June 24, 2008
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Hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend … I’ll share a bit about ours, and then share a devotional with you. I did hear from Ian a couple of times … he told us he wouldn’t be coming for his birthday next month.
( It’s not financially possible for him right now, so it’s postponed for the time being. He seems to be doing well, sounds tired though … he’s now teaching a Bible study on Thursday nights … the one by Max Lucado – John 3:16. He’s enjoying that! He did travel to San Francisco to tape a conference, and they ended up driving through one of the fires burning on both sides of the highway! Thankfully they made it through safely, but he said the traffic had been backed up. *I just heard on the news that there are about 800 fires still burning out there, and some are even going ‘unattended’ because there are so many! Ian did say that he saw some smoke on a ridge not far from him when I talked with him last night … he asked us to keep praying. *Also, Lew spent some time early Saturday morning with his parents … and my father-in-law, O.P., isn’t doing very well. He’s falling asleep all the time, and is extremely weak … they think it’s the medication, so they are working at getting that regulated … if you would, could you please keep them both in your prayers.
Sunday … church was wonderful, as always … we’re having a children’s play next weekend … I’ll be taking the pictures while a dear friend of mine does the videotaping. Her husband is the ‘director’ … I just love church plays! We have no idea what this one is about … they’ve sure been busy practicing alot, though! I remember Ian being ‘Baby Jesus’, when he was about one, in a Christmas play at church … yours truly was Mary, and of course, hubby was Joseph. He (that is, Ian!) just gurgled and smiled through the whole thing! :o) Another time, when he was about 6, he played ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ … they even put that play on at the shopping mall … those were such special times, and now, special memories. After church we went to lunch with some friends, spent time at an antique mall, and then headed over to spend some time with Tim’s family for the evening … they were in town at their oldest son’s house. We were invited to stay for dinner and had some of the best burgers on the grill. Tim shared some photos of Ian I hadn’t seen before … I’m hoping to get some copies to share. Another storm came up while we were there … it looked pretty dark for awhile, but thankfully, it blew over without too much fuss … seems it’s becoming a daily occurrence, so we’re always ready with the candles and flashlight … oh, and the bucket for the basement! It was, and is always good being with Tim’s family. Lewis is down south working with Tim’s dad this week, and also spent the night last night … which will save on lots of gasoline! It’s about $4.05 here now … ouch! Someone said it may be $5.00 soon … that will be very ‘painful’! So many people we know are struggling to make ends meet now! Well, I do know that whatever we’re dealing with today, whatever trials we’re traveling through, we still have reason to rejoice …
“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.” - Romans 5:3
And, finally, speaking of ‘joy’ … in church Sunday, we heard about being ‘filled with joy‘, no matter what our circumstances are at the time. Here are a few nuggets about this ‘fruit of the spirit’ that I’ve since come across, and also something that I just received in another devotional … just may be that God is trying to say something about this thing called ‘joy’ ?! … thought I would share it with you! I’ll be by to catch up with you soon! I pray that you all have a blessed and joy-full week!
Hugs,
~ Deborah <><
P.S. I entered a photo over at BetsaflyGallery for this week’s theme on ‘Wild Animals’ … you’ll find some great entries over there, so, please do stop in for a quick peek! Now, continuing on with our theme of ‘joy’ …..
COUNT IT ALL JOY ….
- A Daily Devotional
The world often associates joy with happiness and pleasure. Unknown to most of them, joy is vastly different from happiness. A person who has joy can be happy, but a person who is happy might not have joy. As we know, happiness is something that is temporal but joy is something that is lasting. Happiness is caused by outward circumstances but joy is something that comes from within us.
When we truly have joy in our heart, people around us can feel and notice it. They will start to see the difference between us and them. The best way to testify of God is not just using our lips, but with our life. Because joy is such an important element in our lives and our walk with God, the devil wants to take such joy away from our heart. He has done quite a successful job in it since we are not filled with the joy of the Lord most of the time. Out of our lips come forth murmurings and complaining instead of thanksgiving. Instead of giving thanks to the Lord when a thing happens, we often end up sighing or just responding negatively.
We also need to know that only Jesus is our source of joy. There is no way we can find real joy apart from Him. Since He is the living water, only when we partake of Him will we have joy in our heart. We can try to find happiness from the world through pleasures, entertainment, riches and fame and so on. However, we will soon find that these things can never satisfy the emptiness within our heart, for they are all vanity. We can gain the world and find no joy because we will lose our soul. Only in Him can we find our joy. Therefore, we cannot try to find joy in any other thing apart from the Lord.
The moment we try to satisfy ourselves apart from Him, we forsake Him, the fountain of living waters; we forsake our real joy giver. After that, we hew out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water for ourselves. This speaks of us trying to get joy through the vain things of the world, for they cannot produce joy nor keep the joy that we have. Thus, we need to know Him as our real joy giver and not to turn to other things to give us joy.
The prophet Jeremiah said something that we all need to learn: “thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”. Has God’s word been the joy and rejoicing of your heart? There can be no way that His word will be the joy and rejoicing of our heart unless we yearn and thirst for Him, to have a closer relationship with Him. May we all find joy in Him and have joy in our heart.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” – Jeremiah 15:16
Joy is cheerfulness that is a calm delight with gladness which can be exceedingly great.Seven Ways to Cultivate Joy
by Insight for LivingWant more joy in your day? Cultivate it! Joy springs from viewing the day’s events from eternity’s perspective. With this intentional focus, you’re sure to see today differently—with more joy and conviction that God is at work in your life.
1. Rehearse with God the reasons you trust Him. Tell Him which of His attributes is your favorite right now. Read the praises of Scripture back to Him—begin with Psalm 103. Join with another believer in prayers of thanksgiving, and delight yourself in His character.
2. Keep a “joy journal.” Record the reasons you have to rejoice and the reminders of God’s faithfulness that you encounter in your everyday life. In addition, why not press a leaf from your prayer walks into its pages or include a photo of a person that brings you joy each time you remember him or her? Think big—expand your journal into a “joy box” or a “joy drawer” that brings floods of joy each time you open it.
3. Surround yourself with joyful people. Joy is contagious—so build relationships with friends whose lives exhibit their confidence in God. Pray for each other that your joy in Christ would continue to increase.
4. Approach life’s challenges and trials redemptively. God doesn’t waste the difficult circumstances of your life but uses them to develop His character in you. Review Romans 5 and James 1 for help in processing pressure productively. Joy will sneak up on you when you view your hardest lessons as gifts from God.
5. Make praise and gratitude a habit. Has God met a need? Praise Him! Have your challenges given you greater opportunities to see Him work? Thank Him! Joy flows from a grateful and responsive heart. Before you turn in at night, write down three to five blessings in your “joy journal.” Make it a habit, and watch your joyful attitude grow.
6. Fill your mind with music. Listen to, sing, and meditate on music that draws your heart nearer to God and His Word.
7. Take the long view. Investors advise their clients not to worry about the daily ups and downs of the stock market—what matters is the long view. Does life present incredible challenges today? Are your reserves at a low, or are you enjoying a content plateau? Regardless of today’s events, take the long view. Remember that God remains in charge of your days and will faithfully develop His character in you.
Can you think of some other ways that would ‘cultivate joy‘?Remember, joy springs from viewing the day’s events from eternity’s perspective. Trust that God controls your life’s details (Romans 8:28), that He hears your every request (Psalm 116:1), and that His joy will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
“A life of intimacy with God is characterized by Joy.” – Oswald Chambers
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Comments (10)
Hi Deborah! I enJOYed your page today…so pretty and summery! Thanks for the devotional! I am feeling quietly joyful this week while trying to get organized for two weeks of classes in Germany. I loved it there last year…so tidy! Have a good week!
Love, Ana
:sunny:Good evening Sweet Friend! (((((Hugs))))) I am so sorry about Ian. But I know that when you see him again in person it will be more special than before. This is how I always feel about Philip. When they go out to do things on their own we can only have faith that they will be blessed and that we did our job as their earthly parents. And that God will keep them protected! ……Praying for O.P. and Lew. Hope you are having a Terrific week so far! We are cloudy with rain spurts here and there…….But no flooding or wet basement, PraiseGod!And continue electricity!……….Hope you have a Peaceful and relaxing evening!…….In Christ’s Love…….Monic
:heartbeat::love::heartbeat::wave:
Just have quick hi from PA have to soon go back to work we are in between jobs tonight and we ran home to get something to eat and i thought i check on a few sites, will try to post soon it been kinda busy here , i want to thank you again for all the prayers, i also enjoy this post on Joy, and glad that you got to talk to Ian sorry that he won’t make it home for his birthday I will continue to hold him up in prayer as he does god work in CA, my Uncle will be flying in from CA tomorrow for my uncle Funeral on Friday, he said that at first he did not know if he could get a flight but God provided for him and were are so glad that he will make it back here my mom only has him and another brother left so i know that she will be glad to see him again, will gotta get back to work so my dear friend have a great evening and remember that someone in PA is thinking and praying for you,
GOD BLESS,
SANDY
:sunny:they think most of the fires were caused by lightening strikes….we are ok here PTL….
NICE devo :yes:
gas here is $4.55 last night, it does seem to change daily here…it is nuts….
I need to go pick up Amy from horse camp…she was so tired yesterday…she really worked hard….
Thank you for sharing these devotions — I can get so caught up in my emotions and really, joy is more about my perspective and attitude and faith — my focus on the Lord. I like the “practicalness” of the messages in both of the devotions you’ve posted. :sunny:
By the way, I also thank the Lord for Ian’s safety and that most of the fires are relatively small and in areas that are not populated. Blessings, Laurie
I know that is disappointing.
Your picture was a beautiful “end” to the pictures. I giggled!
:wave:
I’m sorry your son can’t make it home on his birthday but glad to hear he was safe on his drive home through the fires. I will keep your O.P and son in my prayers sweety. Thanks for sharing the devotional. I hope you have a great weekend.
HUGS and PRAYERS
and a good ole cup of tea to relax (can be hot or cold, your choice!) :sunny:
I did a study on a joy a few years ago and found it so helpful for me in my walk with Christ. It is a true gift of God. What a blessing!
Hello, Deborah! :sunny: Sounds like you have been occupying yourself in pleasant ways. So sorry your boy won’t be home for his birthday. I know ticket prices are going up along with gasoline prices. ~~ We were supposed to get a visit from a friend from the States in August, but I don’t know now if she is going to be able to come. She is in Kenya right now, and is hoping her frequent flyer miles from that trip will pretty much pay for one to Denmark! I hope so too! ~~ What a timely word you shared with us today! We certainly need the joy of the Lord. As the world gets darker and darker, we have to shine out that joy! I know I would never make it without the joy He gives. I have actually had people ask me why I am always so happy, or what is my “secret” for the joy I have. I love it when that happens! I get to tell them about my relationship with Jesus. How wonderful it is to have a friend like Him! ~~ I was sorry to hear O.P is not doing well. I will pray that they get his medications straightened out. We all respond to medicines differently. ~~ We are getting windy, chilly days here. Last night I had two blankets on the bed, and I was still cold! I do hope we get some more good days with more summery weather. Church camp is coming up next month along with our trip to Norway, and I really pray the weather will be nice. ~~ Blessings on teh rest of your day, my dear! :heartbeat:
A line from a Sunday School Song just popped into my head: Joy like a fountain! I really like the idea of a joy journal. I was talking about keeping a journal recently and this just may be the ticket to get me started. Thanks for planting the seed.
I’m sorry that you won’t get to see your boy on his birthday. And sorry to hear about all the fires. I wish I could send you some of our rain. I’ll send prayers instead.
I don’t usually do this, but I tagged you. :fun: Have a good day.