One Hundred posts come and go so quickly! It seems like it was just 5 months ago when I started blogging… 🙂
I’ve seen on other blogs that when you hit your 100th post, you’re supposed to tell 100 things about yourself, or make a video, or do something special. I told a lot about my self in these posts: 40 Wonderful Truths, 40 Wonderful Gifts, and in 40 Wonderful Things. (Incidentally,when totalled, actually come to 120 bits of info – which might already be way TMI!)
So my “special thing” today is a “give-away” (see below), and a trip back to the beginning of why the Lord led me to call this blog “Smelling Coffee”. I agree…It is a strange name – at least until you know the background. (BTW, that is my Bible and favorite coffee cup in the picture above.)
But before I do that, I just want to thank those of you who have entered my life through blogging this year. You have blessed me with your encouraging, uplifting, creative, and funny posts and comments on a daily basis. I have new “heart friends” because of being a part of a blogging community. Thank you for making this venture into “blog-land” such a blessing to me. I had no idea it would become so special to me when I started this blog 100 posts and 5 months ago. 🙂
Here was my original post on “Smelling Coffee.”
Hello everyone… This is my first stride into “blog-land”. To be honest, I feel a little vulnerable in putting my personal thoughts out there in cyberspace for anyone to read, and then wondering if anyone will care to read them… I don’t know what plans the Lord has for this blog, but I do know that He led me to start one, gave me the idea of naming it “Smelling Coffee Today” (I’ll explain that in a minute) and is asking me to write about what He is doing in our lives as we walk with Him each day. So, my friends… here it is…
Why “Smelling Coffee?”
Both Chris Rice and Veggie Tales sing a song that has become a favorite of mine – so much a favorite that this blog is named after the phrasing and truth in the song. It’s called “Smellin’ Coffee” (see lyrics below). Actually, Ann Landers is credited for making the phrase “Wake up and smell the coffee” popular, but it is in the lyrics of this song that I realized just what “smelling coffee” each day meant to me. (No offense to Chris Rice, but the Veggie Tales version is my favorite!)
Every morning, the first one awake in our house turns on the coffee pot, and the aroma of Breakfast Blend fills the air. Most mornings, my husband gets to the coffee pot first and brings me a cup, and I sip it while I spend time with the Lord. With my Bible, notebook, and coffee, I prepare to start a new day. No matter how difficult the day (or night) before, or what season of life we are in, or what storms are on the horizon, having coffee with Jesus each morning grounds me and fills me with joy! I think Jeremiah must have been smelling coffee when he wrote Lamentations 3:21-24:
“But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation; It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” (Amplified Version)
Waking each morning to hope, new starts, the Lord’s mercy, His never failing compassion, and abundant and stable faithfulness for TODAY… this is “Smelling Coffee!”
In this blog, I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of our lives, and some of what the Lord shares with me as He and I sip coffee together. I’m praying for you, and pray that you can smell the aroma of His faithfulness and love over you today…
And, here is the song that started it all:
I love each of you and pray for you as I read your blogs and comments, and as I realize that you are reading mine. Thank you, again, for being a part of my life this year.
As a special 100th post celebration, I’m hosting my first “give-away”: two of my favorite flavored coffees – so that you can “smell the coffee” too! (You know… one of them will be Hazelnut, for sure. And the other one… we’ll talk.) Just leave me a comment on this post and you’ll be entered. Because of Christmas coming up and a bloggy break I’ll be taking soon, I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday, Dec. 30th.
With much love to you all… Jennifer
bookflutterby says
Oh I love Chris Rice’s music! I have my coffee blog too, and this is the song I wanted to put on it, but playlist didn’t have it- can you believe that? So I had to settle for a couple of his other songs…his music really goes with coffee. Awesome blog- it is so cute!
Courtney
Redeemed By His Love says
Cograts on your 100th post!! I came to your blog via Praise and Coffee!
I love the name of your blog; this from a coffee addict!
I had the same feelings when I started my blog( I am not yet to the 100th post, but cannot wait until I do).
Merry Christmas!
Miriam <><
Charmingdesigns says
Hi, I just found you. What a nice blog!! I would like to sign up for your giveaway! Please come and visit when you can. Laurie