Counting Blessings

So I was doing pretty good with reading the bible everyday and keeping up with the 90 day plan. But then I ordered a book. And it arrived in the mail really fast. I just took a peek at the first chapter. Before I knew it, I had finished the whole book and now I'm officially a good week behind in my bible reading. But I'm not upset about it at all. I can't believe how amazing the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is. Skip on over to Amazon and order it. It's under 10.00 and if you order a couple of extra copies to give away you'll get free shipping. There will be no regret on this one. Her writing is beautiful and speaks so perfectly to the deep purpose understanding that, I believe everyone goes through at some point in their lives. The struggle to find beauty in failed dreams, hope in unexpected disasters, and genuine gratefulness while exhausted has been one of my biggest struggles. I found it wonderful how every time I was reading and a question or "yeah, but" popped into my mind, on the very next page or next chapter she addressed it. Some serious life changing can happen while reading this book! I think it's really beautiful that so many women have been touched by the message of counting gifts. Simple and profound all at the same time. Should be easy but it is hard in practicality. That's why we need it so badly. It reminds me of a Jewish thought that Messiah might come if  all of his people would keep Shabbat together, at the same time, just once. Can you imagine the beauty in the world if everyone would give thanks for all things, for one day, together? I can't imagine either.

Too much freedom??

Is it possible to have too much freedom? I'm not exactly sure but after spending the last week thinking about all of the different freedoms I have, it seems that there are more than anyone realizes. I wonder if we as Americans deserve our freedoms if we don't appreciate, respect and honor them. In any case, I have enjoyed my week of personal contemplation and I have a renewed respect for the enviable position most of us find ourselves in here in the USA. Even in my darkest moment of financial difficulty I have it better than 3/4 of the world. I can't remember a time when I couldn't express my faith, buy what I needed, or give my vote on a political matter. I have also begun to center my world view around lesser recognized freedoms that are almost more important than the more obvious. Like personal freedom to have boundaries and say NO to people and things that would be a detriment to my life goals. Or how about the freedom that comes with getting out of debt? Owe no man....it's a worthy goal. To look beyond daily irritations and appreciate my abundant blessings. Not one of us can really complain.

We have the HBO miniseries John Adams and it's one of my all time favorites. Paul Giamatti does such a good job, but I'm biased because I ♥ Paul Giamatti. No matter how hard I try, I just can't  imagine living back then and accomplishing what they did. All I can do is read, watch, learn and remember. We also have a copy of David McCullough's 1776 the illustrated edition. Love it! And I hear it's being made into a miniseries as well. Can't wait! And as long as I have the freedom of owning books and videos, I will be getting them out every year for my family to learn and remember.

So I want to wish all of America a happy 4th and I pray we all take the time to understand what freedom really means. Here's a little youtube and even though it's on the "cheezy seen it a million times" side, it really doesn't get too old in my book. It's what the 4th is all about!
                                   

God Bless The USA

Freedom Week

For the next week I want to reflect on the freedoms in my life. There are so many that I just take for granted on most days without any thought. I want to remember what I have and to practice gratefulness in all areas of my life. It's just too darn easy to fall into the trap of expecting rights, that in light of history are actually hard earned privileges that can easily be taken away if I do not do my part in protecting and respecting them.Today I have been really thinking about my religious freedom. It is amazing to think about how it is possible in America to take part in any number of religious or spiritual groups without fear of harassment or being thrown in some horrible prison. And what makes my apathy about this even worse is that I've read countless books, watched numerous movies, and have even taught my kids lessons on the persecution that has happened through the ages. This is a subject that I am well acquainted with and yet on a daily basis I get so caught up in insignificant details that my mind is often blinded to the pure joy I should have in just being able to express my beliefs in whatever way I choose. What a beautiful thing. Something that should produce a daily happiness and yet I seem to rob myself of it all too often. So I am on a mission to regularly remind myself of the wonderful freedom I have. I am striving to remember the fragility of religious freedom and how very quickly it can be taken away. Here is what I'm going to use to ramp up our family's awareness of other cultures and religions. We have this beautiful book from 1944 to help us realize that other religious groups besides Christianity helped in the building of our country and I like to read aloud from this each July. And one of the best ways to help keep our gratitude is to delve into any number of  resources on one of the many world wars that have been fought over religion. In school this past year we studied the middle ages and my goodness are there plenty of examples of religious persecution. Corrie Ten Boom's life has always been a favorite of mine also. It seems that every year I find new stories and biographies to learn from other people's lives and trials. To keep this freedom of religious expression involves constant practice of discipline to focus, remember and be grateful. It is not a simple thing to be able to go to church or synagogue or to even be an atheist in most of the world. In so many countries none of those would be an option. I wonder what I would do? I wonder how many of us would be able to hold up under intense persecution?

First Amendment to the constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances