I am a note taker in church (no big shock there for any of you who know me or had to sit in school with me over the years!), and today I would like to share with you what our minister shared with us in his sermon this morning:

10 WAYS TO GIVE THANKS by Nathan Burrow

The lesson is based on Luke 17: 11-19, a short story in scripture, but one that is chocked full of meaning:

Here are Nathan’s 10 ways to give thanks and my “take away” from each of his 10 points. I find that when listening to a well-presented lesson, whether in a church, at a meeting, or  with a group of teammates, each of us tend to hear what we personally need most in that particular moment.  You may read the same scripture and think about these 10 ways to give thanks in a totally different way depending on your present world.  And I love that!  All I know is that any reminder to convey love, share kindness, and give grace is a very, very good thing…

1.  OPEN YOUR EYES – Recognize and be observant to the world around you; have I been living a life that is too busy to notice the gifts, the kindness, and the good things around me?  I must be aware and thankful for those blessings!
2. SEE THE NEED – Respond to the need you see; do I act on the needs around me?  I must be thankful that I am useful and able to help others!
3. GIVE GRACE, NOT JUDGMENT – Judgment stands in the way of giving grace and thanksgiving; do I bypass negativity, am I accepting of differences, do I give grace unbegrudgingly?  I must see the good in every person and in every moment!
4. REMEMBER WE ALL NEED HEALING – We are no different from anyone else in that we all have struggles and we all need help in one way or another; do I have patience with others while not knowing their challenges?  I must remember that I cannot know what anyone else is going through!
5. WE ARE ALL BLESSED – Even in the worst, most challenging situations, we are all blessed; do I see the silver lining even at the most difficult of times?  I must focus on the good things in my life, never getting bogged down in the shortcomings!
6. WE DON’T DESERVE WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED – We could never fully deserve all we’ve been given; do I live as though I have a right to my gifts?  Instead, I must live the truth that I am not entitled to the blessings that I receive, and I must pass that truth on to my children so they do not display an air of entitlement, either!
7. IT CAN NEVER BE REPAID – A gift has no repayment; do I expect something in return for gifts I give, do I feel obligated to repay those given to me?  I must remember that I am not expected to repay gifts and instead voice thanks and praise in return for those blessings as that is all that is in my power to give back!
8. BELIEVE – Your faith has made you well (Luke 17:19); where does faith end and believing begin?  I must always believe in blessings and gifts and good things, even when it is really, really hard to do so!
9. PRAISE GOD – Be a message of thanksgiving; do I cast a light of love and praise?  I must be an example of a joyful heart!
10. WE OFTEN FAIL TO BE GRATEFUL – Why did 90% of the lepers in the scripture not return to say thanks?  I must be the one who comes back!

Finally, here is one of my very favorite hymns, A Beautiful Life, written by William M. Golden in 1918 (I have a really old soul…); it is one that we sang today, and it goes along perfectly with these 10 Ways to Give Thanks.  I hope that it is a reflection of how I live every day:
Each day I’ll do a golden deed,
By helping those who are in need,
My life on earth is but a span,
And so I’ll do the best I can,
The best I can.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
To be a child of God each day,
My light must shine along the way;
I’ll sing His praise while ages roll
And strive to help some troubled soul,
Some troubled soul.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
The only life that will endure,
Is one that’s kind and good and pure;
And so for God I’ll take my stand,
Each day I’ll lend a helping hand,
A helping hand.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
I’ll help someone in time of need,
And journey on with rapid speed;
I’ll help the sick and poor and weak,
And words of kindness to them speak,
Kind words I’ll speak.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
While going down life’s weary road,
I’ll try to lift some traveler’s load;
I’ll try to turn the night to day,
Make flowers bloom along the way,
The lonely way.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
And now for my 10 for 10 update:
My 2-day Deep Cleanse went well.  By last night I was pretty hungry – EVERY SINGLE concession stand scent at the football game smelled really, really good.  But I held strong, and I made it through without cheating.  I did need my morning shake ASAP because I was feeling a little shaky in the shower, but once I had it and a tall glass of water, I felt re-balanced.  While I can NOT imagine doing some of the 7-day cleanses that I have read about, I am a little surprised to find myself finished with Day 7 with only three days left to complete my goal.  Best of all, I’m knocking of the door of 120#, and that is a door I have not been through in over 10 years!!

• Day 7 weight: 120.1 lb.
• Early Morning: 1 oz Ionix Supreme Dietary Supplement (Green Juice)
• Meal 7-1: Chocolate & Banana IsaLean Shake and 1 Natural Accelerator Supplement Capsule
• Meal 7-2: 3 oz Beef Filet, 1/2 Green Salad, 1/2 Loaded Baked Sweet Potato, and 1 Dinner Roll with Cinnamon Butter from Texas Roadhouse (yes, I took my one meal of the day to the limit, but I cherish my after-church lunches with my kiddos, and I enjoyed every word of conversation, every teasing smile, and every savory bite of it!)
• Meal 7-3: Vanilla IsaLean Shake
• Late Evening: 1 IsaFlush Supplement Capsule