Joy Again...Can't say enough about JOY! Learning to walk in Thankfulness and Joy will change us and those who are touched by our lives.
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks unto him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Looks like Giving Thanks is pretty high on God's list since he had the psalmist say it twice. :0)
Getting mired in 'ask mode' with God or 'bless me' mode or 'bless my kids' etc. can be quite easy. I have to remind myself to take time to bless his name. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe."(1)
In darkness one night, afraid, words trickling through my consciousness, a conversation with my Dad regarding fear....when he was afraid, he would run into the name of the Lord. "How do you do that?" my little hand wrapped around his finger as we walked together. The simple reply, "Lord, I choose to run into your name right now." My little girl heart was satisfied.
Fifteen years later, terrified, between my sheets; thoughts run awry, my heavy comforter not giving me solace, in faith I said, "Jesus, I run into your name, whatever that means, I choose to run into your name." The sweet presence of God filled me and my room. Waking in the morning, rested and safe, I blessed his name.
1. Proverbs 18:10
Monday, May 5, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
There Is A Season
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
Three little ones in tow, day in and day out, dark house, the anticipation that this winter too, must pass. The out of doors beconed as I bundled the children; just sweaters, no heavy winter coats. I surveyed the barron grasses, which had finally surcomb to the harshness of winter; slumped, lifeless.
The sun shown down on the scene, warming hearts; winds whispering the wake up call of spring. Thrilled by a fragrance so rich and pungent I had to find its source. My sleepy senses coming alive as I ran in search of this tantalizing aroma.
Lifeless remains of summer lay in despair of winters cruelty. But there, just under huge clumps of dried, dead grass, pushing dainty yellow heads towards the sun, the most lovely daffodiles I had ever seen.
Fighting the urge to pick these harolds of Spring, I dared not spoil the lone survivors. As I took in the landscape, my heart quickened; before me rose hundreds of this heavenly choir sending out their fragrant song. Children and I on a treasure hunt for spring. Delighted yells of, "Over here, there's tons more, come see!" rang out. I cherish the pictures of tiny hands gripping happy diffodiles with Fuzzy our dog enjoying the fun..
The sun's caress adding to the pleasure of the long awaited spring; hope blooming in the fallow soil of my soul. Joy mingled with awe as the reenactment of creation played out before my eyes. The warmth of God's love lifting heart and head, awakening me to the coming of the next season, a reminder of His immense kindness towards me.
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
Three little ones in tow, day in and day out, dark house, the anticipation that this winter too, must pass. The out of doors beconed as I bundled the children; just sweaters, no heavy winter coats. I surveyed the barron grasses, which had finally surcomb to the harshness of winter; slumped, lifeless.
The sun shown down on the scene, warming hearts; winds whispering the wake up call of spring. Thrilled by a fragrance so rich and pungent I had to find its source. My sleepy senses coming alive as I ran in search of this tantalizing aroma.
Lifeless remains of summer lay in despair of winters cruelty. But there, just under huge clumps of dried, dead grass, pushing dainty yellow heads towards the sun, the most lovely daffodiles I had ever seen.
Fighting the urge to pick these harolds of Spring, I dared not spoil the lone survivors. As I took in the landscape, my heart quickened; before me rose hundreds of this heavenly choir sending out their fragrant song. Children and I on a treasure hunt for spring. Delighted yells of, "Over here, there's tons more, come see!" rang out. I cherish the pictures of tiny hands gripping happy diffodiles with Fuzzy our dog enjoying the fun..
The sun's caress adding to the pleasure of the long awaited spring; hope blooming in the fallow soil of my soul. Joy mingled with awe as the reenactment of creation played out before my eyes. The warmth of God's love lifting heart and head, awakening me to the coming of the next season, a reminder of His immense kindness towards me.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Joy & Thankfulness Go Hand in Hand...
Joy & Thankfulness Go Hand in Hand...
We enter His gates with THANKSGIVING & His courts with PRAISE (1)...and in His presence is fullness of JOY! (2)
Here is some great listening music as you read and contemplate...."Here In His Presence" New Life Worship
Thanksgiving is the key that lets us into His gates. As we give thanks, it puts God on His throne and says we trust Him. I love the verse, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me because he trusts me." (3) I believe God tells us to give thanks for us...not for Him. As we make the mental assent to give thanks, even when we don't understand, the posture of our hearts begins to soften and relax and rest in Him, this brings us into His gates. Thanksgiving stirs us to praise because our eyes are taken off ourselves and our circumstances and we begin to see Jesus. As we look at him, the author and finisher of our faith (4) we are changed. It is a beautiful thing. The expression of praise that rises from our hearts....and yes, at times it is at a great cost (4) to ourselves and our desires but this act of praise, this sacrifice ushers us right into His throne room (5). And there, in His presence is Fullness of JOY which births within us the strength and grace that we need to walk out this journey here on earth.
1. Psalm 100:4-5
2. Psalm 16:11
3. Isaiah 26:3-4
4. Hebrews 13:15
5. Hebrews 4:16
We enter His gates with THANKSGIVING & His courts with PRAISE (1)...and in His presence is fullness of JOY! (2)
Here is some great listening music as you read and contemplate...."Here In His Presence" New Life Worship
Thanksgiving is the key that lets us into His gates. As we give thanks, it puts God on His throne and says we trust Him. I love the verse, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me because he trusts me." (3) I believe God tells us to give thanks for us...not for Him. As we make the mental assent to give thanks, even when we don't understand, the posture of our hearts begins to soften and relax and rest in Him, this brings us into His gates. Thanksgiving stirs us to praise because our eyes are taken off ourselves and our circumstances and we begin to see Jesus. As we look at him, the author and finisher of our faith (4) we are changed. It is a beautiful thing. The expression of praise that rises from our hearts....and yes, at times it is at a great cost (4) to ourselves and our desires but this act of praise, this sacrifice ushers us right into His throne room (5). And there, in His presence is Fullness of JOY which births within us the strength and grace that we need to walk out this journey here on earth.
1. Psalm 100:4-5
2. Psalm 16:11
3. Isaiah 26:3-4
4. Hebrews 13:15
5. Hebrews 4:16
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Thinking About Joy...
Thinking about JOY these days as I am about to give a little talk at out sweet Girl's Night.
Joy and Happiness must be different because it was for the Joy that was set before Jesus that he endured the cross (1). I don't think Jesus, being human, was very Happy at that moment but he saw the bigger picture, the Joy set before him....my Dad said the Joy he saw was me/us...those who he was dying for to repair the mess of sin so we could enjoy fellowship with God.
Joy is something deeper, stirring the depths of who we are, strengthening us (2) and at times causes us to let out a whoop. I was surprised, as I read the Joy entries in the Old Testament, how many of them were stories of how the people were so moved by the presence of God invading their world that the had to shout for joy. Sometimes I think I am a little to cynical or white or reserved or something because, though I can feel excited and thankful in God's presence, I don't always give expression to the "shout" that wants to burst forth. I love the way our black brothers and sisters are so able to give voice to what I feel inside but don't. I have always enjoyed worshiping with African American friends and the videos our kids send back of their times of worshiping with the brothers and sisters in Kenya provoke me to jealousy and hopefully to putting more expression into my worship and the Joy of being in the presence of the Most High God, my God.
More "Joy" to come....
1. Hebrews 12:2
2. Nehemiah 8:10
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