Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

 

It was fun hearing our congregation singing some of the old choruses we used to sing - and doing the motions to them!

 

Well done, my friends!

 

Do you have the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in your heart?

 

If you are happy and you know it - can you clap your hands?  Stomp your feet?  Say amen?  Do all three?

 

Can you smile awhile and give your face a rest?

 

Fun stuff!

 

Thanks to all of our volunteers - and everything they did in ministry that made yesterday such a success!

 

You are needed!  You are appreciated!

 

Some thoughts I didn't get to yesterday:

 

One of the greatest "joy-killers" is selfishness.  Selfishness is saying, 'I want what I want and  you want what you want and we don't get along together."

 

James 4:1,2:  "Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from?  They come from your desires - which are constantly fighting with your bodies - you strongly desire things but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight."

 

James is saying that if you are experiencing a lack of joy in your relationships, it is because there is a power struggle between two selfish insecure people.

 

For a lot of us, the simple solution to solving our relational issues is to grow up:  stop being so self centered.

 

Everyone is concerned about their "rights".  How many are concerned about their responsibilities?

 

Perspective is not what we see, but the way we see it.

 

Get the right perspective.  When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He's so big we can never kill him."  David looked at the same giant and thought, "He's so big, I can't miss."

 

Joy is the outward sign of inward faith in the promises of God.

 

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you."  Psalms 56:3

 

God can help you be a joyful person!

 

"Why be so gloomy and discouraged?  Trust in God!  Then I shall praise Him for His wonderful help.  He will make me smile again."  Psalms 43:5

 

Love you all......