Thanks Living: Memories

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4

Remembrance: to mark (so as to be recognized), to remember; by implication, to mention; memorial, memory

Holy name: sanctity -- consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, holiness

Memories.

There are some memories that make me smile, and some make me laugh out loud—literally! And yes, some memories make me sad and cry. Memories evoke emotion. 

When I remember God's holiness, I am to filled with thankfulness. The question is, "Am I?" 

When I remember God's holiness, what emotion does it evoke? Am I filled with wonder and awe? Am I filled with terrifying fear? Am I filled with regret? Am I filled with apathy? 

Give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Give thanks. Take time to realize who God is and that He personally loves and cares for me! Take time to remember that God, the Creator of all, created me in my mother's womb, and knows EVERYTHING about me—and loves me. 

Give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Remember. 

I have to say that as I get older, I find myself forgetting things. I have good intentions on remembering, but I forget. However, there are some things which I remember — it's like there is a NEON sign flashing in my mind. I can't forget. God's holiness, should be one of those "I can't forget memories". 

Remember. Long-lasting Memory. 

If I want God's holiness to be a long-lasting memory, that I need to make it important in my life. I need to make sure that each and everything I remember God's holy name, I give thanks! 

Thanks Living is making an conscious decision to remember God's holy name and give thanks! Thanks Living is making sure God's holy name is memorable and important in my life. 

Memories. God's holy name should be a very precious memory. 

Proverbs 10:6, 7: Personal Memories vs Personal Conflict

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:6, 7

Blessings: of men, in recognition of good men

Righteous: just in conduct and character

Violence: rude wickedness of men, their noisy, wild, ruthlessness

Covers: overwhelm

Wicked: one guilty of crime, deserving punishment

Memory: recollection

Blessed: benefit, praise

Name: reputation

Wicked: guilty of sin, against either God or man

Rot: to decay, be cursed

What do you remember? 

Is there a memory that causes you to smile? Or one that makes you break out in laughter?

Is there a memory that causes you shame? Or one that makes you cry? 

Memories evoke emotion. 

Think back to a time you did something wrong. I don't mean you made a mistake. I mean a time that you sinned, disobeyed God. As you think of that moment in time, does your emotion change to shame and sadness? It should, for you sinned against God Almighty. 

Yet, as one listens to wisdom, and acts in accordance to that wisdom, the actions and attitudes create memories of joy and blessing! Memories that make one smile and break out in laughter! The emotion of joy from obeying God Almighty makes one glow! 

What is your reputation? 

Reputation: a publicly recognized name: either for a favorable and publicly recognized for merit, achievement, reliability; OR recognized for disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct.

A reputation lasts long after you are gone. When your name is remembered will it bring smiles or sadness to your family and friends? Will they remember your sinful and dishonesty? Or will they remember how you listened and obeyed God's wisdom? 

Personal memories of joy because of obedience to God. Lasting memories of a life lived in honor of God. 

Personal conflict and sadness because of disobedience to God. A disgraceful and dishonest reputation living on long after you are gone as a testimony of your rebellion against God. 

Personal Memories vs Personal Conflict. In order to create personal memories of joy, one must have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

Blessings Celebration: 15 Years

There are moments in time that are etched into our minds. One of those moments for me happened on October 25, 2000. I remember the dark green sofa on which I was reclining. I remember trying to get work done to meet a deadline, in spite of battling bronchitis. I remember the deep coughing and then a searing burning sharp intense pain. I remember rolling off the sofa onto the floor in pain. I remember trying to get up and realizing that it was just too painful to move. I remember....... 

Over the past 15 years, I remember the numerous tests, procedures, surgeries, visits to specialists and the chronic pain and headaches. 

I also remember the amazing and wonderful blessings that God has showered upon me over the past 15 years. WOW! When I stop to reflect on those blessing, I can't but celebrate God's goodness. 

A few weeks ago I read Psalm 21:1-3.

The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

I really like that phrase, "meet him with blessings of goodness." As I reflect back over the past 15 years on all the blessings of goodness that God has given me, I can't help but praise Him. 

A few highlights of the Blessings of Goodness that God has given over the past 15 years. 

• 1. Awesome Doctors.
• 2. A friend who gracious opened her home to me, so that I could live within 5 min of a Dr. who would see me twice a day for a few weeks. And she has continued to be an encouragement to me over the years. 
• 3. Spending time at my Sister's home following surgery and rehab. (God even made sure I was at the same rehab center that my sister would spend time at years later. That allowed me to know what my sister would be doing and experiencing.) 
• 4. A ride in the Good Year Blimp. (Yep, really!)
• 5. Introduction to an amazing FRIEND! And the friendship as grown stronger over the years. Truly a blessing from God. 
• 6. A pharmacy mistake that led to them paying for an expensive medication! (A total God thing!)
• 7. Contest wins..... oh so many! Some I enjoyed, some I passed along as gifts and some I was able to sell to help pay bills. Some of the highlights include: a bike, a HUGE grill, NASCAR grandstand tickets (which God changed to PIT Passes), tickets to a musical show, gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores, online shops, t-shirts, hats, autographed items... the list goes on and on!
• 8. Timing. God's timing is always perfect. From using geese to keep me from leaving (that delay kept me from an accident), or car repairs delaying a car purchase until the right one was ready. To me moving to Florida and getting settled-in so that I could be here to help my parents during my Mom's hospitalization. To leading me to a different vehicle as I'll be driving my parents around. God is always on time, never late! 
• 9. The Castle. I still am in awe that God made way to provide this awesome home for my parents and I. As I think through the details that God worked through and all that God taught me, all I can say is... "Thank you, Lord!" (Read about it here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html.)
• 10. And I can't forget Max, my parakeet. God gave him to me on April 2003 for my birthday. Max provided many laughs and silly companionship over the years. Max died on August 28, 2015 of a heart attack. I'm so thankful for all the fun memories I have of that silly little bird.

Meet him with Blessings of Goodness. 

I can honestly say, that God has met me with MANY blessings of goodness over the past 15 years. Very thankful for God's blessings of goodness! 

Always Remember!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 111. Here is what I learned.

He has made his miracles unforgettable. The Lord is merciful and compassionate. Psalm 111:4 (GW)

His miracles are his memorial—This God of Grace, this God of Love. Psalm 111:4 (MSG)

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful. Psalm 111:4 (ASV)

For wonderful indeed are all his works,

Pleasant to know and worthiest to be all

Had in remembrance always with delight. John Milton

To be remembered - literally, "Memory hath he made for his wonderful works." "They" are so made, that man may remember them; the memory of man, also, is so made, that it may retain them. The highest and most appropriate exercise of memory is to retain the lessons which the works of God inculcate; to treasure up for gratitude and for use what he teaches his intelligent creation through those works. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

“I’ll always remember.” 

Damaris Carbaugh,  "No Apology" CD(Words & Music by Scott V. Smith 2000 Discovery House Music)

I’ll always remember God’s goodness and mercy to me;

I’ll always remember I once was a slave, not I’m free.

I owed a great debt, I could not pay the price,

So He opened His heart and He laid down His life

How could I ever forget?

I’ll always remember. 

I’ll always remember He has never, never, ever left me alone;

I’ll always remember that He’s never let me face a battle on my own.

Though ten thousand would fall to my left, to my right, 

My enemies fled from His power and might

How could I ever forget?

I’ll always remember. 

Chorus:

Always remember, no never forget

His sweet mercy, His goodness

Oh, He is so marvelous

Always remember, no never forget;

Oh, His wonderful works, He is so marvelous! 

I’ll always remember that He’s been my shelter in the storm;

I’ll always remember how He covered me and kept me from harm.

Though trouble had come, put my faith to the test, 

When I called on His name, He took care of the rest

How could I ever forget? (Chorus) 

I’ll always remember, I was guilty and worthy of blame, 

But my sin is no longer remembered for the sake of His Son, God forgave;

My sins are as far as the east from the west, 

They lay deep in the sea of God’s forgetfulness;

How could I ever forget?

I’ll always remember. Remember. 

What am I remembering? Our memories are triggered by sights, smells, words, touches, etc. And we take special effort to remember those events, dates, people, that are important to us. All the wonderful things that God has done for me, should be remembered and celebrated! 

The more I talk about what God is doing, the more I will remember what He has done, and worship Him for His greatness. And the more that I remember God’s marvelous works, the more positive a day I create. 

365 Days of Thanks....Scrap February

The new kit in my series, 365 Days of Thanks, has been posted. Go to Crafty Scraps. Under the Creative Team Stuff, you will see Freebie Collections, the kits and calendars are posted there. These items are free for you and are for personal use only.

Here is a preview of

365 Days of Thanks February Kit.

Hobbies and crafts are just a few ways of creating positive days. You can use the hobbies or crafts to create gifts, or just enjoy keeping track of some of the great things God has done.