Thankful Thursday: Twas the eve before the end...

On the one hand, i have jokes about this end of the world thing...there are so many questions that arise from organisation alone..i mean..what time? does it start in New Zealand? Does it go time zone by time zone? On the other hand, i have watched a Zeitgeist vid or two and there is the aspect of the end of an era...so...let me just leave that talk one side...

Like the Sufi poem i have had up here before, let my actions be because of my love for God, and not out of fear, or as a guarantee for something. I do not want to worship God because of Heaven. He is the end, He is the means, He is everything. He is the end first of all. He is the reason, He is the point, and honestly, He is enought. I have nothing against Heaven, but i never would want that to be my reason for loving God. It's like getting married to whomever because of the accomodation they can provide....i would decidedly not enjoy being the owner of the real estate in question, i'll tell you that much.

So in continuation of last week's post, i'll like to say that speaking hypothetically about rapture, i guess i'm okay with whatever the outcome. Not okay as in passive, but okay as in i do not have arguments against God's judgement. If i fall short on the day...then i messed up along the way...we will tighten belts and consult all the knowledge we gathered from Left Behind...warriors are still needed for the Tribulation, and God will not leave those who step up to it without cover...so...not that i'm indifferent..i'm just sayin'...lol while not in said situation...i'm sure i'll rant and rail and whatnot for a bit in this hypothetical situation...

It's kinda weird how this is the post that is typing itself today. I am never one for Apocalypse talk. If it happens, it happens...i'm just not one to be all agitated about it like it's happening live...when it arrives, it will arrive...Or i'm desensitized because 90% of my dreams are set in a post-apocalyptic world, and this has been the case for as long as i can remember so...yeah...

What i'm trying to say, in essence, the part where this post hooks up with the last post...is that it is against my spirit to do eye service for God. To knowingly, intentionally comply with God's will SO THAT...i speak for myself, and the testimony of the spirit within me. It might not be the case for anyone else, but i cannot deny what is true for me, i cannot unknow it, i cannot pretend like this is not how God has wired me...

If i were to form activity SO THAT God will do anything...my spirit will not be at rest within me. I'll feel like a scheming person, and that is the last thing that agrees with my principles. I love God, i love my relationship with Him, i seek Him, i want to know Him, and He reveals Himself to me, He has blessed me with the opportunity to have this relationship, He is alive in my life....and you know...THIS is my joy, this is my contentment...

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for contentment

I am thankful for simplicity

I am thankful for comfort

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for His grace

I am thankful that i am so infinitely blessed

I am thankful that He loves me with a love that shakes the earth

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful that God is GOD, with the very nature He has

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for maturity

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful that God is so much bigger than this

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for miss Ruby...like! there are no words!

I am thankful for food

I am thankful for the favour i am experiencing at Uni...grace by the left and by the right man! na God!

I am thankful for who i am. So deeply, thoroughly thankful for the gift of life, for the opportunity to walk this earth, to have the experiences i have...and to have a relationship with God...SO.THANKFUL!

I am thankful for His perfect plan

I am thankful!!!!

oh, P.S

O Lord,
If tomorrow on Judgment Day
You send me to Hell,
I will tell such a secret
That Hell will race from me
Until it is a thousand years away.

O Lord,
Whatever share of this world
You could give to me,
Give it to Your enemies;
Whatever share of the next world 
You want to give to me,
Give it to Your friends.
You are enough for me.

O Lord, 
If I worship You
From fear of Hell, burn me in Hell.

O Lord, 
If I worship You
From hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.

But if I worship You for Yourself alone
Then grace me forever the splendor of Your Face.

Rabi´a al-Adawiyya, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'

Thankful Thursday: A little bit of honesty...

So what if we were real? Real with ourselves first of all and then real with others? No apologies..maybe then we can grow?

I've had this "honesty challenge" in mind for a while now, and have mentioned it in previous posts...It's something i've personally taken up in my life and well...we're getting there.

Now, this is not about me being a chronic liar or anything of that sort...it's about the kind of  "omission" that we don't even notice we do, and most of all, it affects and concerns us, before any other person.

We want to be liked, we don't want to offend people, there are social ideals and standards we are called to conform to...and we're all living a lie a little bit. Sometimes i envy, and all the time respect those people who are genuinely themselves, and/or state their point of view even when it goes completely against the norm, against the "grey". I'm not saying anyone should run amok now..but...

If you are constantly bending every which way to conform, to not rock the boat..when are you going to discover you? Learn? Grow?

In being honest with yourself, you are taking the first step in admitting where you fall short, and not just admitting, but giving yourself a chance to make necessary changes and move on. When we aren't honest, when we don't stand up and take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, then all we have is this nagging sense of guilt that we never confront, but are very bitter about...and it gets us nowhere.

It's saying yes, i drink, i smoke, and i'm working on it...and not keeping face like nothing stronger than sparkly water crosses your lips because "oh this crowd won't understand"...lol iono mahn...but i've become more blunt than i used to be...let me be less than perfect, but may God be my strength as i don't shy away from admitting it. How do you want to be grown up and do things and then run away? If you're going to make the decision to do anything, you better get up and stick by it to the end, shameful or not..can't just sweep it under the rug like we're all supposed to pretend it didn't happen..

Okay i'm ranting now..but i hope the gist of it is understood...take that challenge to be honest with yourself, with people...don't allow political correctness make you drive yourself into lying to yourself..face things as they are and work with that...can't build anything on lies and illusions..that's no type of foundation..

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful that He leads me where He intends me to be..and sees me through..no matter how terrified out of my mind i may be...

I am thankful for His ever present voice

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful for His LOVE

I am thankful for rest...oh sleeep.....

I am thankful that time has been flying sha

I am thankful for uni

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for all the amazing wishes i got on my birthday

I am thnakful for warmth

I am thakful for His promise

I am thankful for the beautiful snow all over everywhere...even though...it's not easy being out and about mahn!

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for communication

I am thankful for feelings

I am thankful for blessings

I am thankful for life...i am thankful for new chances i am thankful for His perseverance, for His faithfulness


I am thankful!

p.s...i've been writing these posts for the last three/four thursdays...and i have faith, and i believe..but for me it's more theory than practice. In my own life, i'm on pause. I'm overwhelmed and i am not turning to God as i ought to..i'm just on pause, telling Him i need alone time..and that's wrong...that's not right...so if you'll say a prayer for me..i'll really appreciate that....thank you :)

Thankful Thursday: Friends

But at least I got my friends
Share a rain coat in the wind
They got my back until the end
If I'll never fall in love again
Well at least I got my friends
Like a life boat in the dark
Saving me from the sharks
Even though I got a broken heart
At least I got my friends, got my friends, got my friends, got my friends
Well at least I got my friends

-Aura Dione- Friends.

So i heard this song in passing, then heard it again, then again, then listened to it, then really listened to it...and mahn, it opened my eyes to how much i am blessed to have my friends.

It is not the easiest thing for me to make friends. I have layers of trust issues, and layers of principles that make it hard for my spirit to agree with a lot of people. I mean, sure, i have aquaintances, acquaintances i really respect and like even...but my friends? That's pure love...

About two weeks ago i was privy to a conversation where there was talk about no such thing as "love at first sight" and how we choose people based on certain parameters and then decide to love them...uhm...listen, my girls, my friends, the ones that i carry in my heart...it was love at first sight, first conversation. LOL okay so not like oooh all sense to the wind this is my besty now! but within a short time of knowing them, you feel it in your spirit that you and this person...a friendship is born. It can't really be explained..but when your spirit clicks, it does...and it's not because you stalked them and decided they are "successful, smart, kind, proper" etc etc..nope...everybody has their shortcomings, and when that love thing happens...they just become minor irritating moments that don't matter in the big picture.

I've gone through ups and downs with these people. They share my joy, they drop everything and are there for me when i need them, i laugh for days with them and never run out of what to talk about. We support each other, advise each other, cry with each other, just hang around and are stupid with each other. I am  myself. They are themselves. The honesty is refreshing, i don't need a mask, i can be myself and i...am never alone...People, i can't describe the soul swelling joy that can fill a person with.

There are a handful of them...but they.are.the.BEST!

And i am blessed to have them in my life. I am thankful for who they are, and everything that made them them, and everything that led our paths to cross. I am so thankful for their love...mahn....

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for resillience

I am thankful for literature

I am thankful for MY FRIENDS!

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for this here beautiful winter!

I am thankful for communication

I am thankful for strength

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for music

I am thankful for making memories!

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for honesty

I am thankful for experiences that make me stronger

I am thankful for naivite

I am thankful that no matter what...i still believe

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for people

I am thankful for relationships

I am thankful for Uni

I am thankful!!!

Thankful Thursday: Love sans frontiers

I haven't embedded code in a lifetime...but this...this called for it. Maybe you've heard about this guy, maybe you haven't..but i am personally awed and humbled by him.

We often have an "us" and "those other people somewhere there" mentality. We are detached. I am in no way accusing anyone of anything, because i am  this way too. This is life. We have enough of our own problems and we are caught up in them and the idea that there are people in need is abstract to us.

We know of their existence, we know of their problems. We are aware and we genuinely care. We do. We firmly believe that they need help and love and that they are people too and that someone should be DOING SOMETHING about this injustice.

But that's it, isn't it? "somebody" should be doing somebody. Just like these abstract people and their real but distant from us problem, these abstract "somebodys" should really but a stop to this.

It's about starting with the man in the mirror, isn't it? Thinking like Kant, if everyone were to wish a someone will do something..who will do something?

This man has my awe and deepest respect for his action, his selflessness, his love without reserve.

Today i thought to do a post on love. On recieving it and realizing that it is a blessing and a gift to be loved. So many people spurn love, do not value it, mock and reject it when it is not from the people we want it from. Love is sacred and pure, and should be honoured and respected as such. Someone loving you is a gift. It is really not because you are the supermegabest. We are not obliged to return it in the same intensity..but the least we can do is to not insult it...

And that was to be my post...until i saw this vid that my friend, P sent me...and i was blown away. Literally had this cascade of emotions all at once. Love, awe, respect, humility....this man saw a problem, rolled up his sleeves, and went forward to give love. To the body, and to the soul. He is an inspiration. He ought to be an example to us all. With more people like him, this world will be a much better place. What really is the point of life if not to give? if not to bring more love and light into the lives of others? God is the ultimate healer and lover and earth will never be heaven...but we are called to love...

I'm not saying i'm about to run out and start a soup kitchen. I wish i could..and maybe i can and am making excuses and falling back on my "somebody should" mentality...i'm human, i'm not perfect, i'm not better than the next person...but i do know this man's story has changed a thing or two within me and by God's grace, i too will see a need and be able to rise to meet it...and this is what i hope for everyone who reads this.

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for the relationship with Him He has blessed me with

I am thankful for people like Narayanan, who go out and do, and inspire others to do, and bring so much much needed love into our world

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for God's faithfulness

I am thankful for souls

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for who i am. No apologies to anyone. I am going to be real. Need to deliver myself of this mask i've allowed myself to believe is demanded..I am me..i am good, i am a mess, i love, i get jealous, i fall, i get back up....me

I am thankful for words

I am thankful for the weather

I am thankful for music

I am thankful for literature

I am thankful for hot showers

I am thankful for sleep

I am thankful for joy

I am thankful for freedom....set yourselves free

I am thankful for memories

I am thankful for emotions

I am thankful for honesty

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for the internet

I am thankful that He provides for me and that He is enough

I am thankful for everyone who stayed

I am thankful for everyone who walked away

I am thankful for His perfect plan

I am thankful for His blessings

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful!

Thankful Thursday: A little thought...

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, 

Your thoughts become your words, 

Your words become your actions, 

Your actions become your habits, 

Your habits become your values, 

Your values become your destiny.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Mark 7:20-22

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I really rather enjoy these posts where there are quotes at the beginning. I think they help to set the tone for the post, provide a focus point for the whole thing, and are useful as a summary/reminder at the end of the post...but i digress...

Today's post, i think, is pretty straight forward and self explanatory. Guard your thoughts. Be vigilant about them like everything depended on them because, well...everything does. I won't duplicate the lessons written in the abundance of self-help and inspirational books...i'll just stick to this little part of it..

Once you feel like there's a whisper, a shadow of a thought in your mind that's leading you to the path you know better than to be on...just silence it there, a la "my mommy told me not to talk to strangers". This past week, every time i've gone off and done something i wasn't supposed to..it all started with the most not-even-a-real-thought type thoughts...which gained momentum the more i allowed them speak. All out actions start off as thoughts. Sometimes, we don't even notice we've thought the thought before we take the action, it seemingly just happens with the flow of things...this is why it is important to be conscious of your thought process, aware of it as much as you can..

I'm probably rambling now...

Today is thanksgiving across the pond..on a Thursday..like last year..ha..

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thanful for favour

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for my day at uni today! that test was about to slay my nerves!

I am thankful for the inches added to my skin...this skin is thick these days yo!

I am thankful for all the people who have made me wiser and stronger..through their love and encouragement, or through the pain they've caused..what matters is that i'm all the better for it so..i'm thankful

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for music...i nearly forgot what therapy it is

I am thankful for communication

I am thankful for humour...i don't know what i'll do without it..it's my escape

I am thankful for books

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for joy

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for food

I am thankful that He provides for me

I am thankful for His Love

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful for prophecy

I am thankful for His promises

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for Wisdom

I am thankful for Understanding

I am thankful for Jesus

I am thankful for testimony

I am thankful for support

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for spirituality

I am thankful for art

I am thankful for the weather

I am thankful for my teachers and mentors

I am thankful for Men's Health!!! can't lie! i love this magazine like curayzeee! a new edition out on the stands makes my mouth water in joy...don't ask me why my body chooses to express joy in this form

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful!!!!

Thankful Thursday: A bit of Dorian, a bit of Gray.

So this is an idea that has lived in my head for a while.

It is not news to anyone that our actions have consequences. Somehow though, well, it's quite easy how it happens...A lot of the time, the consequences of our actions aren't visible and it becomes oh so easy to forget that they are there. That we don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there, or that they don't have the potential to leave their mark on our life in a very real way.

Have you read the picture/portrait of Dorian Gray? okay, i'll wait while you do....:P

Well in it, he, Dorian, makes a deal where his own prettyboy face doesn't age or chance at all, but a portrait of him gets to do that instead. All his life, all his actions leave their marks on the face of that painting. Every evil deed, every hurt, every action etches itself on his face..as it ought to have on the real one...but no one can tell how evil he is because it doesnt show...

I'm sure we can all tell kindly old people apart from them meanies...i think that the life we live leaves its marks on our faces..in frown or smile lines, in a cruel mouth or in smiling eyes..it shows, it really does..

Very much the same with our souls. Our souls are Dorian's portrait. We often do things that no one else can see. We sin, we lie, we fornicate, we are cruel...you don't get branded as soon as you do it..you aren't struck dead on the spot...this makes it very easy for us to forget that all our actions, good or bad leave their imprint on our souls, twisting, turning and distorting.

That's just a thought...we are Dorian...because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening...our actions tell on our souls, they have consequences...

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for the retreat last week and for the surprise/blessing/miracle God had for me

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for relationship

I am thankful for His grace

I am thankful for relationship

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for His guidance

I am thankful that He saves me from myself

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for teamwork

I am thankful for those people who your soul agrees with

I am thankful for my life

I am thankful for Understanding

I am thankful He reminded me today  was Thursday...so tired these days i can't tell one day apart from the  next

I am thankful for babies!

I am thankful!!!!

Thankful Thursday: Basics.

I'm thankful for life, for each day i'm blessed with it.

I am thankful that there is so much to learn, to experience

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for art

I am thankful for music

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for the relationship we are blessed to have with Him

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for grace

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for His love

I am thankful for lessons learned

I am thankful that even when i'm weak, confused and hurt, He is there...even when i go off in solitude, shutting everything out

I am thankful...

Thankful Thursday: Adventures in compassion

Today, i don't really have a theme, or an issue on my mind to share..i mean, there are probably lots just doing their rounds in my mind...but not to make a post about. To be perfectly honest, i think it's because of the place i am right now in my life....Life isn't static, and the picture isn't always the same. Sometimes we take trips off the main path and the scenery is different...I do enjoy when my world is shifted and routines are changed. The challenge, the experience leads to me learning something new and important for myself...so for the most part, i'm seeing where this goes...

Apart from that, i am deeply thankful for life and who i am, for thought, for awareness, for the big picture, and all the small pictures that make it up. Life is totally worth living. It keeps getting better, and where it doesn't feel quite so warm and fuzzy, you cannot deny that it gets interesting and has the most unlikely turns of events and they just change up the dynamic and you never can tell where it leads...Butterfly effect things :P

Today in class we got yelled at, for what from one angle looks like not having a narrow idea of our futures. I understand that people should plan their lives..but at the same time, people shouldn't forget that they can plan all they want, but life isn't about to fit itself into their intentions. Who can really fortell tomorrow? who knows the lows from which you'll rise or the heights from which you'll fall? people forget that it is not by their might they are where they are. Me, i'm like this..i give thanks for each day and turn each subsequent one over to God. I know that His plans dwarf mine a million times over, His imagination is beyond what mine can grasp. Chance encounters, strangers, just one thought can alter the course of our entire lives. Where does one person come off judging another for saying..God willing? for saying...i don't know..but isn't this the truth? I do not know what my life will be like a year from now, heck, a month from now..

But maybe this is just me...but He has made me this way...I feel blessed that in my heart, life is an adventure, that i live each day with curiosity, that every day is a new chapter and with eagerness i look forward to what God wants to show me. How can i give that up for a narrow world view that involves me looking only where i want to suck out what i want from the world? for me, that's missing the point.

I have seen people who this type of thought has rendered shallow. They look down on people because they are not like them, because they don't have their goals or dreams or criteria of success. LIFE is beyond a career, beyond a job, beyond what the world considers successful. People are special, regardless of if they are a hotshot gazillionaire. People should be valued for more than their job or the financial gain they can bring to you or their status.

Look deep and open your eyes to the world, open your heart to the beautiful, exhilarating adventure that life is, and pay attention to it. Don't allow yourself get so caught up in some narrow minded view of what is important. Have compassion, realize that everyone has their story and God loves them and therefore they are as important as the next person. Free your minds and look out for things with true value.

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for Joy

I am thankful for this adventure

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for books

I am thankful...for simplicity

I am thankful for feelings

I am thankful for new chapters

I am thankful for...this

I am thankful for food

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for honesty

I am thankful for respect

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for Uni

I am thankful for God's Grace

I am thankful that there is always something more

I am thankful for His protection

I am thankful for me

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for warmth

I am thankful for my friends

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for breaking routine

I am thankful for His love

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful for His guidance

I am thankful!

Thankful Thursday: Immortality.

I've got news for you, ladies and gentlemen. You are immortal.

It is short sighted to think of life in only biological terms. Expand your vision. Work with me here. Take a moment and think beyond breathing, think beyond your body. You have spirit and soul. Now, there are people who believe life ends with biological death...that's not the version i'm going with, so we won't even address it.

I was watching this documentary the other day, that for the most part was close to batty, but i digress. This priest guy said something that made me stop and think. We are immortal. There is no way a person can well, vanquish himself completely. A person may for whatever reasons decide to end it to escape from life...but then the soul lives on...

And this is where we ponder the consequences. We are immortal and with this comes great responsibility. It would be quite the field day on earth if we weren't actually immortal. People could run amok doing whatever they pleased and off themselves and be free. But it isn't quite like that, is it?

Life on earth is but one form of existence. We have these biological bodies that house our spirits and souls while we are on earth...No one knows quite what happens when this stage is over, but me, i know it continues. There are other forms of existence, and how they'll be is not independent of our actions here on earth. We will not only answer for our deeds here, but they will determine the fate of our immortal souls...which we cannot destroy or escape from. Let that sink in for a bit...Some people see death as an escape from their hardships here on earth...but this really isn't the final frontier...maybe the human body can be peeled away...but you can't peel anything away from your soul. It is what it is.

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for His mercies

I am thankful for God's love

I am thankful for His attentiveness

I am thankful for the amazing pleasant surprises He puts in my life

I am thankful for Uni

I am thankful for my friends...i have some truly amazing ones that didn't become part of my life by mere coincidence

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for relationships

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for God's guidance

I am thankful for favour and blessings

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for who He's  moulding me into

I am thankful for compassion

I am thankful for people who are not indifferent

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for God's Will and His perfect plan

I am thankful for support

I am thankful for humour

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful!

Thankful Thursday : Knockoffs.

Colossians 2:8
New International Version (©1984)
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ

HI! so this one has been on my mind since last week. It's the one that presented itself to me as the post to be written...and i nodded, and i didn't write it down..and i forgot...and i felt all guilty in church on Sunday, but God reminded me, so YAY!

Even now, i thought for a second that maybe this wasn't it afterall? that it wasn't so wow maybe and that perhaps i should think of something else to write..(probably because i've walked around with it for a week and it's not so fresh to me :P)...but then something said to start this off with a Bible verse..with the actual one, and not a paraphrase...and i'm glad i did. It reminded me why this is important, why this is relevant. The words aren't much, but they are perfect, spot on.

I got three different versions as you can read, you know...so..nothing is missed in subtext or context.

We have a lot of new-agey stuff around us, don't we? a lot of "love" and "widsom" and "spiritual" directions thrown at us. A lot of "contemporary" and "modern" views have arrived with a bang to uproot this antiquity of a religion we have around Christ. They tell us that our approach is not relevant to today's world, to today's views. That it has been left in the past and need to chill ouuuuut duuuuude and move into the present, to have a shot at the future. To lose all those silly moral principles and rules that are really just a burden. This is the new philosophy that is thrown at us these days in one form or the other.

A couple of minutes ago i was watching this show that i'm currently rather addicted to, and after one girl said it was against her understanding of things to live together before marriage, some other girl commented that she basically has archaic views on things and that sort of take on things isn't modern or contemporary.

It made me pause, really. So, out with morals and principles and the fact that they are based on something...and in with frivolous non-principles and non-stands because hey, they are HIP! yes, we are all aware that they are silly and bring no good or respect..but who really cares? we are contemporary here!

So back to knockoffs. I've been told that a good knockoff is rather difficult to tell apart from the original to the untrained eye. It looks like gucci, smells like leather, and the salesperson in that not half dodgy store said it was original...and at such a reasonable price! so you buy it, and you're all happy...but somewhere at the back of your mind, questions are raised..you think, oh whatever and carry on...but then at some point, that point always comes...that someone with the right eye spots your knockoff and calls you out on it...and then, well boohoo...well, i wouldn't know..i don't own expensive handbags or their knockoffs...but you get the general point.

It's this...it looks good, it seems to have come from a credible place, the material isn't exactly screaming cheap..yes the price seemed a bit inadequate..but hey! this is good for you..you don't ask questions but you're saving quite a bit, and even if it miiiight have questionable authenticity...you feel like you'd be able to bluff your way through 98% of the time..no biggie..bargain! Until you're in the company of people who you KNOW have originals..and then the squirming begins..

LOL..how much you learn from TV...wussup Ugly Betty!

Now to tie this analogy to life. There are a lot of philosophies and teachings out there these days that provide comfort for us. They seem like a bargain..all the good stuff and half the work, and in the places they make us squirm, we close our eyes and find ways to justify it, bluffing our way through. The teachings seem to come from credible people, it sure sounds good, and a lot of it sounds like the real deal...But somehow, we have this part of us that holds the philosophy up to Christ and see that yeah perhaps it's not the entire real deal..but we are as quick to snatch it away and continue bluffing our way among the people who have knockoffs as well. this is the arena in which we, with our modern philosophies feel comfortable. This is the relaxed zone because somewhere inside, people are going, yeah, well we're all messing up..no need to be around them goody goodies with their original bags because well, the knockoffs are so glaringly obvious in their presence.

The shortcomings of philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ are glaringly obvious in the light of Christ. The way morning light makes you question your evaluation of people's aesthetics the night before...

And another very simple thing...even if the knockoff is practically impossible to differentiate from the original upon sight, after touching...there is one thing that you cannot deny. It just isn't the original. It just isn't. By it's very nature, it is fake. It lacks authenticity.

Do not be led astray by empty philosophies and human traditions, no matter how delicious and enticing and easy and convinient they might sound. Run to God for answers if you have too many questions. He is patient, and believe me, He LOVES providing answers and peace of mind and explaining...if only you'll turn to Him and be patient...

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for Love

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for Babym..and his prophetic ways :P

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for lessons learned, for scar tissue, and for who i am now

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for my relationship with God

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for revelations

I am thankful for peace

I am thankful for listening

I am thankful for Uni and how God blesses this area of my life

I am thankful for learning

I am thankful for the lovely play i got to see this week

I am thankful for emotions

I am thankful for awareness

I am thankful for words

I am thankful for memories

I am thankful for hope

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for Church

I am thankful for being led

I am thankful for His perfect plan

I am thankful that He teaches me to love me

I am thankful for vulnerability...i guess..lol e no easy

I am thankful for friends

i am thankful for fooooood!

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful for devotional time

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful that He is LOVE

I am thankful for His hand in my life and the work He has been doing, and is doing..

i am so very thankful!

Thankful Thursday: Grace

I have no explanation as to why forgiveness and grace have been the dominating topics...but i figure...there's never too much of that...

The area that comes to mind for today's topic is this visualisation i got in church last Sunday. The pastor was talking about how Jesus calls us to forgive, to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile with people. To extend grace to others, essentially.

Not because they deserve it, not because you HAVE to do it..but because you choose to, because you CHOOSE to offer grace instead of punishment.

The law was an eye for an eye. No one said it was "unfair"...but an eye for an eye will leave everyone blind. Jesus, in a time when that was the default rule (which is pretty fair if you think about it..at least nobody will be getting killed in a fit of rage over a scratch) asked that people turn the other cheek. That they choose to end the hurt. That they say...you know what...fuggedabout it, just carry on...no you don't have to poke your own eye out..because let's face it, a lot of the time..apart from satisfaction that the other person suffers as we did, there is nothing to be gained...and somehow, catching your thrills from someone suffering like you...well...it appeals to our basic human instinct, i won't like...but we are called to be more. How can we be more, how can we move higher, closer to God, if we are gripping on to base instincts so intently?

Now the visualisation. Think about your problems, hurts, pains,worries, anxieties, things that need to be done like a heap. Like, there's a pile of them just there. Or a bucket, or a cage, or...wherever you choose to keep all the things that are your burdens to bear. Done that? okay, now imagine that everyone has one too. Some have more, some have less...Now, imagine that you have to carry it about. Everyone, just carrying their pile of issues about. Weighing on them, backs bent, doubled over over the weight of them. Stopping to set them down and wipe their brow. You, me, that guy over there.

Now, one of these people does you wrong. What this means that it is in your power (legally too!) to add something to their pile. To add a weight to their burden. They deserve this.

But adding to it isn't going to lighten your own load. Even if they are mean unapologetic...you can choose to not add that weight. You can find compassion within you and say you know what? forget it...you have a ton of things as it is..i can afford to not add to it...go ahead and sort those ones out..i'll waive this..i'll show you grace. I'll have mercy.

Everybody has a whole lot of their own issues. We have the power to not add to their burdens. It doesn't mean they don't deserve it...it means you have compassion, it shows your love...it is obeying God...and i'm sure of it that our eyes and hearts will be opened in whole new ways...I can't say i've tried this out and it's true and tested...but i do know that this is the picture God has challenged me with...

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for the relationship i have with Him

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for the amazing friends i have...wooo L.P

I am thankful for the Quackington. I have no words. I just know that her in my life is something God specifically designed. She lifts my soul, just in time, in the way my spirit needs...time and time again..and when we talk, i am inspired...that is beyond proof that God is in this relationship ^_^

I am thankful for music

I am thankful for my godmother...went to fashionweek yesterday, what what! pleasant evening...God looks out for me...totally brightened my mood

I am thankful that He cares

I am thankful for friendships, relationships

I am thankful that He is enough

I am thankful for words

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for His abundant blessings

I am thankful that He equips and prepares me for who i'm meant to be and where i'm meant to be

I am thankful for Love

I am thankful that NOTHING is impossible for God

I am thankful for praise and worship music

btw, The Stand by Hillsong United is playing.....!!!! this song!

I am thankful for my sisters, and how blessed i am to have them. They are perfect. Ideal. I couldn't ask for better. They are wise, they are full of love, they are kind..and i am beyond blessed to have been blessed by them

I am thankful for Uni..like joke like play...2 months..

SO I"LL STAND WITH ARMS HIGH AND HEART ABANDONED, IN AWE OF THE ONE WHO GAVE IT ALL! I'LL STAND MY SOUL, LORD, TO YOU SURRENDERED, ALL I AM IS YOURS'!
what? this song is amaz!

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful that life is such an adventure

I am thankful for...souls...that they search, that their thirst is satisfied in God.

I am thankful for this week

I am thankful for Joy

I am thankful!!!!

p.s...forgive, extend grace, find compassion within you...

Thankful Thursday: He is relentless.

The Lover of my soul, my redeemer, my father, friend, comforter, God is relentless. And my heart is is His.

I know i cannot begin to grasp the intensity of His love. I understand it in snatches, and even then, very sadly, am quick to..not forget, but shift it to the background, not be aware of it as it deserves. If i could grasp how much God loves me, if you could grasp HOW MUCH He loves you, you'll be walking about delirious. It would make your head spin, your heart rate increase, the butterflies in your stomach would go beserk and you would weep for joy.

His love is overwhelming, humbling.

I know this because He not only says this, proclaims this, not only has He proven this in an act that would in a sensible world be considered once and for all, He keeps showing us His love over and over again. His mercies are new every morning, His love is unending. And not just that He loves us and has told us and that should be enough. He demonstrates it in every area of my life.

Especially when i don't deserve it. I doubt there are times when i do deserve it though...to deserve it would mean to earn it...and i know that the amount of times i fall short will cancel that merit out a million times over. I'm not trying to sound oh woe-is-me sinner...not at all. He has redeemed me, and i'm not flinging myself at His feet in any fatalistic sense of it. If i do so, it is only out of awe and thankfulness that compels me to do nothing but that.

I know i mess up. I know that i fall. I fall when i have no objective reason to. I fall when i know better. I disobey, not because i don't hear the Holy spirit, i disobey when i hear him loud and clear. I put my "interests" which i know are futile, before obedience. I am not perfect. He provides me with all the help i need, and still i mess up. I am not about to clamber up on a pedestal and pretend like i have it together.

But then He gives me Grace. He forgives me. He forgives me when it seems like i already know not to make those mistakes. He forgives me and sets me right. He forgives me and puts me on the right path. He carries on like nothing happened. Even the consequences i bring upon myself, He gets me through. That's a love i'm not sure i can grasp entirely...i start..and it overwhelms me.

He leads me, He guides me, He speaks to me...especially when i'm all out humanly undeserving....His ways are not are ways.

I am thankful for this song playing on Jango - How He Loves by David Crowder band

I am thankful for Life

I am thankful for this book He has lead me to about religion...It's not a coincidence how the questions that have been on my mind are being answered in the most acute way...ask me what sent me to ask for it in the library, i dunno at all :P

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for the thirst for wisdom

I am thankful that He satisfies this thirst

I am thankful for His love

I am thankful for His patience

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for praise music

I am thankful that He blesses my Uni experience mahn...it is not by my might...because being honest, i could work harder...

I am thankful for the story of Jonah. I've said this before, but i'll say it again. It is a story that reassures me. It is a story that comforts me, that reminds me that God will not deem you useless and throw you away. He will fulfill His will for you. Especially if you are called. When you are called, you cannot ask that cup to pass. You can hibernate, you can run away, you can hide, but He is patient, and He will find you, and He will remove the rock you are hiding under and equip you for the purpose He has anointed you. I broke down over this revelation when i read Isaiah 62:10...one would think it's a verse i've read a hundred times....But that is the beauty of God's communication, isn't it? You cannot run away. You cannot pretend you don't understand what He has asked of you. You have an obligation. It is an honour.

I am thankful for my family

I am thankful for my friends. I am thoroughly blessed to have them in my life.

I am thankful for God's care

I am thankful that God...is Love...i know it sounds redundant given that i have been thankful for His love...but this is different. He IS Love...

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for soul

I am thankful for the mysteries of life and death

I am thankful for the world

I am thankful for...the desire for God...the pull, the thirst which He satisfies

I am thankful for communication

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for obedience

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for relationships

I am thankful for happiness

I am thankful for new...friendships? acquaintances? i love meeting people in unusual ways...and God keeps indulging me :P

I am thankful for support

I am thankful for reflection

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for that which we cannot see

I am thankful for good

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for His Will

I am thankful for His plan for my life

I am thankful for everything that has brought me here

I am thankful for books

I am thankful for...being able to see the picture of my life, the connection between events, choices..it's pretty cool to look at that from the side

I am thankful for growth..

I am thankful!

Thankful Thursday: Forgiveness.

Unlike the post i think i've done before, this time, i men forgiveness in the context of giving it, and not just the blessing that is receiving it.

...And forgive us our sins as we forgive those, who trespass against us...

Like the first step in AA, the first step here is admitting that you have a problem. Well, it's hard to admit you have a problem when you feel you have none. Like, forgiveness? sure, i'm a fountain of it, give me another challenge. But then slowly, in glimpses here and there, you are forced to ask yourself if there is any unforgiveness you are carrying about.

Now, this is not about denial, this is not about knowing you have unforgiveness and declaring that you don't. It's about us not even being aware of the hurt and anger and righteous indignation we carry about.

There is an element of pride to unforgiveness. We carry this hurt about and it insults our pride to even imagine forgiving, and gasp! forgetting what was done to us. We may be right in our judgement, and the other party was wrong...but even then, we are called to forgiveness...and it's no easy feat.

In some situations, i'm carrying on with my life, honestly believing that i'm over and done, that i've closed a chaper and moved on...and then i begin to notice that whenever that issue comes up, the anger builds..this can only mean that i haven't truly forgiven and let go...but how do you forgive when there are so many questions, so many wrongs that you feel are yet to be righted...

The thing is, that is not your business. We are to forgive. Before even we are asked for this forgiveness. If the person comes up to you later and apologises, cool! appreciated...but we should remain the same even if it doesn't happen...this is the way it is...and i'm being hit with the fact of what a huge challenge it is.

HUGE.

You mean...to...forgive...to let go...to not feel pain and hurt and anger and want apologies and admitting of wrongs...to forgive, to give a blank sheet over and over again, as though nothing wrong had ever happened. To have the patience of a parent with a child, to forgive, like God forgives us, to forgive, like Jesus calls us to. To have Grace, like we are called to...to be fair, to do unto others as God does unto us.

He holds no grudges. You repent, and it's all gone. There is no record sheet. New beginning. God gives us this.God. The One who made it all, and gives it all to us...so then, what right do we have to withold it from others?

Forgiveness. This is what is challenging me at this point. It by no means i'm walking around with a "did me wrong" sheet...on the contrary...just sometimes, we really need to dig deep and address that which we assume is addressed.

I am thankful for Life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for His ways...which are so far beyond our ways

I am thankful for grace

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for fate

I am thankful for spirituality

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for love

I am thankful that God is the ultimate lover of my soul, and everything i need. He is more than i need and He is enough.

I am thankful that God cares for me so intimately

I am thankful for the super interesting day i've had thus far today...

I am thankful for "coincidences". :P all it took was threatening to beat somebody with their bouquet, and i got my very  own ^_^

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for religion class

I am thankful for uni

I am thankful for my test classes today

I am thankful for honesty....there is an interesting post there*** need to formulate it...the honesty challenge :P

I am thankful for...souls

I am thankful for people

I am thankful for the people God sends to cross my path...none of them are by mistake

I am thankful for memories

I am thankful for Summer/autumn this year...i got to spend so much time with my family...amazing :D

I am thankful for the time i've been blessed to spend with my awesome mommy this month ^_^

I am thankful for my grandparents

I am thankful that God never lets me lack

I am thankful that He is forever faithful

I am thankful that He is my rock, my strength, my shelter and my protector

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for intimacy (nobody is talking about sex oh! get your minds out the gutters :P)

I am thankful for peace

I am thankful for GOD

I am thankful for the relationship i have with Him

I am thankful for where He leads me, and where He's leading me

I am thankful for books

I am thankful for insight

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for trust

I am thankful!!!!

Thankful Thursday: He doesn't leave you empty...

At the start of the week i had two distinct ideas of the theme for today's post..i think...but they seem to have flown clean out of my head. Now, i kinda know what one was, but i can't remember what direction i was to head with that theme...

Bearing this in mind, i'll just write it as it is now and we'll see where itl goes.

This is kinda personal to me, and it was the thought that followed the initial idea to write a post on this topic. I know it's not a big deal, and is a very matter of fact thing, but for me, sharing things personal to me feel like i'm cutting off pieces and leaving the place raw for all to see...so i'm all reserved like that.

Anyway, what it is is this. It is very important to stop and take stock of things every now and again. Not just any random things..d'uh, but concerning God and how living in the way He says to live has affected your life, is affecting your life and such forth.

Just going about your life, it is easy to get caught up and not notice the changes, the progress or just the connections between then and now...

LOL i just spent three minutes staring at the screen and realising that i might not be able to write my own testimony in detail because..well, it's personal, and i've come to learn to cherish my privacy to keep my bizzness between the people involved in the bizzness..and not because there's anything oh-la-la about it..but just because..

I will say this though...at the beginning, it might seem difficult to part with old habits, not even just seem, it may be difficult. You'll look at the likely outcome and conclude that it is madness to give up one way of doing things and take up what God says about it...I am thankful that He led me to a place, and gave me the understanding and strength to choose His way..and yes, i lost people i truly cared, psh, still care about, and yes, i had to watch a lot of people walk away...but you know what? He also gave me the grace, the peace with which i know that it's for the best, i have no arguments or regrets, i see how flawed things were before, and i am thankful that i see that...

And the truth is, i have been blessed with such special people..i won't say in return or as replacement, but blessings that stand in their own right. In accordance with God's word, i don't have to choose between God's way and the way that i'd have to be with these people. So i know this to be true in my own life, that God doesn't want to deprive you of things that make you happy. He wants you to have the right things that make you happy. I used to worry, and panic, and sometimes still do, that if i'm doing what God says, there is no place for it in real life, where doing the opposite is commonplace. Sometimes i still worry and think..yeah, this is all fun and games but somewhere, you're going to have to face "reality" and see that this is impractical...i pray this day never comes, because God has given me no reason to doubt His faithfulness. By His grace i can obey Him, and by this same Grace He hasn't left me hanging but has provided what i feared i would lose in abundance. Pressed down, and running over.

I am thankful for God.

I am thankful for my relationship with Him, which i am blessed to have, and by His faithfulness that keeps it going

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for my friends

I am thankful for M.K hehe today is her birthday so do say a prayer!

I am thankful for the people who God crosses my path with...it is always magical

I am thankful for His perfect plan

I am thankful for signs

I am thankful for soul

I am thankful for the Holy spirit

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for joy

I am thankful for happiness

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful that God is always there, and the fact that where there is life, there is hope..there is always a reason to keep going...there is no "end" except the end. who are we to decide that it has become hopeless?

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for lessons learned

I am thankful for every experience that i've gone through that have made me who i am right here, right now

I am thankful for correspondence

I am thankful for that beautiful beautiful thing that is one person understanding where another person is coming from

I am thankful for my mother...she is my rock.

I am thankful that i am so blessed

I am thankful for when happiness makes your eyes water

I am thankful for this weather yo!

I am thankful for food

I am thankful for Men's Health...i am a FAN of that magazine..no excuses, no apologies :)

I am thankful for honesty...i am thankful for everyone who has contributed to putting me on the path of bluntness i am on now

I am thankful for memories

I am thankful for the internet

I am thankful for Uni...madhouse!

I am thankful for the little things

I am thankful for this post

I am thankful for the awesome spa day we had yesterday...head still kinda hurts, but hey! was oh so lovely

I am thankful for my godmother! ^_^

I am thankful for ME! God knew me before i was. He created me, put me here and sustains me...He cares,He loves, He protects, He teaches...and i'm Me...and i am thankful!

I am thankful!!!

Have a supadupa lovely week!

Thankful Thursday: low on steam...

I don't know if this is halfway tiredness, or if it's the thing that sort of feels like a slow down when it's really you gathering energy for a jump...i don't know...but i seem to be low on zeal...and it's a bit weird..i don't want to be in this place, but at the same time i realize that maybe this is helping me remember that i'm not in a relationship with God because of my piety, He doesn't love me more because i've been "good"...He has been speaking to me loud and clear even when i'm not all on fire in my own mind...it humbles me..and no, it's not chastisement...He carries on as though i weren't in this place...probably because i'm only in this place from my point of view..He sees beyond and above...and i should probably stop looking for a "feeling". He's there, and He is faithful with our without butterflies in my belly...

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for understanding

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for beautiful music and the ballet and that we went tonight

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for lessons learned

I am thankful for growing up

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for my sisters

I am thankful for Church

I am thankful for communication

I am thankful for laughter

I am thankful for kindness

I am thankful for life being dynamic

I am thankful for inspiration

I am thankful for humour

I am thankful for literature

I am thankful for the wonderful weather we've been having

I am thankful for pretty shoes ^_^

I am thankful for encouragement

I am thankful for compliments ;)

I am thankful for correspondence

I am thankful for uni

I am thankfu l for my lecturer

I am thankful!

I am thankful for the energy to write this post :P me sooo tired right now yo! :P

I am thankful for His faithfulness

I am thankful for His care

I am thankful!!!!

Thankful Thursday...uh ohh

So on this blog, i try to be positive, i intentionally write about things that build up, things that encourage, you know, pointers to that good place i'm striving to be at...I try as much as possible to leave the negative at the door, to take a deep breath, pray, and realize that negative thoughts aren't "right", and i don't want to give them life by dwelling on them. It in no way means that my life is perfect, or i have it all together even most of the time. I have a whole list of things that i am "working on" removing from my life, knowing the "right" and trying, in the face of circumstances to apply it, and not just go apeshit...

Today is not one of those days when i'm zen. I'm writing about it, because frankly, i probably don't have it in me to do the deep breath thing, and writing as is might be the only way to avoid catching a case. Also, in small does, if i don't make a habit of it, it's well worth it just laying it out as it is, before the calm down and philosophy talk.

Maybe it's a sign or signal that something somewhere is off, maybe it's just life...but i've been at wits end for the last couple of days. Love is patient love is kind...yeah, i'm mega irritable, and no, it's not girl problems. My patience is spread thin, and certain people in my life seem to be taking the mickey and somehow manage to do things, to merely exist in such a way that my nerves are frayed from being around them. Maybe i'm cranky and running low on sleep (very possible), maybe our relationship is better diluted, because the whole thin line between love and hate thing seems to get very thin indeed every now and again...This is why some people have great "marriages" where they "date" through the entire thing, you know, give each other space, go visiting...

I know i probably have my own role to play in these altercations, and maybe i should excercise more patience and calm...but dude! a person can only take so much yeah...so right now, i need a prayer and a break, because the rage that has seized me a couple of times today is something i thought i had walked away from...but then again, it's not all bad, because now i have to go back to the start and remind myself that being a christian doesn't mean you stop being human, it means that God will walk you through whatever comes your way. Falling happens, bad habits creep back up...you are not immune to it...and it is not a reason to throw in the towel and say you fail at Christianity...diiig?

Say a prayer for me though...cuz i be going HULK here!

I am thankful for life

I am thankful for God

I am thankful for growth

I am thankful for love

I am thankful for the internet!

I am thankful for MY life

I am thankful for friends and family

I am thankful for food

I am thankful for my relationship with God

I am thankful for my relationship with my sisters

I am thankful for prayer

I am thankful for Grace

I am thankful for the pleasant unexpected things that happen

I am thankful for His perfect plan

I am thankful for His word

I am thankful for Understanding

I am thankful for wisdom

I am thankful for patience

I am thankful for...calm

I am thankful for today

I am thankful that i am so blessed

I am thankful for summer

I am thankful for answered prayers

I am thankful for faith

I am thankful for forgiveness

I am thankful for repentance

I am thankful for Skype :P

I am thankful for philosophy

I am thankful for the amazing people in my life

I am thankful for potential

I am thankful for church

I am thankful...for the ability to chill, and just Trust God.

I am thankful!