Reblogging from my 2020 “Embrace” series… the word for today is JOY. Pass it around!
Want to be happy?
Just embrace contagious joy.
Hang with happy folks!
Find reasons to smile.
Folks will smile back at you.
Smiles are contagious!
Bee contagious!!
Psalm 144:15
“Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.”
The Good News:
God is the true source of
happiness,
strength,
hope,
and wisdom.
Those who are in His favor
will always have these things.
Just as mopey people can pull you into the doldrums,
Happy People can lift your spirits and make you smile.
Happiness is a choice… choose it!
Beeeee Contagious!
Spread JOY!
SMILE!
It’s been a wonderful early winter Sunday. It snowed all night last night! Yes, I know… too soon! It’s only mid-October.
See those footprints under the tree? When I looked out the window this morning, there was a deer, nibbling on the berries in that tree. By the time I dashed to get my camera/phone, she was long gone! I think she is the same doe who visited us last week, and chewed off/ spit out the geranium blossoms that were in that planter.
Yes, she’s been here before. I captured her on camera last spring. She’ll be back! She’s pretty… but she is a nuisance. She thinks our plants were put there to supply her salad bar!
Today’s sermon by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds dealt with this same theme: “He’ll be back!”
John 16:16 Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”
In my sermon notes today, I captured these main ideas,
Life doesn’t always turn out as we imagine. Disappointments run the gamut. The disciples were puzzled, not understanding where Jesus was going and why He had to leave. Jesus knew His disciples would grieve and they would be mocked for believing in Him as their Savior, so He wanted to encourage them.
20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
He would not leave them for good… He promised He’d send them A Comforter (The Holy Spirit), and then He would return to them.
Jesus told the disciples, “The Holy Spirit is a gift that will come in my absence.”
The Holy Spirit is with us today. The Spirit is a nudge in the night, the inexplicable comfort in times of distress, a direct line to God (God on speed dial!) Sometimes referred to as the Holy Ghost, He will come to remind you of everything Jesus taught during His ministry on earth.
Tragedy is tragedy- However, there is a wisdom obtained when we experience the goodness and the tragedy together.
Life can take us on turns we don’t expect. We’d like to trade pain and tragedy for comfort. However, disappointment and pain help us be more fully connected to others with empathy and compassion. That ain’t always easy – that’s for sure!
Mary Grace concluded her sermon with this thought to ponder: “We become stronger than what hurts us. There is much hope in that.”
Are you like me? Wouldn’t you rather just avoid that which hurts you? Don’t hurts just feel like a trap?
God is asking us to look at life’s challenges through Jesus glasses. Don’t deny yourself the lessons learned. When things aren’t working out, take another look!
Like that deer on my front lawn, troubles and disappointments return. But so do joys and blessings.
My cough has been quiet while I typed this. It may return when I try to sleep tonight, but it won’t last forever. JOY comes in the morning! Hang in there, my friends. I’ll be back!
Have a blessed week. Today was my grandson, Chrissy’s 27th birthday!!
Happy Birthday, Toki!! (He’s in Switzerland…)
Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment below. I love having positive exchanges with you.
Seeing the falls he named in honor of his queen, David Livingstone wrote in his journal, “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
Waterfalls and all God’s natural beauty affect me the same way. This country of Switzerland is so full of those “scenes so lovely.”
Waterfalls and bridges in Switzerland amaze me!Chalets with lovely flowers aboundThis was on the way to Zinal yesterday But De & André’s is the best!
As we venture out, the lovely scenes are amazing in every season here.
Tania at Hotel Weisshorn – photo by Mike Solioz – taken last autumnWay back when … we climbed waaay up with DeDe.
Scenes so lovely!
Flowers are abundant in private gardens and public places. André’s croûtes au fromage (potato or bread w cheese, etc.) is a Valaisan specialty. It’s a “scene so lovely” too!
André and De are so generous as they share their chalet, meals, transportation and their love with us and with De’s best buddy (our daughter #2 Laina) and her daughter Katy. What a grand reunion we had with them here yesterday!
Katy, Laina, me, Bob & DeDe
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Last night Mike & Tania joined us for a fun evening of raclette & karaoke. Chris & Nick and their girlfriends came, too. Ah, we are so blessed with this wonderful Swiss family!
Thanks for joining me and sharing these “Scenes so Lovely” today. Wish you were here in person! Come back tomorrow, okay? See ya then (God willing).
The joy that’s comin’ Is here if you’re hummin’ Git yer guitar and start strummin’ Yer smile’s quite becommin’
I found the beauty today In weeds I saw along the way. Many folks would probably say Pull ’em out – or douse ’em with spray!
Joy is a part o’ yer make-up. It’s inside ya ready to take up Residence and cause a shake-up; So smile and light yer face up!
And a joyful face is good medicine fir others!
Just let yer heart glow With the joy that ya know Is inside; Let it show! Let yer love flow.
Luke 8:16
A Lamp on a Stand
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
I let my light shine. It’s part of my design. Lips aren’t a straight line – They should curve up real fine!
Smilin’ makes ya feel better; So, my friends, be a trend setter! Turn off sorrow; don’t be a fretter. You look so much better when you SMILE!
Let yer joy be real clear. Share it with those you hold dear. Give it to those far and near Who need your brand of cheer.
Picture it radiating And wiping out all hating. Picture it pulsating And erasing what’s frustrating.
Yup, this bears repeating:
Joy is a part o’ your make-up. It’s inside ya ready to take up Residence and cause a shake-up; So smile and light yer face up!
The lazy, sunny days of summer are here They’re full of friends and play and cheer Blogging takes a back seat these days Company comes, but rarely stays
So, take the day and live it with joy Go for a walk or ride out in your favorite toy Raid your neighbor’s garden of fresh tomatoes Barbecue tri-tip and bake some potatoes
Keep exercising that broken finger Remember the stiffness – don’t let it linger Make flexible progress every day But don’t let the pain get in your way
Now is the time to dance and to laugh Too soon these summer days will be past The sun shines now – but the warmth won’t stay Come on, Bob, let’s go out and play
I took a blogging break for almost a week Celebrated birthdays and hiked near the creek Then I took our TazE out for a run What’ve you been doing to have some fun?
I may see you tomorrow…. Then again, I may be out having fun… How about you?
What are those divine gifts? Do you have them memorized? Are they yours – living fruits in you?
Each day as I walk down the circular staircase from my sanctuary, I repeat my 12 step program:
Thank You, God, for the 1) Love, 2) Joy, and 3) Peace that are mine!
Give me help, God, with these Fruits of the Spirit that I need help to exhibit: 4) Patience, 5) Kindness, 6) Goodness, 7) Faithfulness (which brings blessings). 8) Gentleness, and 9) Self-control.
Help me 10) live humbly with an attitude of gratitude and 11) a response of generosity, forgiveness, 12) Obedience and Integrity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
When you pray daily Asking God to give you fruits, Trust, my friends, He will!
Be fruity!
Oh, and don’t forget to keep smiling, my friends. Fruity people are happy folks!! Be a fruitcake!
Happy and content is how God created us. Let’s claim that idea!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing) – Hugs!
If you’re happy and you know it, you can be a little fruity like Jack Hartmann and sing along with this song for all kids and young at heart!
What is on your prayer list? Who are on your prayer list? Do you pray daily – multiple times each day? The Bible tells us,
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Prayer joyfully – with confidence!
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us.
John 5:14
The big question is – How do we know if what we are praying is in God’s will?
Tune in to the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the Spirit as a helper when He left earth and ascended into heaven. Take advantage of that gift! It is ours by God’s grace!
God’s Holy Spirit gives us the Fruits of the Spirit – and daily we must pray for their presence to live in our lives.
I find the first three are mine… I accept them with deep gratitude. Not everyone has the LOVE, JOY, and PEACE that are mine automatically. I know that! I do not take them for granted. And if you lack them, I pray God will provide you today with LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.
But, the other six? Oh Lord, I ask for help – Help with them everyday so that I may show more kindness goodness faithfulness (which brings blessings) gentleness and self-control.
Join us now as we come to God in prayer. We pray humbly for all people to have: Love Food Medical care Shelter Peace Respect Freedom Unity Faith Healing Hope Comfort and Security.
Do you ever doubt your niche? Yesterday I posted excerpts from Gottfried’s Banter, a blog whose niche is humor. No, I wasn’t suggesting that my blog should try to fit that niche. Humor like Gottfried’s doesn’t come naturally to me like it does to him.
Gottfried has an oversized funny bone!
No, it’s not numbers, It’s my purpose that dictates My niche and my style.
It’s my gifts that spell The reason for my blogging. How about your niche?
My niche is “Inspiration.”
What’s your intention? Do you need one hundred one Questions to find out?
The Art of Blogging, Cristian Mihai, has questions Yes, one hundred one!
Bloganuary#17 – “What is a Secret Power You’d Like to Have?”
I want the secret power to have wisdom in all circumstances. I want the secret power to turn all tears to laughter and joy. I want the secret power to end all wars and create everlasting peace on earth. I want the secret power to make Believers of all doubters so we all can meet in eternity someday.
JanBeek 