Headache Time

    Have you ever had a headache.  I mean a shot in the head, light and noise like lightning bolts, sick to your stomach kind of headache?  Even though I have had a true migraine that has put me to bed, I'm not talking about that.  I'm talking about a person or situation that knocks your lights out. 
    Some days can leave you on the floor.  A knock out that leaves you not thinking or feeling right.  But what is to be done?  Only one thing-get back up.  Life wants to suck the life out of you.  The good news is- God doesn't.
    The Bible says in Rom 8:6-7  "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."  I know even when I am drooling on the floor knocked out, I can get back up.  The reason is because in God there is forgiveness and peace.  Only in God is true forgiveness is found, for yourself and others.  Peace comes when we let go of what the flesh wants.  To get back up I need to put my mind back on the leading of the Spirit of God.  God is a healer in more than one way.

Joyful Days and Nights- Part Two

    During this time of vacation (and the reason for my lack of blogging) I have had endless moments of joy and happiness. Sun, water, and family can hardly be beat in the fun and happiness category.  A beautiful lake, jet skis, a speed boat all add to a happy setting.  But my favorite moments were when I had a chance to just float in the water with my daughter and talk. 

    Now that I’m not on the lake, the happiness I felt has subsided.  But not my joy or the time floating, talking about nothing and everything, with my daughter.  A sunset can end but joyful times building a relationship has eternal value.

     The Bible says in Psalms 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.”  Family time builds me up because I can see the strength in our once one family, is now four families.

    My family is growing and I place my trust in God.  Joy is the result of a life trusting in Him instead of running from one “Happy” moment to another.  Joy comes through an abundance of time “floating on the water and talking”.

Joyful Days and Nights- Part One

Today my husband and I went fishing.  O.K. I mean my husband fished and I read a book.  It was a beautiful summer evening on the lake.  This is one of my favorite activities.  Sun, water, and family is a perfect equation for happiness.  My husband is happy because he is fishing and I am within arm’s reach.  I am happy because he is happy.  While he is fishing – I am reading.

    However, the happiness I enjoyed on the gently rocking boat ended when at sunset the mosquitoes chased us off the lake.   Happiness only lasts for a short time because it is a feeling based on circumstances. Because circumstances are constantly changing, happiness can come and go. But I’m fine with that because I have something even better. JOY.

    Joy is not a feeling.  It is an attribute of our spirit man and the Spirit of God.  It is a constant because it “springs” up out of our relationship with God and His nature.  The Bible says in Psalms 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.”

   Joy is an expression of God’s strength that is available for anyone who will trust in Him.  So even when I am walking through difficult times and I am not “feeling happy”, joy is always with me.  Joy fills my heart and my mouth with a song.  So if you hear me singing, you know why.