JOY in the Middle...

   I was thinking about "contagious joy" this morning...reading Acts 2. Then I read the online news:
   ...American hostages of Somali pirates were murdered
   ...Severe earthquake in New Zealand with many deaths
   ...Violence all over the Middle East, with the dead littering the streets of many cities
   And so much more --- it causes my heart to cry out: "Lord, please show up in our world in a powerful way, and save us from ourselves, our fears, our violence, our hatred, injustice, abuse, and destruction."
   This is life in the tension...somehow, finding JOY in the middle of the chaos in our world and lives. Some would say, "how can we...SHOULD we find joy while there is so much suffering everywhere?"
   The peace and joy promised by Jesus are not separate from life. They are promised for living in the middle of strife. It is possible to feel sorrow and joy, deep concern and inexplicable trust at the same time.
    Keep us, Lord, right here in the middle...

Dealing with Crabby

    Yesterday I felt crabby. I wasn't dealing with any other crabby people, just myself. I have been trying to focus on the positive, the Word, the attitudes of Jesus in the middle of His greatest trials. Yesterday I didn't feel real successful.
    There are reasons which sound woefully like excuses: I didn't sleep well, and haven't for a few nights. Some of the medication I'm taking leaves me feeling less than energetic and just not well. You get the picture.
    I've been thinking of others I know who live with chronic pain of one kind or another. They don't have the hope that any amount of physical therapy will relieve them. They are weary of hurting.
    In our small group Bible study this week we read about Jesus' crucifixion. If anyone had reason to complain, it was Him. But He was silent.
    Today is going to be a quieter day, perhaps a day to deal with some of the stuff that goes on in my crabby corner!    
    

A New Week...Opportunities for JOY!

   Another new week and James reminds us to let every trial, every situation, become an opportunity for JOY! So what's on your agenda? Here are a few things on mine:
---Physical therapy, an opportunity for joy at flexing this new knee and strengthening my muscles
---Visiting Marvin at Just Like Home, an opportunity for joy as we think about other Valentine's Days, and laugh about the unique presents he always chose! He gets some peanut brittle and another bottle of mouth wash this year! My friend took me to lunch yesterday on Marvin's behalf..a Valentine's gift from him he doesn't know he gave!
---Resting my sore knee
---Lunch with some key people to discuss the April 2 JOY ADVENTURE --- EXCITING and AMAZING!
---Working on several fliers for upcoming dates
---Resting
---Preparing to talk to some seniors at the Public Library Wednesday about HUMOR...
---LAUGHING
---Pre-Marriage counseling via SKYPE
---THE UNEXPECTED
Most of these won't be trials, although problems come in strange packages at the most inopportune times! So I must be ready to let them be opportunities for JOY!
How about you?

EVERYTHING is not a crisis!

   I remember a time in my life when every single thing was some kind of crisis:

• When I made a mistake...it would mean I'd be fired; people would think I was stupid; I'd feel embarrassed and ashamed.
• When I spoke without thinking...I would go over and over the conversation in my mind, wishing I could "unsay" something, deciding what I should have said.
• When I was controlled by anger, fear, self-doubt...and reacted insanely, I wanted to simply hide.

I still do some of those things, but now I ask the question: "Is this a terminal problem? Life or death?" If not, which is usually the case, have I hurt someone? Do I need to make amends? If so, I pray for guidance about how to do that and try to do it. If it is only my ego, my reputation and my pride that's suffering...I can accept that, talk to God about that, and let it go.

Today I am thankful for PEACE and JOY.

DENIAL is definitely not a river in Egypt

    After knee replacement, they gave me 2 different kinds of strong pain meds...to help me  stand the rigorous exercises that will keep me moving. The meds are started in the hospital. They call it "keeping on top of the pain." The goal is to manage the pain so you aren't overwhelmed and quit exercising.
    Last week while still on the meds, I did several projects: W-2s for the church, some typing for CRG where I work, etc. A few days later I was off the pain meds and returned to these projects...because I had to correct the errors I made!
    I didn't even know how whacked out I was...I didn't really feel spaced or anything. Others noticed it though (quit laughing, you guys!).
    It makes me wonder how many other things I'm unaware of: words I say that are taken wrong or misunderstood by someone, attitudes that sneak out in spite of my efforts to keep them in check, grumbling and whining about my problems when someone next to me is struggling with something far worse. 
    Why can't the things that seep out of me always be positive, uplifting, inspiring, funny, godly?
    Guess the Word is true:  "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."
    God, please guard and heal all the little places in my heart, so only your love pours out.

It Makes Me Smile

   A song I was introduced to some years ago speaks to me now more than ever before...here are some of the lyrics:  Be Ye Glad by Michael Kelly Blanchard, c.1980, Paragon Music Corp, The Benson Co. Inc., Nashville, TN

   "In these days of confused situations, in these nights of a restless remorse;
   When the heart and the soul of a nation lay wounded and cold as a corpse.
   From the grave of the innocent Adam comes a song bringing joy to the sad;
   Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom has been paid up in full, be ye glad.

   Now, from your dungeon a rumor is stirring, you have heard it again and again;
   Ah, but this time the cell keys are turning and outside there are faces of friends.
   And though your body lay weary from wasting, and your eyes show the sorrow you've had.
   Oh, the love that your heart is now tasting has opened the gate, be ye glad.

   Chorus: Be ye glad; be ye glad. Every debt that you've ever had,
   Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord. Be ye glad; be ye glad; be ye glad.

   So be like lights on the rim of the water, giving hope in a storm of the night;
   Be a refuge amidst the slaughter of those fugitives in their flight.
   For you are timeless and part of a puzzle; you are winsome and young as a lad;
   And there is no disease or no struggle that can pull you from God, be ye glad."

   When I sing this song to Marvin, we have a good cry, but more and more we know the truth of this...Huntington's Disease can't separate us from God, disappointments in each other can't, losses can't, death can't...Romans 8 says that absolutely NOTHING can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus...cause for JOY!
  

Important Decisions

   Just days ago many streets in Cairo were alight with protestors, gunfire. Families were hiding in fear. Shops were closed and the din of horns and traffic well known in Cairo, was eerily absent. Then the army refused to fire on protesters. Last night's news showed a young family, walking their two young children down the street, stopping to talk to reporters. As they headed back home, they passed a tank stationed on the street.
   I pray that peace can be restored...that wisdom will reign.
   All decisions are life and death decisions in many ways, perhaps not seen so clearly and overtly. They lead us to more life or end up sucking the life right out of us. May our decisions today be wise and life-giving.