Happy New Year (my Christmas card)

I had planned to create a Christmas card this year, I did begin one, however it was never completed. So, instead, I created a "Happy New Year" card. 

So, Happy New Year to each of you! 

2016 — 2017 Thanks Living!

2016. 

This past year, I focused on "Thanks Living!" and I have to say that it was awesome! I wish I could say that I had a "thankful attitude" 24/7, 366 days, but I did not. (366 - Leap Year). 

However, when I did look for things for which to be thankful—I always found them and I found them in abundance! 

I read this quote the other day, "Attitude determines action and action determines accomplishment." Looking back over the past year, I can say that when I had the attitude of "Thanks Living!" I was more wiling to act in a godly way and that allowed me to accomplish many things.

For 2017, I was thinking of what I'd want to use for my theme, and I was having a hard time deciding what my focus should be. Then I realized, I don't have to change the theme!

So, for 2017, I'm going to once again focus on "Thanks Living!" I want to embrace all that God has to teach me, enjoy all God's blessings, and encourage those around me to focus on "Thanks Living!"

"Attitude determines action and action determines accomplishment." Just think of all that can be accomplished, when the attitude is one of "Thanks Living!"

Looking forward to a "Thanks Living!" filled 2017. 

I hope you will join me!

Thanks Living: Remember

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

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music -- give praise, sing forth praises, psalms

Saints: godly man, good, merciful

Give thanks: literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, especially to revere or worship (with extended hands—the open one—indicating power, means, direction, etc.)

Remembrance: to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; memorial, memory, scent

Holy Name (His holiness): sacred, apartness, sacredness

Remembrance. Memory. Scent.

"A smell can bring on a flood of memories, influence people's moods and even affect their work performance. Because the olfactory bulb is part of the brain's limbic system, an area so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain," smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously." (http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/perception/smell3.htm) 

So often when we think of "thanks" we think of things received. Yet, Psalm 30:4 reminds us that we are to give thanks at the "remembrance of His holy name". Just remembering Who God is—should set into action are gratitude. A scent can call up memories and powerful responses—that is how we should respond to remembering Who God is! 

Celebrate Thanks Living by remembering God's holiness! That's a great way to begin 2016! As we begin the new year, take time to REMEMBER God's Holy Name! 

Thanks Living! Happy New Year!

Thanks Living: Awareness & Action

As I think about "Thanks Living", I realized that I must first learn what "Thankful" means. As I started thinking about it, I found it hard to define. 

Dictionaries define it this way: 

Thankful: A feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. Pleased and relieved. Glad that something has happened or not happened, that something or someone exists, etc.

Synonyms:

accountable • answerable for • appreciative • at peace • beholden • cheerful • comfortable • content • glad • grateful • gratified • honor-bound • indebted • much obliged • obliged • overwhelmed • pleased • relieved • satisfied • under an obligation

In trying to grasp what "Thanks" or "Thankfulness" is, I found it hard to define. It encompasses several aspects. But first and foremost I must recognize Who and I am to thank, and why I am thankful. 

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.  Psalm 26:7 (NKJV)
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. Psalm 26:7 (MSG)

Thanksgiving is not just a feeling, it requires awareness (of what was done/or given) and action (response to the giver). In order to create a life that is "Thanks living" I must have an awareness of what God is doing and take action in giving thanks to Him.

Thanks Living

This past November, a friend sent me this quote:

"Thanksgiving is once a year.

Thanks Living is all year long."

Since reading that quote, I've been thinking about it.

There are many verses about being Thankful. Here are few:

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

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

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

Throughout 2016, I want to make it a point to be THANKFUL. I want to enjoy a life that is filled with "Thanks Living". 

I'll be taking a short break from Proverbs to study "Thankfulness", so that I can begin a habit of Thanks Living. 

God's Smile!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The First of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Today as I read Psalm 67... I had to stop and learn more about verse 1. 

God, mark us with grace and blessing. Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (Amplified)

First, the Psalmist realized the need for God to be merciful and gracious to us. We are sinners, and only because of God's mercy and love, does He forgive us of our sins. Today is the beginning of a New Year, what a great truth to begin the year with... God has forgiven me! 

The next request of the Psalmist is that God bless us. And He does in so many ways. Today, I woke up to a beautiful Sunrise. God displays His handiwork in the Heavens for us to enjoy. 

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Psalm 19:1 (MSG)

Then lastly the Psalmist asks God to Smile! The Psalmist wants God's glory to reflect on him. As I go about today, I'd like to reflect God's smile with those whom I come in contact. This verse makes me think of the song by The Ball Brothers, "I Glimpse of Your Glory". 

Knowing that I'm forgiven, and that God is smiling upon me...that creates a positive day like no other!