Counting My Blessings

Boasting vs. Self-Deprecation

Boasting - to call attention to something that is a source of pride.

Self-Deprecation - the act of belittling yourself or your achievements.

I''ve been working on our Sunday Bible Study this afternoon - 30 Ways to Tame Your Tongue. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on the topic of flattery based on thoughts triggered from this same study. The author of 30 Days to Tame Your Tongue, Deborah Smith Pegues, says, "Notice how Satan seeks to take us from one extreme to the other. He tries to make us either boastful or bashful." It's so true! We know that the opposite of pride is humility, and we know that the Lord desires our humility. How do we communicate our joys and accomplishments without boasting, and maintain humility without belittling ourselves?

Life Lesson - Pause and Appreciate

My Dad sent an email to me this morning which shared a story I had not heard before. It may not be new for you, but the lesson to be learned here is profound and worth repeating. The following paragraph contains the opening words from the article about this event written in The Washington Post. Click on the link at the end of this post to read it in its entirety. I also found this short video of the event on YouTube. It will give you a taste of the beautiful music that was being performed that early morning in January 2007. Enjoy!

HE EMERGED FROM THE METRO AT THE L'ENFANT PLAZA STATION AND POSITIONED HIMSELF AGAINST A WALL BESIDE A TRASH BASKET. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he shrewdly threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money, swiveled it to face pedestrian traffic, and began to play.

Swimming

 

It's been many years since Sesame Street has been on at our house. Just hearing the music brought back lots of memories, and the video of children and critters swimming made me smile and feel just a little cooler!

 

Enjoy!!

 

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us (I will) rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Five Favorites - Help!!

It is soooooooo hot in StL! I have spent all day trying to think of things I would consider favorites when it comes to the "dog days" of Summer. After all this is Counting My Blessings! I tried and tried to think of something - anything I like about the heat index being over 100^o. So far, I have drawn a blank.

Therefore I am turning to you my friends to help me find my blessings in this crazy heat. BTW I did think of AC, that one doesn't count. I am thankful for AC! VERY THANKFUL!!

Help please! I am stuck in a rut. I am hot, a little cranky, and trying to look at the bright side of svitzing!

Joshua - Leader of Nations

This week we are going to take a look at what makes a leader like Joshua. At the time he was preparing to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land, he was a man of eighty years of age. He was certainly beyond his military prime by today's standards and possibly even for Old Testament times. So, what made him the "man of the hour," the Leader of Nations.

In the first verses of Joshua 1, we learn that the "baton" was passed from Moses to Joshua. In Exodus 17:8-15, Joshua led the Israelites in a battle against the Amalekites. You might remember this as the battle where Moses stood on the hillside holding up his hands. As long as Moses held up his hands Israel would win. Eventually, Moses grew tired and Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms until the Amalekites were defeated. God prepard Joshua to obey and to lead others in battle.

In Numbers 27:15-18; Moses said to the Lord, "Lord, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone. Please appoint someone over the community who will lead them in and out of battle so that the Lord's community will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit, and place your hand on him.

A Servant's Heart

David Livingstone was born on March 13, 1813 in Blantyre, Scotland, near Glasgow. He became a doctor and a missionary, and devoted much of his life to exploring Africa. (thinkquest.org)

I recently came across a quote of David Livingstone. One of several quotes written in my Bible over the years. It inspired me at first hearing, and continues to inspire today.

"Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any tie that binds me but the tie that binds me to Your service and to Your heart."

How often fear has prevented me from surrendering completely to the will of the Father. I want to have a willing heart, that would forsake everything to serve the Lord. David Livingstone traveled to Africa the first time in 1841, at the age of 27. He crossed the continent of Africa multiple times sharing his gifts of medicine and faith.

If only I could daily rely on the truth that when God goes with me, sustains me, and binds me to His heart . . . I am equipped with all that I need to serve Him everyday of my life.

Brothers and sisters, we can't allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right . . . May the Lord of peace give you His peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.      2 Thessalonians 3:13 & 16

The Skit Guys - God's Chisel

I subscribe to Tangle.com, formerly known as GodTube. The post -Tangle.com - Cute Girl Flushes Fish was inspired by A Tangle email that I couldn't resist sharing.

I just watched a video by The Skit Guys, sent from Tangle. It's called God's Chisel.

I had something completely different planned for today's post. I may post it later or save it for tomorrow. This couldn't wait! I want everyone to see it! Please watch and share it with those you love.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

The Inspiring Story of Adam Bender

A couple of months ago I came across an amazing video of this very inspiring young man. I was anxious to share it with all of you; however, when I showed it to my dh he asked if I would wait until after Father's Day. He wanted to share it with our church family first.

Today, I would like you to meet Adam Bender. Please take the time to go over and watch the video. So, often we wonder why we have to endure life's difficulties, but then we are given a moment to see how God can use our "weaknesses" to motivate others.

To listen to my dear husband's message: Victory Over the Storms of Life.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

Happy Father's Day

  

Dad, Rev, Son

Happy Father's Day!

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." Billy Graham

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him  Psalm 103:13

Five Favorites - DAD

Dads come in all shapes and sizes, with different personalities, talents, and abilities. I have been blessed to spend the past week with my dad. It was hard to say good-bye this morning and watch him head off to visit someone else privileged to call him, "Dad."

Maybe you are blessed to be able to spend time with your Dad. It is possible you will spend this weekend revisiting memories. Some of your memories may be less than picture perfect like "Father Knows Best;" however, today I would like to spend a few moments thinking of positive things about our fathers. The Lord chose each of our parents for a reason. Who they are/were impacted who we are. So here we go . . . 

Five Favorites about DAD - 

5. Dad's Play - I can remember my Dad teasing us or getting us all giggly about something and then it would be Mom's job to settle us down. My dh was a master kick-ball player. Some dads love Wii competitions, shooting hoops, card games, etc. Mom's play, too! However, most moms I know are busy enough that play time can be limited. No gender bias here, I know that can be true of dads as well.