getting back in the groove

I am back in the country once again. Wow, who knew I would end up going on two international trips this summer. I am very, very blessed for those experiences. As I make a courageous attempt to do my best in my professional work, art work, and physical challenges, I had a couple quotes to share:

* From Steven Pressfield's "Art on War": "There's no mystery to turning pro. It's a decision brought about by an act of will. We make up our minds to view ourselves as pros and we do it. Simple as that."

I have done a lot of thinking about career, hobbies, interests --> I am constantly thinking about happiness. I honestly believe happiness is when your desire in your heart and soul matches with the intention that God put forth for your life. We won't get at that intersection by being lazy, wasting away, or avoiding those urges and desires that well up inside our guts. The "Art of War" has been a beautiful and convicting motivator.

* Jack Wisdom's lecture on gratitude and ingratitude: a thankful heart

Wow, it is so easy to always look at what we don't have. Or feel like the card we were dealt was cruel or unfair. It's important to start each day with a thankful heart. Write down or tell a loved one the little things that make you feel grateful for the blessings God gives. I like how the apostle Paul despite his circumstances in jail was always committed to having a thankful heart. God so badly wants us to recognize the beauty he created for us each day. Don't forget to create space in your life to do that.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

tuesday morning prayer

So, here's an interesting exercise in prayer...

I took a legal pad out and I tried to fill it up with things I was thankful to God for. At first it seemed a little weird to me. Who does that? Finds things to be thankful for. Aren't we more in tune to knowing what we need to pray for or are more focused on our inequities and injustices? But, it's humbling and joyful at the same time. It makes you embrace the attitude and belief that God already provides you with more than enough. You should be swimming in His grace. There should be so much in your life already there because He knows our needs already.

So, I scribbled things down and it really forced me to consider what I really invested my time in doing last week and really got me to pin down the good things, events, and people already there in my life. I got to about half the page and wanted to quit, but I kept going. I kept replaying my week and thinking about moments that I almost forgotten about -- searching for the good, the beauty, and joy God keeps giving us. Maybe the next time I do it I won't feel so lame about having a thankful heart. Also, maybe the next time someone does good I'll verbally recognize it and quickly thank the person.

After my crazy thankfulness writing, I delved into the passages Chris Seay mentioned on Sunday. Psalm 25, Genesis 9, 1 Peter 3, and Mark 1. I was especially drawn to Psalm 25. There's humility and beauty in it and if you are ever lost or feeling like crap, it's a good one to look at and pray about. I also liked 1 Peter 3. Will probably read over those two, let those two marinate for the next few days and see what I can do to put what inspires me into action.

Finally, I filled up a sheet on prayers. Wow, it's is so much easier to find things we should pray for as opposed to finding things to be thankful for. I mean God isn't a vending machine by any means, but if we can constantly be looking out for one another, pray for one another, love for one another who knows what God can do with that.