Congratulations go to Kyle Dimler from Willmar, Minnesota, for winning the contest for this series! He correctly guessed the phrase, "I LIVE BY THE GOLDEN RULE." Remember learning it as a child? Or later on? "Do unto others as you want them to do unto you." Matthew 7:12 A wonderful guideline for success in relationships, which seems to be a hot topic today! Kyle will receive two free books: my novel, The Rose Journal, and its companion Bible study, The View From Eternity. Six more weeks until the next series begins!
This is the first week of the Year of our Lord, 2012. And with the whole new year ahead of us (unless Jesus comes back for us before it is over), it seems appropriate to hold the Key for Enthusiasm/Excitement in my hands as I approach a brand new, shiny, silver door displaying a glittery calendar posted on the front. The first page, January 1, is waving in the wind as though personally anticipating the excitement the new year will bring. I open the door and find myself in the midst of the most fabulous party scene I could imagine, full of enthusiastic people . . . Vital people adorned in Vibrantly colored costumes exploring Various aVenues of creatiVe endeaVors (maybe I should have chosen "V" for this blog! I like to play with words :)
Oooh, how fun! I love parties! In fact, I have planned and helped to plan a ton of parties through the years, including a "This Is Your Life" for one of my dad's special birthdays (maybe his 80th?), my daughter, E's, first slumber party where we played a game (my foolish idea) with a blindfold and chocolate pudding. I ended up washing nine little girl's blouses and one head of hair. One of the girls asked me if I knew where the bathroom was (in my own house)! Yours truly also had the bright idea of putting my husband's extremely realistic gorilla mask on his sister, B, who does the world's best vocal gorilla impression, and invite each girl in to meet the "wild animal" in person. Plenty of deliciously frightful screams. Girls actually make more noise at a party than boys do, if you can believe that!
Years earlier, at E's second birthday party, one of her little friends (a boy) picked up our dog's dish and passed it around to half of the children before I caught him. (Not my idea this time!) All the guests survived.
Growing up in the country, I planned the games for our annual Christmas parties with the neighbors. Everybody, young and old, participated in our silly games. What a super-fun way to bridge the generation gap! I do like to laugh . . . and to see others laughing and having a good time! Don't you suppose it warms God's heart to see me laughing and enjoying a good time? And seeing you, too?
Getting back to the party going on the the Enthusiasm/Excitement Room of 2012 . . . Here I am surrounded, not only by a host of enthusiastic people to meet and get to know, but also tons of objects and activities, books and other media resources . . . more than I could even begin to explore in many years to come. So I have lots of decisions to make as I consider my goals for the coming year. Fasciated as I am with the vast assortment of choices, the most exciting thing is the presence of God's Holy Spirit hovering near and directing each person's attention and efforts. Does God have something special already chosen for me to do for Him in 2012? And for you? I know whatever He has in His plan for us will be infinitely rewarding and fulfilling! "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:19
However, at this time, I am feeling sort of overwhelmed by all my plans for January, not to mention the whole year! And I need God's gift of enthusiasm right now . . . today! So I took out my faithful 1953 first copyrighted Webster's dictionary to see exactly what I am asking for and was surprised to discover the following definition for "enthusiasm": "orig. (origin, originally), supernatural inspiration or possession." Imagine that!?! I guess I'm going to the right source to receive the gift of enthusiasm! It also says "intense or eager interest; zeal." So when I ask for enthusiasm, I am asking God to give me His "supernatural inspiration" along with "intense and eager interest, zeal" for whatever work He has chosen for me to do in the coming year. And do you know, I think He's already answering my prayer? Once again, I remind myself that I have chosen to submit to His plans and trust Him to give me the time and energy to tackle His assigned projects with a great measure of enthusiasm, "working unto the Lord."
Back again to exciting parties: Let's consider the biggest party of them all! In December, I just finished reading through the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, during my daily "devotion" time (Remember last week's blog on "devotion?") What an exciting book! So many people avoid reading the fascinating book of Revelation because it is complicated and hard to understand, but this is the revelation given by Jesus Christ about our eternal future. What could be more important? Our greatest Hope is contained and set forth in this book! Knowing that Jesus is always with me and has planned a special place for me in His perfect and glorious Kingdom is what keeps me going in this world contaminated with sin and suffering. In fact if we ignore the last book of the Bible, we miss the end of the story . . . God's Story . . . that He has been recording for His people from before Time began! Why would I read all the chapters of my favorite mystery novel and skip the last chapter? I wouldn't! So why would I read all about God's story and skip the last chapter?
We are even promised a special blessing if we read the book of Revelation. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it . . . " Revelation 1:3a
Yes, Revelation does talk about the horrible, indescribable eternal future waiting for those who reject Jesus Christ's love and that, admittedly, is hard to read when I think of loved ones who are journeying on the Dead End Road instead of the Road of Abundant Life. But it also begins to share a glimpse of the state of total joy and excitement that awaits God's children, those who have received His gift of salvation and follow Him along the road to Heaven.
Especially exciting are the last chapters where we read about the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, where believers become the Bride of Jesus Christ. God is planning this party to reward His children for their faithfulness and to shower His unending supply of bountiful gifts upon them. What a celebration that will be! What a glorious party planned by the Creator of all things!
I'll look for you there and save a seat! :)
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
KEY #A8: HAPPINESS IS . . . THANKSGIVING PIT STOP
Want to see a picture of my little vehicle? Thanks to these photos provided by RG from Edinbrook Sunday School, I am able to provide a picture of a similar automobile, though of a different color.
(Since my own vehicle is in my mind, it would be difficult to take a picture of the exact car.)
I'm sure you understand. Remember, my car is painted lavender and decorated with delicate green vines.
(Since my own vehicle is in my mind, it would be difficult to take a picture of the exact car.)
I'm sure you understand. Remember, my car is painted lavender and decorated with delicate green vines.
The car in the photo has special memories for me because my son, J, and I did Vacation Bible School dramas in it as a team many years ago. We had the most fun going through the car wash! "Our" car has been preserved all these years and is now making a come-back on stage as part of the Edinbrook Sunday School's current theme, which is in their curriculum for the year:
Pit Stop . . . Pull over for Gratitude Adjustment!
Pit Stop . . . Pull over for Gratitude Adjustment!
So come with me today as we use our Happiness Key to open the door to our Pit Stop where we'll take a Thanksgiving Break to check and see if our Gratitude Tanks need to be filled!
Oh dear, mine is getting low. It's good I pulled over and stopped! Sometimes my tank gets low when I find myself taking for granted all the blessings God immerses me in each day of my life. So many in this world don't have a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in, a fresh, hot shower every day, the privilege of choosing basically any food they want from the shelves of a local grocery store. May God give me a thankful heart this Thanksgiving season and the desire to share His gracious, bountiful gifts with others.
I wasn't sure whether to entitle this blog "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Happiness is . . . " because, you see, happiness is so tied in with thanksgiving. When I think about all the good God gives me, I have to really struggle to remain unhappy. And, believe me, the effort is not worth it!
Do you remember that little song of years back?
"Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine,
No matter if tear drops start,
I've found the secret,
It's Jesus in my heart!"
So what is Happiness/Joy and how do we get it?
First of all, I have heard many people complain that God doesn't want them to be happy.
I read a passage in my daily Bible reading today from John 15 where Jesus is talking to His followers. He has told them "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you obey My commands you will remain in My love . . . I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. " John 15:9-11
God wants His children to be full of joy. In fact, joy is one of the fruits of His Spirit, a gift to those who put their trust in Him. Happiness can be a fleeting emotion, sparkling on top of the stream of life, whereas joy flows deeper, providing the sustenance of our stream and producing currents hold us up and provide direction through life.
So, as the little song says, how can we find happiness/joy in our daily lives?
Let's take it line by line:
1. "Happiness is to know the Savior." Joy is a by-product of the relationship we have with our heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus Christ. One of the greatest secrets of happiness is that when we stake our lives on His goodness and mercy, even if everything in our world seems to crash to the ground, we can depend on the knowledge that we have a future in heaven where we will experience the state of constant, total joy forever.
2. "Living a life within His favor." In the Bible verse I quote above, it states, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in My love." When we obey God's commands (which are given for our own good, for example: God forbids us to steal partly so no one will steal our stuff!) we live without the bondage of guilt that takes the joy right out of our lives. Guilt is a huge joy-stealer.
3. "Having a change in my behavior." When I choose to live the way God wants me to live I feel at peace with Him. When I focus on trying to make other people happy, they usually respond to my consideration of them, which gives me pleasure.
4. "Happiness is the Lord." The Bible says, "Rejoice in the Lord . . . " Philippians 4:4a
He alone is the source of real joy!
5. "Real joy is mine." Here we will focus further on the difference between joy and happiness. As human beings living in this fallen world, we cannot expect to exist in a state of constant happiness. Normal life is full of ups and downs. "Christian women (and men) can go through periods of depression and still have an underlying sense of peace, knowing that God and His purposes are greater than our emotions. Our faith is based on truth, the certainty of His Word, not our feelings." (taken from The View From Eternity, written by myself.)
Happiness does not mean a life with no problems. Jesus said "In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
Now I need to check my tank for my own Gratitude Attitude.
1. Do I belong to God? Am I sure I am His child? Am I aware of and expressing thanks to God for all that He gives me?
2. Am I trying to please my loving heavenly Father by obeying Him?
3. Am I focusing on trying to make others happy? A passage in Isaiah 58:6-11gives us a prescription for finding happiness during those gloomy days when we try to fight off feelings of self-pity or loneliness. Verse 10 states:
"And if you give yourself to the hungry,
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will be come like midday."
Note that last verse especially, "Your gloom will become like mid-day.' Picture our gloomy expressions replaced with sunny (mid-day) faces because of the satisfaction we find when we help others!" (Taken from The View From Eternity, written by myself.)
4. Am I looking to God, prioritizing my relationship with Him, expecting Him to fill my "joy" tank?
5. In spite of my circumstances, am I training my mind to know contentment? Have you ever felt discontent, greedy and happy at the same time? Or contented and unhappy at the same time? Neither combination works, does it? Philippines 4:8 gives us the formula for "Happy thinking." A great passage to memorize!
This Thanksgiving, and afterwards, let's pour our lives into pleasing God and making other people happy. Then we'll see our Gratitude tanks filled to the brim and overflowing!
I wasn't sure whether to entitle this blog "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Happiness is . . . " because, you see, happiness is so tied in with thanksgiving. When I think about all the good God gives me, I have to really struggle to remain unhappy. And, believe me, the effort is not worth it!
Do you remember that little song of years back?
"Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine,
No matter if tear drops start,
I've found the secret,
It's Jesus in my heart!"
So what is Happiness/Joy and how do we get it?
First of all, I have heard many people complain that God doesn't want them to be happy.
I read a passage in my daily Bible reading today from John 15 where Jesus is talking to His followers. He has told them "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you obey My commands you will remain in My love . . . I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. " John 15:9-11
God wants His children to be full of joy. In fact, joy is one of the fruits of His Spirit, a gift to those who put their trust in Him. Happiness can be a fleeting emotion, sparkling on top of the stream of life, whereas joy flows deeper, providing the sustenance of our stream and producing currents hold us up and provide direction through life.
So, as the little song says, how can we find happiness/joy in our daily lives?
Let's take it line by line:
1. "Happiness is to know the Savior." Joy is a by-product of the relationship we have with our heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus Christ. One of the greatest secrets of happiness is that when we stake our lives on His goodness and mercy, even if everything in our world seems to crash to the ground, we can depend on the knowledge that we have a future in heaven where we will experience the state of constant, total joy forever.
2. "Living a life within His favor." In the Bible verse I quote above, it states, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in My love." When we obey God's commands (which are given for our own good, for example: God forbids us to steal partly so no one will steal our stuff!) we live without the bondage of guilt that takes the joy right out of our lives. Guilt is a huge joy-stealer.
3. "Having a change in my behavior." When I choose to live the way God wants me to live I feel at peace with Him. When I focus on trying to make other people happy, they usually respond to my consideration of them, which gives me pleasure.
4. "Happiness is the Lord." The Bible says, "Rejoice in the Lord . . . " Philippians 4:4a
He alone is the source of real joy!
5. "Real joy is mine." Here we will focus further on the difference between joy and happiness. As human beings living in this fallen world, we cannot expect to exist in a state of constant happiness. Normal life is full of ups and downs. "Christian women (and men) can go through periods of depression and still have an underlying sense of peace, knowing that God and His purposes are greater than our emotions. Our faith is based on truth, the certainty of His Word, not our feelings." (taken from The View From Eternity, written by myself.)
Happiness does not mean a life with no problems. Jesus said "In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
Now I need to check my tank for my own Gratitude Attitude.
1. Do I belong to God? Am I sure I am His child? Am I aware of and expressing thanks to God for all that He gives me?
2. Am I trying to please my loving heavenly Father by obeying Him?
3. Am I focusing on trying to make others happy? A passage in Isaiah 58:6-11gives us a prescription for finding happiness during those gloomy days when we try to fight off feelings of self-pity or loneliness. Verse 10 states:
"And if you give yourself to the hungry,
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will be come like midday."
Note that last verse especially, "Your gloom will become like mid-day.' Picture our gloomy expressions replaced with sunny (mid-day) faces because of the satisfaction we find when we help others!" (Taken from The View From Eternity, written by myself.)
4. Am I looking to God, prioritizing my relationship with Him, expecting Him to fill my "joy" tank?
5. In spite of my circumstances, am I training my mind to know contentment? Have you ever felt discontent, greedy and happy at the same time? Or contented and unhappy at the same time? Neither combination works, does it? Philippines 4:8 gives us the formula for "Happy thinking." A great passage to memorize!
This Thanksgiving, and afterwards, let's pour our lives into pleasing God and making other people happy. Then we'll see our Gratitude tanks filled to the brim and overflowing!
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