This week I was prodded to change my outlook on life.

Somewhere in this great big invisible world we call the internet I read a phrase that stuck with me.

Forget talking about your troubles.

If we don’t talk about our troubles…what do we do?

Celebrate our joys!

 

Tulips :: Share Encouraging Words :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I have a good friend that I chat with irregularly via email.  At this time in our lives it’s the best form of communication.  It’s efficient.  When we get the chance to talk on the phone….it’s a looooong talk.  And we usually don’t have time to do that very often.

Today I did something I don’t usually do.  I emailed her something that had encouraged me, because I knew it would make her happy to learn of this wonderful word I received.

Because my friend and I have been long-term prayer partners and have gone through big challenges together, what I often find myself doing is sending her a quick email asking her to pray for something.  And sometimes I might even whine a little about a certain predicament.  But, not today.

After I shared the words that encouraged me, I asked, “Tell me the good things that happened in your week.”

Later her response to me contained her family’s new upcoming plans for spring break.  The last time we spoke they weren’t going to make any plans or do anything special.  I felt led to pray about that, for God to work something out for them.  So when she shared her plans I was so blessed to learn God answered my prayer for my friend.  Yay God!

She went on to share several more good things that happened or encouraged her heart this week.

And my heart was rejoicing along with hers!

 

This may not seem like a big thing.  But, I think it’s these little things that we do that change the trajectory of our day, our week, our life.

 

Coral Tulips :: Share Encouraging Words :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

For nearly two years I have been asking you to join me in counting ‘seven’ each Sunday.  Joy Day! has become like an institution in this short time on the blog.  Each week we count seven things from the past week….the good and maybe not-so-good things and give thanks.  For many of us counting gifts has become a regular discipline and sharing them in community here has been a blessing.

This challenge I flung out here for everyone a few days ago is really a springboard of sorts from counting gifts and giving thanks.

What makes it so different is that it involves telling.

Telling in person or electronically such as on Facebook.

Something really big happens when we speak.  

Our mouths are powerful.  They can be a weapon or a blessing.  I vote for blessing. They can even prophecy the future.  (I recently learned of a man in jail, who was told growing up that he would never amount to anything and would spend time in jail.)

So why not use our mouths and our electronic communications to tell the good things, to celebrate joys.

Why not!

As I was praying, asking God to direct me to scripture for this post, he showed me this….

I’m ready, God, so ready,
    ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
    “Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
    Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”

I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
    every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.

Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

Psalm 57:7-11 The Message

 

Seriously….is this amazing or what?

Just reading these words, my heart sings!

 

Encouraging Words :: Psalm 57 :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This particular verse jumped out at me…

I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing your praises in town and country.

 

When I asked you to take the challenge…to celebrate your joys…and share them on Facebook I was essentially asking you to live this verse.

What a difference it makes to celebrate our joys.  When we share them out loud, we are singing God’s praises.  And God is blessed when we sing his praises beyond the doors of our homes.

When we do this, we bless each other, we bless God, and we encourage each other to think and speak in ways that not only please God, but are truly life-changing.

So let’s forget about talking about our troubles when we see each other.  Instead, let’s ask and tell each other about the good things in our lives.  

I’m thinking there will be some real benefits to this such as…

  • Better sleep
  • Better relationships
  • Deeper conversations
  • More praying
  • More answers to prayers
  • Impacting our world…

If you think of more…share them.

These verses I shared? They really weren’t new to me, I had underlined them some time ago in my Bible.   That’s what I love about God’s word.  It’s so alive!  Passages we have read can jump off the page at anytime and connect with us in new and fresh ways.

Are you Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune?

I’d be delighted to have you pop over to Facebook daily to share and celebrate your joys!

 

 

Joy Day! :: Celebrate Joy ~ Share Encouraging Words :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Today is Joy Day!

 

Thanks for popping over today.  Please join us in community and count ‘seven.’  We take a minute to breathe in grace when we look back over the past week and count the gifts and blessings from the week.  I hope you take the challenge.  Some gifts aren’t exactly pleasant (don’t I know).  Yet, in all things we are to give thanks.

Please join me in counting just ‘seven’ from the past week.

I’ll start…

God, I am grateful for…

  1. spending time reading a book with my husband which has been a great springboard for discussion and prayer.
  2. geese…paired up in the park and capturing them digitally.
  3. your promises to meet ALL our needs.
  4. an interview for a part-time temporary job…finally.  I can hardly wait for the “your hired” call.
  5. waiting.  And the growth that comes in your waiting room.
  6. the most encouraging words from a reader this week.
  7. the position (job) you are preparing for my husband.


Now it’s YOUR turn!!

Join me in counting ‘seven.’
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’
I dare you!

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully,

Diane

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Comments

  1. Thanking God for:

    1. My teenage sons coming up and hugging me “for no reason”.
    2. The ability and means to take a day trip as a family (happens once, maybe twice, a year)
    3. Safe, snuggly, little puppies.
    4. That there are only THREE of them this time! :O)
    5. All the kind, giving people I’ve ‘met’ through blogging.
    6. Happy little bird chirps outside my window.
    7. Being able (last week) to get the bird who had flown into the house out safely.

  2. Suzi says

    1. Good visits with mom’s doctors and that she can drive again
    2. Hubby and I celebrating 40 years together
    3. Closing on his mom’s house 🙂
    4. Vintage Quilt Blocks found in his mom’s house
    5. finally getting a much needed haircut
    6. Piddling around in the garden a bit
    7. Accomplishing a small painting project, finally 😉

  3. Gail says

    1/ husband much better, week 7 of shingles
    2/hospital bill fully erased by hospital. God’s favor
    3/lost cat found
    4/ 16 year old washing machine died and we had $ to replace it
    5/ animal adoptions at shelter up
    6/ read interesting book, Circle Maker by Batterson
    7/ (finally) making 2014 goals. Exciting because all require God’s help and/or favor

  4. judianni says

    1..eyes to see my family and the beauty of the world God created
    2..the ability to speak aloud and share my praises with God and friends
    3..the beautiful behind my house
    4..safe return of my daughter from a South American mission trip
    5..my health restored after 6 weeks of colds and their complications
    6..my new doctor, a believer, a precious person, wise in field and anxious to explain anything
    7..freedom (though threatened) to speak openly about Christ so that others may come to Him!!!

  5. Betty Brown says

    1.Son without a job,going to work in the morning.2.Daughter hospitalized for abusing pain meds coming home from the hospital ready to live her life.3.Out of four biopsies only one needing more attention.4.Strength to get up for church.5.Money to be able to bless one of our children.6.Hearing that You accept me.7.No er trips to va hospital.

  6. Mel says

    Oh what a difference to share your joys with anothrr person!! Love the tulips…waiting on them to break the earth here!! Oh the joys!!
    –I got to witness the most awesome column of light at sunset…AND I had my camera handy. Score!! LOL
    –Right place at the right time, I could pick up the grocery tab for a frazzled mom who couldn’t get her card to work.
    –I had a busy, productive work week…I wasn’t bored!
    –the cost of driving 90 miles a day is covered…I’m so grateful.
    –I see green pushing up in places!!
    –the fellas at the club the hubby belongs to adore my chex mix. I’m a hit! 😉
    –I have a new physician who thinks she can treat my nerve pain. Wooohoo!!
    –I put out the birdbath today. 🙂

  7. Debbi Saunders says

    I am so grateful for:
    1. A whole week filled with Peace! Thank you to all who are praying for and with me!
    2. My Son came into a considerable financial blessing that he so desperately needed for school!
    3. That I have sensed a greater inner Peace in my brother in the midst of his trials.
    4. I am grateful that my daily scriptural text messages to my Dear Friends has brought comfort and strength.
    5. that I have felt God’s presence in such a real way this week.
    6. that I had my Mom for 60 years….yesterday April 5th (Good Friday), 2 years ago, she went home to be with the Lord. I miss her so much!
    7. that she continues to guide me through all her notes, index cards of meaningful scriptures, Much marked and underlined Bibles and daily devotionals!

  8. Stopping by for some joy. I had an amazing day yesterday, but had an emotional night, couldn’t sleep. I still know how very lucky I am, and am truly blessed. I was able to give my 5 year old a dream birthday weekend. I have two healthy boys. I have a husband that loves me. I have blog friends, that not only take time to comment, but to reach out via email 😉 I am a lucky girl.
    Hugs from Mindie May @ Bacon Time

  9. Gwen says

    JOYS. Forget not all His benefits
    1. Lilacs
    2. Debbie, Anne, Karen there at staggering times yesterday when I needed help
    3. Mom
    4. Donna. I miss her so
    5. Getting to see Cessie and Aron. Share a Bible time. The boys cut up apples. Ate. The little girls played and the children wanted to stay!! They called me Grandma Gwen! Love!!
    6. Two grandsons here. Little two year old trying to help me and comfort me
    7. John and our Bible Study studying it

  10. Carolyn Ward says

    Hello, Diane,
    Wonderful blog you’ve shared with us, as always. Yes, let’s focus on our joys! Let’s praise God to the highest heavens!
    1. A dependable car, actually 2 or them, to go wherever & whenever we need.
    2. Stamina of my husband in his library ministry. He thought he had found a replacement but it didn’t work out. He is faithfully carrying out his duties w/o complaint.
    3. Good health to enjoy the varieties of weather this spring.
    4. Money for gas to travel to our little lake house hideaway!
    5. Family to welcome & enjoy.
    6. Home improvements we are making little by little.
    7. Lots of time each morning to enjoy reading the Bible & devotional book. Praise God for Christian authors over the decades. I’m enjoying “Streams in the Desert” by Mrs Cowman.

  11. Katie says

    Love this!
    1. I am thankful for spring!
    2. I am thankful for my dog, because I have to walk her every day and I am seeing spring bloom around me like never before.
    3. I am thankful for my camera that my husband worked hard to pay for just because I wanted it.
    4. I am thankful that school will be over in a few weeks and that my kids will never have to go back to public school.
    5. I am thankful for close friends who commiserate with me about anything and everything.
    6. I am thankful for my husband’s new job.
    7. I am thankful for Bath and Body Works Lavender Vanilla Wallflowers bc my bedroom smells like heaven! 🙂

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