where to begin?
first, i would like to praise the Lord for the safe rescue of captain phillips. what beautiful irony that the life that was voluntarily given for the rescue of his crew was brought to safety this easter weekend. i pray that he finds joy and rest back home with his family...celebrating in the comfort of their love. most importantly, that he will see the merciful hand of God in this traumatic experience.
"reasons to sing" was the title to today's sermon series "engraved on His hands". it created an "ah-ha" moment, wonderfully summing up why i titled my blog what i did - joyfuliving. and what a meaningful reminder for today. i knew i wanted to share my life philosophy, if you will, with what i labeled my little piece of the virtual world. the place i tell our story. living with joy in any circumstance, is my big idea. giving joyful praise even in the nitty gritty of life. in today's message, we were gloriously reminded that we have the best reason to sing. we have the best subject to sing about. pastor dan put it best..."Christ stomped death like june-bugs in july." what a squishy picture of death having zero victory. zip. nada.
Christ came to intercede on our behalf, demanding life and resurrection,
to place us into His {huge} spiritual family to grow and mature in His Word,
to commit Himself into an unbreakable relationship with us like no other,
to produce victorious people who are established in righteousness and
to offer us an unbeatable, fabulous invitation for our thirsty souls for free!
what better reason to have joyful living?!
dan's big idea was "Jesus hasn't written you off, He has provided a righteous future."
struggling with health? He hasn't forgotten His own. lost a loved one? He hasn't forgotten His own. fired or laid off from your job? He hasn't forgotten His own. relationship strife? He hasn't forgotten His own. parenting struggles? He hasn't forgotten His own. tired and want to give up? He hasn't forgotten His own.
Christ has signed His marriage license between us with His own blood. He's committed...written you on the palm of His hand. providing a stronger relationship than anything on earth. won't you join me in seeking the Lord? He is near and waiting. longing for us to love our Savior more than our sin. to turn to Him, forsaking all that is lost.
my desire is to live with joy. to sing joyful praises because of the ultimate sacrifice and resurrection of my King. and may this place, my little blog, help keep me accountable to joyful living and remind me to whom i belong.
joyful easter!
beautifully stated!
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