JOY RIDE, JOY JOURNEY, COME ON IN, JOIN JOY

 The pandemic! The pandemic! To remain in it stuck for one more moment! Ugh Right?

The election and all the division! The election and all the arguments and sides taken! Dissension!

I got a facebook message it's title, "Understanding What is Happening in America: A Christians response"!

Really there are people out there trying to figure out the truth! 

The article tries to explain the above things we need to understand. It's a lot to take in! I sat as I read it wondering, if I am going to understand this It would be like a full time job, at least for me.

I have been following some since the pandemic started, that means since March of 2020 and I am now at January of 2021. That's 10 months of my life. Is this my job? Am I getting paid to figure this all out with my limited mind and resources and social media and main stream news? No!

I got a prayer box from a friend for Christmas. I have gotten them before and regifted them (sorry who every got one from me) because I thought, if I do this box I would be participating in a some kind of new age hoax, I write the prayer and it gets answered...voila! 

But this time as I looked at the box I began to see the holy benefit of doing the prayer box. So every thought that is a question in my head I wrote to God. I included my confessions and my intercessions. I felt a sense of release. Like I really gave it to God and said, "Here please deal with these or at least help me make some sense." 

A release! Do you need a release? From the moment we become Christians we talk our talk with are friends in Christ, "I gave it to God, I'm trusting God with it (the it being my concerns)." Then we proceed to hold each other accountable so we don't take back the control. You know the game, right, I don't have to explain the give and take back game we act in the flesh.

The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! Listen! This box worked because when I think the thought of one of those prayers I begin to take it back and then it happens...I picture the box, the paper and I say to myself....you gave it to Him. 

In the past months I have been praying for things and then citing when it is answered (most likely the way I want it to, right, wink, wink) I will move on. Well the pandemic, the division in our country, my cough... is not gone away yet! So what next! Then the verse came...the mind controlled by the Spirit is LIFE AND PEACE Romans 8:6b.

Friends we can't keep waiting, trying to get what is going on. That is a full time job. For me I am asking what can be my reason to get up, a focus, a project with God. Fill my mind with you Jesus, things from above. Focus! it's the the hard thing for me now. My husband calls jumping around to all the information whirling around, "Squirreling". Like a squirrel I'm unfocused.

The remedy oh God, the remedy for my worried sick soul!

In a word...God changed the atmosphere and began to create. That is where I will begin. In a word each fabric of our earth and sky appeared and you know what...it was good, very good.

My word for the year "Joy"! The adventure of it all! I am wired for adventures, It's in my DNA or personality...at least that is what the test results of my personality test say! How do I go on this ride in the Spirit? I was dreaming this ride...seriously...I saw the free spirit within me come out for the ride. The ride led by the flesh will be confusing, dreadful...feel like death. That matches up with scripture...living according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires, but those who live accordance with the Spirit  have their minds set on what the Spirit desires Romans 8:5.

Life would be better being led by the Spirit. As I slept and dreamed all this, I saw I came to an intersection where I can merge with the Spirit and the ride begins. The Joy Ride! Being led by the Spirit. Laying down my desires and letting Him lead. 

I saw myself on a train, playful, childlike, the boxcar window open wide, it is a beautiful day, son/sun out, not a cloud in the sky, the temperature is perfect, my head out of the window, my hair blissfully flowing in the wind, joyfully saying, "Come on in! Climb aboard! The ride will not always be easy but the crowd and the leader will see us through! Let's go! Are you coming?"

I was grabbing my art supplies as the idea for this art project grows, and a 2019 calendar fell out amongst my stuff. Why did I keep it? The art design is exactly the style of the picture I had in my head of myself going along in the train. I giggle! So perfect!

It gives me confidence, I can do this! Admittedly, I had been giving time to understanding the above, what's going on America stuff, and the battle was real, but this time I stopped, put down my phone, and asked myself, what do I choose? I choose, Joy!

For all those trying to figure it out, I am not trying to say you are wrong, I am saying for me to glance but figure it all, is not going to happen, things are changing daily and I can't wait anymore. (It being the world troubles) The Spirit has a better plan. I simply ask you to write your desires down and pray over them. Getting at an intersection of my way vs. Spirit's way is a good place. I am praying that I will lean on Him and stay on His path. 

I am reminded of the world crisis's. Age old stories of change and agendas, even wars vying to destroy the plan of God for us. Review biblical history and then our American history or even world history and you will see the challenge-follow the Spirit. Put God as your first love. When a country, king, leader does not do that...it is trouble. I didn't say that...God said it. The verse in Romans explain it.

Without Christ...it's impossible.

So a Christian response run to Christ...Christ represents true JOY!

I looked up JOY in my concordance and will begin in the begin and move forward. Where is joy used in the bible. I will let you know how this unfolds.

I designed a doodled picture of the me or others in a train car riding, yelling, "Come on In." Joy to the world is Jesus. He will be my way to 2021, how about you?

Can others join in on the Joy ride? I hope you do! I will send you personal train car. All I ask is you for you to look up verses of Joy in the bible daily. There are over 400 and then in you journal begin to record and pray what these verses mean to you and how they translate for you today. My prayer is that this will help you focus for 2021. Every time you start to fret. Think did I look up my verse for today. You can google Joy bible verses. Go one at a time. Let me know how you are doing. If you start seeing joy catch phrases or joy articles, anything. Share them with me. I am making a photo album of them.

GOING FOR A JOY RIDE

The timing of the old cards that I sent to my then boyfriend in High School (now my husband of 36 years) happen to show itself. Wink! Wink! As I began to look through them I observed,

1. the artist design or signature style, the words they use to endear us the recipient of the card.

2. my sediments written in the card.

3. me trying to picture myself where I was at the time, what I was talking about. A examination of myself growth. (Menopause brain is not going to help me with the answer remembering)

4. I am questioning my affection for notes and sometimes heartfelt, gushy sentiment. 

I don't know about you, but over the years as I skim over my life I find clues of lost dreams or even dreams started that I did not realize were even the starting of dreams. This is one of those moments. I know this because I prayed for ideas of what to do at this time. Lord fill me with focus and purpose. I remembered that I got an order to make some of my art cards. And then the cards of my younger years appear. I must be confident that this is the path started long ago and is coming to pass. Not, sure what that is all about, but for sure time will tell.

 One thing after another doesn't make sense. Things continue and there seems no change or you turn a corner and there is disappointment and things did not happen the way you REALLY thought they would or should go. You ponder.

I feel as the virus continues to challenge us where to go, what to do and there seems a glimmer of light squeaking through and maybe a bigger light will pour in. The bigger light is a wish that things would go back as it was, but it just ain't happening. Yah, I wrote ain't, kind of with a little disgust.

Been going through Philippians, which I came to discover is divine, because Paul's journey of joy is expressed to the people of Philippi.

Paul finds JOY over the proclamation of the gospel, JOY IN GOSPEL PROCLAMATION.

Paul finds JOY in being a servant of Christ and setting an example to the people of Philippi He dreams about the bliss of being with Jesus one day, yet, for then he remained. Strong words express it is necessary for him to remain in the body. His strong convictions, "I will continue with all of you for your progress and JOY in the faith. He has a pep rally -"Through my being with you again your JOY in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me Philippians 1:26." 

Yes, a little arrogant of Paul, but yet to me it is refreshing, because his convictions of his calling confirms he woke up, saw, believed, listened continued to please God and seek to put Him first. 

We could cry out asking, "Who is worth of this calling, to fulfill the work of this time?" Let's ask God how to participate or fit in God's plan. Sometimes I want the manual of the future to be written so I could read and do what it says, but that is not how God works. 

The JOY comes in the anticipation and trusting! Truly, do we believe that. 

Let's pray for the times and our daily answers and abilities to, "What do I do today? Let me follow the JOY!"

The word for the year, "Joy"! It encapsulates me! It challenges me to look! Look for my sweet Jesus. To listen for my sweet Jesus. It is a fine tuning time, but in my schedule it has been far to long. Yet! I am realizing, this dependence and waiting is the "Joy"! The joy in which I am told to have in sweet Jesus.

My sighting was completed yesterday when I got this bracelet in the mail. A sweet friend, whom I invited to get on this JOY RIDE with me, sent it to me! You see JOY changes you once you choose it and you can not go back! Well you could go back, but most assuredly God is starting a revolution, just as Paul did. Paul made a decision to stand by the Philippians, with full conviction he wrote the letters to pull them out from temptations to go back. 

Church wake up! We have to be there for each other. Once someone joins the ride we can't let them go. We have to ask God for the strength to love, follow, see, listen, understanding-so we can help each other. It's with JOY that we proceed.

HEAVEN RULES

 Lord what do we write, what do we say, this day January 20, 2021.

In light of my pursuit to keep the joy to the world my first love. Heaven Rules! Jesus is powerful and his power alone makes changes and brings those leaders to stand for truth and justice.

Let us look to the Lord today and rejoice. Rejoice again I say.

We rejoice in gospel proclamation.

Jesus you alone are holy, you alone show yourself to the world. You don't need anyone to move across our land to open the eyes and ears because you can do it. In fact when it comes from you Father it shows itself to be real. Not a human made up thing. It is really you God that created the heavens and earth.

As I read through Daniel 4 and saw how Daniel interpreted a dream revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar, his reaction is greatly perplexed and his thoughts terrified him. This dream is not about adversaries or enemies, but taking personal responsibility, just as it is today, each of us taking responsibility, peace will be restored to us when we acknowledge that HEAVEN RULES! (Daniel 4:26)

King Nebuchadenezzar realizes, admits his sanity was restored because he did heed the warning from Daniel, the man of God and declares God's kingdom is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation, He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven. 

Through acknowledgement we find the the joy that entered our world to help us. 

As Paul says in the book of Philippians, "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 1:18-19"

Do we really want to be pure and blameless when Christ returns? Paul asks us to pray, to desire this, to ask for the ability and discernment to be fulfill this. Paul knows God is faithful to help us accomplish this and give us an inner joy. This mystery to have a inner joy to lofty to explain. We can not explain his peace and joy. 

Open your heart to this inner stirring and experience it for yourself.

"Come on in", a heartfelt cry is all that is needed. Seek the word of the Lord and ask to lean on Him for understanding and the unexplainable joy will flood your heart. 

#heavenrules, #choosejoy, #undescribablejoy 

PUT A GUARD ON IT

I awoke and my mind stirred with; what if's...

Lord forgive me I am thinking thoughts that are not from you...help me

Then I saw a small figure angelic like all alone in a white space...crying out; Glory, glory, glory.

It is all I could focus on.

I could only think about heaven and it rules.

Glory, glory, glory,

any attempt to think anything else was blocked.

I am living out Philippians 4:6-7, God says He will guard our heart and mind. Just call on him, repent, give thanks and He will do it.

For the rest of the night I heard the cry of the saint, Glory, Glory, Glory!

It was comforting. It was Him. My focus was on Jesus. Fully devoted.

In fact hadn't I just read this day, "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice #joy2021." Romans 5:2

I also heard, the whole earth is full of His glory and Most Holy God!

I just thank God for this guard put over my mind. I just kept thinking, I feel so rested, so much peace!

Rejoice! Again I say rejoice! 

God usher this kind of peace to those that call upon your name today!

GOD wants to:  PUT A GUARD ON YOUR MIND. Will you let Him? Will you ask Him for help?

Not only can we rejoice from the full access to God but also the bible goes on to say, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4"

How can we rejoice this year recognize the full access to God and also that He cares so much that He wants to build our character. 

NESTING-TIME-OUT

NESTING-TIME-OUT

I was overdue the baby was not coming! I listened to all the wives’ tales like wash the floors on your knees, go for frequent walks, have everything ready for the birth-suitcase packed...

I was nesting!

 

To me nesting means-it’s my space, my baby is coming, and I have to cover every possibility. Everything must be ready and perfect! (grocery shop, housework done, floors clean, babies bag packed, my bag packed, laundry done) That way NOTHING, can go wrong! When you have other children, and a baby is coming it gets worse. You nest for them and of course, your husband. I would think of everything the children will want need. Nest! Did you ever hear your mother or grandmother say, "Oh, you are nesting?" They declare it and give others some kind of "know it all glance"!

The glance it states that you've got it, almost like a disease, get out of her way or you may suffer her tidying up wrath! I nest when we are going on trip, does everyone have all the comforts of the world so I don't have to hear complaining! Help!

 

The hidden secret you are nesting is not a secret at all. Everyone walks on eggshells. The nester says its hormones.

 

As a nester myself I will admit it's control (or lack thereof), anxiety, perfectionism, performance orientation (look at me I am the best mom ever, I think of everything.)

 

Dads can get into nesting too! Don't think that it is a hormone thing and it's a women thing!

 

Friends, I catch myself nesting for the Holidays, but it's not in anticipation for the baby Jesus. It is for my sake of looking good in front of the guests.

 

What is the remedy for this "Nesting" problem?

 

I am so aware of this weakness; I have decided to put myself in "TIME OUT." Yep! just like we put our children in time out.

 

But at my age TIME OUT doesn’t look like a two-year-old (hopefully) I look like a child of God poor in spirit, in need of refreshment (I don't mean a glass of wine) I mean time out with God. Just as Jesus went off quite frequently and sought God the Father.

 

I start out with a confession, "Lord I am caught up in perfectionism, control.... blah, blah, blah. Help me! God seriously, help me. I got the thing again.... yeah, nesting.... help me slow down, sit down, quiet down to hear from your soothing words. I will put a worship song on three times. Yes, three! It takes three times. I love going to time out! Kari Jobe has a 22-minute worship set that is out First Love, Embers, Blessing or Obsession...any of them.

 

If you will allow me to use the following words...It's like getting a spiritual valium. I have had it before an outpatient procedure and well it works! 

 

Beloved friends, confession, picturing myself kneeling at the cross or sitting on Abba Father's lap help me to be in a posture of receiving. I am never feeling condemned to visit the Father....I am over joyed. I am going to HIM, PERFECT LOVE.

 

Try it, you will like it!

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds...James 1:2.

 

Friend you do not have to do it all on your own! 

 

Consider it joy to have a friend in Jesus for a fresh encounter, reverse the trajectory of where you were going. Going with Jesus the one who represents perfect love, my joy keeper, in his presence is a place where you don't want to leave. You hang on every word He says, I cannot explain it. You just have to go into TIME OUT. 

 

Let us begin to redefine time out, you are going to creator, lover of your soul. It is a teachable, refreshing wonderous moment that will never, I mean never wasted.

 

Prayer: Take me there Jesus, take me there...speak over me...put IT all into perspective.

 

Amen.

 

Add it to my nest.