The Practical Disciple » thanks http://thepracticaldisciple.com The discipleship guide to christian spiritual growth Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:16:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Learning to Dance in the Rain http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2010/06/learning-to-dance-in-the-rain.html http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2010/06/learning-to-dance-in-the-rain.html#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:47:52 +0000 admin http://thepracticaldisciple.com/?p=1482 Sunday was both my birthday and Father’s Day. I had an overwhelming number of people wish me a Happy Birthday and I truly had one. At the end of the day I was very overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. Somewhere around 80 people sent me Happy Birthday greetings via facebook. These were people from every aspect of my life. I was so moved by it that I made a point of writing back every single person. It was the least I could do for the blessing they have each been to me.
 
Also, this weekend I was reading a little book about gratitude titled, Learning to Dance in the Rain by Mac Anderson. The title was inspired by a quote, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain.” Feeling blessed in the high times of life, such as my weekend when expressions of joy and love abounded, is easy. It’s not so easy at other times; yet, scripture calls us to be thankful in all things. Really? Wow. That’s a tall order. I was pondering this when today, a great blog post from a site that is rapidly become one of my favorites, focused very eloquently on just this subject. Rather than reinvent the wheel I invite you to read the post, Thanking God for All Things by Emily Riley at Devotional Christian. Also, I am making Mac’s book my current recommended resources. It’s a beautiful book full of amazing photos and inspiring quotes. It is a great book just to have on hand to give to someone who needs a lift. I got mine as a gift and treasure it.
 
What are you grateful for today?
 
 

]]> http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2010/06/learning-to-dance-in-the-rain.html/feed 0 Happy Thanksgiving and a word to post T-day shoppers. http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/11/happy-thanksgiving-and-a-word-to-post-t-day-shoppers.html http://thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/11/happy-thanksgiving-and-a-word-to-post-t-day-shoppers.html#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000 admin http://thepracticaldisciple.com/?p=730 happy-thanksgiving

Blessings to you on Thanksgiving Day.  I hope you take time to express your thanks to God.  Consider slipping off on your own for 30 minutes to just sit in God’s presence and with joy voice all of the ways you have seen God’s gracious hand at work over the last year.  Extol God for who God is.  Let God know just how much you love Him.  You might find it meaningful to journal a gratitude list.

Lastly, for all you shoppers on Friday.  Realize how little of your gratitude on Thursday probably had to do with things.  When you buy, buy thoughtfully.  Find gifts that will make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.  Be a good steward.  Recognize that jumbo sale may not be such a savings if it floats around on a credit card for a while.  Don’t get sucked into hype.  Just purchase those things that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt will bring gratitude and meaning into someone else’s life.

Again, thank you for reading The Practical Disciple

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