Still Thankful

     Thanks is a daily opportunity to be happy, healthy, and to be connected to God and others. Don't miss it! 

     A day to be thankful is good.  A life of thanksgiving is better.  As I head toward Christmas I want to remember that it's not my birthday and so I'll working on giving the birthday boy what he asked for... care for those I'm prone to call "other."

     My impulse is to buy people I know gifts, to spoil my grandkids, and take care of me.  I'm learning to care for my family in reasonable ways and give myself away in Love ways.  How about you?  What will you be doing this Christmas season?

A Backdoor to Thanksgiving

   Three deaths, a marathon schedule and strangely I find hope in all of that.  Why?

   For one, I proclaim my hope to others and it rubs off on me.

   Two, people are appreciative.  That's not always the case in the day to day stuff. 

   Three, put together the first two and it's easier to remember my call.  And...

   Four, watching PF 6:8 partner with Brush with Kindness, and Circles (both love in action projects close to my heart) have moments of public success is gratifying.  God does amazing things through regular people.

   All this gives me very easy access to thankfulness for Thanksgiving.  Thanks be to God.  That's the life I find following Jesus.  That's the source of my joy.

   Where do you find joy and a reason to give thanks?

Election Time -- I'm a Follower First... Living Love

    Election time = Nasty time, or so it seems.  As a follower of Jesus, everyday = Love time.  I think that means kindness, honesty, prayer for all, openness, going beyond win/lose, and a bunch more stuff I'm still discovering and learning to do.

     John Wesley, 18th century Anglican preacher & founder of Methodism, said, "I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them, 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy: 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: And, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side." (Wesley's Journal, Oct. 6, 1774)

     I could wax scriptural, or philosophical, or political or personal, but I'd rather simply invite you to reflect, read, pray and Live Love.  It's New Testament, Old Testament, Jesus, Kind, practical, good, secular, sacred, and my goal.

     Here are a few articles I've found encouraging (Disclaimer... you may not find this encouraging, but this is my blog, after all. ;-):

• 10 Commandments of Election Season
• Your Non-Partisan Guide for Voting for Biblical Values
• 6 Ways You Can Prepare for Election Day
• How Are We Political?

     How do you Live Love in these times?