Tag Archives: Water

Thursday Thanks (11-15)

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fiveEach week (I aim for Thursday), I’ll use this space to list five things (items, experiences, people, whatever) for which I’ve been recently grateful. Consider it my “blessings count”. Ann Voskamp’s famous challenge to list 1000 gifts seemed daunting — I’m committing to 500, a two-year venture into which I’ve only begun.

Having missed last week, I am striving for a double dose this week! Keep an eye out for a second post.

1)  Comedy
Two weeks ago, my sweetheart and I enjoyed an evening listening to the stories of Danny Bhoy. This week, the untimely passing of John Pinette reminded me yet again that I do love funny people!

2) Sweeping
Of all household chores, sweeping might be one of my favourites. The labor is light enough to be done quickly, but the satisfaction of seeing results is immediate. My broom and I made a dramatic impact on my garage this afternoon!

3) Slurpees
With Spring apparently on its way (for real), I indulged in my first slurpee of the year this week. The clerk at the corner store near my office definitely sees me more in the summertime!

4) Play-Doh
Our church is incorporating Play-Doh as a key ingredient in our upcoming Sunday assembly. Who can resist that stuff?

5) Mio
A small bottle of this juice mix is tucked in my desk drawer. And thanks to it, my water consumption has been way up in the last two weeks! Mio, I salute you.

 

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Thursday Thanks (6-10)

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fiveEach week (I aim for Thursday), I’ll use this space to list five things (items, experiences, people, whatever) for which I’ve been recently grateful. Consider it my “blessings count”. Ann Voskamp’s famous challenge to list 1000 gifts seemed daunting — I’m committing to 500, a two-year venture from when I started last week!

1) Guacamole
I’m looking at a bowl of the great green stuff as I type. My wife turned an avocado into a bowl of creamy, garlicky goodness with her magic wand, and it’s easy to be grateful for.

2) Feet
Today we took our girls skating for the first time. One loved it; the other not so much. I was reminded of all the marks of learning this winter skill — pushed-beyond-the-limit balance, dependence on another (me in this case), and sore feet. But there’s something pleasant to me about having skates tightly tied, compacting feet inside those bladed boots. And for whatever reason, slipping my skates off made me think, “Man, I’m glad I have feet to hold my skates in place!”

3) Frozen
For “family night”, we rented this movie off of our Apple TV. It’s cute with some great songs, and it tickled my daughters’ hearts. And that tickles mine!

4) Water
When given a list of drink options, the most classic choice on the menu is not typically mine. But this glass beside me with its few ice cubes inside — it’s hitting the spot. And the heated version that will spray on to my head before bed tonight — I’m particularly fond of it!

5) Chiropractors
Two weeks ago, in our hockey finale, I damaged/tore some cartilage in my ribs. It was terribly tender for a week. One week later, it’s nearly healed up, thanks to a perceptive chiropractor and his trusty ultrasound gun. Consider me amazed!

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  • Did any of this week’s list especially strike a chord with you?
  • What’s one thing you’re particularly grateful for this week?

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Truth on Tap

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One of God’s truest gifts to any of us is a stiff sip of realistic self-knowledge.

For Christians who embrace the Lenten season, there is a wilderness consciousness that takes hold, an active stepping into an environment–or at least a mindset–that strips away life’s non-essentials. Mirages in the desert often revolve around things we desperately need (ie: water or a place to rest). The Lenten “wilderness” experience often serves to strip away illusions of what we need, or even who we are.

Along these lines, Teresa of Avila had a favorite metaphor:

“The soul is like water in a glass: water looks very clear if the sun does not shine on it; but when the sun shines on it, it seems to be full of dust particles.”

waterIn Psalm 139, the writer celebrates God’s complete knowledge of each one of us. Yahweh is the One who has knit us together before any eye beheld us. He goes before us, comes behind us, and hovers around us. Even still, the psalmist–in the spirit of Teresa–closes by praying that God will search his deepest parts and unearth any offensive and life-stealing tendencies. There is an awareness of just how deep self-deception can go.

If prayer is a struggle, perhaps you have now discovered a rock-solid starting block from which to take your first strides.  Begin by pleading for purity of soul, for an inner substance that is whole and clear.  Ask the Revealer to provide you with vivid and truthful exposure of all that lies within you. Some will be surprising, some downright shocking. Parts of the experience will affirm you; others will infirm you.

Either way, “the truth shall set you free” is perhaps true first as it pertains to discovery about ourselves. At God’s pub, He’s got truth on tap.

And He’s happy to pour a pint for those who are seeking.

YOUR TURN: What has God revealed to you about yourself? Which revelations have been encouraging? Which have been humbling? How have any such revelations served as “truth that set you free”? Your input makes this post better!

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