Friday, September 18, 2009

"I Choose Joy" & a GIVEAWAY coming up!

Grace for the Moment Volume I

Giveaway for my one-year blog anniversary!

The other day I picked up a devotional I have by Max Lucado, whom I love, titled, "GRACE for the Moment" Volume I. I read something in there that moves me and I want to share it with you.

"EACH DAY...

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE...
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll
invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the
wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment
to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new
assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to
the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked
before I will boast. I will confess before I will
accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates
will not question my word. My wife will not
question my love. And my children will never fear
that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...
I am a spiritual being...
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest."

Above excerpt written by Max Lucado from "When God Whispers Your Name".

Do these words inspire you as they do me? Wow! Max Lucado is an extremely talented author and man of God. I want to live these words for Christ because He asks me to. It's not easy day to day, minute by minute, to display the Fruits of the Spirit, but it's what I aspire to do.

So here's the fun part, because it will be my one-year blog anniversary (Woo-hoo!), I am giving away a copy of "Grace for the Moment" volumes I and II. That's right, two books! If that's not enough, I want to also bless you with a $10 Starbucks gift card.

What you'll have to do to enter, and I never thought I would do this, is leave a comment and "Follow Me" if you are not already.

For one additional entry into the giveaway, post about this contest on your blog and leave me a link to that post.

Since my blogging anniversary is September 23rd, I will be choosing a winner on the 24th.

Thanks Erica for teaching me how to use some HTML codes. I learned how to use a "marquee" in my blog. :-)
Also, was I allowed to quote so much from an author's book without permission? I hope so.

Have fun and blessings to you!



20 comments:

Joyce said...

This was really lovely. And I love that I read it on my birthday. I'm going to print it out and put it somewhere to look at often.

I'm already a follower and I'll link to you on my blog in my next post...I love your blog! Congrats on your anniversary : ) When mine rolls around maybe you can teach me the marquee trick.

I'm fuzzy on the permission thing too but you did give him credit and cite the source. Some things I've noticed will say link back to their own website if you publish something on the web. Others its not as clear. You've given credit where its due so I think you're okay.

Have a great weekend!

Penny said...

Okay, that was absolutely perfect for this moment. I love it!! I follow you AND I'm leaving a comment! HA! ;) j/k I hope I win (even if I don't, I'm still probably going to buy the book, lol)!

He & Me + 3 said...

That is inspirational. I love Max too. That sounds like my kind of prize. Sign me up.

Rachel said...

Oh yay! Happy anniversary!!! I'm so excited for you!

I LOVE Max Lucado - what an awesome prize - and to be able to read it while sipping on Starbucks...perfect! :)

Congratulations!!

E @ Scottsville said...

Beautiful post!!!

E @ Scottsville said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darcie said...

What an amazing read! Thanks so much for sharing just these few gems. They really make you think.

I would love to be entered in the giveaway, and I LOVE following you!

Have a great weekend.

McCrakensx4 said...

Oh how fun...a blogoverary! Happy 1 year! And what and insirational sounding book/devotional! I would love to be entered!! Congrats!

McCrakensx4 said...

And I follow!

Sandy said...

Yes, these words inspire me. I am going to print that and put it up in my classroom and home. Thank you so much for sharing it.

My son is going to the UK next summer on a mission trip. He is very exited about it.

E @ Scottsville said...

I wanna win! I wanna win!

Mama M. said...

Here's my comment!! I'm already following...great giveaway, my friend...great giveaway!

Sandy said...

I put your link on my post today, and I copied, pasted and printed the excerpt from the book.
Thank you again!

Heart2Heart said...

Carol,

Isn't Max Lucado one inspirational author! I love all of his works and this is one I haven't read yet. Can't wait!

Happy 100th blogging anniversary and can't wait for your 200th as well!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

God a Have Faith said...

One Year Anniversary! Congratulations Carol!

I loved your Blog on choosing! I so wish I could chose everything on that list! I have a problem with the choosing patience on the list. I have actually wrote about it the other day.

Great Post and I am pretty sure that I have been a follower for a while.

Keep the Faith!

Steve

Jen said...

What a great prayer! That would be perfect to print out and pray each morning.

I've enjoyed my visit to your blog today.

Heart2Heart said...

Carol,

I have been a follower of yours for so long and if I could I would follow you twice!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Dreamgirl said...

Oh, thanks for sharing this! I loved it and I do think I will probably post it later on my blog. Promise to leave a link to your blog though...

And I would love to win a giveaway, but I live in Norway and it might be difficult for you to send it. Anyway, wishing you all good things!

p.S. Following too;-)

Heart2Heart said...

Carol,

Found my way back over here from Joyces' blog, From across the pond and thought I would say Hello!

Hope things are going well and have you two ever met?

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Unknown said...

Very inspirational! Loved the choices you've made! And glad that you've shared.