Time

2012 A Year of Thanksgiving and Praise. 

Day 4: I'm thankful for time.

We look at time as something that's limited. And, in a way, I suppose it is. But many people complain that they don't have enough time. Actually, we all have exactly the same number of hours in a day. It's really boils down to how we spend them.

I can fritter away my time, or I can use my time wisely.

In fact, time is an incredibly valuable asset because of it's limited nature. You can't get more time. When you spend time, it's gone forever. If I spend money, I can always make more. Time isn't that way.

Touch

On this third day of the new year, I'm thankful for touch -- in all of its aspects. (I actually wrote this yesterday, but didn't get it posted until today, January 4th. I will post another article for Day 5 tonight.)

There is the sense of touch. We are able to take in so much through our fingertips; the rich softness of velvet, the cool dampness of earth, the soft fur of my dog Spot, the roughness of sand paper... So many textures.

Our fingertips sometimes act like eyes. We can identify a lot of objects by feel. You can put common (and sometimes not so common) objects into a sack and know what they are by simply touching them.

Our touch can comfort others with a hug congratulate someone with a pat, or greet someone with a shake of the hand.

Light

Day 2: Today I am thankful for Light.  

Of course, this can have a whole variety of meanings... Thankful for the light of day. As I often do, especially on mornings when I don't have to get up at a particular time to go somewhere (work, church, etc.), I hit the snooze button when the alarm goes off at 5:00 am, and allow the light to wake me up (usually around 7:00 am). It's a wonderful, peaceful way to start the day. At some point, I would love to have my life and work reach the point where this can just be my normal routine.

2012: a Year of Thanksgiving and Praise

The first day of the new year. I must say I'm glad to have 2011 behind me, and looking forward to 2012.


One of my Facebook friends posted their declaration for the new year and thought I would make my own. I have decided to declare 2012 a Year of Thanksgiving and Praise. 


So, on Day One of the new year, I'm thankful for new beginnings. I'm thankful that I have a New Year in which I can imagine and create what I want for my life. I'm thankful that I have the promises of God's Word to back up my desires, and there is no better guarantee than that possible anywhere, anytime.

Tebowing

Tim Tebow, starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. That's him over there to the right on his knee.

Controversial, to be sure. This guy has caused quite a ruckus in the sports world.

In 2010, a new rule was instituted for the next NCAA football season prohibiting messages on eye black. One of Tebow's trademarks was to show scriptures in his eye black, such as John 3:16.  The media labeled this a "The Tebow Rule" since it would directly affect him.

What's amazing is how effective this simple method of spreading the gospel was. It has been reported that when he displayed John 3:16 in his eye black during the 2009 BCS Championship Game, that 92 million people Googled the verse during or immediately following the game.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Have you ever noticed that the things you believe in you usually also feel strongly about? They are tied to an emotion, either good or bad. 

You know the old saying, never discuss religion or politics. Why not? Because generally speaking, people have strong feelings about those subjects and discussions frequently turn into arguments that have bee known to tear apart family and friends.


So, what does this have to do with faith? 


I think that often our emotions give us a big clue as to whether or not we really believe, or have faith in, what we profess (or confess). 

Guarding Your Heart

It's hard to believe it's been two months since I've posted. Life intervened... I had a health issue that had literally grown out of all proportion and needed to be addressed, as well as a variety of messes in my personal life that I  couldn't put off any longer. But, I'm back! Today, with a lesson on why bad things sometimes happen to us.


If you are anything like me, you probably wonder why, when you go to church, study God's Word, try to live a good life, practice kindness, mercy, love and grace, tithe, eat right, exercise -- why do bad things happen to me?  And why does it sometimes seem to follow the old adage "when it rains it pours?"


It's easy to blame the enemy, and see everything that goes wrong in our life as a direct attack. But, I think we give the devil too much credit when we do this.