Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please take a moment to read this post about "Giving Thanks" by Pastor Nate Osborne, Faith Baptist Church, Winter Haven, FL. 

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/2014/11/27/three-thanksgiving-thoughts-from-pastor-osborne/

Blessings Celebration Day 2014!

There are some days that we never forget. One of those days for me is Oct 25, 2000. That was the day I injured my back. At the time, little did I know all that God had planned as He started me on a new journey. It is now Oct 25, 2014...12 back surgeries and too many to count procedures and treatments later. 

Chronic pain demands attention. By that I mean it makes you change the way you live. Because pain demands attention, I knew that I would have to work hard to keep my focus on the positive. Thus, my philosophy, "Create a Positive Day!".

Each year on the anniversary of my injury, I take time to CELEBRATE the blessings God has given me over the past year. Each year, I am amazed and overwhelmed by God kindness and the creative ways He takes care of me. I highly recommend having a Blessings Celebration! 

Please join me today in thanking God for all the blessings.

It's Blessings Celebration Day!

Forgiveness

cont..."a deep sense of reverence for God" (Act 9:31). 

"But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped." Psalm 130:4 (AMP)

I don't fully grasp the concept that Holy, God Almighty offers forgiveness... but I'm VERY thankful that He does. And because God Almighty does forgive, that should instill in me a deep sense of reverence for God. For the consequence of not being forgiven of my sin is eternal hell and separation from God. 

How does one say "thank you" to a Holy God for His gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ? The "thank you" starts with developing a deep sense of reverence for God! And as that deep sense of reverence is developed..... my life will be impacted by the realization that God Almighty loves me and has forgiven me.... WOW, if that doesn't make your day..... not sure what will. 

Thank you, Heavenly Father for your forgiveness!

14 Years!

One week until my "Blessings Celebrate Day!" 

Can't believe that this year marks 14 years since I injured my back. Each year on/near the anniversary of Oct 25th, I celebrate the blessings God has given me over the past year. And each year, I continue to be amazed at His generosity, HIs kindness, and His creativity in giving me blessings. 

This year, I'd like to know what, if anything, you've learned because of my journey of chronic pain. I know that I have learned so much. But I'd like to know if you too have learned anything as you've followed me, prayed for me, or have gotten to know me over the past 14 years. 

If you have learned anything as you've read my blog, or followed my journey, please comment. 

Thank you. Looking forward to hearing what my friends are learning because of my journey.

Friends

continued.... "deep sense of reverence for God" (Acts 9:31). 

"I am a companion of all those who fear, revere, and worship You, and of those who observe and give heed to Your precepts." Psalm 119:63 (AMP)

The people who are my companions, friends, say something about me. Biblically friends have a responsibility to each other.... "In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend." Proverbs 27:17. 

I'm thankful for the friends God has put in my life. They have helped me grow in so many ways. Having friends who have a deep sense of reverence for God are vital to developing my own sense of reverence for God. 

Friends, companions. That word companion means "knit together". I'm not a knitter, but from what I understand if use different types of yarns in the same project, your finished project won't hold up to use and washing. For example, some yarns have "memory" and hold their shape better than others. And some shrink when washed. So if part of your project is made with yarn that shrinks and another part with yarn that holds it shape, your project will be ruined as the shapes and yarns change over time. 

This is true with friendships. Those close friends should be ones that encourage and help you in developing a closer relationship with God. 

If your friends are not living a godly life, then they will tend to give you wrong advice and discourage you from making godly choices. 

I don't think this means isolate ourselves from unbelievers, rather just make sure that your companions, those that you are closely knit together with, have a deep sense of reverence for God. 

Now.... what type of friend am I? I personally need to develop that deep sense of reverence for God so that I can be the friend God wants me to be.