Day 52

Scripture:  Ps 118:14-24; Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15, 20


Scripture standout: Ps ¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 
 ¹⁶ The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
   the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” ¹⁷ I will not die but live,
   and will proclaim what the LORD has done. ¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me severely,
   but he has not given me over to death. ¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
   I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. ²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD
   through which the righteous may enter. ²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
   you have become my salvation

Morning thoughts; Doesn't this just sound exuberant? I'm going to focus on being joyously thankful for life's blessings today. Can't hurt!

The Deed/The Day: Today was another "planned deed," and one that I dread doing but always adore when it's go time: GranadaFest. It's our annual neighborhood party in the park. It sounds like a lot of work when we're planning, and the morning of I always think how I'd rather be sleeping than schlepping. But there is nothing like a neighborhood coming together for a common cause: fun and community. So moving tables and staple-gunning tablecloths and doing last-minute things turns out to be a unifying experience. And I didn't do even half of what others did. I am amazed at how some people give all of themselves for events like this. The woman who plans this is my hero. She is a calm, capable, well organized, mild-mannered and kind woman who gets all this done without fussing, or over analyzing, or over communicating or worrying. It just comes together. I love people like her.


True confession — on the surface I seem calm. But way down underneath I am a fusser, and sometimes a worrier. Would you know I totally forgot to be exuberantly thankful today? I'll give it a whirl before I go to bed, but geez — you'd think I could focus on one challenge and make it happen!


If these folks can do it, so can I. Another example of how the media can share examples of people "doing things right" or filling needs — sometimes I think this is God's way of talking to me. I'm a total news consumer, so he probably knows this is the best way to reach me:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42836327#42836327