Sunday Gratitude

OBVIOUSLY I am grateful throughout the week, not just on Sunday. But I wanted to "take on" something, as well as "give up" something this Lent. SO, as part of my Lenten season Fast from discontent, and feast on gratitude, I have chosen to write a Sunday Gratitude post each week focusing on one thing (of many) that I am grateful for.

For my first post, I chose to write not about the thing that I'm necessarily most grateful for, but the thing that stands out for the week. This Sunday Gratitude is SUNSHINE!!!!! Yesterday was the first day of real, semi-warm, enjoyable SUNSHINE in about 4 months. We truly had a gorgeous weekend here in Chattaboogie, and I was extremely grateful.

I will admit, this winter was seriously starting to wear me down physically and emotionally. The clouds, rain, snow and dreariness were playing a large role in exacerbating my discontent of late. Now obviously I can't blame it all on the weather, but it certainly didn't help. I know that I must take responsibility for the things I was doing, and not doing, to worsen my moods. But I sure was glad to get a little help from my friend SUNSHINE this weekend!!

[she sings, "I get by with a little help from my friends"]

AHEM. Sorry.

So I went to worship this morning, with a grateful heart and a smile on my face, in no small part due to the beautiful SUNSHINE that God gave us this weekend. His whole creation is beautiful; everything He made is perfect.

[she sings, "You make everything glorious, and I am yours! What does that make me?"]

AHEM.

But the SUNSHINE that shown all around and warmed our faces this weekend reminded me that I AM GRATEFUL!! I am grateful to be a child of God, blessed in so many ways. And I will continue to feast on gratitude.

If you want to participate in Sunday Gratitude, write your own and link up here!!!

My LATE LENT blog post

So this year I had a tough decision to make. I fumbled around for several weeks about not knowing what to give up for Lent this year. All the while, there was one thing that represents what draws me away from the gratefulness I should have for our God and the blessings He gives. It doesn't matter what it is, and for my own sake, I'll keep it to myself. The point of Lent is to re-focus our hearts and minds on what truly matters, do what we can to draw closer to our God, and to prepare to receive God's grace through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That being said, it's not too late for you to find YOUR ONE THING.

Our Prayer for Living the Lenten Discipline

Pastor: Now we are called to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. We are called to prepare ourselves for both Jesus' death and His resurrection, knowing as we do so that as we die with Him- so also we will rise with Him. We are called to a holy fast- and a holy feast in each of the days of this season.

Congregation:

So let us:

Fast from complaining, and feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives, and feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressure, and feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility, and feast on tenderness.

Fast from bitterness, and feast on forgiveness.

Fast from words that pollute, and feast on the phrases that purify.

Fast from self-concern, and feast on compassion for others.

Fast from idle gossip, and feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from judging others, and feast on the Christ within them.

Fast from discouragement, and feast on hope.

Fast from discontent, and feast on gratitude.

Fast from facts that depress, and feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy, and feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken, and feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from problems that overwhelm, and feast on prayer that undergirds.

Strengthen us, O God, to complete the fast with humility, have mercy upon us and save us.

Amen.

Enough for Today

That was the title of my daily devotional. I started receiving The Upper Room (a United Methodist publication) email devotional on Monday. I signed up here. It is short and a great way to start the day.

Anyway, it put some things into perspective for me that have been on my heart lately. It also reminded me of one of my FAVORITE old hymns we used to sing! Feel free to sing along as you are reading!

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I hate New Year's Resolutions...

So I'm not making any. Instead, I'm just going to "ponder" a few things. My dear friend Meghan taught Common Ground Sunday School today. She is in school to be a Nurse Practitioner at Southern Adventist University, but is obviously not Adventist since she was teaching at a Methodist church! However, she did share with us some of the Adventist beliefs about spirituality and health. Adventists live generally long and healthy lives, the most strict are vegetarians. They believe that our bodies are not ours, but on loan from God. But the thing that struck me the most is that they view healthy eating, exercising, rest, and general care of our bodies/minds/spirits (all intertwined) as an act of WORSHIP!

So how's that for adding motivation to all those new goals? It's not about VANITY, fitting into those favorite jeans or looking good in a swim suit. It's about HONORING GOD. The basis of their beliefs is living the life we were CREATED to live, following principles in the book of Genesis.

C-Choice

Choice is the first step toward improved health because people who believe they are in control over their own lives are healthier and live longer.

R-Rest
Rest is good sleep and also taking time to relax. Relaxation lowers blood pressure and reduces stress.

E-Environment
Environment is our external world but also affects what happens within us for the better or worst.

A-Activity
Activity includes physical and mental conditioning. Our goal is to be active in mind, body and spirit.

T-Trust
Trust in God speaks to the relationship between spirituality and healing. A link exists between faith and wellness.

I-Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal relationships strengthen our well being. Social connection fortifies our resolve and improves our health.

O-Outlook
Outlook creates our reality. Our mind influences our body and our attitude impacts our health.

N-Nutrition
Nutrition is the fuel that drives the whole system. Small improvements and strategic substitutions produce profound results.

the above is copied from www.creationhealth.com

I took their test to see which principles of health that needed improvement in my life. So in the spirit of accountability, I need improvement in Choice, Environment, and Activity (the last being the greatest need by far).

Following Meghan's lesson was Brian's sermon in The Vine titled "The Quest for Spirituality: The Ultimate Thirst Quencher" based on John Chapter 4, Jesus's encounter with the woman at the well. He spoke of spiritual thirst, a desire for God's presence. Both of these lessons summed up where I am right now, what I want.

I am taking the first step in improving my health according to the CREATION principles. I CHOOSE to live the life I was CREATED to live in the PRESENCE of God. And hopefully, I will remain mindful of my daily choices regarding my mind, body and spirit.