I'm loving this!
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Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Whole World Stinks!
Today I have another guest post from my friend Denise.
Denise and I spent part of the day together yesterday, she is one of those special friends that makes a trip to the coffee shop for a vanilla latte on her way to my house! It's hard to find such good friends :)
We had lots of fun talking, laughing...working on blog issues (does anyone know if you can change your primary email on your blogger blog???)...which we never figured out and ended up talking about how excited we are to go to a writer's conference together this summer (insert squeeeeel!)~ and not everyone would be as thrilled (writer nerds unite!)~ so it's wonderful to have Denise in my life, she is a gift.
If you've ever had a bad day, you will enjoy this article!
You can click on the picture to read more at her blog...the story about their trip to the photographer is priceless-one we can probably all relate to!
Have you had one of those days? Where, literally, everything stinks? I did today.
The farmer across the field from us is spreading manure over the fields. I think he has found the nastiest stinkiest ickiest manure he had from sitting there all winter and decided to spread it as far away from his house as he could, so it’s right next to ours. He started doing this yesterday, he finished up today. It’s a big tractor, it’s a HUGE stink.
This morning, we overslept – again. Since this spring time change, I cannot seem to get in the groove of it. My first thought was “oh no!” followed by “what is that smell?”.
This is not the way to start the day.
Our youngest had the flu on Sunday. Today he had the diarrhea. I would walk into the room where he and older brother were playing, get a whiff and say “are you stinky?” His brother would answer “He is VERY stinky.”
I have been changing diapers for nine solid years. I share my home with four boys and my husband and ONE bathroom. So when I tell you he stunk badly, believe me, he did.
It just wasn’t a good day. It was cloudy and dreary and so windy the boys couldn’t really go outside to burn off energy. I spent the day over tired, the boys were at each others throats (when I say that, believe me, they really are. It’s an art form, really, to strangle your brother and be away from him and on the couch before the storming mother enters the room to save the screaming one), my husband’s tractor broke and he couldn’t fix it, the laundry was insurmountable, the awful smell was everywhere and when my husband came in to tell me the fertilizer he had gotten for the asparagus wouldn’t spread I thought, ‘that figures, because this whole day stinks.’
And when I said that, I realized it was my attitude that stunk the most. It was the stinkiest thing I had surrounding me!
So, while my husband ran to town for fertilizer and took one of the four boys with him that needed “alone daddy time” the most, I sat down to do my Bible study. The one I had not done due to the awful day. Since the Beth Moore conference – let me say here that I had NEVER heard of Beth Moore before the Praise and Coffee conference and that it touched me deeply, that weekend – I have been doing the “Loving Well” workbook. Today it was on “Joy”. I nearly laughed out loud when I read the title.
The last part of the day’s worksheet was to think of the people who bring us joy, who are a joy to love, and I got caught up in writing some notes. I had thought to do it later, when I had time, but Curious George was entertaining the crowd and there never really IS time so I took advantage of that and spent the show writing a few “it’s a joy to love you” cards. I kid you not, the sunshine came out as I worked. I felt smiled upon.
Denise and I spent part of the day together yesterday, she is one of those special friends that makes a trip to the coffee shop for a vanilla latte on her way to my house! It's hard to find such good friends :)
We had lots of fun talking, laughing...working on blog issues (does anyone know if you can change your primary email on your blogger blog???)...which we never figured out and ended up talking about how excited we are to go to a writer's conference together this summer (insert squeeeeel!)~ and not everyone would be as thrilled (writer nerds unite!)~ so it's wonderful to have Denise in my life, she is a gift.
If you've ever had a bad day, you will enjoy this article!
You can click on the picture to read more at her blog...the story about their trip to the photographer is priceless-one we can probably all relate to!
Have you had one of those days? Where, literally, everything stinks? I did today.
The farmer across the field from us is spreading manure over the fields. I think he has found the nastiest stinkiest ickiest manure he had from sitting there all winter and decided to spread it as far away from his house as he could, so it’s right next to ours. He started doing this yesterday, he finished up today. It’s a big tractor, it’s a HUGE stink.
This morning, we overslept – again. Since this spring time change, I cannot seem to get in the groove of it. My first thought was “oh no!” followed by “what is that smell?”.
This is not the way to start the day.
Our youngest had the flu on Sunday. Today he had the diarrhea. I would walk into the room where he and older brother were playing, get a whiff and say “are you stinky?” His brother would answer “He is VERY stinky.”
I have been changing diapers for nine solid years. I share my home with four boys and my husband and ONE bathroom. So when I tell you he stunk badly, believe me, he did.
It just wasn’t a good day. It was cloudy and dreary and so windy the boys couldn’t really go outside to burn off energy. I spent the day over tired, the boys were at each others throats (when I say that, believe me, they really are. It’s an art form, really, to strangle your brother and be away from him and on the couch before the storming mother enters the room to save the screaming one), my husband’s tractor broke and he couldn’t fix it, the laundry was insurmountable, the awful smell was everywhere and when my husband came in to tell me the fertilizer he had gotten for the asparagus wouldn’t spread I thought, ‘that figures, because this whole day stinks.’
And when I said that, I realized it was my attitude that stunk the most. It was the stinkiest thing I had surrounding me!
So, while my husband ran to town for fertilizer and took one of the four boys with him that needed “alone daddy time” the most, I sat down to do my Bible study. The one I had not done due to the awful day. Since the Beth Moore conference – let me say here that I had NEVER heard of Beth Moore before the Praise and Coffee conference and that it touched me deeply, that weekend – I have been doing the “Loving Well” workbook. Today it was on “Joy”. I nearly laughed out loud when I read the title.
The last part of the day’s worksheet was to think of the people who bring us joy, who are a joy to love, and I got caught up in writing some notes. I had thought to do it later, when I had time, but Curious George was entertaining the crowd and there never really IS time so I took advantage of that and spent the show writing a few “it’s a joy to love you” cards. I kid you not, the sunshine came out as I worked. I felt smiled upon.
Monday, June 2, 2008
How Shall We Fight for Joy?
I read this on John Piper's website and wanted to share it with you.
How Shall We Fight for Joy?
By John Piper
January 1, 1995
1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt - how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.
11. Get the rest and exercise proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.
13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.
How Shall We Fight for Joy?
By John Piper
January 1, 1995
1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt - how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.
11. Get the rest and exercise proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.
13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Because of Him... I Can
I can know peace.
I can know joy.
I can have HOPE.
I can climb mountains and cross raging seas in this life.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
This is so cool. I needed this today! I hope it encourages you.
Love,
Sue
I can know joy.
I can have HOPE.
I can climb mountains and cross raging seas in this life.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
This is so cool. I needed this today! I hope it encourages you.
Love,
Sue
Monday, June 18, 2007
Joy
Hello!
Personal updates:
Thanks so much for your love and prayers for us and for the family at church. The funeral was Saturday. It was a heartfelt remembrance of a beautiful young lady.
Lauren is healing up wonderfully since her surgery!
We’ve had one phone call from Matt. He’s homesick, but doing well. Today starts his 3rd full week of basic training.
We’ve talked about love and peace and I thought that it was just fitting that we discuss JOY today.
Psalms 30:5
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
NKJV
First I want to clarify that joy is not the same word as happy.
Personal updates:
Thanks so much for your love and prayers for us and for the family at church. The funeral was Saturday. It was a heartfelt remembrance of a beautiful young lady.
Lauren is healing up wonderfully since her surgery!
We’ve had one phone call from Matt. He’s homesick, but doing well. Today starts his 3rd full week of basic training.
We’ve talked about love and peace and I thought that it was just fitting that we discuss JOY today.
Psalms 30:5
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
NKJV
First I want to clarify that joy is not the same word as happy.
Happiness is an emotion that is based on external circumstances.
Happiness is temporary.
Happiness can come and go with the ups and downs of life and our feelings.
JOY on the other hand is based on the internal state of our heart. It’s who and what you KNOW at the very core of your being.
It is the steady, constant assurance of the love and truth of our God.
Joy doesn’t come and go with changing times.
Joy is not based on our feelings!
Here’s one definition:
Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a future good.
(from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
Acts 2:28
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.
NIV
I would say it like this;
I know my God, I know He’s faithful, He’s always with me and He fills me with HIM, which brings joy.
How else could we swallow a verse like James 1:2?
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
NIV
Joy comes when we know our God and walk with Him.
Even in the darkest times, we can have joy because we trust that our God is working things out. That His Word is true and does not lie.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
NIV
Joy can affect my feelings, but it is not determined by them.
Joy goes much deeper than happiness.
Nehemiah 8:10
This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
NIV
The word strength can be defined in the Greek as:
A fortified place and a defense
How awesome is that?!
Not only does He give us joy in the midst of trial and tragedy, but it also becomes our place of safety and strength!
Our God is so good to us! I love Him so much don’t you?!
This verse sums it all up:
John 15:9-11
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
NIV
There it is! We can have joy because He loves us!
Lord, I ask You to make Your love so real to us that it changes us! Let us remain in Your love and experience the joy that only YOU can give!
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