One Thousand Gift - Between Session

There is Between Session work in the One Thousand Gift bible study.

It prompted us to continue our Gift List with a few more gifts. 

• A phone call from my aunt for an outing to see inspirational art.
• A day spent in the country with my camera.
• A flexible exercise program now that it too dark and cold to walk outside in the morning.
• Visits with friends this week and next.
• Completion of the kitchen project for 2017.
• A new fridge full of food.
• A phone call offering me an opportunity to teach a class.

Trust Moment
Grace to cool my hurt and anger when I was layed off 2.5 years ago.

God showed me opportunities which I could not pursue while I was working.

Several friends with deep faith to support and encouragement.

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

One Thousand Gifts - Session 3 - All is Grace

I am leading this bible study tonight - One Thousand Gifts Bible Study - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.
Seven of us met tonight to share and learn.
I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratitude.

Session 3 - All is Grace


Ann recounts an incident where practicing Eucharisteo made a difference.  Where how she behaved changed the results of a conflict between her sons and her. 

The toast incident was between two of her sons  and involves chucking toast. Her initial reaction is anger.  The one boy is humiliated and the other is indignant.  How can I practice "Giving Thanks" in this ugly situation?

She chooses to give thanks for the sons rather than react in anger.  She speaks aloud what she loves about this son. She calms and so does the son which results in a tender moment between her and one son because she behaved differently in the situation. 

It redeemed the moment and the experience for mother and son.



She talks of the ugly beautiful. Is it possible that all we experience can be grace if we focus deep enough to see God's influence to transform all of it?

One Thousand Gifts - Session 2 - Grace in the Moment

I am leading this bible study tonight - One Thousand Gifts Bible Study - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.
Nine of us met tonight to share and learn.
I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratitude.

Session 2 - Grace in the Moment

Ann this week talks about how to live our one life well.  When we give our undivided attention to the moments of life; time slows and there is enough time.

It has been studied and proven that those who take pen to paper and maintain a gratitude list of gifts enjoy:
1. Absence of Stress
2. Progress in Personal Goals
3. Higher levels of Energy
4. Feel closer in their Relationhips
5. Experience a 25% increase in Happiness

Who does not want that!!

Another subject Ann covers this week is the hard gifts which come our way.  She was eager to take the good, easy, nice gifts but there are hard things that come.  These too come from God. How can you open a hand to the easy and close the hand to the hard. You can not.

She recounts a story of an injury her son sustained and she had to come to terms that we must accept all things that come.  God has a plan.

One Thousand Gifts - Session 3 - All is Grace

This is week three in this bible study - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images. There was good attendance.






Session Three - All is Grace

This week Ann talks about an experience with 2 of her boys.  One of the boys has been disrespectful to the other and she is angry at the behavior of the boy.   After practicing Eucharisteo for a while she chooses to practice it in the situation.  It feels unfamiliar, but she does it anyway. Give Thanks when you would rather lash out.  In a few minutes, heart rates slow, tempers cool, arms uncross, hearts soften and a tender moment is be shared between mother and son.  A blessing received by each.

We will have valley and mountain top experiences.  Can we see God's grace in all of them?

If we look deep enough in the hard places of our lives we will see God's hand on it.