rough day...you can find your "High Heels and Hot Rollers!"

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

God, Can You Hear Me??

I have been studying Exodus for the last several months. I have never worked my way through this book before but I have learned tidbits of the Israelites story throughout my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed this study. My personal bible study times (quiet times) continue to deepened my faith!

In the last several months I have really been questioning and thinking about prayer! So it’s interesting that I read Exodus 32-34 yesterday. I found it very interesting and insightful. It was mainly about Moses' relationship with God. One particular part of chapter 32 refers to how God hears the prayers of Moses. It goes as far as saying God changes his mind and listens to Moses' request. Moses intercedes for his people, the Israelites.

I love that God is really listening to our prayers and to the prayer of those who intercede for us! I am also thankful that God continues to teach me through his word, the Bible!

So, I will keep on praying! God hears us! Can I pray for you?

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2, NLT)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

Main Thing the Main Thing?

Ok, I have not done good with my blogging. I really do want to get into it. How do you stay motivated? How do you find the time?

I am amazed by two of my incredibly faithful friends Carmalyn and Kortni! Carmalyn has four jobs and Kortni has four children! They are always busy yet find time to inspire others on their blogs! They seem to do it all!

I find myself wanting to "do it all" but wondering if I can do it all. Am I prioritizing? Am I managing my time? Am I putting my focus in things that are worthy of my time? Famous Author, Steven Covey once said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." What is your main thing? I want my "Main Thing" to be my faith! I hope that if I keep the main thing, the main thing everything else will fall into place!

So, I'm not going to promise to be a better blogger, dieter, employee...I'm going to keep on praying, studying, and focusing on my main thing!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

“You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)