Counting Blessings

Have you thought today -- or any day recently -- about the blessings in your life? If so, have you ever bothered to count them?

Somehow the stuff that is going wrong tends to hog center stage. I'm guilty of that too. There's a special something about complaining, an inner inclination to hype the negative that can be extremely compelling. Yet blessings, from the Lord's perspective, bring life. In Deuteronomy 30:19 He equates blessing with life, and cursing with death, and calls us to "choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

As we bless God and think about the blessings He gives us He fills us with life physically, mentally and spiritually. We then can share that life with others through our actions and words. Proverbs 12:18 says that "the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 15:4 adds that "A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit."

There's daily power and life in considering and counting our blessings.

Rejoice!

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice for the Lord lives!

His grace is limitless, His mercy is all-surpassing and His love immeasurable.

Choose Him for there's no better choice you'll ever make in life. It is His pleasure to love you, and He desires that no one should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Rejoice, and live in Him!

Unwind, Relax and Rewind

For me there's something special about Sunday night, my downtime before plunging into another week of work. It provides a moment of peace, a chance to sit back and relax, play some jazz and breathe.

Before I get caught up in the coming week's obligations, regulations and preoccupations, I typically spend time in my "moment." It helps me calm my mind and heart. It also gives me time to clear out the mental and emotional junk from the week, especially the daily irritations that grate on nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

Sunday nite downtime helps me unwind and relax so I can rewind to meet the unknowns that wait for me on Monday. I expect the Lord to ensure my success, for I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me (Romans 8:37). And when I trust Him fully, I don't just experience peace in the moment; the peace travels with me wherever I go. When I lay my questions and doubts aside, the peace flows.

Here's to extending that Sunday nite vibe through the week.