How do we make something a habit? Something like gratitude? We create habits when we do them repeatedly. Some would say that it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, will you join me for the month of October to create a HABIT of gratitude? Cultivating this habit in our homes and in our hearts can truly transform our souls. More Reading on Creating Habits 18 Tricks to Make New Habits Stick - these are great! Start small, give it 30 days, make it daily, give yourself reminders...and much ... Read More about The Habit of Gratitude

I am challenging each of us to CULTIVATE GRATITUDE for the month of October. And beyond! In order to cultivate things in our lives, we need reminders. I need reminders. Index cards around our homes. Notes taped to our mirrors. Setting alarms on our phones. And wallpapers for our phones! Here are a few for you to use in the coming weeks as we seek to cultivate gratitude in our hearts and homes. Cultivate Save these pictures on your phone and choose one to be your wallpaper.  Then every ... Read More about Cultivating Gratitude Free Phone Wallpapers

While we are focusing on cultivating gratitude in our hearts & homes, memorizing Scripture is a GREAT way to begin to fix our eyes on Jesus and take every thought captive to Christ. This book that I'm reading, 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, is based on the passage from Philippians 4 that tells us what to think about. I'm choosing to memorize starting in verse 4, with rejoice in the Lord always...but you can choose whatever you'd like to memorize! The book reminds us that we have ... Read More about Memorize Philippians 4:4-9 with us!

"I don't even know they are gifts really until I write them down and that is really what they look like. Gifts He bestows. This writing it down - it is sort of like...unwrapping love." Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts Reading the book One Thousand Gifts opened my eyes to just that: all the gifts right in front of me. As I read the pages of Ann, the author, thanking God at her kitchen sink as she washed dishes, running out into the yard to catch the glimpse of the night sky, and looking around ... Read More about Why We Should Write It Down

Gratitude changes everything.  One thing I have learned is that my attitude, my joy, my contentment and my peace of heart all are more present in my life when I am living a grateful life. Gratitude kills discontentment. Gratitude kills comparison. Gratitude kills fear. Gratitude can radically change our perspective and our hearts. Spend the next 31 days cultivating a grateful heart and life. I will be sharing quotes, Bible verses, books and journaling prompts to help us build ... Read More about Gratitude Changes Everything