I started writing todays gifts, and I don't have many. I didn't actually want to even write them. I've been doing this study by Jennie Allen called "stuck" and without going into what this weeks homework was, I'll just say it was very convicting. I had a little cry, and I struggled through it. I've been thinking about my list, and feeling kind of guilty, because I thought I could do something at least every day. Then I thought that's next to impossible because when I work the night shift, I either work three days in a row of twelve hour shifts, or four days in a row. So when I'm working, usually all I do is (try to) sleep, and work. Not much room in between for the rest. Now I've been thinking, if I had a thing to be greatful for everything I have an excuse for, I'd be well on my way to finishing my 1000 gifts by now. That said, I am still plugging away, giving my best effort to keep my mind focused on my blessings and gifts, and less on the negative. I may still not post every single day, but I will give it my best efforts to do what I can.
A friend of mine also said, you're not necessarily meant to do 15 things or more in a day, but the point is to do just the act of being greatful, rather then being ungreatful. Imagine that eh, being totally ungreatful....
Day 7
44. Public transit
45. Friendly transit drivers
46. Thunder and rain
Day 9
47. Friendly cab drivers
48. Patio time at my besties
49. Friends who let you whine when they've been awake for 24+ hours
50. Worship music
51. Awesome preachers at church
That's it for now. How are you doing?
Sunday 29 July 2012
Tuesday 24 July 2012
1000 gifts: day 6
So I fell off the wagon. I got into this "okay I'll do it in 5 minutes" phase, and the 5 minutes never came. I also started to feel like maybe my things I was greatful for were trivial. Some of the things I have seem text book..."grace...mercy...forgiveness" ...but at the same time, maybe not so much. Without those things, I would just be a sinner, walking around through this life motionless, like a zombie so to speak. I do have a LOT to be thankful for.
32. Chocolate
33. My bible
34. Acrylic paint
35. Coffee cans
36. Grace
37. Mercy
38. Forgiveness
39. Room darkening curtains
40. Hardwood floors
41. Mouthwash
42. Swiffer mop
43. Homemade gifts
This might take a while....I'm not sure even if anyone reads my blog. So maybe no one notices if I'm not posting for a few days? I'm not sure. It's kind of fun, but at the same time I look forward to the day where instead of looking for things to be greatful for, the greatfulness for God's awesome creations just comes naturally
32. Chocolate
33. My bible
34. Acrylic paint
35. Coffee cans
36. Grace
37. Mercy
38. Forgiveness
39. Room darkening curtains
40. Hardwood floors
41. Mouthwash
42. Swiffer mop
43. Homemade gifts
This might take a while....I'm not sure even if anyone reads my blog. So maybe no one notices if I'm not posting for a few days? I'm not sure. It's kind of fun, but at the same time I look forward to the day where instead of looking for things to be greatful for, the greatfulness for God's awesome creations just comes naturally
Friday 20 July 2012
1000 gifts: Day 2
I feel like I'm having a little trouble finding things to be greatful for today. Maybe I'm not in the right mindset. I'm not sure. I've got some though, and I'm trying so that's what counts, right? I'm still plugging away, so here's todays results. How are you doing so far?
15. Fish and chips night at work
16. Comfy warm bed
17. Ear plugs
18. Hot shower
19. Skype
20. Flavoured coffee creamer
21. Homemade strawberry jam
22. Bacon
23. Lip balm
24. Hair dye
25. Hair straightener
26. Hair spray
27. iPod
28. Chocolate Milk
Okay, so I came up with a few more after I paused for a bit. That's it for today. :-)
15. Fish and chips night at work
16. Comfy warm bed
17. Ear plugs
18. Hot shower
19. Skype
20. Flavoured coffee creamer
21. Homemade strawberry jam
22. Bacon
23. Lip balm
24. Hair dye
25. Hair straightener
26. Hair spray
27. iPod
28. Chocolate Milk
Okay, so I came up with a few more after I paused for a bit. That's it for today. :-)
Thursday 19 July 2012
1000 Gifts: A project
I was given a challenge on Tuesday. A challenge to draw close to God, and find the good in everyday life. An attempt to, when all we seem to be able to focus on is the negativity in our lives, in the things that go or are going wrong to find the blessings God has given us. To change our way of thinking.
The book 1000 gifts by Ann tells her story, and she does just that. I don't know much about the book as I've yet to read it, but regardless, with or without reading the book I know this is something I need to do. So, I'm hoping if there is anyone out there that reads my blog, you will come along with me in doing this. 1000 blessings. 1000 things to be thankful for. I can't wait to see how it turns out!
My goal is to write something every day, as much or as little as possible, and see when my mind changes. Will you join me?
1. Eye mask to help me sleep during the day.
2. My big air conditioner
3. Kitty snuggles in the morning
4. Lavendar sprays for sleeping
5. Coffee
6. Ball point pens
7. My blender
8. Ice cream
9. Glasses
10. Contacts
11. Sunglasses
12. Cell phone/text messaging
13. My church family
14. My best friend Trish
14 things on day one. I'm not sure if that's good or not. I'm SURE it will become easier the closer I get to 1000 and I'm going to want to go well past the 1000 things. This is going to be fun!
The book 1000 gifts by Ann tells her story, and she does just that. I don't know much about the book as I've yet to read it, but regardless, with or without reading the book I know this is something I need to do. So, I'm hoping if there is anyone out there that reads my blog, you will come along with me in doing this. 1000 blessings. 1000 things to be thankful for. I can't wait to see how it turns out!
My goal is to write something every day, as much or as little as possible, and see when my mind changes. Will you join me?
1. Eye mask to help me sleep during the day.
2. My big air conditioner
3. Kitty snuggles in the morning
4. Lavendar sprays for sleeping
5. Coffee
6. Ball point pens
7. My blender
8. Ice cream
9. Glasses
10. Contacts
11. Sunglasses
12. Cell phone/text messaging
13. My church family
14. My best friend Trish
14 things on day one. I'm not sure if that's good or not. I'm SURE it will become easier the closer I get to 1000 and I'm going to want to go well past the 1000 things. This is going to be fun!
Monday 16 July 2012
I was a witness
Sunday July 15, 2012 is a day that will forever be etched in my brain. God's amazing and awesome works are shown in many things we see, do and experience every single day, but I was awe-struck by what transpired this day.
Freedom House church normally has it's worship service in the lower level of the market square mall. This particular Sunday they forewent their usual worship service, and offered a "free" baptism service in Harmony Square. Anyone could be baptized, except for babies..as long as they understood what it meant. If you understood that Jesus is your savior and that He died on the cross for your sins and mine. If you knew that you needed and wanted a relationship with Jesus you could be baptized. Amazing!
They started with a short worship service (amazing job by their worship team), and had two pools set up behind for the baptisms. The rest of the afternoon was pure amazing. People that chose Jesus and chose to be baptized that day were so many, and from so many walks of life. There were young people, old people, there were families. There were different nationalities, there were SO many broken people. My 10 year old nephew (well - he's my best friends youngest - I've made him my nephew because I say so) decided that day he was ready to be baptized.
I cried. I cried because I was so proud of him for the leap of faith he took, he's so young! I cried when I watched some of the people who were quite obviously broken get baptized. I know that there is healing, hope and a future for them, with Jesus alongside to walk with them! I cried when I watched a man and woman get baptized. They were both differently-abled, he did much of his commuting in a scooter, and she did much of hers in a wheelchair. She was on oxygen. She got up out of her chair and got in the pool and was baptized. Praise the Lord! A woman was baptized who waited 30 years to be baptized. She'd been told she wasn't allowed to, and so she waited 30 years for this very day. Hallelujah!
It was an amazing day, this particular Sunday. Not often do I feel like a very spiritual person, or do I feel God's presence. I always know He's there, and I've been blessed beyond what I can imagine by him, I just don't always feel it, or recognize it until later. I felt God's presence yesterday. He was definitely there. Probably at least (or more then) 100 people were led to Jesus and baptized. That is so beyond awesome.
What an awesome way to both end and begin a week...
Freedom House church normally has it's worship service in the lower level of the market square mall. This particular Sunday they forewent their usual worship service, and offered a "free" baptism service in Harmony Square. Anyone could be baptized, except for babies..as long as they understood what it meant. If you understood that Jesus is your savior and that He died on the cross for your sins and mine. If you knew that you needed and wanted a relationship with Jesus you could be baptized. Amazing!
They started with a short worship service (amazing job by their worship team), and had two pools set up behind for the baptisms. The rest of the afternoon was pure amazing. People that chose Jesus and chose to be baptized that day were so many, and from so many walks of life. There were young people, old people, there were families. There were different nationalities, there were SO many broken people. My 10 year old nephew (well - he's my best friends youngest - I've made him my nephew because I say so) decided that day he was ready to be baptized.
I cried. I cried because I was so proud of him for the leap of faith he took, he's so young! I cried when I watched some of the people who were quite obviously broken get baptized. I know that there is healing, hope and a future for them, with Jesus alongside to walk with them! I cried when I watched a man and woman get baptized. They were both differently-abled, he did much of his commuting in a scooter, and she did much of hers in a wheelchair. She was on oxygen. She got up out of her chair and got in the pool and was baptized. Praise the Lord! A woman was baptized who waited 30 years to be baptized. She'd been told she wasn't allowed to, and so she waited 30 years for this very day. Hallelujah!
It was an amazing day, this particular Sunday. Not often do I feel like a very spiritual person, or do I feel God's presence. I always know He's there, and I've been blessed beyond what I can imagine by him, I just don't always feel it, or recognize it until later. I felt God's presence yesterday. He was definitely there. Probably at least (or more then) 100 people were led to Jesus and baptized. That is so beyond awesome.
What an awesome way to both end and begin a week...
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