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Tea, Joy and Ducks

Today happens to be Donald Duck’s birthday, or at least one of the dates that might be his birthday.  This guy provides a strong argument for his point of view.

Thinking about ducks, makes me think about the fellas from Duck Commander, which besides my propensity to drink sweet tea and my love for the Lord, I do not have very much in common with.  (Well there is the beautiful wife thing as well I suppose!)

Any maybe one more thing; I love that those guys are so full of joy! Evidenced by their ‘Happy Happy Happy’ slogan, which tends to be a long way from the attitude of Donald!  But lets celebrate his day with joy, and lets also remember that as Nehemiah says ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength.’

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.  Psalm 19:8 (NIV)

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Lay Me Down

As any long time reader knows I get a lot of inspiration from music, and that has been pretty clear this week as well.   Early this month, Chris Tomlin released his new collection of songs and I have to say, I can’t get enough of it.  I highly recommend that you take a least a preview listen at your favorite music store.

For most of the week, I have cycling the prayer found in the middle of the song “Lay Me Down”, so I can’t help but write about it today.

“It will be my joy to say your will, your way – Always!”

Don’t you wish that this is really how you lived?  That it would be considered a joy to turn over your will to the Lord.  It’s a great pounding song with some thought-provoking lyrics – sort of the modern verse of ‘I Surrender All’!  And one that is full of prayers to help us turn over our will and lay our selves down and the foot of the Creator of the World.  The one who has provided us with unimaginable promises!

Take a listen and consider the joy you can get from letting the Lord lead.

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23 ESV

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Share Christmas

Wow, It’s just one week away. Christmas is upon us.  Here are a couple things that may get you into the Christmas spirit and help you remember what a great hope we have in the birth of that little baby in a barn two thousand years ago.

The first thing is the Christmas Story Tracker from YouVersion.  Supposedly, each time a person reads the story of the birth of the Christ, they increase the counter and place a star on the map where it’s happening.  It’s pretty interesting.  So, read the story, and light up a star!

The second is this clip of the birth from the new History Channel series that will be airing in the 5 Sundays leading up to Easter in the spring.  Check out the scene from Bethlehem. It’s pretty good telling, although I think some of it moves a little from the words captured in scripture – but hey, I wasn’t there!  I especially love the look on Mary and Joseph’s face at the end.  I know they had great faith and heard what the angel Gabriel had told them, but when all those events took place with their baby boy, I am certain the astonishment was amazing.  If only we could have that same sort of astonishment and joy when we think about the coming of the Christ!

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2:1-11

 

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Light = Joy

So far we have had Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday, and it’s not even December!  We sure like to get the Holidays started with a bang of obligations!

Despite that side of things, I have to admit that seeing Christmas trees glowing in windows of homes and landscaping covered in lights while I drove to and fro the soccer field last night filled me with joy!

While you participate in all the various activities coming at you in the next 6 weeks, make sure you find joy in the light.

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
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Be Filled

This is the first morning that I can remember when I physically have not felt like writing. Lot’s of times I have problems coming up with good ideas, but today, the thoughts in my head are competing for space with junk in my sinus cavities and my head feels like it’s not exactly on my shoulders correctly.

That will go away shortly, but after today’s deadline I am sure, so let’s continue the thankful theme and draw a conclusion to last Tuesday’s post.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3:16 NLT

 

Be filled with the Christ, and let it come out as thankfulness and joy, thinks that will make others better!