10-1-2014 – Another form of expression of gratitude is faith. Herein most of us stumble. Specifically with gratitude over horrendous experiences. It is easy to believe in the good things but how does one rejoice in the bad? It is in the depths of despair that one really discovers God.

9-30-2014 – Another form or expression of gratitude is obedience. Psalm 119 is replete with verses connecting praise with acknowledgment, understanding, and meditation on the laws, statutes , commandments, testimonies, judgments, and precepts of the Lord, These attributes form the backbone of manners in which gratitude is expressed in our life.

9-25-2014 – The book of Psalms if replete with praise to the Almighty for his great deeds on a very personal level. These Psalms teach us how to express proper appreciation to the Lord of Host. Giving thanks to the Lord is accomplished by recounting His wondrous deeds.(Ps 9:1). “I will praise you, O Lord with all my heart’ I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

9-20-2014 – So how does one express appreciation? Again we turn to scripture and particularly to Jesus and we see our example. None of those who Jesus healed told Jesus thank you. Rather they praise God for what Jesus did. That is the key the praise and glory is given to God for what others might do for us.

9-17-2014 – That is the key for just as faith without works is dead, so gratitude without expressions of appreciation is dead.

9-16-2014 – It is here that one learns the core to the blessings brought about by gratitude. For each item that you become aware of there must be a corresponding expression of appreciation.

9-15-2014 – Then one day the Lord reminded me of the other things I need to be thankful for; the abuse, neglect, the terror from ages four to ten brought about by going from one foster home to another. Yes even these things because it eventually built character and empathy with others who had suffered as well.

9-13-2014 – I started recounting the amount of money my parents spent raising me. The physical things for which I had never ever thought of like the diapers changed, the warm clothing, the long nights when my mother stayed up rocking me because of the pain I was in and most important the song she sang over and over again that even to this day rings in my heart; “I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses….”.

9-11-2014 – The next step is listing those things that others provide for me; parents, authority figures, teachers, friends.

9-8-2014 – A reminder of these ‘miracles’ in my own life becomes a continual reminder of His presence, and power in my life. (I am abbreviating what I have written at length in other material). These observations lead from the great to the smallest everyday interventions on His part.