Joyfulness and Gratitude...

I took the scripture above out of context.

In fact, I took just a portion of the actual scripture, 

making it into a command rather than what it really is, a warning.

Deuteronomy 28 is the "blessing vs. cursing" chapter.  

Moses is telling the children of Israel how to live in God's blessing.

Then he warns them against leaving God for other gods.

 and following their own ways instead of God's ways.

He tells them the curses that will result.

One of the behaviors Moses warns against is an ungrateful, joyless attitude.

Here's the complete scripture.

"Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude]

 for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you]"

Moses then goes on to describe the consequences of this lack of gratitude.

It's a dire list.

I don't think God actually has to send curses when we go our own way instead of His,

I think disaster just naturally follows a life of disobedience.

An ungrateful person, experiences the consequences of being ungrateful,

consequences such as bitterness and joylessness.

So let's turn this warning into an instruction, a command to follow.

Let's serve our great God with a joyful mind and heart.

Let's be filled with gratitude and thankfulness for the abundance of blessings He gives.

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

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)

#5295-#5326

10-20-14-

-homemade bread pan toasted in a wee bit of olive oil, sprinkled with a touch of salt,

and smeared with homemade strawberry jam along with a cup of hot coffee

-oh, how I love Your Word, Lord! So blessed reading through 1st and 2nd Peter again

-no rain on my walk/run today

-all of the beautiful colors of fall

-the Hubs going grocery shopping with me this evening

-dinner together at Chipotle afterwards

10-21-14-

-happy mail

-a good walk/run in between rain showers

-cozy candlelight and the first fire in the fireplace this season

-dinner, coloring and watching Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang with our two youngest granddaughters

10-22-14-

-the way my youngest grandson searches my eyes when I feed him his bottle

-him napping in Papa's chair

-baking cookies

-record breaking rainfall, but putting on my raincoat and going on my walk/run anyway

-dinner at my daughter's house

-playing Scrabble with the two oldest grands

-snuggling with the hubs and watching my favorite show

10-23-14-

-a coffee date with a mentoring friend

-the two oldest grands hanging around the church with us due to early release day at school 

-God infusing us with His strength

10-24-14-

-going across town to a favorite place for Friday date day

-dinner someplace different than our usual favorites

-new shoes with a buy one get one free deal, 

(so I got a pair for oldest granddaughter)

10-25-14-

-getting a small start on Christmas shopping with a good sale

-God's presence so real with me in the middle of the mundane of Saturday chores

-listening to some favorite podcasts

-protection over our house, which is surrounded by huge old growth trees, during a windstorm

-my daughter's boyfriend bringing me another flashlight, and having lots of candles, 

when the power went out while I was home alone

-the power coming back on

10-26-14-

-hugs and prayers with a broken hearted one

-the privilege to teach God's Word

-a Sunday nap

gratefully yours,