1000 Gifts: 185 to 201

185. Friends who spur me to remember gratitude.

 

186. A humming dryer.

 

187. Mounds of clean clothes.

 

188. The splash of arms and legs making their way across the pool.

 

189. Advil and Sudafed.

 

190. Seeing the man who, less than a week ago, they said might not make it. Alive and healing.

 

191. Six in a room together.

 

192. A likable coach.

 

193. Trying hard, even when you're the underdog.

 

195. Sunshine and a muddy road.

 

196. Quiet moments and the sister who helps make them happen.

 

197. Sacred echoes.

 

198. Talks in the bleachers, one on one.

 

199. Red vines.

 

200. Running water.

 

201. Toddler imagination.

 

 

2011 Verse 4

(I somehow landed on a different passage for Verse 3 last time around after I had already posted. So while this looks like a duplicate, it's not! The verse I actually memorized as Verse 3 is included below).

Verse 4:

Finally, be strong in the Lord

and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God,

so that you can take your stand

against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV

************************************************************************

 

Verse 3, from memory:

Do not conform any longer

to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able

to test and approve

what God's will is--

His good, pleasing

and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

Verse 2, from memory:

Those who know your name

will trust in you,

For you, LORD,

have never forsaken

those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10

Verse 1, from memory:

It is for freedom

that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do no let yourselves

be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

2011 Verse 3

Finally, be strong in the Lord

and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God,

so that you can take your stand

against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV

************************************************************************

Verse 2, from memory:

Those who know your name

trust in you,

For you, LORD,

have never forsaken

those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10

Verse 1, from memory:

It is for freedom

that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do no let yourselves

be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

The Year of Sticking With It

The title of this post isn't terribly spiritual-sounding, but it's really what I hope to do in many ways, some simple things, some deeper that no one else may ever even know. It's a new year offering (another) new start. Praise God His mercies are new every morning!

One of the simpler (but evasive to me) things I plan to stick with is scripture memorization. It was so powerful when I maintained that practice faithfully in the past, so I have no idea why I let it slip. I remember a quote from a Beth Moore study about Satan using fatigue and discouragement to keep us from fighting back with power... well, no more! (Okay, yes, I'm sure I'll face fatigue and discouragement, but I hope not to let it keep me from fighting effectively in the battle!)

Below is the first verse of 24 I hope to memorize this year, along with reading through the Bible--both goals I've attempted and failed repeatedly. By God's grace, this will be the year of completion!

It is for freedom

that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves

be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 NIV

So Christ has truly set us free.

Now make sure that you stay free,

and don’t get tied up again

in slavery to the law.

Galatians 5:1 NLT

1000 Gifts: 171 to 184

When gratitude is bound by circumstances, lives are bound to bitterness.
Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience

171. Miracles, the greatest that His mercies are new every morning.

172. Vulnerable teaching on difficult topics--truth spoken in grace.

173. Earlier sunrise.

174. A missed nap allowing for a late-sleeping toddler.

175. Remembering: pruning for greater beauty.

176. 66 degrees.

177. Truly seeing, some days.

178. Electricity.

179. When I get it right for them. Not today, but once in a while.

180. The sound of chains being loosed, little by little.

181. Hand-knit scarves.

182. The hope of reaching 1000 gifts.

183. New life, here already, arriving in June (clarification: my sister, not me!)

184. Jesus is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus.

Job Description

Our job is obedience. God’s job is results.
spoken by God through Lysa TerKeurst

1000 Gifts: 158 to 170

Honestly, today I don't feel much like speaking gratitude. Life feels heavy, difficult, confusing. But these days are, I suppose, when it's most crucial to choose to give thanks anyway.

158. This face, ornery, nestled in my lap.
 

 
159. The sweet smell of toddler sweat.

160. A nap with actual sleeping, two days in a row!

161. Finally cooking a real meal again.

162. Newborn babies.

163. The desire to change.

164. Sunshine.

165. Three dollar shoes.

166. Wild Cherry Pepsi.

167. A dishwasher, strange squeals and all.

168. Our faithful bus driver.

169. Choosing to speak thanks.

170. Always a chance to try again.