Joy Unspeakable

It's been a long time.

Needless to say, December was filled with much-expected excitement and busyness.  Not to mention all the preparation for Christmas and dear friends, gift-making and gift-wrapping, days of chilly weather, surprises, wishes and dreams come true, fun and frolic, laughter and loudness, peace and prosperity, the coming and going of Advent, decorating the Christmas tree, opening presents, fellowship and scrumptious foods, endless chatter and conversation, amusement, sport, entertainment, Scripture readings, family devotions, baking, learning and education, songs and hymns and spiritual songs, Christmas gaiety, Christmas carols, joyful hellos, bittersweet goodbyes, tears and happiness, and boundless amounts of delight in every way.

 

Just to give you a taste...

 Amy and I

 Grin, Ben!

 Fun with the camera

 All girls

 Bestest of friends!

 Loveliness

 Now THAT is what I call a shield...

 Beautiful Mama

 Little Bit

 Friends for a lifetime

 Friends since birth =)

 The "chaperone" ;)

 Whee!

Joy unspeakable.  Joy is much greater than earthly and whimsical happiness.  While happiness is based upon emotions, and thus the fulfillment of temporal enjoyment, joy is eternal and unending.  Happiness fades when troubles and trials enter the picture, but joy is ever still hopeful of the future and will remain whatever the circumstance.  I want more than just happiness; I want joy.

Joy can only be found in Christ.

"Thou wilt show me the path of life:
In Thy presence is fulness of joy;
At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
~Psalm 16:11

"For His anger endureth but a moment;
In His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night,
But joy cometh in the morning." ~Psalm 30:5

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them;
And Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart:
For I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts."
~Jeremiah 15:16

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
But righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
~Romans 14:17

I don't know why this is the case, but many times we are inclined to be sort of pessimistic. Okay, full and in fact, very pessimistic.  Joy, even for Christians, is hard to attain.  Perhaps it is our human nature, perhaps it is our sin which so easily besets us, or maybe we don't think God will  keep His promises.

Now that one is a shocker.

It is easy to think that joy was possible for the martyrs who suffered starvation, persecution, torture, and even death for the cause of Christ, but joy, possible for mundane daily life? No way!  Joy, possible for waiting and preparing?  Joy, possible when things don't go our way?  Joy, possible to have during moments of gloominess and despair and sin?  Joy, possible to keep when our simple insignificant lives seem to be falling apart?  Joy, possible in the midst of a confusing, chaotic "love life"?  Joy, possible in chores and cleaning and studying and learning and tutoring and obeying?  Surely not.  Most emphatically not.  We see joy possible in the big things, but definitely not the little things that make up our own lives.

Nevertheless, the correct answer would be YES!  Most definitely yes.  Joy is possible in all the little things that seem to be so big.  Believe me, it is hard, but I would really love to know who ever said life was going to be easy?  In fact, it is even harder for the Christian striving to be more like Christ each day, fighting against the despicable sin nature that so wants to win. 

The most amazing thing is that victory is possible, though only through Christ (Phil. 4:13).  Our joy can be unspeakable, and very full of glory.

Only the glory of Christ.  As in everything, our joy is to bring Him glory, praise, and honor.  Our chief end ought to be our life's ultimate goal: to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  New Year's resolutions usually end in laziness or lack of appeal (I'm sure you have found that out by now), but our number one aim should always be the same.  Have joy, and glorify God.  What else is there?

A Lot of Catching Up To Do...

I'm back!...with lots to post. Daddy and Mama's 18th anniversary came first, Christmas flew by, and finally the New Year showed its face.  It's surreal the way so many things have came and went!  Even more astonishing is that today we are living in 2011.  Just where did all the time go?  The holidays season was a joyous time of family, friends, and fellowship, unforgettable memories, and best of all: laughter and love, especially the love of God.  We have had so much to be thankful for.  There were more goodies to bake, plenty of beautiful home-made gifts to wrap and open, annual Christmas movies to watch, lighting advent candles, the Christmas Story reading, etc.  And now today, January 4th, little Clara Mae's 7th birthday.  My, how times flies...

 

 18 years of a blessed and happy marriage

 Twue wuv!

 Ready to distribute...

 Goodies, of course

 Wide-eyed and innocent....if you don't notice that wee bit of chocolate around the mouth...

 Little candy bags

 Liberty really enjoyed opening presents

 A sweet little mommy!

 Wrong way, mommy!

Finally, a sword with which to protect his weak "little" sisters.

My lil sister growing up...

Happy Birthday, Clara Mae!

Now that the busiest time of the year has passed, hopefully I can get back on schedule.  I never really realize how much I miss blogging until I've gone weeks without a post.  I pray everyone had a splendid holiday season, but are now ready to plunge back into "normal" life with all its ups and downs, chaos and happiness.  Farewell, my readers, until next time...

Maybe then I'll have something more interesting to post...

An amazing gift: A New Year

I know, I know, I know.  I again have to catch back up on my blog writing.  If I would just keep up, then I wouldn't have to worry about cramming all that has gone on, in one post.  Of course, I could make it really long, but that might be overwhelming, on both sides.

So now the holidays are over.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, then the new year flew right on by.  Our company came and went (we had loads of fun, by the way!), and now we are back to school (how does one go back to school after a two-week vacation?).  Yes, everything is getting back to normal. (normal?)  However, I have a confession:  I actually liked being out of the norm. 

All the excitement and hustle bustle that went on was, well, exciting.  Of course, a little rest is much appreciative, but after things settle down, life can seem a little...boring?...no!  Not really.  Seriously, after certain times pass, then we can look forward to the new things God will bring along.  That also brings excitement.

Now it is 2010.  It almost seems odd to me.  I have now been born for fifteen and a half years.  Fifteen years doesn't seem that long, yet...it is a long time!  God in His goodness and grace has so wonderfully blessed us with more than we could ever need.  True, in this world we may not be considered rich, but we do have the almighty Lord over all.  He is the richest blessing we could ever have.  He has given us a new year in which to live for His glory.  All praise to Him for that!  Isn't life such a precious gift?  Now He has given us more life on earth.  A new year is a bright, shining example that He still loves us.  Isn't He wonderful!

We should strive to serve Him more this new year, for didn't He give everything for us?  We can at least give Him a little in return!  Of course, nothing we do will ever pay the price He paid for us, but we can still serve Him, give Him all glory and honor, and praise His name to all people!  He loves us so much; let us love Himin return!

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  -Ephesians 2:4-9