Combating the enemy's strategy...

I really believe that what Ann Voskamp writes in her book, One Thousand Gifts, is true, 

when she says that the first sin of all humanity is the sin of ingratitude.

Romans 1:21 confirms this when it says,

 "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused." (N.L.T.)

It's all too easy in this sin-twisted world to listen to the voice of the enemy 

as he continually accuses God to us.

"If God is good why does He allow...?"

"If God is good why does He withhold ... from you?"

It's in choosing to do the will of God by giving thanks 

that we combat the enemy's strategy.

"Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

(Amplified Bible)

************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little black journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#4697-#4718

5-26-14-

-Memorial Day-those who gave their lives for our freedom

-hearing the 21 gun salute at the National Cemetery near our home

-having lunch with our youngest daughter and her boyfriend

-watching our youngest grandson while his mama and daddy ran an errand

5-27-14-

-our two youngest granddaughter's meeting their cousin for the first time

-getting to spend a few hours with my grand girlies

-Papa playing with them in the backyard

-having tacos for dinner and root beer floats for dessert with them

5-28-14-

-driving through places filled with memories

-safe travels

-my sister-in-law and brother-in-law

 5-29-14-

-remembering my childhood pastor, my husband's uncle, at his funeral

-visiting with family and old friends

-dinner at my sister's house

5-30-14-

-a safe drive home from southern Oregon

-our beautiful mountains

-coming home

5-31-14-

-going to see our grandson after three days away and 

realizing how much he's already growing and changing

6-1-14-

-God hearing my prayers

-encouraging words

-receiving prayer and praying for others

-this beautiful day

gratefully yours,