Tag Archives: joy

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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Courtesy of Pinterest.

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.

 

Promise Fulfilled (Elfchen Series #230)

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Devotion

Witnessed

Discipleship’s faith

Always take courage

Christ offers His peace

Love

Vision

Trusted

Father above

Rising above darkness

Christ’s light delivers peace

Hope

Gratitude

Seasoned

Spirit descends

Righteousness fills journey

Guided by Christ’s peace

Joy

 

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

Father’s Comforting Heart

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From Isaiah 49:13:  “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!  For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.”

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Peace rises above

Father’s comforting hand

Over every high mountain

Answers cover distant lands

 

Love rises above

Father’s comforting sense

Compassion lifts up each saint

Answers come to one’s defense

 

Hope rises above

Father’s comforting voice

Light eradicates darkness

Answers offer trusted choice

 

Joy rises above

Father’s comforting grace

Every storm becomes quiet

Answers which all should embrace

 

Grace rises above

Father’s comforting heart

Discipleship feeds spirit

Answers sustain faith’s restart

 

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From the words of American Christian writer, Lettie B. Cowman:  “Put your hand into the hand of God.  He gives the calmness and serenity of heart and soul.”

Monday Memories: From Her Window

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Peering out from her window

Times changing much, much too fast

Being alone many years

Husband and friends having passed

 

Small home meets her meager needs

But, the neighborhood has changed

Folks come and go, few she knows

Life blurs by, as if arranged

 

Sheltered from the outside world

Homebound most days by herself

Family in distant states

Ignored like books on a shelf

 

Watching some television

Staying away from the news

Remembering old classics

Dreaming of Julie Andrews

 

Reading occupies her time

Local newspaper connects

Crossword puzzle smiling back

Novels thrill with their suspects

 

Peering out from her window

Another sunset draws near

Unfamiliar car drives up

Grandchildren bring happy tears

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Originally published August, 2020.

Timely Presence (Haiku Series #292)

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Daylight’s Gift

Morning’s stillness breathes

Renewing peace returns home—

Dawn welcomes one back

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Energizing Joy

Afternoon’s hope stirs

Gentle breezes come calling—

Spirit fills each heart

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Blessed Goodnight

Nightly curtain drops

Horizon’s fading embrace—

Tomorrow’s light waits

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Counting as Joy

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From James 1:2-3:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Facing life’s trials

Any and all kinds

Counting as joy

Faith never resigns

 

Testing endurance

Burdens grow lighter

Blessing as joy

Hope growing brighter

 

Maturing in faith

Every doubt erased

Feeling as joy

Father’s grace embraced

 

Growing every day

Inner self renews

Holding as joy

Spirit standing true

 

Preparing our way

Eternity’s flame

Seeing as joy

Peace in Christ proclaims

 

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From 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  “So we do not lose heart.  Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

Summer’s Breath (Haiku Series #291)

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Endless Joy

Vacant lot’s dirt piles

Imagination’s new heights—

Scaling new mountains

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Hunger Pains

Stomach’s emptiness

Texting mother for some lunch—

Tree-fort food service

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Relief Arrives

Calendar’s big day!

School year finally begins—

Parents celebrate

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Peace Descending

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From John 14:27:  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

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Faith’s treasured bouquet

Running short of petals

Once filled with brilliant colors

Now fading away

 

Another day stirs

One more petal succumbs

Little color to witness

Darkness closes in

 

Mercy knocks at door

Savior shares timely grace

Fullest, colorful petals

Light rises again

 

Daily bouquet breathes

Everlasting goodness

Heavenly peace descending

Hope singing with joy

 

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From Numbers 6:24-26:  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Love’s Lasting Imprint

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From Psalm 9:1-2:  “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds  I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

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Singing highest praises

Receiving daily gifts

Blessings from Savior’s breath

Steering man from sinful drift

 

Witnessing blood-stained cross

Declaring Christ, our Lord

Rising from darkened tomb

Crushing evil’s sinful sword

 

Suffering no longer

Driving fear from each heart

Warming to Heaven’s light

Forgiving sins, life’s fresh start

 

Trusting in God above

Giving thanks for His grace

Bringing faith renewed strength

Erasing sin’s dark embrace

 

Sending peace down to earth

Designing joy’s blueprint

Raising new hope through truth

Marking love’s lasting imprint

 

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From Psalm 9:9-10:  “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”