Monday, August 15, 2011

"Cheerful Holiness"


Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher,
and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in.
Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons,
but the Lord must give it to you.
Seek it this morning before you go into the world.
When it is the Lord's work in which we rejoice,
we need not be afraid of being too glad.
Charles Haddon SpurgeonMorning and Evening, August 14 Morning

Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love,
so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14, HCSB

~God's love and work are enough cause for joy and gladness
~there have been a couple of difficult days, but overall physical therapy is really helping and seems to be boosting my energy level rather than depleting it
~Dave could see definite progress Wednesday in my performance of the exercises
~harder, longer variations as a reward
~legs noodly from hard work
~church friend's service and fellowship driving to and from the therapist and beyond
~Mma Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency keeping me company while I do my therapy homework
~audiobooks, a.k.a. read-alouds for grown-ups
~library holds that come ready at just the right time
~satisfying customer service working out an order problem
~an hour's phone call from the friend who sang for our wedding
~mail carrier bringing the mail to the door along with a package to save me the walk to the box
~catching my Nonni on the phone as she was sitting down to write me a note
~celebrating my mom's birthday with the entire family together
~a girls' movie with mom and sisters for the first time in at least 7 years (The Help, as funny and moving as the book)
~able to take part in that and sit comfortably, thanks to my foot rest and lumbar pillow
~the 100-degree streak stopped at 40 days
~four, count 'em, four mornings below 80F
~waking up to the first rain since June 21
~Saturday's high temperature of 89F, which is where the low temperatures have been the last several weeks
~the sweet relief of even a day's break from hot and dry reminding us that summer is not forever
~my husband the grill master cooking excellent steaks
~sister-made pecan pie
~brave nephew climbing tall ladder and sliding fast into the pool
~silly nephew joking and giggling
~happy nephew with rainbow sherbet mustache
~making up a game with the three of them, hugs included
~meaty sermon on forgiveness
~colorful sunrises and sunsets
(from the gratitude journal #1263-1291)




7 comments:

  1. Love the way you find the glad:) I'm excited to see The Help~glad to hear the good rec. Timing of catching your Nonni as she was going to write you made me smile so big. The pecan pie, however, made me open my mouth wishing a fork was bringing a bite! Pray the physical therapy continues to help you make progress. Blessings.

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  2. I love it! So full of amazing graces!

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  3. Another Morning and Evening person! I loved yesterday's devotion on Holy Cheefulness! :)

    So nice that you got a bit of a reprieve from the dry hot weather. I do miss the South, but I do love me an Oregon summer!

    Thanks for sharing your blessings.

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  4. Holy Cheerfulness--what a good reminder. I gave my copy of Morning and Evening to my mom, and so need to order another!
    I love your blog title too--I love the story of the dear woman who "gets it"--even the dogs feast on the crumbs--and her dear Savior rewards her faith. I can just imagine her feasting at the table in heaven!
    Thanks for dropping by my blog too--I'm new at all of this, but have found it to be great blessing!
    Blessings to you today!
    Julie @ tracinggrace.wordpress.com

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  5. What a wonderful list! So many blessings!! We share that lovely rain that greeted us on Saturday morning. It was so refreshing! And that smell!!! :)

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  6. I love the thought of holy cheerfulness. Will try to apply that today!

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.