Sunday Pleasures!

wow. what a great thought, what a great quote, what a great truth:

Learn to count. Period.

So much of life is about counting. Ann Voskamp shares in her book/devotional/study a section titled "Learning to Count". How since we are little, we learn to count. And we just continuing counting - money, friends, things, hurts and then she challenges us, challenges me to 'count the things that really matter.' Count the gifts God has given, the blessings He has bestowed, count the graces He has granted and the things He has turned to good in my life. Count them and sit (or stand) in awe of the One who makes all things new.

I love the analogy she shares of a musician and you stop counting, it's like running around in the forest, in the dark, without a flashlight." To a believer who stops counting blessings, it's like running around in the forest, on the edge of the cliff, in the dark, without a flashlight.

"Without counting, the song loses the harmony. And without counting blessings, our lives lose the song, the light--the beat of God's heart."

Oh Lord, help me to number my days and count them for You!

Yesterday's message: Jesus is Full of Grace & Truth (John 1:14). So often we want others to give us Grace while we hold them to Truth. He talked of intention vs directon - how intent does not get us there--directions do!

He talked of how beautiful when the two things come together - like in the person of Jesus! One who is Full of Grace & Truth! Jesus, the beautiful One.

Lord Jesus, this week, help us - Ryan, the girls, myself to show grace to each other . . . to breath life to one another . . . to be truthful in love . . . mostly, Lord, help us to be more like You--beautiful to those who truly see.


Sidenote:
Girls loved the doon.buggy - got completely muddy & dirty!
Nelson's death date - 3 yrs yesterday (Sunday)
Emily lost a tooth! So glad the tooth fairy remembered . . . she'll wake up soon and tell me!
Awesome family time last night - played Sorry together after watching an "okay" movie (Ryan watched football - all's good) and there was only fighting and irritation at the end of the game - this is a big improvement over last time, PTL!
Ellen plays tonight - God protect her, let her honor You, give her tools she needs to do what You would have her to!
Amen & amen - I love You!!!