Showing posts with label Blessings Counted Journaling. Show all posts

Friday, November 27, 2015

What blessings have you had this year?

What blessings have you had this year?

Journal about them.

List as many as you can all day and throughout the night from now until December 31st.

This is the end of year blessings counted challenge.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Prayer, Thanks, and Terror on Monday (Cont.)

November 23, 2015, Monday
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Thank You, Lord, for...
I am thankful, Creator, for 22,843 words so far with my National Novel Writing Month book, "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror." This means I have reached my word count goal of at least 4,700 words today. (Yay!)
That I have journaled 78 pages between November 16, 2015, and now. Letter-size pages. Single spaced. 12 point type/font.
That I am seeing more of my life's purpose. Prayer. Thanks. Terror. Prayer journaling. Blessings Counted Journaling. Living a life of gratitude.
The size of our backyard--it is one of the larger ones in this neighborhood.
How my husband holds my hand.
B's whiskey colored eyes that I want to get lost in.
How I like my husband and do not just love him.
How B is my best friend.
How B puts up with me--warts and all. In which I have plenty. Too many.
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How do I fully live today?
Have I lived more ingratitude than gratitude? As a whole, yes. Over the last two years, yes I have. Over the last month? Yes. Ingratitude seems to prevail--when I want with everything I have and am to live every moment with gratitude and a life of giving thanks.
Do I live fully or do I live empty? This is a question Ann Voskamp reminds me of in her book, "One Thousand Gifts Devotional: Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces."
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Is my wanting to write a book on living a life of giving thanks pointless and futile? Isn't the market drowning with books on giving thanks?
I cannot help but wonder if rather than a title that says, "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror," is should be, "How to Give Thanks in Spite." After all, this is a lesson I have sure learned--and learned well, I must admit.
Ahh. Yes. That is it. "How to Give Thanks in Spite." Or something like that.
How can we look around this great, big, ugly world and find the beauty in spite?
How can we give thanks when we don't feel like it?
How can we give thanks when we are so busy we can barely breathe, let alone take time to count our blessings?
How can we give thanks in spite of the latest challenge we face?
How can we give thanks when we feel anything but thankful?
How can we give thanks in spite of the ugliness of this world and all of its challenges?
How do we count our blessings in spite of terror?
How can we give thanks during a new holocaust?
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News article title: "Geological Discovery Proving Source of Earth’s Water Amazingly Similar to Biblical Account of Creation"
Read more at this link: https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/54514/geological-discovery-proving-source-earths-water-amazingly-similar-biblical-account-creation-health-and-science/#SB20Zg2IHoAwqxFP.99
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What do I want to devote my time to?
Giving thanks.
Truly. That is what I want. It is, also, what I crave.
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Prayer, Thanks, and Terror on Monday (Cont.)

Written: November 23, 2015, Monday

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Before I begin, it is time for a cappuccino. Please pardon me, my prayer journal. Lord, I will pray as I go get the delightful drink. (1102 a.m.)

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Thank you for twenty-one thousand twenty-three words so far out of fifty thousand for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), in which I am writing a book on prayer, thanks, and terror.

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My prayer: Lord, teach me how to pray about terror and teach me how to always give thanks. I realize that it would be impossible to ever perfect either one, but I can continually strive to learn a better way. Lord, please teach me how to best pray for terror and always give You thanks. The truth is, I cannot do either without Your help and assistance.

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Inspirational article title: "The One Simple Trick to Help You Notice God in the Every Day"

Link: http://sheridacon.com/2015/11/23/the-one-simple-trick-notice-god-in-the-every-day/

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I am grateful for...

Caramel cappuccino

How first the cat had to come check out out what I did as I took a bath. Then, the beagle decided to join him. They both opened the bathroom door wide open and let out all of the hot air. Sigh. I pretend to complain. The truth is, I would not have it any other way.

Cat and beagle are hanging out with me again as I sit in my study and start to count my blessings once again.

Losing two pounds over the weekend. Two of many, many, many more to go.

The new bluejeans we bought over the weekend since I had a pair split open on my in the seat last week since I have worn several pairs so much. They are all at that stage, where each of the four remaining pairs could tear any day, any moment now. (Sigh.) I only bought three new pairs, with the hopes I will lose weight. (Weight has always been a struggle for me--ever since I was twelve or so.)

Finding a birdbath warmer that helps prevent the water from freezing. It should arrive in the mail later today. The birds will sure appreciate it.

How my hair is slowly but surely growing out from a very short pixie. It's far from being anywhere near likable, but it is what it is. Hopefully when I go to get my hair trimmed the week of December Eleventh, my stylist will be able to give it some style. My hair just needs to grow a great deal more between now and then.

I am looking forward to setting up our Christmas trees and other Christmas decor after Thanksgiving.

That B and I found a really good pizza joint over the weekend. B loves pizza, so it's a pleasure to find something that pleases him. It's a little whole in the wall, which is our favorite kind of establishment.

For veterinarians.

Watching Zack beagle sleep. Warms my heart. Thank God for such a major blessing. I still cannot believe, Lord, how he is almost sixteen years old.

Our washing machine and dryer.

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Inspirational article title: "Sunday Scripture"

It's about giving thanks.

Link: http://www.incourage.me/2015/11/sunday-scripture-17.html

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Inspirational article title: "6 Steps to Find More Gratitude in Your Life"

Link: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-life-changing-nature-of-gratitude/

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Inspirational article title: "How Gratitude Can Change Your Life"

Link: http://www.thechangeblog.com/gratitude/

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I am thankful, Lord for...

The rumble of a purring cat.

How Sinan cat came to bed several times last night to snuggle.

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Inspirational article title: "What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude?"

Link: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-thankfulness-gratitude.html

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Inspirational article title: "A Life of Gratitude"

Link: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/life-gratitude/

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I am thankful for yesterday when I cooked our white chili. Both Zack dog and Sinan cat came into the kitchen and begged. They thought it smelled good. It's too bad dogs and cats shouldn't have chili because of the spice. At least their noses liked what they smelled.

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Inspirational article title: "Living a Life of Gratitude: It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and overlook God's glorious gifts."

Link: https://www.guideposts.org/faith-in-daily-life/living-a-life-of-gratitude

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Inspirational article title: "How You Can Live a Life of Thanksgiving all Year Long"

Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/how-you-can-live-a-life-of-thanksgiving-all-year-long-1442749.html

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Why have I tried to live a life of giving thanks, a life of gratitude, since November 06, 2013:

The truth is living a life of thanksgiving grew out of desperation. My husband and I just went through a nightmare of life circumstance. It was a storm that tore us to shreds on the inside. Just thinking about this time and I tense. And, it's been over two years now.

I reached the point where it was either give thanks--or fall apart. There was no middle ground in this terrible, trying, heartbreaking situation. The situation was so poignant and life-changing. Sink or swim.

I have always been someone who tries to live a life of excellence. I always try to give it my best. I push myself, needless to say. Sometimes too hard.

Therefore, when God presented this passage to me from the Bible, His Word, I decided to seek living a life of excellence in giving thanks:

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)

17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 18 and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

I realize I have quoted this before, but this passage of Scripture becomes a way of life and a way to live. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 presents the best way to live.

Here's another version of the Bible of this passage:

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

-- 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.

This passage became the bane of my existence and why I existed at once.

How on earth could I give thanks in this nightmare? (I thought in November 2006.) How is this even possible? How can I give thank when I am so hurt? So sad? So deflated, so frustrated, so angry, so confused? How could I give thanks for the very thing that was one of the biggest nightmares of my life (literally)? And, how can I give thanks in the very thing that destroyed marriages? How could I?

How could I offer thanks for infertility? Every day for thirty-nine years, I wanted to have a baby. Every day. There was never a time I didn't want to have one.

How could I give thanks to this--when B and I were both only children, so our family was already small? How could I give thanks knowing one day I would have no family at all? At least with children, and larger families, the odds are that you will most likely have someone survive past you.

How could I give thanks where every single place I went, I saw a child--and I could not, would not have one? How could I?

The pursuit of living 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 made me angry and it hurt, on the one hand. However, on the other, I realized it was, frankly, the only lifeline I had.

IVF didn't work out (two rounds of it). Neither did adoption. Consequently, B and I had to let go. How do you give thanks for this?

I sit here, over two years later, and I am grateful, oh so grateful, that I tried to give thanks in spite. I really had no choice. I either had to learn how to give thanks or I think I would have curled up into a ball of despair and I do not think I would have ever come out of it. The pain was so deep.

The truth is giving thanks saved me--and keeps saving me. It is my lifeline.

Giving thanks in and for all things has changed me and my life entirely.

The challenges I have gone through since I started to try to life a life of thanks have been quite doable. It's made me a great deal stronger and has given me purpose. Great purpose. Life purpose. I simply cannot emphasize this enough.

Giving thanks at all times, in and for all things, even in times of storm and challenge, creates joy in my life. Joy is something that isn't dependent on anyone or anything. Joy lasts in spite. Joy is deeper and long-lasting. Counting my blessings, and living a life of gratitude, has taught me how I do not want to live a shallow life of happiness. Happiness is fleeting and short-lived. It depends on different people, things, circumstances. Joy lasts through everything and everyone.

This is why when I deal with a challenge now, I am to thank God. I know that in the times of storm and challenge, the Lord has always, and will always, bless my socks off. The key is I need to look past myself, past the challenge, and look for the blessings of each and every moment. In which, there are several.

Yes. It is true. Every moment is full of multiple blessings. Not just one or two. The catch is we have to look for them and count them.

Ever since I have started to count my blessings in spite, and search for the multiple blessings of every moment, I have learned how beautiful life is and can be. Even in times of storm.

I never would have been able to handle Kara's death (our cat) as well as I did if not for my counting of blessings. The truth is that since I counted my blessings all along (or at least tried to over the last two years), it was far easier to realize that it was because of her I wanted to life a life of thanksgiving and gratitude all along. It would, and will be, the best way for me to honor her and her life.

That is not to say I still do not cry about Kara no longer being with us. I do. In fact, I got a little weepy earlier thinking of her. But, I realize that thanking You, Lord, is not dependent on anything--other than simply doing that--counting my blessings.

Counting my blessings means I can get through anything and at any time.

Blessings are eternal. They are not temporary. The blessings I count today, I can count in one year, five, ten, twenty, and decades from now. They are continual and life on.

I would much rather live a life of gratitude than ingratitude. Life is so much sweeter because of this.

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Lord, thank You for...

Cheese

Cheese crackers

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Prayer, Terror, Thanks: My Personal Journaling on Nov/23/2015/Mon

Readers and friends, welcome to the week of Thanksgiving in the United States of America. This means I am going to make sure gratitude and giving thanks is my main focus for my personal journaling entries, which I turn into blog posts. That being said, though, I will still try to include articles of current events and news.
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I am participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in this month of November, and am using my personal journaling of prayer, terror, and thanks to create a book of at least 50,000 words in this yearly writing contest. I just started writing this book for NaNoWriMo last week. Therefore, between now and mid-December, I will be blogging a great deal more than usual as I participate in this contest. Please forgive the additional material each day. I know I already mentioned this, but I wanted to make sure I was clear and explain the reason why. Writing at lease fifty thousand words in less than two weeks creates a great deal of writing.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
(Note to self: I need to write a total of four thousand seven hundred words per day for the rest of the month of November in order to obtain this objective and win the writing contest of NaNoWriMo. Gulp. That's a lot of words for me to write, before the end of November. that being said, though, I know for a fact that it can be done. I have been known to write 10,000 words in one day, after all. Given this, I need to move up to my study immediately and use a keyboard with my tablet so I can write as much as possible today. Another gulp. I know I can do it. It's just a little pressure. The pressure is of the self-inflicted, of course.)
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Saturday and Sunday I didn't get much writing done at all since I started reading a book on spiritual warfare to help me learn how to pray about terrorism. It's a book called, "The Strategy of Satan" and it is by Warren W. Wiersbe. The book was written in 1979, but it reads like a modern book. It is extremely informational.
Check it out here: http://smile.amazon.com/Strategy-Satan-Warren-W-Wiersbe-ebook/dp/B0066E8WR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448287876&sr=1-1&keywords=the+strategy+of+satan
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Now, I am going to focus on giving thanks and counting my blessings. Hence, here are some inspirational blog posts about thanksgiving:
Title: "What I Learned about God from 365 Gratitude Posts on Facebook"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/what-i-learned-about-god-from-365-gratitude-posts-on-facebook.html
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Title: "The Power of Your Testimony of Thankfulness - Powerpoint - November 23, 2015"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/powerpoint-november-21-2013.html
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Title: "Thanksgiving's Greatest Enemy"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-s-greatest-enemy.html
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Title: "2 Words That Will Change Your Life: Thank You"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/2-words-that-will-change-your-life-thank-you.html
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Title: "A Story of Persistence - Thanksgiving Devotional - Nov. 22"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/thanksgiving-devotionals/a-story-of-persistence-thanksgiving-devotional-nov-2.html
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Title: Thanksgiving Devotionals on Crosswalk.com
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/thanksgiving-devotionals/
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Title: "The Power of a Thankful Heart"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/faith/the-power-of-a-thankful-heart.html
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Title: "What I Learned From Keeping a Gratitude Journal"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/food-home/what-i-learned-from-keeping-a-gratitude-journal.html
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Title: "yada, yada, yada: a secret way to cope when you are pretty much sick of the world, the holidays & a crazy life"
Link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/11/yada-yada-yada-a-secret-way-to-cope-when-you-are-pretty-much-sick-of-the-world-the-holidays-a-crazy-life/
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Title: "A Prayer for a Thankful Heart"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/food-home/a-prayer-for-a-thankful-heart.html
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Psalm 100:4-5 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
4 Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving.
Come into his courtyards with a song of praise.
Give thanks to him; praise his name.
5 The Lord is good.
His mercy endures forever.
His faithfulness endures throughout every generation.
A psalm by David.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
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2 Corinthians 9:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)
17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 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). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Each of these statements requires a different mindset and way of life. They are not one in the same. There is a difference with each. It is my goal, and my hope, to live each of these in gratitude and thanksgiving:
We either live a life of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live a week of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live a day of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live each moment today in gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
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My Blessings Counted Journaling, Gratitude Journaling, Thanks Journaling, and My Blessings Counted List:
Thank You, Lord, for...
Yesterday terrorism was prevented. Terrorists around the world made threats to attack and either didn't or were thwarted. Thank You, Jesus. To You be the glory forever and ever.
Thank You, Lord, for last week. Thank You, for speaking to me, guiding me, and helping me see things differently. Thank You for the insight You gave me into prayer and terror last week. I pray it only increases this week, and the week following, and the week after that.
I am quite grateful for this week. I cannot wait to see where You lead me and see all of the blessings You give me and those around me.
Thank You for the holiday of Thanksgiving. Lord, I cannot believe it is the week of Thanksgiving and that it is already here.
Lord, thank You that I know the true origins of Thanksgiving here in the United States of America--not the origins Massachusettes has chosen to focus on, hence the U.S. focuses on. I know that the true and first official Thanksgiving took place at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia, and was when the first men landed on this land from England to establish the first permanent English colony back in 1607 (well before Plymouth and the pilgrims). (See this link under the tab of "The New World": http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/four-centuries.html) They gave thanks to God for their safe passage from England to the shores in modern day Virginia. The first official Thanksgiving was about thanking You, Lord, and was not about Plymouth, turkey, pilgrims, the Native Americans, etc. It was about giving You thanks. This was the premise and foundation of this nation. And, this should be the foundation of my life, Father.
Thank You for my time in Virginia and how I was able to step foot at the place of the First Landing, at Historic Jamestowne and the site of the original fort (which is above water), Berkeley Plantation (which was also the place "Taps" was written), Yorktown Battlefield, Surrender Field near the Yorktown Battlefield), etc.
Thank You for the beautiful mountains I can see outside my study window. Purple mountains with a slight dusting of powder sugar.
Abba, I am so thankful for my husband and best friend. He is such a good man and is so good to me.
Thank You for the weekend we just had.
Thank You, God, for...
Coffee
My tablet
The keyboard that goes with my tablet
My journal
The way I journal
Clean sheets
Clean bath towels
That my husband and I can actually go home this year for the holidays, since it's so close, and is a nice day trip.
That my dad does not mind us bringing Zack Beagle over so that he does not have to wait so long to be let outside and so that Zack can hang out with us.
That the weather looks better as far as traveling to my family home on Thursday and then returning to our home the same day.
The really good white chili I made yesterday. It's been years since I made it. I am not sure why it took me so long to make. I guess I just never think of it. Well, it is certainly on my mind now. Yum! I also am grateful that B (my husband) enjoyed it as well. Also, I am thankful we have at least two more meals of the chili, so I may not need to do any more cooking for a few days.
How the birds love coming to our home and know that they can find food and water here, so this is the hangout for the sparrows in our neighborhood.
Pumpkin. I just so thoroughly love and enjoy pumpkin. Yummers!
I just remembered a recipe I keep wanting to try, but I haven't. Sigh. Therefore, I think I will try it today. Thank You, Father, for bringing it to my attention once again. It included pumpkin, one of my favorites. (Thank You, Jesus.) But, it also includes another favorite: coffee. (Another: Praise the Lord and thank You!) I will try this recipe in a bit and see what I think. Only, I will cook it in a bowl, not in a mug. The recipe is: Title: "Pumpkin Spice Latte Mug Cakes. " Link: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte-mug-cakes/e9a9f174-c088-467f-a5e6-2a4c464c9776?src=SH
I am quite grateful that my word count toward my National Novel Writing Month, prior to today, was: 17,924 words. (By the way, you don't have to write a novel in November in order to be part of NaNoWriMo. The only requirement is you write 50,000 words of a project, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. This is why my personal journaling of: "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror qualifies.)
Thank God for my home. What a major blessing it has been, is, and will be.
Thank the Lord for my coffee maker. Goodness. I shudder to think what I would do without it or without coffee.
Thank You again Lord, how even though construction is going on nearby, a lot of it let me add, how quiet it is and has been. I see big tractors doing their thing in a field nearby and know they are making noise, but I hear little to none.
Thank You for the Warren Wiersbe book, "The Strategy of Satan."
Thank You for one thousand seven hundred words for today so far.
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(838 a.m.) I am hungry. Therefore, I think I am going to go try the mug pumpkin spice latte cake. Be right back.
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Thank You, Lord, for the new recipe. The pumpkin spice latte in a mug recipe. I changed a few things in the recipe, though, so it would have less sugar. I used sugar free maple syrup rather than sugar. I also used a little more pumpkin than they recommended and I added a hint of vanilla extract. Then, when I cooked it, I cooked it all in large soup bowl, which is also where I stirred up the ingredients. It wasn't pretty when I pulled out, since it wasn't in a mug, but I really could care less if it's just me eating the recipe. Rather than using whip cream on top when I served it, I used half-in-half. The consistency is like pumpkin pie with how I added the additional ingredients and I can see making this a couple of times each week and whenever I have a sweet or a pumpkin craving. (Now that I ate my helping for today, I cannot help but think that I might want to add a packet of the sugar substitute and maybe one pack of sugar to add to the flavor, plus the sugar free maple sugar. Thank You, Lord, for this realization.)
Which just reminded me, thank You, Lord: I haven't made pumpkin soup this year. What was I thinking? Never mind how that's something I can do with the leftover canned pumpkin if I don't finish it in a few days after making mug pumpkin spice latte cake, and after I make pumpkin lattes.
Thank You, Lord, for canned pumpkin.
Thank You, Lord, for pumpkin lattes.
Thank You, Lord, for reminding me the little things often mean a great deal more than a big thing.
Whew. Yes. Dividing the mug pumpkin latte cake recipe into two would have been wise. One is much too much. I will finish this tomorrow or the next day. Thank You, Lord.
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It's my goal between now and Thanksgiving to see how many things I can thank God for. I want to move my heart and mind to giving thanks in and for all things, in spite of terrorism or the threat of terrorism. I want to give thanks because You are so good to me, Lord, and because You tell me to do so, pure and simple. Never mind how every single moment is full of blessings to count, if only I would stop, look around (search for them), and count them. Then, if I would only remember the blessings You, Lord, have given me for the rest of my life.
Isn't it better to give thanks than not?
Isn't it better to count my blessings than focus on all of the blah and yuck of this world?
Doesn't giving thanks move my focus to what really matters and what really is important in my life? It shifts my perspective and helps me to live a life of joy, not just happiness.
Lord, I realize that You waste nothing. Everything that happens in my life, You can use for Your glory. Therefore, I would really like to bring You even more glory through living a life of gratitude than ingratitude. I would rather focus on Your blessing than the blah and yuck. I would rather find Your blessings in times of storm than focus on the what-could-should-be's.
As a Christian, Lord, I know I deserve no blessing whatsoever. But, I also know that You bless me anyway and in order to bring yourself glory.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me want to try to always give thanks--in all things and for all things, in spite of the storms.
I also realize well how it's been in the storms You have blessed me the most.
Lord, help me to keep my focus on living a life of blessings counting and not on if-only or this isn't fair.
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Thank You, Lord, for...
This day to give You thanks.
This moment to give You thanks.
Zack Beagle
Sinan orange cat
Kara, our deceased black and white cat, who was a feral. She was also deaf, declawed, and had lung and breast cancer before she marched into our lives and adopted us in September 2014. She was only supposed to live to February 2015, but made it to September 26, 2015.
The life lessons we learned from Kara.
The faith lessons we learned from Kara.
My favorite coffee mugs
How Zack just came upstairs to join me on his dog bed in the study.
This new personal journaling system. I am writing my journal on my tablet in a document, then, I email it to myself once I journal enough pages. Then, I save it in/on the Cloud. Then, I save it to my laptop, to my eternal hard drive, and to an app. I also print it out so I can set it on my bookshelves. It sure makes it easier to review my journaling with the print out. I also save it to my e-reader as an e-book.
Lord, thank You for the new vision You just gave me, which is also a reminder. I want to count as many blessings as I can between now and Thanksgiving, because it is that time of year. But, also, given that it is this time of year, I want to count as many blessings from this past year as possible. Therefore, I will do precisely that after Thanksgiving as well.
Thank You, Lord, for putting this on my heart: I want to count the blessings from 2015 and from the past as well. This will be my focus between now and New Year's Day.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me to remember this in the middle of praying about terrorism.
I am grateful Sinan is hanging out on the floor outside the study so I have my two favorite furry critters hanging out with me. It means so much to me, Lord. Thank You for trusting me with them.
Lord, thank You for 2,704 words so far of my 4,700 word count goal for today. Needless to say, I am well beyond the halfway mark for today for my NaNoWriMo word count goal. The halfway point is 2,350 words.
How Zack beagle wags his tail in his sleep from time to time. It is so precious and touches me so.
I am thankful for the couple of snows we have had so far, along with the cold snaps we have had. I love the beauty of the snow and the way I can actually breathe, and not feel stuffed, when it's a cold day.
Thank You, Abba, for the reminder that I now have a bathtub I can use. I have had one since we moved in the last part of July. But, I am so used to not having a bathtub to use that I forget to take a bath. Lord, You jsut reminded me of it, and now that I am at my halfway point of my word count goal, I can plan to take one soon. I can then pray about terrorism as I do that and thank You, Lord, for things that I just simply won't share with the world.
I am grateful for email, for the internet, for my cell, for technology, for apps, and how I can carry all of my journaling on my cell and on my tablet.
I am thankful for all of the resources on the internet for and about giving thanks.
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Article: "Beyond Sunday: Worthy of Thanks"
Link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/beyond-sunday-worthy-of-thanks.html
Article: "12 Things to Thank God for in the Midst of Affliction"
Link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/mark-altrogge/12-things-to-thank-god-for-in-the-midst-of-affliction.html
Article: "The Power of a Grateful Heart: 21 Verses of Thanksgiving"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/the-power-of-a-grateful-heart-21-verses-of-thanksgiving.html
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Thank You, God, for...
Vinegar and water for cleaning.
That we have two bathtubs and a full-size shower in our house.
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Regarding terror:
News article: "Emails show DOD analysts told to 'cut it out' on ISIS warnings; IG probe expands"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/23/emails-show-dod-analysts-told-to-cut-it-out-on-isis-warnings-ig-probe-expands.html?intcmp=hpbt1
My personal thoughts and commentary: I thought we lived in a free country with a free press. To tell the DOD what to say as to the truth about ISIS (I'm not talking about their intelligence) means censoring. Censoring is what communism and socialism does. This is disturbing. But, it isn't surprising.
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What else am I thankful for? Let me think.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Thank God for Who He is and What He Has Done

Written: 2014-10-07 12:13:18, Tuesday

What are we to thank God for exactly? I think these verses help answer that question:

Psalm 107:21-22 Expanded Bible (EXB)

21 Let them ·give thanks to [praise] the Lord for his ·love [loyalty]
and for the ·miracles [wonderful works] he does for people [vv. 8, 15, 31].
22 Let them offer ·sacrifices to thank him [thanksgiving offerings].
With joy they should ·tell [recount] what he has done.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

We are to thank God for who He is and what He has done.

This is quite helpful on the day that is so challenging you don't think you could ever see a blessing of God working in your life, around your life, or through your life.

If we look at those two aspects, we could praise God forever and ever. Just open the Bible and in each verse, you could find several things to thank God for. Look around your life right now, right where you are, and you can find many things to be thankful for. Think about your life and I can guarantee you can find a great deal to thank God for and count as a blessing.

Blessings abound. They are all around. Open your eyes and your mind and you'll find them.

Remember how we are to offer Him thanks to the point it is a sacrifice. We are to thank Him so much, and for so much, that it takes a great deal of time in our lives each day--and we are to show Him our gratitude even as we continue on with life and doing what we do.

How can you share the Lord with others? Share the blessings you've counted, and are counting, and will count, in your life.

Blessings are all around, now, in the past, and will be in the future, if only we search for them. We need to be diligent to do so.

Psalm 107:21-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

21 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

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.

He has done great things, is doing great things. and will do great things. Look for them.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Blessings Counted Journaling and Job

Written 2014-10-07 08:33:28, Tuesday

BIBLE READING

I am a day ahead with my reading the Bible in 90 days, round 1 of 5 in 15 months.

I read the Book of Job in the middle of the night. I've read it several times in my life, let me add. When I finished it, I wondered, "What was the point?" Meaning, what is the takeaway or what am I to learn from this?

How frustrating I couldn't figure it out--and I am quite familiar with the Book of Job. Ugh.

Do you ever think this about a verse, chapter, or book of the Bible?

So, what now? How can I figure out the point and what it means for my life? I turn to commentaries then.

Here's the link for Job:

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/job/1-1.htm

I read the introduction to Job from THE LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE (HCSB).

This is the Bible:

http://smile.amazon.com/Life-Application-Study-Bible-HCSB-ebook/dp/B00J37KE66/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412686648&sr=1-1&keywords=life+application+study+bible+hcsb

And, after I read the "megathemes" section, I tapped my forehead and thought, Duh.

Job brought up the problem of suffering: How and why do bad things happen to good people? Along with, "Why God," and "Where are You," and "If You are an all-powerful and merciful God, why this?"

God never promised us an easy life.

Nor did He ever promise us answers to all of our questions.

He just asks us to trust, obey, and believe.

He asks us in these times for us to turn to Him and look for Him.

He reminds us that in our lives, there will be several unknowns.

And He asks us, "Am I really enough for you?"

Is His grace sufficient?

I pause and take all of this in. I don't want to miss anything and don't want to glaze over something. Rather, I want to absorb all of this.

APPLICATION OF JOB TO MY LIFE

The truth is, I'm dealing with a great deal right now. Life is anything but fair or easy, but it has never been, so this doesn't drive me crazy or upset me.

The unknowns are what tend to really bother me, as they are now. What about Zack? Is Kara okay or will we have to put her to sleep? If she is okay, how will she transition from the garage to my study? How will Kara, Zack, and Sinan get along in time? What should I write? What about B's and my future? When will three people close to me find jobs? What about the future for B and me? How long will it take me to grow out my hair? Will I read the Bible 5 times in 15 months? Etc.

Can I let go of all my questions, and suffering, and just enjoy God and trust He really has this?

Can I let go and let God do what He does?

BLESSINGS COUNTED JOURNALING

This is where Blessings Counted Journaling comes into the picture. This is where always giving thanks should be my priority and focus. Counting my blessings is the answer. Always. Without exception.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014. Poquoson, Virginia Marina)

Saturday, October 11, 2014

The Story of Blessings Counted Journaling

Written 2014-10-04 14:34:20, Saturday

So, what is the story of Blessings Counted Journaling? What brought it about?

I've seen and experienced a great deal in my forty years. I've learned even more, vicariously and personally, through most often the school of hard knocks. I've been blown here, there, and everywhere by the storms of life. I've had quite the journey up to this point, you might say.

Through it all, I remember something my dad taught me long ago: Happiness is a state of being. It's a choice. It doesn't matter what happens, who I have in my life or don't have, I always have the choice as to how I am going to handle any given situation. Am I going to focus on the mess of life or its beauty?

My Granny is the one who taught me about faith in Jesus Christ, how to be a prayer warrior, and the importance of reading the Word of God each and every day and reading it cover to cover each and every year.

Take what my dad taught me, and what Granny has taught me, and combine it.

Never mind how one of Dad's and my favorite Christmas movies is "WHITE CHRISTMAS" with Bing Crosby and our favorite song is "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep." (See this link for the lyrics: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Your_Blessings_(Instead_of_Sheep).)

Hence, the story of Blessings Counted Journaling begins here:

Dad + Granny + Bing Crosby, White Christmas, Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.

This seems like a good way to live if you ask me. I want to count my blessings, and focus on them, not on the ugliness or storm. I want to learn from them and make them count. How do I make the times of ugliness, storm, beauty, good, indifferent, and all of them count? After all, every moment is one of numerous blessings. This is what I want to focus on and live.

Blessings.

Blessings can be found anywhere, any time, with anyone.

Then, take every blog post I've written until now, and add this one to it. This is why I do Blessings Counted Journaling. Another reason why I do it is because I'm also a journalkeeper--and have been for over three decades.

The best way to live the fullest life, the deepest life, the most joyful life possible is through Blessings Counted Journaling.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Prayer, Thanksgiving, and Colossians 4:2

It seems as though prayer and thanksgiving go hand-in-hand. Read Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 and this verse:

Colossians 4:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

What do we learn about thanksgiving in this verse of Colossians 4:2?

Read this version as well and answer the same question:

Colossians 4:2 Expanded Bible (EXB)

2 ·Continue praying [Be devoted to prayer], keeping alert, and always thanking God.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

We are to continually pray and give thanks to God.

The formula is:

Prayer + thanksgiving = worshipping God

Prayer and thanksgiving shows our reverence to God. It's how we acknowledge Him as God and have a relationship with Him. In other words, when we thank God, we are praying.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Thanksgiving Offering or Sacrifice

Written: 2014-10-04 13:25:00, Saturday

How important is thanksgiving?

How important is it to thank God, show Him our gratitude, and count our blessings?

Prayer journal your response to each question before you read ahead.

How important is it to count our blessings? See 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6. (Go ahead. Look them up at this time if you cannot quote them off the top of your head.)

Read these verses to learn how much more important it is than you think:

Leviticus 7:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

11 “Now this is the law of the fellowship sacrifice that someone may present to the Lord: 12 If he presents it for thanksgiving, in addition to the thanksgiving sacrifice, he is to present unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil. 13 He is to present as his offering cakes of leavened bread with his thanksgiving sacrifice of fellowship.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A thanksgiving sacrifice...

Let that sink in for a moment. Prayer journal your thoughts.

What does this mean? (What do you think? Again. Prayer journal your thoughts.)

I know what a sacrifice is. It's what you have to give up in order to obey and worship God. It's a sacred act. It's an acknowledgement that He alone is God.

I know that Jesus is the final sacrificial lamb. He is the lamb who was slain so no other sacrifice is ever again needed. Blood sacrifice that is.

It's the blood sacrifice which forgives our sins and allows us to go to heaven and spend eternity with God.

However, there are other sacrifices.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 show the importance of always giving thanks. If we are to do it always, for God, isn't it a sacrifice? This is what the New testament says. Leviticus 7:11-13 talk about the sacrifice of thanksgiving as well.

A sacrifice for God--through thanking Him and counting our blessings.

A sacrifice is a sacred rite or practice.

It's going to the Holy of Hollies.

We are to offer thanks so much to God, for so many things, that we do it day and night--as a sacrifice--where we do it rather than something else. A sacrifice. We give something up so we can offer God thanksgiving instead.

And, offering God continual thanksgiving is also like never ceasing prayer and always meditating on the Word. It's something we can do as we do other things--and is what we should do at all times.

Should be and could be are nice, but what does this look like in practice and in application?

And, how can we turn counting our blessings into something sacred?

HOW?

How do we do this? How do we count our blessings at all times? How do we offer thanksgiving as a sacrifice to God? How do we make thanksgiving a sacred act?

It is God who makes something holy and sacred. Not us.

However, our part in the process is being intentional, and purposeful, about searching for all of the blessings in each moment, past, present, and future. We are to search for the blessings and count them. We are to remember what God has done, is doing, and will do. We are to do this at all times. This makes our counting of blessings a sacrifice. We acknowledge the Holy. We look for and recognize God and His work.

Lord, teach each of us to offer thanksgiving as an offering to You. Help us to find it this important.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC and Norfolk Botanic Garden 2014.)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Searching for Blessing

2014-10-04 12:53:45, Saturday

God is God. He is infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present. He is perfect and sinless. He is beyond time, for He created time. He is Creator. He is the Lord of Lords, god of gods, King of Kings. He is Almighty.

He is also good.

Since God is all of these things, He is glorious. Whenever we see His work, we see His glory. Whenever we see His work, what He has done, we see Him.

God is limitless. He is infinite. Therefore, so are His works.

He does not do one thing at a time. He is the epitome of multitaskers, for He is infinite and all-powerful.

Given all of this, God shows Himself every moment of every day to everyone. We just have the choice on whether we will search for Him and recognize Him or deny Him and ignore Him.

If God shows Himself every moment, and He does, and He is limitless, then He shows His infinite, limitless self every moment. He cannot stop being God. He is always Himself. So, every moment, we, if we look for Him and ask Him to train our eyes, minds, and hearts, then we will see Him and recognize Him and His works, which are limitless in every moment.

Therefore, we receive numerous blessings every moment. We see God. The limitless, infinite One.

Every moment has limitless blessings, then.

A blessing is God giving us favor. A favor we do not deserve.

Isn't the opportunity to be able to look around each moment, and see God, a blessing? And, if we see God, it is His limitless, infinite self. Hence, we receive numerous blessings each and every moment just in seeing Him.

We see God every sunrise and sunset. Every time we see something or someone of His creation. We see God in His animals. We see God in answered prayer. We see God in the rain. We see God in the fog. We see God all around. He is always present.

Is God a flower? No. But, a flower is His creation. His creation shows us Him.

Look at a child and You see God's creation.

Look at the changing colors of the leaves and You see God.

Every prayer answered, you see God.

All of these things, all of these people and critters, are God's creation and are part of Him and reflect Him.

Search for every way God is present at every moment and you find His blessings. Count them. Acknowledge them. If you search for God in every moment, then You will find immeasurable blessings.

Have you ever thought of this or in this way? (I sure hadn't until I wrote this.)

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2009-2014.)

Blessings, Gratitude, and Thanksgiving Bible Verses: List #1

Colossians 4:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 New Century Version (NCV)

17 Pray continually, 18 and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

New Century Version (NCV)

Give thanks--even when I have a troubled heart.

And, here is a verse I need to focus on most when my heart is troubled--and applying it and live it out:

Philippians 4:6 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Psalm 107:21-22 Expanded Bible (EXB)

Expanded Bible (EXB)

Psalm 105:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name;
proclaim His deeds among the peoples.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)