Tag Archives: joy

Enthusiasm’s Joy

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From Mark 12:29-31:  “Jesus answered, ‘The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

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Another blessed day

Celebrate Father’s goodness

Unlimited gifts of grace

From Heaven’s sacred place

 

With each day, come to serve

Opportunity’s freedom

Spelled out through Christ’s faithful love

Gathered from high above

 

Sunset follows sunrise

Encouraged by Spirit’s breath

Honor Father with actions

More than just transactions

 

Share kindness with others

Holds enthusiasm’s joy

Love Jesus with one’s whole heart

Hope journeys to fresh start

 

Excitement’s daily peace

Truth in Father’s righteousness

Faith’s trustworthy bridge designed

Follow with steps aligned

 

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From Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Sweetest Comfort (Haiku Series #311)

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Softness

First impressions count

Each smile creates another—

One more happy heart

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Playfulness

Lifting up others

Laughter’s contagious spirit—

Feeling heartfelt joy

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Tenderness

Sharing contentment

Cheerful heart opens one more—

Spirit’s gentleness

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Single Flame Burning

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In stillness of morn

Single flame burning

Offering goodness

Each hour keeps churning

 

In stillness of day

Single flame burning

Sharing lasting peace

Heartbeat keeps churning

 

In stillness of work

Single flame burning

Energizing joy

Outlook keeps churning

 

In stillness of night

Single flame burning

Encouraging hope

Life shall keep churning

 

In stillness of dreams

Single flame burning

Grasping tender hand

True love keeps churning

 

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Darkness No More

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From Hebrews 3:12-13:  “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” 

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Liberty shall be defined

Opportunity arrives

Sharing peace from Jesus Christ

Future’s hope breathing alive

 

Unconditional spirit

Encouragement’s blessed Word

Turning toward Father’s grace

Benevolence always stirred

 

Present sufferings shall fade

New creation waits for all

Finding joy in light’s freedom

Chains of sin’s bondage shall fall

 

Faith’s blessed door now opens

Love invites all to enter

Hearing Father’s steady voice

Mercy waits at room’s center

 

All peace shines from Son’s goodness

Justified by Father’s hand

Walking in darkness no more

Light’s hope will forever stand

 

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From 1 John 1:5:  “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Abounding in Truth (Elfchen Series #232)

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Rejoice

Experiencing

Daily blessings

Heavenly Father above

Source of faith’s comfort

Joy

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Harmony

Praising

Father’s love

Redemption from Savior

Each sin washed white

Peace

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Trust

Prayer’s

Intimate conversation

Father’s daily grace

Heart opened, hearing Him

Hope

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Peace Awakened

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From Luke 2:6-7:  “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth and laid Him in a manger.”

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Echoes ring with “Merry Christmas”

To everyone and all

Filled with goodwill’s peace

Witness in each joy-filled call

 

Deck every hall with love so rich

Each generation shall praise

Gifts of hope opened

Light from Bethlehem ablaze

 

World no longer suffers darkness

Humble manger shares love

Beneath heavens’ stars

Christ-child descends from above

 

Dreams of promised peace awakened

Gratitude filled with joy

Faithful kneel to pray

Each shepherd set to deploy

 

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From Luke 2:14:  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.”

Love’s Transforming Scope (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

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From Isaiah 7:14:  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.  Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.”

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God’s plan of redemption

Viewed through love’s transforming scope

Faithful virgin shall bear His Son

Fulfilling flame of eternal hope

 

God’s warm heart offers love

Promised Prince at Heaven’s gate

Empty darkness shall fill with joy

Breathing from cold, humble stable’s fate

 

God’s peace nurtures man’s trust

Filled with mercy’s lasting grace

Sacred Word witnessed in Son’s flesh

Living waters share love to embrace

 

God’s creation speaks truth

Blessed news fills shepherds’ ears

Advent’s greatest virtue breathes love

Silencing night, morning’s sun appears

 

Light born in Bethlehem

Delivered hope sharing peace

Angels’ unbelievable joy

Praising Savior’s love, shall never cease

 

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Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

The final hymn of this Advent series comes from the inspiration of American pastor and Christian writer Phillips Brooks.  Recalling his 1865 trip to Bethlehem, he wrote the lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.

Henri Nouwen Quote

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The spiritual life is a life beyond moods.  It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow ourselves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression.

From Philippians 4:4:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice“

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.

Overflowing with Joy (Third Sunday of Advent)

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From Philippians 4:4-5:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.”

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Waiting hope, in darkness

World absent of peace

When will joy truly arrive?

Faith’s brokenness must cease

 

Trusting God without fear

His comfort coming

Joy draws salvation’s water

Messiah forthcoming

 

Leading to Bethlehem

Hope shall be restored

Peace overflowing with joy

Heaven’s angels onboard

 

Praising with humble hearts

God’s gentleness seeks

Joy’s rejoicing voices sing

Shepherd’s emotions speak

 

Proclaiming hope’s presence

Repentance brings peace

Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy

Love opens heaven’s lease

 

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From Isaiah 12:5-6:  “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”  This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.  

William Carey Jones Quote

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The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burden, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.

From John 1:14:  “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

William Carey Jones (1855-1927) was an American Congressman from the state of Washington.