Slightly Sick Day

I am feeling a little under the weather today. Nothing serious, just some heavy duty sniffles and a lackadaisical attitude with the feeling as if I had done some physical toil yesterday, which I did not. I am thankful for Nancy's getting me some better medicine and fixing some tasty soup that really filled me up nicely and opened up the sinuses some. A good wife is a useful thing and I appreciate her care.

Every Day is a New Year

A new year is here. A chance to evaluate where one is at in their goals for one's life. Like a birthday or anniversary, we can use the new year to reestablish the direction of where we are headed. The day to day sameness of existence can take the edge off our reaching for a better self, and sometimes we are numbed into not thinking about our goals and ways of stretching towards a higher ideal. So I take the new year opportunity and look up towards God and try to put into place goals and desires that will lead me towards Him. I should so this every day, with a commitment each day to look towards God for direction. Perhaps in this new year I will begin each day as if it is the beginning of a new year.

Am I Snow?

January 2010 was below average in temperature with 9.1" of snow and December was below average temperature with 8.5" of snow. These snow totals were unusual for my place (The only month since 2004 with more snow was 10.4" in February 2006), so it was a good year for snow for us. I like the quiet look of snow on the cedars by the driveway. The cold icy flakes make a peacefully bright aura on the boughs of the trees and a pure white hiding of the normal browns of the grass and leaves. I am thankful that we have the occasional snow to remind me that Jesus will cleanse my heart of the blotchy residues of sin. It is the red blood of His death that washes my life to the purity of His character. Praise Him and give Him glory and honor and I thank Him for His love for me that allows me to have hope.

Thanksgiving Blessings

A few days late, but here are some broad categories of things I am thankful for -

1. God - He loves me and He has saved me. He forgives my sin and heals the wounds of my heart. He gives me instruction that leads to happiness and guides me on the paths that lead to life. Without Him in my life I am nothing and I cannot truly help anyone. He gives me strength, wisdom, and vision. All good comes from Him for my betterment.
2. Family - They encourage me and stretch me. They provide opportunities for growth and learning. They support me and help me as I search for truth and look for ways to serve God.
3. Work - It gives me accomplishment and self respect. It provides the resources for my families survival and keeps me out of trouble.
4. Home - It provides comfort and protection from the elements. It is where my body is nourished and sleep is acquired for the refreshing for another day.
5. Today - New opportunities and new challenges. New chances to serve God and help those around me. A chance to start fresh and put behind me the mistakes of yesterday. Today I can give my heart anew to God and let Him guide me where He knows is best for me. I can make good choices today that will lead me closer to God. Today I can be wise and forsake the ignorance of myself.

5 things I am thankful for on Novemeber 23, 2009

Today I am thankful for -

1. People who share their love of God with me to encourage me.
2. The rainbow (like the beautiful one I watched as I traveled home from Chattanooga for several minutes yesterday) to remind me of God's love for me.
3. Standard item #3.
4. A warmer November than the same time last year when lows were in the teens and highs were in the 30's for a couple of days around the same time as now.
5. Seeing my niece Amy blossom as she grows while at college.

5 things I am thankful for on November 18, 2009

I am thankful today for -

1. A loving wife
2. Children who love and follow God
3. A nice home
4. A job that supplies me with funds to live on and challenges to aspire to
5. A world to explore and consider the beauty God gives my life

A path of fire will cleanse the heart

I am thankful that God loves me enough to take away my sin. He loves me enough to take the punishment for my sin and He loves me enough to forgive my sin. He also loves me enough to put a fire in my life to burn away the impurities and sins. When I allow Him to guide me, He sets the paths of His way before me and leads me towards the home He has made for me.