All in Joy
My family and I like to watch cooking competitions, as the finalist battle it out for the best chef on the show. It is still amazing to me how so many of these chefs brag about their cooking and yet can get eliminated on one simple fact – they did not season their food with salt. The food was not pleasing to the judges and therefore they lost the competition.
For a year and a half my husband and I lived in a remote mining town in northern British Columbia. We loved the changes in the seasons; but when the winter months came to that place, the lack of direct sunlight took us by surprise. The sun never rose above the surrounding mountains. Cabin fever is a well-known syndrome in the far north, high doses of vitamin D the answer.
Have you ever woken up during the stillness of the night for no reason?
Maybe God wants to have a late night worship session with you?
My heart soars when I watch a certain young man joyfully assist the worship minister rehearse with the choir before entering the sanctuary. His body bends over his crutches, yet he stands as if his posture was perfectly straight. His face reflects the joy and love of Christ with an unguarded smile. His eyes look to Heaven as he sings. Christ’s radiance on his face inspires me every time I see him. This man is famous to Jesus. Jesus is famous to this man.
I’ve had migraines for as long as I can remember. My mom and I have a running joke that “it’s not really a migraine until your brain’s having a baby!” But that is more or less what it feels like… As if my brain, for no apparent reason, has suddenly taken it upon itself to give birth from inside my skull. I’m sure some of you beautiful, courageous ladies know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!
As we waited in our spot by the curb for the annual Christmas parade, our two-and-a-half-year-old grandson grew impatient. I tried to tell him about all of the cool lights and sights the parade promised, but to no avail. I could not believe it when he came up with an excuse for why he would not enjoy the event.
I love to watch the birds as they scurry around the backyard. Some come in flocks, others make their appearance one by one. They seem to have their own personality, and I enjoy watching them interact with each other.
It is time, says Habakkuk—time to rejoice, for the LORD has enabled him to rise above his circumstances. Strong’s Concordance suggests Habakkuk would be “jumping with joy”, the MSG translation “turning cartwheels”. Hmm, I feel a song coming on. Singing along with me?
I’ve had migraines for as long as I can remember. My mom and I have a running joke that “it’s not really a migraine until your brain’s having a baby!”
My nephew, Josh, was always a prankster. He was the class clown in school. He provided entertainment for his family. He initiated fun adventures with his friends. He had “a smile his face couldn’t contain,” as his brother noted.
The joy of Christmas. I’m just not feeling it! Instead, I feel the weight of programs, projects and plans; of school, schedules and sickness; of my own aches, anxieties and angst. Where is that joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8, KJV)?
Do you seek joy? I do.
I mean the joy that is blessing and happiness in life.
Then don’t miss this truth…
A recent social media response from our daughter’s friend encouraged me.
Now, a mother of teenage children of her own, she recalled how she enjoyed being in our home when she was a child, and especially remembered the “Joy Jar” on the kitchen counter.
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come.” Having created the universe in the beginning (1:2), and having sustained all things in the meantime (1:3), Jesus did precisely what He had come to do. He came “to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.” The curse of original sin had most certainly left the proving ground of mankind’s soul a thorny mess that only a Savior could uproot. So the Son came to earth and provided purification for sins. He paid our penalty in full. Now that’s a reason to joyfully sing!
The joy of Jesus’ birth seems to reverberate through Hebrews 1. To my mind it underlines “Joy to the world! The Lord is come”. God spoke in the past, speaks now, and will continue to speak—God, the great “I Am” of forever.
It’s the beginning of December ladies, and the carols are ringing out loud and clear. “Joy to the World” keeps running through my head:
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!”
A glorious day for all involved – the ark of God had come to Jerusalem. King David and the Israelites’ joy at that event inspired a worship experience like no other. Burnt and fellowship offerings, singing, instruments, and words of praise highlighted their day.
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8 begins and ends with this celebration of God’s majesty. Nestled in between we find a verse about the praise of children. Have you ever listened to a child or children sing about Jesus? What an uplifting sound!
Anxious and excited both described my feelings on our grandson’s first day of kindergarten. My daughter relayed he had gotten up early and they had made it to the front of the drop off line. He delighted me by face-timing me while they waited in the car.
