Blessings Beyond Imagination

WARNING: Spiritual Content

What an amazing week in my household! Our youngest daughter (let’s call her PJ) started her perfect job. She has an awesome office, awesome co-workers, awesome responsibility … did I say everything was awesome? She came home pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. (BTW, JP worked very hard to get this job and she totally deserves it so I want to make sure I am not taking that away from her.) Below is a video of the place where she is working:

She’s insanely blessed.

This may look like bragging but that’s not my intent. I share this to make you aware that God (who blesses my family) wants to bless your life as well (whether you like it or not) and He loves you more than you will ever understand.

I truly believe that God, the creator of the universe, is the same God of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel and all the other prophets. We don’t understand why God has blessed PJ (blessed us really) so much. Sure PJ worked hard to get here this far but we still don’t deserve it. I feel like someone handed me a golden ticket that I didn’t even purchase.

I remember 2 verses in the Bible:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you, PLANS to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

and

“For we are his masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus so the good that God PLANNED for us a long time ago should be our way of life.” — Ephesians 2:9

Imagine that? All these blessings He has given PJ was what He planned to give her a long time ago.

The plan was already in place when PJ was struggling to fit in Film School and the quiet work she did in the background was credited to someone else; when she worked as a barista in Starbucks (even though she hated coffee) dreaming that she would get a real job; when my little girl drove a truck on weekends to set up a display booth for Califia and stood greeting customers for hours causing her feet to swell and needing a massage at home; when her tender heart was broken because the people she trusted treated her so callously. Yes, in all of these life struggles, God knew PJ would be blessed today.

Tears fall off my cheeks as I think of all the pain and now, all the joy. Sad tears. Happy tears. What kind of god does that? A loving, generous … the one true God does that! We may not know it nor acknowledge it but He’s doing the same to the rest of us.

I’m sure struggles will follow (after all, we still live in this imperfect world), but wherever else life takes us, seeing the proof of His love and abundant blessings (like this one), we should have the confidence that we are safe in His care.

At the end of the movie, after young Charlie had passed all the tests and proving to be worthy to inherit the legendary Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka asked Charlie: “Remember what happened to the man who got everything he ever wanted?”

“What happened?” asked Charlie bracing for a disappointing unexpected warning.

“He lived happily ever after,” replied Wonka with an assuring smile.

Thanks for sharing my joy. Praise to God from whom all blessings flow.

With God on our side, everything will be okay my friend … everything!

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Video of the week

FUNNY: An alternate ending to the Willy Wonka Movie
WARNING: Not for the sensitive

FUNNY: Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for this comedian with ADHD.
Pretty long but he’s really good — especially near the end.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Efren of Caloocan City, Philippines

The post What It’s All About appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Sunshine

How has the week been treating you? Sunny? Cloudy?

For me, everything seems to be bright and sunny this summer week.  Work’s been busy but manageable and I still have evenings to enjoy with my wife. My kids are all good and busy doing their thing. Listening to my collection from a free online music website boosted my mood even more. My back still hurts but  getting better ever since I started stretching. My gout’s still there but has diminished considerably. It’s been really nice.

It’s days like this that make me raise my voice and thank the Lord for all His blessings. So I read a favorite happy passage written by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian church:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:4-7

If you’ve seen a lot of sunshine this week, I’m sure you can relate to Paul. Let’s thank God for his blessings.

If you’ve seen nothing but clouds. Did you know that Paul wrote this when he was suffering in the stinky dungeons of Rome awaiting his execution? So if you only saw clouds this week, what’s your excuse?

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Chuck of Dallas, Texas for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Jeff Allen: Understanding the Wife Code
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this.

The post Expensive Parrot appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Blessings

I got a grateful phone call the other day. Rodger said he worked on a referral I had given him and was so excited and happy to be able to pay some of his bills. He was unusually upbeat and I shared his joy. And then he said something that I didn’t expect. He said “I’m giving you 20% commission for any referral you send my way.” To which I said, “No, this is God blessing you. Accept it all.”  He paused for a moment and continued to thank me.

If you know Rodger, he’s been having it rough for some time. He’s an honest, decent man but somehow people and circumstances have taken advantage of him. Few have treated him fairly. Most have said he did not meet their expectations. Compliments were few and far between. I’m guessing this is why he felt he needed to pay me, a good friend, for a kind deed. Dear God, take care of this beautiful man.

Did you grow up having to earn for every single reward? Sounds like many of us, huh? Many of us see strings attached to gifts. The give and take mentality has permeated society that when kindness is bestowed, we can’t even recognize it anymore. May I challenge you? Look around with a different lens. We are surrounded by so many blessings. I grew up with a weekly allowance worth 5 candies … that was enough then. What did you grow up with?

After counting all my blessings, for me, the most important blessing is the gift of salvation. You can’t buy it. You can’t earn it. It’s free. If you know what I’m talking about, you know you are blessed. If you don’t, I guess there’s a blessing waiting for you.

But this is just me.

TGIF people!

“Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.”
— Anonymous 

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. for sending this joke.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA who sent this newspaper clipping

Videos of the Week

Alexa for Seniors
Sent by Bruce of Kanub, Utah and Jeff of Pasadena, CA

Hey, I want one of these. I hope that I will still have a sense of humor when I reach that age.

WATCH VIDEO

Flying in Dubai
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA

A thrilling and dangerous exercise. One mistake and you’re done. High quality video.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Garie of Makati, Philippines who shared this

Celebrating the Year of the pig:

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