JOYNOTE!

JOY is the BEST Medicine! Hmmm....it's  not on sale at Walgreen's!

Sadly, I have not been singing notes of Joy lately! 

But God, had me start afresh in the Deep Creek parking lot with a message, seemingly just for me.....on a a license plate, no less.

It didn't have a melody, just a note! 

Think JOYNOTE! 

If a spiritual boost is needed, it comes from heart joy! 

Joy found in God's word.... (chara in Greek, simchah in Hebrew) 

• Boosts the psyche.
• Helps relaxation.
• Creates unity with other believers.
• Increases tolerance to pain/struggles allowed by God. 
• Did I hear a giggles aka "note" of laughter ⁉︎

God often fills us with joy through His presence----through His people.

His people rose to the occasion on my behalf. (texts, a memory from 2009, a devotional book in the mail, a neighbor's smile, a special cane to "lift" both my body and my Spirit, Pastor Buddy's reminder...."Keep praying it will keep you staying".....(implying importance of staying right where God has placed you) and shared prayers from prayer warriors, without a specific request from me.   

A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22a) Dispensed from the hearts of others NOT from RX though both Karen and Cassie dispense joy through kindness at the corner of 50-US 19.

Joy is more than a moment! Joy is a sustaining anchor seen on a license plate across from my handicap parking place! And.....not for the first time!

.....shout to God with cries of joy. (Psalm 47:1b)

Keep your eyes open for any JOYNOTE God might send you!

PHILIPPIANS' FODDER!

How I love to "feed" on God's word!

Especially in the 13 Pauline epistles in the New Testament.

Four of my favorites are the mnemonic General Electric Power Company which have been my way to keep those books straight in my mind. Thanks to a bible Study teacher's suggestion years ago.

If anyone remembers her name, I would appreciate the reminder.

Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians.

Today hubby and I start a new book, Considering Sparrows,* by Kevin Burrell, a PCA pastor (Presbyterian Church of America) in Charlotte, NC. It's a book which blends creation's beauty with Scripture's depth from the book of Philippians. The subtitle of the book clarifies it well.

What Birds Teach Us About Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus.

Hubby, being an avid bird watcher, will keep me grounded as I'm one who would prefer flying away. (Psalm 55:8)

*A 2026 summer book study at First Evan, in Memphis, to be led by Anne B. and Mary E.. 

TRUST BEGETS JOY!

Trust and joy seem to go hand and hand!

Trust begets Joy! 

Enough said----say it loudly!

Worthy of a shout!

JOY = THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

Whether in person, live-stream or later on YouTube, we celebrated 3 Advent services today; blessed by each as we focused on the coming birth of our Savior Jesus. Each had a church family light the candle and explain its color and place in the wreath.

A small church celebrated their Christmas Cantata as a UMC choir 35 miles away joined a FBC to add voices to Advent celebration. Singing. Sharing Responsive reading among the choir including verses from Luke 2. Having a children's lesson at the altar to explain the first pink candle to be lit known as the shepherd's candle. Congregational singing "Joy to the World."

Live-stream church FEC in a later time-zone had a large sanctuary and choir loft filled with the city orchestra plus church members seniors and teens played instruments as well.

A children's choir joined the adult choir as the service began.

Little man in plaid, front row knew all the hand motions & could have led the entire group. A special treat was the acceptance of one little fellow, whose family I know well, who treated all to a view of his belly-button a couple of times. (Adorable front row little guy in black & white to far right)

A hymn/carol included, 'Silent Night, Lonely Night" was new to me but the words rang as the words told of the difficulties of life that can darken ones life and weary ones  with trials..... BUT God offers peace and comfort for one's soul when His son Jesus entered bore sorrows and offered eventually offered his redeeming blood Christ the Savior, in whom is all our hope. All is calm and bright.

YouTube Service had excellent visuals as the Matthew 1 responsive reading was led by the two lighting the candle together. I chose a few of my favorites; to reflect the reason for the Advent season. 

Thank you LORD for blessing me over and over again as each church today included HARK THE HEARLD ANGELS SING  as one they chose to sing. 

A Christmas carol close to my heart

3 great ways to celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent!

CHOOSE JOY!

JOY is a choice!

Joy of heart changes perspective.

Feeling battered by life's circumstances; joy can brighten your spirit.

Joy no matter what!

A joyful heart is good medicine, (Proverbs 17:22)----the best RX!

Choose joy as a way of looking at life.

Former neighbor, Art, corrected me when I labeled my fence as rotting.

He dubbed it weathered. He saw the beauty in it and took a photo, a needed reminder which I keep in my prayer room.

Gladness of heart, regardless = JOY!

ABIDE! A WAY OF WISDOM!!

Believers desiring to know God more deeply realize the need to turn to Scripture. For me, it also includes studying with other believers. 

Bible Study w/ others---A Way of Wisdom! Studying & Sharing together!

Allen Bible Church, Allen, TX

I don't remember the lady's name but she lived in a 2 story house on Park Ave. in Memphis, with a curved drive way in the front. Not my 1st Bible study but one that emphasized "abide" as a relationship key. Remaining in Him and loving one another! Abide and love are key words in John 15:1-17.

Our abiding relationship with God and other believers helps us to abound more! A shared joy! True fellowship!

It gives rhythm and "full joy" to our lives with Him and each other! (v.11)

ABIDE! REPEAT!

STAY! STAY!! STAY CONNECTED!!!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAY............................

So grateful for this day designated by US Congress when our country observes  a time for our people to turn to God in prayer and meditation. Memorable times for me have been in the pews at FEC, around the flag pole with students at Houston High School and at a cathedral in Albuquerque, NM with Okie Dokie and CharChar.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NASB)

Above fave verse for focus on this National Day of Prayer!

TASTY JOY!

Tasty Joy! 

That's what Day 3 in 12 'days til Christmas brought me via "my" Molly! 

Yes....I know it's Day 6 but I'm way behind & still trying to catch up.

Regardless, it was great way to begin my day......Bible open on my lap and Ghirardelli in my unbandaged left hand.......a "CHOCOLATE DAY" ---so I can eat it!

YUMMY JOY! 

IT'S A GREAT DAY!

I know it's a Great Day!

"My" Molly's day #2 Great Day fridge pad showed me. It even included a silver metallic Sharpie.Why? Because she is watchful & knew I needed one!

More to come--as I post pic of Day 1 with it's well-researched gift needed to add joy to my life along with day 3 gift which I am looking forward to seeing myself!

OOPS--tough times kept me "off kilter" a bit so day 3 pic is on Day 6 or 7! Are you confused????????????????? Welcome to my world.

It's a great day because God is not confused!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

A joyful face says it all!

A big thanks to Pace McKee for sharing Ron Man's quote from the recent council retreat.

IF YOU HAVE JOY IN YOUR HEART, NOTIFY YOUR FACE!

JOURNEY OF LIFE!

FRIDAY. MAY 10, 2024---momentous day for our oldest grand & soon to come, a kindergarten “participation” diploma for our youngest grandson!

Whether shaking hands and whooping or smiling in delight, may both choose joy in the next steps of their journey as both continue in academics!

WEEKEND WORDS OF WISDOM

Scotty Smith has such a way with words---even in a vocabulary of whining which sadly I understand well.

Remove whining Lord, Restore and reignite our JOY in you so we can stop whining and share truth with others even during difficult times this Palm Sunday weekend!.

MORE JOY!

More Joy coming as soon as the plane lands!

Even though I'm carrying prayers of comfort and mercy for cousin Joy!

JOY!

A great day for a walk in the neighborhood! Walk & nice Weather to calm

my anxiety. Anxiety over checking-in for tomorrow's flight.

But God.....had me turn the corner. Looking up, I saw JOY!

Literally. Bright, colorful JOY!

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2. NLT)
 

FULLNESS IN CHRIST!

IN CHRIST!

How does one receive fullness in Christ?

The answer is through salvation in Christ Jesus.

How do others know that answer is true?

They see it in your life.

When JoLynn changed the page on the desk calendar at church today---I saw the answer!

JOY! In the life of a believer.

The above wrapped up an earlier meditation from a Puritan's prayer, "Fullness in Christ" in Valley of Vision.

"Christ has all fulness"....."to give me fullness" 

"It is my duty, out of a sense of emptiness, to go to Christ, possess, enjoy his fullness as mine, as if I had it in myself, because it is for me in him; that when I do this I am full of the Spirit,"

FULLNESS IN CHRIST!!!!!

How about "going to school of meditation" on that---it is Meditation Monday after all!

PRAY! PRAY!! PRAY!!!

Definitely a "pray day."

Need joy? Need confidence? Need love? Need discernment? Need sincerity?

Add these attributes to your prayer life!

Pray! Pray! Pray!....to the Glory and Praise of God!

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

ENCOURAGING WORDS!

Words from friends to lift one's spirit. Words one needs to hear.

A perfect card for today.............."Thankful Thursday." 

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

JOY to the World! How about JOY in the world!

Where does JOY begin? Years ago I learned that true JOY begins with Jesus. The Lord is our cup of blessing as He is always with us. JOY continues as we serve others well...as God loves us, by putting others before self. Self is last in the recipe for JOY. True JOY comes to us as we put Jesus and others first.

This acrostic has helped me remember that.

Jesus

Others

  Yourself

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

FULLNESS WRAP UP!

Fill-up needed for the day? Regular. (Joy) Mid-grade. (Joy & Peace) 

Premium Octane. Fullness of God.

Where does one go for this premium fill-up?

God's word of, course!

...to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

Where else would one find all the fullness of Him!

FILL ME UP!

It's always smart to start our day with Joy in our heart. 

As we go through our day we  might run low on joy; Anxiety can set in.

We might need a little PEACE added. 

Brim's, a Bartlett TN (Memphis area) snack food company, reminds us that "life is so delicious" when we fill it with PEACE. Sounds like an abunDANCE to me!

You will keep Him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3, capitalization emphasis by Brim's)

What a yummy mid-day reminder for me!