oh happy day

 I am headed to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard today with my husband's family. The weather should be perfect and the day will be great.  I've found that so many great, happy days depends on my attitude not the activity. It is good to decide to be joyful in all things-making the effort to be happy and bring joy to others.

Hab. 3:18 I will rejoice because of  the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

new creation

When you decided to follow Jesus, what kind of changes did you experience?  Why are you still holding on to the old way of thinking?  These are some tough questions one friend asked another at lunch this week.  It is good to recount that we are no longer bound to our past ways of doing things.  In Christ, we are made new.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

win-win

The news for Sarah G. was not good, I'm sorry to say.  But when she was diagnosed, her attitude was that whatever happens is a win-win situation. If she survives the cancer, she gets to be a mom to her daughter and if she does not, she gets to be with Jesus. Oh to have that attitude in all the things we face.
Her survival will take a miracle, but I know that God can heal her. Please pray for this family and the decisions that face them. (For the latest on her situation, click on the CaringBridge link on the right.) 

Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

being accountable

Well, I'm on a diet. Almost everyone I know needs to lose 5-50 lbs--I'm more on the upper end of things. For the last couple of days, I've been keeping a food journal, it has helped, I'm already down a pound. I think the simple act of writing things down helps me to be more mindful of what I am eating.  So if you have a besetting sin, like gluttony, confess it to the Lord and maybe a close friend or two and be aware of how God wants you to move forward.

1 Jn. 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

celebrate

Have you ever written a song or psalm to the Lord?  There is no end to His goodness. A prayer can be a celebration of who He is and what He's done.  What can you praise Him for today?

Is.42:10a Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth

Good deeds

My family had a chance to attend an out of town party for a beloved aunt. We went, even though the trip was long, even though the kids are little, even though... We had a great time and Aunt E was blessed. It was worth the time and energy to go, and we are so glad that we got to celebrate with her.

Gal. 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

generosity

While at a restaurant not long ago, I was discussing tipping with a friend. She commented about how sad it was that Christians are not the most generous of tippers.  I've been thinking about that a lot since then.  We serve a generous God, and He gives to us abundantly should we not do the same?

Ps 37: 23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.