I have decided that instead of bugging you, my readers, for ideas that I will bug God. He's so much more reliable. My aunt got me a book entitled "10,000 Things to Praise God For" by Jan Dargatz. So, when I have no ideas what to write about, I will be doing a writing based on this book.
DISCLAIMER: I do not plan to write out the full proper citation every time, but for anyone who wants to follow along with this book it is 10,000 Things to Praise God For by Jan Dargatz copyright date: 1993. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville Tenn. I do not own these words, they are Jan Dargatz words. I will include the portions I borrow from this writer in quote or something to show that. (I don't want to get into some legal trouble thus this disclaimer)
On to the writing... Randomly flipping through....p. 57 (some items have been shortened)
a steaming mug of tomato soup on a wintry afternoon
art lessons
travel kits
glee clubs
being willing to ask directions when you get lost
children who are allowed to spend time w/ grandparents despite divorce
active files
the fun of reciting tongue twisters as fast as you can
identifying landmarks
intolerance of sin
tolerance of others' quirks
having a strong sense of personal history
homeroom mothers
cupcakes
struggles and victory
sincere praise of a child's achievements
God's crushing the heads of Leviathan
fellow walkers in the Way in Italy
Okay so this lady, I hope she's a lady.. I have met a few men named Jan. Well.. she's a lady to me. This lady is obviously older than me, but I would like to touch on a few things that I agree on this page of praises. I have put them in bold.
The first two I have bolded are personal to me because they bring out creativity. despite the fact I cannot draw very well, I do love art. I love creating art and I love view art. Also glee club.. so i didn't have glee club, but I did have choir. For those who know me.. you KNOW i love singing. I was not blessed with art skills, but I was blessed with a voice that amazes me sometimes. Each of these skills are so important I think. I believe creativity is so important for people to let out stress or excitement or anything. When i'm happy I sing.. when I'm sad.. I sing. When I want to worship God.. i SING!!! It's my expression...
The second segment "asking directions".. can be viewed different ways. 1) the physical getting lost when driving. I remember the days without GPS. I remember times with my mom driving around in the middle of no-where with a map. GOOD TIMES!!! Some days it's fun just to get lost, but in the end you have to find your way home... 2) getting lost in life... The day I was saved, I was lost. 8 months and 10 days later... I have learned to ask GOD!! for direction. My compass is no longer based on me or anyone else anymore.. it's based on God. He is my North. I don't know where I would be without Him. You can throw landmarks in here too.. I give directions by landmarks. I think God does too. I can remember the day I was saved. I can remember ever other time I have called out to God and surrendered to him once again. Landmarks. I guess personal history goes in there too.
Oh divorce.. I could get into this deep.. but I am very thankful for those times I got to spend with ALL of my grandparents (3 sets and 1 set of great grandparents). Although I no longer consider one set family (my stepmother's parents).. I still long to spend time with the other two and my new grandparents (my step/adopted-dad's dad and his significant other). I have been blessed to have grandparents that loved me no matter what. in a super personal note... I am even more blessed to have my Grandma Jean (my mom's mom).. who has cancer and her 6 months was up 5 months ago. I thank God that I got to spend time with her. I will not regret spending time with her even if she no longer knows who i am.
Intolerance of sin BUT tolerance of other's quirks. I think it's sooo lame but I do agree with the phrase "Hate the sin.. NOT the sinner". I know people who are sinners. I AM A SINNER *stands up* My name is Brittany and I'm a sinner. I don't like sinning, but I am not perfect. I have friends who do not walk with the Lord.. and I still love them. I do not like that they sin (ie homosexuality excessive drinking.. drug use.. lying.. cheating.. stealing.. etc). I don't like that I SIN. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't love them. AGAPE love. (i'm learning about this) Agape love (i googled it).. is unselfish love for another person. GOD love. God loves us despite our flaws. I am working to love those around me despite their flaws. added to this... quirks. quirks are not sins. I'm quirky. I have some of the most random thoughts. I'm sitting here at 12:47am half asleep but felt the need to write. I randomly listen to weird music from my childhood. I sleep with a stuffed flamingo. Those are quirks. And I love people even with their quirks. Everyone has those things that make them unique.
cupcakes.. yummy.. enough said
finally.. struggles and victory. I was randomly thinking today, "I should name my kids Vic and Tori. VICTORY (only with an I). sooo there's a quirk. But if it wasn't for our struggles.. we wouldn't appreciate the victories. If i hadn't struggled through this spring.. i wouldn't appreciate the peace I have with God. If I hadn't struggled with bipolar.. i wouldn't appreciate my stability I now have. Life isn't easy.. it's not suppose to be. But those times that are hard build character which brings out the victory.
In conclusion (i hate that statement)... God has done such amazing things for me. if anything.. turning my life to Christ has changed the way I think and view life. I will leave with this final thought.. my current favorite bible verse.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" Romans 12: 2 NKJV
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