My Joy Journal Day 30

We reach the end today of My Joy Journal.  I hope it's been a helpful exercise for you and that you will continue to choose joy!  Keep repeating to yourself, I will choose joy!  I WILL choose joy!

On October 12 we'll begin the next series - looking through Paul's letter to the Ephesians!  It's only 6 chapters, so we'll go through it several verses at a time, Monday through Saturday.  I'm looking forward to that time with you!

But listen in to the joy of the Father over one sinner who returns home.  I hope this series on joy has brought your closer to the Father's home - where there if simply a great deal of joy over you.

Take care!  And here's the video:

Here's a wonderful version of Softly and Tenderly.  Sing along and enjoy!

 My Joy Journal Day 29

Today's Joy Verse is a description of the fruits of the Spirit - and the first two are love and joy.  Love and joy.  Love of God and love of neighbor are listed as two of the greatest commandments, but remember that you are to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

How much do you really love yourself?  I mean, really love yourself as God loves you?  Sometimes we think that we shouldn't love ourselves because that takes the focus off God and others.  But let's think about that today - if we're going to embody God's first two fruits of the Spirit - love and joy - shouldn't we take some time to take joy in loving ourselves?

Think about that as you listen to the video:

Sometimes things of simple beauty just bring joy.  Here are people just listening to a song by Andrea Bocelli and Ellie Goulding called Return To Love, and their wonderful reactions.  Love and joy, together!

 My Joy Journal Day 28

I love the Joy Verse - You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

What's so wonderful about being a Christian is that we know Christ's path of life!  Today I just want to call your attention to John 3:16 - the Gospel in miniature, telling us the real way of life.

Enjoy the video!

And here's a wonderful video from 50 countries affected by Covid, singing Amazing Grace in their native tongue.  Enjoy!

My Joy Journal Day 27

One of the many wonderful things about living in Central Oregon is the beauty of the night sky!  It's just absolutely mesmerizing to see the bright stars, the Milky Way, and the satellites and occasionally the Space Station.  I never saw much of that when I lived in Minnesota or Beaverton, and I just love seeing God's majesty!

And yet God cares about each and every one of us.  The God who created the universe and set the stars in motion still cares about each of us.  O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Today we look at Psalm 8 to remind us of God's love for us.  And that love brings us joy!  See the Joy Practice which reminds us that is people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, they'd live a lot differently!

Check out the stars in the next couple nights, and see the joy that fills your heart!

And sometimes things of beauty just bring pure joy, like the stars at night, or just listening to the Beautiful Blue Danube with Andre Rieu.  Enjoy!

 My Joy Journal Day 26

Let's think today about how available you are for God?  Are you 100% available and ready at all times?  Or sometimes somehow ready...tomorrow?  Are you in somewhat of a faith rut where you do the same things in the same ways but aren't getting much traction in your faith life?

How available are you for God?  That's the theme of what I'd like to share with you today, and I share a prayer my Matthew Kelly in his book I Heard God Laugh:  A Practical Guide for Life's Essential Daily Habit.  Here's the prayer:

Lord, here I am

I trust that you have an incredible plan for me.  Today I surrender my whole being to your care.

I surrender my life, my plans, and my very self to you.  I make myself 100 percent available to you today.

Transform me.  Transform my life.  Everything is on the table.  Take what you want to take, and give what you want to give.  Transform me into the person you created me to be, so I can live the life you envisioned for me at the beginning of time.

I hold nothing back.  I am 100 percent available.  lead me, challenge me, encourage me, and open my eyes to all your amazing possibilities.  Show me what it is you want me to do, and I will do it.  Amen.

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful song entitled My Prayer for You by Alisa Turner.

My Joy Journal Day 25

 Today let's talk about how we pray and what we ask God about when we pray.  I share a reading with you about Matthew Kelly who learned to change his prayers to end with the question, "God, what do you think I should do?"

I think that's an important question to regularly ask ourselves!  Many times our prayers importantly tell God a lot about what we're doing or thinking, but asking that question at the end leaves the direction in God's hands, which is a good place to leave our prayers.  Leaving the answers to our prayers in God's hands is a sure-fire way to bring joy!

So - listen in to the video!

And here's an old, old song entitled Trust and Obey - it's not the version I was originally looking for but it includes the lyrics, so that's good.  Listen in and sing along!

 My Joy Journal Day 24

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.  Think about this - have you ever done what is right, what you know you needed to faithfully do, and then regretted it?  Probably not!

But the opposite is likely true - that you might have regrets about NOT doing the next right thing, and not doing what you know you needed to faithfully do.  That likely would bring regrets.

Integrity is acting on the outside what you believe on the inside.  That's why joyful people are people of integrity - acting as much as then can like Jesus!

Think about that as you listen to the video:

And while it might be an oldie, it's still a goodie!  Sing along with Mighty To Save.  And I'll bet the louder you sing it, the more joyful you'll become!