30 Days of Thanks: Day 30

This conclude my thirty day series.

I'm thankful for grace. Grace in relationships, grace in the workplace and grace in the cosmic scheme of things. Makes all of this quite lovely to be a part of.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 29

Today is a more somber affair.

I'm thankful for the defeat of death. In reading 1 Corinthians 15 (one of my favorite chapters in Scripture), everything seems to become clear. In thinking that the first words spoken of the risen God were assuaging the fear of the dead one. Do not be afraid.

The fear of death is something I have struggled with my entire life and I doubt that fear will ever truly fade. But, joyfully, maybe there is yet hope.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 28

I was listening to some radio hip-hop (Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Tyga) on my drive to the gym, which of course made me thankful for the following comment:

I'm thankful for intelligent hip-hop. Lupe Fiasco is my current fix, but folk like Common, Childish Gambino and Public Enemy make me content to own an iPod instead of being stuck with 2 Chainz.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of thanks: Day 27

This one is again a bit broad.

I'm thankful for the gift of laughter. In my experience, laughter is a great way to foster community and create friendships. It also helps to think about God as one who laughs.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 26

Southern California rarely drops below 60 degrees, so this is a nice little change.

I'm thankful for the cold. The way it invokes memories of my childhood, shivering under the covers while having two fans blowing in from both windows. Good times.

You?

--Nick

30 days of Thanks: Day 25

I'm currently listening to Woven Hand and I'm coming to a slow realization.

I'm thankful for Woven Hand, and their impact on my views on worship music. For too often, I tend to miss the intention of worship and this band has been a great influence on me. Their songs and lyrics hit home, causing expansive thoughts about God and have even moved me to the point of tears just thinking about it. So, very grateful for that.

They sound nothing like contemporary Christian worship, and I think that is why I love them so much. Call it a God send in a spiritually quiet time. 

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 24

In this present reality, there is much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for a generous orthodoxy. For me, someone who leans American Baptist can converse and break open brews with a Presbyterian should be happy that disagreements offer greater friendships.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 22

After thinking about it for a few years, I think I missed writing this.

I'm thankful for Allison. She found me a dark place. Its been a wonderful journey towards something better than I think or deserve.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 21

Today was a pretty interesting day. I woke up at 5am, drove to work at 6, worked from 630 until 12, drove to Bevmo, worked 1 to 6 and finally got home with enough time to . . .

Be thankful that I had an interesting day. these days, I've found it's far more difficult to be thankful for something until after the fact. So, I offer my heartfelt thanks to the dude at Bevmo who was nice enough to talk to me about beer for ten minutes, giving me scientific data to support his conclusions about dark beer and calorie counts. This actually made my day.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 20

This one is a bit odd.

I'm thankful for occasions in the past that have made me what I am today. However, the nice thing about being in a constant state of personal flux is that waking up in the morning can result in some awesome bits of happiness. This includes finding inspiration to write and perseverance to sit my ass down and actually put that inspiration on paper.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 19

This one is more general.

I'm thankful for friendship. This includes ones that I have been hanging out with for years, and ones I've only met via written text. The challenges are awesome.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 18

I wrote over twenty five thousand words today for my novel. Roughly ten chapters down, with sixty or so chapters left.

I'm thankful for rewards and therapeutic writing. This Ballast Point should hit the spot. Very thankful for the time to crash and burn after writing over 3K today. Makes my night.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 17

I will cut right to the chase on this one.

I'm thankful for my Aunt. She originally had some problems and had to go through chemo and all of that fun stuff, and she's emerged healthy, stealthy and sly. I'm thankful for the pep she brings to my life.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 16

What am I thankful for today?

Coffee. 

It's quite simple. Coffee. Nectar of the Gods, bane of squirrels and puppy dogs. The scourge of poets and day time drivers.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 15

This one is more broad, but it helps to reflect.

I'm thankful for story. Simply put, story is the greatest way to express an opinion, to bring forth a conversation and to bring intimacy to a relationship. The creation of worlds offers an innermost sort of peace, and to create characters ex nihilo is often the best part of simply thinking.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 14

HAH.

Barely made it. Hmmm. This giving of thanks comes in the form of happening today.

I am thankful for incentive. My goal of officially completing my novel (70 chapters plus illustrations and other goodies) before November 1 will result in the popping of the beauty above. Hopefully with friends like Jared and others. :)

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 13

As usual, I tend to find myself thankful for the obvious. Today, it has to do with a drink I've come to enjoy rather religiously.

I am thankful for hot chocolate. Not only because it tastes great, but because of the imagery it evokes. Christmas time, the aging of the earth and the growth required for persons to succeed in such an odd world.

The theology books aren't included, but I imagine God is pleased with those as well. 

You?

--Nick

30 Days of thankfulness: Day 12

In hindsight, this one should've been obvious.

I'm thankful to have two jobs in this job environment. Hopefully things improve, but I'm grateful for the here and now.

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 11

I was up early this morning for a job meeting, and on the drive home, Bruce Springsteen's song "Jesus Was an Only Son" came up on shuffle. I will post the lyrics in a second but I wanted to mention why I'm thankful for this.

I'm thankful that through Bruce's collective experiences that such a powerful and imaginative song came about. The song is staggering in it's simplicity and overwhelming in it's intimacy.

Jesus was an only son
As he walked up Calvary Hill
His mother Mary walking beside him
In the path where his blood spilled
Jesus was an only son
In the hills of Nazareth
As he lay reading the Psalms of David
At his mother's feet

A mother prays, "Sleep tight, my child, sleep well
For I'll be at your side
That no shadow, no darkness, no tolling bell,
Shall pierce your dreams this night"

In the garden at Gethsemane
He prayed for the life he'd never live,
He beseeched his Heavenly Father to remove
The cup of death from his lips

Now there's a loss that can never be replaced,
A destination that can never be reached
A light you'll never find in another's face,
A sea whose distance cannot be breached

Well Jesus kissed his mother's hands
Whispered, "Mother, still your tears,
For remember the soul of the universe
Willed a world and it appeared 

You?

--Nick

30 Days of Thanks: Day 10

Waking up after enjoying that Speedway Stout, I was reminded of something I have been missing for several months.

I miss and am now more thankful than ever for breakfast. Eggs. Ham. Coffee. All that good stuff. And the picture is just amazing.

You?

--Nick