Joy Inspite Of Dark Days

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.

Prov 4:18-19 NRSV

I stayed up a little later than usual last night. Consequently, I ended up sleeping in later than usual, as well. It does not seem to matter whether it is the Upper Peninsula cold or Florida warmth; these darker days of winter definitely affect my need for sleep. I woke up this morning thinking about joy probably because this coming Sunday is the "Sunday of Joy."  But, also during the darker days of Advent I could; most of us could, use a little bit of joy injected into our lives.

I have a pretty good idea why our forefathers designated it as the "Sunday of Joy." First, we are getting closer, only a week a way from the day that we celebrate when the Son of God is born as Son of Man. That is Good News, indeed. It was a very dark world when he was born. He came to be the light that would open our eyes and hearts and minds to the knowledge of our Creator and Redeemer; so that we might follow in the righteous path.

It is also probably called the "Sunday of Joy" because the days are getting shorter and shorter and the darkness is getting longer and longer each day. In the darkness there is much gloom; so we do all that we can to insert a bit of joy into life so that no one despairs.

Soon, very soon, the darkness will be replaced with light. All will be changed (next week) and the days will get brighter longer; even as everything got brighter when Jesus was born to the world. There will still be darkness. But, the light will overcome the darkness as the light shines brighter and brighter until the day that he shall come again. This time in full glory!  In this we rejoice!

God's Peace be with you and may you serve Him always with a joyful heart!

Pr. J

The Light Has Come!

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you."
                               (Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV)

Well... last I looked the sky is not falling. The sun shines most of the time; at least it does here in Florida. Yet, doom and gloom abound. Yes, I agree. The world is not a perfect place. We are a part of that darkness. Sometimes we might even be responsible for inviting the darkness into our lives as we bury ourselves in the ways of this world. There are a lot of evils that must be combatted. Darkness does cover the earth. But, it doesn't have to cover you. 

It is time to shed the darkness that covers the hearts and minds sending God's beloved one's spiraling into depths of depression and despair.. Life here on earth is way too short to spend it in darkness waiting for the light to come. The light has come! Open your eyes to see it. Open your heart to receive him! Live life in the light! Live life in the presence of Christ!

Today is the day to arise and shine. Move forward with the life that God has given you here on earth. Arise and shine for the glory of the Lord shines over you and for you. Imagine, for a moment, what it would be like if the world or at least the people around you would live in the light of Christ. How would it change them? How would it change you? The world could use the light of Christ. Step out of the darkness and let the light of Christ shine through you.

May the light of Christ shine upon and through you that others might see the glory of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dem Dry Bones

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  (Ezekiel 27:1-3 NIV)

Can dry, dead bones live? Of course, they can! According to Jesus: "...with God all things are possible.” (Matt 19:26) In Ezekiel's vision he was told to prophesy to the breath and when he did the breath came into those dry bones. The breath of God, the Spirit of God, gives us life. It was the very breath of God that brought Adam to life. It is His breath that gives us life. It is His breath that gives us abundant life.

So if you're feeling pretty dried out and dead, ask and you shall receive. Jesus told his followers: Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:23-24)

So what will it be: a dried out life or a life filled with joy and peace in the Body of Christ? So many people running (more like crawling) around filled with depression; decreeing and declaring gloom and doom when they could be living filled with the breath of God, the Spirit of God, united with one another in peace and in joy. It is unimaginable, to me, that more will not walk in the way that brings eternal life in Christ, even now.

Dry bones, get up, receive the Spirit of God, and live life abundantly.

God's Peace - Pr. J