WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Simple obedience? The word “obey” is one of the least used and understood words in American culture today. It seems antiquated, irrelevant and

YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU DO

You’ve just been introduced to someone for the first time. There are a couple of niceties exchanged and then without fail, almost

WHY YOU WILL WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT

There are so many challenges you face every day, that if you don’t get in shape and toughen up, you will not

THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF A MAN’S LIFE

There are four areas of Life that every man faces every day. And the way they are handled will bring either joy

LEARN GOD’S TAKE ON MONEY

The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses about money!In fact, 15

GOD’S POWER TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

If you are a married man or plan on getting married you will expect to be happily married to the woman you

DEFINING SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF

"Show Me The Money!" That line out of the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire, pretty much tells the story for most American men.

8 STEPS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE

Knowing what it takes to consistently love your wife in such a way that it guarantees that you will have a happy

7 STEPS TO CREATING INTIMACY WITH GOD

God made you. God loves you. God has a purpose for your life. The classic definition from the Westminster Catechism sums up our

WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?

I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on

HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES!

There isn’t a single human on earth who at some point doesn’t have to deal with a bully. Define bully any way

MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?

“They left everything and followed him.” Lk 5:11After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever. But

WHY IS THE “GOSPEL” CALLED GOOD NEWS?

Our men’s Bible study was looking to get a better grip on the meaning of the “Gospel. ”So we asked, “What exactly is

TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?

On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take anyone’s

HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?

Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be

YOU CAN’T STOP GOD’S BLESSINGS!

Does it ever seem to you that sometimes God’s blessings are unstoppable?Unstoppable for others that is! Why does God do that? You peer

TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?

TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?

July 26, 20232 min read

On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take any one’s breath away. 

I was especially reminded to never take something like this for granted by a young man who was visibly moved by what he was seeing. I happened to look up and as I made eye contact I noticed his tears.  A bit embarrassed he began to apologize and I asked if everything was okay.

“Yes, everything is okay. I’m just so moved by what I’m seeing. The beauty of the sky over the ocean, the power of the waves … it’s just all so cool.”

That led to a conversation about God and His creative artwork and generosity and how blessed we are.

It hit me again that as we go about our daily lives, it’s too easy to take for granted so many of the blessings that God has placed into our lives. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down to us from our God our Father who created all the lights in the Heavens. He never changes like a shifting shadow.” James 1:17

Taking things for granted, can lead to a distorted perspective on what I think I deserve. It can turn to ingratitude and even grumbling about the way I think things always ought to be.

But it’s easy enough to counteract.  

  • Every day thank God for being God and that He made you, loves you and has a purpose for you.

  • Every morning start out by listing at least three things you are thankful for. If possible do it out loud with your spouse, or children, or a co-worker. 

  • Ask someone you’re spending time with to “bust” you if they hear you start to complain. When they do, immediately shift into a place of gratitude.

  • Do an occasional “stop-down” throughout the day and look for the things that you know you are taking for granted. Celebrate them as “gifts” from your Heavenly Father.

  • At night in bed before falling asleep, review the day and recall the difference it made when you showed appreciation instead of taking things for granted. 

Taking beautiful sunrises for granted? Probably not. But imagine how different things could be if you treated ALL the other little blessings in life like a sunrise.

Back to Blog
TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?

TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?

July 26, 20232 min read

On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take any one’s breath away. 

I was especially reminded to never take something like this for granted by a young man who was visibly moved by what he was seeing. I happened to look up and as I made eye contact I noticed his tears.  A bit embarrassed he began to apologize and I asked if everything was okay.

“Yes, everything is okay. I’m just so moved by what I’m seeing. The beauty of the sky over the ocean, the power of the waves … it’s just all so cool.”

That led to a conversation about God and His creative artwork and generosity and how blessed we are.

It hit me again that as we go about our daily lives, it’s too easy to take for granted so many of the blessings that God has placed into our lives. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down to us from our God our Father who created all the lights in the Heavens. He never changes like a shifting shadow.” James 1:17

Taking things for granted, can lead to a distorted perspective on what I think I deserve. It can turn to ingratitude and even grumbling about the way I think things always ought to be.

But it’s easy enough to counteract.  

  • Every day thank God for being God and that He made you, loves you and has a purpose for you.

  • Every morning start out by listing at least three things you are thankful for. If possible do it out loud with your spouse, or children, or a co-worker. 

  • Ask someone you’re spending time with to “bust” you if they hear you start to complain. When they do, immediately shift into a place of gratitude.

  • Do an occasional “stop-down” throughout the day and look for the things that you know you are taking for granted. Celebrate them as “gifts” from your Heavenly Father.

  • At night in bed before falling asleep, review the day and recall the difference it made when you showed appreciation instead of taking things for granted. 

Taking beautiful sunrises for granted? Probably not. But imagine how different things could be if you treated ALL the other little blessings in life like a sunrise.

Back to Blog

Copyright 2023 | TMI Ventures LLC | All Rights Reserved