Blessings Celebration! 17 Years

It's time to celebrate God's goodness! 

17 years. 
Next week, I'll enjoy my Blessings Celebration day, as I reflect on all the amazing blessings that God has given me over the past 17 years. Why only 17 years? Because it was on Oct 25, 2000, that I injured my back it led to me being given the title of "chronic pain sufferer".

"Create a positive day!" is more than just a by-line. It's a constant frame of mind that reminds me to see God's blessings each and every day. 

17 years.  Each year when I reflect on God's blessings, I'm overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy. I am also amazed at the wonderful surprises that God has given me. 
I enjoyed a ride in the Goodyear Blimp. I was in the pits at 2 NASCAR races, and I was at the Drivers Intro Stage during another race and was able to witness the swearing in of some Military heroes. Oh, and I live in a Castle with a Prince. :-) 
As I reflect on God's blessings, I continue to be amazed at God's creativity in supplying my needs. A pharmacy mistake provided me with a free very expensive medication. Contest wins provided some needs, and just fun encouragement, as well as gifts for others. Refunds that were 5 years in coming (medical bill overpaid). And so many other wonderful and creative ways that God supplied and still does. 

17 years. I'm thankful that God didn't tell me on Oct 25, 2000, that I'd be living in pain for 17 years plus. At that point and time, it would have been too overwhelming. Oh, but God knew that. 
17 years.  God has supplied each need and even wants along the way. And I'm so extremely thankful for His love and care. 

17 years.  "If God really loves you, He'd heal you." Really??! God has the power to heal me, yes. However, sometimes He chooses not to heal. There are many reasons why that I can think of, but God has His own very good reasons! One thing that I do know is that God has allowed my pain so that my faith and trust in Him would grow deeper. He has also allowed my pain so that I can come alongside others and encourage them. God has allowed my pain to put me in places so that I could share God's love. 

17 years.  There is much to celebrate! Please join me in taking time to reflect on God's blessings in your life. 

It's time to celebrate God's goodness!

Pray for Jami

Looking for some prayer warriors! 

My friend, Jami, has started a new series of medical treatments. This will be a long process and I'd like to get a team of people committed to praying for her. 

If you'd like to join me, please comment on the day(s) that you will pray for her. You can pick one a month (like on the 19th), or you can pick a day of the week (Wed), or pick several times (daily, 2x a week, etc). I'd like you to be specific. 

Please pray for the following:

JAMI—

1. Jami's spirit. Dealing with any chronic condition can be discouraging. When you don't feel well, the spirit needs extra support. Let’s be praying that Jami will be encouraged during the treatments. #GoJoy

2. Jami's treatments. That her body would accept the "army" that will help her heal. #GoArmy 

3. This prayer is a big one, almost seems impossible. BUT GOD! God has resources and means to provide. Let’s ask God to supply each and every need. (And if you want to donate, please do! The link is below.) #GoMoney

4. This prayer is all-encompassing. In Tune means that everything is working in harmony. That includes all aspects of life. Living with a chronic illness not only impacts the individual but the family and friends. Let’s pray that not only will Jami be “in tune”, but that God will bring peace and harmony to all those around her. #GoInTune

JAMI–

Joy

Army

Money

InTune 

Let’s go TEAM!

Here is the donation link: https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-jami-take-a-bite-out-of-lyme

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:25

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 25: Provides Revival & Rejuvenation

My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. Psalm 119:25

Revive: himself with fulness of life in his favor

According to your word: advice, answer, promise

“Quicken thou me according to thy word. By thy providence put life into my affairs, by thy grace put life into my affections; cure me of my spiritual deadness and make me lively in my devotion.” Note, When we find ourselves dull we must go to God and beg of him to quicken us; he has an eye to God's word as a means of quickening (for the words which God speaks, they are spirit and they are life to those that receive them), and as an encouragement to hope that God would quicken him, having promised grace and comfort to all the saints, and to David in particular. God's word must be our guide and plea in every prayer. (Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible)

Find yourself discouraged? We find joy, peace, and comfort in God and His Word. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:24

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 24: Provides Wisdom

Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:24

Delight:  enjoyment, pleasure
Counselors: prudence, advice, purpose

He sought direction and advice from them as from a friend who would give him counsel. He looked to the revealed law of God to ascertain what was right; to know how he should act in the emergencies of life. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)

What should I do? How should I act? What should I say? Questions we all ask ourselves. The true answer is actually simple — do, act and say — exactly as God would. And we learn the specifics from His Word. 

Wisdom. Everyday practical wisdom. Available from the One who created us. The question comes down to — will I follow the advice of God Almighty? 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:22, 23

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)


God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 22, 23: Provides Protection

Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.
Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Psalm 119:22, 23

Kept: Guard with fidelity, keep, observe, to guard, to protect, obey
Meditates: to ponder  i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter 

What the princes did or said against him did not divert his mind, or take off his thoughts from the word of God, and the ordinances of it; he thought of them, he spoke and discoursed of them; he declared them — he was not afraid nor ashamed to profess his regard unto them. (John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible)

No matter what others say. No matter what others think. No matter what others may do. No matter — God's word is to be obeyed.