Better Days Challenge
We started a new series this past Sunday at Cross Point entitled Better Days. We talked a great deal about how we are constantly bombarded with sensational and fear based messages. As a result, often our mind is more shaped by media than scripture, which leads to us approaching most of life with pessimism and cynicism.
Psalm 103:2
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Numerous psychologist have proven that focusing on the things we have to be grateful for produces happiness, makes us more optimistic about the future, and just generally makes us feel better about our lives.
So here’s what we’re calling the Better Days Challenge and I want you to jump in with us.
Everyday for the next week we’re going to list 3 things we have to be grateful for just to see how it breathes hope into our hearts and minds. If you’re on twitter you can tag your list with #betterdayschallenge
I’m already seeing an amazing shift in the way I’m looking at my family, work, and my walk with Jesus.
So why not start here? In the comments tell us 3 things you’re thankful for.
Not to difficult & since I’m one that has a hard time backing down from a challenge…
1-my wife: God constantly uses her to speak to me.
2-my job: not just the fact that I have one, but the fact that I’ve been given an opportunity to advance the kingdom in new & creative ways (at least for the people we’re connecting with)
3-coffee: at least at 8 in the morning I am.
-Just got offered some short term work which will provide some extra money and will look very good on my resume. Both will be very helpful in the coming months as I’m graduating soon.
- Spent a lot of the evening on noisetrade.com discovering great free music. Very thankful for noisetrade.
- Long winded conversations with church friends about very random assortments of topics. I love having such an awesome bunch of church friends.
Joanna- Congrats on the short term work.
I am thankful for insurance and great medical care, especially today since I have two sick boys and myself.
I am thankful for my husband and how hard he works so I am able to be a SAHM and take care of our boys.
I am thankful for a very loving church family that has helped our family get through my grandmother passing, my mom losing her battle with cancer, and my miscarriage all within three months.
1. My wife and son
2. My Church
3. Coffee
1) my husband and son because they love me unconditionally;
2) my 9 year old “little brother” Rocco who allows me into his life and that of his grandmother and let’s me impart my grown up wisdom on him;
3) my parents for the way they raised me, for their love and wisdom.
I’m a lucky person to feel so loved!
Wow. I so often forget #3.
(1) that i get to serve orphans with the broken heart God gave me
(2) a career change that I know is Spirit led
(3) all my love ties… family and friends
I am thankful
*that this year, over all, has been less painful than last year.
*that I faced it all stone cold sober even when I really really didn’t want to be.
*that I KNOW there is a purpose for the hell I walk through, even though RIGHT NOW, I don’t see it.
Praying a special prayer for you right now.
1 – My salvation
2 – My beautiful daughter
3 – My freedom
I love this – I have fallen into reading and listening to way too much news. My spirit needs some uplifting. If I could add a #4 – it would be Pete Wilson’s challenge.
God is good – all the time!
I’ve been shocked at how it’s changed my perspective so quickly Beth.
My four children
My church family
My job
This morning I am grateful for
1. the song “Brokenss Aside” by Sons and Daughters
2. My Legacy Mens group…Wow!
3. The team of people that I get to serve Christ alongside!
Grateful for:
1. Texas Rangers win Game 5.
2. My wife for letting me go to Game 5 without a ticket for her.
3. Poor quality opposing bullpen phone at Game 5.
Sorry, I will try to be more spiritual tomorrow.
Good ones woody! (I mean that) It’s nice to be grateful just for the things we do to relax that bring us pleasure
1) I’m thankful for salvation and how through it I can have a personal relationship with God.
2) I’m thankful for my family and the joy they bring to my life.
3) I’m thankful for having food in our table everyday.
I tend to focus on the “what is not getting done” in life and at work. My prayer today is that this challenge will inspire me and press me to be more optimistic and see the beauty of all God does each day.
Thanks, as always, for the loving reminders you post each day.
You bet Jeff.
Today(my first day starting #betterdayschallenge)I am thankful for…
1. My loving boss
2. Adopted children
3. The constant reminder that Jesus always has my back.
1.) my son Jakeb
2.) my husband Eric
3.) great friends that always listen to me and let me vent when I really need it!
1. That I didn’t listen to my “society” an abort my son; knowing he would have medical problems before birth. Isaac “iceman” turns 11 tomorrow.
2. That I have grace & forgiveness for the actions I occurred in my past, today, and tomorrows
3. For my ABBA God that woke me up early for a beautiful sunrise to speak deeply in my heart through my devotions.
1 Loving family
2. Colorful fall – looking at the trees outside my office window
3. Especially today – an interview for my radio show with John Kralik (author of 365 Thank Yous) … I’ve been trying to get the interview for a month and it happens today. How cool is that!?
My wife, our children and my eyesight
Faith
Love
Hope
A wonderful Church that reminds me that nobody’s perfect, everyone’s welcome, & anything’s possible. I always leave with a sense of Hope for better days. Truly grateful for everyone at CP that has impacted my life the last 12 months.
Gratitude really works..
Sean
Carolina &
LeAnn
God has used all three of them to grow me into being the wife and Mom He has called me to be….and I’m still learning!
Love them!!!
I am thankful for: my wife, My sons and the group of men who weekly challenge me and my faith
Great word today, Pete. Its so true how the media has created a culture of fear in our country that is really crippling. Here’s my three:
1. I’m grateful to serve in a church that loves the gospel more than any pastor or the name on the front of the building.
2. I’m grateful for great weather in Kansas City all the way til the end of October. It has been gorgeous here the last 3 weeks.
3. I’m thankful for withoutwax.tv. Its cool to feel a connection to a pastor and church in another state, but one I am very much rooting for and admire. Thanks Pete! I appreciate your leadership, even from afar.
Thanks for being a part of this community Jesse.
Friends
A faithful husband
Supportive family
1-My husband
2-My children
3-My granddaughter
I am thankful:
1. for a husband who takes the kiddo to school every morning
2. for legs that can run
3. for seeing the fog lift off the lake on a cold morning
I am grateful for my family.
Grateful for having yet another day to make someone smile.
Grateful for the food in my refrigerator.
Love this!
1- My wonderful husband of almost 3 years.
2- The talent of photography that I have been blessed with so that I may bless others.
3- My toasty home during these chilly days.
Wow, so many things I am thankful for….
1)My children and grandchildren-The inspire me every day and truly are my heroes!
2)My job-A job that truly God gave me and one that I can make a difference in so many other’s lives!
3)I am thankful that I have a thirst for knowledge….no matter how old I am, I love to learn!
1. My wife Teresa
2. My son Stephen
3. My daughter Sarah
My pastor and his leadership in my life and how he’s invested in me. My best friend. Who stands behind me no matter what I face. And my church for living united for reaching people. Loving unconditionally and Empowering the unlikely.
My friends my family and the relationship that I have with my Brother Jesus Christ
Pete you wil need to wait until tonight. I am posting mine on FB when my day is done. Thanks for the Challenge it forces us to look at our day in a more positive way. I am truly Blessed to be where I am and involved with Crospoint Church and to have you and the rest of the staff in my life.
Love this! (I’m journeying through Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 Gifts with a group of women in our town, so we’ve been practicing thanks in the large and the microscopic!)
- the restorative power of a freshly made bed
- soft kleenex (huge comfort in the midst of a major allergy attack!)
- grace. always.
I love me some Ann V.
I am thankful for my kids and I being healthy, the love and support of my family, and for having a job during this tough economical time
I find myself lately thanking God for the many things that we so often tend to overlook, things that so many people have to live without:
(1) My family and friends
(2) Having basic necessities like food, water, and shelter
(3) Being gainfully employed
Also, any chance the Better Days messages will be posted online? As someone who often struggles with being affected by the gloom and doom messages in the media, I’d love to hear them.
I live in WV and I am thankful for:
1. My wife and my 7 month old son
2. My family and friends who has never given up on me, even when I wanted too.
3. These daily devotions/reads that I read all the time, that challenges me to be the best I can be for the kingdom of God everyday.
1. Forgiving Lord
2. My forgiving wife
3. Kids that love me unconditionally
1. Delicious food!
2. A kind smile.
3. When my children use there brains just a little…
a little is all you can ask for sometimes
I’m thankful for the miracle God is working in my life. Even though I have been unemployed for over
2 years and can’t sell my house, God continues to bless me with a home we are buying, bills get
paid and we can give to our church!. More than 3 but hey worth praising Him for!!!!
1. A job that I love & that helps people!
2. My family-past, present & future!
3. The friends God has blessed me with!
My Family, My church, and my patient friends.
To know my God leads me every day. To be able to see the beautiful sky and color in the trees this morning. To be able to hear the birds outside.
I am so grateful for my girls. I have 3 daughters ( two of them have Downs Syndrome ( what was meant for evil was turned into such blessings!!!!) My girls have been such a blessing in my life so… the 3 things I am grateful is….
Elizabeth
Tori
Laney
Thank you God for my girls.
Betty
1. an honest awareness of God’s presence in every moment (today anyways
)
2. relationships that are affirming and supportive in times of doubt and fear
3. vision and opportunity… they make a great team!
thankful for my wonderful,thoughtful husband and kids
thankful for having my brother back in my life
thankful for having a job to go to and loving it.
I am thankful for my hard-working husband, my fun children, and for the house we all share.
My husband, my son, my daughter and her family.
my husband. It sure took Him a long time but I’m very happy with His choice.
my love of music and the ability to make it my life’s work.
animals! I love animals and I’m so glad God created animals that actually love us back.
1. Godly friends
2. good books
3. my puppy
- my fiance, God blessed me with an amazing other half
- my laptop, I can reach blogs, videos, online Bible, friends etc. just from my desk
- my parents, they always supported me financially in whatever I needed
My God
My Wife
My Children
I have been listening in Rhode Island to the “podcasts” from Cross Point Church and have been blessed with every message. Thanks for all you do!
1. I am thankful that God does not expect us to be perfect.
1. I am thankful for the family of God, from one church to another. We are blessed to have such amazing places of worship.
2. I am thankful for my amazing wife of 14 years, 3 boys, and my baby who is still in the oven.