Discipline

Push-up's
No real update here. I am still going strong and hopefully growing strong. Working out has to be one of the best ways to build patience. I keep wanting to see results now.

Diet
I have not really changed my diet, with the exception of this morning. I have started drinking water on a more consistent basis. Sometimes I miss my caffeine addiction. I know it will pass, just like when I quit smoking. I am still drinking the Mona Vie juice stuff too. Last night Stacey made some carrot apple juice. I believe it may have other stuff in it, I didn't ask. I drank two cups of that this morning and had a piece of toast.

Staying Focused
My self-discipline needs improvement. This week during the days I have been so motivated to get things done. I have been running the soundboard at church till 9pm though, and I by the time I get home I want to visit with my family so much I neglect the things I probably shouldn't. I also have a lot going on at work at the moment, I will now have to start studying to become a licensed insurance agent. Blah. Doing all this will limit my time, and will be discouraging to me since it is not something I desire to do in the first place.

Bible Study
I finished reading Exodus. I am currently reading Leviticus. I am enjoying reading this book a little more than Exodus. Exodus was so dry. I'm sure there is a reason I need to know the dimension’s of the tabernacle and the color's and such. It just did not make for a good read and the spirit was not opening my eyes to what I needed to see there at this time. Which I am fine with. Leviticus though, it is so similar to Exodus, yet so different. It was refreshing to me to read after Exodus. I know sin offerings are not all that exciting, but when you relate them to being Jesus, just trying to understand why each one is the animal it is, what they do with them and where they take them in the sanctuary. It makes it all the more interesting to me. I'm only on Leviticus 5 so far though. I know the health laws are coming up so it may slow back down.

Thanksgiving
I bring this up because of the holiday, but I am not going to talk about the holiday itself. What are you thankful for? How often do you tell someone you are thankful for them? How often do you tell the Lord you are thankful?

My thanksgivings
Disclaimer: I could probably write volumes on what I am thankful for, for each person. I am trying to not make this to long though.
1) My wife. I am thankful for all the encouragement she gives me. I am thankful for her thoughtfulness for our family as a whole. She goes to school to make improve our quality of life. She always wants the best for us. I wish I was half the person she is or even half the person she needs/deserves.
2) My son. I am thankful he try’s hard at school. He can be a hardheaded young man sometimes. Other times he is the sweetest person the world has ever known.
3) My brother and his family. I am so thankful for my brother and his family. I know I wouldn't even be following God if it wasn't for the Spirit. They are the ones that prayed for me and let the spirit have power in my life.
4) My cousin Jason. He took me in, when I needed help the most. When I was at my lowest he picked me up.
5) Pastor Bill. For all the hard work he does for my church. He has more self discipline/motivation than anyone I know.
6) My reader's and this blog. Your feedback and encouragement have lifted me up. It Inspirer’s me.
7) Ontarian. I am thankful for his dedication to Christ, winning souls, and working for the Lord. I am discouraged by most people in my denomination. They are lazy. Ontarian is not. He is a good example for us all.
8) Lisa. I am thankful for all that she does. If you want to learn the meaning of service, look at her. She never stops. She makes meals for my wife’s small group. She serves her fellow military vets. She makes birthday cakes for everyone at church. She is one of my best friends, very easy to talk too.
9) Pastor Luis and his wife Debbie. Luis is one of the most humble people I know. He puts me in a frame of mind at church that brings me humbly before the Lord. His reverence and humility are something I long to have. Debbie is bubbly, full of love, bringing a smile to all who talk with her.
10) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And saving the best for last. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit that led me to my Savior. I am thankful for my Savior that died, that I might see my Father that created me. I am thankful that my Father created me. I am thankful to help bring other of his creations closer to him. I am thankful for prayer and the power he has put in it. Being able to pray for repentance, for bringing the Spirit and angels into people’s lives and removing Satan and his demons from people’s lives.

These are just a few of the blessings in my life. I am so abundantly blessed. I have thanked God before. But doing this here and now, wow. I am taken back by this. There are some many things and people I could have included here. Thinking about all that I have left out is humbling. The Lord is Good.

Your brother in Christ, Eric