Those Shepherds Couldn't Stop Talking

Luke 2:15-18

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

On December 22, 2009, our grandson Eli was born. Oh how I rejoiced at this sweet little bundle of love. I told my mom and dad, my siblings, my friends of this beautiful boy who would fill our hearts with joy. You see, I was excited. I wanted all to know that Eli was born. On Christmas day, Tim and I had the privilege to celebrate not only Eli's birth, but Jesus as well. We trekked to the hospital to share the day with Elijah Duncan and his mommy and daddy. What a wonderful Christmas that was!

The shepherds, those men on the hill visited by the angels, ran to find the new baby. The one who would change the world, lay in a manger waiting to meet these awestruck men. Once they'd laid eyes on that sweet little babe, those shepherds couldn't stop talking about him. They told everyone they saw about the miracle of Jesus' birth.

What are you talking about this time of year?

I hope amid the busyness of the season we talk about Jesus. His birth. His life. His truth and grace. Let's be like the shepherds and tell everyone about the King.

Spread the Joy!

Joy in the Garden

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Flowers bring me joy. If you've checked out my Flower Friday posts, you know botanicals have played a part in my life since childhood. From the flower garden my mom nurtured to the row of irises (we called them flags) my dad planted, I've always enjoyed flowers. The whole process from sowing the seed or placing the baby plant in the ground to the photosynthesis in the leaves is nothing short of amazing.

My granddaughter Dilly and I planted zinnias, snapdragons, geraniums and a few other flowers in my tiny flower bed in May. As I walked by them this hot August morning I noticed how they had spread, like they lifted their arms toward the sun and stretched. The beautiful array of colors fills me with joy.

Jesus calls us to be a joyful people. Not just happy but filled with joy. In sadness, disappointment, distress, or frustration the joy of knowing my Savior loves me fills my heart with hope. Each time I look at the flowers in my little garden, I'm reminded of the everlasting joy of life with God.

At camp and vacation Bible school we sang a song:

I have the joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart.
I have the joy, joy, joy down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart to stay.
-George W. Cooke (Public Domain)

As simple as the words are, they speak volumes. That joy that is a product of loving Jesus is in my heart to stay.

Do you know the joy Jesus gives?

Joy and Light!

From Pain to Praise

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

For the last couple of years I was employed, I carried a lot of stress. My health failed me. Pain increased as my knee cartilage disappeared. I limped and ached. The environment at work changed. We were under constant construction, updating toward a better place. But the noise and chaos troubled me. Changes in staffing and increase in responsibility took a toll. As my physical pain increased, my joy evaporated. I may not have wailed, but I cried and complained. Yet all along, God had a plan.

Last November, the surgeon replaced my old, broken-down knee with a brand new, shiny one. In May, I retired. Since then, joy has replaced my sorrow and pain. Although I still can't dance (I couldn't before, either) I rejoice and praise God for meeting my needs. He knew my future before I did. Many circumstances in life bring sorrow, crying, and pain. God takes those situations, guides us through and gives hope. Now as I look back on the many months I struggled, I see where my Father held me up and helped me, literally, put one foot in front of the other. He carried me through those last days on the job and has given me tools to help others.

I praise God for walking with me every day.

God's plan for your life, far exceed the circumstances of your day. -Louie Giglio

Joy!

Pure Joy

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It's pothole season in Ohio again, that time between winter and spring when the snow and ice have melted and the blacktop gives way to winter's damage. After church Sunday, Tim and I noticed several deep divots chiseled out of the pavement. Some of them were crater sized. One wrong clunk into the hole could cause a tire puncture, damage to the wheel rim, problems with shocks, suspension or alignment. If the damage isn't repaired one problem may lead to another.

Pothole in the Road 

Sometimes in life, potholes are unavoidable and do a lot of damage. Some are deeper than others. Imagine traveling down a perfectly paved road, then all of a sudden a hole appears in front of you, but you can't avoid it; swerving around it would cause you to hit another car. So you drive over it and bumpety-bump you go. The tire blows, the rim gets bent and the suspension is a mess. Now what! You take the car to a mechanic who knows how to repair the mess.

Life's potholes are often unavoidable. We find out we have cancer, break a leg or have surgery. A friend disappoints us, or a child turns away from God. There are so many holes in the roads we travel. But like the mechanic, we know someone who wants to help us through the potholes. God's waiting to take your burden, he's waiting to hear from you. There's no magical shield to protect us from potholes. But we do have someone who loves us and offers comfort and guidance through the rough bumps of life. When we turn the troubles in life over to Jesus, we gain strength in our faith, perseverance and maturity which results in joy. Beautiful joy!

There is Joy

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I was helping my grandson, Zeke, with his weekly vocabulary words. I enjoy helping the kids with homework. Watching their young minds work fascinates me. One of the words he needed to know was glee. Not a common word in the third grade. He had to tell me the meaning, a synonym, and an antonym. Can you guess the synonym? JOY! The antonym ? Sorrow, suffering. As we worked, my mind returned to the word glee and how I prayed that joy would fill this young man's heart. But as I well know, his life will also meet with sorrow and suffering. It's not possible to live on this earth and not feel the effects of sadness. But the beautiful thing, the best thing is that through the sorrow and suffering, Jesus offers joy.

James, the brother of Jesus, says to count it all joy when we go through trials. James should know, he watched his brother, Jesus, die a cruel death. But he also knows that Jesus came back to life to bring grace and forgiveness. Even as I walk through the valley of sorrow, my heart holds joy knowing Jesus lives for me. I love what James says in the later part of the verses. " Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete..." That's what growing in Christ is all about; letting the Holy Spirit help us work through the difficult times so we come out on the other side a stronger more mature person in Christ.

There is joy in the journey. Let it be Jesus' joy.

Merry Christmas

May God bless you with 

peace, joy, hope and 

love this holiday season!

Christmas Blessings: Joy

Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Nine years ago on December 22, my daughter, Sara, labored for hours. In the hospital they kept a monitor on her as the labor pains ebbed and flowed. I sat close by and prayed this little one would arrive soon. And he did eventually come. She gave birth to Elijah Duncan, a beautiful baby boy. Joy overflowed from my heart when I held that sweet bundle.

Sara and James made their way to a hospital for Eli's birth. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to the far away town of Bethlehem. No hospital, not even a room to stay in. Instead they rested in a cave used to shelter animals. And there, Mary gave birth to the Prince of Peace. The manger used as a feeding trough for the animals turned into a bed for the new born king. I've experienced childbirth, and I can tell you I wouldn't want to give birth in a cave for animals. But God made a way for Mary and Jesus to be safe and sound even among the sheep and cows.

I can imagine the joy in Mary's heart when she swaddled that sweet baby and held him tight. I wonder if she sang a lullaby to him before she placed him in the manger to rest. Jesus birth is a beautiful gift of redemption; the beginning of the joy the world can have if we trust in him. 

He truly is the reason for the season.

Pitiful and Prayerful

Colossians 3:15-17

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Monday morning, back to work...

I took a couple of vacation days last week to hang out with my daughters, Hannah, Maggie, and Sara and their families. We played in the pool, watched grandsons play baseball, and enjoyed pedicures (thanks to Hannah.) Tim and I enjoyed a quiet Sunday. Then the dreaded Monday rolled around. Back to work and the daily grind. Ugh! After I dragged through my morning routine, I climbed in the Jeep, then headed to work. As I zipped along the familiar road, the pity party that danced in my head came to a screeching halt.

What was I thinking? Not what I should have been. My friend, Lori, faced an extensive surgery Monday morning. She found out she had cancer after a routine gall bladder surgery. And she could still find joy. Here I was acting pathetic because I had to go back to work. Shame on me. At that moment I realized my selfishness, and I prayed. First for forgiveness for being pitiful, then for Lori. I prayed hard because I want Lori to heal and be fully recovered from the cancer. She's a warrior for God who ministers in countless ways. Even through this tough time, she gives thanks to God.

Can you relate? Have you found yourself in the midst of a pity party, then realized how pathetic that is? We have so much to thank God for. My health isn't perfect, but I can get up and go to work. I get to spend time with my family and friends. I have people who love me. And so much more...

Today, I choose to thank God first thing in the morning.

There is a song on the radio right now that reminds me to be joy filled and grateful. 

Old Church Choir . Give it a listen!  

Joy Sparks Joy

Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 

I just finished reading Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen, Star radio DJ. In the book he poses the question, "Can a person have depression and joy at the same time?" That got me to thinking, can we invite joy into our hearts during the holidays, no matter the circumstances? Can I be joyful during the holidays even when... 

I'm a single parent and, by America's standards, I can't buy what my children want...

I've lost a loved one who won't be here to wish a Merry Christmas...

I'm a high school student who has no close friends...

I'm a college student struggling to balance work and school...

I'm a parent rushing from activity to activity just trying to get it all done...

I'm a soldier, out of the country, with no hope of being home for the holidays...

I'm just overwhelmed with all the preparation of Christmas...

I haven't experienced all of these scenarios, but I've had my share of struggles during the holidays. Circumstances that could have stolen every speck of joy from my heart. Yet, God shined on me through his people and his word. I found if I could muster one little spark of joy in my heart, the fire would burn and spark delight in my soul. The wise men found joy when they saw the star and realized Jesus was nearby. He is for us too. Jesus is here. He has the joy we desire. Not happiness that's fleeting, but joy that underlies all circumstances. Even when everything seems difficult or frustrating, Jesus' joy is like a buoy that helps me through the tough times.

Have you ever been around someone filled with joy. Their joy sparks joy in others. Let's set the world on fire with JOY!

I hope this Christmas is filled with joy for you. But if not, I challenge you to ask God for joy. Jesus gives the true joy of the season.

Christmas Joy!

Joy from Jesus

Joy!

Do You Know the Joy?

1 Peter 1:6-7

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Our three-year-old granddaughter bubbles over with joy. Born with a huge personality, she entertains and loves in a big way. She sings about Jesus and dances with delight. Her precious little smile causes me to melt, especially when her eyes twinkle and her sweet dimple shows. She loves life and shares that love with a joy-filled heart.

Our world is filled with tragedy and grief. On the days when evil rears his ugly head and causes pain and sorrow, I find it difficult to grasp the joy that's "down in my heart." Growing up we learned a fun little song, that Ella Cate is probably being taught in Sunday School. "I have the joy, joy, joy—down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart." That joy, delight, elation comes from trusting in Jesus. When I dedicated my life to follow Jesus, he poured his love and yes, joy in me. Even when I've suffered heartache, illness, distrust, or tragedy, Jesus' joy sustained me. No matter what happens on this earth. No matter how scary, heartrending  or catastrophic— because I love and follow Jesus—I still have a glimmer of hope.

So when I visit with my granddaughter and she bubbles over with joy, I'm reminded of the joy that bubbles in my heart! That hope fills me with peace. I pray for peace for all who are going through trials. I pray for the joy of Jesus to overflow.

Luke 18:16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children."

God's Own Hands

Isaiah 44:23
Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.

I never get tired of experiencing God's amazing creation. On our trip to Maine this week, we spent a day in the rural area between Portland and New Harbor. We journeyed up the coast across parts of the Casco Bay. Trees lined the roadways; not just fence lines of scrubs or a spruce here and an oak there. Instead we passed by forested areas grown by God's own hands. I couldn't help but wonder what animals roamed the woods. Maybe a bear or a moose. But those were left to my imagination. Other areas we crossed were covered by wetlands and waterways. Everywhere we looked, beauty sang a song of glory to the Creator.

As I prepare to leave the great state of Maine, I thank the Lord for the experience to visit another area of the world. No matter how large or small the geographical areas in my life are, I know God's hands formed everything. From the sandy beaches to the evergreen trees to the call of the sea gulls, I witnessed the glory of God by his presence in this amazing environment. I love his incredible imagination and wisdom.

Shout to Him with joy, for He is good!

Do you connect to God through nature?  

The Jubilant Little Tree

Hebrews 12:28
...So let us be thankful. Then we can worship God in a way that pleases him. Let us worship him with deep respect and wonder.

As I drove up the long, winding driveway to the college where I work, I noticed a tree. Not a profound statement I know. The grounds are covered with several wooded areas. But something stood out to me about this little tree. The golden leaves still clung to it, even though we're halfway through November. The deciduous trees that surrounded it had lost their leaves over the course of the previous month. But here in the midst of the bareness stood a pretty golden-leafed tree.

My heart filled with joy and wonder when I drove around the curve and caught sight of the jubilant little tree. With leaves still glowing, it was like it was shouting, "see what our amazing God can do. He can turn my leaves into rays of glory." The next day I stopped and took a photo of the beauty I'd seen. And again I witnessed the incredible creativity of the God who loves me. The natural world is full of God's extraordinary imagination. I hope as you celebrate Thanksgiving this week you take a moment and worship the God of wonder. Praise God for the beauty he created and the joy it brings!

Joy in Thanksgiving!

Restore me with Joy!

©Penny Frost McGinnis