Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Then Came Sunday Morning


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Sitting in silence.

Wrapped in grief.

Haunted by fear.

Hearts echoed with the emptiness left when Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb.

Hope had disappeared.

Then came Sunday morning.

The sun peeked over the hills. Women trudged with feet as heavy as their hearts to the tomb. In their hands were fragrant spices to properly prepare their Master and friend for burial. 


But who would roll away the stone? Who would let them in?


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Suddenly hope was rekindled! The stone was rolled away!


"He is not here!” the angel said. “He is risen!” 

The tomb was empty, but their hearts were full.
Fear gave way to courage!

Grief gave way to joy!

Silence was swallowed up in victory!

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell has been defeated.
The grave could not hold the king.*


Then came Sunday morning—and absolutely nothing would ever be the same again.



*Lyrics from “Arise, My Love” by Newsong.



Monday, December 23, 2013

Life That Brings Joy - Revisited

Dark night under starry skies.

Humble shepherds huddling ‘round 
     a fire’s warming blaze.

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Quiet conversation

     Shared struggle …shared frustration

          Shared hope…shared hopelessness.

               Shared sorrow.


Suddenly...

     Bright light illumines the night sky!

     Bright beams of joy blaze 
          'round about them!
     Heaven’s shining visitor brings the news.

          “Good news of great joy 
               for all people.”



The Life has come!

The long-awaited Life is born!

     Leave behind your sadness!

     Release your ...(read more)


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Counterfeit Joy

Dragon fruit is absolutely delicious.
“Real deal” fruit and counterfeit fruit. God’s Holy Spirit is in the business of cultivating the first in the lives of God’s people. The world is busily trying to convince us that its counterfeit fruit is all we need. All we want.
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23)

We’ve already seen how different genuine, outward-focused love is from the counterfeit fruit of self-focused lust.
Now, let’s take a look at the next “real deal” fruit in the list. Joy.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Life That Brings Joy



 Dark night under starry skies.
Humble shepherds huddling ‘round 
     a fire’s warming blaze.
clip
Quiet conversation
     Shared struggle …shared frustration
          Shared hope…shared hopelessness.
               Shared sorrow.

Suddenly...
     Bright light illumines the night sky!
     Bright beams of joy blaze 
          'round about them!
     Heaven’s shining visitor brings the news.
          “Good news of great joy 
               for all people.”

The Life has come!
The long-awaited Life is born!
     Leave behind your sadness!
     Release your sorrow!
          Look to the Life!
          Look to the Joy!


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“For unto you is born today the Savior!”
Go, now! Search for Him!
With all your heart, 
     seek for this Life 
          that brings joy!
Joy unspeakable and full of glory.
     Unquenchable joy. 
          Unstoppable joy.
                                                                       Undefeatable joy.
  
May our hearts be filled this joy.
     May we truly KNOW this Life.
          May we always live 
               in the light of His joy!
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