Saturday, August 23, 2014

Blessings Journaling (Aug.23.2014c.)

2014-08-23 12:07:24, Saturday

Still trying to figure out the best way to copy from blog or journal into book form.

Also still reading Bible readings for today (and past ones).

Okay, so this is the best way to save blog entries/journaling entries into book form:

1 Go from my blog and website (Blessings Journaling) at:

http://blessingsjournaling.blogspot.com/

of exporting posts.

2 To BlogBooker.com at:

http://www.blogbooker.com/

to pdf.

Good to know. (Blessing 425)

426 I have 128 pages of 8.5 x 11-inch book of Blessings Journaling August so far... including pictures.

From there, I can add material and really turn it into a book I can publish. It also gives me a book I can use to review. Wait. Is there a way to eliminate photos? I need to check. No, there isn't. Must include photos. I think I'll delete them for publishing.

I just deleted all of the photographs from everything on this blog from the beginning to now in the book format. Now, I'm ready to use it for review and to edit and add more writing to it so I can publish it later. It needs a lot of formatting as well.

What I will do is each week, I will do the above steps into a separate document of that week's blog posts. Then, I will copy and paste into the main document.

Now, without proper formatting, the book is 7 x 10--inches in size and is 148 pages in length (427). Yay. I can now use it for review, which I will do later. For now, I want to see if I can get caught up with all of my Bible reading.

{Note to Self: Now, I need to take note and not publish any blog posts until tomorrow. Otherwise, it will get confusing when I try to go from blog to book format.}

428 Unspoken.

429 This post from Ann Voskamp and her journal, "A Holy Experience": Click HERE for today's inspiration.

2014-08-23 13:02:38

430 So far, I have 429... (I mean 430) blessings counted.

Now, back to...

TIME WITH GOD IN THE WORD

431 Read Psalm 29.

432 Read Psalm 30.

Brrr! The air just kicked on in my study. Need a jacket--stat. Will be back in a second. (Maybe I should be drinking regular coffee rather than iced.)

Psalm 31:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

24 So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. (433)

Teach me, God, how to live Psalm 31:4.

434 I could highlight every verse of Psalm 31.

435 Read Psalm 31.

What an incredible promise:

Psalm 32:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with My eye on you, I will give counsel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

437 He WILL instruct me. He will show me how and where to go, along with when.

438 Also, He will watch over me.

Psalm 32:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)

8 The Lord says, “I will ·make you wise [instruct you] and ·show [teach] you ·where to [L the way you should] go.
I will ·guide [counsel] you and ·watch over [L my eye will be on] you.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Lord, help me to hear and see your guidance--and to respond immediately.

440 I read Psalm 32.

Psalm 33:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

I just wanted to read Psalm 33:11 in other translations, and found this wonderful passage to pray over our nation, the USA:

Psalm 33:11 The Message (MSG)

10-12 God takes the wind out of Babel pretense,
    he shoots down the world’s power-schemes.
God’s plan for the world stands up,
    all his designs are made to last.
Blessed is the country with God for God;
    blessed are the people he’s put in his will.

The Message (MSG)

Yes, God. I pray Psalm 33:10-12 over the United States of America. Thank You for giving me a passage to pray over America. (443)

Psalm 33:11 Expanded Bible (EXB)

11 But the Lord’s ·plans [counsels] will ·stand [endure] forever;
·his ideas [L the plans of his heart] will last from now on.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Psalm 33:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.

New Living Translation (NLT)

446 Fear and revere the Lord. Rely on His unfailing love. Thank You, Abba, for this promise and hope.

447 Read Psalm 33.

Blessings Journaling (Aug.23.2014b.)

Blessings Journaling (Aug.23.2014b.)

2014-08-23 10:30:00

TIME WITH GOD IN THE WORD

Psalm 27:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

New Living Translation (NLT)

What a sweet passage. Tender. Darling. Special. I want this to be said of me. I want this to be a continual action on my part, day and night--always coming to the Lord to go and talk with Him. Oh, what a blessing this is (391) and will be (392).

393 I just killed a cat sized spider in my bathtub. Now, it won't bite and humans or critters. (Eeeeuw!)

394 Just added water to each turtle tank, so they are set for a bit. (Yay!)

Still working on deleting more stuff from my PC. (395).

Just checked out something, which I really wanted to know--and it works like I hoped. I thank You, Jesus! (396)

I really can put any and all pictures in Shutterfly (http://www.shutterfly.com/) and use Shutterflycom like my desktop, except no storage room needs to be taken on my pc. (397) I'm rearranging files in Shutterfly.com right now. (398.) I can also use Shutterfly.com as a slideshow. And, can save pics to my desktop, or save a link for my blog to insert photos. (Yay!)

I am thrilled about this.

I think I've made it my goal where I save nothing on my desktop, so to speak, but everything on my cloud storage, external storage, Shutterfly.com, etc. So, this is how I can do that. Between Penzu.com, Shutterfly.com, and Google Drive, along with my cloud storage and external hard drive, I'm set. (Thank You, Lord. To You be the glory. 399).

2014-08-23 11:28:40

TIME WITH GOD IN THE WORD, PART 2

Psalm 27:11 Names of God Bible (NOG)

11 Teach me your way, O Yahweh.
Lead me on a level path
because I have enemies who spy on me.

Names of God Bible (NOG)

401 Lord, I KNOW you can teach me Your Way and lead me on Your path. I thank You for all the times you have (402), are (403), and will (404).

Psalm 27:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Lord, through Blessings Counted Journaling (#BlessingsCountedJournaling), I know that I have (405), are (406), and will (407) see Your goodness while here on earth, before I die. The whole reason I can count my blessings is because of Your goodness (408).

This verse REALLY speaks to me (409):

Psalm 27:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and courageous.
Wait for the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Psalm 27:14 Expanded Bible (EXB)

14 ·Wait for [Hope in] the Lord’s help.
Be strong and let your heart be brave,
and ·wait for [hope in] the Lord’s help.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Wow. Wonder of Wonders. What an incredible verse.

Psalm 27:14 really speaks strongly to me because of what B and I are going through as we wait, Lord, for Your guidance about our future (professionally speaking) and as far as adopting a kiddo. You have us in a waiting pattern, a hold pattern, like airplanes ready to know their destination and are having to circle the airport until they receive guidance from flight control.

But, I know this much. While in the waiting room for those two very important divine appointments with You, Lord, in the Holy of Holies, there is much for us to do: Remain in You and in Your Word. Helps us to draw closer to you by the moment and help us to pray without ceasing and thank You at all times for and in all things. Thank You, now, for Your answer to this prayer (412).

413 I read Psalm 27.

414 Psalm 27 really blessed my socks off. Thank You, Lord. The perfect Word at the perfect time. To You be the glory.

415 I read all of Psalm 28.

416 Psalm 28 spoke to me and got my attention. I could highlight the entire chapter, but will pick the verse which spoke the most to me.

Psalm 28:7 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

New Living Translation (NLT)

418 Lord, You just presented another verse to me about thanks, thanksgiving, gratitude, and counting my blessings. Thank You.

419 I thank You, Lord, for being the Great Comforter. (Unspoken.) For me (420), B (421), and others in our lives today (422) (unspoken).

423 Lord, every single verse I've read this morning from the Book of Psalms has been a balm to my soul and heavy heart, to my weary mind, and to my spirit. Every verse. All. The ones I've mentioned so far have spoken to me the most.

424 The same can be said yesterday about all of the verses You presented to me. Thank You. To You be all glory, honor, and praise.

Help me live every moment Psalm 28:7.

Last night, Abba, I mentioned how I felt I needed to re-read all of my Blessings Counted List and all of the Bible Verses listed in my Blessings Journaling entries on Penzu.com and in my blog. Well, Lord, I am feeling this even more today. God, how should I go about doing this?

Blessings Journaling and Thanks (Aug.22.2014e.)

2014-08-22 14:20:00

Colossians 3:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Colossians 3:17 The Message (MSG)

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

The Message (MSG)

In all I do and say, I represent the Lord--and am to give thanks... Huh.

Colossians 3:17 Expanded Bible (EXB)

17 Everything you do or say should be done ·to obey [or as a representative of; L in the name of] the Lord Jesus. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Colossians 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Ephesians 5:20 New Living Translation (NLT)

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New Living Translation (NLT)

355 Col. 3:16-17.

356 Eph. 5:20

Give thanks to God for everything.

Give thanks for all.

Without exception.

"ONE THOUSAND GIFTS" BY ANN VOSKAMP READING

357 Again, Lord, thank You for Ann and 358 for her book.

Luke 17:15-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission ofTyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. (358)

Jesus healed ten lepers in Luke 17:11-14. Please go back and read that in your own Bible at this time.

Look at verse 15 now.

Only one of ten went back to Jesus Christ and praised Him and thanked Him for the healing. 359.

Now, look at verse 19. In verse 15, we read he was healed. Then, we read it again in verse 19. Why? Is it two different healings?

Wait, verse 19 says how the man's faith healed him. Hmm. What does that mean exactly? Let's read it in this version to see if we might get more clarity.

Luke 17:15-19 Expanded Bible (EXB)

15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice.16 Then he ·bowed down [L fell on his face] at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. (And this man was a Samaritan [C a shocking revelation, since Samaritans were despised by Jews].) 17 Jesus said, “Weren’t ten men ·healed [L cleansed; v. 14]? Where are the other nine? 18 Is this ·Samaritan[L foreigner] the only one who came back to ·thank [L give glory to] God?” 19 Then Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go on your way. ·You were healed because you believed [L Your faith has saved/healed you].”

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Look again at verse 19.

Your faith has saved and/or healed you. (361)

I dig deeper. It’s sozo in the Greek. Many translations render sozo as being made “well” or “whole,” but its literal meaning, I read it—“ to save.” Sozo means salvation . It means true wellness, complete wholeness. To live sozo is to live the full life. Jesus came that we might live life to the full; He came to give us sozo. And when did the leper receive sozo—the saving to the full, whole life? When he returned and gave thanks. I lay down my pen.

Our very saving is associated with our gratitude.

-- Voskamp, Ann (2011-01-04). One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (pp. 38-39). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

So, thanks and salvation go hand-in-hand. (362)

And, the full live depends on giving thanks and counting our blessings. (363)

Whoa! Ann Voskamp points this out. Check it out:

Psalm 50:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

23 “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.”

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

372 If I offer a thanksgiving sacrifice, then God will show me His salvation.

Psalm 50:23 Expanded Bible (EXB)

23 Those people ·honor [glorify] me
who bring me ·offerings to show thanks [thank offerings; v. 14].
And I, God, will save those who ·do that [L go on my way/path].”

Expanded Bible (EXB)

373 God will save those who offer a thanks-offering.

Whoa. Offering thanks and gratitude, counting my blessings, is an essential part of my life of salvation.

374 Lord, thank You for the stirring this morning.

I need some time to process all of this. Interesting. Very interesting.

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Parable of the Mess and Stirring (Aug.21.2014)

The Parable of the Mess and Stirring (Aug.21.2014)

by Stacy Duplease of Remembering Your Present, LLC

God is a God who allows the pot to be stirred. Why? It's what is created from the stirring that tastes, and is, so flavorful and it's a blessing to taste, experience, and savor what is being created. As the ingredients are stirred, and are blended together, a masterpiece is formed.

But, none of that would happen if it wasn't stirred. There would be nothing created or tasted.

What happens if there isn't stirring?

Take some flour. Pour it into a bowl. Then, add sugar. Then, vanilla extract and chocolate chips and syrup. Then, add some cold butter and some cold water or milk. Then, pour that into a pan and bake, without stirring. What would you get after half an hour? A mess. That's what. A blob of something not fit for anything.

You see. The mess isn't in the stirring. Although, if careless, some batter or ingredients will make it over the sides of the bowl. God is a careful stirrer, however. He's quite detail-oriented. He doesn't allow anything to escape His notice. So, the mess isn't in the stirring. The mess is in the lack of stirring.

If we aren't stirred by God, we're a mess. If we are stirred, we are made to His perfect specifications. We are made to be a new creation of God and are his masterpiece. But, we can't be unless He stirs.

Also, something to keep in mind is that as He stirs, the masterpiece is formed through adding a little heat.

Again, the mess is in the unstirred, not in the stirred.

Blessings and Prayer Journaling for Morning (Aug.23.2014a.)

2014-08-23 09:51:11, Saturday

375 Had breakfast with B this morning.

376 I am able to single out some time right now to journal. I praise and thank You, Lord. (Unspoken.)

Verse of the Day from: https://www.biblegateway.com/

Psalm 94:18-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
19 When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

New Living Translation (NLT)

What a sweet, tender, uplifting passage. Thank You, Lord. Your timing is perfect. (378) It's exactly what I needed to hear, read, pray, and meditate on today--for myself (379), hubby (380), and others (381).

382 Unspoken

383 I started to make a Granny Square Afghan yesterday afternoon.

TIME WITH GOD IN THE WORD

384 Read Psalm 26

Psalm 27:4-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

4 I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the Lord
and seeking Him in His temple.
5 For He will conceal me in His shelter
in the day of adversity;
He will hide me under the cover of His tent;
He will set me high on a rock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

If I am already in His sanctuary, then I am in an extra safe place. Praying, meditating on the Word, counting my blessings, and prayer journaling draws me into His sanctuary. (386)

Psalm 27:4 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

4 I have asked one thing from the Lord.
    This I will seek:
    to remain in the Lord’s house all the days of my life
        in order to gaze at the Lord’s beauty
            and to search for an answer in his temple.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Read Psalm 27:4 again. Did you catch that?

Psalm 27:4 is a verse that supports counting your/my blessings 24/7.

How else can you see beauty all around--even in times of stirring or storm? (388).

How else can I/you remain in the Lord's sanctuary, house, temple--and do so right where you are, and right now? (389)

Blessings Journaling Review (Aug. 22.2014d.)

Blessings Journaling Review (Aug. 22.2014d.)

2014-08-22 13:09:58

348 I need to go grab some baby aspirin. Headache. Thank God for baby aspirin to help relieve aches and pains.

349 B's and my plans this evening fell through. So, I wonder what he'll want to do now. We shall see. I go back and forth as to what I want to do. I don't like the fact the plans fell through, but I understand. What I'm counting as a blessing here is now B and I can do anything we choose.

350 Cheddar cheese

351 The color lavender

352 Cheerful napkins

353 Essentially unlimited water for me to drink

354 Turtles and how they are always so cheerful

I think it's time for ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp. Need it. Desperately, I think.

No. I just decided to do Word Studies on (but not necessarily in this order):

1 Thanks

2 Gratitude

3 Ingratitude

4 Grateful

5 Thanksgiving

6 Gratefulness

7 Thanks-Offering

1 Thessalonians 5:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Leviticus 7:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 ‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Look at that. Thanksgiving Peace Offering.

Huh. What's that exactly?

Leviticus 22:29 New King James Version (NKJV)

29 And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will.

New King James Version (NKJV)

An offering and sacrifice of--what? Thanksgiving = answer.

Psalm 107:21-22 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

21 Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and announce His works with shouts of joy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Psalm 50:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me,
and whoever orders his conduct,
I will show him the salvation of God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A thank offering. A thank sacrifice.

In the books of Moses, and in the time of Moses, a thanks offering or sacrifice was optional. However, this changes in the New Testament.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Expanded Bible (EXB)

18 and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

To learn more about 1 Thessalonians 5:18, check out this link:

http://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/5-18.htm

Ephesians 5:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

20 giving thanks always for everything
to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I know I am on to something. I am just so worn-out, weak, tired, dazed that I don't know what it is yet. (Lord, help me.)

God, what do You want me to learn here?

James 1:5-6 Expanded Bible (EXB)

5 But if any of you ·needs [lacks] wisdom, you should ask God for it [Prov. 2:6]. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom ·without criticizing you [without finding fault; ungrudgingly;Matt. 7:7]. 6 But when you ask God, you must ·believe [ask with faith] and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, ·blown up and down [driven and tossed] by the wind.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Colossians 3:17 New Century Version (NCV)

17 Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.

New Century Version (NCV)