Favorite Verses

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 110: Today, I am grateful for my favorite verses. 

I have so many, but there are certainly some that make the top 10 list... and I might be able to do a top five if pressed. This has been one since my teen years. It was highlighted well in my Bible (NIV). Even then, I recognized the power grab. 

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Corinthians 15:55-57

A great companion scripture is: 

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! -Philippians 1:20-22

There is so much encouragement in these verses. They declare death a door with no reason to fear. In fact, there is an element of excitement in Paul's letters. His biggest concern is that he will have the courage to face whatever painful death might be ahead of him. He is confident of his destination. The scripture rings with victory and purpose. 

This passage is definitely in my top five. If we follow this simple instruction, we will get many things right. 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15

Celebrate the joys. Share in the sorrows. 

Today, I am grateful for my favorite verses. 

Strength in Weakness

 

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 109: Today, I am grateful for the perfect strength born in weakness. 

We had a beautiful message today from our former Pastor and dear friend, Doane Brubaker. The message God placed on his heart was one of those "right word and the right time" sermons. The message was from one of Paul's letters later in his life. 

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Pride, independence, and stubbornness can keep us from submitting to the will and authority of God. We want to do things our way and in our time. Sometimes, He has other plans. We can fight it, (and I have) but his way is truly the best way. Too often, it is through the brokenness and trials that we finally say "not my will, but thy will be done." He waits. 

A story in the sermon reminded me of a print I love by one of my favorite artists. Mary Engelbreit shows a cracked hanging pot that has obviously leaked because below it beautiful flowers are blooming. I could not find the print, but I found an image of a cracked pot that resulted in flowers growing at the bottom of the crack. I think it is even more beautiful than if the pot was perfect. 

Life has plot twists. We can choose to lean into God's strength and rest, so that beauty can bloom in the broken places. 

Today, I am grateful for the perfect strength born in weakness.

Freshly Turned Dirt

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 108: Today, I am grateful for the smell of freshly turned dirt. 

The scent I am referring to is not petrichor. Petrichor requires rain. The scent of farmers and gardeners turning the soil over after the long, cold rest of winter is unique. Petrichor is a scent I seek out; the scent of freshly turned dirt is different. 

The smell of the soil being turned is one that I associate with the hope and promise of things to come. It is spring telling us that summer's glories are on the way. Perhaps, it is the smell of hope. 

That a hard, lifeless seed can be brought back to life with soil and water will forever be a mystery to me. I see God in every seed that produces a harvest. I see reminders that we were instructed to care for the earth. Avid gardeners... and I am not one... often say that we are closest to God when we are in a garden. 

The kids gave me a hydroponic garden for Christmas. It is all the wonder without the dirt. (It is time to replant it.) We've enjoyed sharing the "Farm Reports" as the seeds sprouted and grew. The arugula was probably my favorite harvest. It requires plant food to be added to the water. For the outside garden, the dirt works its magic of feeding the seeds. 

Walker and Amber are our family gardeners. The rest of us have tomatoes and perhaps a few other plants. Now is the time to turn the dirt. The rain is part of bringing the soil back to life. I walked back to our small garden bed last night that showed signs of Randy's work. The scent made me smile. 

Black dirt freshly turned is special. 

"And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so." -Genesis 1:11

And, it was good!

Today, I am grateful for the smell of freshly turned dirt. 

Friday

 

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 107: Today, I am grateful for Friday! 

Other than Good Friday, I do not know that I have used "It's Friday." for a gratitude post. This has been the longest week so today, I am grateful the weekend is almost here. 

Focus and finish up what needs to be done and celebrate a chance to rest and restore. 

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Even when our bodies grow weary, we can press on and into hope. Do the right thing. Show love where you can. Walk in grace. Delight in the end of the week. 

Today, I am grateful for Friday! 

Loving, Wise Stewards

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 106: Today, I am grateful for reminders to be loving and wise stewards. 

I love elephants. They are one of my favorite animals for so many reasons. They take care of their family. They can be so gentle and kind. They make me feel tiny. What is not to love? 

Elephants are known to remember kindness and mistreatment for decades. They are truly amazing. 

As our sins are tossed "as far as the East is from the West" when we confess, believe, and receive His grace and mercy, is it not our job to forgive, too? The weight of unforgiveness is a heavy load to bear. I love that scriptures often remind us how to live our daily lives. The instructions are simple, but they can be life changing. 

This was my verse of the day:

"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." -Romans 13:8

Live as close to debt free as you can. Love generously. Love well. Love in the wisdom of the 10 Commandments. Life will not always be perfect, but a moral compass and a very present God will get us through any storms. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders to be loving and wise stewards. 

Casting Our Cares

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 105: Today, I am grateful we can cast our cares. 

This is my verse for today:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -1 Peter 5:6-8

Many of the disciples were fishermen. It was a common trade on the sea. It was not always easy work, but if they cast their nets, eventually they would fill. They had to not give in to discouragement. They could not give up. Not every day is a big fish day. 

We often quote this passage for the comfort of knowing we have a God who cares for us. It really is awesome to consider that He looks with love upon our good days and in the middle of our messes. His faithfulness is truly awesome. 

We can cast our cares like a fisherman throws out a net or a line. We are reminded to come humbly before His throne and to be sober minded and watchful as the enemy of our souls is an ultimate predator seeking to devour and destroy. Our God is bigger, stronger, and loves restoration projects. We can trust His hand with the net, the rod, and the reel. 

Today, I am grateful we can our cares. 

Zoom Out

Daily Gratitude- Year 14 - Day 103: Today, I am grateful we can zoom out. 

The temptation to zoom in on today's fears or struggles is real. It can lead to anxiety and discouragement. 

My dear friend, Kelly, shared this image. It is a perfect reminder of all that we have in a world that constantly bombards us with images that can leave us wanting more. We even buy storage units to put it in when our homes and garages are filled. 

Consumerism can steal the joy in our ordinary days. 

We have so many ordinary luxuries. Clean water, reliable electricity, a safe place to sleep, and plenty to eat. These things are extraordinary. Savor them more. 

I am more of a glamper than a camper, but think about how many good memories are made around a campfire with family and friends. It is all so simple. The same can be said for a beach, if you live close to the water. Zoom out and enjoy the things that are most important.  

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." -2 Corinthians 9:8

All that we need for this day is truly an extraordinary thing. 

Today, I am grateful we can zoom out.