Counting My Blessings: 1022 to 1036

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, you can read these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1022. A brisk morning walk.
1023. A warmer season.
1024. Sons with sore muscles after Sunday’s cricket game.

1025. Neatly folded laundry.
1026. Sons who tidy up the living room within minutes.
1027. A husband who prepares practice worksheets for the kids.

1028. This verse – “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
1029. Receiving The Adventures of Mighty Mom in the mail from my aunt.
1030. My husband saying, “I hope the boys grow up to have my taste in women. I want them to find someone nice like you”. {Made me blush!}

1031. A new prayer partner.
1032. A loosening of the introvert shell.
1033. The boys making a loud noise singing Beautiful Jesus.

1034. Power cuts that don’t last too long.
1035. A family that loves to hang out at church all day.
1036. A husband who lets me serve in church.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings? I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey? Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Five Minute Friday: Rest

Five Minute Friday
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Rest

Does one ever get enough rest?  I was listening to a podcast by Michael Hyatt yesterday where he mentions that we should follow the “Surge – Rest – Surge – Rest” pattern.  That’s where you work intensely for a while and then take a break.  {Rinse and repeat for the rest of your life! :)}

I know well the effect of surging for too long without a break – it’s called burnout.  I also know that I’m prone to laziness if I decide to take an undeserved break.  So, I’m still working on finding the balance – the surge-rest ratio that works for me.

I’ve found, however, that when I turn to entertainment for a break – television, facebook, a movie, a game… I rarely feel rested enough.  On the other hand, a short 15 minute power nap gives me the break I need to keep me going the rest of the day.  I’ve also found that reading a good book is a wonderful way to wind down late in the day.

All that being said, I strongly believe that in this busy world we live in, we can quite forget our source of rest.  True rest can be found in one place alone – the presence of God.

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62:5)

Did you take some time to rest at God’s feet today?  You really do need it.  And If you’re feeling weary and burdened by the cares in your life today, take heart.  Your Father is waiting for you to run into His open arms.  In Him you will find rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

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Top 3 Thursday – Edition #21

Here are 3 blog posts that I found inspiring over the past week.  Check them out?

1. If Jesus Came To Your House @ One September Day

2. Speaking Words That Water Souls @ Mom Heart Online

3. Do As I Say, Not As I Do @ Not Consumed

If you’ve read or written an encouraging blog post during the week, share the link in the comments below.  I’d love to check it out!

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Q & A: How to Start a Gratitude Journal

QA

This is a relatively new feature on the blog, where I answer questions I’m asked a lot.  So if you have a question for me, shoot me an email and I’ll try my best to give you a relevant answer.

Question: How do you start a gratitude journal?

Answer:

Over the past year I’ve received a handful of queries from ladies who have read my Counting My Blessings posts and are interested in start their own gratitude journals.  To get a background of my own journey, I encourage you to read how I got started and why I continue to do it.  The rest of this post will explain the basics and tools to help you get started.

You will need one of the following to document your blessings:

– A journal/notebook and a pen.
– A notepad on your computer, tablet or phone.
– The One Thousand Gifts app.

When you’ve decided how you’re going to document your blessings, be on out for things you are thankful for each day.  Jot your blessings down, numbering them as you go.  I take mental notes throughout my day – maybe a funny thing a son said, beautiful flowers, a verse from the Bible, or an experience.  At the end of the day, I open my notepad and do a mental recap of the day – writing down everything I am thankful for.

If you find it too daunting to write down long sentences at the end of the day, I encourage you to take the Joy Dare from A Holy Experience.  That’s where I started as well.  You can download the Joy Dare for each month, get the daily prompt and then look for things you are thankful for based on the prompt.

For example, if the prompt for today is “3 gifts sweet”, you go about your day looking for sweet things you are thankful for – chocolate, a fruit or perhaps even a kiss :).

These daily prompts had me thanking God for the unlikeliest things – gifts I usually take for granted – like electricity and clean running water.  Let’s not forget to list the not-so-nice things you are thankful for as well.  Last week, I actually managed to thank God for a lost wallet.  It definitely puts things in perspective when we choose to give thanks in all circumstances – good and bad.

A note of caution here: let not the act of counting your blessings deter you from keeping your focus on God.  In developing the habit of giving thanks, we may tend to focus on the gifts rather than the Giver.  It is essential to remember that every blessing, every gift, everything you are thankful for comes from God alone.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Do you maintain a gratitude journal?  Are you planning to start one?

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Draw the Circle: Book Review

Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson is based on the principles outlined in his previous book The Circle Maker. I haven’t read The Circle Maker, but I was still able to grasp the concept of praying circles and how it enriches our prayer lives.

The idea behind the book is that when you receive a promise from God, you diligently circle it in prayer until it is answered. The author derives this from the story of Honi. (I had no idea who Honi was, so I had to do a bit of research. Apparently, he is a character from the Talmud, who drew a circle in the ground around him and wouldn’t budge until God sent rain.)

I didn’t quite like the idea of holding God ransom until He answers a prayer, but the author repeatedly writes that it is not so. We are to keep in continuous prayer only those things for which we have received a definite word from God. It could be a verse from the Bible, or a specific promise God has given us – something we know for sure is the will of God.

The idea of circles could be physical – like walking around a building or a town where you want God to move. A biblical example of this is the Israelites walking around Jerico. They obeyed God and walked in circles around the city until God gave it to them. We could also draw a spiritual circle – for example, praying for a loved one’s salvation. It is God’s will that none should perish; when we continue to pray for a loved one’s salvation, we know it is in the will of God and He will answer it in due time.

The book has 40 short, easy to read chapters – corresponding to the 40 day challenge. Each chapter deals with a particular aspect of prayer, and includes a real life story of someone who applied it in their prayer lives and received a miracle. The book is sprinkled with dozens of one-liners that deliver quite a punch. Here are a few of them:

“The true purpose of prayer is to get into God’s presence so He can outline His agenda to us.”

“When you pray to God regularly, irregular things happen on a regular basis.”

“The plans of God are only revealed in the presence of God.”

“Prayer is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do.”

“The God who gives the vision is the same God who makes provision.”

If you have been praying long for something, and you’re still waiting for your miracle, take heart. I’m still waiting on God for quite a few requests of my own. If you know that what you are praying for is within the will of God, do not give up. We may not understand now why there is a delay, but God will answer in His time. Continue to persevere in prayer!

Disclosure: I received a free Kindle version of this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

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Counting My Blessings: 1001 to 1021

Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for. Join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1001. Judah’s hair sticking up {I found it cute; he didn’t!}
1002. A nice chat with my mother.
1003. Watching Armageddon curled up on the couch with my husband.

1004. Holding a son who had a heartburn.
1005. Being of some help in church.
1006. Watching a video my husband took of the boys making silly faces and giggling.

1007. A time to put my feet up and just relax.
1008. Watching a late night movie with my husband.
1009. The boys role-playing as pastors.

1010. Making a number of phone calls and not being intimidated by it.
1011. My husband reading a book to the kids.
1012. Watching Judah sitting upright and sleeping in the middle of the night.

1013. Enjoying a cool breeze late in the night.
1014. Losing a purse and being able to thank God for it.
1015. A forgiving husband.

1016. The lessons I’m learning from Draw the Circle.
1017. When God keeps trying to confirm something I’m unsure about.
1018. Not needing coffee to wake me up this morning.

1019. Jon making it a habit of speaking the truth despite the consequences.
1020. Brainstorming – I love how it works.
1021. Our boys playing the slip position at their first cricket game after church.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings? I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey? Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Five Minute Friday: Home

Five Minute Friday
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Home

This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue,
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Oh Lord you know, I have no friend like you
If heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

~ Jim Reeves

This was the song that rushed to my mind when I saw the writing prompt today. As much as I’d like to write about my own home, I am reminded that the world is not my eternal home. I have a Father who is preparing a place for me in heaven. 

Because He loves me, and I, Him… I have this hope that I’ll get to heaven one day and live with Him eternally. Oh heaven seems glorious from what I’ve read in the Bible. I can’t wait to get there someday.

But until then, I’ve got some unfinished business down here – in my earthly home. I believe I have a calling to make my home a little piece of heaven on earth.

A place where God’s presence dwells.

A place where marriage honors God.

A place where children are taught to love and follow God.

A place where friends (and at times, strangers) are encouraged.

A place where people who love God pray and work to share that love with others who haven’t experienced it.

God’s desire is for all of us to enter His home, and ours in heaven. Can we cultivate that same desire in our hearts? Can we get to work now, to share the hope of heaven to those who haven’t heard of it yet?

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5 Side Effects of Counting your Blessings

Blessings

Last week, I reached a milestone – I had counted 1000 gifts since I began my journey in April 2012. I had a two-fold purpose in counting my blessings everyday:

    • To have a positive outlook on life.
    • To journal the everyday things I am grateful for.

Now, as I look back over the past year, I’ve found that I’ve reaped so much from simply counting my blessings.

1. The blessing of obeying God’s Word

The Bible is filled with promises of blessing for those who obey God’s Word. And God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). So often we strive to find out what God’s will is… Well, the above verses sums it up pretty well – God’s will is for you to give thanks in all circumstances. It is easy to thank God when everything is fine and dandy. But when difficult situations arise, can we still thank God for them?

2. The joy of finding things I can be thankful for

This habit of counting my blessings has encouraged me to always be on the lookout for things I am thankful for. Whether it is a movie date with my husband or watching my boys cuddled up together fast asleep, I get excited and look forward to writing it down. Not a day goes by when the thought, “Oh, I should note this down in my journal”, doesn’t cross my mind.

3. It helps me be content with what I have

There are a lot of things I am not happy with – a rickety washing machine, sickness, temper tantrums… When I choose to give thanks, it helps me be content with what I have. The washing machine, though quite loud, still does its job pretty well. Times of sickness remind me to appreciate the days when we enjoy good health. And temper tantrums… well, they’re no fun at all – but I get to have one-on-one time with the culprit, on the other side of the tantrum.

4. A testimony of sorts

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.” (Psalm 35:18)

The Bible encourages us to share with others what the Lord has done for us. Documenting my blessings does just that. I share it on the blog – that’s my assembly. Some day, I hope this collection will also be my testimony to my boys – reminding them of God’s hand in our lives.

5. A reminder of God’s faithfulness

“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” (Psalm 143:5)

There are days I look back, read past journal entries and blog posts and I marvel afresh at God’s handiwork in my life. The account of my past blessings encourage me, especially on those days when I’m in the pit of despair and feel far away from God. I recount all the wonderful things God has done for me and I’m filled with hope. I know that my God who’s been my rock until now will keep me in the days to come.

Do you count your blessings? What side effects have you experienced?

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Monthly Goals: March

At the beginning of each month, I share my goals for the month ahead and track my progress on the previous month’s goals.

My goals for February were:

  1. Stay up to date with the Bible studies at Good Morning Girls & Hello Mornings. — Done
  2. Read through the books of Titus, Philemon, Hebrew in the Bible. — Done
  3. Read Organized Simplicity, I Can Teach My Child to Read & Hope for the Weary Mom. — Done
  4. Teach the kids 2 new verses. — Done
  5. Read at least 12 books to the kids. — Done
  6. Organize and backup photos. — Not Done {I didn’t even get started on this!}
  7. Walk/Run at least 8 Km this month. — Incomplete {I walked only 3 Km last month}

My goals for March are:

  1. Complete the current Good Morning Girls study and begin a new study on March 25th.
  2. Stay up to date with the Hello Mornings Bible study.
  3. Read through the books of II Peter, I John, II John and III John.
  4. Read Draw the Circle, Prayer, 42 Days to Fit, The Present Principle, A Hunger for God.
  5. Teach the kids 2 new verses.
  6. Read at least 12 books to the kids.
  7. Organize and backup photos. {I’m going to get this done this week, so I’m not tempted to procrastinate again.}
  8. Purge and organize 2 wardrobe shelves.
  9. Walk/Run at least 8 Km this month.

Are you in the habit of setting weekly/monthly goals? If you do, how did you do last month? If you don’t, how do you keep track of things you need to get done?

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Counting My Blessings: 971 to 1000

Blessings

* I was on an unscheduled blogging break this week… But I had to post this today as I’ve officially counted 1000 blessings since I began this intentional journey 11 months back.

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for. Join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

3 Gifts that were Plan B’s

971. Re-planning the week after a city-wide strike was announced.
972. A blog post idea inspired by my morning Bible study.
973. Leaving my to-do list unfinished and not feeling bad about it.

A Gift at Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

974. A late breakfast with the boys.
975. Three boys focused on their plates.
976. Leftovers – something I’ll always be grateful for :).

3 Gifts White

977. This notepad where I’m typing out my 1000 gifts.
978. A card filled with names of loved ones I’m praying for.
979. This board hanging in my bedroom.

3 Gifts that Changed Today

980. The boys’ demeanor after a short nap.
981. The sun turning a bright red as it set.
982. The PowerPoint slides during worship in our prayer group.

A Gift of Tin, Glass, Wood

983. A container that holds our knick-knacks.
984. Two glasses that remain from a set of 6.
985. Our sturdy dining table.

3 Gifts before 11AM

986. Catching up on the dishes before church.
987. Preparing for an action-packed, Christ-centered Sunday.
988. Reaching church much earlier than expected.

A Gift Worn Out, New, Made-Do

989. Books the kids doodle in.
990. An iPad Mini – a gift from my husband.
991. Getting by on minimal sleep.

3 Gifts seen as Reflections

992. 3 almost-identical boys – replicas of their father.
993. My Father’s love, reflected throughout His Word.
994. Reflections of the boys climbing on the window bars.

3 Ugly-Beautiful Gifts

995. A child’s bruised knee.
996. Unscheduled power cuts.
997. A sick husband.

3 Gifts from the Past – that Help you Trust the Future

998. Hymns I learnt as a child.
999. Our wedding vows, made in the presence of God.
1000. God’s strength that has carried me this far.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings? I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey? Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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