Category: Gratitude

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Worthy of Praise

We sing a song at church called “Praise” by Elevation Worship. It is a fun song to sing, but the message is also important. Here’s one section of the lyrics:

I’ll praise when I feel it
And I’ll praise when I don’t
I’ll praise ’cause I know
You’re still in control
Because my praise is a weapon
It’s more than a sound (more than a sound)
Oh, my praise is the shout
That brings Jericho down
 
 
God is worthy of our praise whether we feel like it or not. Praising Him is not always easy or enjoyable. Sometimes, it is downright difficult. Distraction, pain, suffering, grief – there are so many things to take our eyes off Jesus. Still, praise and worship are tools to show others how great God is.
 
When we give God credit for His work in our lives, we magnify His glory and shine attention back to Jesus. Our pride and self-promotion take a worthy hit in the process. As we redirect our focus, we see things His way and trust Him at a deeper level.  This frees us from our chains and confuses our enemy.
 
It’s difficult to praise God when things are going wrong, but it blesses God and brings blessings upon us, too. Praising God may or may not change our circumstances, but it does change our hearts as the Holy Spirit moves and tweaks our perspective. Talk about transformation!

 
Praise is a timely reminder that people will fail us, but our Creator and Almighty God, never will. He is infinitely faithful and good. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Our Heavenly Father will never leave nor forsake His children. 
 
Praise has the power to prepare us for God’s greater work. As the Holy Spirit redirects us, we are open to what He wants us to do. We align our vision with His and gain confidence to move forward with intention.
 
Praising God has the potential to prevent panic when things go awry. We can praise, pray, and plan in advance! Then, whenever a problem does arise, we are prepared.
 
Praise can be a form of prayer, which is really just communicating with God. The acronym ACTS starts with Adoration, then Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. In some ways, you can praise, worship, and pray all at the same time!
 
Don’t worry if you are a good singer. You can shout your praises or whisper them. There is always a reason to praise. Just come and give God the glory for all He has done for you. He just wants your heart!
 
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Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your mighty works! Thanks for all the ways You love me and provide for me. Help me walk worthy of Your calling today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
 
Questions: What are some things you are praising God for today? Do you like to sing, or shout, or dance, or journal?
 
Tasks: If you need a primer on praise, the Psalms are a great place to start. I came across Psalm 93 today and encourage you to check it out! Also, here are some of my other blog posts on praise.
Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #489

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Iris Flower photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fairly full but really good! We ended up skipping family Zoom on Sunday because each family had something going on. That gave me time to mow the lawn!

On Monday, I went on a long walk with an old friend and coworker. She was so good to me after Dave died, as we shared an office and helped each other solve life’s problems (including my grief). Her girls are a few years older than Lydia, so she also helped guide me through the process of choosing a preschool and preparing for Kindergarten. We covered several miles while talking and catching up. It was just what I needed, and I hope to do it again soon!

Work was busy but went well; I say that a lot, don’t I?! We had an Employee Appreciation Day, which I almost missed due to patient care. But I did manage to grab a plate of food and eat it in between patients. I did not get a chance to play any games or visit with other employees, but that’s okay. I had a nice day, anyway!

This week, I found out that I have been accepted into a leadership and ministry training program starting in August at my church. Lydia is on board and encouraged me to apply. I’m glad I took a leap of faith, as it’s been on my heart for a while. I’ll be in the non-traditional track, which is designed for individuals with regular jobs, families, and other responsibilities. I anticipate spending a few hours a week completing Bible study coursework and then applying what I learn. I am excited to see what God has in store for me!

Yesterday, I took Lydia to get her school supplies! I also registered her for 8th grade, which is hard to believe! Her school list was surprisingly short, and we reminisced about elementary school, when she needed lots of markers, crayons, glue, and scissors. I’m sure it will be an awesome year for her!

Today, we met some friends downtown at the street fair. This is different from last week’s county fair, but I prefer it because it feels quieter and less crowded. The main difference is that there are no rides, but there is music, fair food, and vendors offering various products. I bought some handmade flowery storage pouches and totes, along with a couple of treats to share. It was a gorgeous day to be outside and spend time together!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Becoming Like Jesus

“I have found that trying to become more like Jesus yields far better results than trying to become a better me.”

I came across the quote above last week on Substack, and it has stuck with me since. (I could not find the original source.) The process of becoming more like Jesus is a work of the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as sanctification. It is not always fun or easy, but it is really the main work of God in our lives.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him just as we are; we don’t need to do a bunch of good things to earn His favor (that’s grace). At the same time, He also loves us enough not to leave us the way we are. So, God transforms us into the character likeness of Jesus and makes us holy, as He is holy. (Holy does not mean perfect, but set apart.) He is fitting us for Heaven!

Sanctification occurs when the Holy Spirit checks our heart and prompts us to do something different than we would in our own human power. This might be giving money or a favorite belonging when you’re feeling stingy. This might be biting your tongue instead of letting someone know what’s really on your mind. You know you are on the right track when something doesn’t seem fair, but you listen and follow God’s lead anyway.

Free Mountain National Park photo and picture

Slowly but surely, we start to think and act like Jesus. Our hearts become more aligned with His, and we are able to see things from a Heavenly perspective. The Holy Spirit is patient but diligent. If we make a mistake, no worries, He can convict us and set us straight. He is not condemning, but gracious with us if we are humble and repent (Romans 8:1).

Becoming like Jesus is never time wasted, even if it takes a while to come full circle. Often, we have to lay aside our desires and expectations to serve someone else. We can hold space for God to move when we want to rush ahead. We can submit our ideas and plans and take His on instead. We may not fully see the impact of obedience, but, it is always worth the sacrifice.

We will never be perfect on this side of Heaven, but we will receive an eternal reward if we don’t give up. We don’t have to be right or justified, we just need to follow Jesus.

Sanctification often involves serving other people, which helps refine us. It may include waking early to spend time with the Lord before a busy day at work. It may include tending to the kids and letting your spouse sleep in. Or, maybe it’s praying for that certain person who drives you a little crazy. 🙂

Even recently, I have been learning that I don’t have to figure out what I want to do next in life. I don’t have to worry or try to become a more ‘exciting’ person. This frees me up to let God shine in my life more than my own accomplishments. As John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

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God, thanks for saving me and preparing me for Heaven. Change my heart, Lord, and make me like You. Holy Spirit, continue to move in my life. Thanks for not giving up on me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How are you becoming more like Jesus… today, this week, this month, so far this year?

Tasks: Read Romans 8 and also Romans 12. Instead of running after your dreams and goals, submit them to Jesus. Chase after Him and be transformed.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #488

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Plantain Lily Hosta photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

I had a restful week, and I hope you did, too! Lydia went to camp Monday and came back Friday, so I was on my own after work. I was not worried about her, as she has been there multiple times before. I did a few small projects, read a bit, and spent time with the Lord. 

I had a lighter workload this week, as I had blocked some time to cover for a friend. I was able to pace myself and get most of  my own charting done on time. So, I was able to feel “rested” when I got home, too.

This week, I had some great conversations with my sister and later, my dad. They helped me think through some landscaping options; I’m hoping to have that done later this season. My nephew also popped on to tell me little stories, so that was a lot of fun! It is always good to connect with them on a deeper level.

Today, I did lots of little house projects, like filling the soap dispenser, cleaning the bathtub, doing laundry, and paying bills while listening to some podcasts. I also spent time with Lydia, as we missed each other all week! 🙂

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

A “With Us” God

This week, I am praying and reflecting on the great losses of life and property in recent Texas floods. Natural disasters, like fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes, have also happened, though the Texas floods hit home because Lydia is at camp this week.

In the midst of tragedy, including wars, people tend to ask “Why didn’t God prevent this?” and Where is God in all of this?” I don’t have all the answers, but I have asked those same questions. I am absolutely sure He is right in it with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us, or as someone once said, He is a “with us” God.

God is outside of Time, but He’s right here, too. He can be everywhere all at once. There’s no place He’d rather be than with those He loves.

God is a loving Father who fights for His children. He, too, faced heartbreaking loss when Jesus died on the cross. Jesus could have shunned the cross, but He knew it was the only way. In fact, this was His redemptive plan from before the beginning of Time. So, I don’t know His purposes in Texas, but I know He understands and grieves with us.

Free Poland Castle photo and picture

God is our refuge and shield. He is a safe place, a hiding place. We can run to Him for protection. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. I imagine God holding and carrying the girls from Mystic Camp, along with so many others who were swept into the water. I am praying everyone is found.

God’s delay is not absence or apathy. His timing is just different, and His ways are higher than ours. He is sovereign over the good and bad. (He does not send bad things upon us, but uses them for our eventual good.) We can trust Him even when we can’t see how it all turns out.

Our Heavenly Father helps us deal with fear, and He comforts us in our grief. We, too, are called to mourn with those who mourn; we can pour out all our emotions to Jesus because He cares for us.

As sad as tragedies are, I cannot imagine facing them without Jesus because He is our only Hope. Every day, we are getting closer to when Jesus will come back. One could say things will continue to get worse before they get better…

Nonetheless, our main focus is to stay close to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him. Whatever you are facing today, lean into God’s love, mercy, and grace. He is faithful and good.

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Father God, thanks for being with us in the good and bad. Please be with those in Texas who are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. Give them Your comfort and peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you reconcile life’s tragedies? Do you turn to Jesus or your own insights?

Task: Read Psalm 91. When the unfathomable occurs, bring everything to the Only One who can hold it all together and work it out for your good and His glory. It will take time, and you may never fully understand it, but He can handle all that concerns you.

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #487

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Cookies Flags photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week, I was exhausted but God did so many good things through me. I was short on sleep almost all week, but was able to sleep in a bit one day.

Work was…. a lot. But good, too! In addition to my normal load, I had about ten other patients who needed some help.  But, I was also was “off” 8 hours, due to the holiday weekend. My coworker took two patients that I was supposed to cover another coworker, so that was very helpful. I worked today from 8 to Noon, as it was my designated holiday weekend. God helped me and it all turned out just fine.

On Wednesday, I was off in the afternoon (since I had to work the weekend), and that’s when the appliance repairman was able to come! He was only at my house for about twenty-five minutes. He was able to figure out what was wrong – an internal hose was clogged. He only charged me for the house call since he didn’t need to replace anything. What a blessing!

Friday was Independence Day! We had a pretty relaxing day. Lydia packed for camp next week, and I did a little cooking while talking on the phone. We thought we’d hang outside for fireworks with our neighbors. But, it rained for a little bit that evening, so Lydia and I decided to stay inside and watch The Chosen, Season 5, instead. It’s on Amazon Prime and so good! Watching it for a second time is helpful to catch things I missed before.

Today, on my way to work, I prayed and thanked God for the opportunity to serve Veterans. I appreciate not having to work the other holidays this year, and I’m glad I could do this one for my coworkers. As it turned out, I only had one patient to see and chart. Then, I was able to finish up some other charting, so I don’t have to do it next week! Whew!

I was able to leave work on time today, so I got a few things done around the house. Lydia and I mowed this evening, and now we are hanging out!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Travel

Finding Grace #486

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Dahlias Fall photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week felt really busy, as I was exhausted from traveling and evening activities upon our return from Nashville. But, God is faithful and helped me each day!

On Tuesday, I purposely went into work a little late due to our trip. Then, I left early to take Lydia to her last volleyball camp. I also worked on my weekly blog post.

Work was busy as usual, but I managed to keep up with most of my charting. That night, I took Lydia to camp, and my neighbor came to check out my washing machine. It had stopped working before our trip, but that night, it started right up! I decided to run a load after he left, but then the water wouldn’t stop running. It overflowed onto the floor, though I caught it fairly quickly and was able to clean it up!

On Thursday morning, I called an appliance repairman suggested by my neighbor. I hope he is accurate in what he thinks is wrong (based on my description). It will be at least next week until it is fixed, as next Wednesday is the best time for both of our schedules. Thankfully, we have plenty of clothes and can still use the machine with a little finagling. Essentially, I have to manually adjust the dials and monitor the process to prevent overfilling.

Friday was a jam-packed day, but again, God helped it all to flow well. I had a few scheduled patients at work, but only saw one of them, lol. Then, in the afternoon, I made a couple of calls to family before getting my oil changed. After that, Lydia and I mowed the lawn, which had grown quite a bit due to storms while we were gone. It was good to get it done before more rain! I also completed a few maintenance tasks, so it was quite productive!

Today, we continued to knock other chores off my list. I cooked sweet potatoes, cabbage, and cut up some watermelon. Tonight, Lydia is hanging out with a friend. I am relaxing after a long week, just as another storm rolls in. Maybe I will see a rainbow!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Family Ties

Lydia and I had a great time at our family reunion last weekend! We traveled directly to Nashville on the way there, and through Dallas – Fort Worth on the way back (two new airports for us!). Nashville was hot and busy, but we had a lot of fun.

I don’t know of many large families that can all get together and get along. I’m sure they exist, lol, but I am grateful for my family’s love and craziness! We had about forty people attend, including some friends who are like family. We missed those who could not make it!

We arrived late on Thursday night and met some others for Friday breakfast at The Loveless Cafe. Then, about half of us went downtown to walk down Broadway. It was busy and loud (people and music in every direction), but it was good to say we did it. Lydia and I share some delicious nachos! I loved the pedestrian bridge!

Apparently, there’s been a lot of growth over the last decade. My friends who have been down there for many years barely recognize the city. Unfortunately, Downtown Nashville has become quite touristy. It’s not all music and bars; there are some cool museums, historical sites, and many shops and restaurants.

On Saturday, Lydia and I slept in a little before we spent most of our day at the Nashville Zoo. The heat could have been too much, but thankfully, there are many trees to provide shade. We enjoyed the zipline and chasing the kids around. We had two four-year-olds, a five-year-old, and Lydia (13). They kept on the move, and it was fun to see them excited over every animal, big or small. In the evening, we got dinner and then played ‘reindeer games’ while catching up with everyone.

Sunday’s breakfast was at Elliston Place Soda Shop. I split some pancakes and eggs with Lydia and then got some pie to go! The meringue on my pie was practically a mile high! Lydia and I went shopping, and then lunch was at a steakhouse. There, we also had a family game and awards.

A little while later, we had a memorial for family members who have passed away. We released butterflies in their honor—Mom would have loved that!

Soon after, two of my local friends stopped by, and we talked for about two hours. Various family members also chatted with them, and it was so good to see them.

On Monday, most everyone headed back home. Before heading to the airport, we went to a huge used bookstore, McKay’s. After two flights, Lydia and I arrived home.

I am grateful for the time we spent together with loved ones. It is good to stay connected to our roots. I’m grateful for God’s rest and the ability to travel and try some new things!

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Thanks God for the gift of family. Help us love each other well. May we stay close and honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any fun trips this summer? How often do you get together for a family reunion?

Tasks: Work to develop strong family ties. Get together as often as you can. Swap stories, play games, and encourage each other. Send messages and connect over video in the meantime!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #485

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Cranesbill Geranium photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a great week! We had a perfect mix of hard work and relaxation, rain and sunshine, cooler weather and heat.

On Tuesday, Lydia had volleyball camp and is feeling more comfortable.

I worked two days and then had the rest of the week off! I kept busy at the office but mostly helped my coworkers after I was done with my own patients.

On Wednesday, I was off to prepare for a trip. On Thursday, Juneteenth, I was off anyway, so we flew to Nashville for a family reunion (just a central spot we hadn’t been to yet).

Several people came to the reunion. This includes my dad’s family from all over the US, plus Greece and England. We also invited some sweet Florida friends who have been so kind to our family. The more the merrier! We went downtown, to the Zoo, ate lots of yummy food, played games, and so much more.

Before we left, my washing machine stopped working. I am hoping it is an easy fix, but I could not figure it out. My family offered ideas over the phone, but I ended up asking my neighbor to check it out. However, it will have to wait until next week due to the timing. Thankfully, I have plenty of clothes and towels, so it is not an emergency!

Yesterday, several parts of North Dakota had tornadoes. I don’t know all the details but there were some damages and a few deaths. So sad. I am grateful for my neighbors watching my house and glad we were safe (far away).

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom

God of Justice

This week, I am thinking about God’s justice, and while I can understand it on some level, I don’t think I can do it… justice…. in a simple blog post. (Yes, I intend all my puns!)

Our human justice is relatively low-level compared to God’s. It is a good start, but imperfect. We can do our best, but it can be challenging to manage our biases. We have to be careful not to let our emotions or preconceived ideas get the best of us.

God’s Justice overflows from His character and is connected to His righteousness. He is Holy and always just. We humans can not fully grasp God’s justice. If we disagree with Him, it is not He who is at fault. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours!

I have been watching the news about Israel and Iran. While Israel is not perfect, they are God’s beloved people. He will always fight on their behalf. That does not necessarily mean we jump in to help, but we must pray for our leaders and about our next steps.

I believe Israel would have been attacked either way, as this has been a longstanding part of Iran’s history toward them. (Note: I am not referring to the native Persians; in fact, many Israelis are also Persian Jews.) So, to me, it seems the pre-emptive attack is “justified” to some degree. Whatever your opinion, my point is that it’s not always clear. There is much to consider and no easy solution. We are not privy to all the background details, so you and I can only judge based on the information we have. God alone knows each person’s heart and motivation. Whatever happens, He is still in control.

Personally, I have been an observer and a ‘sometimes advisor’ to a few people in a complex situation. I see and hear things that are so unfair, but there is little I can do about them. I am limited in my decision-making and coaching because I mostly see the situation from one viewpoint.

I have to continually check my heart because while I want justice, I kind of want the other side to feel a little pain. I want to shake some sense into them and make them bear the consequences of their actions!

Needless to say, justice can be complicated. This I know: God will not be mocked. We reap what we sow, so we cannot afford to be wise in our own eyes. We must seek and pursue God’s justice and wisdom. While our Heavenly Father defends those He loves, He also disciplines them when needed. None of us is off the hook. We all must give an account someday.

God is a God of Justice. I am His conduit, but He does not ‘need’ me to do His work. I get to humbly participate because I am part of His family. That said, I still need to let God be God and have the final word. Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.”

I am so glad I am not God because making just decisions is tough. We can weigh the pros and cons and listen to wise advice. We can pray and negotiate. We can try to minimize negative consequences. In the end, we must trust God to do what is right and just. He has already given us Jesus, and His Spirit will give us the strength to endure. Only He is above reproach!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for fighting on our behalf. Thanks, also, for loving us too much to let us get away with poor behavior. May we be a faithful example of your justice, mercy, and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Did you know Israel is the size of New Jersey, and Iran is twice the size of Texas? Did you know Jewish people comprise only 0.2% of the World’s population?

Task: Memorize Micah 6:8. For more background information on Israel, check out these two (not super political) videos: History of Israel and Gaza   and   a conversation with Mike Huckabee.