Tag: joy

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First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Man, I am stoked today.  But before I tell you why, let me apologize for the erratic nature of the feed the last few days, I am not sure what’s up there, but hopefully it will settle down today.

Anyway, I am stoked, its the last day of school, my nephews soccer team is one game closer to wining the Tennessee State Championship ( 3-0 victory last night) and I get to live another day in service to my Lord and Savior – Mr JC.

So lets through out a quick Psalm of praise today:

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

Its the end of school, but its the first day of the rest of your life, what are you going to do with it?

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Easter Monday

Its Easter Monday.  Can you imagine the thoughts running through the minds of Jesus’ followers when they woke up and realized the events of the weekend?  Do you think it was hard to get to work on that Monday! Wow!  Now we take the joy of Easter and the victory of the Christ’s actions into our daily lives.  I know this morning when I was running, I felt a little lighter on my feet (and believe me that was not because of my weight!)

Anyway, enjoy the day, and as you interact with others, remember the actions of the Christ and the impact that can have on your life – if you let it!

Ephesians 2:4-6 (New International Version)

4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

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Betrayal

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 (New International Version)

Yep. Judas, the traitor.  The one who demonstrated his selfishness on the worlds stage.  This is the day where is seemed that Judas sealed the deal the “hand over” Jesus.  We give Judas a really hard time some times, because we know that we are so perfect!  But really, I was thinking this morning about “What are willing to give me if I hand him over?”or maybe “What am I wanting to get that makes me hand him over?” Don’t we find ourselves asking that question some times?

It may not be thirty silver coins, the price of a slave, but it may be something just as cheap.  Or it may be something of more “value” – a job, a thing, a pleasure, a moment?  Its a daily battle for us to continually balance the value of our “stuff” versus the value of freedom from Christ.  I personally find it rather easy to hand over Jesus for “stuff” , as much as it pains me to admit it.  We just have to remember that if we stick with him, we will get all that we ever want.

10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11 (New International Version)

So today, don’t trade Him in.  Stick with him!  Complete your Joy!

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Year of Giving

I stumbled upon this earlier this week while browsing around the web with my mouse hand, while my headphone ear diligently listened to a conference call.

Unemployed D.C. man giving money away to strangers to help foster kindness

I was immediately blown away, and inspired at the same time!  This guy had lost his job, yet he is out giving $10 away a day – to complete strangers.  He also has been blogging about his encounters here.   This blog is definitely worth a gander as he retells of his encounters each day. Its confusing.  its a little mind boggling.  He should be saving everything he has correct?  Unfortunately, that’s the way we usually look at things like this.  But really imagine if we all took approaches like this.   I have taught many classes on this concept from Luke:

Luke 6:38 (New International Version)

38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

But this at times is a hard concept to implement.  Yes, Ray its not all about money ( sorry that’s a little inside joke to my friend Ray), its about giving and trusting.  I am impressed with Reed Sandridge.  I am inspired by him and I hope to learn from him.

Today, give.  Give because it helps others.  (and as I blogged about two weeks ago, that’s good and catchy!)  Give knowing that it will come back to you in ways that you will never ever expect.

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Pushing Through the Falls

Last night, once I finally got home from late night basketball, I sat down and watched a little bit of the Fall-a-lympics.  Did you notice?  In the women’s snowboard, fall after fall.  Men’s skating – fall, fall, fall.  So many falls, that I eventually “fell” asleep, kicked back in my favorite chair and missed the great victory last night in men’s skating (disappointing ).

Anyway, while I was still awake, I was asking my lovely and multi-talented wife why she thought there were so many falls.    We both through out several theories, including that they tired ( like us), they didn’t get enough practice, or that is was Bush’s fault. (ok just kidding on the last one).   But ultimately we settled, and I think this is true, on that fact that they are having to push so hard because there is such a small separation between Gold and last.  They push so hard, and when you push yourself, sometimes  you make mistakes.   All of these athletes are capable of pretty incredible athletic accomplishments, but on the world’s stage we see them falter. They could pull back just a little and finish their event without a fall, but would fall would be any chance at a medal.  So, they go for it, they push themselves a little past what they can comfortable do, and when it works – its awesome!

So it is with our lives – physical and spiritual.  We can live in our comfort zone and never make a mistake, and never reap the reward.  Live it out on the edge.  Push yourself in your life.  Accept that you will not be perfect, but at times, things will work out in a way that you just can’t even imagine how awesome the reward will be.

This is why I love the Olympics.  It so inspiring, its so motivating, its such a microcosm of life.

So, lets take some risks, lets live a little bit crazy, step out of the place of comfort and lets impact others by pushing on the edges.

And then find your safety in God.

New International Version (NIV)Psalm 4:7-8

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.