The Joy Dare Day 29

January 28th, 2013
Gift #208: Watching the snowflakes fall outside through the window.
Gift #209: An illustration using Elmer's glue.
Gift #210: Warm, beef barley soup.
Gift #211: A professor that help answer my questions and ease my concerns.
Gift #212: New downloaded music to jam out to.

Gift #213: Munching on dry cereal.
Gift #214: Wonderful conversations with my roommate that wasn't bond by time.  We talked and before we knew it two hours had passed!
Gift #215: eBooks and interactive quizzes.

January 29th, 2013
Gift #216: A flock of geese on the soccer field.
Gift #217: Hearing the geese honking at each other.
Gift #218: Yummy taco salad for lunch.
Gift #219: Silly and funny stories shared by my friends during lunch.
Gift #220: A song heard: Building 429-Where I Belong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he32vwlKQPY
Gift #221: Recounting childhood memories with my friends.
Gift #222: A song heard: Hawk Nelson-Words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf_H7Lwl0FI
Gift #223: Light seen: through my two lamps in my room.

Walking on Water

It felt wonderful being back at my home church away from home.  The River has been a blessing to my life the past two years and I love my church family there.  The message this morning was great and challenging.  The passage that my pastor spoke from was Matthew 14:22-33, where both Jesus and Peter walk on water.  The main idea was reviving the passion within each one of us and being obedient by getting out of the boat and walking to Christ.  To walk in radical obedience we first must be willing to get out of the boat.  The few verses states that Jesus told his disciples to go on ahead across the lake while he stayed behind and prayed.  Jesus gave his disciples a simple task of rowing across to the other side of the lake and they probably grumbled a little because that is all Jesus asked them to do.  In the words of my pastor, "the challenge is obeying when the command seems boring and mundane.  We forget the beginning of the journey is not the end."  But soon afterwards, Jesus finished praying and he went out to them, walking on the lake (v. 25).  The disciples were scared and alarmed because they thought they saw a ghost coming to them, but it was Jesus and he even said, "Take courage!  It is I.  Don't be afraid (v. 27)."  "Once we realize its Jesus moving, we have to be willing to ask for the impossible and when we do we have to be willing to do the miraculous."  When Peter saw Jesus walking out on the water, he said, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water (v. 28)."  Peter was willing to ask the impossible thing of walking on water and then actually doing it.  Peter might have thought in his mind that there was no way he could walk on water, but he was willing to ask the impossible and actually let the miraculous work play out.  "If we are willing to embrace the miraculous, it allows us to go to the places where Jesus is."  It is important to note that when we choose to live a radical life with Christ, we might look foolish in the world's eyes.  The other disciples might have thought in their minds that Peter was out of his mind in asking to walk on water, but Peter believed and he not only was able to walk to Jesus, but also walk back to the boat, with Jesus by his side.  "We are capable of doing things far greater than we can imagine when we step towards Jesus."  It takes a radical, passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ to leave behind our natural, normal way of thinking and moving towards the pursuits of thinking and living like Christ.  Let try to be bold in getting out of the boat and walking on water towards Christ.  And when we do, Christ promises far more greater things than we could ever image.

January 24th, 2013
Gift #182: Warm mittens.
Gift #183: A blue soup bowl.

Gift #184: Water from the wind shield wipers crystalizing into small wonderful ice flakes.
Gift #185: The full moon in the evening sky.
Gift #186: Cheddar bunnies crackers.

January 25th, 2013
Gift #187: A gracious lady drove me to work instead of me having to walk down.
Gift #188: Being back at Riverview Nursery School.
Gift #189: Playing with the two years old and eating lunch with the four years old.
Gift #190: Warm homemade chili.
Gift #191: Cornbread.
Gift #192: Magnetic letters and numbers on a white board.

Gift #193: Friday night in NYC for an event.
Gift #194: Beautiful night of worship and prayer for human trafficking.
Gift #195: The crunchy sound of snow beneath my shoes.

January 26th, 2013
Gift #196: The sun reflecting off the new fresh snow.
Gift #197: Morning bike ride in the snow.
Gift #198: A much needed Saturday afternoon nap.

January 27th, 2013
Gift #199: Fun and colorful socks.

Gift #200: Being back at my college home church, The River!
Gift #201: Worship time at The River.
Gift #202: Sunlight flooding through the stained glass windows in arrays of colors.
Gift #203: "We got joy unspeakable flowing through our veins."
Gift #204: Singing, clapping, and dancing to our Abba.
Gift #205: Praying for my brothers and sisters in small groups.
Gift #206: Colored plates in the caf.
Gift #207: Scrambled omelette for brunch.

Spring Semester Begins

It has been quite a busy past few days.  I spent the weekend cleaning, packing, and spending some final moments with my parents before I flew back up to New York to begin my spring semester of junior year.  On Tuesday I flew out and the past few days I was able to settle back into my room and prepare for my classes.  Tomorrow is my first official day of class.  I am both a little nervous and excited for what all my classes have in store for me.  I look forward to learning new skills, taking in new found knowledge, and being challenged to be the best student I can be.  Thanking God daily for His wonderful gifts He as revealed to me.  Here are the gifts of thanks I counted the past few days.

January 19th, 2013
Gift #139: Early morning drive with my dad.
Gift #140: My mother's home cooked dish.  It's a sweet sticky rice dish with sausage and mini shrimps.

Gift #141: Hearing my mother's hearty laugh after reading a joke.
Gift #142: Cleaning and preparing shrimp for a meal.
Gift #143: Making steamed wontons.

Gift #144: The fingers meticulously folding edges of the wonton skins together.

 (The final product of the meal)



Gift #145: The half moon in the sky.
Gift #146: The purple/pinkish evening skies.

Gift #147: Dishes washed and a clean kitchen after a day's work of wonderful cooking.
Gift #148: A refreshing cup of water.

January 20th, 2013
Gift #149: Teaching the lesson of God calling Moses during Children's Church.
Gift #150: The glee of a young boy while eating a plateful of sliced oranges.
Gift #151: An unexpected love gift.
Gift #152: The beautiful warm weather.
Gift #153: Spending quality time with my dad as we crack open pecans.
Gift #154: The intricacy of a pecan formed inside it's shell.

January 21st, 2013
Gift #155: Hearing Britt Nicole's "Gold" song come on the radio on my morning drive to a CrossFit workout.
Gift #156: Listening to the inauguration on the radio then on the TV.
Gift #157: Butterfly shower curtain hooks.
Gift #158: Vacuuming my room.
Gift #159: Cleaning out the fan/air vents with my dad.
Gift #160: Last night in my comfy bed until the summertime.
Gift #161: Luggages lined up neatly.

January 22nd, 2013
Gift #162: Hugs goodbye from my parents.
Gift #163: Conversations with my dad in the early mornings.
Gift #164: Quick and easy lines through check in and security.
Gift #165: The American flag alongside the Texas flag blowing in the early morning air.

Gift #166: Watching the sunrise.

Gift #167: Viewing the earth below as I'm "up in the clouds."

Gift #168: A delicious juicy turkey burger.

 

Gift #169: A small boy's mini airplane luggage.
Gift #170: Gift unfolded-my bed sheets and comforter cover.
Gift #171: The moon and stars shining bright in the night sky.
Gift #172: Hugs from friends.
Gift #173: The cold brisk air.
Gift #174: Settling back into my dorm room for my junior spring semester.

January 23rd, 2013
Gift #175: A cozy bed to snuzzle in.
Gift #176: A down jacket, hat, and gloves to shield me from the chilling cold weather.
Gift #177: Smiling faces and hugs to friends I haven't seen since last semester.
Gift #178: The pure excitement when a friend opens a gift.

(Eleisha and her giraffes!)











Gift #179: Spending time talking with a dear friend and assisting in decorating her room.
Gift #180: Sliced sharp cheddar cheese and wheat thin crackers.
Gift #181: Blasting heaters.

Joy Dare Day 18

It's been about three weeks since I've taken the Joy Dare and I am amazed by all the blessings and joys God has been showing me each day.  My winter break will soon come to an end and I will be heading back up to the much colder climate of New York to embark on my spring semester.  I am so thankful for the month long break I had down here in Texas and it is wonderful to be able to rest and rejuvenate my whole body, both spiritually and physically.  I look forward in anticipation of what God wonderfully has in store for me this semester.  It definitely will be a difficult semester with 17 credit hours, but I take hold of what Philippians 4:13 says which is, "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

January 16th, 2013
Gift #116: Grilled turkey and cheese sandwhich.
Gift #117: Watching an inspiring and heart warming video about brotherly love.  Check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Lax4zFFoA&list=UUlhurAipdyGFSYjUf4rVFxg&index=1 
Gift #118: The Sun shining.
Gift #119: Completing my student leadership application.
Gift #120: Reminiscing about the olden days while looking through my high school yearbook.
Gift #121: Evening Skype date with my friend Talia.
Gift #122: Air vents blowing warm air down on me and my room.

January 17th, 2013
Gift #123: Lunch after a workout.
Gift #124: The tower of onion rings.

Gift #125: A wonderful "last supper" with my parents.

Gift #126: The joys of new life- Noah Pham & Brooklyn Neal.
Gift #127: Gift bringing laughter- stories about elementary school and my past teachers.
Gift #128: Watching a classic Anne Hathaway movie: The Princess Diaries.
Gift #129: Chocolate.

January 18th, 2013
Gift #130: Mixed vegetables.
Gift #131: A successful and safe surgery for a family member of mine.
Gift #132: The delicious taste of Mahi Mahi fish.
Gift #133: The intense "inner beast" that was released during my workout today.

Gift #134: A nice cool down stretch after my workout.
Gift #135: The small tint of seasoning that makes food taste even better.
Gift #136: My father's dedication-taking time to drop me off and pick me up from my workouts.
Gift #137: Creamy mashed potatoes.
Gift #138: Fresh cut pineapples to clean the tongue's palette.

Joy Dare Day 15

January 15th, 2013

Gift #110: The warmth indoors.
Gift #111: Comfy sweatpants.
Gift #112: The wonders of technology...being able to be apart of a live benefit concert through live stream.
Gift #113: Folding warm clothes.
Gift #114: Eating warm soup after a cold workout outdoors.
Gift #115: Lessons learned from an Adventure in Odyssey episode.

Joy Dare Day 14

Here are the gifts I counted from the past four days.

January 11th, 2013
Gift #80: Texts that make me smile.
Gift #81: My morning banana.
Gift #82: Lunch with my dad.











Gift #83: The beautiful weather outside.

Gift #84: Colorful gummy bears.

Gift #85: Clean floors.

Gift #86: Clothes hanging on the line & drying by natural energy.

Gift #87: A mini bike excursion to the grocery store.

Gift #88: Fresh baked ravioli right out of the oven.

Gift #89: Milkshakes with my two high school buddies.
Gift #90: Hugs

January 12th, 2013
Gift #91: Mastering parallel parking.
Gift #92: Fresh bagels from Panera with cream cheese.

Gift #93: A new container of wild blueberry cream cheese.

Gift #94: Exciting but sometimes heart racing playoff football games.
Gift #95: A warm cinnamon roll.

Gift #96: Lava lamp

January 13th, 2013
Gift #97: Thank you for the fast power of a healing prayer for a friend.
Gift #98: Afternoon naps.
Gift #99: Spontaneous dancing in the kitchen.
Gift #100: I'm grateful that God is opening my eyes to more of His blessings.
Gift #101: I'm grateful Christ has given me a passion for teaching children.
Gift #102: I'm grateful that He has given me a heart to serve and love others.

January 14th, 2013
Gift #103: The lyrics of a new song that is so powerful and encouraging to my soul.
Gift #104: A Bible passage that is perfect for the current situation in my life.
Gift #105: During the rush hour traffic, seeing a young woman standing on the bridge above blowing bubbles in the wind.
Gift #106: Unique finds at Goodwill.

Gift #107: Learning new Bible verses as I'm sitting in the rush hour traffic.
Gift #108: Seeing the beautiful color hues in the sky of purple, orange, pink, and blues as the sun is setting.
Gift #109: Classical music.

The God Of Angel Armies

This past weekend there was a serious accident that occurred to one of my brothers of Christ from my school.  Thankful that he is alive, but he is in still in serious condition.  It is so wonderful to see the community of Christ come together in powerful prayer and surrounding him and his family.  Each day is a blessing from Christ and I am faithful that not only is Christ's hand of protection is over this family, but that there is healing power.  As I look back to my fall semester, there were many situations and events where the enemy was attacking, but God always prevailed.  He reminded me and my community of brothers and sisters that He was our shield and that nothing formed against us would prosper.

There's a passage in 2 Kings chapter 6 from verse 8 to verse 23 that speaks about the prophet Elisha and war between the king of Aram and the king of Israel.  The king of Aram says that he will camp at different locations to attack the armies of Israel and every time that occurs, Elisha warns the king of Israel to be on guard and to not go to the places where the king of Aram is located.  This happens time and again and finally the king of Aram is furious and is thinking that someone from his own side is telling the armies of Israel where they are located, but they say that it is actually the prophet Elisha, which is on Israel's side.  So the king of Aram orders his men to find where Elisha is located and when they do, he sends horses, chariots, and a strong force to the city where Elisha is located to surrond him and capture him.  Well a servant of Elisha wakes up the next morning and sees the army of horses and chariots surrounding the city and he says to Elisha, "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?"  Elisha then says, "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Elisha then prays to God and says, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see."  The Lord then opens the servant's eyes and the servant then looked and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  The enemies of Elisha (army of Aram) then came down towards Elisha and Elisha prayed to God and said, "Strike these people with blindness," and God did so.  The armies of God surrounded and protected the prophet Elisha from the armies of Aram and nothing happened to Elisha.

This passage is so wonderful and encouraging because not only was God with Elisha the entire time, but He even sent his horses and chariots of fire from Heaven to protect Elisha.  I feel that just like the armies of God was with the prophet Elisha, His armies are surrounding each one of us as well, and whatever the enemy tries to put our way, the army of God is protecting us.  Nothing formed against us shall stand (Isaiah 54:17).

We do not have to be fearful or afraid, because God and his angels are standing with us, surrounding us, and protecting us.  He is faithful and we can hold onto His promises for us.  The angel armies of God is by our side.

Listen to this song from Chris Tomlin and I pray that it will encourage you today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVyqmb189AE

I am asking you all to keep the Hacking family in your prayers.  Pray for healing and peace for the family.  God is with them and his army of angels are surrounding them.

Blessings,
EH

Be Blessed And The Blesser

"I receive grace.  And through me, grace could flow on.  Like a cycle of water in continuous movement, grace is meant to fall, a rain...again, again, again.  I could share the grace, multiply the joy, extend the table of the feast, enlarge the paradise of His presence.  I am blessed.  I can bless.  A life contemplating the blessings of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ." ~One Thousand Gifts

One of my most favorite stories in the Bible is when Jesus washes his disciples' feet after supper (John 13:2, 4, 12-15).  The evening before Jesus Christ will be crucified on the cross for our sins, he does a surprising action.  Jesus is the ultimate example of a servant.  He displayed the whole idea of eucharisteo.  Our lives should be a reflection of what Christ did for us.  Ann Voskamp explains the servant-like attitude like this: "gratitude for the blessings that expresses itself by becoming the blessing."  "Eucharisteo is giving thanks for grace.  But in the breaking and giving of bread, in the washing of feet, Jesus makes it clear that eucharisteo is, yes, more: it is giving grace away."

When we partake in Communion, not only are we breaking bread and giving thanks to Christ, but He is also calling us to then go out and serve.  Give is a verb, something that we have to do.  So God is calling us to do thanks, "to give the thanks away."  You are blessed, so you can bless!

It is important to remember though, that when you are going out and serving, that Christ remains the center of whatever you are doing.  You should not serve to receive something back, because everything ultimately belongs to the Lord and He should receive all the honor and glory.  When Christ receives the glory, our life will be filled with more joy and more gratitude.  Eucharisteo.  Mother Teresa even says this, "The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action.  If we pray the work...if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it with Jesus...that's what makes us content."

Here's another wonderful quote: "Christian hands never clasp and He doesn't give gifts for gain because a gift can never stop being a gift-it is always meant to be given."  It is an endless cycle, where God gives us gifts to serve the world.  To be the leader, me must first become a servant (Matt. 20:26).

What is so wonderful is that when we are serving, we are not serving alone.  God is working alongside us and in us.  We receive joy in Him.

This chapter definitely resonated in my heart and reminded me that the gifts and blessings I receive shouldn't just be kept, but given away.  Given away through service and blessing others.  Give is an action and as God calls me to serve, I do my best to honor and be obedient to His calling.

Here are the gifts received and given away both through thanks and action.

January 9th, 2013
Gift #60: Gift held-water bottle.

Gift #61: The determination and will power to not give up on my workout.  It was a challenging workout, but with God's strength I finished strong.















Gift #62: Coaches encouragement and guidance.

Gift #63: A good sweat after an intense workout.

Gift #64: Soap suds on dishes ready to be washed and clean.

Gift #65: Powerful lyrics that remind me that "I'm the background" and Christ is "the rockstar."  He alone deserves all the honor, glory, and fame.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHnZRZiCYHE

Gift #66: Gift sat with-my stuffed panda bear while I was reading.

Gift #67: This quote, "I am blessed.  I can bless."

Today January 19th, 2013
Gift #68: Opening the blinds and seeing the sunshine flood through the windows.

Gift #69: Soft tissues to blow my nose.

Gift #70: Homemade sweet potatoes fries.

Gift #71: Gift just right-blessing a dear friend with the book, One Thousand Gifts.

Gift #72: Wonderful conversations and prayer with my friend Jacey.

Gift #73: A bird's nest.

Gift #74: Gift sweet-frozen yogurt.

Gift #75: Wind chimes creating beautiful sounds in the breeze.

Gift #76: The warmth of the sun on my face.

Gift #77: Another sick CrossFit WOD (workout).

Gift #78: My completion of reading One Thousand Gifts.

Gift #79: The fresh smells of a lit candle.

Empty to fill. Blessings.

God > Me

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 NASB)  More of Him, less of me.

Have you ever been on top of a mountain or seen the Grand Canyons or something similar?  Do you feel small, a tiny speck in such a grand place?  But aren't you also filled with awe and joy when you see the beauty, the magnitude of such a wonderful place?  This feeling of wonder and awe should be the feeling when we are in the presence of God.  Our perspective of smallness though will cultivate a surprised wonder, "that grows gratitude, that yields joy."  Sometimes it even takes getting as low as bended knees and hands open to fully grasp the magnitude of how great our God is.  "The humble live surprised.  The humble live by joy."  The words of F.B. Meyer couldn't say it any better.

"I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other, and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we should reach them.  I find now that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other, and that it is not a question of grower taller but of stooping lower, and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts."

"Receiving God's gifts is a gentle, simple movement of stooping lower."  The attitude of being humbled before Christ and showing signs of eucharisteo, of thanks, is how He will continue to bless you with more gifts and more of Himself and even more grace.  It's like a wave out in the ocean, where you are "riding on a wave of grace and then being lifted higher and higher by grace and then a surging crest of joy comes, and then a plunging lower and lower in humble thankfulness only to rise yet higher in grace."

Living a humbled life, stooping lower, and becoming small is a challenge.  Our self desires is what can kill joy and gratitude.  When the finger isn't pointed to God above, but inward to me.  Anger, pride, and so forth are attitudes of the self.  But we can refuel the flame of joy through humbly letting go of the self desires and allowing Christ to do it.  "Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will."  Humbly give your life to Christ and when you do, he will fill you with more joy and gratitude.  "True humility is self-smallness to the point of 'blessed self-forgetfulness'."  

As I was beginning my day today, I asked Christ to help me change my perspective in becoming smaller, stooping lower, and humbling myself more to Him, so I could see more of His blessings and joys.  And I can't wait to share the joys I've seen and experienced today.

First off, the joy gifts from yesterday.  January 7th, 2013

Gift #39: Foam roller

Gift #40: Refreshing smoothie.

Gift #41: Packages organized in the trunk.

Gift #42: The cutting on straight lines with scissors.

Gift #43: Getting an anticipated package in the mail.

Gift #44: Worship music sung in Spanish.

Gift #45: Completing my project of making a memory verse book for this year.

Gift #46: The sweet smells of dinner cooking in the oven.

Gift #47: Dinner with my parents at home.

And today's joy gifts. January 8th, 2013

Gift #48: Learning new Bible verses from Colossians.

Gift #49: Breakfast

Gift #50: Raindrops bouncing off roof shingles.

Gift #51: The distance sounds of a train horn.

Gift #52: Seeing my cold breath outside.

Gift #53: Hearing the rolling thunder.

Gift #54: The sounds of raindrops dropping into a bucket of water and rippling across the surface.

Gift #55: Streams of water flowing downstream through the gutter.

Gift #56: A wonderful afternoon spent with my friend Haillie.

Gift #57: Busting through a CrossFit WOD and having the strength to carry a 53lb kettlebell 400 meters.

Gift #58: My shadow under a street light in the rain.

Gift #59: The perfect song playing at the same time I am thinking a wonderful thought.

Count Your Blessings

Today in church, the congregation sang a hymn called, "Count Your Blessings."  When I began to sing the lyrics, all I could do was smile because the words said that we need to count all of our many blessings, each one by one.  I took the challenge to count 1000 gifts, and this song was a true blessing in itself.  I am joyful in all that my eyes have seen this week and I feel that this song was an encouragement from God to keep pursuing on in my searching of gratitude to Him.

Here are my gifts from today.

Gift #32: The Sun making shadows through the blinds as I do my morning devotions.












Gift #33: Hearing the heartfelt prayers of the children in Sunday School.

Gift #34: Singing "Count Your Blessings," in Vietnamese and English during church service.












Gift #35: Partaking in the Lord's Communion. Christ's ultimate gratitude example for us.

Gift #36: In my bag- Chapstick and my Ray Bans sunglasses.

Gift #37: In my fridge- pigs in a blanket!

Gift #38: In my heart- the joy I feel when I sing and worship to my Abba.

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings; name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

Trust

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can you truly trust God in all circumstances?  That is something that we have all struggled in different time of our lives.  Sometimes it's easier to give into stress or worry or fear because trusting is a harder challenge to keep up with, but did you know that stress can be a joy stealer?  It can also be a sin, in the way we deal with stress, but God reminds us in John 14:1 to "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me (with emphasis added)."

So how do we go about putting all of our trust in Christ and fully living a life with joy and peace?  We do so by believing.  In the New Testament the word pisteuo is most often translated into "belief."  But it ultimately means "to put one's faith in; to trust." (quoted from One Thousand Gifts By Ann Voskamp)  "Belief is a verb, something that you do."  Trusting is believing and putting forth an action.  We build trust by giving thanks, eucharisteo.  We count the blessings around us and eventually discover that Christ is the one we can count on.  Have you ever thought about when crossing a bridge that you're trusting in the materials and builder of that bridge?  Are you fearful when you cross that bridge?  So, "Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow, built with planks of thanks.  Remembering frames up gratitude.  Gratitude lays out the planks of trust.  I can walk the planks-from known to unknown-and know: He holds."  Christ wants us to remember what He did on the cross for each one of us and in doing so give thanks.  When we give thanks it shows that we trust Him and really believe that He is with us everywhere, at all times.  Christ is in all things and created all things, so we're safe in Him.  He is our stronghold, the bridge that we can cross without fear, the number person we can trust!

God loves us so abundantly and his blessings for us never ceases.  He is a god of grace.  Be confident that you can trust Him.  As you recognize the blessings around you, your thanks will turn into full trust in Him.

My thanks from the last two days...

Jan. 4th, 2013
Gift #21: Dad's new recipe dish he made for lunch.  It was delicious and I haven't stopped eating it.












Gift #22: Recycled bathroom glass doors for a house project.














Gift #23: Rain, to nourish the plants and soil and all of God's Creation.


Jan. 5th, 2013
Gift #24: Seeing the sun shining bright in the blue sky amongst the white clear clouds after a few days of rain.

Gift #25: Morning CrossFit workout.












Gift #26: Listening to a new episode of Adventures in Odyssey.  I'm 20 years old and still love listening to this classic radio show.

Gift #27: The fresh white lilies on the counter that smells so wonderful.

Gift #28: Handwritten letter to a close friend.

Gift #29: The juicy and crunchy taste of an Asian pear.

Gift #30: Reading a Facebook post shout out to me from my home CrossFit gym. Felt wonderful to be back!

Gift #31: Reading Chapter 8 of One Thousand Gifts and learning more on how I can trust in Christ with all of my being.

Thank you Lord for being my Savior and showing me more of your blessings in my life.

Joy Dare: Day 3

Today marks day 3 of the Joy Dare.  It was a quiet day for me with a lot of rest, reading, and family time.  I'm sad that I'll have to say good-bye to my brother tomorrow because he's heading back to grad school for the spring semester.  I have enjoyed the past few weeks spending time with him and catching up on school and life.

The counting of gifts continue to flow and here are the blessings from today.

Gift #15: The soft sounds of the dryer tumbling clothes.

Gift #16: Hearing the joys of my mother's great day of work.

Gift #17: Eating delicious Vietnamese food for dinner.

Gift #18: Hearing my brother say an interesting fact about deer habitation on our drive home from dinner.

Gift #19: Watching one last college football game with my brother before he leaves for school tomorrow.

Gift #20: A nice relaxing shower.

Seeing Christ in the simple things, feeling his grace and joy, and practicing eucharisteo. 

Seeing Beauty

This morning while I was reading a chapter from One Thousand Gifts, several quotes stuck out to me on seeing the true beauty of God.  Many times when we have an encounter with nature, we usually feel a sense of awe or something that is greater than us.  For me it is feeling the grander of God's glory.  I'm usually awestruck and can only lift my hands to praise the wonderful Creator and thank Him.  In the chapter, it spoke about how the Hebrew word used to describe God's glory is kabod, which is derived from the root word meaning "heaviness."  The skies, land, seas, everything is full, heavy, and saturated with the glory of God.  How awesome is that?!  Sometimes we forget that the beauty and glory of Christ is here, all around us, and not just in a sunrise or swelling ocean.  We sometimes forget because we don't have the correct lens to see through.  Like I mentioned yesterday of the word eucharisteo, it is everywhere, and so I am striving to see eucharisteo all around me, both in a sunrise to the meal in front of me.

These words will explain what I mean by seeing through a different lens.  "The only way to see God manifested in the world around is with the eyes of Jesus within.  God within is the One seeing God without.  God is both the object of my seeing and the subject who does the act of all real seeing, the Word lens the inner eye wears.  To sit in the theater of God and see his glory crack the dark, to open the eyes of my heart to see the fountain of His grace-thousands of gifts-I have to split heart open to more and more of Jesus.  Who can split open the eyelids but Jesus?"  How amazing is that when we put the lenses on of Christ, we can truly see his glory and Beauty.  As we see here below, all the things we see are pointed to the glorious God above.

I hope we don't just want to see Beauty, but be apart of Beauty.  C.S. Lewis puts into words what we as humans are striving to do in being apart of God.  "We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough.  We want something else which can hardly be put into words-to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it."  We long to not only just see Beauty, but to seek it, where joy overflows.  We want to pursue Christ.  To be all eye, all eye on Him.

This morning, I asked God to help me see through his lenses and it was wonderful to discover what I saw.  What I saw are expressed in my counting of gifts.

Gift #8: The exhilaration of driving a go-kart up to 45mph around a race track.












Gift #9: The spotlight of the sun popping out of the clouds.
Gift #10 (outside): The dirt trail path I ran on this evening.














Gift #11: The song "Hosanna", from Hillsong United, playing on my iPod as I finished my run.
Gift #12 (inside):  Snuggling in my down sleeping bag for the evening.














Gift #13 (on a plate):  An Indonesian chicken meal with rice, cucumbers, and pears that my dad prepared for dinner.

Gift #14: Wonderful worship music to sing along to and raise my arms up to Yahweh.  

I am thankful that I was able to see these gifts today and I pray that I way see more of God's Beauty daily.  Blessings.