[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails... ~ 1 Cor. 13:7,8a
The sun set last night was marvelous. The colors were captivating and simply gorgeous. As I crossed the lake on my ride home I was in awe of the gorgeous and multiple colors on display across the skies. There were beautiful reds, oranges, blues, and purples all nestled up against pillowy silver gray clouds. Below this heavenly tapestry was a flowing, almost rhythmic dance of silver blue waves promenading towards the shore and then back again. It was a welcome reminder of the awesome Creator.
Welcome to Friday! So, I wanted to check in on you and see what is new in your neck of the woods, find out just how have you been. So, how are you doing? How is your week going, or better yet, how has your week gone for you? What have you been up to today and throughout the week? I'd love it if you would share some of your blessings, and triumphs with me. What moment made you the happiest this week? What moment gave you the greatest sense of accomplishment and success? Where were you feeling most blessed and why?
One of the blessings I enjoyed this week was a unique God wink. For now real reason I was not off to good start one morning, I think Wednesday. In the midst of the funk, and it was getting thick, my Pandora play list suddenly stopped mid-song and then shuffled to the song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. After the song ended I checked my email and it had two daily devotionals counting your blessings. The first one was on counting your blessings, practicing gratitude and focusing on the greatness of God. The second one was on finding reasons to be thankful, pleasant and joyful even in the storm (or the funk). When I got to work I received a couple of text messages that just pushed the God wink to unbelievable status; one of encouragement, another a reminder of God's goodness, and a final one that reminded me that today is a great day.
My happiest moment was spending time with Trish at lunch on Thursday. Normally I have Bible study on Thursday at lunch, but this week I asked my Bible study partner if I could be excused so I could surprise Trish with lunch. However, I eventually had to tell Trish I was on my way home for fear that I would be the one who got the surprise! Trish is notoriously hard to surprise. We had lunch together with Emma, who was also excited to see me. I wonder if Emma figured I was there to spend time with her, and Trish was tagging along.
One of the biggest accomplishments this week was sleeping on the floor without waking up stiff as a board. We had a fun family sleep over night last night. We all slept downstairs in the family room, watched some movies and engaged in some modest snacking. Sleeping on the floor or any non-my-bed surface can be a challenge. It was kind of neat. Periodically I would be awakened by a rustling and clanging noise and each time I'd discover Emma bothering the Christmas tree and playing with a toy car. Otherwise, most of the night was all peaceful, uneventful, and quiet.
In the spirit and wisdom of counting your blessings regardless of still or storm, my week's blessings are numerous.
Well, I hope you are doing well and that you are prepared to enjoy all the goodness and joy that God has for you. I hope your weekend is fun, refreshing and blessed. May God, who loves you deeply and dearly, bless you with power, strength, renewed hope, an abiding peace and the gentle reminder that He is Savior and He is Sovereign. Have a great weekend and as always...
Welcome to Friday!
The sun set last night was marvelous. The colors were captivating and simply gorgeous. As I crossed the lake on my ride home I was in awe of the gorgeous and multiple colors on display across the skies. There were beautiful reds, oranges, blues, and purples all nestled up against pillowy silver gray clouds. Below this heavenly tapestry was a flowing, almost rhythmic dance of silver blue waves promenading towards the shore and then back again. It was a welcome reminder of the awesome Creator.
Welcome to Friday! So, I wanted to check in on you and see what is new in your neck of the woods, find out just how have you been. So, how are you doing? How is your week going, or better yet, how has your week gone for you? What have you been up to today and throughout the week? I'd love it if you would share some of your blessings, and triumphs with me. What moment made you the happiest this week? What moment gave you the greatest sense of accomplishment and success? Where were you feeling most blessed and why?
One of the blessings I enjoyed this week was a unique God wink. For now real reason I was not off to good start one morning, I think Wednesday. In the midst of the funk, and it was getting thick, my Pandora play list suddenly stopped mid-song and then shuffled to the song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. After the song ended I checked my email and it had two daily devotionals counting your blessings. The first one was on counting your blessings, practicing gratitude and focusing on the greatness of God. The second one was on finding reasons to be thankful, pleasant and joyful even in the storm (or the funk). When I got to work I received a couple of text messages that just pushed the God wink to unbelievable status; one of encouragement, another a reminder of God's goodness, and a final one that reminded me that today is a great day.
My happiest moment was spending time with Trish at lunch on Thursday. Normally I have Bible study on Thursday at lunch, but this week I asked my Bible study partner if I could be excused so I could surprise Trish with lunch. However, I eventually had to tell Trish I was on my way home for fear that I would be the one who got the surprise! Trish is notoriously hard to surprise. We had lunch together with Emma, who was also excited to see me. I wonder if Emma figured I was there to spend time with her, and Trish was tagging along.
One of the biggest accomplishments this week was sleeping on the floor without waking up stiff as a board. We had a fun family sleep over night last night. We all slept downstairs in the family room, watched some movies and engaged in some modest snacking. Sleeping on the floor or any non-my-bed surface can be a challenge. It was kind of neat. Periodically I would be awakened by a rustling and clanging noise and each time I'd discover Emma bothering the Christmas tree and playing with a toy car. Otherwise, most of the night was all peaceful, uneventful, and quiet.
In the spirit and wisdom of counting your blessings regardless of still or storm, my week's blessings are numerous.
- Gabbi's dance performance at SHHS
- Gabbi was in two dances and she did great
- Enjoying Manna Station
- We fed a great crowd, had a wonderful worship service led by our pastor
- We had a few new volunteers
- Lots of laughter in the sandwich room. Ms. Joy declared that I was the bottleneck. On an occasion or two she mentioned that I couldn't work and talk. Guilty as charged.
- Worship service and the blessing of using the chapel of Main Street UMC
- Daddy/daughter Lunch w/ Paige
- Paige is so calm, cool, and collected
- The food was good, the company was excellent
- Successful meetings at the office
- Completing a difficult project update
- Solving a critical issue today
- Getting home and having a great dinner
- Reading to Ava and Emma; "City Dog and Country Frog"
- Going out for dessert
- A Sonic run with Cassarra and Gabbi (late night)
- Playing three games of basketball;
- All of us remained lighthearted and had fun
- I won two out of three games
- Writing a devotional this week
- Finishing a devotional from October
- Lunch with Trish and Emma
- Lunch at school with Paige
- Laughing at things the girls say and their little mannerisms
Well, I hope you are doing well and that you are prepared to enjoy all the goodness and joy that God has for you. I hope your weekend is fun, refreshing and blessed. May God, who loves you deeply and dearly, bless you with power, strength, renewed hope, an abiding peace and the gentle reminder that He is Savior and He is Sovereign. Have a great weekend and as always...
Welcome to Friday!
--- Cassius Rhue
"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28)Love is irresistible, irrefutable, undeniable. Nothing rises to it. The dark side of our character has no weapon against it. It's our trump card. - Jim Daly
Merciful and mighty God, in still or storm you are Sovereign.
Bless my eyes to catch a glimpse of Your splendor,
my heart to feel the depth of Your love,
my mind to comprehend Your greatness,
and my mouth to pour forth praise, thanks and gratitude for Your goodness.
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