Joyfull Living

I have a little handmade hanging that I keep in my kitchen that reminds me of tasks done through the week to keep my home and my heart singing!  Monday Washday Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead. Tuesday Ironing Day Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of critical and judgemental attitudes I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others. Wednesday Mending Day O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others. Thursday Cleaning Day Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart. Friday Shopping Day O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love. Saturday Cooking Day Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness. Sunday The...

Do you ever have those moments that are filled with such joy you just want to capture and cherish them, not matter how simple they may be? One of those moments came this week for me.  It was Monday, which was a holiday and the weather could not have been more glorious. I was at the sink washing some mustard greens from the garden, enjoying the fresh air from the open window: As I looked out the window, I caught a glimpse of my father in law working on the old tractor: It is almost time to get started on the spring garden and although the old tractor needs much more tending to than it used to, it still gets the job done! Then the sight of my youngest came across my view: He’s all boy and loves a ball!  I couldn’t stay inside any longer, the weather beckoned and the sights needed to be absorbed. AAWW!  A perfect day and a beautiful moment!  It made my heart overflow with joy over God’s great blessings – home, family, love and His creation! 

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. I Thessalonians 5:15 Our family is winding down little league soccer season this week.  I think soccer is my favorite sport!  I love the action of the game, the fast running, the concentration and competition to get the ball. But I really love to watch a group of kids on the same team play together with unity and purpose.  They are striving to get the ball and get a goal.  Take a  look at this picture as they run together in almost perfect unison toward the ball.  What a picture of unity, purpose and determination! God’s Word encourages us as Christians to not get caught up in who wronged who or worry about paybacks.  But, we are to strive – use some action and effort to do what is good to one another and to everyone else.  So, may we be challenged to make it a purpose this week to look for and go do some good for each ...

This is a little late, but the Random Act of Kindness website issued a challenge for last week.  The challenge: To inspire each other by committing to do one kind act every day during Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Each day a prompt is given to work with to extend kindness.  Although a few days have past, these sound like good ideas to put into practice every day! Day 1.  Send a note of appreciation to someone you love. Day 2.  Smile at 10 strangers today! A sincere smile can really make a positive difference in someone’s day. Day 3.  Hold the door open for someone every chance you get today. Day 4 - Bring a treat to work.   Surprise your coworkers with a homemade treat, coffee, donuts, or cookies.  Bringing a small treat like homemade bread or cookies for your coworkers, classmates, and neighbors will really make them feel valued and appreciated. Day 5 - Donate to a cause.  Donate to a cause today! No matter what you ...

Do you remember the biblical account of Mary and Martha?  They were two sisters and dear friends of Jesus.  Once when Jesus was passing through their town, Martha welcomed Him and His followers into their home.  Most of us women know that that simple sentence "Martha received and welcomed them into her home",  involves and encompasses many tasks!  Received and welcomed are the basics of hospitality.  We all want to be hospitable!  But then the needs of guests quickly turn into work...hard work!  Cooking, cleaning, making them comfortable, serving food, filling drinks, etc. can quickly become a challenge.  Then to top it off...there sits her sister Mary, at the feet of Jesus, "doing" nothing!  Most of us can relate to Martha's complete meltdown at this point when she exclaims to Jesus "Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me!" This week I learned a little more about this passage th...

A paraprosdokian (from Greek "παρα-", meaning "beyond" and "προσδοκία", meaning "expectation") is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe the first part. It is frequently used for humourous or dramatic effect.  Here are a few cute examples: Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.  Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.  The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.  Evening news is where they begin with “Good evening,” and then proceed to tell you why it isn't. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that ...

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16   One of my favorite things about winter is sitting and gazing at a fire in the fireplace.  There is just something about the warmth and glow of a fire that just draws you in. At my home, my husband is chief fire starter followed by my sons.  Early one cold morning, I attempted to get the fire going.  I followed their example – newspaper, lighter wood then stacked firewood.  I didn’t want a huge blaze, so I just used a few pieces of firewood.  My fire quickly caught, then fizzled out.  Chief fire starter came to my rescue!  He told me, “You have to build it up high with many pieces of wood so the fire will consume the wood and put the warmth out quickly.” This verse came to mind.  If we let ourselves be consumed with the Lord, be filling our hearts with His Word and prayer, those we come in contact will fee...

One day a few months ago, I found this little book at a yard sale.  I was drawn to the beautiful artwork on the cover and through the pages.  It sat on my shelf for a while until I recently pulled it out to read it with my morning devotions.  This little book has blessed me so much!  It is called Savor This Moment by Karla Dornacher and is filled with not only beautiful artwork, but each page packs a powerful dose of encouragement for the day.  One page has a little poem about us living our lives as a teapot.  Like a teapot, filled with His love and power, God wants to tip you over and pour out His overflowing grace on the lives of those around you. It doesn't matter what your teapot look like. You may be short and stout, or you may be tall and stately. You may be bright yellow stoneware with red dots, or you may be white porcelain with hand painted roses. The truth is, no matter what our color or shape, we're all 'cracked pots", but God loves us an...

Happy Valentine's Day!!   I love this holiday where pink, red, roses, candy and love flourish all around!  With three sons, we don't really celebrate with too much fluff, but they do still love a little special treat from Mom on this day.  Since I'm not very creative, I'm been looking around for some easy things to do to celebrate. This day will be pretty active!  Husband will have a long work day and after working all weekend, will be pretty tired!  My older sons have school and the younger one has to go to the dentist in another town, which takes up most of the day.  Then it is to rush back home for a soccer game.  Whew!   But we will do a little bit of celebrating.  I found these adorable printable tags to spread some love at Graham Family Resources .  Dinner will have to be a make ahead meal since there won't be much time to cook.  But these Heart Shaped Brownies were made ahead and ready for dessert....

Day 13 - Love Fights Fair If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. —Mark 3:25   Arguments will come at one time or another.  There will be differing viewpoints on issues that couples will face. When these times come, if we have prepared in our heart a line that we will not cross, much hurt, anger and mistrust can be avoided.  Some guidelines may be: never use the word "YOU" in an accusatory manner.  "YOU" always..... never use words that directly criticize or bring shame.   stick to the issue at hand, don't bring up past issues remember that each one has an opinion, respect the other ones share your opinion or view with grace, kindness and love, not demanding to be right don't do what he hates...sulk, retreat, not say anything etc. Each marriage is different and we know what makes our own mates tick.  We have the power to hurt them deeply if we know their vulnerable parts.  Take...

Day 11 - Love Cherishes Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. —Ephesians 5:28 Cherish is to make and make known how special they are. May we cherish in our hearts our mates and show with our actions how much we cherish them: Love Dare: What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, “I cherish you” and do it. Day 12 - Love Lets the Other Win Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. —Philippians 2:4 Wow!  What can we add to that?  A huge step of maturity in marriage is the realization that we are not always right and don't have to win. Love Dare: Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

I will probably date myself with this one, but I loved Mikey!!  Still to this day reference him when someone will eat anything...my kids though haven't a clue what I'm talking about!

Day 10 - Love Is Unconditional God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8 During the marriage ceremony, the vows promised to one another speak of unconditional love.  Will you love through better or worse, through sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, for richer or poorer?   Those who have been married any length of time understand that these challenges do come up and unconditional love is not ran by our emotions or feelings.  In times of 'worse' we may not feel very loving! Unconditional love is oftentimes reflecting on those vows taken at the beginning of marriage and reinstating them with purpose to love each other...no matter what. The Love Dare:  Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse—something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstr...

What is it that brings mom and dad out a few evenings each week, on freezing winter nights, in drizzling rain and early Saturday mornings?  As the weeks of practice and interrupted evening plans blossom into friendship and new bonds with other parents as we cheer together from the sidelines.  As we watch our little guys (and girls) fight and battle with such determination and drive over one little ball, you know soccer season is in full swing! Here is our youngest in action on the soccer field:

Day 9 - Love Makes A Good Impression Greet one another with a kiss of love. —1 Peter 5:14 Nothing spells out special like a warm greeting.  A welcoming greeting shows someone they are loved and were missed.  Today's Dare: Think of a specific way you’d like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:5-7 As February finds our hearts ‘feeling’ more loving, may we be reminded that God has called us to not only love one another, but to be like minded in the fact that our words, mind and actions glorify Him together.  Sometimes it takes patience to love each other and we may not always agree on everything, but God is glorified in all of our relationships when we put our minds and words in agreement to praise and honor the Lord. 

Day #8 - Love Is Not Jealous Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire. — Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV Love is a powerful force that can churn up a variety of emotions!  Love often is described with feelings such as butterflies in the stomach when he comes near, a fluttering heart, becoming  tongue tied, feeling gloriously happy etc.  But one emotion can cause extreme damage to a marriage - jealousy.  Of course we need to be protective of our man and be alert and aware of the dangers that may cause temptation. But we need to guard ourselves again excessive jealousy. When jealousy enters the heart, the beautiful emotions of marriage such as security, trust and honor dim as negative emotions such as distrust, insecurity, fear and bitterness contend for top rank. May we be encouraged to fight jealousy with action.  By loving and freely expressing love to our mate.   By building him up and gi...

This month's Marriage Monday offers the opportunity to share our Christian testimony as we share the wooing of our First Love - the Lord Jesus.  His love is the true love that affects every relationship we have, especially those closest to us, including our mates. Although the thread of my parent's love for me ran deep through my childhood, poor choices, arguments, inconsistency, unfaithfulness, insecurity and many other ups and downs marked my life while growing up. The example of love and marriage set before me lacked a genuineness and depended upon circumstances rather than faith and hope in God.  My earliest memories were of my family sitting together in church then only in a few short years later plunged into a home filled with arguments, bickering, and ultimately the devastation of unfaithfulness and separation.  During my teenage dating years, I consistently made poor choices and was headed completely in a direction that would have caused considerable pain and t...

Day 7 - Love Believes the Best Love believes all things, hopes all things. —1 Corinthians 13:7 Everyone needs a boost every now and again.  We all need someone in our corner affirming us and noticing the good qualities that are in us. Loving our mates means we may have to revisit those wonderful qualities that are in them.  True love looks for and believes the best for our spouse.  What we look for and focus on is what we will see and react to.  May today have us looking for those traits and commenting in a good way about them. Today's Dare: For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteri...

Day 5 - Love Is Not Rude He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him. —Proverbs 27:14 Rude??? Me????  I'm not rude, but I do have some habits that are annoying to my hubby.  I do know a few of them and often times don't make much effort to change them, after all, they are just little things!  But Love Is Not Rude and this is an area for a little restraint to be practiced. If you are up for a Love Dare, here it is: Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only. Day 6 - Love Is Not Irritable He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. —Proverbs 16:32 Most mornings find me as cheerful as a morning lark, things get accomplished, I'm in good spirits, energized and ready to face the day....

A good friend sent to me this week in an email and I thought it was too cute not to share!  Since I was born and raised in the south, this could be some of my kin folk!! Sorry it is a bit blurry, don’t squint too hard, just look at the pictures! Have a great weekend!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me. . . .How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. —Psalm 139:17–18 When was the last time you spent a few minutes thinking about how you could better understand and demonstrate love to your spouse?  What immediate need can you meet?  What's the next event you could be preparing for?  Great marriages come from great thinking.  Being thoughtful takes a little bit of preparation and effort, but brings a smile to the heart to the giver and says I Love You loudly to the receiver!