Let there be "Thanks"

Hello everyone!  It's that time of the year again!  Halloween is over and now the big push begins into the Holiday Season.  Before you know it, we will be singing "Jingle Bell Rock!"  OK, I won't jump the gun yet.   (Even though I must confess, I have already listened to some Christmas music). 

Seriously though, as we begin to dive head strong into this Holiday Season, let's not forget what the month of November is all about!   Sometimes, Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by the Christmas holiday.  It appears that it almost gets "Skipped" when you go into stores, the immediate change from Halloween to Christmas without what seems to be skipping a beat. 

So with that in mind, I know I don't want to forget what November is all about and that is being thankful!  So each day this month, I want to list one thing that I am grateful for each day.   Are you with me?  You will be surprised as you list something specific that you are thankful for.  30 days is just not enough!  I hope that that this little challenge will make you think and reconnect with what is important and really matters.

Are you ready?  Here we go!  Day #1 (2013) I am thankful for my Salvation!

Whoever knows me, knows this.  What is most important to me is my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  I am nothing without Him!  He is my strength when I am weak, He is the treasure that I seek, He is my all in all!  It is my personal relationship with Jesus that keeps me going!  I know without a shadow of a doubt that He is the one that I can run to and He is the one that will never fail!  Even when I mess up and miss the mark, His love for me is unconditional!

Thank you Jesus for your love and salvation!  To you be all the glory and Honor!

 

Lessons Learned

Hello everyone!  I'm back!  After taking a month long break from blogging, I am back.  This post will be longer than most of my previous post but hopefully you will read on. 

During the month of January, like most everyone, we all like to make New years resolution to better ourselves and our situations.  Yes I did make some, but I would like to look at them more so as goals not resolutions.  I believe that we need not just one area of our lives to "resolve" to get better or to change, but make it a total make over.  Every area of our lives.  So this is what I decided to do, I decided to make my resolutions or I now like to say "My goals" for the year in all areas of my life.

• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual

Here is what I plan on doing, yes I am announcing it to the world so I can also be accountable to what I say and do.  So here it is...

• Physical-My goal is to loose 60 pounds this year!  That seems like a lot but if you take it in little chunks it equals out to 5 pounds per month.  I am trying to get into an exercise routine and be more active and eat healthier.  It is all for the good.  I am also proud to report that I not only made my monthly goal but exceeded it!  I am very happy for that!  I have lost 6.5 pounds during January!  So I am on my way! 
  
  What about you?  What are you doing to better yourself physically?
• Mental- There is an old saying that goes like this..."A mind is a teribble thing to waste."  I agree.  We have to keep challenging ourselves not only physically but mentally as well.  I believe you never stop learning.  This year, I set the goal of reading at least one book a month that will help better myself, my relationships, my spiritual life, my job.  I have also set the goal of listening to various motivational speakers through their podcasts.  Keeping my mind sharp. 
  
  What are you doing to stay sharp mentally?
• Spiritual-  This is one area of my life that I hold dear to me.  My faith.  I have been challenged this year to pray harder than I ever have before, draw and seek God more than I ever have.  I have resolved to do the following to help me in my pursuit of drawing closer to God.  I have made it a goal to read through the entire Bible in a year.  I have also made it a goal not to let a day go by that I am not in prayer.  Begin and end my day with prayer.  Keeping a journal for all the requests.  I have also been attending a weekly prayer meeting that our church has for our men every Monday night.  I believe that through the reading of God's word and seeking God through prayer that my spiritual goals for myself and my family will be made!
  
  What are you doing for your spiritual life?  What keeps your spirit man charged up?  Don't let your tank get on empty!

So through this past month of January, it has been a real big challeng for me.  I am expecting great and wonderful things to come for the year of 2012.  Not only for myself, and my  immediate family, but also for my extended and church family as well.  Greater things are yet to come!  I believe, I'm praying, I expect!  I Cor 2:9 says “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”