November 14 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

CHIP Nov 14 photo a day 006I’m grateful for the beauty of each moment. Too many times there is beauty around me that I do not acknowledge or even see.

Today’s moment is Chip’s sweater. The breeze and air at the beach were cool, bordering on cold. His sweater, although a girl color, kept most of him warm. It shrunk in the wash and so doesn’t cover his whole behind. But this is a good thing. That way he doesn’t get it ”wet” when going potty. 

This video shows  Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world, playing in a Washington, DC Metro Station. As you watch and read the accompanying article, you’ll notice that way TOO MANY people failed to notice and be grateful for the beauty in their midst.

Lord, help me to slow down, savour and be grateful for the beauty surrounding me.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 13 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I am grateful for the internet. It has some helpful and inspirational information. Below are some sites I amnov 13 photo 007 grateful for.

13 Posts Geared Towards Gratefulness

  1. 10 Things To Be Grateful For And Why You Should Be by Annabel Candy at Get in the Hot Spot. Annabel also shares 3 things you can do to get into the gratitude habit. Buy a notebook to write your list in. Send yourself a gratitude email. Tell someone your list and ask what they are grateful for.
  2. Brenda Arnall is recording the blessings in her life on a weekly basis. One newly designed scrapbook page each week features a new blessing. Click here to read a listing of her blessings.
  3. 365 Days of Gratitude Photoblog. The purpose of her photoblog is a reminder that “there is beauty in all the little things.” Click here to see a cool picture of a fly on a fly trap plant.
  4. Writing thank you notes is an idea I like. Writing 365 thank yous in a year is an idea I really like. The author of  Thankkfully Yours thinks  “writing thank you notes will help [her] feel thankful.” Unfortunately she didn’t get past day two of documenting her progress. I included this blog because I think it’s a great idea. Maybe someone I know will start such a group project which I can join.
  5. The website Attitude of Gratitude posts a picture, quote and a list of “gratitudes.” The pictures show a different point of view. These  three homes here, here, and here are cool. Many of the posts contain wisdom from or experience with AA.
  6. Peacorn, Popnuts, Soda Gum & Chewing Water is following along with the Ann Tatum’s 30 Days of Thanksgiving. I especially like this post. The photos and words are poetry.
  7. Paula’s Place, another 30 Days of Thanksgiving participant, is thankful for fresh cranberries and shares her cranberry sauce recipe. This post is a speech by Roger J. Robicheau and is is meaningful to me. Makes me grateful for the military, America and God!
  8. At Lynne’s Thoughts I read she is grateful for hearing. I concur. Noise bothers me. BUT there is so much sound to be grateful for . . . the beautiful sounds of laughter, the buzz of conversations, the wind blowing leaves, the ocean’s roar, Teddy’s happy growl, a room devoid of sound, and of course music! Lynne is also doing the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.
  9. I am grateful for every post at Sweet Nothings. Each one is a visual delight and fun to read. She is another 30 Days of Thanksgiving poster.
  10. This 30 Days of Thanksgiving poster is grateful for tea parties and has the photos to show it. I like tea parties, too. I wonder if I have time this month to have one with some special friends to show them my gratitude? Thanks to What’s He Up To Now for this gratitude  idea.
  11. Read this to see how being grateful can save you money.
  12. Living in a state of gratitude will increase your happiness. Go here to read 7 ways gratitude impacts your life. Cultivating gratitude is like how a tumbleweed grows in the blustery wind.
  13. Go to The Gratitude List to share your top 10 ”gratitudes” with the world. “Gratitude is appreciation for people, places, and things, as well as, for ideas, qualities, and feelings . . .” (Macarena Lovemore). Go to this site and post your top 10. The lists are broken down according to age group.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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I Help Because I am a Parent, Auntie & Missionary

Nov 5 & 6 Photo of the Day 055When I participate in Operation Christmas Child, I do so as a parent on behalf of the children in my life: my 2 adult kids and my 5 nieces. I fill a box because I’d hope someone would do the same if one of my children was in the same situation.

Each year I participate in Operation Christmas Child on behalf of a child in my life. Like one year, I donated 2 shoeboxes to a boy and girl the same ages as my children. Another year I made up boxes with my three nieces who attend CNC. As I fill a box, I pray for God’s help in picking the items. I also ask God to bless the child and bring joy and salvation to him or her.

One word that describes the situation of the children who receive these boxes is lack. Because of things like famine, drought, earthquakes and war these innocents lack adequate housing, healthcare, water, food, family support, toys, and school supplies. I can’t do anything about most of these lacks, but I can help by providing toys, school supplies and hygiene products.

So I join with others in Operation Christmas Child because I am a parent.

I also do so because I am a missionary. A missionary is a person who intentionally spreads a faith often accompanied by charitable work, usually in a foreign country. Operation Christmas Child fits that bill. They consider each person who fills a box as a missionary because our work of filling a box provides an opportunity for a child to learn that God is good and that salvation is available to them.

As you fill boxes with your children let them know that they too are missionaries. 

Franklin Graham, founder of Operation Christmas Child, says one of the most important things we (missionaries) can do is to pray as we fill our boxes. Let’s ask God that the child who receives the box and discipleship material that Operation Christmas Child includes will lead the child to know God’s love and salvation.

These boxes go into remote locations and are delivered by dog sled, bicycles, donkeys, and camels. This gift of a shoe box opens the way for the gospel to be shared which leads to hope. These children who experience so much lack desperately need hope. Our boxes provide that hope.

Consider today how blessed you and your families are. I know that for some of us, filling a box is a sacrifice. Maybe some of us can get together to fill a box? But do consider what a huge impact that sacrifice will have in the life of a child who knows lack in so many areas.

Here’s my prayer.

Father, Thank you that Operation Christmas Child  is one way we can bring joy, hope and salvation to children living in hard circumstances. Help us to discern what to put in the box and how much to spend.

Father, we ask that you would bring extra money our way so we can participate generously in this missionary opportunity. Thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Help us to give in response to those blessings. I ask that you would pour your love into our hearts so that they are captured by the fervor of spreading the gospel. Amen.

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November 12 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

nov 12 photo a day 001I am grateful for prayer! Many people from work, home, church and other friends prayed for me yesterday. I had an interview to be licensed with the C&MA. Four men interviewed me (mainly) about my life (practices, character, spiritual formation, etc.) and doctrinal stances.

On Tuesday I had a mock interview with pastors Bill and Frank and I was (knots in the stomach) NERVOUS all during that time. Of course I thought yesterday would be more of the same.

NOT!

I was nervous, but was able to relax into the guided conversation. I even had the opportunity to fine-tune some of my beliefs. I.e “Sanctification is the process of becoming holy” and  ”The resurrection vindicated the cross.”  And I was reminded of one majour thing: Knowing Scripture from memory is vitally important.

So thank you to all who prayed. It REALLY worked. I was calm, except at one point when I said, “Let me breathe a minute. I’m starting to hyper-ventilate.” My brain didn’t freeze up. And I wasn’t struck by holy lightning when I confessed I didn’t know an answer.

Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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Ministering to the Chronically Ill: 20 Ways That Take 20 Minutes

505 casserolesMinistering to the Chronically Ill: 20 Ways That Take 20 Minutes
by Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey and asked people to “List some of the programs or resources a church could offer to make it more inviting [and/or] comfortable.” They have provided a sampling of some of the 800+ responses, all of which could be done in 20 minutes or less.

1. Encouragement emails.

2. Make sure the handicapped stalls in the restroom are functioning and clean.

3. Padded chairs or cushions, room for wheelchairs, and plenty of room for my family to sit with me.

4. Be open-minded about a support group for the chronically ill like HopeKeepers. It would make me feel very special, knowing that there is an understanding of people’s needs that are not always visible.

5. Add more disabled parking, even if they are temporary spots.

6. Educate the ushers that people arriving late may have difficulty walking or getting out of cars and will need some assistance.

7. Ask volunteers to call people with chronic illness just to check on them when they don’t make it to services.

8. When suppers are given, recognize that I may need help getting my meal–or at least understand that I won’t be able to wait in a long line.

9. Be gentle when giving people big hugs. It can topple over or hurt a person.

10. Have a video tape of the service, not just a live web cast. Not all our computers work that well.

11. Make sure that the church doors aren’t too difficult to open or at least have mechanical assistance if they’re unusually heavy.

12. Stop telling me that if I really believed and had faith I would be healed by now. Please don’t insist how good I look, because I know for a fact that I look terrible and miserable that day.

13. Offer me ways to serve within the church that can be performed regularly, but not on a set schedule. I still want to contribute, but I need some flexibility so that I can do a job when I feel well enough to do so.

14. Have sermon notes available so I can listen later or even just review what I didn’t catch the first time.

15. Acknowledge National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Rest Ministries has a nice book list of top 100 Christian books for the chronically ill. It would make a nice display in your bookstore that week.

16. Just mention chronic illness occasionally! Don’t forget to talk about it in sermons as one of the challenges many people face just like unemployment or divorce.

17. Have Christian volunteers from church that will clean house for small fee. Some have offered to clean my house, but I cannot accept charity yet, but neither can I afford to pay a regular house cleaning service.

18. Help with some of the small costs of providing encouraging books and resources for the church library the chronically ill can check out.

19. Remember how many caregivers are in the church, not just caregiving for their parents, but also for their spouses or ill children.

20. Have copies of sermons for free on CD or computer.

Find over 500 ways to encourage a chronically ill friend in the book “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend” at www.beyondcasseroles.com

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November 11 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

nov 11 photo of the day 003

Sisters. I’m grateful for sisters in the Lord. 

Last night’s meeting with some of my women’s ministry sisters was productive & encouraging. We shared our concerns and gratitudes & ended with prayer.  

I am grateful for their friendship AND prayer support.

To all my sisters, you’ve got a friend in me. I’ll be there winter, spring, summer or fall. Call me.

 Previous Photos

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 10 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

mirror pictures 006Who are am I? When I look in the mirror am I really seeing me? Or some glorified or demonized version of myself? One way I can accurately see myself is through my relationships.

“The people we are in relationship with are always a mirror, reflecting our own beliefs and simultaneously we are mirrors reflecting their beliefs” (Shakti Gawain). “The people with whom you interact show you who you are and ultimately provide you with an opportunity to love yourself” (Dr. John Demartini).

Have you heard that the frustrations we experience with others are really frustrations we have with ourselves? I.e. If I am upset with my mom because (imho) she is a know-it-all , maybe one reason I am upset with her is because I do the same thing. (True story.) Dr. Demartini takes this idea one step further. “There is truth in the statement that what we dislike in others, we haven’t learned to love in ourselves.” Ouch.

“At times it can be difficult to see that we have the qualities and talents we admire in other people. But it can be even more of a challenge to accept that we also possess the traits we don’t like in others” (Dr. John Demartini). Today I will look at the mirror and discover who I am, good and bad. And I will make changes according to this information.

This gratitude thinking is helping me to see that I’d like to make some changes. I’d like to exhibit more patience, goodness and self-control. I want to show the kind of love that looks for more opportunities to give of my time, talent and money. (See “Everyone Can Help One Child,” said Twila Paris.) I echo the words of Michael Jackson in his song Man in the Mirror .

I’m grateful for change, the kind that I can make and for which I am responsible. All this gratitude thinking is helping me see that I really do HAVE lots to acknowledge. And making some godly changes is an appropriate response.

Finally, I’m grateful that making changes is not something I do on my own. In fact, God has custom designed a plan for my life. And He has given me His Holy Spirit so I can change in order to fulfill those plans. “God planned for us to do good things and to live as He has always wanted us to live. That’s why He sent Christ to make us what we are.”

Previous Photos

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 9 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

I am grateful for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). I am also grateful that I have money to help OCC reach out to needy children.  I do this by filling a box with age appropriate gifts and dropping the filled box off at a collection center. My church is a collection center. Nov 5 & 6 Photo of the Day 056

These gifts provide an opportunity for OCC to add Christian literature into the boxes. This literature “shows children how to come into relationship with God, to explore His Word, and it encourages children to grow in their faith.”

Most of us cannot change their home life, stop the horrors they witness, provide ongoing food and/or clean water or give them an education. But most of us can fill one shoebox.

Would you please consider letting a needy child know of your concern by filling a box? I turned mine in today!

HEY, CNC PEOPLE – Thursday, November 19th by 4 pm is when the filled shoebox is due back at the church.

Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights

Day 2 Photo: Birthday Boy

Day 3 Photo: Mums at the Church Entrance

Day 4 Photo: Simple Technology

Day 5 Photo: Mystery Ice Cream Gift

Day 6 Photo: Rocking Godson

Day 7 Photo: Spontaneous Friends

Day 8 Photo: Children’s Influence

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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November 8 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

 

Nov 1, 2009 042 I am grateful for children. Their innocence, energy, unconditional love, and belief in the impossible capture me and remind me of the potential surrounding me.

“But momma! I DO need this box! It’s the figurehead for my pirate ship’s prow.” Prow? Figureghead? Where does a child learn such stuff?

 ”Yes, I forgive you, momma. It’s okay that you yelled at me.” It was the 10th time I let MY impatience get the best of me. Such opportunities are teaching moments for me. Often I am reminded of how God loves – unconditionally.

Nov 1, 2009 043And sometimes they remind me of the potential IN me.

What have you learned from children lately? Why are you grateful for them?

 Day 1 Photo: Christmas Tree with Broken, Tangled Lights

Day 2 Photo: Birthday Boy

Day 3 Photo: Mums at the Church Entrance

Day 4 Photo: Simple Technology

Day 5 Photo: Mystery Ice Cream Gift

Day 6 Photo: Rocking Godson

Day 7 Photo: Spontaneous Friends

Other Related Posts:

P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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Seven Reasons I am Grateful for Music

 Music can . . .

  1. Support my effort to  focus on a positve feeling or a thought.
  2. Help me learn something.
  3. Lift my sour, trapped, or depressed mood into one of peace, truth or even laughter.
  4. Expose me to beauty and creativity
  5. Motivate me to move it, move it.
  6. Reduce my level of  physical pain and increase relaxation.
  7. Provide a medium to worship God. 

I’m very grateful for the above.  Why are you grateful for music?

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