Day Thirtythree

Today is New Years Eve and I have great expectations for the Year ahead and myself. The Bible states; "The fear of the Lord is the begining of Wisdom". It is my hope that my studies increase and my reverance for myself decreases. A friend mentioned that complaints are the outward expression of unbelief. My prayer is that we all continue to trust God for what ever comes our way.

1) I thank God for the Bible which is a road map for life, a light unto my path and the sword which separates soul from spirit and imparts discernment.
2) Even though God is high and lifted up, awesome and unfathomable, and holds the universe in the span of his hand, he still loves me and wants a relationship.
3) That the accuser of the brethren can be easily shaken with the understanding that those who do not have the holy spirit, also do not have regrets about their actions. Meaning that if something you have done bothers you, rejoice for you have the spirit and the ability to repent. Your fear of the lord is evidence of Christ's victory.
4) For time with family laughing and sharing, I am grateful.
5) For this day in which I find myself, I am thankful. May the lord give me an opportunity to contemplate what he has done for me today,what I have done for him, what God has revealed to me and what of God I have revealed to others. May tomorrow be a repeat of today.

Day Thirtytwo

1) I am thankful for memories, without which I would not be able to remember those who are no longer with us.
2) For my years on this earth which have supplied me with a new perspective daily.
3) For the ongoing renewal of my mind with the help of the word of life the bible.
4) Grateful for the holy spirit which continuously prompts me to change and correct the things in my life which are wrong.
5) Our guests from Moscow have arrived safe and sound and will be dropping by for dinner.

Day Thirtyone

It is our first day back to work and I feel great.

1) The fact that I have a job is a blessing.
2) I am married to a wonderful woman who loves me.
3) I am healthy and would like to remain cold and flu free this winter.
4) Leftovers are plentiful which means less cooking for me. Yeah.
5) We will be entertaining guests soon and hopefully they will eat some of the candies and chocolates we got for Christmas.

Day Thirty

Very grateful for the much needed break and rest.

1) Chance to spend time with family.
2) Playing games and singing songs.
3) Baking goodies for the holidays.
4) Watching Canada win 7-2 in hockey.
5) Cleaning our home. It is nice to have and maintain.

Day Twentynine

We are back home safe and sound from my uncles and looking forward to leftovers.

1) For the sing along we had very grateful.
2) All the food and gifts, truly we are blessed.
3) For comfortable clothing and fat pants, no more turkey!
4) Arriving safely home.
5) For a new vision of the year ahead and the possibility of visiting the holy land.

Day Twentyeight

Wow yesterday seemed so long.

1) Mama what can I say to much food as always. Talk about good cooking, it is her language of love.
2) For my great inlaws that accept me as an equal and important part of the family. Thank you.
3) For all the tools I received, now I can do more work around the house. O wait did I just get tricked into saying thank you? That must be the wife's brain washing at work again. LOL
4) For sharing carols and singing with the nieces.
5) Thankful to be able to see my family later today and visit at my Uncle's.

Day Twentyseven

Posted this one a day late, but thought it was obvious.

1) Celebrated the birth of Christ out saviour.
2) Celebrated the birth of Christ out saviour.
3) Celebrated the birth of Christ out saviour.
4) Celebrated the birth of Christ out saviour.
5) Celebrated the birth of Christ out saviour.

Day Twentysix

1) I am glad form the numerous sources of the word which lift me up daily.
2) I don't have to go near the mall today.
3) I have a half day off.
4) I have the opportunity to share my blessings with other staff today.
5) I can look forward to a few days off. There are some who can not afford to not work for even one day. God bless them and may we realize what is a need and what is a want. May we share with someone who has less then us today.

Day Twentyfive

1) I have money to pay my bills even though I don't want too.
2) I live in a home with heat, running water, electricity and other luxury's people in some countries have never even seen.
3) For my wife whose continuous generosity amazes me, what a caring soul.
4) That unlike some people I will not be alone this Christmas season, but have the opportunity to celebrate with a multitude of family. Truly a joy I look forward to.
5) For music which can lift the spirit.

Day Twentyfour

Today I lift up my friend and brother and ask the lord to provide him strength in this time of need. I thank God that his word can bring us comfort and give us hope.

Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 10:39
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:27
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:54
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

1) For the promises of God I say Amen and Amen.
2) For the hope of a life without tears.
3) For the knowledge that were he has gone we will be also.
4) For his impending return.
5) For his will which is perfect in every way, just and right. May I have the strenght to surrender and realize that what he has in store is so much greater than anything I can imagine.

Day Twenty Three

This will be the 14th Christmas that I covering the office and instead of being upset that I am the low man on the totem pole I will enjoy the fact I can celebrate with my co-workers. I will enjoy this time when the people I work with are less stressed while the higher ups are out of the office. One of my oldest colleagues just got the news that she has won a part time job with H&R block and is very excited. This is good news, her husband has been working reduced hours with Cinram and I fear for his future.

1) For the chance to celebrate with another.
2) Joy comes in some many different forms.
3) When we focus on others our problems shrink.
4) Only four more sleeps till Christmas morning.
5) I have everything I need.

Day Twenty two

I am grateful that God so loved the world that he sent his son to be the bearer of our sins. During this Christmas season I wish to remember that this is the most important thing.

1) For laughter.
2) For the sense of community and fellowship.
3) The moments of peace and contentment.
4) The knowledge that my days are numbered. Cherish everything.
5) For Faith in something greater than myself.

Day Twentyone

1) Friends that listen to your troubles.
2) Unexpected gifts.
3) Health.
4) The ability to go to church and freely worship.
5) The freedom in this country and the men and women who bravely fought to protect it. God bless them all.

Most of all I am thankful for memories of family gatherings.

Day Twenty.

1) I am alive.
2) I know that people including myself are more important than any package or parcel that will be given this Christmas.
3) For my brothers and sisters in Christ, that was great fellowship last night.
4) For my home which I sometime take for granted that it will always be there.
5) For my wife who keeps it and me real. She has some talent, taught herself I don't know how many more songs on the harmonica by ear. How much more joy is there is someone else's accomplishment compared to our own. I notice that if I am happy about things I do, it seems, hollow and short lived. When I acknowledge works of others or the Father, I sense a real joy that is long lasting. Praise someone today and see how good it feels.

See ya tomorrow.

Day Nineteen

It seems to me that this might become a little repetitive and I ask for your patience. With the hundreds of interactions, phone calls, emails and conversations I am sure that there are a hundred things during the day I should be gratefully for but it seems as if we as humans are quick to forget them at the slightest aggravation. Hopefully with time I will be able to reverse this trend which seems to be so prevalent within society. Gossip, Complaints, Malcontent, Worry and Criticism seem to be the norm. May the lord purge this behaviour and change my attitude. Here are the 5 things I am gratefully for today.

1) The ability to walk. Met with a client this morning that has only one leg.
2) The ability to see. My wife has challenges that I can not dream of nor handle with as much grace and fortitude as she.
3) The ability to hear. Music is such a part of the Christmas season and I am thankful that I could enjoy the German mass choir last Sunday singing praises to the King and his birth. 
4) The ability to reason.
5) The ability to speak. What a wonderful gift from the lord, the ability to share with another conversations, hopes, dreams, stories and his word.

My heart goes out to those who have lost a family members this year and my wish and hope for you is that you are comforted by the promise of God that all who believe in the name of Jesus will be saved and that he is preparing a place for them. O Death where is your sting? I am thankful that those I have seen pass have understood and rested on this promise. It brings me great joy that they are saved and are with the lord.

Day Eighteen

Once again with computer problems this morning therefore this will be short.

1) Happy that one day I won't need to use computers.
2) My family is healthy.
3) Unemployment never strikes the work of the lord.
4) I am alive and surrounded by loved ones.
5) For the ability to communicate with others.

Day Seventeen

Very busy this morning at work and I almost forgot about the blog.

1) For my job and my current success I am very gratefully.
2) God's timing and placing me where I needed to be when I needed to be there. Another daily miracle
3) Food. Cooked a Turkey last night and the meat seemed to never end as I was carving.
4) Strength to shovel the snow.
5) My wife and love of my life, what would I do with out her?

Day Sixteen

Just keeping it simple this morning.

1) Although I am flawed in the eyes of God he is faithful to forgive and his grace has no limitations or short comings.
2) For prayer and the opportunity to share with God all my troubles and needs. He is the great provider and never has he been absent from my circumstances.
3) New ideas and relationships that stretch and grow my mind and soul.
4) For my life which is so full of joy and love.
5) Thankful for random cards and notes form unexpected sources.

Make today a good day, it's your choice. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.

Day Fifteen

Wow it is a little cold out there this morning.
1) I am thankful to have heat at home and work and I am praying this morning for the building I heard about at KRCC that has not had heat since last Thursday.
2) Attended a Christmas concert yesterday and I am grateful for my hearing. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
3) Friends are a wonderful thing and can bring all sorts of blessings and for that I am truly grateful.
4) The ability to share my thoughts with the one I love is truly amazing. Both Merna and I cannot believe how much we have to be Thankful for when we remember our past.
5) Be able to share with others both in food and spirit is a wonderful thing.

My self challenge today is to share from my abundance.

Day Fourteen

Very thankful for family.

1) For the moments shared between family members.
2) Thankful for our home which can accommodate large numbers of people.
3) Thankful for the Church play which gives us an opportunity to invite people to the church.
4) Thankful for my diverse family background and the second language I will be exercising today at the St.Patrick's German Choir.
5) That my wife is so happy to finally have her family over for a visit. She was certainly a lovely sight to behold. A shame that the night had to end. Everyone had a blast.

Everyone loved the meatballs.

Day Thirteen

Woke up this morning feeling great. Helped out a great bunch of people and spread the love around. APC had it's annual food hamper distribution today. Fantastic.

1) Grateful for being a part of something bigger than myself
2) For the opportunity to help others.
3) For the happy faces.
4) For sharing a moment of understanding and compassion for someone who recently lost a loved one.
5) Thankful that I am ready for tonight's Christmas play with time to spare and looking forward to having the family over for some food and fun.

Have a great day people and I hope you too are find something to be thankful for today.

Day Twelve

1) The unexpected ways that God continues to provide in.
2) Revelations of understanding which continue to be revealed daily.
3) The health and fellowship within my family. A year ago was a lot different and more fragmented.
4) The abundance and generosity of my church. They are truly a transparent group. Last night I found out that APC has been giving out food hampers since 1978. That is amazing, the lord has truly blessed the church so that they can bless the community.
5) For the live Christmas tree we have it smells great.

Can't wait to celebrate the Anniversary of the birth of Christ with my family and friends. What a wonderful time of year. I love to sit back and watch for that unselfish act of one human toward another with no thought of gain. The greatest gift we can give to another is of ourselves from the heart. After all we are called to "follow him" and did he not love and serve even the worst sinner, how can we not do the same. Bless someone today.

Day Eleven

1) Very grateful to have been called by the Lord and will pray for those who have heard his voice but have not heeded his words.
2) I am thankful for the advice I received from a friend yesterday.
3) For the conversation I had with someone struggling with belief, I hope I can be to them a friend and stay the distance as they journey along.
4) I am thankful for my quite mornings that I can use to breath and revive to face the busy week ahead.
5) I am gratefully for the position God has provided so that I may help others during this time of year. Lord grant me the vision to see those in need today and may you provide me with the words to speak into their life and be a blessing. Amen.

Day Ten

I am thankful as I am sure is everyone else that in the mornings; when I sing hymns, I am alone with the Lord in worship. God created me, so I am sure he knows what I sound like and that his ears being perfect hear something different then I do.

1) May what I do with the gifts I have received show thankfulness to God in service not to myself but to others for him.
2) For the understanding of the Bible which allows me to discern life. However I must admit I need to be in the word more. I have a growing hunger for which I am truly grateful.
3) For my life, which sometimes I think is boring and uneventful. Truly I can not compare it to someone in great pain or need. Lord give me perspective today and know my place.
4) Thankful that God gave us choice with regards to faith, for without repentance and recognition of sin and its removal there would be no sense of gratefulness.
5) For his promises and that he is a faithful God, unwavering like man. Build your house upon the rock.

For those who may be catching one of my posts in the middle of this exercise of faith and obedience, remember this is meant for and written for me. It is my hope that this daily reminder of the things in my life which are bountiful will encourage me throughout the day and focus my energies, mental, physical and spiritual toward the glorifying of God.

Day Nine

I had a small light bulb moment this morning that I wanted to share about the keeping of this blog/journal. The actual observance of being grateful has an additional side effect. As you acknowledge things in your life to which you should be grateful you also increase the amount of truth in your life. That is to say the your vision is expanded and you perspective re-aligned to properly esteem events within your life not just from your own lonely perspective. When you start to use your heart to see; instead of your head, you remove things like pride, ego and self righteousness. My prayer today is to maintain this view throughout the week and have the ability to humble myself no matter what comes my way.

1) Thankful for the reminder that God so loved the world that he gave his only son.
2) Thankful that my sin past makes me no worse or better than anyone else.
3) The things I don't have to worry about.
4) All the blessings and gifts God has provided in my life.
5) The ability to be of service to my church family.

Day Eight

Was met this morning by the first real snowfall of the season.

1) Thankful for the beauty I can appreciate in all circumstances.
2) Thankful for the rest I had after setting up the Christmas tree.
3) Thankful for my wife who is the ultimate friend and help in all things.
4) Thankful for the season and opportunity to share.
5) Thankful for my physical well being.

Day Seven

Communion Sunday says it all.

1) Thankful for the Birth of Christ.
2) Thankful for the Words of Christ.
3) Thankful for the Body of Christ broken for me.
4) Thankful for the Blood of Christ which cleanses my sin.
5) Thankful for the hope of Christs return.

Lord you are Glorious.

Day Six

1) Self scan checkout.
2) Coffee.
3) A wife who understands.
4) A computer which finally works.
5) Freinds who care how you feel.

Computer issues had me keeping this short. Ultimate thanks of course goes to God who created all things.

Day Five

I am a little tired this morning, I had some difficulty sleeping. Isn't it funny that when we are worried or upset it seems to consume our minds and it is hard to shake. My prayer for today is that Thankfulness will invade my mind the way that all the negative things in this world do. May the joy of the lord be my strength.

1) I get to go to church after work and spend time with my friends and worship as a group.
2) My wife loves me despite all the crazy things I do.
3) Food is not a concern for me.
4) I have so much stuff that every 2 weeks I put a bin by the curb and pay the city to take some away.
5) I physically feel well.

Day Four

I am thankful today for the honour of serving a God who answers prayers and holds the universe in the span of his hand.
1) Thankful to have the chance to come to know Christ as lord and understand the central truth of life.
2) Thankful that I have been blessed with a church family and their communion.
3) I am thankful to live in a country where faith is accepted and not persecuted and I pray for those in other parts of the world who do not have this luxury.
4) I am thankful that I cannot remember what true hunger feels like, and I think about the millions of children who go without food for days.
5) Most of all I am thankful to be a work in progress and that the lord is changing me daily, so that I may be able to reveal more of Christ to others. For it is certainly not myself I wish to share but he who lives within. He that rescues, he that heals. Thank you lord for saving me from my sin and myself. God you reign yesterday, today and forever. Amen.

Day Three

Praise the lord for daily miracles. Even though I missed the opportunity to speak into my co-workers life, I know that he is giving me chance to share Christ. The next time I will be more sensitive to the moment.

1) The opportunity to kiss my wife goodbye in the mornings.
2) Thankful for my brothers & sisters in Christ and their encouragement.
3) All of the well wishes from family and friends on my Birthday.
4) A good nights rest and a bed to sleep in.
5) The abundance in my life.

Day Two

The lord has blessed me with 40 years of life today.

1) Thank him for my life, both this and the next.
Psalm 39:4-7 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
2) Friends and family that love me and keep me company.
3) Physical well being.
4) WDCX and the lord word, what an encouragement.
5) The chance to share Jesus today in action and word.

Day One

I started this blog as an exercise of my Faith. My hope is to center my life more on what I have then complaints about things I don't have, can't do or change. Also to keep a written record which will allow me to review God's blessing over a one year period.


1) Waking up to still having my family.
2) Seeing the sun rise and the beauty of the pink and blue which I would never have put together on a palet.
3) The moment I had to ponder the lord's birth this morning as a stared at the East Morning Star. It was really bright.
4) Grateful to have a home to leave and a job to go to.
5) I had the strength to do my morning push ups and food to replentish the energy.