A Lovely Dwelling

You can make your living space a better place.  It may be easier than you think!  This is our challenge on Day 31.

A Lovely Person

Your transformation begins on the inside. 
What am I grateful for today?
Gratitude should start and end every day.  Our blessings cannot increase until we are thankful for them.
Have I taken time for prayer or meditation?
The centering effects of these acts pour out into our interactions with others.

A Lovely Place

Your transformation continues on the outside.
What small acts of kindness can I do for others?
Random acts of kindness on the micro level pass your blessings on to bless others.  Whether it’s sweeping the elderly neighbor’s porch or buying a stranger’s coffee, little things change the world.
Have I given to those who cannot return the favor?
This could be financial, but need not be.  “Paying it forward” was a big buzz word years ago.

When you take the actions above, both internal and external, you make the dwelling place lovely.  I will leave you with Psalm 84:1-4,

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the LORD.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:

http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

Unseen Miracles

In the normal every day life you live, you may be on the cusp of an unseen miracle.  We will examine this on Day 30.

Angels Unaware

The miracles we discuss today are not raising the dead to life or giving sight to the blind.  God grants miracles to us in our everyday life, but our blinders of business and lack of faith keep us from seeing the power available to in our lives.  One miracle we may not see is spiritual protection.   Psalm 91:11 tells us:

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

“Angels Unaware” if you will, guard day and night, wherever you go.  Every issue is not solved by angelic guardian,  but I am glad to know I have an unseen protection.

Answered Prayers

Another way miracles happen in every day life is through the answering of our prayers.  A daily time of prayer and meditation is recommended for every person in recovery.  The immediate benefits are the peace and serenity that come from the practice.  When one of those prayers are answered, that is a miracle.  Unseen or seen, the Power greater than you and I wants to give us good things. 

Miracles are all around us.  Look for one and maybe you will see the unseen today.

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

Renew me

Each day is a new day, a gift from above.  If you are weary and need renewal, Day 29 is our time to look at the rest for body and soul.

He will feed His flock

Many times in the Old Testament, God is pictured as a shepherd who watches over his people seen as sheep.  If you are in a place of urgency, the Shepherd of our Souls will not leave you in your need.  A hymn has even been written about the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep in his fold to tend to just one who needs care.  He cares for you that much.  Feel the ability to reach our to your Shepherd today.

He will gather lambs in His arms

Not only do we have a caring Shepherd, but a loving one as well.  There is nothing you can do to separate you from His love.  Earthly love may come and go, but the love of a Higher Power is unconditional.  It does not waver or change.  Trust in that love and the One it comes from.  Choose to begin to renew your spirit today and find rest for your soul.

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

Patiently we wait

Patience is not given away.  It is a virtue that is earned over time.  This the focus on Day 28.

Waiting for an answer

There are times in life that we want a quick answer. Yes, no, it doesn’t matter, we just want to get this chapter of our book closed so we can begin a new one.  When thinking about building patience, you must know that many times answers do not come so quickly.
Scripture tells that going through suffering builds patience in our lives.  Whether that suffering is the waiting or a different kind of suffering, know that it is there for a purpose in your life.

Waiting for God

If you have been praying for something in particular, you may be discouraged that you have not received an answer.  Sometimes God asks us to wait as an answer to our prayer.  If we are not open to this option,  we may have bitterness toward God, thinking He does not hear our words to Him.  He knows every sparrow that falls, and even the number of hairs on our head.  How much more will He care for our prayers?  

Patience is a virtue that we can benefit from gaining.  Now we must do the work to earn it.

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

Turn it Over

Challenges and difficulties will always come into our path. The concept of turning it over will help you to move forward.  This is our challenge on Day 27.

Letting it go

The hardest part about turning our difficulties over to the care of God is that we no longer own control over them.  If we truly hand over our anxieties to him, then we must cease to worry because our Higher Power will care for it for us. This may sound easy, but it may require life time of spiritual direction to achieve it. 

Letting God know

In the practice of turning it over, we must take our problems to God first.  Our human nature teaches us to do everything we can to fix something,  then and only then, pray about it if you can’t fix it.  Turning first to God saves a lot of heart ache on your part.  It also helps build a spiritual connection between you and your Higher Power which is important.

I would like to end today with a verse from 1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available:

http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

A Special Message about Gratitude

Recent events have encouraged the idea to break from our 45 thought journey to bring you a one day departure on the importance of gratitude. 

Where He Leads me

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of man whose life was cut short.  Not due to drugs or alcohol, simply a man working his job one minute and gone the next.  While I have no doubt that he is now enjoying his Heavenly reward, it has much impact on how those left behind should live.  Regardless of how difficult our lives may seem, imagine losing those around you that make life worth living.  If you can take away anything from what you read today, be grateful for the people placed around you.  They are more precious gold.  I ask of you to seriouly consider this.  If you have bitterness in your heart toward a family member or loved one, please take the steps to end it.  You are not promised tomorrow.

The last few days a lyric from the band Casting Crowns has been going through my thoughts.  I would like to leave you with it:

And I’ll praise You
In this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253

Changing the 3 P ‘ s

Ready to move forward, but feel like there is one area of your life still holding you back?  Find your moment today to consider making changes. This is our challenge on Day 26.

People, Places, and Things

If you are transitioning from a past that you want some distance from, I highly suggest making changes in the areas of people, places, and things.  You need positive, encouraging, supportive people in your life right now.  If old friends do not fit that category, they will not help you reach your current goals.  The places you go should be places that uplift and give you serenity.  Avoid old places that are questionable.  The category of things is for everything that is not a person or place.  Surround yourself with things that will put you at ease: good reading materials, calming music, and a list of phone numbers to call in case you need support. 

New Playmates, Playgrounds, and  Playtoys

I realize that heading may sound childish, but if you think about it, isn’t that what we really are doing?  Finding new ways to interact with the world that will move us forward without the entanglement of the past slowing us down.  Don’t be afraid to look for new people, places, and things to help you in your new life.

I would like to end with a verse from Philippians 3:13b:

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead

Dan Davis is a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is available for speaking and training of groups, schools, and businesses. Follow him on Twitter at @dand78

The devotional 45 days of Recovery in the Old Testament is available at:
http://www.amazon.com/45-days-Recovery-Old-Testament/dp/1470046253