EMBRACING GRATITUDE

It's NOVEMBER already, when many of us look forward to Thanksgiving Day at the end of the month (the last Thursday), a day set aside to "give thanks" to God and others. There are also some, who begin the beginning of November, focusing on "giving thanks" daily. Then, there are quite a few that have made this a daily habit of having an attitude of gratitude, looking for "things" - "gifts" in each day.

It's been said that if you begin a new discipline and do it regularly it can become a new habit, but truthfully "on average, it takes more than 2 months (66 days)  before a new behavior becomes automatic" contrary to the 21 day myth ... I guess it depends on the behavior, and the reason for this 21 days was to inspire and encourage you to make any change feasible. 

We try to teach our little ones to say "thank you" when given something when young so that this habit becomes part of their response throughout life. And, of course, the needed response of "you're welcome" forms and develops the beginning of understanding that daily we can find at least one thing, one time, to say thanks, and multiple this a thousand times to our Lord, God Almighty that has provided EVERY THING to us! For me, it's counting His blessings ... our daily blessings from our first breath when we awake to every little and big thing that happens throughout our day. I want this attitude of gratitude so much to be a part of me, that I just don't want a day or a month, I really want to EMBRACE Gratitude as part of who I am, as a child of God! I desire to follow Ann's example in her well-known book "One Thousand Gifts" and the habit that many started upon grabbing hold of this beautiful, heart-felt book to "dare to live fully right where 'we' are". Here's what the book description begins with and over a million copies sold:

"New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts."

Ann Voskamp and Faith/Study Gateway even decided to make this available as an Online Bible Study starting November 18th through December 22nd (5 weeks) {with book, study guide and weekly video teachings plus freebies for joining}

Session 1 Attitude of Gratitude Session 2 Grace in the Moment Session 3 All is Grace Session 4 Trust: the Bridge to Joy Session 5 Empty to Fill

On November 4th Ann Voskamp will be giving a Premiere of ONE THOUSAND GIFTS on her Facebook page 9 PM (EST)

There is so much left to EMBRACE in 2019 and definitely not enough days
but
I'm thankful that GRATITUDE is an important one to embrace and carry forward in my life journey so that I'm wanting to approach this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with my eyes on Jesus counting my blessings while seeking JOY in what really matters
I couldn't find a better example than Ann Voskamp  to show me, lead me help me EMBRACE Gratitude
So now
How do I go about embracing gratitude?
I've read and heard that by:

• Starting a gratitude journal. ...
• Being grateful for life's hardships.
• Making gratitude a lifestyle. ...
• Being intentional with appreciation. ...
• Living in the now. ...
• Focusing on the positive. ...
• Clearing my mind. ...
• Realizing that gratitude is not dependent on “stuff” ...

are the first basic steps

I've learned only one of these (maybe two) as part of my life

so it looks like I have much to do still

Hope it's not too late

to make gratitude my lifestyle

Accepting Ann's Invitation!
and look what else I found besides the  Bible reading plans at You Version

Crosswalk.com has 30 Days Prayer Challenge of Gratitude Jesus Calling/ Jesus Always 10 Day Gratitude Challenge and many others, I'm sure

I have the ones above, however, I'm very intrigued in the one with Maree Dee (although I don't know her and it's from 2018), she certainly has what I believe I need to EMBRACE ... gratitude in the midst of the unexpected so that's where I am headed until November 18th ... 

Now that's enough to fill your calendar and few spare minutes
yet it doesn't take any time 
to find at least one thing
and whisper
Thank You, Lord!
every day

"I GIVE UP ..."

...in a new way...

[This is not a book review, just serves as an announcement that on July 30th, this book is being released ... and since I reviewed, studied and loved "When God Doesn't Fix It" by Laura Story (maybe I need a refresher of this one previously done), I wanted to share her new book:]

This post was first published back in July but I am reposting today - please read more about why at the end of this post. ****

"I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life" by Laura Story

BOOK DESCRIPTION

"Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future. Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined. Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,”&“Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain.  In, I Give Up, Laura explores: How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances. Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process. The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word. Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others. How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory. As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you. Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up."

Some of this sounds much like the other study, yet maybe something stands out to you, as it did for me ... Perhaps you caught the part that I noted and the words echoed in my mind
EMBRACE God's vision
However, in order to do this, Laura points out, she had to surrender her vision for her life. Now this rings very loudly for my own life, and maybe it does for you also. 
Clearly God's showing me that in order for me to EMBRACE different parts, first I must surrender something that hinders me from EMBRACING it ... Most certainly, I desire to EMBRACE God's vision for me and although I might have lost sight of my own vision, temporarily with other things being thrown at me, God has not - it's part of His plan for good for me (Jeremiah 29:11). I always want to deepen my worship and discover a fuller life of joy ... much like another book I started reading recently by Tracie Miles, "Love Life Again, Finding Joy When Life is Hard"! My, oh, my ... how I see a common thread reoccurring with an added insight of a "Surrendered Life" ... and I thought I had, but noticing more and more, 'stuff' I still need to "surrender" ... Listening to Laura's song helped me and inspires me, so I hope it will do the same for you ...

I GIVE UP
“I Give Up” Might Be the Most Victorious Thing You Can Say

Sessions in the Study Guide include:

1. What Is Surrender Anyway?
2. God’s Character Matters
3. Giving In and Up
4. Being Transformed
5. The Ripple Effect of Surrender

{I don't remember how I came across this, but once again, it was Godly appointed for such a time as this in my life and maybe yours. Often I can see what others need to change easier than what I, myself, need to change...and trust me, surrender and embracing both call for an honest self-evaluation with the Holy Spirit, who carefully, tenderly and effectively holds you (in His embrace) as He walks you through whatever is needed in this season of your life, with love. God doesn't disappoint, and He's not done working on us for His glory. The enemy of our souls knows his time is shortened and knows this and is looking for every possible crack that he might enter and deceive you, rob from you and pull you away from your God-given destiny. Stand firm. Stay close to God and God's Word daily, for the other is prowling and seeking whomever he may distract and devour, with no notice or warning. Be on your guard and put on your armor, the battle is more fierce each day for you and your soul so don't give up on this. However, surrendering of your will for HIS is a daily decision and well worth every effort, choice, decision, step ... "not my will, but Thine be done, on earth as it is in heaven". A heavenly perspective for this earthly journey of "giving up" to Jesus Christ.} 

*******

October 7th through November 10th, 2019

Faithgateway Online Bible Study (OBS)

with Laura Story

JOIN

the study

and

receive

great freebies

Starts tomorrow already also  First5 begins study in Isaiah

This is a 13-week study and will run October 7-January 5 in the First 5 app.

Can't wait looking forward to both
Although I follow along with First 5 app and they use the ESV for their scripture reading I plan on going over to Bible Gateway and reading ISAIAH in The Passion Translation (TPT)

YouVersion has a 5 day sample of this but signing up gives you access to even more resources