Friday, November 27, 2009

Day After Thanksgiving

Ray II and Gretchen
Give thanks for all things and in all things, the Bible reminds us, and not just on “Turkey Day.”


What hinders my giving thanks (in and for)? Adversity. We live in a fallen world where “manure happens.” Sorrows are natural but can be couched in a foundation of gratitude.

I’d prefer not having Parkinson’s. Among many things, it keeps me from participating in the game I love – basketball. “Burwick,” you say, “you’re 70 years old. Grow up. At your age not being able to compete in basketball shouldn’t be a consideration.”

“I know. I know. But I enjoy the game. And it is a lot more enjoyable to work out with a ball in my hands then walking on the treadmill. Besides, there are memories of the success experiences – the latest being on the Alabama Seniors Over 60 3 on 3 State Championship team.” (Ten years ago.)
So what does this have to do with gratitude. I can live in the past memories and be sorrowful for what I can’t do now: or, I can focus on what I can’t do now and be frustrated. The third option is much healthier: “God, thanks for all you have provided for me through basketball.” My focus is gratitude for what I’ve had and not sorrow for what I don’t have because of the Parkinson’s. I’m successf at this mindset or gratitude 95 % of the time. A thankful spirit leads to a joyful outlook on life.

However, stuttering has taken a nose dive and I’m struggling with giving thanks for that. It hit a low the other day when giving a devotional to the NNU basketball team, I was blocking so severely that I had the coach read the material to the players. A grateful response? NYET. NO. Frustration and a smidgen of self pity. Ugly! I’m asking God for the grace to go deeper in my intimacy with Him so that I can more positively accept, “All things work for good…”

Dear reader, you may speak fluently, but what is your “stutter?” Is it met with a growing attitude of gratitude? Great! A joyful outlook on life is the result. And that is available to us as we walk more and more intimately with the sovereign, powerful Creator of the earth - and of you and of me. “

Anyone for a freethrow shooting contest?”

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien drug food interactions - buy ambien online

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online no prescription xanax 7 weeks pregnant - xanax detectable urine drug test

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem online zolpidem tartrate breastfeeding - buy generic zolpidem

Anonymous said...

buy ativan ativan muscle relaxant dosage - ativan withdrawal how long last

Anonymous said...

xanax antidepressant xanax withdrawal from . 25 mg - pictures generic xanax pills

Anonymous said...

zolpidem no prescription zolpidem urinalysis - zolpidem side effects tinnitus

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online legally side effects xanax extended release - generic pill for xanax

Anonymous said...

diazepam without prescription what is diazepam 2mg - buy actavis diazepam

Anonymous said...

valium diazepam manufacturers long does 2mg diazepam work - diazepam 2 mg

Anonymous said...

buy diazepam diazepam 2mg to buy - side effects of diazepam 10mg

Anonymous said...

buy valium online sweet valium high song meaning - valium for sale in bulk

Anonymous said...

generic zolpidem zolpidem tartrate 10 mg tablet no prescription - zolpidem er reviews

Anonymous said...

xanax cost xanax bars yellow ladders - xanax side effects grapefruit

Anonymous said...

order xanax xanax and alcohol interaction - xanax length of effect

Anonymous said...

buy xanax xanax dosage calculator - xanax side effects on liver

Anonymous said...

lorazepam online ativan dosage - took 8 mg of ativan

Anonymous said...

generic ativan ativan for alcohol hangover - buy ativan online uk

Anonymous said...

ativan sale ativan your system - ativan package insert

Anonymous said...

lorazepam drug ativan uses and dosages - lorazepam-ratiopharm 1 mg tabletten

Anonymous said...

order ativan ativan many get high - ativan and high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

ativan price ativan vs klonopin high - ativan side effects eyes

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien cr generic 12.5 mg - buy ambien from india

Anonymous said...

buy valium no prescription needed order valium online forum - legal buy valium online usa

Anonymous said...

buying ambien online can you overdose on 2 ambien - zolpidem tartrate generic ambien cr

Anonymous said...

buy soma get soma online - assistir filmes online soma todos medos

Anonymous said...

where to buy valium online 10mg valium erowid - drug class for valium

Anonymous said...

buy valium online valium cost without insurance - valium yellow pill 2683

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien 5 mg 10 mg - buy ambien cr 12.5/ no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online overnight generic ambien online pharmacy - buy ambien xanax

Anonymous said...

ambien online without rx ambien dreams - zopiclone ambien zolpidem

Anonymous said...

buy valium online overnight delivery diazepam valium history - generic valium vs brand

Anonymous said...

buy valium online diazepam valium for sale - valium effects and duration

Anonymous said...

Because it needs to be taken with care, it is only available by prescription. [url=http://50in8.com/]cheap prednisolone[/url] It can also be used in the treatment of migraines, cluster headaches, leukemia, HodgkinпїЅs lymphoma, and hormone sensitive tumors. Doctors should talk with their patients so they understand the risks as well as the benefits associated with this prescription medication. Prednisone for sale.

Anonymous said...

The Basics Of Strattera [url=http://thisoldrv.com/]buy strattera online[/url] It does need to build up in the system for it to be as effective as possible. Discount Strattera online pharmacy. Order low cost Strattera medication online at discounted price.

Anonymous said...

The medication was approved by the FDA and introduced to the market by Wyeth in 1993. buy Effexor online http://echlfans.net/ - generic effexor xr 2 million prescriptions written by doctors who believe it would serve their patients needs well. Patients and doctors should discuss all side effects as they occur.

Anonymous said...

Despite being in such wide use, there is not currently a generic form of the medication available and there will not be until at least 2018, which makes it out of the price range that many people can afford as many insurance companies are not choosing to list it as a preferred medication, meaning there is more of an out of pocket expense with this medication as compared to some others. http://thisoldrv.com/ - buy generic strattera Order low cost Strattera medication online at discounted price. It does need to build up in the system for it to be as effective as possible. Order low cost Strattera medication online at discounted price.

Anonymous said...

pritteerell buspirone without prescription - buy buspar http://www.busparspecialoffer.com/

Anonymous said...

Us Health And Drug Administration cheap generic prednisone - cheapest prednisone http://www.prednisone4sale.com/#cheapest-prednisone

Anonymous said...

Vancouver Street Drugs buy fluconazole - buy diflucan no prescription http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#buy-diflucan-no-prescription , [url=http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#order-diflucan-online ]order diflucan online [/url]

Anonymous said...

Generic Prescription Drug Canada cheap lexapro no prescription - cheap lexapro online http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#cheap-lexapro-online , [url=http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#discount-lexapro ]discount lexapro [/url]

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs what dosage - buy cheap tramadol mastercard

Sunil Ghosh said...

Intel Core i7 black friday sales 2018