Joy-We Should Be Living It

One of the classes Barbie took while we were in NO was called The Joy Factor- it was motivational and was saying that Joy can make your salon more pleasurable to come to etc- she said how there are Joy robbers and Joy can be contagious-these are several factors of joy. I agreed with all that and a couple of times we used that statement like "your robbing my joy" when something or other happened, but being the deep thinker I am, I've been thinking about it ever since.

I'll start out with the acrostic I had written in the front of my Living Bible, which was the bible of my youth- I had written the key to real joy is J-Jesus First, O- others second, Y- yourself last. I think many of us live YOJ. It's the me generation, The I 's have it.

I have not always put Jesus first and often times even now I must do a check and I find myself lacking. Truthfully, I must say I desire to put Jesus first, to serve him and love him, to lead others to him, to know Him better, to let others see him in me and I fall short, but I keep trying and I have consistently been trying. Others second was usually an easy part for me, I love to do for others and I am a people person and I am a nurturer. I have also been a pleaser, so much so that at times in my life I have been a doormat almost for others. There again, it must be in the right perspective, be a servant for Christ and live to help those in need. Go the extra mile for others. BUT, share the love of Christ with everyone, even those who despise you, especially them. Yourself last, is the opposite of watch out for #1- you are your own best friend. I feel that this is do not be selfish - do not think me, mine, I want as your daily mantra.

Mother Teresa said " If you are joyful, do not worry. Joy will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance. You will not be able to hide it. Because joy overflows." I want this JOY_ I want to live it, so others will see and say I want that! As others watch us, and believe me, when you say I am a Christian, they are watching and waiting for those falls- they see if you have that fruit of JOY. Joy is how you look at life, its your attitude. Joy is how you handle difficulty and challenging circumstances. And talk about Joy robbers, SATAN is alive and well and desiring to take our JOY.

Did you know that looking at Gods word- Joy is mentioned 209 times in the King James version. Looking at a commentary on Crosswalk. com and looking at the Greek and Hebrew and Joy and all the words that are a form of joy and its meaning, it is mentioned 677 times in God's word. That's alot of Joy! I believe that next to love, it's something that God thinks is important enough to mention that many times-HE wants us to have it and show it and share it.

Some of my favorite Joy verses are:

Psalms 30:4-5 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (even in the storms of life, we will have it)
Psalm 16:11You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (with His word as our guide and filled with his promises, how can we not have it)
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 126:3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (these Psalms show joy with a thankful heart for what He's done for us!)
Acts 2:28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (God fills us with this joy, when we have His Holy Spirit in us)
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy.
11 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always.
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (AMEN and AMEN)

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

I know this was long, but if merchants motivate with Joy, think how Christians can motivate with it. In this day and time, don't you think people are seeking for the answer what will bring me JOY? Let's help them out and let them know the source of JOY-let's let it overflow!

Be blessed my friends and spread JOY!

My mind is on JOY

My mind has been on Joy and I will be writing about that tonight, until then go down and mute my playlist and look at this video. It's a good one.
Watch it and BE Blessed!

New Orleans-Time with Loved ones

I had a great time in New Orleans and yes I ate too much. When we first got there, we were lucky to get a really sweet lady who drove a Taxi-a van actually and she talked all the way and was delightful -so we got her # and asked her to come pick us up and take us back to the airport-so we made a new friend right away. Thanks Jan for taking good care of us and for telling us where to go eat dinner. She told us to go to Deanies and the food was delicious and way too much to eat. I shared with my waiter! We walked some of the streets and saw the night life which can get scary and really hasn't changed. My favorite part was spending time, just me and Ashley, I know she was missing her baby girls, but I'm thankful she gave me the gift of spending this time with me.Barbie and Laura were in class most of the day, but got to eat lunch with us both days.

This is Laura massaging my hip after I had walked about 5 miles at least with Ashley and came back to cool off and rest before dinner. She's so precious!!!!!We went, we ate, we laughed, I cried taking off on the plane which surprised my daughter, she thought I usually have it all together- I guess it's a quirk I should have listed the other day, I feel so anxious when I fly. But I had a great time with people I love and I'll do it again at the next opportunity. I'll write more details tomorrow-bed is calling- being a jet setter is tiring!As always, be blessed and remember He is the lifter of our heads!

Okay -I'm Home

I am home from New Orleans. I can't wait to share pictures and stories but it's really late.
Just wanted to tell you that my husband has got himself a new blog, so how about going and showing him some love at http://www.golfpapa.blogspot.com
I'll be back tomorrow.
Be blessed!

Before I go-here's a tag for ya.....

Favorite person: I can't say I have just one, I love so many and I cherish each person in my life for how they enrich my life.

Favorite food: EASY_ Mexican food -close second,Cajun food.

Quirks about me: I start lots of things and sometimes don't finish them...that's bad!:o(

How would the person who loves you the most describe you in ten words or less? My Emma Girl says I am the best MEME, The best reader, the best lover-for how I love her:o), the second best cooker, next to her daddy, the best gifter, the best singer. Those are wonderful compliments to this old MeMe-as far as John, I'll ask him when He gets off the golf course...

Any regrets in life? Sure, but they are mostly things I can work on. I do regret some things of my youth, but don't we all.

What can you NOT live without: Grandbaby love and coffee

Favorite blog: I love to read many blogs, and I love the people who relate back and forth with comments -the ones on my Favorite list are up there in my book!

Something you can't get enough of: Grandbaby love-learning how to be a better Daughter of the KING!

Worst job you ever had: I have never had a bad job.

What job would you pay not to have? housecleaning

If you could be a fly on the wall anywhere, where would it be? I don't like flys and I can't think right now of someplace I would like to see the goings on.

Favorite Bible Verse: I love all the ones written in black and red, but one of my life verses is Isaiah 41:10-"Fear thou not;For I am with you. Be not dismayed ;For I am your God; I will strengthen you, yes , I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of righteousness."

Guilty pleasure: Starbucks, and pedicures.

Got any confessions: not for public-I make them to who it Matters.

If you had $1000 to spend on YOURSELF, what would you spend it on? a new couch with good pillows and lots of comfort.

Favorite thing about your house: When the people I love are in it.

Least favorite thing: When it has dustbunny's everywhere, and when it's empty.:o(

One thing you are bad at: Confrontation.

If you could change one thing about your current circumstances, what would it be? My weight-I'm working on it-just probably not this weekend!

Who would you like to meet someday? My Lord and I WILL,on earth-Paula Deen, Beth Moore and probably Billy Graham.

What makes you feel sexy? Sexy-Meme's aren't sexy...
Who is your real life hero? Police officers

What is the hardest part of your job? How about if I tell you the best part of my job and leave it at that... I love the elderly, I love their stories, their experiences, their hugs and I love working with them.

When are you most relaxed? when I'm with my grandbabies, holding them.....

What stresses you out? pettiness and strife -it shouldn't have a place in our homes and families.

Favorite quotes: WE can do no great things-only small things with great love.- Mother Teresa

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not one single bit of talent left,and I could say I used up everything you gave me. -Erma Bombeck

Why do you blog? I love to write, I love the friends, I love the thought provoking, laughing, crying, sharing with others that happens on our blogs. I hope we each give and take and make each other better just by being real. I have gotten all this by interacting through my blog. Thank you Valerie for getting me to join ya!

Off to NO_ Be Blessed!!!

Looking Forward to My weekend!!!!

I am flying off today with my best friend Barbie and her daughter Laura, along with my oldest daughter Ashley. We are going to New Orleans. I am so excited! Weekend with the girls !!!It will most likely be centered around good Cajun food!!!! Walking, seeing, buying, eating. Cafe DuMonde and Beignets, Muffaletta sandwich from the Central Grocery- throw in some fine dining, not sure where yet. The shops on Canal, the Market, did I mention Pralines! The Church at Jackson Square. Shopping , eating. A little sleep. More walking, seeing, eating. I love New Orleans and have not been there since Katrina, so I will have new sights and surely some old familiar yummy ones. If you read this today, say a little prayer for Lorie and Barbie, remember we don't appreciate the joys of flying. I just have to keep repeating God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind. That, and prayer and my little encouragement pill usually work. Oh my, I'm getting nervous, let me get back to my wonderful list, some etoufee or red beans will be nice. My hotel has a Starbucks that's an extra blessing. Mostly, I thank God, I get to get away with my sweet daughter ( she does not fear flying), just me and her -some quality time. I'm not even going to drag my computer with me so, I guess it will be next week before I'm back to reading and writing. Until then...

BE blessed!

Time Management anyone or should I say women?

I was reading on a sweet sister's blog about the desire to do what is time wise best for the Lord and I remember so many times in my life, I felt exactly the same way and still do sometimes. We get too busy doing things less important. Especially when we realize this life is temporary.

Here's some thoughts to consider....

* Remember who's in charge.

* Schedule in reverse-put real priorities in pen on your schedule, (ie family time, bible study, date night with Husband) pencil in the less important after that.

* Be, rather than do.

* Get your spouse's thoughts on what can be robbing you of time.

* Be honest about your abilities and limitations. You can't possibly put overlapping , multiple things into one day and do your best at all of them.

* Don't underestimate the time needed when saying yes to ongoing commitments.

* Don't rely on last minute adrenaline rushes to prepare for important events. You might not have it in you due to illness, lack of rest or other unexpected things that happen.

I leave you with this thought:

My Lord and My God, with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in me, I will guard the time you have entrusted to me. "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us"2 Timothy 1:14

Didn't our Holy Father entrust us with all we have, including time?

Be blessed!