JOY

I just listened to the best message I have ever heard on joy.   It is called the Supernatural Power of Overflowing Joy.  

As I ponder the fruits of the spirit, I would have to say that my favorite is joy.  I love to laugh and I love to hear others laugh.  There are many videos being posted on facebook of babies laughing.  We all love laughter.....so why don't we laugh more?

During our fire tunnel on Sunday there was alot of laughter....even some mirth (a laughter so obnoxious it offends everybody around them)   Now I don't know if anyone was offended but that may have been because I was laughing so hard I hardly would have noticed.     And there we many others. 

Some say that laughter doesn't belong in the church.  Jesus prayed in John 17 " that they would "have the full measure of my joy" or in the amplified, [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts"

What does it mean to have the full measure of Jesus' joy?   (Take a moment and ponder that) 

If Jesus prayed this then why would He mind laughter and joy in His church. 

As you knowJonathan Edwards, a few hundred years ago, had a message called "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". This is how the story really goes.  While Jonathan Edwards was reading his message people started wailing and crying and repenting for their sins.  At the time people people believed that salvation was based on a confession of Christ alone.  So they had never had an experience of the Holy Spirit in them to even give them a conscientiousness to live for God.  So as they got saved they wailed and confessed their sins.  After that the joy of the Lord would come and they would start laughing.  Jonathan's wife laughed in church for 6 straight months.  And others with her.   When Jonathan refused to control his wife and the others he got kicked out of his denomination.

It is interesting that we think that tears are a manifestation of God but laughter isn't.   His kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.  So if we are praying that His kingdom come His will be done ....... what can we expect?  Psalm 16:11 says that in His presence is fullness of joy. 

So laugh in church, laugh at home, laugh in the grocery store, or at the dentist.....or at least giggle or give a little tee hee. Laughter does good like a medicine.   I take mine many times a day and show no sign of stopping. 

Letting Go

There has been much transition surrounding my life lately.  Interestingly enough, things that I have no control over.     When these times occur my first response is to sure up things.....to fix ....to save.....to rescue.....to defend.....to guard....... to help make the pain go away in myself or others. 

As I have journeyed though the passed 6 months I have come to conclusion.   These times of transition are fertile ground for the Lord to work His work in me.   He allows me to get tired trying to fix, hold on, guard etc.  When I come to the end of myself and realize that I can totally trust my heavenly Father, peace enters me like only He can give.  I rest.  I see things from heaven's perspective.  When all is said and done.....I can celebrate!!! 

I asked a friend the other day, "How is it possible to go from thinking something is the 'end of the world' to 'wow this could be a really good thing'.   It is only by loosening my grip and letting go.......trusting God and getting heaven's perspective. 


Here is an exerpt from Audrey Assad's song  Everything is Yours.  This song has become very meaningful to me over the past season.

When all the world is blossoming
When everything around is bursting into life
and I don't have to strain to hear the beat of your heart....

When all the world is under fire
When the skies are threatening to thunder and rain
and I am overcome by fears that I can't see......

If everything is yours
Everything is yours
If everything is yours
I can let it go, it was never mine to hold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgJGyFR759Q

THE LAST ONE

Something happened today that has only happened to me twice before.....I sent a child off to public school for the first time. Marli, who is in grade 10, has been homeschooled her whole life.

She was ready...backpack filled, lunch packed, showered (of corse) and ready to go out the door. As I layed hands on her and prayed for her, I could feel the tears filling my eyes but I blinked them back trying to hide my feelings. When I finished, happy to have gained my composure Dan said, "Shouldn't Marli be praying for you?" Well you guessed it...the flood came.
I think it may have been because she is my last. After 17 years of homeschooling....it is over. I have no regrets. I would not make a differrent choice if I had it to do over again. It was amazing to watch my children grow and learn. Marli is so ready to go out into the 'real world" and make a difference.

So now what....the possibilities are endless. To choose will be the hard part. I am 45 and still have at least half a lifetime to live and as Steve says, "We should overlive each day". I like that.

MIXED EMOTIONS
I have mixed emotions today. Katie (my 16 year old) got her drivers licence yesterday.
It is good because now I won't have to drive her everywhere. It's bad because I now have to share my car.
It is good because she will run errands and drive Marli where she needs to go. It's bad because in about a month the 'new driver" novelty will wear off and I will be on my own again.
It's good because she will be independent. It's bad because she will be independent.
SOMEONE TELL ME HOW I AM SUPPOSE TO FEEL!!!

WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

The Bible mentions many times that we are blessed. One that has been standing out to me lately is found in Matthew 5:10 -12.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. REJOICE AND BE GLAD, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Wow! Rejoice. The KJV says rejoice and be exceedingly glad. What an upside down kingdom that we belong to. The things that should discourage are supposed to make us glad. Of corse, only when we are persecuted because of Christ...not because we have been a jerk.

Then in vs. 44 it says "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."

So we need to rejoice and be glad and then be kind back. This is impossible in the flesh but Jesus makes it totally doable.

We also need to remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.... So we should not personify the persecution to people but realize that it is the principalities working in that person. They are just a puppet.

The Bible is so full of truth of how to live this live in the world and get along with everyone....what an amazing book.

KNOWING GOD/EXPERIENCING GOD

It is almost 1 am but I have been to bed and can't sleep because of this nasty cold.

So as I lay awake I was thinking, "we can get to know God by experiencing Him and we can experience Him by getting to know Him. Stay with me now....I will explain.

So often people that get to KNOW God do so through Bible study and reading His word. They have a head knowledge and really know why they believe what they believe. They can quote scripture with references on any topic that comes up. Many times people like this have limited experiences with the Lord.

On the other hand, many times people who EXPERIENCE God do so though prayer, soaking, listening to His voice, etc. They are happy, love God, understand His heart, and follow His lead. Many times these people don't know scripture and cannot defend what they believe.

So why choose. We need to study, study, study. Experience, Experience, Experience. A head knowledge of the Lord won't give us the relationship with the Him we so badly need, but experience alone will not help us stay strong when our beliefs are tested.

So, lets be balanced people. "Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed" and "Hide His Word in your heart so that you will not sin against Him". Also be in his presence " In your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore" and "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."

We can know Him by experiencing Him....we can experience Him through getting to know Him though His word.

WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER.

These are my 1:00 am random thoughts. What do you think of them?

Another Guessing Game

Guess who...

was born in Saint John, Sept. 1989

was the cutest baby in the nursery (hospital and church)

was the most thankful 2 year old I have ever met

loved peanut butter sandwiches at 10 months and had teeth to eat them

loved to play pretend with Courtney and Kendra

had an attachment (called a Marli) at her side 24/7 for 10 years

swam like a fish when she was four years old

loved the cooool down (with sunglasses on) from my Jane Fonda video

was and is intense

loves passionately

worships passionately

lives passionately

climbs trees......too high

hides in libraries in foreign countries

loves children

can't find her "stuff" even when it is right in front of her

is a gifted writer and songwriter

wants to take over the world

Yeah, you guessed it......KATIE