3 Gifts Close

325. Family 

+ extended family

326. Friends

327. Small Group

3 Gifts Found in Christ

322. "Be joyful always." 1 Thessalonians 5:16 

Through Christ I have true joy.


323. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3: 15

Through Christ I have true peace.


324. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Because of Christ, I enjoy true fellowship.

A Gift Stacked, Stashed, Stilled

319. A Gift Stacked: 

320. A Gift Stashed:

The Grand that lives with us enjoys his Gatorade! But we've found if we buy it in "bulk" he drinks it very quickly. So now we buy it and stash it away putting only 1 or 2 in fridge every day or 2... Saves money!!


321. A Gift Stilled:

The Husband after a L.O.N.G. day of sale-ing.

3 Gifts Square

I'm going to go with a theme on today's gifts. Not really square - but rectangle.

316. My computer. I am so very thankful for my computer for many reasons - but the main two are:

1. Because of my computer, I can work from home. Who knew what a blessing this would be for the Husband and I in retirement!

2. Because of my computer, I can blog. I love to write and this is an avenue for me to share my thoughts and to keep a "scrap book" of sorts. - or journal. 

317.  I'm a reader. I love books. I enjoy having them all around me. But I have also learned to appreciate my Kindle Fire. It is easy to carry in my purse or bag.  I also have a Bible on it and a devotional. It has more than just books - so depending on where I am or what I'm doing I can always use it.  This was a gift from the Husband and I love it.

318. The 3rd "square" I'm thankful for is my phone. The main reason - it keeps me connected with my family and friends. It is also smarter than me!! It does many of the things my computer and my Kindle can do - only on a smaller level.

The navigation is a must for our home business when we are sale-ing. Plus, on an entertainment level, the Husband and I love to play "Words With Friends" together and we do that on our phones.

The technology in my life has made my life easier 

and more enjoyable. 

3 Gifts Inherited

313. My parents were raised in the church. My parents raised me in the church. I inherited their faith. Then when I became an adult and was on my own - this faith I had been raised with became real to me. It was no longer "the faith I was raised with" but it became "my faith."  I am grateful for parents who loved me enough to share this true faith with me.

314.  My Aunt's always told me I inherited my Grandma Louthan's legs and butt (can I say butt on here?) bottom. Sometimes I wish I had inherited someone elses - For instance in the '60's I couldn't wear go go boots because my calves are too large. Still, in 2013 I have the same problem. (not with go go boots but with regular boots!) But it is a part of me and a part of my heritage and I've learned over the years that imperfections are a part of life and the way God made me - and I'm so thankful that God made me to be me.

315. My most important inheritance is eternal life. This is what I live for. I really like our churches Mission: LIFE. Living Intentionally For Eternity.

3 Gifts Woven Together

310. Some of our beautiful ladies at church meet on Monday evenings and they knit and crochet items to give to others in need. Many are just learning. They make leggings, slippers, booties, afghans, baby blankets - and anything you can imagine. I don't crochet or knit but I am so thankful for all they do and for the joy they share.

311. On Wednesday evenings, we have another group that make "prayer quilts." They are beautiful in looks and love. They make them to be tied  and when they put the ties in, they don't tie them, they display them in the foyer with a note about who they are for and why they need a prayer, then the members are able to stop, tie a tie and pray for the recipient. A beautiful way to pray for those in need and to make others aware of the need. 

312. We have a small group that meets in our home. On Tuesday mornings I attend a Ladies Bible Study. Any time you meet with another person to study God's Word and Pray - your hearts become woven with the love and encouragement of God. My heart is woven together with so many people I've prayed with and studied God's Word with over the last 50 years. I am so blessed.

3 Hard Eucharisteos

307. "God is trying to teach me something." This is what I said to the Husband today when I came home from Ladies Bible Study. I know what He wants me to learn.... I just keep regressing. Why is that? Why is it so hard to change? I could say it's because I'm 60 years old and I'm too old to learn new... but, I was this hard to teach while in my 20's. 30's. 40's. 50's. (sigh)  I just need to get over myself. I had no idea going from being the minister's wife to a normal church member would be so hard. I KNOW... crazy isn't it. I just need to get over myself.

308. Watching the news reports of tragedies like the Boston Marathon, Newtown, 9 11, Murrah Building, and on and on. It's hard to watch our world spiral downward. I pray, I cry, I'm ashamed to say I'm not as shocked by these atrocities as I once was. I heard a newswoman say just last week "This type of news has become the normal."  I pray to my God that none of this becomes normal to me, to my heart. I want what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable to be the normal. Surely, even a non-believer can look at these characteristics and see how this type of normal world would be much better.

Murrah Building April 19, 1995

 

309. I have an expectation of myself. I want to be kind. But sometimes my mouth opens and out comes these words that are anything but kind. I continually ask God to cleanse my heart, my mouth, my life - to be what He expects me to be.

                    Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

                    Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts I pray.

                    See if there be some wicked way in me;

                    Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

                                                                  J. Edwin Orr

This first verse of "Cleanse Me" is a perfect prayer for me.