Have you given much thought to God being our provider? Provider. It is one of the names that He gives himself. What does He provide? Maybe the answers are quite obvious to you. Maybe not? Usually we think that we provide for ourselves... generally through the work of our hands, or our own cleverness. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 NLT This verse reminded me that not only did God provide a position for my husband when we moved to Pennsylvania, but he provided our home as well. As we consider how … [Read more...]
Several days a week I walk past this church. This day, the sun was beginning to set. It was what I call the golden hour. The sky was an intense blue and the church, which seems to usually be shaded, was illuminated. I wanted to share this golden moment with you. The photos were edited and ready to insert into this post. And then I struggled. Wrestled, really. Today something happened that I had to continually stand against with the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. It involved a church. I believe in the church. Ideally once we choose to follow Christ we need to be … [Read more...]
Have you recently felt like you were up against the wall? Maybe it would be better described as between a rock and a hard place. The Apostle Paul describes it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. Oh boy! This week I sure felt like I was hard pressed. Paul acknowledged that he was hard pressed...on every side. Do you identify? Some days, weeks, or months can feel like that. When there are no answers, when there is no cure, when we have no place to turn, when we feel backed into a corner...we are hard … [Read more...]
God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly. You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand, you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist. You own the cosmos—you made … [Read more...]
The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified. Deuteronomy 31:8, God's Word Translation If you would like a free downloadable print, click here, and save it to your computer. Print on your printer or have the image printed by your favorite photo printing service ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at An Extraordinary Day: Here are this week's … [Read more...]
Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 Okay. I'll admit it. This waiting is really hard. Really. I don't like it one bit. I have never, ever, prayed for patience. Maybe that's why God has put my patience to the test. What do you think when you read the words, be strong and take heart? I know....they don't seem too helpful do they? And more waiting! Really? It's easy to see a pretty picture like the one above and think, "That's nice." And move on. I decided to … [Read more...]
This week I've been thinking about how God told the apostle Paul, "My power is made perfect in weakness." Lately it seems that whatever I attempt to do in my own strength isn't successful. But, when I quit the striving, He moves. I'm not saying that God has been answering my prayers the way I would like. No. I'm just saying that I'm learning to get over the idea that it's me that needs to solve my situation. On January 2, I decided that I would put me aside and trust God totally for this leg of the great adventure. Do you realize that to consistently do that for four months is … [Read more...]
...and in all of our troubles I have great joy. 2 Corinthians 7:4b New Century Version When I read this the other day I was again struck with the realization that the Apostle Paul's troubles were many. Yet, because he trusted God and because the church there cared about him and encouraged him, he was able to choose joy. And not a little. Great joy. Wouldn't you like to have great joy? By reading scripture, it seems that the only way to have great joy is to live in the midst of trouble. If that is true....than I am in a pretty good spot to experience great joy. Maybe you are … [Read more...]
The party is finally over. We managed to enjoy this blogiversary celebration for nearly two whole weeks!! I am still in amazement at how much fun it was and how wonderfully gracious and generous my bloggy friends have been. This week, for me, has been an extraordinary wrap-up to the celebration. If you are a regular reader of Joy Day! posts each Sunday, you might have remembered seeing this scripture photo among the other spring flowers filling the post. One of you has quite a Pinterest following. I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I saw that it was pinned … [Read more...]
Filled with Joy.... Psalm 126 A song of ascents. 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with … [Read more...]
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God’s works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love. He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift! He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last— Never out-of-date, never … [Read more...]
After being bombarded all week with tragic photos everywhere, I want to give you.... a picture of hope. To give you words of truth. Words of hope. Beauty. A friend told me about this video. I don't usually watch videos...I prefer to read. If you're like me, humor me, please watch the video just because I ask you to. It's eye-opening. http://youtu.be/litXW91UauE Did tear up as you watched the video? If you're like me, maybe you've been running a recording in your head that really isn't true. Let's change that, my extraordinary … [Read more...]
My heart and my spirit sing songs of joy... Each day I take my camera in hand and make an attempt at capturing the glorious beauty unfolding around me. This spring. This world re-awakening. This bursting forth of bud and blossom and new life emerging from the depths. This hope renewed. My spirit sings JOY! I mediate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth, O God. Your majesty and glorious splendor have captivated me; I will meditate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth. We confess—there is nothing greater than You, God, nothing mightier than Your awesome … [Read more...]
O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 NLV What a crazy journey we are on. I would never have thought that when the movers came and loaded up all our worldly possessions into that 18 wheeler nearly 18 months ago that I would be sitting here today, writing this blog, nor would I have ever expected that we would be among the throngs of the unemployed. Who would guess that we would make such a big move only to find ourselves in this tenuous position? Not me. Our world which seemed to have been righted was flipped upside down in an … [Read more...]
He is risen! He is risen indeed! This greeting is exchanged by Christians all over the world on Easter Sunday. And with good reason. Jesus had predicted his torturous death and resurrection to his disciples. Read about it here. Certainly it was unbelievable to them at that time. And then, what a turn of events. In one week, Jesus went from being heralded as a king, the Messiah who would save the people from their unfair rulers and bring about a just kingdom on earth....to an innocent man, tried, convicted, and crucified. Oh the grief. The disciples could not comprehend how … [Read more...]
Jesus' last words from the cross.... After Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and died. John 19:30 If you would like to read a true account of Jesus' last day on earth, click here. I am humbled that Jesus would endure such torture for me. The love that he and the Father have for you and me is beyond imagination. You might pause with me now, remember, and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice. It's Friday..... but Sunday's coming!! Diane To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. … [Read more...]
Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout jubilantly, O daughter of Jerusalem! Look—your King is coming; He is righteous and able to save. He comes seated humbly on a donkey, on a colt, a foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 The Voice (VOICE) Palm Sunday.... a day when we wave palm branches and sing for JOY! What significance does Palm Sunday hold for you? It's Joy Day! Today is the day when we take time to look back over our week and count gifts/blessings. The good, and yes, the not so good things that happened in our lives. And we give thanks to God for … [Read more...]
