Wednesday, August 21, 2013

29. i have opportunities every day to be Jesus to my brother.
30. i got to sleep in today.
31. God enables people to forgive me when i behave wrongly.
32. i can know with certainty that God is going to get me through today and i can take joy in the fact that He is with me.
33. He made today a clear, bright, vivid day.
34. God never misunderstands me.
35. i got to leave my break full today.
36. i became very practiced at dishwashing at work.
37. i had the exact amount of money needed to buy lunch for tomorrow.
38. my co-workers are seeing Jesus in me.
39. i learned how to wrap sandwiches very effectively.
40. God gave me so much joy and strength today.
41. His love for me isn't blind.
42. He is greater than my worst mistake or deepest stain.
43. He protects my soul from so many destructive powers that i'm not even aware of most of the time.
44. He'll never say "you owe Me".
45. NOTHING can separate me from the love of Jesus!
46. My blisters are healing quickly.
47. God created music.
48. He came that i might have life abundantly!
49. i don't have to perform empty rituals or go into a dark, lonely building just to hope that my Beloved hears me and cares.
50. He delights in me!
51. When He speaks, worlds exist.
52. He didn't model me after anything or anyone else. He made me to be exactly the way He wanted me to be.
53. God hurts when i hurt, even when the pain seems insignificant or was caused by my own foolishness.
54. i get to have a new bicycle soon!
55. i got to have nice treat after a long day of work.
56. i have so many dear, dear brothers and sisters.

the "challenge"

I was thinking about the song "10,000 Reasons" and thinking about how cool it would be to actually come up with 10,000 reasons to praise my Jesus. Then i started lamenting how many years it would take, since 10,000 is such a big number. and THEN i realized, that it wouldn't take so long if i wasn't a pathetic, self-centered wimp about it. I calculated that if i were going to do it in 365 days, i would record between 27 and 28 reasons a day. That seems really big and hard unless i focus on how big and infinite the beautiful ways of my Lord are. Psalms 103:2 says, "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits." I do not expect to forget none of His benefits, as i am quite an imperfect human being, but through this exercise, i certainly intend to remember more of His benefits. I placed a few guidelines for myself to get the most out of this challenge. Obviously, make a point to do it every day. Doing it throughout the day is best, rather than at the end of the day, but if i must do it at the end of the day, i shouldn't wait until i am very tired because then i am less capable of giving glorifying praise to God and it becomes more of a chore than an act of worship. i am allowed to repeat reasons under these two conditions: to the best of my knowledge, i do not remember having said that reason, and/or i'm honestly overwhelmed with that reason once again. "Plagiarizing" the Bible for reasons is perfectly acceptable as long as those passages naturally came to my mind and weren't a desperate attempt to add more reasons to my list.
i am keeping a personal journal of my reasons, but the purpose for my posting them on this blog is more of an accountability issue. i do not expect to be able to post them every day, but if i am posting them where other people will read them, i know it's something that i cannot allow to become uncompleted. If anyone else wants to do the same thing, i would LOVE to read your reasons as well. :)
Okay, that being said, the following are all things that overwhelmed my heart with gratitude and praise yesterday. Some of them you probably will think are unnecessary or very stupid, but i honestly saw them as things that God did or God is for me and i praise Him for all of them. Some of these may even seem proud. Am i proud? You bet i am! "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God." - Psalms 20:7
If you have any questions or comments about any of these or about the challenge in general, you can leave them below or email them to me! :)

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

1. Jesus put "10,00 Reasons" on the radio just when i really wanted to hear it.
2. i have a very flexible job with unexpected tips.
3. i get alot of work hours this week.
4. He has given me so many resources that most people don't have.
5. i have no deformities or serious conditions.
6. He gave me alot of creativity which makes life even more beautiful and exciting.
7. i don't have to be insecure about my appearance or my merits because the King Himself has loved me with an everlasting love and because of Him, others love me unconditionally.
8. i don't have to walk to school or work.
9. i got into philosophy.
10. my teacher likes me.
11. i don't have to go on any field trips.
12. i have a lovely guitar.
13. i have a whole bunch of really useful and delightful books.
14. the weather is lovely.
15. my God has a purpose for me that He is eager and determined for me to fulfill.
16. i have the sweetest, most endearing puppy ever! (maybe that one was a little more prejudiced than it  needed to be...?)
17. i have been getting lots of sleep.
18. God is kind enough to give me the Holy Spirit Who convicts me when i am in sin.
19. i have two parents who are walking with my Lord.
20. He created beauty.
21. God has never messed up.
22. God is never afraid or worried.
23. He created color.
24. Every day, babies are being born into the chance to know my Jesus.
25. i get to eat good food that is healthy for me.
26. He makes people lovely.
27. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness on those who fear Him.
28. I have the Bible to tell me more about His incredible character and the blessings He has lavished on me!